Saturday, April 27, 2013
Christianity Is Of Infinite Importance
One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important. ("Christian Apologetics" from God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics by C S Lewis)
Friday, April 26, 2013
God's Nicknames
In this world there is only one God. We know Him because of His consistent behaviour. Many could not recognize Him and call Him nicknames. Thus God is known separately as Nature, Fate and Luck (or Chance or Fortune).
Because God has done His creation work so well that He does not need to intervene, atheists thought that He does not exist. All His works is attributed to Nature.
For those who do not know Him, whenever things do not turn out well, they are resigned to Fate.
Sometimes, things turned out good unexpectedly, those who refuse to give God the glory attribute it to Luck.
Because God has done His creation work so well that He does not need to intervene, atheists thought that He does not exist. All His works is attributed to Nature.
For those who do not know Him, whenever things do not turn out well, they are resigned to Fate.
Sometimes, things turned out good unexpectedly, those who refuse to give God the glory attribute it to Luck.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Grace: An Opportunity for Repentance
Grace is not a license to sin but an opportunity for repentance.
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? (Romans 6:1 NASB)
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (1 Peter 2:16 ESV)
For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:4 NASB)
Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4 HCSB)
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14 ESV)
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? (Romans 6:1 NASB)
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (1 Peter 2:16 ESV)
For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:4 NASB)
Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4 HCSB)
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14 ESV)
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Mariolatry - Mary, Immaculately Conceived, Mother of God, Perpetual Virgin
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part One, Section Two, Chapter Two, Article 3, Paragraph 2, 508 - 511, Mary was describes as follows:
QUOTE
From among the descendants of Eve, God chose the Virgin Mary to be the mother of his Son. "Full of grace", Mary is "the most excellent fruit of redemption" (SC 103): from the first instant of her conception, she was totally preserved from the stain of original sin and she remained pure from all personal sin throughout her life.
Mary is truly "Mother of God" since she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man, who is God himself.
Mary "remained a virgin in conceiving her Son, a virgin in giving birth to him, a virgin in carrying him, a virgin in nursing him at her breast, always a virgin" (St. Augustine, Serm. 186, 1: PL 38, 999): with her whole being she is "the handmaid of the Lord" (⇒ Lk 1:38).
The Virgin Mary "co-operated through free faith and obedience in human salvation" (LG 56). She uttered her yes "in the name of all human nature" (St. Thomas Aquinas, S Th III, 30, 1). By her obedience she became the new Eve, mother of the living.
UNQUOTE
Mary in New Testament
God in His infinite wisdom, ensured that Mary is given minimum exposure in the New Testament.
Jesus never call Mary "Mother" in the New Testament.
Jesus said, 'Woman, what do you want from me? My hour has not come yet.' (John 2:4 New Jerusalem Bible)
Seeing his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, 'Woman, this is your son.' (John 19:26 New Jerusalem Bible)
They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, 'My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.' He replied, 'Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?' (Luke 2:48-49 New Jerusalem Bible)
All who does the will of God is Jesus's brother, sister and mother. Mary also must do the will of God and obey her Lord, that is Jesus.
He was still speaking to the crowds when suddenly his mother and his brothers were standing outside and were anxious to have a word with him. But to the man who told him this Jesus replied, 'Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?' And stretching out his hand towards his disciples he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.' (Matthew 12:46-50 New Jerusalem Bible)
Now his mother and his brothers arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, 'Look, your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.' He replied, 'Who are my mother and my brothers?' And looking at those sitting in a circle round him, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.' (Mark 3:31-35 New Jerusalem Bible)
When someone tried to glorify Mary, Jesus point her toward God.
It happened that as he was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, 'Blessed the womb that bore you and the breasts that fed you!' But he replied, 'More blessed still are those who hear the word of God and keep it!' (Luke 11:27-28 New Jerusalem Bible)
Immaculate Conception
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was defined by Pope Pius IX in his papal bull Ineffabilis Deus on 8th December 1854.
Mary glorified
The whole Trinity, O Mary, gave thee a name above every name, after that of thy Divine Son, so that in thy name every knee should bend, of things in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
Mary's Name Is Sweet in Life and in Death
The Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
QUOTE
From among the descendants of Eve, God chose the Virgin Mary to be the mother of his Son. "Full of grace", Mary is "the most excellent fruit of redemption" (SC 103): from the first instant of her conception, she was totally preserved from the stain of original sin and she remained pure from all personal sin throughout her life.
Mary is truly "Mother of God" since she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man, who is God himself.
Mary "remained a virgin in conceiving her Son, a virgin in giving birth to him, a virgin in carrying him, a virgin in nursing him at her breast, always a virgin" (St. Augustine, Serm. 186, 1: PL 38, 999): with her whole being she is "the handmaid of the Lord" (⇒ Lk 1:38).
The Virgin Mary "co-operated through free faith and obedience in human salvation" (LG 56). She uttered her yes "in the name of all human nature" (St. Thomas Aquinas, S Th III, 30, 1). By her obedience she became the new Eve, mother of the living.
UNQUOTE
Mary in New Testament
God in His infinite wisdom, ensured that Mary is given minimum exposure in the New Testament.
Jesus never call Mary "Mother" in the New Testament.
Jesus said, 'Woman, what do you want from me? My hour has not come yet.' (John 2:4 New Jerusalem Bible)
Seeing his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, 'Woman, this is your son.' (John 19:26 New Jerusalem Bible)
They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, 'My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.' He replied, 'Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?' (Luke 2:48-49 New Jerusalem Bible)
All who does the will of God is Jesus's brother, sister and mother. Mary also must do the will of God and obey her Lord, that is Jesus.
