Who is Jesus - and how do Catholics and Protestants understand Him differently? In this episode, Mark and Rayne unpack the most important topics of all: the person of Jesus Christ.We explore how Catholic theology often overemphasises Jesus’ divinity (especially in the Eucharist), sometimes at the expense of His humanity, and how this shapes Catholic views of the Church, priests, Mary, and the saints. In contrast, Protestants stress that we relate to Jesus personally through His Word and Spirit.You’ll also hear practical insights into how to lovingly open the Bible with Catholic friends, using tools like the Swedish Method of Bible reading.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro & Welcome to Episode 601:18 – How Protestants Relate to Jesus vs. Catholics03:50 – Overemphasis on Jesus’ Divinity in Catholic Theology05:19 – Councils of Nicaea & Chalcedon: Humanity & Divinity of Christ09:52 – The Eucharist & Jesus’ Presence in Catholicism12:11 – Why the Eucharist Feels So Important for Catholics15:01 – Word vs. Experience: How God Reveals Himself17:48 – Priests, Power, and the Role of Mediators21:02 – Catholic Church vs. Protestant Church: What is “the Church”?21:32 – Mary & the Saints Taking on Divine Attributes26:05 – Catholic View of Humanity vs. Sin & Grace in Protestantism29:25 – Helping Catholics Relate to Jesus Through His Word33:18 – The Swedish Method: Reading the Bible Together41:07 – Why Inductive Bible Reading Helps Catholics Encounter Jesus46:40 – Listener Q&A: Responding to Catholic Friends About John 652:38 – Next Week: Nicene Creed & Unity or Division?54:30 – Closing Prayer💬 Got a question? Leave it in the comments or DM us on socials. We might feature it in an upcoming episode! 📲 Stay Connected📸 Instagram @certainty4eternity | 📘 Facebook Certainty4Eternity👍 Like this video🔔 Subscribe for fortnightly episodes💬 Comment with your questions📣 Share with friends curious about Catholicism & Christianity🔔 If this video raised questions for you about Roman Catholicism or talking with Catholic friends about Jesus, check out Mark's published resources, including "Stepping Out in Faith", a collection of 11 stories from former Catholics.https://matthiasmedia.com.au/search?type=product&q=mark+gilbert📖 Want to learn more about engaging conversations with Catholics and Mark's Ministry with C4E?Visit:https://encministries.org.au/ministry/ministry-to-roman-catholics/👉🏼 If you want to hear more about C4E, fill in this form to express interest in joining Mark's email list: https://tinyurl.com/bddu9nu7/

Q&A on the Eucharist: Catholic vs. Protestant PerspectivesIn this bonus episode, Mark sits down with James, a university student from a Protestant background now studying at a Catholic university, to wrestle with big questions about the Eucharist (Lord’s Supper/Communion).Is the bread and wine really the body and blood of Christ, or a symbol pointing us to the cross? What does the Bible say in Matthew 26, 1 Corinthians 10, and 1 Corinthians 11? And how should Protestants understand Catholic claims of transubstantiation?Mark walks through the Catholic view, the role of Aristotelian philosophy and Thomas Aquinas, and the biblical context of the Passover meal, showing how Jesus fulfilled it as the true Passover Lamb.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Bonus Q&A on the Eucharist00:22 – James’ Story: From Protestant Family to Catholic University03:10 – First Impressions of Catholic Theology & the Eucharist05:15 – What Do Catholics Believe About the Eucharist?07:45 – “This Is My Body”: Jesus’ Words at the Last Supper11:20 – The Passover Meal & Jesus as the Lamb of God15:08 – Transubstantiation, Grace & Nature in Catholic Thought18:30 – Protestant Understanding: Symbol or Substance?21:45 – 1 Corinthians 10: Participation in the Body & Blood27:00 – 1 Corinthians 11: Abusing the Lord’s Supper32:20 – Why Misusing Communion Is Dishonouring Christ35:00 – Final Reflections & Thanks

