Question: Does the Bible say anything about having priests in the Church? Answer: Yes it does. God told his people through the mouth of Jeremiah, “I will give you shepherds after my own heart who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jer 3:15). It was through His holy priesthood that God guided his people and provided for their worship and holiness both in the … Continue reading
Question: What is Pentecost? Answer: Most people only know Pentecost as a Christian holiday, one that commemorates the day when the Holy Spirit fell on the apostles and disciples of Christ as they gathered in the Upper Room after the Ascension. While the apostles and disciples remained in Jerusalem out of obedience to Christ (cf. Acts 1:4-5), Scripture tells us that Jews from many different … Continue reading
Question; Where does the Bible support the authority of the papacy? Answer: The passages that support papal authority all center on Peter. This is because Peter was the first pope of the Church, and every pope who comes after him receives the same power and authority that Peter first held. I don’t have room to provide each passage, so you’ll have to look them up … Continue reading
Question: What are the four marks of the Church? Answer: A mark is a characteristic that identifies or distinguishes a thing from among other things. The Church Jesus founded is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. These are the characteristics that identify His Church from among the hundreds of ecclesial communities, or “churches,” that exist today. The Catechism contains an excellent exposition of all four of … Continue reading
Question: What is Advent? Answer: The Modern Catholic Dictionary, by Fr. John A. Hardon, tells us that Advent is, “A period of prayer in preparation for Christmas, including four Sundays, the first nearest the feast of St. Andrew, November 30. It is the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year (Etym. Latin adventus, a coming, approach, arrival.).” Advent is a time of preparation for and anticipation … Continue reading
Question: Did Jesus break the Law of Moses by not stoning the woman caught in adultery? Answer: Great question! The incident you are referring to is found in Jn 8:3-11. The Pharisees catch an adulterous woman and bring her to Jesus to see what He will do. You may want to open your bible to this passage so that you can have it on hand … Continue reading
Question: Protestants talk a lot about the “rapture” and the “tribulation.” What are these things and what is the Catholic belief about them? Answer: Let’s take the “tribulation” first. The tribulation is a time of intense suffering and persecution that will take place around the time of the Second Coming of Christ. Most Protestants from fundamentalist denominations believe that Jesus will spare his elect (or … Continue reading