Why I am Proud of the Catholic Church and to be Catholic?
1.Catholic Church was prefigured by Old Testament prophets.
2.Catholic Church has a Holy Founder in Jesus Christ.
3.Catholic Church was built upon the Rock of Peter and the foundation of the Apostles.
4.God guaranteed that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against it.
5.Jesus Christ said it would last forever, as He would be with it always.
6.Therefore it can be found in every day, in every century, from the time He said it.
7.Jesus Christ left His legacy, the Kingdom of GOD, His Church, to the care of the Apostles.
8.Catholic Church is guided by the Holy Spirit. Acts 15:28
9.Catholic Church is a living Church.
10.Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Christ.
11.Catholic Church can neither be confused nor separated from its head.
12.The thread of the Church is woven throughout Holy Scripture.
Catholic Church is a Christ based Church, whereas the Bible is Catholic Church based.
13.Catholic Church has all of the pieces to the puzzle.
14.Catholic Church is indefectible. Ephesians 5:27
15.Catholic Church is The Bride of Christ.
16.Catholic Church is infallible in matters of faith and morals since it is guided by the Holy Spirit.
17.Catholic Church is infallible in its teaching of Holy Scripture since it is guided by the Holy Spirit.
18.Catholic Church fits the blueprint laid out for it in Holy Scripture.
19.Catholic Church is a visible Church that could not be hidden.
20.Jesus Christ would be the invisible head and we, the body of His Church.
21.His Church would cover the earth. Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8.
22.GOD appointed a visible Father Figure to shepherd His flock on earth, as He had always done.
23.Catholic Church is the Pillar and the Foundation of Truth. 1Timothy 3:15
24.Catholic Church alone has the fullness of truth.
25.GOD's Church would have an hierarchal form of government.
26.GOD's Church would have Bishops, Priests, and Deacons within it.
27.Catholic Church has a system of Apostolic Succession in order to perpetuate the visible Church on earth.
28.Catholic Church is traceable through an unbroken line of Apostolic Succession all the way back to St. Peter.
29This unbroken line is shown in secular encyclopedias as well as Catholic archives.
30.Catholic Church has a succession of truth in teaching all the way from 31.Jesus Christ down to present day Bishops.
32.Catholic Church is almost 1500 years older than the oldest Protestant church.
33.Catholic Church has the authority to abolish or enforce rules of conduct, through binding and loosing.
34.Catholic Church has the authority to forgive or to retain sins, through binding and loosing. John 20:21-23
35.Catholic Church teaches that we are not automatically saved, but our salvation depends upon us as well.
36.Catholic Church has the authority to form Councils when needed, in order to settle the issues that arise. Acts 15
37.Catholic Church was given the authority to decide the Canons of both the Old and New Testaments of Scripture.
38.Catholic Church decided the Canon of both testaments by infallible decision of several Councils.
39.Catholic Church more finely develops revealed public revelation.
40.Catholic Church does not twist Scripture to conform to its teachings. It conforms its teaching to Scripture.
41.Catholic Church has faithfully copied and preserved Holy Scripture down through the ages.
42.Catholic Church has known that The Word was Heard and not Read by the masses before the printing press.
43.Catholic Church has the final authority. Matthew 18:15-18
44.Catholic Church holds many traditions which are followed by Catholics and Protestants alike.
45.Catholic Church is an "And" Church, not "Or".
46.Catholic Church is a teaching Church as commanded by Holy Scripture.
47.Catholic Church is consistent in its teaching and does not 'flip-flop' as do other churches for the whims of people.
48.Catholic Church faithfully feeds the sheep as commanded by Jesus Christ.
49.Catholic Church is rock solid and unchanging in its teaching.
50.Catholic Church stands upon a solid three legged stool, of Scripture, of Apostolic Tradition, and the Magisterium.
51.Catholic Church is the guardian of both Sacred Scripture and of Sacred Tradition.
52.Catholic Church has the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Matthew 26:26
53.The Apostles knew that the truth was in Jesus Christ and in His one true Church.
54.Catholic Church has Eucharistic Adoration.
55.Catholic Church offers a clean oblation around the world and around the clock, in the Holy Mass. Malachi 1:11
56.In every minute of every day, a Mass is being celebrated somewhere.
57.Catholic Church venerates Christ on the Cross as a sacrifice and not just a plain cross devoid of Christ.
58.Catholic Church preaches the Gospel to the whole world. Matthew 24:14
59.Catholic Church has produced many thousands of Holy Saints.
60.The Church venerates the Mother of GOD. Luke 1:26-56
61.The Church venerates the Saints who have done so much for it.
62.The Mother of GOD is also the Mother of the Church. John 19:26-27
63.Catholic Church has all seven Sacraments.
64.Catholic Church treats marriage as a Sacrament.
65.Catholic Church has an annulment procedure.
66.Catholic Church has many varied Devotions.
67.Catholic Church can be found by its name, the Catholic Church, in thousands of early writings.
68.Catholic Church can be shown from these same writings that it is the same Church which Jesus Christ founded.
69.Catholic Church houses the remains of all of the Apostles and Gospel writers.
70.Catholic Church is the New Jerusalem.
71.Catholic Church is our Mother Church.
72.Catholic Church has withstood the ravages of thousands of detractors and heretics from its very foundation.
73.Catholic Church has performed many successful exorcisms.
74.Catholic Church is unbending and unmovable in its pro-life stance.
75.Catholic Church has scores of separate services of help. 1Corinthians 12:28
76.Catholic Church preaches the Word of GOD to the entire world through E.W.T.N. and other resources.
77.Catholic Church tries to unite all of Christianity into one fold.
78.Catholic Church has incredible openness.
79.Catholic Church Has provided us with a comprehensive catechism.
80.Catholic Church has a vast influx of intellectuals.
81.Catholic Church has had a spectacular growth, with over one billion Catholics in the world now.
82.Catholic Church has the Holy Spirit dwelling within it.
83.Catholic Church has humbled itself by apologizing to GOD for the past sins of some of its members.
84.Catholic Church is the most outspoken advocate of morality on earth.
85.Catholic Church has issued so many beautiful Papal documents which are guidelines for the whole world.
86.Catholic Church has the largest collection of authentic Christian documents in the world in the Vatican archives.
87.Catholic Church is the last refuge for those who are persecuted.
88.Catholic Church is because the "Pillar and the foundation of truth" has said so.
89.Catholic Church is because common sense tells us so.
90.Catholic Church is the undisputed leader of Christianity in the world.
91.Catholic Church is its own City-State, and is represented in the United Nations. Acts 1:8
92.When Rome speaks, the whole world listens.
93.Catholic Church is the only Christian Church which proclaims Jubilee years.
94.Circumstantial evidence points to the Catholic Church and only the Catholic Church.
95.The Catholic Church hears and listens carefully to Jesus Christ, her founder.
96.Catholic Church always has what the world is lacking.
We know because The Catholic Church is the Most Hated Christian Church in the World.
Just as the Catholic Church is the Body of Christ, so she naturally must follow the trials and tribulations of her founder and Head. His physical body endured an unmerciful persecution and scourging, and so must His Mystical Body, the Catholic Church, endure the same.
A comparison between Jesus Christ and His Mystical Body. They are one and cannot be separated.
What happened to the One also happens to the other.
Jesus Christ persecuted..................................His Mystical Body, the Catholic Church persecuted...
They rebelled against His Authority......................They rebel against its Authority. 2Peter 2:10
They said Crucify Him.........................................They have tried to destroy it for 2000 years.
He is called Beelzebub..........................................It is run by Satan. Matthew 10:25.
He is a false messiah............................................It is a false church. Luke 22:70-71
He called Himself the Son of GOD.......................It claims it was founded by GOD, Matthew 16:18.
He called Himself Truth.......................................It claims to be infallible, 1Timothy 3:15.
He called Himself King........................................It says it is the only true Church, Matthew 16:18.
He could not sin...................................................It has no spot or wrinkle, Ephesians 5:27.
He was not be believed by many...........................It is not believed by many. Luke 22:67
He was denied by many........................................It is denied by many. Luke 22:57-60
Not understanding Him, they walked away...........Not understanding it, they walk away. John 6:66
He had false accusers...........................................It has false accusers. Mark 14:56-59
He was mocked....................................................It is mocked. Luke 23:35-37
He was scandalized..............................................It is scandalized. Luke 17:1-2
He was hated without a cause...............................It is hated without a cause. John 15:18-25
His accuser, Judas, died.......................................Its accusers die, but still, the Church lives on.
His enemies would stumble and fall......................Its enemies stumble and fall. John 18:6
We have no king but Caesar.................................We have no need of it, as we have the Bible.
Can anything good come out of Nazareth?............Can anything good come from Rome? John 1:46
They cried out, "Not this one but Barabbas".........It is also rejected by the world. John 15:18-25
He bore His Cross................................................It bears a cross also, the cross of persecution.
He died on the Cross............................................It has thousands of martyrs, many on crosses.
1970 years later, He lives, stronger than ever........1970 years later, it lives, stronger than ever.
However, no matter how hard the persecutors try...
His Kingdom will last forever, Daniel 7:14, Hebrews 1:8.
His Church will last until the end of the world as promised by Him in Matthew 28:20.
"BEHOLD, I HAVE GIVEN YOU POWER TO TREAD UPON SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS, AND OVER ALL THE MIGHT OF THE ENEMY; AND NOTHING SHALL HURT YOU."
Luke 10:19
"Do not be a stumbling block to Jews and Greeks AND TO THE CHURCH OF GOD"
1Corinthians 10:32
Anyone who persecutes the Catholic Church has made himself/herself a stumbling block to the Church of GOD. It is a clear violation of Holy Scripture.
"For I am the least of the Apostles, and I AM NOT WORTHY TO BE CALLED AN APOSTLE, BECAUSE I PERSECUTED THE CHURCH OF GOD." 1Corinthians 15:9
"Do not be surprised, brethren, IF THE WORLD HATES YOU." 1John 3:13
"IF THE WORLD HATES YOU, KNOW THAT IT HATED ME BEFORE YOU.
IF YOU WERE OF THE WORLD, THE WORLD WOULD LOVE ITS OWN. BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE THE WORLD HATES YOU.
REMEMBER THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU: NO SERVANT IS GREATER THAN HIS MASTER. IF THEY HAVE PERSECUTED ME, THEY WILL PERSECUTE YOU ALSO; IF THEY HAVE KEPT MY WORD, THEY WILL KEEP YOURS ALSO.
BUT ALL OF THESE THINGS THEY WILL DO TO YOU FOR MY NAME'S SAKE, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW HIM WHO SENT ME.
IF I HAD NOT COME AND SPOKEN TO THEM, THEY WOULD HAVE NO SIN. BUT NOW THEY HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR THEIR SIN. HE WHO HATES ME HATES MY FATHER ALSO. IF I HAD NOT DONE AMONG THEM WORKS SUCH AS NO ONE ELSE HAS DONE, THEY WOULD HAVE NO SIN. BUT NOW THEY HAVE SEEN, AND HAVE HATED BOTH ME AND MY FATHER;
BUT THAT THE WORD WRITTEN IN THEIR LAW MAY BE FULFILLED, 'THEY HAVE HATED ME WITHOUT CAUSE', (Psalms 35:19)".
John 15:18-25
I would say that Jesus Christ said it all in these verses written with the inspired pen of Saint John wouldn't you?
Name another Church which is attacked so much on a daily basis as is the Catholic Church?
Jesus Christ warned us, "You will be HATED BY ALL NATIONS for My Name's sake."
Matthew 24:9
"Blessed are you when men reproach you, and persecute you, and speaking falsely, say all manner of evil against you, for My sake. REJOICE AND EXULT, BECAUSE YOUR REWARD IS GREAT IN HEAVEN; for so did they persecute the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
Everytime you see someone persecuting the Catholic Church, or speaking falsely against her, be happy, because those people are merely helping Catholics to gain their eternal reward in Heaven.
It is a promise from Jesus Christ Himself.
Peter's commission:
Here are some of the attributes of Jesus Christ which He passed on and shared with Peter by working through him...
Jesus is: Peter is:
The Good Shepherd, John 10:11-14 Shepherd of the Church, John 21:17
The Door of the Sheep, John 10:7 John 20:21-23, 21:17
The Rock, 1Corinthians 10:4 Matthew 16:18
The Foundation, 1Corinthians 3:11 Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 2:20
The Key Holder, Revelation 3:7 Matthew 16:19
Infallible, John 14:6 Luke 10:16, 22:28-32
The Recipient of GOD's Word, John 5:30 Matthew 16:17, Acts 15:7
Having the Authority, Matthew 28:18 Matthew 18:15-20, Acts 2:14-40, 15:7
A Worker of Miracles, Mark 2:2-12 Acts 3:6-12, 5:15
Able to raise the dead, John 11:43-44 Acts 9:36-42
The Invisible Head of His Church, Eph 5:23-24 The Visible Head of Christ's Church, Matt 16:18
What is the History of Your Church?