Experience vs. the Word: How Do We Truly Know God?What role does experience play in knowing God? In this episode, Mark and Rayne unpack the Protestant and Catholic views on experience, grace, nature, and how the Word of God fits into it all. We also hear a powerful testimony from Pete Kerr, who grew up Catholic and now teaches the Bible in a Protestant church.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Experience vs. the Word00:45 – Christian View of Experience03:30 – Signs, Miracles & John’s Gospel04:53 – Eucharist in John 6 Explained07:00 – Catholic vs. Protestant Perspectives10:11 – Nature & Grace in Catholicism13:02 – How Grace is “Transmitted”15:39 – Is the Cross Enough?20:17 – Pete Kerr’s Testimony29:09 – Practical Ways to Engage Catholics35:42 – Purpose of This Podcast38:08 – Unity in Truth42:25 – Closing Prayer📌 Key Takeaways-Protestants believe God's Word, not experience, is the foundation of faith.-Catholic theology sees a reciprocal relationship between the physical (nature) and spiritual (grace).-Testimonies and personal experience of God’s grace can powerfully connect with Catholic friends.-Salvation is a gift of grace, not something we earn through rituals or sacraments.🎧 Hosts: Mark Gilbert & Rayne Orange👤 Guest: Peter Kerr🎙️ Next Week: We’ll be joined by special guest Jeremy Cairns, who is a practicing Catholic in Canada. He will be sharing his views on truth & authority in the Catholic church.💬 Got a question? Leave it in the comments or DM us on socials. We might feature it in an upcoming episode! Connect with us:📸 Instagram @certainty4eternity | 📘 Facebook Certainty4Eternity🔔 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss the next episode!🔔 If this video raised questions for you about Roman Catholicism or talking with Catholic friends about Jesus, check out Mark's published resources, including "Stepping Out in Faith", a collection of 11 stories from former Catholics.https://matthiasmedia.com.au/search?type=product&q=mark+gilbert📖 Want to learn more about engaging conversations with Catholics and Mark's Ministry with C4E?Visit:https://encministries.org.au/ministry/ministry-to-roman-catholics/👉🏼 If you want to hear more about C4E, fill in this form to express interest in joining Mark's email list: https://tinyurl.com/bddu9nu7/Connect with us:📸 Instagram @certainty4eternity | 📘 Facebook Certainty4Eternity

In Episode 3 of Certainty for Eternity, we dig into the question:
Why is being Catholic so important to Catholics; and how does that shape their entire view of salvation and unity?

Mark explains the Catholic concept of the Church as a “sacrament of unity”, why many Catholics see no salvation outside the Catholic Church, and how Vatican II reshaped their view of Protestants, Muslims, atheists, and even Hindus.

Rayne and Mark are joined by special guest Niamh Carroll, who shares her personal journey growing up Irish Catholic, attending Catholic schools, receiving sacraments, and eventually finding deep assurance in Jesus through a Protestant church.

📌 What we cover in this episode:

• Catholic understanding of unity and salvation

• The “anonymous Christian” idea

• The Vatican II shift from anathema to separated brethren

• How cultural identity and religion are deeply intertwined

• Niamh’s powerful testimony of discovering Jesus personally

• What helps Catholics feel welcome in Protestant spaces

• How Protestants can wisely affirm Catholic backgrounds while pointing to Christ

🎧 Hosted by Rayne Orange & Mark Gilbert
👤 Guest: Niamh Carroll

💬 Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments or send it via Facebook or Instagram - we’d love to include it in a future episode!

In this episode, we explore:-Mark’s journey from Catholic schoolboy to Protestant minister-What it was like growing up Catholic in Australia-Rayne’s experience in Catholic schools in rural Canada-How Protestants and Catholics can have better, gospel-focused conversations-Why understanding worldview is key to meaningful dialogueWhether you're Catholic, Protestant, or just curious — this show offers a space for thoughtful, gracious discussion rooted in faith and Scripture.📬 Got a question about Catholicism or Protestantism? Drop it in the comments!🔔 👍 If this video helped you understand Christian beliefs and differences better, don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT your thoughts, and SUBSCRIBE for more discussions on theology, church history, and Christian unity. FOLLOW on Facebook & Instagram by searching "Certainty4Eternity".🔔 If this video raised questions for you about Roman Catholicism or talking with Catholic friends about Jesus, check out Mark's published resources, including our course: "Talking with Catholics About Jesus" here:https://matthiasmedia.com.au/search?type=product&q=mark+gilbert📖 Want to learn more about engaging conversations with Catholics and Mark's Ministry with C4E?Visit:https://encministries.org.au/ministry/ministry-to-roman-catholics/👉🏼 If you want to hear more about C4E, fill in this form to express interest in joining Mark's email list: https://tinyurl.com/bddu9nu7/Time Stamps00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Its Purpose01:54 Mark's Background and Catholic Upbringing05:51 Exploring Differences Between Catholicism and Protestantism08:30 Understanding Salvation and Personal Faith Journey08:30 Journey of Faith: From Catholicism to Protestantism12:19 Certainty4Eternity: A Ministry's Mission24:34 Exploring Catholicism and Protestantism: A New Perspective

Is the Nicene Creed Enough to Unite Christians?

Mark Gilbert and Leonardo De Chirico introduce their new book marking 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea. Together they explore whether Catholics and Protestants truly mean the same thing when they recite the same creed — or if key differences remain beneath the surface in beliefs about Christ, salvation, the Trinity, and the Church.

Available now via Matias Media.