Some fears are real, others imaginary. Protestantism’s greatest fear comes from Mt 10:24-33, “Jesus said to his Apostles: . . . Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
Simpler Protestants are not worried. “I believe in Jesus and The Bible. If I believe, I am saved. It is as simple as that.”
Older, wiser Christian: “That is simple-minded silliness from the devil. Believing is only a beginning. We must obey to be saved. There are no disobedient souls in Heaven.”
Simpler Protestant: “But I believe! I do! I do! I believe!”
Older, wiser Christian: “Jesus gave one instruction more than any other. He told us eighteen times to receive Catholic Communion.”
Simpler Protestant: “He did not! He never even mentions the word ‘Catholic’!”
Older, wiser Christian: “Jesus said twelve times after John 6:33, ‘If you do not eat My Body and drink My Blood you do not have life in you.’ He said that even as everyone but His Apostles were walking away from Him! He said it at least six times more in The Last Supper Accounts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Why not read His Words for yourself?”
Simpler Protestant: “He didn’t say we have to receive Catholic Communion.”
Older, wiser Christian: “Actually, He did. Many of the 43,000 denominations have ceremonies that resemble Catholic Communion. Only Catholic priests are ordained in living link with His ordination of the Apostles. No one but priests in The Only Church He Founded are empowered to provide The Miracle of changing bread and wine into His Body and Blood so that we may ‘have life in’ us.”
Simpler Protestant: “Well, I believe in Jesus, but not that!”
Older, wiser Christian: “Can’t Jesus say: “You are ‘denying Me before others’? If you deny Him before others, didn’t He promise to deny you ‘before My Heavenly Father’?”
Simpler Protestant: “He would not deny ME! He wouldn’t dare!”
Older, wiser Christian raises eyebrows.