Church Year Established Founder Where Established
Catholic 33 Jesus Christ Jerusalem
Orthodox 1054 Schismatic Catholic
Bishops Constantinople
Lutheran 1517 Martin Luther Germany
Anabaptist 1521 Nicholas Storch &
Thomas Munzer Germany
Anglican 1534 Henry VIII England
Mennonites 1536 Menno Simons Switzerland
Calvinist 1555 John Calvin Switzerland
Presbyterian 1560 John Knox Scotland
Congregational 1582 Robert Brown Holland
Baptist 1609 John Smyth Amsterdam
Dutch Reformed 1628 Michaelis Jones New York
Congregationalist 1648 Pilgrims and Puritans Massachusetts
Quakers 1649 George Fox England
Amish 1693 Jacob Amman France
Freemasons 1717 Masons from four lodges London
Methodist 1739 John & Charles
Wesley England
Unitarian 1774 Theophilus Lindey London
Methodist Episcopal 1784 60 Preachers Baltimore, MD
Episcopalian 1789 Samuel Seabury American Colonies
United Brethren 1800 Philip Otterbein &
Martin Boehn Maryland
Disciples of Christ 1827 Thomas & Alexander
Campbell Kentucky
Mormon 1830 Joseph Smith New York
Methodist Protestant 1830 Methodist United States
Church of Christ 1836 Warren Stone &
Alexander Campbell Kentucky
Seventh Day Adventist 1844 Ellen White Washington, NH
Christadelphian (Brethren
of Christ 1844 John Thomas Richmond, VA
Salvation Army 1865 William Booth London
Holiness 1867 Methodist United States
Jehovah's Witnesses 1874 Charles Taze Russell Pennsylvania
Christian Science 1879 Mary Baker Eddy Boston
Church of God in Christ 1895 Various churches of God Arkansas
Church of Nazarene c. 1850-1900 Various religious bodies Pilot Point, TX
Pentecstal 1901 Charles F. Parkham Topeka, KS
Aglipayan 1902 Gregorio Aglipay Philippines
Assemblies of God 1914 Pentecostalism Hot Springs, AZ
Iglesia ni Christo 1914 Felix Manalo Philippines
Four-square Gospel 1917 Aimee Semple
McPherson Los Angeles, CA
United Church of Christ 1961 Reformed and
Congregationalist Philadelphia, PA
Calvary Chapel 1965 Chuck Smith Costa Mesa, CA
United Methodist 1968 Methodist and United
Brethren Dallas, TX
Born-again c. 1970s Various religious bodies United States
Harvest Christian 1972 Greg Laurie Riverside, CA
Saddleback 1982 Rick Warren California
Non-denominational c. 1990s various United States
(This article source is from http://home.inreach.com/bstanley/)
Shaila Touchton's Despite of Differences, Come Unity in Jesus Christ!
Showing posts with label Catholics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catholics. Show all posts
What proof do you have that Peter was the first Pope?
The term "Pope" signifies the head Bishop of the Catholic Church. Catholics consider Peter the first Bishop of the Catholic Church. Let us look at Mt. 16:18-19:
(Mt. 16:18-19): 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. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loosen earth shall be loosed in heaven.
It is interesting to note that in Mt. 16:18-19 Jesus quotes Isaiah 22:21-22:
(Isaiah 22:21-22) - And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut and none shall open.
What does this quote mean? Jesus is referencing Isaiah in order to show that authority is being passed down not only in the Old Testament but also in Jesus' words "thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." It is a clear indication of apostolic succession. Jesus will "build" his church but it will not be finished being built. There will be those who will follow.
Let us look at Revelation 1:18 and what "keys" signify.
(Rev. 1:18): 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.
Who holds the keys in Revelation? God! Just as Jesus gave the apostles the power to cast out demon's in his name.
By Jesus giving Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, he is giving him the power to do as he did while he was on earth, such as forgiving sins, making decisions about the church and the faith. Jesus continues by saying, "whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loosen earth shall be loosed in heaven." Jesus is telling Peter as ruler of the church on earth his decisions on earth will be also recognized in heaven. Let us look also at John 21:15-17, Jesus singles out Peter as tell him 3 times to feed his sheep:
(John 21:15-17): So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? He saith unto him Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time. Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
What is Jesus trying to tell Peter when He states, feed MY sheep? MY sheep, are what? They are Jesus' followers. Jesus as head shepherd asks Peter to carry on as the head shepherd of the flock. How will Peter feed the flock? Peter will feed the flock spiritually. Here are some additional verses that confirm Peter's role as head of the church.
(Lk 22:32) - Jesus: But I have prayed for thee (Peter) that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
(Acts 1:15) - And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said…
(Acts 2:14) And Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
(Acts 4:8-12) - Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel…
(Acts 15:7) - And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe
(Mt. 16:18-19): 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. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loosen earth shall be loosed in heaven.
It is interesting to note that in Mt. 16:18-19 Jesus quotes Isaiah 22:21-22:
(Isaiah 22:21-22) - And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut and none shall open.
What does this quote mean? Jesus is referencing Isaiah in order to show that authority is being passed down not only in the Old Testament but also in Jesus' words "thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." It is a clear indication of apostolic succession. Jesus will "build" his church but it will not be finished being built. There will be those who will follow.
Let us look at Revelation 1:18 and what "keys" signify.
(Rev. 1:18): 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.
Who holds the keys in Revelation? God! Just as Jesus gave the apostles the power to cast out demon's in his name.
By Jesus giving Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, he is giving him the power to do as he did while he was on earth, such as forgiving sins, making decisions about the church and the faith. Jesus continues by saying, "whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loosen earth shall be loosed in heaven." Jesus is telling Peter as ruler of the church on earth his decisions on earth will be also recognized in heaven. Let us look also at John 21:15-17, Jesus singles out Peter as tell him 3 times to feed his sheep:
(John 21:15-17): So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? He saith unto him Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time. Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
What is Jesus trying to tell Peter when He states, feed MY sheep? MY sheep, are what? They are Jesus' followers. Jesus as head shepherd asks Peter to carry on as the head shepherd of the flock. How will Peter feed the flock? Peter will feed the flock spiritually. Here are some additional verses that confirm Peter's role as head of the church.
(Lk 22:32) - Jesus: But I have prayed for thee (Peter) that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
(Acts 1:15) - And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said…
(Acts 2:14) And Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
(Acts 4:8-12) - Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel…
(Acts 15:7) - And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe
Why do Catholics support Pro-Life issues so strongly?
One of the commandments given to Moses by God was, "THOU SHALT NOT KILL." (Exodus 20:13). Catholics believe that at the moment of conception new life has begun. The Bible very strongly acknowledges life in the womb in both the Old and New Testaments:
OLD TESTAMENT
(Eccl. 11:5) - As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
(Gen. 25:22-25) - And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
(Psalm 127:3,4)) - "behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is His reward."
(Isaiah 44:2) -Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee form the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou Jesurun whom I have chosen.
(Job 31:15) - Did not he that made me in the womb maketh him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
(Isaiah 49:1) - Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
(Jer. 1:5) - Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
NEW TESTAMENT
(Gal. 1:15-16) - But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood;
(Lk. 1:41) - And it came to pass, that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost (Elisabeth's unborn baby greets his unborn savior in Mary's womb).
OLD TESTAMENT
(Eccl. 11:5) - As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
(Gen. 25:22-25) - And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
(Psalm 127:3,4)) - "behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is His reward."
(Isaiah 44:2) -Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee form the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou Jesurun whom I have chosen.
(Job 31:15) - Did not he that made me in the womb maketh him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
(Isaiah 49:1) - Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
(Jer. 1:5) - Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
NEW TESTAMENT
(Gal. 1:15-16) - But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood;
(Lk. 1:41) - And it came to pass, that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost (Elisabeth's unborn baby greets his unborn savior in Mary's womb).
Catholics Pray for Dead people?
Catholics don't think heaven is a "dead" place. Catholics believe people in heaven are alive. (Mat 19:29, 25:46, Mat 10:17-22, Mk 10:30, Lk 10:25-30, Lk 18:18-30, Jn 3:15-16). We see Lazarus alive by Abraham's side (Lk 16:22). And at the transfiguration we see Moses and Elijah alive beside Jesus. (Mat 17:3) There seems to be a lot of conversing in Heaven in Revelation (i.e. Rev 4:10). The Church thinks heaven is a lively place with lots of singing etc.
Jesus opened the gates to Heaven. "Graves of the dead were opened and they went into town to preach the Gospel." (Mat 27:52). Jesus said "Now he is a God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive." (Lk 20:39-40)
The Catholic Church believes that Deuteronomy 18:10-12 speaks about the occult, soothsayers, sorcerers, spells, ghosts and spirits. It is not about heaven, angels and Jesus. Ghosts have not entered into heaven so it would displease God to talk with them. Also this passage occurs before Jesus was on the scene so no one was in heaven. Samuel was in the ground (1 Sam 28:8-25). They were all in Sheol (dead) so the passage makes sense.
Supporting verses are:
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions?it is by grace you have been saved.?Ephesians 2:4-5
Jn 3:15,16, ...that believe in Him may not die but have life everlasting.
Jn 5:25, ...the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of GOD; and they that hear SHALL LIVE
Rom 6:8, Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.
Rom 8:11, ...the Spirit shall quicken your mortal bodies.
1Cor 15:52, ...the dead shall be raised incorruptible.
Eph 5:14, ...awake from your sleep and rise from the dead...
Jesus opened the gates to Heaven. "Graves of the dead were opened and they went into town to preach the Gospel." (Mat 27:52). Jesus said "Now he is a God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive." (Lk 20:39-40)
The Catholic Church believes that Deuteronomy 18:10-12 speaks about the occult, soothsayers, sorcerers, spells, ghosts and spirits. It is not about heaven, angels and Jesus. Ghosts have not entered into heaven so it would displease God to talk with them. Also this passage occurs before Jesus was on the scene so no one was in heaven. Samuel was in the ground (1 Sam 28:8-25). They were all in Sheol (dead) so the passage makes sense.
Supporting verses are:
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions?it is by grace you have been saved.?Ephesians 2:4-5
Jn 3:15,16, ...that believe in Him may not die but have life everlasting.
Jn 5:25, ...the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of GOD; and they that hear SHALL LIVE
Rom 6:8, Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.
Rom 8:11, ...the Spirit shall quicken your mortal bodies.
1Cor 15:52, ...the dead shall be raised incorruptible.
Eph 5:14, ...awake from your sleep and rise from the dead...
Why did the priest scandals happen?
We all have heard stories about policemen, doctors, teachers, counselors, and priests that have betrayed a sacred trust. These individuals represent vocations we look to for guidance, hope, and help. We want to be able to trust them. But, when one of these people violates our trust, it seems much worse and even harder to comprehend, than when other people in society fail. Never-the-less, it doesn't mean that we should abandon all respect for law enforcement, health care, education, or the church because people who work in those professions and vocations fail to live as Christ calls them to live. After all, the vast majority of people in those vocations, serve in a heroic and exemplary manner.
In Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus Christ described His Church, the Kingdom of Heaven, as being a “field of wheat and weeds,” showing that there would be good and bad, saints and sinners, and everyone in between, in the Church until the day when He returned to judge the nations. This means that, sadly, there will be members of His Church — including priests and bishops — who are notorious sinners. We can see this sad reality even at the very beginning of the Church in the person of the Apostle Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Christ to His enemies (Matthew 26:16-23 ; Luke 22:47-49), and Simon Peter, who denied the Lord three times (Matthew 26:34, 75).
Notice that even Christ's own hand-picked followers committed scandalous wickedness! Even so, this did not negate or disprove the truth that Christ transmitted to the world through His Apostles (Mark 16:15). As Christ promised, in spite of the weakness and sinfulness — indeed, the scandal — caused by priest and other Catholics, “the gates of hell will not prevail against” the Church.
Also there are also scandals among noncatholics as well Please visit the web http://www.reformation.com/.
In Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus Christ described His Church, the Kingdom of Heaven, as being a “field of wheat and weeds,” showing that there would be good and bad, saints and sinners, and everyone in between, in the Church until the day when He returned to judge the nations. This means that, sadly, there will be members of His Church — including priests and bishops — who are notorious sinners. We can see this sad reality even at the very beginning of the Church in the person of the Apostle Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Christ to His enemies (Matthew 26:16-23 ; Luke 22:47-49), and Simon Peter, who denied the Lord three times (Matthew 26:34, 75).
Notice that even Christ's own hand-picked followers committed scandalous wickedness! Even so, this did not negate or disprove the truth that Christ transmitted to the world through His Apostles (Mark 16:15). As Christ promised, in spite of the weakness and sinfulness — indeed, the scandal — caused by priest and other Catholics, “the gates of hell will not prevail against” the Church.
Also there are also scandals among noncatholics as well Please visit the web http://www.reformation.com/.
Catholics worship Mary!
I am going to visit my boss at home, to ask a favour. If I knock on the door of his house, and his mother answers, what should I do?
a) Brush past her and ignore her completely?
b) Say a curt greeting and then walk right on in?
c) Politely ask her to go see if he will come speak with me?
