Should we go to a RCC christening of a relative
Q: My wife and I have a semi-close relationship with my sister and her family (they are Catholic) but they live in the same neighborhood as us. My sister just had her third baby and plans to have his christening in a couple of weeks.
I went to my other nieces christenings before I was married and before I learned biblical teaching (where I became aware of how false the Catholic church is). It's my understanding that Catholic's believe they are ridding of the baby's original sin? If so it's a completely heretical practice that contradicts the truth of Scripture & the Gospel.
We know not attending will sever part of the relationship we have with them. We are looking for council on how to handle this situation as my sister and her family will be offended and probably not at all understand why we wouldn't show up in support of her child. They know we do not agree with Catholic theology, but this would be quite extreme for them.
Thank you in advance for your council and guidance regarding this.
A: I would not attend in the same way I don’t attend gay weddings or weddings of a believer to an unbeliever.
It’s not a real/valid baptism your witnessing [being a witness to], as it’s not reflective of the true Gospel.
We cannot go because it makes it seem like we are in agreement eith reportedly false Gospel, and as if were both Christian, and it unjustly tries to unequally yoked us as if yoked in Gospel unity. We arent united with darkness, which they preach as truth.
Yes, they hold to that false teaching & practice. “By baptism, all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sin”, (from one of the statements on that article).
This explains it fairly well,using their own catechism, how it's unbiblical! Their false Gospel outpours into this “sacrament”. And is the main reason why we say don't go.
There's already division cuz they're in darkness and your in the light.
Remember. Matthew 10:34-39
"Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to.bring peace, but a sword. For I came to turn a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a person’s enemies will be the members of his household.
“The one who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and the one who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And the one who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. The one who has found his life will lose it, and the one who has lost his life on My account will find it."
If God wants them in your life they will be. If he wants you to minister to them now or later, that opportunity will present itself. Don't be a coward. Don't be ashamed of the true Gospel of Christ. Stand firm unwavering, showing your love of God and truth. Speak truth. Stand up for the Faith in truth, by declining.
If a invite comes by mail. Just decline. It avoids the issues and they go about their lives. If they contact you, just tell them we are prioritizing our Lord’s Day. It’s a hard conversation for sure. Pray about it and do not go against your conscience because THAT is sin.
If they press you on it, on why, briefly explain you "As a Christian we cannot be a witness to something that contradicts Scripture and the Gospel", then tell them youre happy to discuss it more over coffee. Then invite them over, share the Essentials of Christianity, the Gospel, and further that why RCC doesnt teach these truths [is a false religion]. Its a way to lovingly minister truth to them. This opportunity might be the timing where God might save them then and there, and start going to your church. Where they can do a baby dedication there to raise the child in the Lord. Don't fear men, but God. And love them and Him enough to speak the truth.
If you need more guidance on this and ministering, I encourage you to sit and talk with your pastor and elders about it.
God bless
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