Following the example of the apostle Paul, this series aims to equip us for reasonable dialogue with people from other religious backgrounds, acknowledging common ground and important differences. In this lesson, we seek a way to engage our Roman Catholic friends in conversation about religion.

1. Authority?
What Gives Me
Icon by Maxim Kulikov from the Noun Project

2. Authority?
What Gives Me
Icon by Maxim Kulikov from the Noun Project
to answer the big questions?

3. TALK ABOUT
Religion

4. How Paul Talked
About Religion
A CASE STUDY IN ACTS 17:16-34

5. Dialogue
REASONABLE

6. BackgroundACTS 17:16
1

7. BackgroundACTS 17:16
1
Common GroundACTS 17:17,22
2

8. BackgroundACTS 17:16
1
Common GroundACTS 17:17,22
2
Uncommon
Ground
3
ACTS 17:23-31

9. Series AimsWhy study background, common ground, and
uncommon ground with various faith traditions?

10. Series Aims
Equip the Church
— Eph. 4:11-16 —
1
Why study background, common ground, and
uncommon ground with various faith traditions?

11. Equip the Church
— Eph. 4:11-16 —
1
2
Check for Logs in Our Eyes
— Matt. 7::3-5 —
Series AimsWhy study background, common ground, and
uncommon ground with various faith traditions?

12. Roman
Catholic
Friends
Talking to our

13. BackgroundACTS 17:16
Get to Know Some
1

14. “There are an estimated 1.2 billion
Roman Catholics in the world,
according to Vatican figures. More
than 40% of the world's Catholics live
in Latin America - but Africa has
seen the biggest growth in Catholic
congregations in recent years.”
— BBC

15. 85 million
in North America,
about 7.3% of the
population
— BBC

16. Authority
Tradition Magisterium
The “teaching authority” of
the Catholic Church formed
of the Pope and Bishops
ScriptureTeachings and practices
throughout history that they
believe reveal God’s will.
Icon by Maxim Kulikov from the Noun Project
The Bible
Icon by Filippo Gianessi from the Noun Project

17. Common GroundACTS 17:17,22
2

18. Tradition Magisterium
Scripture
Icon by Maxim Kulikov from the Noun Project

19. Scripture
Faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit — and His Word!
Icon by Maxim Kulikov from the Noun Project

20. Uncommon GroundACTS 17:23-31
3

21. Tradition Magisterium
Scripture
Icons by Maxim Kulikov, Robert Bjurshagen, Kokota, parkjisun, Luis Prado, Eucalyp, Econceptive, Vladimir Belochkin from the Noun Project

22. Tradition Magisterium
Scripture
Icons by Maxim Kulikov, Robert Bjurshagen, Kokota, parkjisun, Luis Prado, Eucalyp, Econceptive, Vladimir Belochkin from the Noun Project

23. Tradition Magisterium
Scripture
Icons by Maxim Kulikov, Robert Bjurshagen, Kokota, parkjisun, Luis Prado, Eucalyp, Econceptive, Vladimir Belochkin from the Noun Project

24. Tradition Magisterium
Scripture
Icons by Maxim Kulikov, Robert Bjurshagen, Kokota, parkjisun, Luis Prado, Eucalyp, Econceptive, Vladimir Belochkin from the Noun Project

25. Tradition Magisterium
Scripture
Icons by Maxim Kulikov, Robert Bjurshagen, Kokota, parkjisun, Luis Prado, Eucalyp, Econceptive, Vladimir Belochkin from the Noun Project

26. Tradition Magisterium
Scripture
Icons by Maxim Kulikov, Robert Bjurshagen, Kokota, parkjisun, Luis Prado, Eucalyp, Econceptive, Vladimir Belochkin from the Noun Project

27. Tradition Magisterium
Scripture
Icons by Maxim Kulikov, Robert Bjurshagen, Kokota, parkjisun, Luis Prado, Eucalyp, Econceptive, Vladimir Belochkin from the Noun Project