I imagine any sensible person picked c). Even if my boss is known to be a hard man, I might even score a couple points by being very kind and respectful to his mother. If I do this, does it mean that I am now working for my boss's mother? If she sends me on an errand for her and promises to butter up my boss for me, does THAT mean I am now working for my boss's mother, or that I am no longer working for my boss?
I am going to visit the king of the land, to plead my case. He is known for bestowing his abundant favour on his friends and for treating very harshly his enemies, and as of yet, I do not know for sure which way he will look at me; am I his friend or his foe? Crossing the courtyard, I see his mother in the way. How can I enhance my chance of being well received by the king?
a) Take my chances on my own, and rely on my own merit and charming personality?
b) Tell the king's mother that she has no authority and no power and that her son the king doesn't need her, so she should just buzz off?
c) Take this rare and fortunate opportunity to show her respect and reverence, and ask her to put in a good word with me for the king?
If I pick a) I am being prideful and should not be surprised if the king turns me away, or worse yet, chastises me for wasting his time.
If I pick b) I should rightly EXPECT chastisement from the king, who loves his mother dearly.
If I am smart, and pick c) does this mean that I am now pledging allegiance to the king's mother, and withdrawing it from the king? What if the king's mother asks me to do something in return for putting in a good word, does this mean that I have committed treason against the king?
I am seeking to win favour with God, the Creator of the world, who has condescended in His great mercy to be born of a virgin in time. I also know that I am infinitely less than He, being made of nothing, and that I have already offended Him more times than I can count. When I think on this my heart is broken within me, all my bones tremble, at the presence of the LORD, and at the presence of his holy words.
My courage falters even more as I remember the intended fate of the unfaithful people Israel that is related by Moses.
"The LORD said to me: I see that this people is stiffnecked: Let me alone that I may destroy them, and abolish their name from under heaven, and set thee over a nation, that is greater and stronger than this."
But Moses, who already had favour with God pleaded with Him.
"And when I came down from the burning mount, and held the two tables of the covenant with both hands, and saw that you had sinned against the LORD your God, and had made to yourselves a molten calf, and had quickly forsaken his way, which He had shewn you: I cast the tables out of my hands, and broke them in your sight. And I fell down before the LORD as before, forty days and nights neither eating bread, nor drinking water, for all your sins, which you had committed against the LORD, and had provoked Him to wrath: For I feared His indignation and anger, wherewith being moved against you, He would have destroyed you. And the LORD heard me this time also. And He was exceeding angry against Aaron also, and would have destroyed him, and I prayed in like manner for him."
An entire nation saved by the prayer of Moses! Oh if I could only ask Moses to pray for me! If only he were not dead!
At this thought, my conscience rebukes me sharply, bringing to mind the words of the Saviour, Christ Himself.
"And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken by God, saying to you: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living."
Then... Moses lives! I may certainly ask for him to pray for me to the LORD our God! He interceded so willingly for an entire nation, which had offended God so grievously, and on account of his prayers they were spared from destruction!
By now my conscience tells me: "Fear not: your God, and the God of your father hath given you treasure."
What treasure is this? What treasure can give me, such a wretched sinner, greater courage to approach the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the army of heaven standing by Him, than to ask for the prayers of Moses?
"When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own."
The Apostle St. John took Jesus' mother for his own! Of course! Who better to help us go to God, than she, by whom He chose to come to us! And should we not imitate St. John and take her for our own mother? The Apostle St. Paul says we should.
"That we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us."
It is clear. The mother of the living God, the Blessed Virgin Mary was chosen out of all the creatures of God for the greatest honour of all, that of raising and caring for God Himself, made flesh. There is therefore, no creature who merits higher favour than Mary, who is indeed living in heaven, with her Divine Son.
a) Brush past her and ignore her completely?
b) Say a curt greeting and then walk right on in?
c) Politely ask her to go see if he will come speak with me?
I imagine any sensible person picked c). Even if my boss is known to be a hard man, I might even score a couple points by being very kind and respectful to his mother. If I do this, does it mean that I am now working for my boss's mother? If she sends me on an errand for her and promises to butter up my boss for me, does THAT mean I am now working for my boss's mother, or that I am no longer working for my boss?
I am going to visit the king of the land, to plead my case. He is known for bestowing his abundant favour on his friends and for treating very harshly his enemies, and as of yet, I do not know for sure which way he will look at me; am I his friend or his foe? Crossing the courtyard, I see his mother in the way. How can I enhance my chance of being well received by the king?
a) Take my chances on my own, and rely on my own merit and charming personality?
b) Tell the king's mother that she has no authority and no power and that her son the king doesn't need her, so she should just buzz off?
c) Take this rare and fortunate opportunity to show her respect and reverence, and ask her to put in a good word with me for the king?
If I pick a) I am being prideful and should not be surprised if the king turns me away, or worse yet, chastises me for wasting his time.
If I pick b) I should rightly EXPECT chastisement from the king, who loves his mother dearly.
If I am smart, and pick c) does this mean that I am now pledging allegiance to the king's mother, and withdrawing it from the king? What if the king's mother asks me to do something in return for putting in a good word, does this mean that I have committed treason against the king?
I am seeking to win favour with God, the Creator of the world, who has condescended in His great mercy to be born of a virgin in time. I also know that I am infinitely less than He, being made of nothing, and that I have already offended Him more times than I can count. When I think on this my heart is broken within me, all my bones tremble, at the presence of the LORD, and at the presence of his holy words.
My courage falters even more as I remember the intended fate of the unfaithful people Israel that is related by Moses.
"The LORD said to me: I see that this people is stiffnecked: Let me alone that I may destroy them, and abolish their name from under heaven, and set thee over a nation, that is greater and stronger than this."
But Moses, who already had favour with God pleaded with Him.
"And when I came down from the burning mount, and held the two tables of the covenant with both hands, and saw that you had sinned against the LORD your God, and had made to yourselves a molten calf, and had quickly forsaken his way, which He had shewn you: I cast the tables out of my hands, and broke them in your sight. And I fell down before the LORD as before, forty days and nights neither eating bread, nor drinking water, for all your sins, which you had committed against the LORD, and had provoked Him to wrath: For I feared His indignation and anger, wherewith being moved against you, He would have destroyed you. And the LORD heard me this time also. And He was exceeding angry against Aaron also, and would have destroyed him, and I prayed in like manner for him."
An entire nation saved by the prayer of Moses! Oh if I could only ask Moses to pray for me! If only he were not dead!
At this thought, my conscience rebukes me sharply, bringing to mind the words of the Saviour, Christ Himself.
"And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken by God, saying to you: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living."
Then... Moses lives! I may certainly ask for him to pray for me to the LORD our God! He interceded so willingly for an entire nation, which had offended God so grievously, and on account of his prayers they were spared from destruction!
By now my conscience tells me: "Fear not: your God, and the God of your father hath given you treasure."
What treasure is this? What treasure can give me, such a wretched sinner, greater courage to approach the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the army of heaven standing by Him, than to ask for the prayers of Moses?
"When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own."
The Apostle St. John took Jesus' mother for his own! Of course! Who better to help us go to God, than she, by whom He chose to come to us! And should we not imitate St. John and take her for our own mother? The Apostle St. Paul says we should.
"That we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us."
It is clear. The mother of the living God, the Blessed Virgin Mary was chosen out of all the creatures of God for the greatest honour of all, that of raising and caring for God Himself, made flesh. There is therefore, no creature who merits higher favour than Mary, who is indeed living in heaven, with her Divine Son.
Why can't non Catholics recieve the Eucharist.
John 6:53-56. So Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.
This is the beginning of understanding Holy Communion which was instituted at the Last Supper (Matt 26:26, Mk 15:22-24, Luke 22:19-20).
Communion is the celebration of the Eucharist when we consume the body and blood of Christ. It looks like bread and wine, however during mass it is transformed into the body and blood of Christ. This is the central celebration of the Catholic Church.
1 Cor 11:27-30. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill and some have died.
Because the Eucharist is not a symbol, but really the body and blood of Christ, it has power. This entails responsibility for us. Because non-Catholics do not understand the power of the Eucharist and the sanctity with which we should approach the altar, they are not prepared to accept the responsibility that the Eucharist entails. In other words, if you do not understand what you eat, you cant possibly understand the ramifications of eating it. The Church is protecting you from the inevitable judgment that is so severe that some have died. Thats the power and holiness of God. In 1 Cor 10:15-17. I speak as to sensible men: judge for yourselves what I have to say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
InJohn, Chapter 6:At the beginning of the chapter, Jesus demonstrated the feeding of the body by the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, and the filling of five thousand people. Starting with verse 22 through the end, He told us we need spiritual nourishment for our souls as well.
In verses 26-27 He said, "...you seek Me, not because you have seen signs, but because you have eaten of the loaves and have been filled. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for that which endures unto life everlasting, which the Son of Man will give you."
How can nothing more than crackers and grape juice fulfill these verses? These two foods feed the body as did the loaves and fishes, but they do absolutely nothing for the soul.
As I have recounted above from John 14:6, Jesus said He is the "Life", and in 6:56, He said, "He who eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, abides in Me and I in him." Abide means to live in.
Verse 53, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, YOU SHALL NOT HAVE LIFE WITHIN YOU."
Is consuming crackers and grape juice going to fulfill verses 53 and 56? Where is the symbolism? Read these two verses again.
Now compare John 6:56 above with John 15:6, "If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned."
John 6:56 clearly said that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood.
John 15:6 clearly said that if we do not, then we are lost. How can we be lost by failing to eat a symbolic gesture?
Count the number of times Jesus said, He is the bread, the living bread, that it is His flesh and it is His blood, and that we must eat of His flesh and drink His blood?
This is the beginning of understanding Holy Communion which was instituted at the Last Supper (Matt 26:26, Mk 15:22-24, Luke 22:19-20).
Communion is the celebration of the Eucharist when we consume the body and blood of Christ. It looks like bread and wine, however during mass it is transformed into the body and blood of Christ. This is the central celebration of the Catholic Church.
1 Cor 11:27-30. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill and some have died.
Because the Eucharist is not a symbol, but really the body and blood of Christ, it has power. This entails responsibility for us. Because non-Catholics do not understand the power of the Eucharist and the sanctity with which we should approach the altar, they are not prepared to accept the responsibility that the Eucharist entails. In other words, if you do not understand what you eat, you cant possibly understand the ramifications of eating it. The Church is protecting you from the inevitable judgment that is so severe that some have died. Thats the power and holiness of God. In 1 Cor 10:15-17. I speak as to sensible men: judge for yourselves what I have to say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
InJohn, Chapter 6:At the beginning of the chapter, Jesus demonstrated the feeding of the body by the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, and the filling of five thousand people. Starting with verse 22 through the end, He told us we need spiritual nourishment for our souls as well.
In verses 26-27 He said, "...you seek Me, not because you have seen signs, but because you have eaten of the loaves and have been filled. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for that which endures unto life everlasting, which the Son of Man will give you."
How can nothing more than crackers and grape juice fulfill these verses? These two foods feed the body as did the loaves and fishes, but they do absolutely nothing for the soul.
As I have recounted above from John 14:6, Jesus said He is the "Life", and in 6:56, He said, "He who eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, abides in Me and I in him." Abide means to live in.
Verse 53, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, YOU SHALL NOT HAVE LIFE WITHIN YOU."
Is consuming crackers and grape juice going to fulfill verses 53 and 56? Where is the symbolism? Read these two verses again.
Now compare John 6:56 above with John 15:6, "If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned."
John 6:56 clearly said that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood.
John 15:6 clearly said that if we do not, then we are lost. How can we be lost by failing to eat a symbolic gesture?
Count the number of times Jesus said, He is the bread, the living bread, that it is His flesh and it is His blood, and that we must eat of His flesh and drink His blood?
Catholics are born again and saved!
Yes, they believe in Jesus. And yes, they try to live Christian lives. When a Catholic says that he has been "born again," he refers to the transformation that God?s grace accomplished in him during baptism.
The only biblical use of the term ?born again? occurs in John 3:3-5 ? although, as we shall see, similar and related expressions such as ?new birth? and ,regeneration? occur elsewhere in Scripture (Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 1:3, 23). In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, ?Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.? The Greek expression translated ?born again? (gennathei anothen) also means ?born from above.? Jesus, it seems, makes a play on words with Nicodemus, contrasting earthly life, or what theologians would later dub natural life (?what is born of flesh?), with the new life of heaven, or what they would later call supernatural life (?what is born of Spirit?).
Nicodemus' reply: ?How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?? (John 3:4). Does he simply mistake Jesus to be speaking literally or is Nicodemus himself answering figuratively, meaning, ?How can an old man learn new ways as if he were a child again?? We cannot say for sure, but in any case Jesus answers, ?Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born again.?' (John 3:5-7).
Here Jesus equates ?born again? or ?born from above? with ?born of water and the Spirit.? If, as the Catholic Church has always held, being ?born of water and the Spirit? refers to baptism, then it follows that being ?born again? or ?born from above? means being baptized.