He was still speaking to the crowds when suddenly his mother and his brothers were standing outside and were anxious to have a word with him. But to the man who told him this Jesus replied, 'Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?' And stretching out his hand towards his disciples he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.' (Matthew 12:46-50 New Jerusalem Bible)
Now his mother and his brothers arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, 'Look, your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.' He replied, 'Who are my mother and my brothers?' And looking at those sitting in a circle round him, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.' (Mark 3:31-35 New Jerusalem Bible)
It happened that as he was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, 'Blessed the womb that bore you and the breasts that fed you!' But he replied, 'More blessed still are those who hear the word of God and keep it!' (Luke 11:27-28 New Jerusalem Bible)
Immaculate Conception
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was defined by Pope Pius IX in his papal bull Ineffabilis Deus on 8th December 1854.
Assumption of the Virgin Mary
Pope Pius XII proclaimed the doctrine of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on 1st November 1950 in his papal bull Munificentissimus Deus. This dogma states that Mary, "after the completion of her earthly life was assumed body and soul into the glory of heaven." This means that Mary was assumed, body and soul, into heaven, just as Enoch, Elijah, without experiencing physical death.Mary glorified
The whole Trinity, O Mary, gave thee a name above every name, after that of thy Divine Son, so that in thy name every knee should bend, of things in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
Mary's Name Is Sweet in Life and in Death
The Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
Monday, April 22, 2013
David
He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed." (1 Samuel 24:6 ESV)
But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?" (1 Samuel 26:9 ESV)
Twice David was presented with the opportunity to kill Saul and seize the throne. Twice he refused to do it. Let us consider David's condition and all the reasons he could thought of to kill Saul:
Jobless - David was sacked by Saul;
Desperate - David was a fugitive pursued by Saul;
Opportunity - Saul was unguarded;
God's Will - God had anointed David as the next king.
Despite this, David refused to lay hands on Saul, preferring to let the Lord do the job.
But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?" (1 Samuel 26:9 ESV)
Twice David was presented with the opportunity to kill Saul and seize the throne. Twice he refused to do it. Let us consider David's condition and all the reasons he could thought of to kill Saul:
Jobless - David was sacked by Saul;
Desperate - David was a fugitive pursued by Saul;
Opportunity - Saul was unguarded;
God's Will - God had anointed David as the next king.
Despite this, David refused to lay hands on Saul, preferring to let the Lord do the job.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Little Resource, Big God
It is amazing what God can do with so little resources.
Little Faith
And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. (Luke 17:6 ESV)
Little Time
Little Faith
And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. (Luke 17:6 ESV)
Little Time
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!"
And He said to him, "I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise." (Luke 23:42-43 HCSB)
Little Truth
And He said to him, "I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise." (Luke 23:42-43 HCSB)
Little Truth
Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that." (John 1:50 NIV)
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Sola Scriptura
Who said that the Bible alone is sufficient?
Jesus said so and Satan agreed.
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4 KJV)
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Matthew 4:7 KJV)
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:10 KJV)
Jesus quoted the scriptures three times, "It is written, It is written, it is written" and Satan accept that as the final proof. What is good enough for Jesus to defeat Satan is good enough for us to defeat any opponent. The Bible is the only offensive weapon in a Christian's hand.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17 KJV)
Unlike Jesus and Satan, the Roman Catholic Church said that the Bible is not enough. It had to be supplemented by the Traditions, which was the oral transmission of the Gospel. Why is the Traditions "oral"? It does not mean that it is not written. The "oral" Traditions were written down. It means that more Traditions can be added orally by the Pope speaking "ex cathedra". The Bible is closed, but the Traditions are not.
Jesus said so and Satan agreed.
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4 KJV)
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Matthew 4:7 KJV)
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:10 KJV)
Jesus quoted the scriptures three times, "It is written, It is written, it is written" and Satan accept that as the final proof. What is good enough for Jesus to defeat Satan is good enough for us to defeat any opponent. The Bible is the only offensive weapon in a Christian's hand.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17 KJV)
Unlike Jesus and Satan, the Roman Catholic Church said that the Bible is not enough. It had to be supplemented by the Traditions, which was the oral transmission of the Gospel. Why is the Traditions "oral"? It does not mean that it is not written. The "oral" Traditions were written down. It means that more Traditions can be added orally by the Pope speaking "ex cathedra". The Bible is closed, but the Traditions are not.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Two or Three Witnesses
If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness. (Numbers 35:30 ESV)
On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness. (Deuteronomy 17:6 ESV)
One witness cannot establish any wrongdoing or sin against a person, whatever that person has done. A fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. (Deuteronomy 19:15 HCSB)
"If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he won’t listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. (Matthew 18:15-16 HCSB)
In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. (John 8:17 ESV)
This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. (2 Corinthians 13:1 HCSB)
Don't accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. (1 Timothy 5:19 HCSB)
If anyone disregards Moses' law, he dies without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. (Hebrews 10:28 HCSB)
On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness. (Deuteronomy 17:6 ESV)
One witness cannot establish any wrongdoing or sin against a person, whatever that person has done. A fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. (Deuteronomy 19:15 HCSB)
"If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he won’t listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. (Matthew 18:15-16 HCSB)
In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. (John 8:17 ESV)
This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. (2 Corinthians 13:1 HCSB)
Don't accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. (1 Timothy 5:19 HCSB)
If anyone disregards Moses' law, he dies without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. (Hebrews 10:28 HCSB)
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Vicar of Christ
882 The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, "is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful." "For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered."
936 The Lord made St. Peter the visible foundation of his Church. He entrusted the keys of the Church to him. the bishop of the Church of Rome, successor to St. Peter, is "head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ and Pastor of the universal Church on earth"
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 1, Section 2, Chapter 3, Article 9, Paragraph 4
A definition of the word "vicar" from this website:
QUOTE
The word vicar comes from the Latin word vicarius meaning substitution. The on-line version of the Pocket Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. defines the Vicar of Christ as, "The Pope, visible head of the Church on earth, acting for and in the place of Christ. He possesses supreme ecclesiastical authority in the Catholic Church..."
UNQUOTE
Is there an office called "Vicar of Christ" described in the Bible?
