What We Believe as Catholics Part 1

For some time, I was thinking why many people who have been baptized Catholics have been pulled or attracted towards Churches of other denominations. It was because they are ignorant of the unique doctrines of the Catholic faith. Ignorance of most of the Catholics about their own doctrines has been the reason for having been led away. Hence, I thought that I must share with you very briefly in the coming weeks about Catholic doctrines. In contrast, I would like to share what the Churches of other denominations hold as their doctrines. First of all, let me start with the main principles of our Catholic Doctrines:

1. God and His Creation:

We believe unreservedly that there is one God, existing as Three Persons, namely, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This consubstantial, coequal, co-omnipotent and co-eternal God is the creator of all things visible and invisible at the beginning of time.

2. God became Man, that is, Incarnation:

The only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, who is of one substance with the Father, came down from heaven and by the power of the Holy Spirit, took flesh from the Virgin Mary and became man (Ref. Nicene Creed A.D.325). He offered Himself as a sacrifice for the redemption of humankind. This redemption has restored the relationship with God, which was lost by sin. Through this grace, we receive a share in God’s own life; thus, become His children and co-heirs with Christ for the eternal glory in heaven.

We believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures (1^st Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians 15:3-22). On the 40^th day after his resurrection, He ascended into heaven and is seated as the King of the Universe. He remains still in our midst through the Mass, the Eucharist and other Sacraments, and the Bible, the Word of God.

3. Holy Spirit:

He makes the soul holy by His presence and transforms it as a Temple or a dwelling place for God. He gives us seven gifts, which make the soul capable of bearing witness to God’s power and grace on earth. On Pentecost day, the Holy Spirit came down visibly on the Apostles and gave them the power to speak in strange tongues and transformed them from being timid and selfish to becoming men of strong faith so as to give their life for the faith.

To be continued

Fr. Arul Joseph V.