Clearly, the context implies that born of ?water and the Spirit? refers to baptism. The Evangelist tells us that immediately after talking with Nicodemus, Jesus took his disciples into the wilderness where they baptized people (John 3:22). Furthermore, water is closely linked to the Spirit throughout John's Gospel (for instance, in Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:9-13) and in the Johannine tradition (cf. 1 John 5:7). It seems reasonable, then, to conclude that John the Evangelist understands Jesus' words about being ?born again? and ?born of water and the Spirit? to have a sacramental, baptismal meaning.
Catholics must never forget the following text because they clearly refute the Evangelical position: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of the Father who is heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 7:21),"
All Christians (both Catholic and non-Catholic alike) believe that the Old Covenant foreshadowed the New Covenant. We agree that the Old points to something that is Reality in the New. For example...the rite of circumcision was how one entered into the Old Covenant. Nobody disagrees with that. When a person (usually when they were eight days old unless the individual was a Gentile convert to Judaism) was circumcised they were then joined into the covenantal family of God.
So, if circumcision foreshadows something in the New Covenant...what was it?
According to St. Paul, in Col 2:11-12, circumcision was replaced with Baptism in the New Covenant:
11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; 12 and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
And so we can see that Christians are circumcised in a special way: in the circumcision of Christ when we are buried with Him in baptism. Therefore, circumcision foreshadowed baptism. And if that is the case then it follows that whereas one entered into the Old Covenant via circumcision one now enters into the New Covenant via baptism. And this fits perfectly with the passage cited above. For St. Paul is telling his readers that in baptism we are "buried WITH Christ" so that when God "raised" Him from the dead we too (meaning those who were first buried with Him in baptism) can rise AGAIN.
This theme is also seen quite clearly in Romans 6:4 in which St. Paul says:
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
And here we can see that a person who is born physically alive but spiritually fallen and dead can be regenerated into new life. How? By being baptized INTO the death of Christ - by being mysteriously joined to Him in death - so that by the power of the Father through the working of the Holy Spirit - when Christ is raised from the dead we too will rise WITH Him into "newness of life."
Newness of life = born again. Get the connection?
Now this presents some great difficulties for Evangelicals who claim that we are born again ONLY by a conversion experience BEFORE we are baptized (a baptism only being seen as an after-the-fact symbolic-only act of obedience).
Why?
Simply stated, it is because if we are born again by our conversion experience before baptism, then it renders Paul's words as absurd. One cannot be "born again" BEFORE one is buried into death can one? If we are born again (in a conversion experience) and then afterwards are baptized into the death of Christ (wow that second life sure was short) and then rise again in "newness of life" does that mean that we are born again - again??? Are we born a third time?
And so the term "born again" has ALWAYS meant to all Christians everywhere (until the modern era in which Evangelicals - primarily in America - hijacked the term) to refer to baptismal regeneration. That was what Jesus was referring to when, in John 3:5, He spoke of the necessity of being born again of "water AND the spirit." That is also why Peter said that "baptism now saves" us (1 Peter 3:21). Simply stated, we are saved ONLY by the grace we receive in the New Covenant and the New Covenant is entered into via baptism. * See Footnote below.
All that being said, we are NOT saying that if we are baptized that we are therefore automatically saved no matter what. No. For we also teach that those of us old enough to know and understand the Lord - and hence old enough to actually sin and rupture our relationship with God - we MUST also be conformed to Christ. We MUST be interiorly converted to Christ. We must repent of our sins and we must walk in His footsteps making Him our personal Lord and Savior.
And so both Catholics and Evangelicals agree that we must be converted and we must be born again...but how it is that we define the phrase itself is under dispute in this modern era.
So, are baptized Catholics "born again"? Yes. Are they saved merely by their baptism even if they have not converted their lives to Christ? No. Both are necessary to salvation.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, in Mark 16:16, said as much when He said this:
"He who believes and is baptize will be saved..."
Faith AND baptism are both necessary, no matter in what order they manifest themselves.
Amen.
One cannot be saved, unless they are born again (John 3:3) and accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. This is partially true but the meaning is distorted. The verse non-Catholics like to quote, John 3:3, is not completed by Jesus, or let us say interpreted until verse 3:5. Let us look two verses ahead at John 3:5. In John 3:5, Nicodemus is confused about being born again. Jesus clarifies what He states to Nicodemus stating:
(John 3:5) - Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Here we see that born again means the sacrament of baptism! If the non-Catholic would only read a little further he would find the true meaning of being "born again."
Do Catholics believe that the good works they do will get them into Heaven? Catholics do believe that works will get them to Heaven accompanied by faith and God's grace. There are so many verses in the Bible stating that entrance into Heaven is not as simple as saying "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior." Let us see what the Bible has to say about salvation:
(Phil 2:12) -?work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
(Rom 2:5-6) - ?the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
(James 2:14) - What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?
(Mt 16:27) - For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
(2 Cor. 5:10) - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
(Mt. 25:31 46) - (the verse is too long to quote, here is a summary) Jesus states that He will separate His sheep from the goats. Jesus goes on to say; when I was hungry did you feed me? When I was thirsty did you give me drink? When I was naked did you clothe me? When I was sick did you visit me? When I was in prison did you visit me? When I was stranger did you take me in and clothe me? Jesus then states that anyone who has done these things for his brother did so for Himself and He invites the righteous into life eternal. Those who did not help his brother in need, were sent into everlasting punishment.
In the verses above, it is quite clear to see that salvation is not as simple as stating that one proclaim Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. It is a nice thing to say and should be said every day, but there is more to salvation then accepting Christ as one's personal Lord and Savior.
Supporting verses: John 3:1?21, Titus 3:4-7, 1Cor 3:2, John 14:16-18, Isaiah 59:21
The only biblical use of the term ?born again? occurs in John 3:3-5 ? although, as we shall see, similar and related expressions such as ?new birth? and ,regeneration? occur elsewhere in Scripture (Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 1:3, 23). In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, ?Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.? The Greek expression translated ?born again? (gennathei anothen) also means ?born from above.? Jesus, it seems, makes a play on words with Nicodemus, contrasting earthly life, or what theologians would later dub natural life (?what is born of flesh?), with the new life of heaven, or what they would later call supernatural life (?what is born of Spirit?).
Nicodemus' reply: ?How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?? (John 3:4). Does he simply mistake Jesus to be speaking literally or is Nicodemus himself answering figuratively, meaning, ?How can an old man learn new ways as if he were a child again?? We cannot say for sure, but in any case Jesus answers, ?Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born again.?' (John 3:5-7).
Here Jesus equates ?born again? or ?born from above? with ?born of water and the Spirit.? If, as the Catholic Church has always held, being ?born of water and the Spirit? refers to baptism, then it follows that being ?born again? or ?born from above? means being baptized.
Clearly, the context implies that born of ?water and the Spirit? refers to baptism. The Evangelist tells us that immediately after talking with Nicodemus, Jesus took his disciples into the wilderness where they baptized people (John 3:22). Furthermore, water is closely linked to the Spirit throughout John's Gospel (for instance, in Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:9-13) and in the Johannine tradition (cf. 1 John 5:7). It seems reasonable, then, to conclude that John the Evangelist understands Jesus' words about being ?born again? and ?born of water and the Spirit? to have a sacramental, baptismal meaning.
Catholics must never forget the following text because they clearly refute the Evangelical position: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of the Father who is heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 7:21),"
All Christians (both Catholic and non-Catholic alike) believe that the Old Covenant foreshadowed the New Covenant. We agree that the Old points to something that is Reality in the New. For example...the rite of circumcision was how one entered into the Old Covenant. Nobody disagrees with that. When a person (usually when they were eight days old unless the individual was a Gentile convert to Judaism) was circumcised they were then joined into the covenantal family of God.
So, if circumcision foreshadows something in the New Covenant...what was it?
According to St. Paul, in Col 2:11-12, circumcision was replaced with Baptism in the New Covenant:
11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; 12 and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
And so we can see that Christians are circumcised in a special way: in the circumcision of Christ when we are buried with Him in baptism. Therefore, circumcision foreshadowed baptism. And if that is the case then it follows that whereas one entered into the Old Covenant via circumcision one now enters into the New Covenant via baptism. And this fits perfectly with the passage cited above. For St. Paul is telling his readers that in baptism we are "buried WITH Christ" so that when God "raised" Him from the dead we too (meaning those who were first buried with Him in baptism) can rise AGAIN.
This theme is also seen quite clearly in Romans 6:4 in which St. Paul says:
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
And here we can see that a person who is born physically alive but spiritually fallen and dead can be regenerated into new life. How? By being baptized INTO the death of Christ - by being mysteriously joined to Him in death - so that by the power of the Father through the working of the Holy Spirit - when Christ is raised from the dead we too will rise WITH Him into "newness of life."
Newness of life = born again. Get the connection?
Now this presents some great difficulties for Evangelicals who claim that we are born again ONLY by a conversion experience BEFORE we are baptized (a baptism only being seen as an after-the-fact symbolic-only act of obedience).
Why?
Simply stated, it is because if we are born again by our conversion experience before baptism, then it renders Paul's words as absurd. One cannot be "born again" BEFORE one is buried into death can one? If we are born again (in a conversion experience) and then afterwards are baptized into the death of Christ (wow that second life sure was short) and then rise again in "newness of life" does that mean that we are born again - again??? Are we born a third time?
And so the term "born again" has ALWAYS meant to all Christians everywhere (until the modern era in which Evangelicals - primarily in America - hijacked the term) to refer to baptismal regeneration. That was what Jesus was referring to when, in John 3:5, He spoke of the necessity of being born again of "water AND the spirit." That is also why Peter said that "baptism now saves" us (1 Peter 3:21). Simply stated, we are saved ONLY by the grace we receive in the New Covenant and the New Covenant is entered into via baptism. * See Footnote below.
All that being said, we are NOT saying that if we are baptized that we are therefore automatically saved no matter what. No. For we also teach that those of us old enough to know and understand the Lord - and hence old enough to actually sin and rupture our relationship with God - we MUST also be conformed to Christ. We MUST be interiorly converted to Christ. We must repent of our sins and we must walk in His footsteps making Him our personal Lord and Savior.
And so both Catholics and Evangelicals agree that we must be converted and we must be born again...but how it is that we define the phrase itself is under dispute in this modern era.
So, are baptized Catholics "born again"? Yes. Are they saved merely by their baptism even if they have not converted their lives to Christ? No. Both are necessary to salvation.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, in Mark 16:16, said as much when He said this:
"He who believes and is baptize will be saved..."
Faith AND baptism are both necessary, no matter in what order they manifest themselves.
Amen.
One cannot be saved, unless they are born again (John 3:3) and accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. This is partially true but the meaning is distorted. The verse non-Catholics like to quote, John 3:3, is not completed by Jesus, or let us say interpreted until verse 3:5. Let us look two verses ahead at John 3:5. In John 3:5, Nicodemus is confused about being born again. Jesus clarifies what He states to Nicodemus stating:
(John 3:5) - Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Here we see that born again means the sacrament of baptism! If the non-Catholic would only read a little further he would find the true meaning of being "born again."
Do Catholics believe that the good works they do will get them into Heaven? Catholics do believe that works will get them to Heaven accompanied by faith and God's grace. There are so many verses in the Bible stating that entrance into Heaven is not as simple as saying "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior." Let us see what the Bible has to say about salvation:
(Phil 2:12) -?work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
(Rom 2:5-6) - ?the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
(James 2:14) - What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?
(Mt 16:27) - For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
(2 Cor. 5:10) - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
(Mt. 25:31 46) - (the verse is too long to quote, here is a summary) Jesus states that He will separate His sheep from the goats. Jesus goes on to say; when I was hungry did you feed me? When I was thirsty did you give me drink? When I was naked did you clothe me? When I was sick did you visit me? When I was in prison did you visit me? When I was stranger did you take me in and clothe me? Jesus then states that anyone who has done these things for his brother did so for Himself and He invites the righteous into life eternal. Those who did not help his brother in need, were sent into everlasting punishment.
In the verses above, it is quite clear to see that salvation is not as simple as stating that one proclaim Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. It is a nice thing to say and should be said every day, but there is more to salvation then accepting Christ as one's personal Lord and Savior.
Supporting verses: John 3:1?21, Titus 3:4-7, 1Cor 3:2, John 14:16-18, Isaiah 59:21
Purgatory is Biblical?
The term "purgatory" is not found in the Bible; but neither are other such important Christian beliefs such as "Trinity" and "Incarnation." Purgatory is defined as a state of being, the continuing process of purgation or purification of the soul after human death. It is a state of perfection--begun in baptism and faith-consummated after death, entered into only by those who are saved. In other words, our transformation in Christ (Rom 13:14, "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ"), our perfection in the holiness of the Father (1 Pet 1:16, "Be holy, because I (am) holy") is not ended at our physical death. Purgatory is a sign of God's mercy on those who have honestly sought to know God and to do His will in this life and yet die in some degree of bondage to sin or the effects of sin.
