Got excommunicated by a Roman Catholic

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Minh

Puritan Board Freshman
Yesterday, I met a close friend who is a Roman Catholic on FB. To be sure, I believe she is very moral, affectionate in her sincerity to serve the Lord. But it becomes clear to me that this woman is a committed Romanist when she is focusing more on the sacraments rather than the Scripture itself. So I set out to evangelize her through Messenger. First, I begin to recommend her J.I.Packer's Knowing God. After a lengthy discussion about other topics, I begin to talk about the assurance of salvation. I explained why only Christ can satisfy the justice that we are indebted because of our sins. And I cited Roman 5 to show how faith in Christ alone is the only ground by which we have peace with God. I knew well that I can be accused of antinomianism so I explain that good works do prove that our faiths are genuine. But the bottom line is, Christ alone is to be trusted for our salvation. Time forbids for lengthy discussion so I sent two articles by J.C.Ryle on this subject (I will post it below) before I leave the chat. And so I went to bed very anxious about that. I prayed to God in rejoicing because, by His grace, I'm more concerned for souls and the Gospel than worldly businesses. I prayed that the Holy Ghost might convict her heart that she might see Christ. The next day she blocked me. I couldn't even send her a message. I guess she was confused by what Rev. Ryle has to say:

"The Church of Rome does this systematically. She adds things to Christianity over and above the requirements of the Gospel, of her own invention. She speaks as if Christ’s finished work was not a sufficient foundation for a sinner’s soul, and as if it were not enough to say, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." She sends men to priests and confessors, to penances and absolution, to masses and extreme unction, to fasting and bodily mortification, to the Virgin Mary and the saints – as if these things could add to the safety there is in Christ Jesus. And in doing this she sins against the doctrine of God’s Word with a high hand. Let us beware of any Romish hankering after additions to the simple way of the Gospel, from whatever quarter it may come...."

Thoughts?

https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/ryle/ryle_oneway.html
http://www.biblebb.com/files/ryle/way_of_salvation.htm
 
Many of us get "excommunicated" on Facebook and also blocked by the Jewish Pope and Lord of the Internet, The Supreme Pontiff Zuck.
 
Getting unfriended/blocked on Facebook is not an excommunication, which is an ecclesiastical sanction. It is better to think of it as being unpersoned for wrong think.
 
Getting unfriended/blocked on Facebook is not an excommunication, which is an ecclesiastical sanction. It is better to think of it as being unpersoned for wrong think.

True. There is a person who posts on PB that unfriended me on Facebook but never bothered to explain why. Which was weird, since we actually got along great.
 
In my late thirties, having only come to know the Lord for a couple of years, I was 'on fire' for the Lord. I had a friend who was in his early 60s and a RC. I had gotten a tape of Donald Gray Barnhouse preaching on David's transgression with Bathsheba, and the consequences of his actions.

So I invited my old friend over and played it for him. Barnhouse made some remarks critical of RC theology which offended my friend. I tried to explain the Gospel to him in my neophyte enthusiasm and he was even more offended. Fortunately he didn't 'unfriend' me and we agreed to disagree.

I've had similar conversations/encounters with Arminians in the SBC church I used to attend. Particularly with elderly people, they've heard the arguments before, and have thought about them, but come to their own conclusions, and have counter arguments.

The older the person, it seems the more they may take offence to opposing points of view when it comes to doctrine.
 
I had a Mormon on FB unfreind me over an avatar about the rainbow being God's bow instead of an LGBT emblem. Folks do unfreind over the truth.
 
I had this woman who followed me on Facebook and liked almost everything I posted which consisted mostly puritan and reformed quotes. It donned on her at some point that I was a Calvinist and she unleashed a nasty rant on me being a heretic and then promptly unfriended me. I found it somewhat amusing.
 
What's important is that you shared the Gospel which is our duty. It's God's duty to change hearts if that's his will. I think you did great.
 
I got off FB because I was getting into too many arguments with newly-woke friends. And this wasn't big stuff. One girl corrected me for using the word "mankind" in a quotation instead of "people" or something.
 
There is a person who posts on PB that unfriended me on Facebook but never bothered to explain why. Which was weird, since we actually got along great.
A while back I unfriended everyone on my FB friends list with whom I have no relationship in the real world, only online. It could have been something like that.
 