Christ is the Head of the Church
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18 KJV)
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (Ephesians 5:23 KJV)
Christ is the Cornerstone of the Church
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11 KJV)
Christ is the Foundation of the Church
Christ is the Builder of the Church
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18 KJV)
When Jesus is no longer on earth physically, God will sent the Holy Spirit. No vicar is needed.
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn't see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. (John 14:16-18 HCSB)
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit - the Father will send Him in My name - will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:26 HCSB)
The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus.
He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16:14 ESV)
Jesus does not need a visible Vicar.
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:29 KJV)
Jesus is present on earth. Jesus is the invisible Holy Spirit. No vicar is needed.
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV, NASB)
Jesus is the Mighty God and God the Father.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)
Confusing? Because God is One. The Father is God. The Son is God. The Holy Spirit is God. And there is one God.
I cannot find any verse in the Bible that says Jesus needs a visible vicar on earth. I cannot find any verse in the Bible that describe the office of the vicar of Christ. The Bible tells me that God can do His job without a visible vicar. "blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:29 KJV)" So what is the visible vicar for? To remove our blessing?
936 The Lord made St. Peter the visible foundation of his Church. He entrusted the keys of the Church to him. the bishop of the Church of Rome, successor to St. Peter, is "head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ and Pastor of the universal Church on earth"
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 1, Section 2, Chapter 3, Article 9, Paragraph 4
A definition of the word "vicar" from this website:
QUOTE
The word vicar comes from the Latin word vicarius meaning substitution. The on-line version of the Pocket Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. defines the Vicar of Christ as, "The Pope, visible head of the Church on earth, acting for and in the place of Christ. He possesses supreme ecclesiastical authority in the Catholic Church..."
UNQUOTE
Christ is the Head of the Church
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18 KJV)
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (Ephesians 5:23 KJV)
Christ is the Cornerstone of the Church
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11 KJV)
Christ is the Foundation of the Church
So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. The whole building, being put together by Him, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord. You also are being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22 HCSB)
Christ is the Builder of the Church
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18 KJV)
When Jesus is no longer on earth physically, God will sent the Holy Spirit. No vicar is needed.
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn't see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. (John 14:16-18 HCSB)
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit - the Father will send Him in My name - will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:26 HCSB)
The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus.
He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16:14 ESV)
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:29 KJV)
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV, NASB)
Jesus is the Mighty God and God the Father.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)
Confusing? Because God is One. The Father is God. The Son is God. The Holy Spirit is God. And there is one God.
I cannot find any verse in the Bible that says Jesus needs a visible vicar on earth. I cannot find any verse in the Bible that describe the office of the vicar of Christ. The Bible tells me that God can do His job without a visible vicar. "blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:29 KJV)" So what is the visible vicar for? To remove our blessing?
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Apostolic Succession
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld." (John 20:21-23 ESV)
I. THE APOSTOLIC TRADITION
75 "Christ the Lord, in whom the entire Revelation of the most high God is summed up, commanded the apostles to preach the Gospel, which had been promised beforehand by the prophets, and which he fulfilled in his own person and promulgated with his own lips. In preaching the Gospel, they were to communicate the gifts of God to all men. This Gospel was to be the source of all saving truth and moral discipline."
In the apostolic preaching. . .
76 In keeping with the Lord's command, the Gospel was handed on in two ways:
- orally "by the apostles who handed on, by the spoken word of their preaching, by the example they gave, by the institutions they established, what they themselves had received - whether from the lips of Christ, from his way of life and his works, or whether they had learned it at the prompting of the Holy Spirit";
- in writing "by those apostles and other men associated with the apostles who, under the inspiration of the same Holy Spirit, committed the message of salvation to writing".
. . . continued in apostolic succession
There is nothing wrong with the doctrine of Apostolic Succession, except that no where in the Bible was it stated that the bishops "was to be preserved in a continuous line of succession until the end of time (77)". Just as God did not maintain a visible line of kings from David to Jesus, God does not maintain a visible line of bishops from the Apostles till the end of age. Churches do go astray and candlesticks are removed from these churches by Jesus (Revelation 2-3).
Here is a good article on Apostolic Succession.
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld." (John 20:21-23 ESV)
I. THE APOSTOLIC TRADITION
75 "Christ the Lord, in whom the entire Revelation of the most high God is summed up, commanded the apostles to preach the Gospel, which had been promised beforehand by the prophets, and which he fulfilled in his own person and promulgated with his own lips. In preaching the Gospel, they were to communicate the gifts of God to all men. This Gospel was to be the source of all saving truth and moral discipline."
In the apostolic preaching. . .
76 In keeping with the Lord's command, the Gospel was handed on in two ways:
- orally "by the apostles who handed on, by the spoken word of their preaching, by the example they gave, by the institutions they established, what they themselves had received - whether from the lips of Christ, from his way of life and his works, or whether they had learned it at the prompting of the Holy Spirit";
- in writing "by those apostles and other men associated with the apostles who, under the inspiration of the same Holy Spirit, committed the message of salvation to writing".
. . . continued in apostolic succession
77 "In order that the full and living Gospel might always be preserved in the Church the apostles left bishops as their successors. They gave them their own position of teaching authority." Indeed, "the apostolic preaching, which is expressed in a special way in the inspired books, was to be preserved in a continuous line of succession until the end of time."
78 This living transmission, accomplished in the Holy Spirit, is called Tradition, since it is distinct from Sacred Scripture, though closely connected to it. Through Tradition, "the Church, in her doctrine, life and worship, perpetuates and transmits to every generation all that she herself is, all that she believes." "The sayings of the holy Fathers are a witness to the life-giving presence of this Tradition, showing how its riches are poured out in the practice and life of the Church, in her belief and her prayer."
79 The Father's self-communication made through his Word in the Holy Spirit, remains present and active in the Church: "God, who spoke in the past, continues to converse with the Spouse of his beloved Son. And the Holy Spirit, through whom the living voice of the Gospel rings out in the Church - and through her in the world - leads believers to the full truth, and makes the Word of Christ dwell in them in all its richness."