The term "purgatory" itself is derived from the Latin word "purgare" which means "to purge" or "to cleanse" or "to make pure." It is the name given to that intermediate state where the souls of the dead are purified, and assisted by the prayers of the living. John the Beloved Apostle defines two kinds of sin: one that leads to eternal death, and another that is equally sin, but does not lead to eternal death:
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal." (1 John 5:7)
Jesus defines mortal or eternal sin as sin that leads to eternal damnation or death of soul:
"Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of eternal (mortal) sin." (Mark 3:29)
Elsewhere, we are reminded that:
"Nothing unclean shall enter it (that is, the kingdom of God)." (Rev 21:27)
Paul also tells us:
"Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Heb 12:14)
For this reason, Christ constantly reminds us that we must strive to be without any stain of sin, whether it leads to death or not:
"You therefore must be [b]perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt 5:45)
If indeed "nothing unclean shall enter the kingdom of heaven," and that we cannot enter heaven unless we are "perfect," "clean," and "holy" (that is, without a stain of any kind of sin including that "which is not mortal"), the question is: If a person has committed a "wrongdoing that is sin, but ... which is not mortal," and dies without having the chance of confessing this "wrongdoing which is not mortal" (that is, not leading to eternal damnation or hell), where does he go?
He cannot go to heaven because he is not yet perfect as God and all those who dwell in heaven are perfect (Matt 5:45). The stain of his wrongdoing (sin) has made him "unclean" (unfit, imperfect, unholy) to enter heaven. He cannot go to hell for his "wrongdoing (sin) is not "mortal" (does not lead to eternal damnation). Where then does he go?
He goes to purgatory where he is cleansed or purged (verb form of purgatory) of all his "wrongdoing (sins) that are not mortal," which he was not opportune to confess before he died. Consider the consequence of committing a minor "wrongdoing that is sin, but ... which is not mortal," such as looking a second longer at the vain things of the world, straying in our thoughts, uttering a "careless word:"
"I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account of every careless word they utter." (Matt 12:36)
These are the sort of things that make us "imperfect," "unholy," "unclean" or "unfit" to enter the kingdom of heaven, but will not take us to hell. They are all "sinful wrongdoings" for which "men will render (an) account on the judgment day." Only a hypocrite will deny that they do not unavoidably encounter these minor imperfections in their daily lives. Christ was actually referring to purgatory when He said:
"Truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny." (Matt 5:26)
Right. Now let us see other biblical evidence of the existence of purgatory. Paul prayed to God to have mercy on the soul of his dead friend - Onesiphorus:
"May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day." (2 Tim 1:18)
Of course, Paul knew that his prayer would be useless if Onesiphorus was in heaven or hell, yet he prayed for the soul of his dead friend. That means he believed that he could be in a place other than heaven or hell.
In his letter to the Hebrews, Paul indicated the existence of purgatory as he listed the inhabitants of heaven:
"You have come to Mount Zion (the dwelling place of God - heaven) and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels (who were faithful during the angelic trials) in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven (that is, those who entered heaven directly, e.g. the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, the apostles, the martyrs, etc), and to a judge of all (probably referring to Jesus Who is both Judge and God), and to the spirits of just men made perfect (most probably, souls of righteous people who had an attachment to venial sin not properly confessed or atoned for before they died but were purified in purgatory." (Heb 12:22-23)
The dying Tobit said to his son:
"Place your bread on the grave of the righteous, but give nothing to sinners." (Tobit 4:17)
The curious question is: For what reason was this done? This was because he believed that any act of charity done for the poor had a purifying effect, which benefited departed souls.
The whole story about the existence of purgatory is told in 2 Maccabees 12:38-45. The story concludes, with unmistakable reference to purgatory in these words:
"For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen (died) would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore, he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." (2 Macc 12:44-45)
Though the books of Maccabees and Tobit were rejected by the Protestant reformers and therefore are not in Protestant Bibles, one cannot ignore the historical reality of this event and the reality of the words that were said.
Supporting verses:
Sir 7:33, Isa 6:5-7, Isa 61:1, 2Macc 12:38-46, Mal 3:2-3, Mt 5:25-26,48, Mt 17:1-8, Mt 25:31-46, Lk 6:19-31,
Lk 12:58-59, 1Cor 3:12-15, 2Cor 5:10, Eph 6:18, Phil 2:10, 2Tim 1:16-18, Jam 1:12,5:19-20, Heb 9:27, Heb 12:23, 1Pet 1:3-7, 1Pet *3:13-20, 1Pet 4:6, Rev 6:9-10, Rev 21:27,22:14-15, Mark 9:48, Zechariah 13:7-9, Malachi 3:2-3
The term "purgatory" itself is derived from the Latin word "purgare" which means "to purge" or "to cleanse" or "to make pure." It is the name given to that intermediate state where the souls of the dead are purified, and assisted by the prayers of the living. John the Beloved Apostle defines two kinds of sin: one that leads to eternal death, and another that is equally sin, but does not lead to eternal death:
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal." (1 John 5:7)
Jesus defines mortal or eternal sin as sin that leads to eternal damnation or death of soul:
"Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of eternal (mortal) sin." (Mark 3:29)
Elsewhere, we are reminded that:
"Nothing unclean shall enter it (that is, the kingdom of God)." (Rev 21:27)
Paul also tells us:
"Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Heb 12:14)
For this reason, Christ constantly reminds us that we must strive to be without any stain of sin, whether it leads to death or not:
"You therefore must be [b]perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt 5:45)
If indeed "nothing unclean shall enter the kingdom of heaven," and that we cannot enter heaven unless we are "perfect," "clean," and "holy" (that is, without a stain of any kind of sin including that "which is not mortal"), the question is: If a person has committed a "wrongdoing that is sin, but ... which is not mortal," and dies without having the chance of confessing this "wrongdoing which is not mortal" (that is, not leading to eternal damnation or hell), where does he go?
He cannot go to heaven because he is not yet perfect as God and all those who dwell in heaven are perfect (Matt 5:45). The stain of his wrongdoing (sin) has made him "unclean" (unfit, imperfect, unholy) to enter heaven. He cannot go to hell for his "wrongdoing (sin) is not "mortal" (does not lead to eternal damnation). Where then does he go?
He goes to purgatory where he is cleansed or purged (verb form of purgatory) of all his "wrongdoing (sins) that are not mortal," which he was not opportune to confess before he died. Consider the consequence of committing a minor "wrongdoing that is sin, but ... which is not mortal," such as looking a second longer at the vain things of the world, straying in our thoughts, uttering a "careless word:"
"I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account of every careless word they utter." (Matt 12:36)
These are the sort of things that make us "imperfect," "unholy," "unclean" or "unfit" to enter the kingdom of heaven, but will not take us to hell. They are all "sinful wrongdoings" for which "men will render (an) account on the judgment day." Only a hypocrite will deny that they do not unavoidably encounter these minor imperfections in their daily lives. Christ was actually referring to purgatory when He said:
"Truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny." (Matt 5:26)
Right. Now let us see other biblical evidence of the existence of purgatory. Paul prayed to God to have mercy on the soul of his dead friend - Onesiphorus:
"May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day." (2 Tim 1:18)
Of course, Paul knew that his prayer would be useless if Onesiphorus was in heaven or hell, yet he prayed for the soul of his dead friend. That means he believed that he could be in a place other than heaven or hell.
In his letter to the Hebrews, Paul indicated the existence of purgatory as he listed the inhabitants of heaven:
"You have come to Mount Zion (the dwelling place of God - heaven) and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels (who were faithful during the angelic trials) in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven (that is, those who entered heaven directly, e.g. the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, the apostles, the martyrs, etc), and to a judge of all (probably referring to Jesus Who is both Judge and God), and to the spirits of just men made perfect (most probably, souls of righteous people who had an attachment to venial sin not properly confessed or atoned for before they died but were purified in purgatory." (Heb 12:22-23)
The dying Tobit said to his son:
"Place your bread on the grave of the righteous, but give nothing to sinners." (Tobit 4:17)
The curious question is: For what reason was this done? This was because he believed that any act of charity done for the poor had a purifying effect, which benefited departed souls.
The whole story about the existence of purgatory is told in 2 Maccabees 12:38-45. The story concludes, with unmistakable reference to purgatory in these words:
"For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen (died) would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore, he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." (2 Macc 12:44-45)
Though the books of Maccabees and Tobit were rejected by the Protestant reformers and therefore are not in Protestant Bibles, one cannot ignore the historical reality of this event and the reality of the words that were said.
Supporting verses:
Sir 7:33, Isa 6:5-7, Isa 61:1, 2Macc 12:38-46, Mal 3:2-3, Mt 5:25-26,48, Mt 17:1-8, Mt 25:31-46, Lk 6:19-31,
Lk 12:58-59, 1Cor 3:12-15, 2Cor 5:10, Eph 6:18, Phil 2:10, 2Tim 1:16-18, Jam 1:12,5:19-20, Heb 9:27, Heb 12:23, 1Pet 1:3-7, 1Pet *3:13-20, 1Pet 4:6, Rev 6:9-10, Rev 21:27,22:14-15, Mark 9:48, Zechariah 13:7-9, Malachi 3:2-3
Personal relationship with God among catholics explained
How did the Catholic Church of the past and how does the Church of the present teach the relationship each Christian must have with his or her Lord and Savior?
Many see the foundation for a personal relationship with Jesus implicit in John chapter three.
Jn 3:3
Jesus answered and said to him (Nicodemus), "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."
Nicodemus, as Christians to follow for all ages, asked Jesus in return what was it that will allow a man to be "begotten from above." Jesus answered him repeating Himself:
Jn 3:5
Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.
Again Nicodemus presses Jesus for a further explanation. Jesus answers only that belief and action - deeds, works done in God - will accomplish what is required.
Jn 3:12-21
... whoever believes in him ... whoever lives the truth ... his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
But Jesus seems not to be entirely clear on the requirements. But as the Church has taught through all ages, all of the Bible does present clear requirements for the Christian's relationship to Jesus.
The Catholic Church, using explicit Scriptures, has always found that the basis of a personal relationship with Jesus begins at the origin of the Christian life. The Church, from Pentecost onward, examines the language of Christ and Sacred Scriptures and the content of that language for God's desire for the Christian's relationship to Him. The Church begins at the beginning of life as a Christian.
The origin of the life of a Christian and of Christian perfection to which the Bible constantly calls us, is the Heavenly Father, Who communicates His life through the Son, and through the Son, the Holy Spirit.
1 Jn 4:7-10
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
The initiative for the life of a Christian is a movement descending from the Father to men: the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit sanctifies man.
1 Jn 4:10
In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us ...
2 Cor 13:13
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you.
1 Pet 1:2
... in the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification by the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ: ...
The movement descending from the Father to man touches man first in baptism.
Rom 6:3-5
Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.
Col 2:12-13
You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. And even when you were dead (in) transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him ...
Eph 2:4-6
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,
Through this participation the Christian is a new creature living in an atmosphere clearly new.
2 Cor 5:17
So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.
This new life of the Christian is directly a participation in the life of Christ, is the life of a member, joined with the Head, in the Body of Christ which is the Church.
Eph 4:15-16
Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the body's growth and builds itself up in love.
The movement through Christ in the Father, founded in participation in the divine life - the movement of life in its origin involves union with Christ and - through Christ - with the Father.
Jn 14:23
Jesus answered and said to him, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him."
Jn 14:20
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.
Col 3:3
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
The new life of the Christian is an assimilation of God through Christ. This life begins in baptism.
Gal 3:27
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Rom 8:9
But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Rom 8:14-17
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!" The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
The new life of the Christian is a personal gift of the Father.
Rom 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?
The response to this personal communication in the Christian is the gift or the donation of self to God through Christ.
2 Cor 11:2
For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
1 Cor 6:15
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?
1 Cor 6:19
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
Corresponding to this ontological state, the Christian life is not to be lived for itself, but for Christ and - through Christ - for God.
Rom 14:7-8
None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
Rom 6:11
Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as (being) dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.
How is this gift of self of the Christian to be made manifest? It is first manifested in service to God because service to God involves conformity to the divine will and also praise to God.
Christ is the model for the Christian of service in the divine will.
Heb 10:5-7
For this reason, when he came into the world, he said: "... a body you prepared for me ... 'As is written of me in the scroll, Behold, I come to do your will, O God.'"
Jn 4:34
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work."
Jesus teaches us that obedience to the will of the Father is our calling.
Mt 6:9-10
This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Mt 12:50
For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.
The total earthly servitude of Christ consummated on the cross was praise and glory to God.
Jn 17:4
I glorified you (Father) on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.
Just as with Christ, the servitude of the Christian is simultaneously praise to God.
1 Cor 10:31
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.
Eph 1:11-12
In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.
The gift of the self for the Christian is the denial of self.
Mk 8:34-35
He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it."
Mt 19:21
Jesus said to him (the young man), "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to (the) poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
In the life of the Father through Christ, charity/love holds first place.