I have a supporter who is a Christian but a pacifist and rebukes me for any Facebook posts glorifying guns or the 2nd amendment. So I tag him on those posts now. :)
 
Yesterday, I met a close friend who is a Roman Catholic on FB. To be sure, I believe she is very moral, affectionate in her sincerity to serve the Lord. But it becomes clear to me that this woman is a committed Romanist when she is focusing more on the sacraments rather than the Scripture itself. So I set out to evangelize her through Messenger. First, I begin to recommend her J.I.Packer's Knowing God. After a lengthy discussion about other topics, I begin to talk about the assurance of salvation. I explained why only Christ can satisfy the justice that we are indebted because of our sins. And I cited Roman 5 to show how faith in Christ alone is the only ground by which we have peace with God. I knew well that I can be accused of antinomianism so I explain that good works do prove that our faiths are genuine. But the bottom line is, Christ alone is to be trusted for our salvation. Time forbids for lengthy discussion so I sent two articles by J.C.Ryle on this subject (I will post it below) before I leave the chat. And so I went to bed very anxious about that. I prayed to God in rejoicing because, by His grace, I'm more concerned for souls and the Gospel than worldly businesses. I prayed that the Holy Ghost might convict her heart that she might see Christ. The next day she blocked me. I couldn't even send her a message. I guess she was confused by what Rev. Ryle has to say:

"The Church of Rome does this systematically. She adds things to Christianity over and above the requirements of the Gospel, of her own invention. She speaks as if Christ’s finished work was not a sufficient foundation for a sinner’s soul, and as if it were not enough to say, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." She sends men to priests and confessors, to penances and absolution, to masses and extreme unction, to fasting and bodily mortification, to the Virgin Mary and the saints – as if these things could add to the safety there is in Christ Jesus. And in doing this she sins against the doctrine of God’s Word with a high hand. Let us beware of any Romish hankering after additions to the simple way of the Gospel, from whatever quarter it may come...."

Thoughts?

https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/ryle/ryle_oneway.html
http://www.biblebb.com/files/ryle/way_of_salvation.htm

Well, no wonder she blocked you. You hit her over the head with a sledgehammer with that Ryle quote. You gave that to her too soon in your discussions about Roman Catholicism. She probably feels disrespected and threatened.

You need to take time to slowly build a relationship, which will give you the right to be more blunt about the RCC's theological failings. With a confirmed RC, take time (sometimes, a long time) and use baby steps given during normal conversation. Few people respond positively to being pounded on the head. What Ryle says is true, of course, but he says it too bluntly for where the two of you are (or, rather, were) in your discussions.

If she gives you the chance, apologize, and maybe she'll be willing to exchange views some more - only take it more slowly and respectfully (from her point of view) next time.
 
Well, no wonder she blocked you. You hit her over the head with a sledgehammer with that Ryle quote. You gave that to her too soon in your discussions about Roman Catholicism. She probably feels disrespected and threatened.

You need to take time to slowly build a relationship, which will give you the right to be more blunt about the RCC's theological failings. With a confirmed RC, take time (sometimes, a long time) and use baby steps given during normal conversation. Few people respond positively to being pounded on the head. What Ryle says is true, of course, but he says it too bluntly for where the two of you are (or, rather, were) in your discussions.

If she gives you the chance, apologize, and maybe she'll be willing to exchange views some more - only take it more slowly and respectfully (from her point of view) next time.

Friendship is needed in order to evangelize? I have no problem with the OP or his comments, unless of course he is questioning why he was unfriended. My motto is, present the gospel boldly. God does not necessarily save through friendship. But He Will save through the gospel.
 
Friendship is needed in order to evangelize? I have no problem with the OP or his comments, unless of course he is questioning why he was unfriended. My motto is, present the gospel boldly. God does not necessarily save through friendship. But He Will save through the gospel.

No, a full-fledged friendship isn't necessary, but you do need to earn the right to speak. People tend not to take it well when they're just hit with the gospel cold, so to speak. Of course, God saves through the gospel, but the gospel must be presented winsomely.
 
I usually like to eventually like to backwards hit a RC with Trent, to show how we are officially excommunicated.
 
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