28. Tradition Magisterium
Scripture
Icons by Maxim Kulikov, Robert Bjurshagen, Kokota, parkjisun, Luis Prado, Eucalyp, Econceptive, Vladimir Belochkin from the Noun Project

29. Tradition Magisterium
Scripture
Icons by Maxim Kulikov, Robert Bjurshagen, Kokota, parkjisun, Luis Prado, Eucalyp, Econceptive, Vladimir Belochkin from the Noun Project

30. Tradition Magisterium
Scripture
Icons by Maxim Kulikov, Robert Bjurshagen, Kokota, parkjisun, Luis Prado, Eucalyp, Econceptive, Vladimir Belochkin from the Noun Project

31. Tradition Magisterium
Scripture
Icons by Maxim Kulikov, Robert Bjurshagen, Kokota, parkjisun, Luis Prado, Eucalyp, Econceptive, Vladimir Belochkin from the Noun Project

32. Scripture

33. Tradition

34. Tradition“Not all truths revealed for us by God are found in the Bible;
some are found only in Divine Tradition. By Divine Tradition is meant the
revealed truths taught by Christ and His apostles, which were given to the
Church only by word of mouth and not through the Bible, though they
were put in writing, principally by the Fathers of the Church. Divine
Tradition must be believed as firmly as the Bible because it also contains
the word of God.”
(A Catechism of Christian Doctrine)

35. =
Magisterium

36. Icon by Nathan Newell Griffith from the Noun Project
The Pope
College of Cardinals
Archbishops & Bishops
Priests, Monks, Deacons, Subdeacons
Laity

37. Infallibility
"By the infallibility of the Catholic Church is meant that the Church, by the
special assistance of the Holy Ghost, cannot err when it teaches or believes
a doctrine of faith or morals The Church teaches infallibly when it defines,
through the Pope alone, as the teacher of all Christians, or through the
Pope and the bishops, a doctrine of faith or morals to be held by all the
faithful." (A Catechism of Christian Doctrine)
The pope “enjoys in virtue of his office, when, as the supreme shepherd
and teacher of all the faithful, who confirms his brethren in their faith
(Luke 22:32), he proclaims by a definitive act some doctrine of faith or
morals. Therefore his definitions, of themselves, and not from the consent of
the Church, are justly held irreformable, for they are pronounced with the
assistance of the Holy Spirit, an assistance promised to him in blessed
Peter.” (Vatican II).

38. Pope Francis
The current Pope has worked to adapt the Roman Catholic church to the
modern world and make it more inclusive. He has made controversial
statements about issues like gay marriage, divorce, contraception, and abortion.

39. Pope Francis
In one surprising statement, he said trying to convert someone to Christianity
is “solemn nonsense.” In May 2013, he famously said: "The Lord has
redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ, all of us, not just
Catholics. Everyone! 'Father, the atheists?' Even the atheists. Everyone!"

40. Pope Francis
In one surprising statement, he said trying to convert someone to Christianity
is “solemn nonsense.” In May 2013, he famously said: "The Lord has
redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ, all of us, not just
Catholics. Everyone! 'Father, the atheists?' Even the atheists. Everyone!"
John 3:16; Heb. 11:6; Rom. 10:9-10; Mark 16:16; Eph. 2:8-10

41. Pope Francis
In an open letter to an Italian newspaper he expounds how atheists have salvation, “You
ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t
seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s
mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue
for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience. Sin, even for those
who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.”

42. “Living Constitution”
or “Original Intent”

43. “Living Constitution”
or “Original Intent”
1 Peter 1:23-25

44. What’s the Ideal?
Progress is an appealing idea, but
maybe we admire innovation when
we should admire preservation.

45. What is a pattern?
A pattern exists as a model to be imitated (2 Tim. 1:13).

46. Where Did Paul’s Authority Come From?
As an apostle of Christ (v. 1), he received the message directly by
revelation from the Lord (Eph. 3:3). The earliest Christians "devoted
themselves to the apostles’ teaching" (Acts 2:42) because the apostles and
prophets are the foundation of the household of God (Eph. 2:19-20).
QUALIFICATIONS (Acts 1:21-22; 1 Cor. 15:8-10; Gal. 1:12-17).