Mt 22:36-40
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
1 Cor 12:31-13:13
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. But I shall show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. ... So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Gal 5:14
For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Rom 13: 8-10
Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, (namely) "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.
Many see the foundation for a personal relationship with Jesus implicit in John chapter three.
Jn 3:3
Jesus answered and said to him (Nicodemus), "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."
Nicodemus, as Christians to follow for all ages, asked Jesus in return what was it that will allow a man to be "begotten from above." Jesus answered him repeating Himself:
Jn 3:5
Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.
Again Nicodemus presses Jesus for a further explanation. Jesus answers only that belief and action - deeds, works done in God - will accomplish what is required.
Jn 3:12-21
... whoever believes in him ... whoever lives the truth ... his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
But Jesus seems not to be entirely clear on the requirements. But as the Church has taught through all ages, all of the Bible does present clear requirements for the Christian's relationship to Jesus.
The Catholic Church, using explicit Scriptures, has always found that the basis of a personal relationship with Jesus begins at the origin of the Christian life. The Church, from Pentecost onward, examines the language of Christ and Sacred Scriptures and the content of that language for God's desire for the Christian's relationship to Him. The Church begins at the beginning of life as a Christian.
The origin of the life of a Christian and of Christian perfection to which the Bible constantly calls us, is the Heavenly Father, Who communicates His life through the Son, and through the Son, the Holy Spirit.
1 Jn 4:7-10
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
The initiative for the life of a Christian is a movement descending from the Father to men: the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit sanctifies man.
1 Jn 4:10
In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us ...
2 Cor 13:13
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you.
1 Pet 1:2
... in the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification by the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ: ...
The movement descending from the Father to man touches man first in baptism.
Rom 6:3-5
Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.
Col 2:12-13
You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. And even when you were dead (in) transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him ...
Eph 2:4-6
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,
Through this participation the Christian is a new creature living in an atmosphere clearly new.
2 Cor 5:17
So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.
This new life of the Christian is directly a participation in the life of Christ, is the life of a member, joined with the Head, in the Body of Christ which is the Church.
Eph 4:15-16
Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the body's growth and builds itself up in love.
The movement through Christ in the Father, founded in participation in the divine life - the movement of life in its origin involves union with Christ and - through Christ - with the Father.
Jn 14:23
Jesus answered and said to him, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him."
Jn 14:20
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.
Col 3:3
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
The new life of the Christian is an assimilation of God through Christ. This life begins in baptism.
Gal 3:27
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Rom 8:9
But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Rom 8:14-17
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!" The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
The new life of the Christian is a personal gift of the Father.
Rom 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?
The response to this personal communication in the Christian is the gift or the donation of self to God through Christ.
2 Cor 11:2
For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
1 Cor 6:15
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?
1 Cor 6:19
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
Corresponding to this ontological state, the Christian life is not to be lived for itself, but for Christ and - through Christ - for God.
Rom 14:7-8
None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
Rom 6:11
Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as (being) dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.
How is this gift of self of the Christian to be made manifest? It is first manifested in service to God because service to God involves conformity to the divine will and also praise to God.
Christ is the model for the Christian of service in the divine will.
Heb 10:5-7
For this reason, when he came into the world, he said: "... a body you prepared for me ... 'As is written of me in the scroll, Behold, I come to do your will, O God.'"
Jn 4:34
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work."
Jesus teaches us that obedience to the will of the Father is our calling.
Mt 6:9-10
This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Mt 12:50
For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.
The total earthly servitude of Christ consummated on the cross was praise and glory to God.
Jn 17:4
I glorified you (Father) on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.
Just as with Christ, the servitude of the Christian is simultaneously praise to God.
1 Cor 10:31
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.
Eph 1:11-12
In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.
The gift of the self for the Christian is the denial of self.
Mk 8:34-35
He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it."
Mt 19:21
Jesus said to him (the young man), "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to (the) poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
In the life of the Father through Christ, charity/love holds first place.
Mt 22:36-40
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
1 Cor 12:31-13:13
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. But I shall show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. ... So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Gal 5:14
For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Rom 13: 8-10
Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, (namely) "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.
How can Catholics say Mary is Holy and Mother of God?
GOD and sin are mutually excludable... God cannot co-exist with sin. Rev 21:27
Read Luke 1:28, 'And when the Angel had come to her, he said, "Hail full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women'." Luke 1:30, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for thou hast found Grace with GOD'. 'Full of Grace', and 'Grace with GOD', could only mean Mary was without sin. John the Baptist had not yet appeared to start the Sacrament of Baptism. If GOD created the entire universe out of nothing, don't you think the GOD who imposed Adam's Sin on mankind could make one little Jewish girl without original sin? She gave birth to GOD. Back to John 1:1 and 14, the 'Incarnate Word' was GOD. Jesus Christ is a divine person. Mothers give birth to persons, each with a nature. They do not give birth to natures. GOD Himself, calls Jesus Christ His divine Son (Heb 1:5-8).
The Church teaches that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine and his two natures cannot be separated. If Mary gave birth to Jesus, she gave birth both parts of him, both the part which is human and the part which is God. Mary gave birth to a divine/human being, one who is completely man and also completely God. Therefore Mary is the Mother of God.
Mary is worth honoring and emulating because she is the ideal example of perfect obedience to God. Knowing that she could be stoned to death for carrying a baby conceived out of wedlock, she still said “yes” to God: “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). When she said “yes” to God she demonstrated perfect courage, perfect obedience and perfect faith.
GOD say through Gabriel in Luke 1:30-33? "You have found favor with GOD." Right there, GOD 'venerated' Mary over all other women. In verse 31 He tells her that she will conceive. Who will she conceive? None other than Jesus Christ, the second person of the Holy Trinity, who will manifest Himself as the 'Incarnate Word'. GOD Himself needed Mary to conceive His very own Son, and to carry Him for nine months to term. GOD needed Mary to be the vessel to give birth to His Divine Son. If GOD needed her, can we not need her also?
We know that Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity, the only Son of GOD. We know He is also the 'Incarnate Word' as explained in John 1:14, "...the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:1 teaches us that the "WORD WAS GOD." Mary gave birth to the 'Incarnate Word', and the 'Word' was GOD.
GOD Himself, must have obeyed His mother's, everyday living, 'mother to child' commands as He was growing up. This is shown in Luke 2:51, "And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was SUBJECT to them." That is a very profound verse if you think about it. In effect it says, that for many years, the 'Creator of the Universe' obeyed the commands of a little Jewish girl, by the name of...Mary. Jesus also acted on her suggestion that the wedding guests were out of wine at Cana, by performing His first public miracle when He turned water into wine in John 2:1-5. Jesus Christ therefore kept the commandment 'honor thy mother', as well. If Jesus Christ honored His mother, can we do less? Jesus Christ loves His mother like any good son would. He will defend her from all attacks against her.
In Summary:
a. GOD called Mary Blessed, and He venerated her.
b. GOD needed her to bear His Divine Son.
c. GOD chose Blessed Mary above all women.
d. Blessed Mary gave birth to the divine 'Incarnate Word'.
e. As a child, Jesus Christ obeyed the commands of His mother.
f. Jesus Christ honors His very own mother.
g. Jesus Christ will defend His mother as any good son would. Doesn't that make Blessed Mary special?
"If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together" (1 Cor. 12:26).
There are several Old Testament images that are offered in support of virginity in partu. St. Ambrose in the above letter refers to Mary as the closed gate of Ezekiel 44:2. Isaiah 66:7 refers to the delivery of a male child born without labor pains. Lastly there is the reference in the Song of Songs (4:12) to the bride being an enclosed garden and a sealed fountain.
Matthew 1:22-23 is not the only New Testament reference cited in support of this teaching. There is the statement that Mary wrapped the Child in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, which some conclude points to the absence of the usual pains and infirmities of childbirth—because Mary was able to wait on Jesus—and consequently to virginity in partu. There is also the reference in the account of the Presentation (Lk. 2:22-30) to Leviticus 12:8, which deals with the consecration of a child to God, but omits the part about taking away the uncleanness of the mother. A less obvious scriptural basis is found by some in the words “Blessed art thou among women,” (Lk. 1:42) understood in light of Genesis 3:15 and the New Eve image.
St. Ambrose wrote on the eve of the Synod of Milan in 390 that the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 “declares not only that a virgin shall conceive, but also that a virgin shall bring forth.
Nowhere in Scripture is the Blessed Virgin Mary ever explicitly identified as the earthly mother of anyone other than Jesus. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the one woman in the entire Bible who makes the claim, “All generations to come shall call me blessed” (Luke 1:48).
Catholics believe that saints in Heaven, and especially the Blessed Virgin Mary, are still active in their roles to assist mankind in spiritual warfare. We know from James 5:16 that the prayers of the righteous are powerful, and we know from Matthew 22:32 that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. In Revelation 5:8, it says that 24 elders in heaven present our petitions to God in the form of incense, which means that there are intermediaries in heaven who hear and present our prayers to God. If the dead rich man in hell can intercede for his brothers on earth with Abraham (Luke 16:27-28), how much more can Mary in heaven intercede for us here on earth with her son Jesus! Mary said in Luke 1:46 that her soul magnifies (To magnify means to enlarge, to make clearer, and to bring into focus) the Lord (her soul is still very much alive, as are all souls ever created by God). And since no one on earth was ever closer to Jesus in body, heart, and mind (Jesus got his flesh and blood from Mary), who better to intercede for us on our behalf than Mary? Giving honor and devotion to Mary (not worship) actually magnifies the Lord. To give honor to an artist's greatest creation (Mary) honors the creator (Jesus) !
The prayer, The Hail Mary, combines the words of Gabriel and Elizabeth with a petition at the end to pray for us. “Hail, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee” are the words of Gabriel. These words indicate that Mary was full of grace BEFORE Jesus was in her womb. And no one can be full of grace and have any room left over for sin; otherwise she wouldn’t be “full” of grace. “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus” are the words of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. These words from scripture indicate that Mary is blessed more than any other woman, because Jesus is inside of her. Jesus said that you shall know a tree by its fruit, and since Jesus is the fruit of her womb and is sinless and holy, so must Mary be, since she is the tree which bore the fruit (Jesus), although she certainly is not God. The last part of the prayer is a petition to Mary to “pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death”. Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:1- “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men.” So asking for intercessory prayer is a very biblical thing to do, especially from a holy person like Mary (James 5:16).
So how can Mary hear thousands of prayers said to her daily from all over the world? Isn’t she just a human being and not God? Catholics believe we share in God’s divinity when we are in heaven. Why? Because of the words of Peter, in 2 Pet.1:3: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence 4: by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature. We see from these verses of Peter that saints in heaven are partakers in the divine nature, which includes hearing prayers.
Saints in heaven have no power of their own. All of their power comes from Christ Jesus, who shares it with them. We know that they witness for us, because of the words of St. Paul, in Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” Witnesses testify to a judge on behalf of the accused, and Paul here is saying that the saints in heaven are our witnesses. Notice that Paul didn't say that they were mere spectators; he called them WITNESSES. Asking these witnesses, especially Mary, to help us with our problems is a very good thing to do. Some people make the mistake of thinking that praying to a saint equals worshipping that saint like he/she is a god, but “to pray” simply means “to ask”, not “to worship”. And since all of their power comes from the amazing grace of Jesus Christ, it is not like conjuring up the dead and seeking hidden knowledge, which is expressly forbidden in Deuteronomy 18:10-11. After all, Jesus appeared with the very dead Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration (Luke 9:30). Since Jesus never sinned, and conjuring up the dead as an occult practice is a sin, we see here that there is a true distinction between praying to saints for their intercession and calling up the dead to seek arcane knowledge.
Read Luke 1:28, 'And when the Angel had come to her, he said, "Hail full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women'." Luke 1:30, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for thou hast found Grace with GOD'. 'Full of Grace', and 'Grace with GOD', could only mean Mary was without sin. John the Baptist had not yet appeared to start the Sacrament of Baptism. If GOD created the entire universe out of nothing, don't you think the GOD who imposed Adam's Sin on mankind could make one little Jewish girl without original sin? She gave birth to GOD. Back to John 1:1 and 14, the 'Incarnate Word' was GOD. Jesus Christ is a divine person. Mothers give birth to persons, each with a nature. They do not give birth to natures. GOD Himself, calls Jesus Christ His divine Son (Heb 1:5-8).
The Church teaches that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine and his two natures cannot be separated. If Mary gave birth to Jesus, she gave birth both parts of him, both the part which is human and the part which is God. Mary gave birth to a divine/human being, one who is completely man and also completely God. Therefore Mary is the Mother of God.
Mary is worth honoring and emulating because she is the ideal example of perfect obedience to God. Knowing that she could be stoned to death for carrying a baby conceived out of wedlock, she still said “yes” to God: “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). When she said “yes” to God she demonstrated perfect courage, perfect obedience and perfect faith.
