History
Agape of Jesus Catholic Church is rooted in a history of Catholicism outside the control of Rome. We are independent of Rome, but dependent upon Jesus. We are a member of The Independent Old Catholic Church, and have a valid line of Apostolic Succession. Therefore, we incorporate a valid priesthood with valid sacraments. We are committed to the Person and Teachings of Jesus Christ, Our King and Head of our Church. We are under the New Covenant (Grace), and we believe The Bible is the true inspired Word of God.
During the 1700's, Catholics in the Netherlands demanded the right to continue to elect their own bishops. Catholics have been utilizing their prophetic voices outside of the Confines of the institutional church. You can disagree with church practices and still remain a faithful Catholic.
Most Catholics are aware of The Second Vatican Council in 1963. This swept away the Latin Mass. There are Pre-Vatican II Catholics who are not under Rome.
Many modern-day Catholics are not aware of The First Vatican Council of 1879. In Vatican I, "Papal Infallibility" was adopted. Catholics who did not accept Papal Infallibility are known as "Old Catholics." We are Old Catholics, and a historic part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. The Louisville Agape of Jesus Catholic Church was founded in 1994.
Our Beliefs
We believe Jesus is The Christ, the Son of the Living God, and we accept Him as our personal savior. We believe Jesus is God, the second person of The Trinity. We believe Jesus is the only way to God, the Father, and Heaven. The Holy Spirit is our guide. We believe in the three historic creeds: Apostles, Nicene and Athanasian.
The Church should be built upon the foundation of The Holy Bible, and not on man-made rules, laws and traditions. We believe in the Agape Love, the unconditional love of Jesus in the New Testament of The Holy Bible.
We want to learn to love one another as Jesus commanded. The Holy Bible is the inspired word of God. We speak where The Bible speaks, and we are silent where The Bible is silent.
We believe in transubstantiation, the real presence of Jesus Christ in the bread and wine after consecration.
Our priests are permitted to marry (Matthew 8:14, I Timothy 3:15) and women may be priests (Galatians 3:28, Romans 16:1-16, John 20:16-18)
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"You are forgiven...It is finished".......John 19:30
At Agape of Jesus, we teach and believe that we have been forgiven of all our sins - past, present and future. Jesus died for the sins of divorce, greed, pride, selfishness, breaking of the Commandments. There is overwhelming evidence written in The New Testamewnt that sins are forgiven by what Jesus did on The Cross. Verses, such as.......
"When you were dead in your sins, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins....He took it away, nailing it to the cross," Colossians 2:13
"Your sins have been forgiven on account of His Name," 1 John 2:12
Confession
Catholics are taught to confess their sins to a priest. Protestants confess sins to God in order to obtain forgiveness. However, confession does not bring about forgiveness. Only the Blood of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, can do this for us. When you came to Christ and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, you accepted His forgiveness.
To explain, true confession focuses our minds not on our failures, but back to the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, which leads to a thankful heart. So, when we continue to sin (hopefully less and less), we thank God for what He has already done. Believe it! Your sins are forgiven! It is finished!