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part One: The Profession Of Faith, Section One "I Believe" - "We Believe", Chapter Two God Comes To Meet Man, Article 2 The Transmission Of Divine Revelation, I. The Apostolic Tradition
The Apostles appointed elders in every church to oversee the flock. Logically, some of the bishops did took over the church when the Apostles died.
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23 ESV)
Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. (1 Timothy 4:14 ESV)
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2 NASB)
The Gospel was preached orally by the Apostles and their associates (Acts 2,3). They preached what they have witnessed.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14 KJV)
They also wrote down what they witnessed and preached. It came to us as the New Testament.
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:31 KJV)
This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. (John 21:24-25 NASB)
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4 ESV)
This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. (Acts 2:32 ESV)
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2 Peter 1:16 ESV)
When Jesus left for Heaven, God sent the Holy Spirit guide the believers throughout the ages. There is no provision in the Bible for any oral transmission to the believers by a select group (76, 78, 79).
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14 KJV)
They also wrote down what they witnessed and preached. It came to us as the New Testament.
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:31 KJV)
This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. (John 21:24-25 NASB)
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4 ESV)
This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. (Acts 2:32 ESV)
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2 Peter 1:16 ESV)
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit - the Father will send Him in My name - will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:26 HCSB)
Jesus is the Holy Spirit and He is with us till the end of the age.
Now the Lord is that Spirit: (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV, NASB)
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20 ESV)
There is nothing wrong with the doctrine of Apostolic Succession, except that no where in the Bible was it stated that the bishops "was to be preserved in a continuous line of succession until the end of time (77)". Just as God did not maintain a visible line of kings from David to Jesus, God does not maintain a visible line of bishops from the Apostles till the end of age. Churches do go astray and candlesticks are removed from these churches by Jesus (Revelation 2-3).
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Church Built on Petros (Πέτρος) or Petra (πέτρᾳ)
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11 NASB)
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Church was built on Peter, who was given the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, based on Matthew 16:18.
And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:17-19 ESV)
The following taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part One, The Profession of Faith, Section Two, The Profession of the Christian Faith, Chapter Three, I Believe In the Holy Spirit, Article 9 "I Believe In the Holy Catholic Church", Paragraph 4. Christ's Faithful - Hierarchy, Laity, Consecrated Life showed how the Roman Catholic Church used this verse to expand into Apostolic Succession:
QUOTE
The episcopal college and its head, the Pope
880 When Christ instituted the Twelve, "he constituted [them] in the form of a college or permanent assembly, at the head of which he placed Peter, chosen from among them." Just as "by the Lord's institution, St. Peter and the rest of the apostles constitute a single apostolic college, so in like fashion the Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, and the bishops, the successors of the apostles, are related with and united to one another."
881 The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock. "The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of apostles united to its head." This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belongs to the Church's very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope.
882 The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, "is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful." "For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered."
883 "The college or body of bishops has no authority unless united with the Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, as its head." As such, this college has "supreme and full authority over the universal Church; but this power cannot be exercised without the agreement of the Roman Pontiff."
936 The Lord made St. Peter the visible foundation of his Church. He entrusted the keys of the Church to him. the bishop of the Church of Rome, successor to St. Peter, is "head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ and Pastor of the universal Church on earth"
UNQUOTE
But who is the Rock? What does the Bible says about the Rock?
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Church was built on Peter, who was given the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, based on Matthew 16:18.
And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:17-19 ESV)
The following taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part One, The Profession of Faith, Section Two, The Profession of the Christian Faith, Chapter Three, I Believe In the Holy Spirit, Article 9 "I Believe In the Holy Catholic Church", Paragraph 4. Christ's Faithful - Hierarchy, Laity, Consecrated Life showed how the Roman Catholic Church used this verse to expand into Apostolic Succession:
QUOTE
The episcopal college and its head, the Pope
880 When Christ instituted the Twelve, "he constituted [them] in the form of a college or permanent assembly, at the head of which he placed Peter, chosen from among them." Just as "by the Lord's institution, St. Peter and the rest of the apostles constitute a single apostolic college, so in like fashion the Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, and the bishops, the successors of the apostles, are related with and united to one another."
881 The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock. "The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of apostles united to its head." This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belongs to the Church's very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope.
882 The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, "is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful." "For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered."
883 "The college or body of bishops has no authority unless united with the Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, as its head." As such, this college has "supreme and full authority over the universal Church; but this power cannot be exercised without the agreement of the Roman Pontiff."
936 The Lord made St. Peter the visible foundation of his Church. He entrusted the keys of the Church to him. the bishop of the Church of Rome, successor to St. Peter, is "head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ and Pastor of the universal Church on earth"
UNQUOTE
But who is the Rock? What does the Bible says about the Rock?
The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4 ESV)
You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you, and you forgot the God who gave you birth. (Deuteronomy 32:18 ESV)
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2 ESV)
Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; (Psalm 144:1 ESV)
For who is God, besides the LORD? And who is a rock, besides our God? (2 Samuel 22:32 NASB)
For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? (Psalm 18:31 KJV)
The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation (Psalm 18:46 ESV)
The Rock in the Old Testament was God.
The Rock in the Old Testament was God.
For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:1-4 ESV)
The Rock was Christ. This can be further confirmed by the Bible describing Christ as the cornerstone, that is, the foundation.
The Rock was Christ. This can be further confirmed by the Bible describing Christ as the cornerstone, that is, the foundation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. (Psalm 118:22 ESV)
And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Isaiah 8:14 ESV)
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed. (Isaiah 28:16 NASB)
Jesus said to them, Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? (Matthew 21:42 ESV)
Have you not read this Scripture: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; (Mark 12:10 ESV)
But he looked directly at them and said, What then is this that is written: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone? (Luke 20:17 ESV)
This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. (Acts 4:11 ESV)
For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. (1 Peter 2:6-8 ESV)
So the Church was build on the Rock, the cornerstone, the foundation, which is Christ.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 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. (Ephesians 2:19-21 ESV)
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4-5 ESV)
Did the Bible ever say that the Church is built on Peter? Let us look at Matthew 16:18 again. Jesus said, "on this rock I will build my church". Did Jesus say, "on Peter will I build my church"?