GOD say through Gabriel in Luke 1:30-33? "You have found favor with GOD." Right there, GOD 'venerated' Mary over all other women. In verse 31 He tells her that she will conceive. Who will she conceive? None other than Jesus Christ, the second person of the Holy Trinity, who will manifest Himself as the 'Incarnate Word'. GOD Himself needed Mary to conceive His very own Son, and to carry Him for nine months to term. GOD needed Mary to be the vessel to give birth to His Divine Son. If GOD needed her, can we not need her also?
We know that Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity, the only Son of GOD. We know He is also the 'Incarnate Word' as explained in John 1:14, "...the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:1 teaches us that the "WORD WAS GOD." Mary gave birth to the 'Incarnate Word', and the 'Word' was GOD.
GOD Himself, must have obeyed His mother's, everyday living, 'mother to child' commands as He was growing up. This is shown in Luke 2:51, "And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was SUBJECT to them." That is a very profound verse if you think about it. In effect it says, that for many years, the 'Creator of the Universe' obeyed the commands of a little Jewish girl, by the name of...Mary. Jesus also acted on her suggestion that the wedding guests were out of wine at Cana, by performing His first public miracle when He turned water into wine in John 2:1-5. Jesus Christ therefore kept the commandment 'honor thy mother', as well. If Jesus Christ honored His mother, can we do less? Jesus Christ loves His mother like any good son would. He will defend her from all attacks against her.
In Summary:
a. GOD called Mary Blessed, and He venerated her.
b. GOD needed her to bear His Divine Son.
c. GOD chose Blessed Mary above all women.
d. Blessed Mary gave birth to the divine 'Incarnate Word'.
e. As a child, Jesus Christ obeyed the commands of His mother.
f. Jesus Christ honors His very own mother.
g. Jesus Christ will defend His mother as any good son would. Doesn't that make Blessed Mary special?
"If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together" (1 Cor. 12:26).
There are several Old Testament images that are offered in support of virginity in partu. St. Ambrose in the above letter refers to Mary as the closed gate of Ezekiel 44:2. Isaiah 66:7 refers to the delivery of a male child born without labor pains. Lastly there is the reference in the Song of Songs (4:12) to the bride being an enclosed garden and a sealed fountain.
Matthew 1:22-23 is not the only New Testament reference cited in support of this teaching. There is the statement that Mary wrapped the Child in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, which some conclude points to the absence of the usual pains and infirmities of childbirth—because Mary was able to wait on Jesus—and consequently to virginity in partu. There is also the reference in the account of the Presentation (Lk. 2:22-30) to Leviticus 12:8, which deals with the consecration of a child to God, but omits the part about taking away the uncleanness of the mother. A less obvious scriptural basis is found by some in the words “Blessed art thou among women,” (Lk. 1:42) understood in light of Genesis 3:15 and the New Eve image.
St. Ambrose wrote on the eve of the Synod of Milan in 390 that the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 “declares not only that a virgin shall conceive, but also that a virgin shall bring forth.
Nowhere in Scripture is the Blessed Virgin Mary ever explicitly identified as the earthly mother of anyone other than Jesus. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the one woman in the entire Bible who makes the claim, “All generations to come shall call me blessed” (Luke 1:48).
Catholics believe that saints in Heaven, and especially the Blessed Virgin Mary, are still active in their roles to assist mankind in spiritual warfare. We know from James 5:16 that the prayers of the righteous are powerful, and we know from Matthew 22:32 that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. In Revelation 5:8, it says that 24 elders in heaven present our petitions to God in the form of incense, which means that there are intermediaries in heaven who hear and present our prayers to God. If the dead rich man in hell can intercede for his brothers on earth with Abraham (Luke 16:27-28), how much more can Mary in heaven intercede for us here on earth with her son Jesus! Mary said in Luke 1:46 that her soul magnifies (To magnify means to enlarge, to make clearer, and to bring into focus) the Lord (her soul is still very much alive, as are all souls ever created by God). And since no one on earth was ever closer to Jesus in body, heart, and mind (Jesus got his flesh and blood from Mary), who better to intercede for us on our behalf than Mary? Giving honor and devotion to Mary (not worship) actually magnifies the Lord. To give honor to an artist's greatest creation (Mary) honors the creator (Jesus) !
The prayer, The Hail Mary, combines the words of Gabriel and Elizabeth with a petition at the end to pray for us. “Hail, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee” are the words of Gabriel. These words indicate that Mary was full of grace BEFORE Jesus was in her womb. And no one can be full of grace and have any room left over for sin; otherwise she wouldn’t be “full” of grace. “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus” are the words of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. These words from scripture indicate that Mary is blessed more than any other woman, because Jesus is inside of her. Jesus said that you shall know a tree by its fruit, and since Jesus is the fruit of her womb and is sinless and holy, so must Mary be, since she is the tree which bore the fruit (Jesus), although she certainly is not God. The last part of the prayer is a petition to Mary to “pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death”. Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:1- “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men.” So asking for intercessory prayer is a very biblical thing to do, especially from a holy person like Mary (James 5:16).
So how can Mary hear thousands of prayers said to her daily from all over the world? Isn’t she just a human being and not God? Catholics believe we share in God’s divinity when we are in heaven. Why? Because of the words of Peter, in 2 Pet.1:3: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence 4: by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature. We see from these verses of Peter that saints in heaven are partakers in the divine nature, which includes hearing prayers.
Saints in heaven have no power of their own. All of their power comes from Christ Jesus, who shares it with them. We know that they witness for us, because of the words of St. Paul, in Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” Witnesses testify to a judge on behalf of the accused, and Paul here is saying that the saints in heaven are our witnesses. Notice that Paul didn't say that they were mere spectators; he called them WITNESSES. Asking these witnesses, especially Mary, to help us with our problems is a very good thing to do. Some people make the mistake of thinking that praying to a saint equals worshipping that saint like he/she is a god, but “to pray” simply means “to ask”, not “to worship”. And since all of their power comes from the amazing grace of Jesus Christ, it is not like conjuring up the dead and seeking hidden knowledge, which is expressly forbidden in Deuteronomy 18:10-11. After all, Jesus appeared with the very dead Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration (Luke 9:30). Since Jesus never sinned, and conjuring up the dead as an occult practice is a sin, we see here that there is a true distinction between praying to saints for their intercession and calling up the dead to seek arcane knowledge.
Cross/crucifix is not idol!
Catholics worship both the Jesus who died for their sins and also the Jesus who rose from His sacrificial death for their sins. At Mass Catholics profess, "Jesus has died, JESUS IS RISEN, Jesus will come again." A cross is not a graven image unless we allow it to be then football,if we put it higher than God in our priorities may not be a graven image but is still an idol!Anything that we put before God is wrong I find the cross helps when I am low it reminds me of what Jesus suffered and How much HE Loves me,I paint and have done several crosses they arenever worshipped but are visual reminders of the great love of God to us. A cross or an icon or a statue can all direct your attention to God and help your worship, but if you regard the image as the god you worship, offering your prayers and treasures to it the it would be. there are idolitars that use no images and devout christians that do. If a cross or crucifix is an idol, then so is the American flag, and the Pledge is a prayer to a piece of cloth.
God commanded people to make statues and images for religious purposes and healing.
Cherubim in Exodus 25:18-19.
Saraph Serpent in Numbers 21:8-9.
We are told not to *worship* statues or images. These things are reminders of the God we love. They can bring us deeper into prayer.
Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. Galatians 5:11
Galatians 6:14 "But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Luke 23:26
[ The Crucifixion ] As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
Although Jesus is risen and no longer on the Cross, what Jesus gave us on the Cross 2000 years ago He continues to give us this day. Jesus gives us His passionate and unconditional endless love, His infinite mercy, His shed blood and salvation, His friendship, and new life in God. We cannot rise in Christ to new life without first dying with Christ on the Cross. Everything Jesus gives to us is through the Cross. In our Christian journey on the way Home to the Lord, we, like Jesus, our Merciful Savior and Role Model to faith in God, carry our cross. Catholics not only preach Christ Risen, but also Christ Crucified. The heart of the Gospel message is Jesus, our promised Messiah, died for our sins for the salvation of our soul.
St. Paul preached Jesus' Crucified and tells us, "WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED, a stumbling block to Jews, and folly to Gentiles, but those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1Corinthians 1:23-24) He again says, "When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1Corinthians 2:1-2) True, our Christian faith is in vain without the Resurrection of Jesus, (1Corinthians 15:17) but it was the CRUCIFIXION of Jesus that paid for our sins. We cannot preach Jesus' Resurrection without also preaching Jesus' Crucifixion.
Jesus also does not want us to look at His Crucifixion as only a past event. When He appeared to the apostles after His Resurrection and in His glorified risen Body He showed them His wounds from His Crucifixion. (Luke 24:39-40 & John 20:20) Why would Jesus keep those wounds from His Crucifixion if He didn't want us to remember His Crucifixion and everything He gives to us through His Cross such as His passionate and unconditional endless love and infinite mercy? What would some of these non-Catholic Christians say to Jesus if Jesus appeared to them in His glorified risen body and showed them His wounds? Would they say, "Your Crucifixion is of the past, so why should we look at your wounds?"
Another false allegation that is made is the Crucifix is an "idolatrous image for Catholics to worship." This is another allegation that is totally false and absurd. It's not the image itself that is worshipped, but the PERSON the image represents. When Catholics genuflect before the Crucifix at church, they are genuflecting before the Person Jesus who died for their sins.
I've also been asked why I need a Crucifix to be reminded of Jesus' passionate love and self-giving sacrifice for me. Personally I wear a Crucifix to publicly preach Jesus' Crucified. The heart of the Gospel message is Jesus DIED for our sins and conquered death. St. Paul also says, "the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1Corinthians 1:18) I'm proud to wear my Crucifix. The Crucifix displays God's passionate and unconditional endless love and His infinite mercy He has for all of us.
Here is another verse to remember: "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with pretentious speech or wisdom, announcing unto you the witness to Christ. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Cor 2:1–2). You also might see a representation of the titulus crucis -- the plaque marked with "I.N.R.I." which stands for "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum," the Latin initials for "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Catholics kneel before God, not "to" statues, regardless of what you may perceive. God Himself commands that graven images be made. Now either God and the Bible contradict themselves, or your interpretation of the Commandment against the making of images is wrong. God approves of the use of statuary, stained glass, ikons, and other graven images when they are used for their intended purpose: the glorification and adoration of God. God forbade the adoration of the statues themselves, and of the Canaanite "gods" the statues represented, not the making of graven images per se.
The first major objection of the Protestant regarding the crucifix (an image of Christ on the cross) is that Christ is no longer on the cross--He is risen. I was raised with this observation and my friend would ridicule the Catholic traditions. My friend also challenged us when we first became Catholics, commenting, “We serve a risen Christ, not one that is still on the cross.” Unfortunately for them, since childhood my mother had valued her beautiful Christmas crèche scene. I asked the obvious: “Do you serve the risen Christ or one still in the manger?” (I also had to comment on the cute little statue of Our Lady standing over the plastic baby Jesus, along with the animals.)
Second, Protestants see the image of Christ on the cross as a violation of the command to make no graven image. The Reformers were big on this. Protestants now utilize plain crosses in their “churches,” on their walls, and around their necks, just as they have pictures of Jesus (always with soft skin and melodrama) on their walls. (I was raised with this feminine Jesus presiding, ever so romantically, over our dinner table. After spending time in the Holy Land, driving through the Judean wilderness, and ascending Mount Tabor, which he and his disciples frequented, I doubt he was so dainty and delicate; he probably had calves like a bear and smelled a bit like one as well.) However, at the turn of the this century the Protestant churches (excluding Lutheran) were still pretty much opposed to display of the cross, even the bare cross. The bare cross was not in wide use until recently, though current Protestants don’t know their own history on the matter and that their predecessors opposed it as much as they did the Crucifix.
Third, they object to the Crucifix because it is Catholic and to condone or display the Crucifix is to make a statement in favor of Catholicism. No one of “Reformed” persuasion would want to be identified as a Catholic. A bare cross seems to be generic, which is what most Protestants like--generic Christianity--with no history to criticize or Church to obey.
Images and Gods in the Old Testament
Since the people in olden ages worshiped idols made of earthly materials [Endnote 1], God forbade the children of Israel to possess such “gods”. “Then God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God’” (Ex 20:1-3).
Even while God was inscribing these Words on the tablets of stone, the Israelites were violating His command. “Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. And he took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and made it into a molten calf; and they said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt’” (Ex. 32:34).
We know that it was not the image itself, which was the problem. It was the making of an image that was considered to be a god and the subsequent worship of the image as a god. This is clear from the Scriptures, for if the making of an image was evil, then God commanded His people to violate His own laws. We will look at three examples in which God commanded the children of Israel to make images that were the likeness of “what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.”
