What Does a Roman Catholic need to do to join the OPC?

Answer:

Allow me to answer you question with a brief autobiographical anecdote. I was born, baptized, raised, confirmed, and educated in the Roman Catholic system. In fact, it was while I was at a Roman Catholic college (of all places) that I was converted by the grace of God. After realizing how different the teachings of the RCC are from Scripture, I joined with a Baptist church. And that church required that I be rebaptized as an adult. So, I went through that process and became a member. Several years later I came to understand the doctrine of the Bible as it was taught in Reformed churches like the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). Joining them was quite easy. I went before the session (a group of men who are officers in the church) where they interviewed me to make sure I had a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ. The following Sunday they put me before the congregation where I publicly professed my faith in Jesus Christ in the form of several membership vows. And that was it. I was a member!

So, being baptized and confirmed in the RCC is no big obstacle if you want to become a member of the OPC. As long as you have come to trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation, and you trust not in any of your works. When asked the question "What must I do to be saved?", the response of Paul and Silas was "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31), and that is still true today. What is important is to put your full trust in Jesus. If you have done that, if you have repented of your sin and trust in Jesus alone, you are welcomed into the fellowship of the OPC. There is no need to be re-baptized and there is no need to renounce your confirmation.

At this point I would strongly encourage you to seek out the pastor of a local OPC, and he can guide you through the details of the steps toward membership in the OPC. If you need assistance finding an OPC in your area, you can check out our Directory of Churches. May God bless you and may you "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 5:18). If we can be of further assistance, just let us know!"

I just met with the session.

ok what's the story behind the story here? did the OPC do you wrong somehow? do you need a hug? a beer? both?

so who does this guy think wrote scripture? defended it through time? judged the early writings in accordance with the christian life or not, and then formed a canon based on those judgments?

dude, this is way too obnoxious... Josiah you must have woken up on the "i wanna piss everybody off today" side of the bed.

I am as cynical and sarcastic as they come, and I have a feeling that you're trying to be too, but I am totally missing the point of this post.

Mark/Mello,

I wasn't really being cynical or sarcastic in this post, just pointed to a published OPC reference to the RCC which I thought was funny.

I don't get it. If you want to switch churches, just go ahead and do it. Or don't. Either way, I can't see how bitching about it is helping you or anyone else.

Bob: I'll take the beer and hug if he doesn't
Everyone else: I think Roe needs to stop beating around the bush, he's leaving too much to the imagination
Ryan: I like your style.

Thanks Ryan for your helpful contribution to the discussion. It's noted.

Which, well, is why I'm posting this stuff. Because I value feedback. I'm not very good at working everything out in my head. I need to talk about it.

And it's not about switching churches, it's a related issue, sorta, but it's an aside to some central things I'm working out.

holton: you can have both if you come claim them before they're gone.

I've got a fit pit (apcb approved), chairs, and I live across from bobw, so if he's got the beer I'll provide the chips and we can talk through it tonight.

I think you mean fire pit? and yes it's nice and fit, I guess?

I'll ask my priest.

Josiah: not sure if you're being sarcastic or not, so I'm just gonna run with the latter.

If you're frustrated with the OPC, as am I, I'd say either bug out, an option with which both of us have problems (but I'm considering myself, as much as I was ever part of the OPC), or stick it out. But you've been complaining about it for a few months now, and I don't see you any closer to making a decision to do anything. What's your deal?

fit pit? what was I smoking?

I'm not frustrated with the OPC or Josiah, but I would like to have a beer.

The Fit Pit's open for discussion... and bobw's beer.

I need a young priest and an old priest... and i found some bud light in my fridge so i'll make it.

"The power of Bud compels you!"

The power of Bud certainly does compel me, but towards things such as wretching and heaving.

well, the fit pit was lit and pbr and newcastle were shared... with only bobw and i in attendance.