Who has the keys?
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4-5 ESV)
Did the Bible ever say that the Church is built on Peter? Let us look at Matthew 16:18 again. Jesus said, "on this rock I will build my church". Did Jesus say, "on Peter will I build my church"?
Who has the keys?
And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. (Isaiah 22:22 ESV)
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. (Revelation 3:7 ESV)
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:18 KJV)
Who else can bind and loose?
"If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he won’t listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. If he pays no attention to them, tell the church. But if he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like an unbeliever and a tax collector to you. I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:15-18 HCSB)
The testimony of the New Testament
When we read the Acts of Apostles, we noticed that Peter was the leader only from chapters 1 to 12. From chapters 13 onward, Paul was the focus. Even in the Church of Jerusalem, it was James the Lord's brother that seem to be preeminent (Acts 15:1-31).
When Paul named the pillars of the Church, he named James, followed by Peter and John.
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. (Galatians 2:9 KJV)
Who else can bind and loose?
"If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he won’t listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. If he pays no attention to them, tell the church. But if he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like an unbeliever and a tax collector to you. I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:15-18 HCSB)
The testimony of the New Testament
When we read the Acts of Apostles, we noticed that Peter was the leader only from chapters 1 to 12. From chapters 13 onward, Paul was the focus. Even in the Church of Jerusalem, it was James the Lord's brother that seem to be preeminent (Acts 15:1-31).
When Paul named the pillars of the Church, he named James, followed by Peter and John.
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. (Galatians 2:9 KJV)
The Epistles in the New Testament are arranged by authors. Again we see that Paul is first, followed by James the Lord's brother, then Peter, John and Jude.
Conclusion
Although Peter was the leader in the initial stage, the leadership of the Jewish Church was passed to James and the leadership of the Gentile Church to Paul. Thus it was obvious from the New Testament that the Church was not built on Peter, but the Rock, who is Jesus.
Conclusion
Although Peter was the leader in the initial stage, the leadership of the Jewish Church was passed to James and the leadership of the Gentile Church to Paul. Thus it was obvious from the New Testament that the Church was not built on Peter, but the Rock, who is Jesus.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Sole Purpose Of Christians Living
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3 KJV)
The sole purpose of Christians living through our lives on earth is to know God. Even unbelievers know something about God, but they called Him by other names, such as Nature and Luck.
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4 KJV)
Many live through life without a purpose. When they were young, they went to school to study to please their parents. They grew up and worked to earn a living. Then they died, passing through life without knowing why they were born in the first place.
The sole purpose of Christians living through our lives on earth is to know God. Even unbelievers know something about God, but they called Him by other names, such as Nature and Luck.
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4 KJV)
Many live through life without a purpose. When they were young, they went to school to study to please their parents. They grew up and worked to earn a living. Then they died, passing through life without knowing why they were born in the first place.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Paul's Marks of Jesus
From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. (Galatians 6:17 KJV)
Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman - I’m a better one: with far more labors,
many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, near death many times. Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews. Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans. Once I was stoned by my enemies. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers; labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27 HCSB)
Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman - I’m a better one: with far more labors,
many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, near death many times. Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews. Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans. Once I was stoned by my enemies. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers; labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27 HCSB)
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Death Is Too Late
For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. (Ecclesiastes 9:5 ESV)
Many believed that they can have some effect on their loved ones after they died if they perform some ceremonies. These ceremonies ranged from simple to elaborate to cruel. Rulers and kings buried live people to prepare for their lives after death. Chinese burn paper houses and money for their dead to spend in their next life.
The Bible tells us that death is too late. Anything that needs to be done must be done while the person is alive.
As it is said: Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. (Hebrews 3:15 HCSB)
Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6 NASB)
Many believed that they can have some effect on their loved ones after they died if they perform some ceremonies. These ceremonies ranged from simple to elaborate to cruel. Rulers and kings buried live people to prepare for their lives after death. Chinese burn paper houses and money for their dead to spend in their next life.
The Bible tells us that death is too late. Anything that needs to be done must be done while the person is alive.
As it is said: Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. (Hebrews 3:15 HCSB)
Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6 NASB)
Friday, April 12, 2013
Work Attitude - Whatsoever Ye Do
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV)
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17 KJV)
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, (Colossians 3:23 HCSB)
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17 KJV)
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, (Colossians 3:23 HCSB)
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Will of God
1. Believe in Jesus to have eternal life
For this is the will of My Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:40 HCSB)
2. All come to repentance
...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 KJV)
3. Give ourselves to the Lord first
And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. (2 Corinthians 8:5 KJV)
4. Give thanks for everything
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV)
5. Do good to silence fools
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (1 Peter 2:15 KJV)
6. Do good even if it involve suffering
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. (1 Peter 3:17 KJV)
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 Peter 4:19 ESV)
7. Abstain from fornication
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: (1 Thessalonians 4:3 KJV)
Motivation and reason to do God's will:
Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. (1 Peter 4:1-2 NASB)
For this is the will of My Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:40 HCSB)
2. All come to repentance
...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 KJV)
3. Give ourselves to the Lord first
And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. (2 Corinthians 8:5 KJV)
4. Give thanks for everything
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV)
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (1 Peter 2:15 KJV)
6. Do good even if it involve suffering
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. (1 Peter 3:17 KJV)
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 Peter 4:19 ESV)
7. Abstain from fornication
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: (1 Thessalonians 4:3 KJV)
Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. (1 Peter 4:1-2 NASB)
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
What Does God Want Us To Do?
What does God want us to do?
