steveh53

During lent I like to go to the Stations of the Cross even though I am no longer a Catholic. I don't see anything wrong with it, but other Christians in my Church don't like the idea. I just make sure that I don't pray their prayers about one Catholic and Apostolic Church in the Apostles Creed. Outside of that, the service is a wonderful reminder of the events of Good friday through the Reusection. It is probably the only rite that I still hold dear from my youth, when I was an Altar Boy in the sixties. What do you people think?

Steve

Bassmasa

I don't see any problem, either. I'm a former Catholic, I actually refer to myself as a Roman Baptist, and understand your connection. In my very humble opinion, I can't see anything wrong with what you described. As long as your focus is on worshipping Christ for what he suffered on our behalf, I would think God would take great joy in your actions.

Many people from one denomination don't understand the actions of another, that applies to ALL denominations. I've learned that you don't have to answer to them, but only to God. Sounds to me like they're being a bit legalistic, which should be of no concern to you.

Struick

I have no idea what "Stations of the cross" means or stands for.

Bassmasa

Good point, Struick. Lots of others probably don't know, either:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stations_of_the_cross

In Catholic churches, each of the "stations" is a picture or sculpture depicting the 14 stages of Christ's crucifixtion. You've probably seen them, but never noticed them, they generally are spread out among the side walls of the sanctuary. During the Stations of the Cross, a priest and his companions will physically walk to each one, read a scripture or prayer, then the congregation prays/signs as well. It's meant to remind us of Christ's suffering.

twistedLinen

the idea is that they do this every lenten season and not realizing that it is finish long time ago. Also some says its just a matter of re-enactment or remembering the sufferings of Jesus Christ but they never come to realize the finish work of salvation. Instead of mourning we should be rejoicing, aint we..

Gee i dont have anything against it, i mean the event.... its just that they dont get the idea of the cross at all.. after lenten season, back to normal! seems like its just these season catholics need to be holy, to be quiet...

__________________
it is better to be loving than to be right

Struick

Thanks for the info.
I have never seen it, I guess I should go sometime and check it out.

steveh53

And how is this different from 80% of the "Christians" in the world today?

Steve

LoveRevival

I have many friends from diffrent camps of the body of Christ some of them are protestants others catholics. I have found that there are some protestants that say I'm not a catholic but a christian and I've heard catholics say the following I'm not a christian I'm a catholic.

This little missunderstanding and miss use of these words have caused missconception and division in the body of Christ.

The truth is that each born again believer and follower of Christ is a CHRISTIAN wheather he or she is a protestant or a catholic.

We are one Body many members, the same Spirit is doing diffrent things in our lives and the same Lord is distributing diffrent ministries among us.

For unity among brethren, Jonatan Svensson.

www.LoveRevival.com

Bassmasa

I see your point, but this practice in no way deters from the ultimate victory Christ won with his ressurection. Instead, the Stations of the Cross remind us how much He suffered, the pain He endured, and the absolute physical and mental torture Christ submitted to on my (and our) behalf. The resurrection is so meaningful precisely because God Himself gave up everything for us. To not remind ourselves of His suffering is to belittle the sacrifice. I personally haven't done the Stations in probably 15 years, but remind myself frequently of what He endured for ME...it still blows my mind.

It's easy to say, "He suffered and died for me." But to put myself in His position and sympathize helps me appreciate the sacrifice more.

Christmas reminds us of birth and hope, Easter is the ultimate victory. Commemorating the events of Good Friday are simply another way we can honor Him.

twistedLinen

Yeah right, there are lots of claiming "christians" who does not walk in righteousness. THey're just contented being saved, and thats it, saying whatever i will do now, i will still go to heaven..

The difference, these Christians know the significance of the cross.. That Jesus won the victory over death, we dont need to do it anymore.. While the Catholics still going through these station at the cross and all the lenten season activities, that says going through what Jesus did, and in the Last Sunday of Celebration, thats also just the time Jesus raised from the dead.

But they have also something in common, both parties didnt get what it means to be taking up ur cross daily. While its true, Jesus Christ became the lamb, we need to do our parts, taking our cross daily means renouncing our selfish ambitions, and living a life worthy of calling to be Christians...

Anyways they're both wrong, they're both need prayers to be on the right track... Only God knows the heart of each one... I also said in my last post i have nothing against it..

__________________
it is better to be loving than to be right