First, the Mercy Seat which was situated in the Holy of Holies was to have golden cherubim above it with wings outspread. We read, “And you shall make two cherubim of gold, make them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat” (Ex 25:18). Cherubim are images of things in heaven, angelic beings who stand before the throne of God. These images were to be placed at the center of Israel’s worship. However, there was no thought of worshiping the golden images, they were there for illustrative reasons, to replicate a spiritual reality, and they were three-dimensional, formed out of gold, at the command of God Himself. The very goldsmiths who were condemned for making a golden image (the calf) are now commanded to make a golden image (the cherubim).
Second, Moses was given detailed directions for the vestments worn by Aaron and the priests. Embroidered into the hem of Aaron’s gorgeous robe were artistic representations of bells and pomegranates. “And you shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around on the hem of the robe. And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers; and its tinkling may be heard when he enters and leaves the holy place before the Lord, that he may not die” (Ex 28:33-B35). An image or likeness of a fruit, something obviously copied from an earthly model.
The third example is found during the Israelites’ forty years of wandering in the wilderness. The people became impatient and spoke against God and Moses. In response God sent poisonous serpents into their camp and many died. When they begged Moses to intercede for them the Lord responded with the command to make an image of a serpent. “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he shall live’. And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived” (Num 21:8-9). A “graven image” of a serpent was raised upon a pole to be gazed upon by the children of Israel, and the image was used by God to heal the people from the fiery bites of the serpents.
The bronze serpent, even raised on a pole, was not a violation of God’s earlier command against graven images. The earlier command was against having or worshiping a god besides the Lord. Image was synonymous with the practice of ancient peoples who made and called images “god” and actually worshiped them. This was sin, not the simple act of making or having a representation of a physical or heavenly object. It is the intent, and the purpose for which the image is made that becomes the sin, not the image itself. An image is simply an image, a representation. On the other hand an image intended to be a god is a god and is thus idolatry. Making a dish or cup is not a sin, worshiping the dish or cup as a god is idolatry and therefore sin.
That the intent and reaction to an image is the real issue is born out by the fact that the bronze serpent was good, commanded by God, and served a sacramental purpose, yet when it was later treated as an idol, by the act of worship, it became idolatry and fit the category of an image that was a “god” that was a substitute for the God of Israel, the living God. “Ahaz king of Judah . . . removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it [as to a god]; and it was called Nehushtan [the piece of bronze]” (2 Ki 18:1, 4).
Images, representations of real things, and pictures or statues were not forbidden. There was always a tendency in ancient cultures to convert such images into gods to be worshiped. It was this idolatry that was evil, proscribed by God. Any object, whether it is representative of earthly or heavenly things or not, can become an idol [a god] and it is this idolatry that is wicked, not the making of objects.
Images and Images of Christ in the New Testament
something changed when Jesus entered the world. The incarnation split space and time as the divine Being became a man. God had always been invisible, but now he was made visible for the first time. What was not visible and therefore unreproduceable was now visible and made able to be reproduced. Thomas said, “Show us the Father” and Jesus responded, “Have I been with you so long and you still don’t know me” (Jn 14:9). Paul tells us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15; 2:9). Therefore, that which earlier had had no image now had a visible appearance. Jesus could now be reproduced in art because He Himself had taken on flesh and was a visible image of the Father.
So wearing the cross or symbols of faith I love to surround myself with, so that I am reminded all the time to keep my focus on the Lord.
It is a good tool to use, symbols of Christ the Lord. It reminds me to pray more! , don't know your denomination, but one that produces the fruit of hate is certainly not the Fruit Of the Holy Spirit which is Christ/God.
Galatians 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
1 Corinthians 1:17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospelnot with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Galatians 5:11Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
Galatians 6:12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
Ephesians 2:16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Philippians 3:18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Colossians 1:20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Hebrews 12:2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Philippians 2:8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
God commanded people to make statues and images for religious purposes and healing.
Cherubim in Exodus 25:18-19.
Saraph Serpent in Numbers 21:8-9.
We are told not to *worship* statues or images. These things are reminders of the God we love. They can bring us deeper into prayer.
Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. Galatians 5:11
Galatians 6:14 "But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Luke 23:26
[ The Crucifixion ] As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
Although Jesus is risen and no longer on the Cross, what Jesus gave us on the Cross 2000 years ago He continues to give us this day. Jesus gives us His passionate and unconditional endless love, His infinite mercy, His shed blood and salvation, His friendship, and new life in God. We cannot rise in Christ to new life without first dying with Christ on the Cross. Everything Jesus gives to us is through the Cross. In our Christian journey on the way Home to the Lord, we, like Jesus, our Merciful Savior and Role Model to faith in God, carry our cross. Catholics not only preach Christ Risen, but also Christ Crucified. The heart of the Gospel message is Jesus, our promised Messiah, died for our sins for the salvation of our soul.
St. Paul preached Jesus' Crucified and tells us, "WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED, a stumbling block to Jews, and folly to Gentiles, but those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1Corinthians 1:23-24) He again says, "When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1Corinthians 2:1-2) True, our Christian faith is in vain without the Resurrection of Jesus, (1Corinthians 15:17) but it was the CRUCIFIXION of Jesus that paid for our sins. We cannot preach Jesus' Resurrection without also preaching Jesus' Crucifixion.
Jesus also does not want us to look at His Crucifixion as only a past event. When He appeared to the apostles after His Resurrection and in His glorified risen Body He showed them His wounds from His Crucifixion. (Luke 24:39-40 & John 20:20) Why would Jesus keep those wounds from His Crucifixion if He didn't want us to remember His Crucifixion and everything He gives to us through His Cross such as His passionate and unconditional endless love and infinite mercy? What would some of these non-Catholic Christians say to Jesus if Jesus appeared to them in His glorified risen body and showed them His wounds? Would they say, "Your Crucifixion is of the past, so why should we look at your wounds?"
Another false allegation that is made is the Crucifix is an "idolatrous image for Catholics to worship." This is another allegation that is totally false and absurd. It's not the image itself that is worshipped, but the PERSON the image represents. When Catholics genuflect before the Crucifix at church, they are genuflecting before the Person Jesus who died for their sins.
I've also been asked why I need a Crucifix to be reminded of Jesus' passionate love and self-giving sacrifice for me. Personally I wear a Crucifix to publicly preach Jesus' Crucified. The heart of the Gospel message is Jesus DIED for our sins and conquered death. St. Paul also says, "the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1Corinthians 1:18) I'm proud to wear my Crucifix. The Crucifix displays God's passionate and unconditional endless love and His infinite mercy He has for all of us.
Here is another verse to remember: "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with pretentious speech or wisdom, announcing unto you the witness to Christ. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Cor 2:1–2). You also might see a representation of the titulus crucis -- the plaque marked with "I.N.R.I." which stands for "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum," the Latin initials for "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Catholics kneel before God, not "to" statues, regardless of what you may perceive. God Himself commands that graven images be made. Now either God and the Bible contradict themselves, or your interpretation of the Commandment against the making of images is wrong. God approves of the use of statuary, stained glass, ikons, and other graven images when they are used for their intended purpose: the glorification and adoration of God. God forbade the adoration of the statues themselves, and of the Canaanite "gods" the statues represented, not the making of graven images per se.
The first major objection of the Protestant regarding the crucifix (an image of Christ on the cross) is that Christ is no longer on the cross--He is risen. I was raised with this observation and my friend would ridicule the Catholic traditions. My friend also challenged us when we first became Catholics, commenting, “We serve a risen Christ, not one that is still on the cross.” Unfortunately for them, since childhood my mother had valued her beautiful Christmas crèche scene. I asked the obvious: “Do you serve the risen Christ or one still in the manger?” (I also had to comment on the cute little statue of Our Lady standing over the plastic baby Jesus, along with the animals.)
Second, Protestants see the image of Christ on the cross as a violation of the command to make no graven image. The Reformers were big on this. Protestants now utilize plain crosses in their “churches,” on their walls, and around their necks, just as they have pictures of Jesus (always with soft skin and melodrama) on their walls. (I was raised with this feminine Jesus presiding, ever so romantically, over our dinner table. After spending time in the Holy Land, driving through the Judean wilderness, and ascending Mount Tabor, which he and his disciples frequented, I doubt he was so dainty and delicate; he probably had calves like a bear and smelled a bit like one as well.) However, at the turn of the this century the Protestant churches (excluding Lutheran) were still pretty much opposed to display of the cross, even the bare cross. The bare cross was not in wide use until recently, though current Protestants don’t know their own history on the matter and that their predecessors opposed it as much as they did the Crucifix.
Third, they object to the Crucifix because it is Catholic and to condone or display the Crucifix is to make a statement in favor of Catholicism. No one of “Reformed” persuasion would want to be identified as a Catholic. A bare cross seems to be generic, which is what most Protestants like--generic Christianity--with no history to criticize or Church to obey.
Images and Gods in the Old Testament
Since the people in olden ages worshiped idols made of earthly materials [Endnote 1], God forbade the children of Israel to possess such “gods”. “Then God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God’” (Ex 20:1-3).
Even while God was inscribing these Words on the tablets of stone, the Israelites were violating His command. “Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. And he took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and made it into a molten calf; and they said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt’” (Ex. 32:34).
We know that it was not the image itself, which was the problem. It was the making of an image that was considered to be a god and the subsequent worship of the image as a god. This is clear from the Scriptures, for if the making of an image was evil, then God commanded His people to violate His own laws. We will look at three examples in which God commanded the children of Israel to make images that were the likeness of “what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.”
First, the Mercy Seat which was situated in the Holy of Holies was to have golden cherubim above it with wings outspread. We read, “And you shall make two cherubim of gold, make them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat” (Ex 25:18). Cherubim are images of things in heaven, angelic beings who stand before the throne of God. These images were to be placed at the center of Israel’s worship. However, there was no thought of worshiping the golden images, they were there for illustrative reasons, to replicate a spiritual reality, and they were three-dimensional, formed out of gold, at the command of God Himself. The very goldsmiths who were condemned for making a golden image (the calf) are now commanded to make a golden image (the cherubim).
Second, Moses was given detailed directions for the vestments worn by Aaron and the priests. Embroidered into the hem of Aaron’s gorgeous robe were artistic representations of bells and pomegranates. “And you shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around on the hem of the robe. And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers; and its tinkling may be heard when he enters and leaves the holy place before the Lord, that he may not die” (Ex 28:33-B35). An image or likeness of a fruit, something obviously copied from an earthly model.
The third example is found during the Israelites’ forty years of wandering in the wilderness. The people became impatient and spoke against God and Moses. In response God sent poisonous serpents into their camp and many died. When they begged Moses to intercede for them the Lord responded with the command to make an image of a serpent. “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he shall live’. And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived” (Num 21:8-9). A “graven image” of a serpent was raised upon a pole to be gazed upon by the children of Israel, and the image was used by God to heal the people from the fiery bites of the serpents.
The bronze serpent, even raised on a pole, was not a violation of God’s earlier command against graven images. The earlier command was against having or worshiping a god besides the Lord. Image was synonymous with the practice of ancient peoples who made and called images “god” and actually worshiped them. This was sin, not the simple act of making or having a representation of a physical or heavenly object. It is the intent, and the purpose for which the image is made that becomes the sin, not the image itself. An image is simply an image, a representation. On the other hand an image intended to be a god is a god and is thus idolatry. Making a dish or cup is not a sin, worshiping the dish or cup as a god is idolatry and therefore sin.
That the intent and reaction to an image is the real issue is born out by the fact that the bronze serpent was good, commanded by God, and served a sacramental purpose, yet when it was later treated as an idol, by the act of worship, it became idolatry and fit the category of an image that was a “god” that was a substitute for the God of Israel, the living God. “Ahaz king of Judah . . . removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it [as to a god]; and it was called Nehushtan [the piece of bronze]” (2 Ki 18:1, 4).
Images, representations of real things, and pictures or statues were not forbidden. There was always a tendency in ancient cultures to convert such images into gods to be worshiped. It was this idolatry that was evil, proscribed by God. Any object, whether it is representative of earthly or heavenly things or not, can become an idol [a god] and it is this idolatry that is wicked, not the making of objects.
Images and Images of Christ in the New Testament
something changed when Jesus entered the world. The incarnation split space and time as the divine Being became a man. God had always been invisible, but now he was made visible for the first time. What was not visible and therefore unreproduceable was now visible and made able to be reproduced. Thomas said, “Show us the Father” and Jesus responded, “Have I been with you so long and you still don’t know me” (Jn 14:9). Paul tells us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15; 2:9). Therefore, that which earlier had had no image now had a visible appearance. Jesus could now be reproduced in art because He Himself had taken on flesh and was a visible image of the Father.
So wearing the cross or symbols of faith I love to surround myself with, so that I am reminded all the time to keep my focus on the Lord.
It is a good tool to use, symbols of Christ the Lord. It reminds me to pray more! , don't know your denomination, but one that produces the fruit of hate is certainly not the Fruit Of the Holy Spirit which is Christ/God.
Galatians 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
1 Corinthians 1:17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospelnot with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Galatians 5:11Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
Galatians 6:12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
Ephesians 2:16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Philippians 3:18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Colossians 1:20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Hebrews 12:2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Philippians 2:8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
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