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? (Deuteronomy 10:12-13 KJV)
He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8 KJV)
Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." (John 6:28-29 ESV)
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Preach, Die And Be Forgotten
Preach the gospel, die and be forgotten. - Count Zinzendorf
Have no ambition, leave no legacy
But as for you, do you seek great things for yourself? Stop seeking! For I am about to bring disaster on every living creature - this is the LORD's declaration - 'but I will grant you your life like the spoils of war wherever you go.'" (Jeremiah 45:5 HCSB)
He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30 KJV,ESV,NASB)
Leave a mark, make a difference
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11:4 KJV)
Futility
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 KJV)
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. (Isaiah 55:2 ESV)
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (John 6:27 KJV)
Hope
Have no ambition, leave no legacy
But as for you, do you seek great things for yourself? Stop seeking! For I am about to bring disaster on every living creature - this is the LORD's declaration - 'but I will grant you your life like the spoils of war wherever you go.'" (Jeremiah 45:5 HCSB)
He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30 KJV,ESV,NASB)
Leave a mark, make a difference
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11:4 KJV)
Futility
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 KJV)
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. (Isaiah 55:2 ESV)
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (John 6:27 KJV)
Hope
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1 KJV)
Things that count
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Galatians 5:6 ESV)
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV)
Things that count
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Galatians 5:6 ESV)
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV)
Monday, April 8, 2013
Gratitude-Fueled Good Works
Christian good works are fueled by our gratitude to God.
We love, because He first love us.
We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19 ESV)
We forgive, because we were forgiven.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 ESV)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13 ESV)
We give, because we were given.
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8 KJV)
2. Holiness of God and sinfulness of self gap;
3. Love of God and Wrath of God gap.
Then one of the Pharisees invited Him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of fragrant oil and stood behind Him at His feet, weeping, and began to wash His feet with her tears. She wiped His feet with the hair of her head, kissing them and anointing them with the fragrant oil.
When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching Him - she’s a sinner!"
Jesus replied to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you."
"Teacher," he said, "say it."
"A creditor had two debtors. One owed 500 denarii, and the other 50. Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?"
Simon answered, "I suppose the one he forgave more."
"You have judged correctly," He told him. Turning to the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she, with her tears, has washed My feet and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing My feet since I came in. You didn’t anoint My head with olive oil, but she has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little." Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
Those who were at the table with Him began to say among themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?"
And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." (Luke 7:36-50 HCSB)
We love, because He first love us.
We forgive, because we were forgiven.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 ESV)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13 ESV)
We give, because we were given.
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8 KJV)
Unlike the meritocratic religions where there are incentives to do good works, for the Christians, the rewards are assured and given. Thus some Christians are not too motivated to do good works. The quantity and quality of the good works are affected by our knowledge of how much we are loved by God, how much we are forgiven and how much we are given. Our knowledge of this is affected by the awareness of the following gaps:
1. Saved into and saved from gap;2. Holiness of God and sinfulness of self gap;
3. Love of God and Wrath of God gap.
Then one of the Pharisees invited Him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of fragrant oil and stood behind Him at His feet, weeping, and began to wash His feet with her tears. She wiped His feet with the hair of her head, kissing them and anointing them with the fragrant oil.
When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching Him - she’s a sinner!"
Jesus replied to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you."
"Teacher," he said, "say it."
"A creditor had two debtors. One owed 500 denarii, and the other 50. Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?"
Simon answered, "I suppose the one he forgave more."
"You have judged correctly," He told him. Turning to the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she, with her tears, has washed My feet and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing My feet since I came in. You didn’t anoint My head with olive oil, but she has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little." Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
Those who were at the table with Him began to say among themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?"
And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." (Luke 7:36-50 HCSB)
Sunday, April 7, 2013
The First And Last Prophecy Of The Bible
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15 ESV)
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20 ESV)
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20 ESV)
Saturday, April 6, 2013
The Way, The Truth and The Life
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)
Some people think that Jesus is a great teacher teaching us the way. No. Jesus is not teaching us about four agreements, five pillars, six sigma, seven habits or eight-fold path. He is telling us that He is the Way. Neither is Jesus teaching us about truth. He is the Truth. And He is giving us Eternal Life.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36 ESV)
Some people think that Jesus is a great teacher teaching us the way. No. Jesus is not teaching us about four agreements, five pillars, six sigma, seven habits or eight-fold path. He is telling us that He is the Way. Neither is Jesus teaching us about truth. He is the Truth. And He is giving us Eternal Life.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36 ESV)
Friday, April 5, 2013
The Five Solae And The Roman Catholic Objections
By Grace alone (Sola Gratia)
Through Faith alone (Sola Fide)
In Christ alone (Solus Christus)
According to Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura)
For God's Glory alone (Soli Deo Gloria)
"If the Pope would concede that God alone by His grace through Christ justifies sinners, we would carry him in our arms, we would kiss his feet." - Martin Luther, in his Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians.
We I look at all the objections of the Roman Catholic Church, I realize that we have very different perception on Christianity. The Protestants valued the glory of God above all things. The Catholics wanted to defend their traditions. If we do not have the Right View 正見, our perspective will always be different.
Sola Gratia
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV)
Strange that the one sola that does appear in the bible contradicts the very sola itself. Works (good works, not useless Jewish works of the law) are part of being justified. The Catholic Church teaches that justification begins at Baptism, when the Holy Spirit comes to us, even while we are infants. And "being saved" is a lifelong journey that doesn't end until we die and are allowed into heaven. A lot of Protestants talk about "when they were saved", as if it's in the past tense. Catholics would agree that whenever you began taking your faith in Christ seriously was certainly a great time, but it was only a first step, not the entire journey. What really counts is your faith at the time of death, not your faith when you first started believing 20 years ago.
Solus Christus
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV)
"Christ Alone", also sounds great. Who could argue with the fact that we are saved by Christ alone? The problem with this is that the 3rd person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit, also plays a HUGE role in our salvation. According to the bible, we are temples to the Holy Spirit. Peter and the other apostles all followed Jesus and ate with him, talked with him, and tried to follow him. It wasn't until Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon them that they received power (Acts 1:8). Catholics receive the Holy Spirit at Confirmation, and can receive Him again and again through the laying on of hands by charismatics (to reinvigorate your faith). And what about the role that the Communion of Saints plays in our salvation? They lead us to Christ, as do our parents, our friends, and our fellow Catholics. The whole problem with this particular sola is that it isolates us into a "Me and Jesus" scenario, where I don't really need a Church or a family telling me what to do. And that is so wrong. Jesus set up His Church for a reason, to be His Kingdom on earth. And this sola allows for no glory to God our Father, who we pray to each and every time we say the "Our Father" prayer.