47. Clement of Rome (considered the 3rd pope)
Early Christian writings, after the apostles fell asleep, express the idea of
an authoritative pattern. Even as early as Clement, writing perhaps around
95 AD, they already looked backward to seek the standard handed down.
“The Apostles received the Gospel for us from the
Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ was sent forth from God.
So then Christ is from God, and the Apostles are from
Christ. Both therefore came of the will of God in the
appointed order” (1 Clement 42:1-2).
“Wherefore let us forsake idle and vain thoughts; and
let us conform to the glorious and venerable rule which
hath been handed down to us” (1 Clement 7:2).

48. Paul
1 Timothy 1:11

49. Paul
Timothy
1 Timothy 1:11
1 Timothy 6:20

50. Paul
Timothy
Faithful
Man
1 Timothy 1:11
1 Timothy 6:20
1 Timothy 1:13-14, 2:2

51. Paul
Timothy
Faithful
Man
Faithful
Man
Faithful
Man
1 Timothy 1:11
1 Timothy 6:20
1 Timothy 1:13-14, 2:2
1 Timothy 2:2

52. Yet Even When Hearing an Apostle…
The Bereans are praised for “examining the Scriptures
daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
Not because Paul’s teaching wasn’t reliable, but because it was,
and therefore would always be true to what God has said.

53. “Cheating” at the Game of Telephone
The Lord has given us an authoritative pattern. The purest form of
Christianity is found in inspired writings about the Apostle-led church.

54. 1
A Suggested Path Forward
Interpretations shouldn’t contradict Scripture.

55. 1
2
A Suggested Path Forward
God’s Word is ever reliable, do you agree?
Interpretations shouldn’t contradict Scripture.

56. 1
2
3
A Suggested Path Forward
Would you consider looking at God’s way
to eternal life according to your Bible?
God’s Word is ever reliable, do you agree?
Interpretations shouldn’t contradict Scripture.

57. 1
2
3
A Suggested Path Forward
Would you consider looking at God’s way
to eternal life according to your Bible?
God’s Word is ever reliable, do you agree?
Interpretations shouldn’t contradict Scripture.
4 Would you “search the Scriptures” to test if
everything I say to you is so (Acts 17:11)?

58. Tradition Magisterium
Scripture
Icons by Maxim Kulikov, Robert Bjurshagen, Kokota, parkjisun, Luis Prado, Eucalyp, Econceptive, Vladimir Belochkin from the Noun Project

59. Scripture
The Word revealed by Apostles and
Prophets is a Solid Foundation for
God’s temple, his church (Eph. 2:20).
We're completely equipped by
Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17), by the faith
once delivered (Ju. 3).
Icon by Maxim Kulikov from the Noun Project

60. Scripture
The Word revealed by Apostles and
Prophets is a Solid Foundation for
God’s temple, his church (Eph. 2:20).
We're completely equipped by
Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17), by the faith
once delivered (Ju. 3).
Icon by Maxim Kulikov from the Noun ProjectIcon by Filippo Gianessi from the Noun Project
temple
"built on the foundation of
the apostles and prophets,
Christ Jesus himself being the
cornerstone, in whom the
whole structure, being joined
together, grows into a holy
temple in the Lord”
(Eph 2:20–21)

61. Scripture
Icon by Maxim Kulikov from the Noun ProjectIcon by Filippo Gianessi from the Noun Project
"And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and
wash away your sins, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16)
"if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe
in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be
saved…For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him
will not be put to shame.” …For “everyone who calls on the
name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9-13)