Hello there,

First a bit of information on myself. I currently live in England, after growing up both in California as well as Austria. I was raised as a lax Lutheran who went to church once a month or so.

After I was confirmed in the Lutheran faith I began to lose interest — although I never lost my belief and love of God. I stopped attending services and, after a year, I yearned for the church again.

My mother had been attending a very new age, hippie-esque place of worship. No Cross affiliation, tradition, or communion. I went there for several years and finally it hit me: This was way too liberal and ambiguous for me. I was drawn back into the Lutheran faith and began to study it more profoundly as well as Scripture. After a lot of reading I felt a strong pull towards the Catholic faith. Finally, two years ago, I overcame my fears and prejudices and attended Mass for the first time. It was a powerful experience and I've been attending Mass ever since. I quickly enrolled in RCIA and was confirmed in the Church this past May. I love our faith, and find it the true, sole answer in all of Christendom and the world.

Again and again, I come across my non-denominational friends and non-friends who really turned out to be Baptists, Methodists, or some other splinter cell.

I try to defend my faith:

• its rich tradition
• Apostolic Succession
• the need of the priesthood
• and everything else

yet I never can muster enough references from the Bible. All they ever want are Bible quotes and its always from the (KJV) King James Version.

• What are some good citations from the Holy Scriptures can you direct me to in regards to:
  • How is the priesthood and papacy are justified in the Scriptures aside
    from Matthew 16:18?
  • And, how can I accurately convey these teachings?
    
    
• How can I defend tradition as a necessary equal to Scripture in Catholic doctrine?

Protestants always tell me you only need the Bible.

• Is tradition also justified in Scripture?

I often hear Catholics recommend 2 Timothy 3:16–17 yet this is always somehow refuted by Protestants.

• Finally, in reference to faith and works, how do we differ from Protestants on Sola Fide?

Thank you in advance for your help.

May the Lord be with you and bless you.

— Sascha