Roman Catholic Objection
The text most often used by protestants to back this one up is 2 Timothy 3:16. However great this passage is, the word "alone" does not appear in it anywhere. The word profitable does not mean only. If it did, then Titus 3:8 below would mean that good deeds are all we need to be saved:
"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." Applying the word "alone" to scripture also means that anyone can properly interpret it, without the Magesterium and Sacred Tradition. In other words, the Catholic Church only claims infallibility with the official documents of the Church, spoken "ex cathedra" ("from the chair") by the Pope. This sola claims that anyone and everyone who interprets scripture on their own is infallible! And how wrong is this today, with over 30,000 Protestant denominations, with some even claiming that homosexuality is no longer sinful!
Soli Deo Gloria
I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. (Isaiah 42:8 ESV)
Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11 NASB)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36 ESV)
To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. (Romans 16:27 KJV)
Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us - to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 HCSB)
"Glory to God Alone" sounds like a winner. However, there is one problem with it. Jesus Himself said in John 17:22 that He gave His glory to his apostles "The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, (John 17:22 ESV)" at the Last Supper, when He gave them the Eucharist. And while none of the apostles' lives or works will save us in and of themselves, they are indeed one with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17) and they are partakers in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). It really is okay to venerate the saints, which is not the same glory and honor we need to give to Christ. A lot of Protestants confuse veneration of the saints with glory to God. Mention the Communion of Saints to a Protestant who says the Apostles' Creed every Sunday, and you will usually get a blank stare back. In other words, most Protestants who recite the Apostles' Creed say they believe in the Communion of Saints, but they do not know what it means. What it means is that the saints in heaven are our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us, and who help us in our journey in this life. After all, Jesus says that they are ALIVE (Luke 20:38). And since they are partakers in the divine nature, according to 2 Peter 1:4, that means that they can hear us and help us.
The Roman Catholic objections are taken with modifications from the website "The Five Solas - Catholic Bible 101".
Through Faith alone (Sola Fide)
In Christ alone (Solus Christus)
According to Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura)
For God's Glory alone (Soli Deo Gloria)
We I look at all the objections of the Roman Catholic Church, I realize that we have very different perception on Christianity. The Protestants valued the glory of God above all things. The Catholics wanted to defend their traditions. If we do not have the Right View 正見, our perspective will always be different.
Sola Gratia
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV)
Roman Catholic Objection
Catholics would agree that we are indeed saved by grace, which is a free gift from God. Where we differ is the method of how we receive that grace. The Catholic Church regularly dispenses sanctifying grace through the sacraments. The Protestants believe that God just gives them grace whenever He wills it, sacraments or not. The Catholic version of this one would be that we are saved by grace, which increases our faith, and leads us to do good works as a very necessary fruit of our faith.
Sola Fide
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4 KJV)
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17 KJV)
Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." (Galatians 3:11 ESV)
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38 KJV)
Roman Catholic Objection
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4 KJV)
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17 KJV)
Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." (Galatians 3:11 ESV)
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38 KJV)
Roman Catholic Objection
A quick search shows that only one of the solas, the words "faith alone" does appear in the Bible, as follows:
"You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. (James 2:24 HCSB)"Strange that the one sola that does appear in the bible contradicts the very sola itself. Works (good works, not useless Jewish works of the law) are part of being justified. The Catholic Church teaches that justification begins at Baptism, when the Holy Spirit comes to us, even while we are infants. And "being saved" is a lifelong journey that doesn't end until we die and are allowed into heaven. A lot of Protestants talk about "when they were saved", as if it's in the past tense. Catholics would agree that whenever you began taking your faith in Christ seriously was certainly a great time, but it was only a first step, not the entire journey. What really counts is your faith at the time of death, not your faith when you first started believing 20 years ago.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV)
Roman Catholic Objection
Sola Scriptura
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV)Roman Catholic Objection
"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." Applying the word "alone" to scripture also means that anyone can properly interpret it, without the Magesterium and Sacred Tradition. In other words, the Catholic Church only claims infallibility with the official documents of the Church, spoken "ex cathedra" ("from the chair") by the Pope. This sola claims that anyone and everyone who interprets scripture on their own is infallible! And how wrong is this today, with over 30,000 Protestant denominations, with some even claiming that homosexuality is no longer sinful!
Soli Deo Gloria
I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. (Isaiah 42:8 ESV)
Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11 NASB)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36 ESV)
To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. (Romans 16:27 KJV)
Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us - to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 HCSB)
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV)
Roman Catholic Objection
The Roman Catholic objections are taken with modifications from the website "The Five Solas - Catholic Bible 101".
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Quotations On Truth
"Peace is such a precious jewel that I would give anything for it but truth."
Matthew Henry
"Never let us be guilty of sacrificing any portion of truth on the altar of peace."
J. C. Ryle
"If the world goes against truth then Athanasius goes against the world."
Athanasius
"I believe that in the end the truth will conquer."
John Wycliffe
"A half-truth masquerading as the whole truth becomes a complete untruth."
J. I. Packer
Matthew Henry
"Never let us be guilty of sacrificing any portion of truth on the altar of peace."
J. C. Ryle
Athanasius
"I believe that in the end the truth will conquer."
John Wycliffe
J. I. Packer
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Prayer Meeting That Lasted One Hundred Years
The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out. (Leviticus 6:13 KJV)
The following is taken from this website:
QUOTE
On May 26, in the year 1700, Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf und Pottendorf was born. While still in his twenties, Nikolaus became part of a prayer meeting that—through hundreds of men and women who took turns praying—continued twenty-four hours every day for more than one hundred years.
So how did this prayer meeting begin?
Well, in some sense, the foundations for the prayer meeting can be traced to the late 1600s. A man named Jacob Spener wrote a booklet entitled Pious Desires. The book urged Christians to pursue a personal relationship with Jesus through prayer and meditation on the Scriptures; this pietistic impulse had a profound impact on Nikolaus von Zinzendorf.
In the early eighteenth century, several Roman Catholic princes were persecuting the Moravian Brethren, a small Protestant movement that had originated in the western regions of what’s now known as the Czech Republic. One rainy evening in 1722 a Moravian believer knocked on Zinzendorf’s front door. He asked if Nikolaus von Zinzendorf might shelter the flourishing Moravian movement. Nikolaus agreed and even helped the Moravians to found a community on his lands. They called their community “the Lord’s watch” (or “Herrnhut”). By 1725, nearly one hundred Moravians had made Herrnhut their home.
The prayer meeting began in 1727. The rationale was simple: “The sacred fire was never permitted to go out on the altar (Leviticus 6:13); so in a congregation is a temple of the living God, wherein he has his altar and fire, [and] the intercession of his saints should incessantly rise up to him.”
The influence of the Moravians and their prayers multiplied far beyond the borders of Herrnhut. God used the Moravians on a trip across the Atlantic Ocean to convict John Wesley of his need for the gospel. The Moravians became the first Protestant group to send both clergy and laypeople as missionaries. Nikolaus died in May of 1760. By that time, the Moravians had established missionary colonies in the West Indies, in Greenland, and among the natives of the northeastern American colonies, as well as sending missionaries to Livonia, to the shores of the Baltic Sea, to Suriname, to the islands of the East Indies, to South Africa, to South America, and to the African slaves of South Carolina—and it all began with a band of refugees and a deep commitment to pray.
UNQUOTE
The following is taken from this website:
QUOTE
On May 26, in the year 1700, Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf und Pottendorf was born. While still in his twenties, Nikolaus became part of a prayer meeting that—through hundreds of men and women who took turns praying—continued twenty-four hours every day for more than one hundred years.
So how did this prayer meeting begin?
Well, in some sense, the foundations for the prayer meeting can be traced to the late 1600s. A man named Jacob Spener wrote a booklet entitled Pious Desires. The book urged Christians to pursue a personal relationship with Jesus through prayer and meditation on the Scriptures; this pietistic impulse had a profound impact on Nikolaus von Zinzendorf.
In the early eighteenth century, several Roman Catholic princes were persecuting the Moravian Brethren, a small Protestant movement that had originated in the western regions of what’s now known as the Czech Republic. One rainy evening in 1722 a Moravian believer knocked on Zinzendorf’s front door. He asked if Nikolaus von Zinzendorf might shelter the flourishing Moravian movement. Nikolaus agreed and even helped the Moravians to found a community on his lands. They called their community “the Lord’s watch” (or “Herrnhut”). By 1725, nearly one hundred Moravians had made Herrnhut their home.
The prayer meeting began in 1727. The rationale was simple: “The sacred fire was never permitted to go out on the altar (Leviticus 6:13); so in a congregation is a temple of the living God, wherein he has his altar and fire, [and] the intercession of his saints should incessantly rise up to him.”
The influence of the Moravians and their prayers multiplied far beyond the borders of Herrnhut. God used the Moravians on a trip across the Atlantic Ocean to convict John Wesley of his need for the gospel. The Moravians became the first Protestant group to send both clergy and laypeople as missionaries. Nikolaus died in May of 1760. By that time, the Moravians had established missionary colonies in the West Indies, in Greenland, and among the natives of the northeastern American colonies, as well as sending missionaries to Livonia, to the shores of the Baltic Sea, to Suriname, to the islands of the East Indies, to South Africa, to South America, and to the African slaves of South Carolina—and it all began with a band of refugees and a deep commitment to pray.
UNQUOTE
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
The Terrible Consequences Of Rejecting Christ
There are too many sales talk by evangelists who told us that God is love (1 John 4:8). But too few evangelists told us what would happen if you reject this love. Here are some damning statements in the Bible which will enlighten us on the consequences of rejecting God's love.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16 ESV)
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:18 ESV)
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36 ESV)
If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. (John 12:47-48 ESV)
Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:28-31 ESV)
Remember that while God is merciful, He is also just. Justice demands that sinner should be punished. Since God is love (1 John 4:8), how can He love us and yet remain just?
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NASB)
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, (1 Peter 3:18 ESV)
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? (Ezekiel 18:23 ESV)
But when you reject God's pardon and love in the form of Christ, what remain for you will be God's justice and the wrath of God on sin and sinners.
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:12-15 ESV)
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16 ESV)
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:18 ESV)
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36 ESV)
If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. (John 12:47-48 ESV)
Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:28-31 ESV)
Remember that while God is merciful, He is also just. Justice demands that sinner should be punished. Since God is love (1 John 4:8), how can He love us and yet remain just?
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NASB)
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, (1 Peter 3:18 ESV)
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? (Ezekiel 18:23 ESV)
But when you reject God's pardon and love in the form of Christ, what remain for you will be God's justice and the wrath of God on sin and sinners.
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:12-15 ESV)
Monday, April 1, 2013
God Sets Standards, Not Men
There is a Muslim named Dr Zakir Naik who said that he would become a Christian if in the entire Bible, there is a statement where Jesus himself says, "I am God" or where he says, "worship me". There are atheists who said that they would believe in God if God heal amputees. Many people like to set standards for God, saying that they will believe if condition X exist. Now if condition X is met, then others will demand condition Y.
The Bible has its own set of conditions to prove that it is true and Jesus is God. Anyone can check these conditions and determine if they are logical to accept and believe. Woe to those who believe not when the Bible is proven true. It is always a bad idea to quarrel with truth.
The Bible has its own set of conditions to prove that it is true and Jesus is God. Anyone can check these conditions and determine if they are logical to accept and believe. Woe to those who believe not when the Bible is proven true. It is always a bad idea to quarrel with truth.
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