Shaila Touchton's Despite of Differences, Come Unity in Jesus Christ!
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Bible, the Word of God!
Bible is the Holy Book inspired by God and is life-changing
It’s the word of God, living and active,
Sharper than any double edged sword
It’s the revelation of God to the world
It’s a breathe of God useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting
And training in righteousness equipping for every good work
It’s the greatest Book on the earth
Which will keep us away from sin and temptations
Giving a sinner an opportunity to transform into saints
The word of God is living and powerful which lights our path
Giving us direction and clarity for our future by overcoming sin
The bible has the Power to save our soul from eternal fire
It has the power to teach us to live a holy life
It has the keys for unlocking a hardened heart
And showing us to live a life of God’s way
It comforts the lonely, hope to hopless, rest to the weary
It lifts us up when we are discouraged and hurt in our despair
In the beginning was the word and the word was with God
And the word was God.
Jesus Christ is that living word of God
It’s the living word of God that saved us.
God speaks to us through Bible
Through our conscience which is Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is nothing but Jesus Christ
Who is our comforter, counselor, Helper, Intercessor,
Advocate and Strengthener
The Bible gives us wisdom, good conscience,
Peace and security from danger
Deliverance, healing and protection from all evil.
For everything in the world reveals the power of Gods Word.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
But Gods word will not pass away
Grass may withers, the flower may fades
But the word of our God stands forever.
You can know all the scriptures
By unknown Author
You can know all the scriptures,
Have all the bibles you can reach,
But when push comes to shove
Do you practice what you preach?
Anyone can go to church
And collapse on the floor,
But when Judgment Day comes
Will you be at Heaven's door?
You can have the biggest of fits
And say the Holy ghost passed through,
But is that really reflected
In the things you do?
You can yell far and wide
Proclaiming your love for Christ,
But what have you given him
When for you He gave his life?
You can lecture others
About the wrong things they do,
But before you look at others
You need to look at you.
You can damn all the sinners
Tell them they're headed south,
But what have you done lately
Besides run your mouth?
You can call yourself a Christian
Spend all your days at church,
But while you are praising His name,
Have you been doing the Lord's work?
You can boast of good deeds
To show us the spirit is within
But why show it to us?
You should show it to Him!
You can memorize the bible
Know it from front to back,
But you don't use it to regulate others
Regulate how you act!
Take a good look at yourself
Not at what others do,
Because when He comes to get his children ...
Will He be coming for you too?
You can know all the scriptures,
Have all the bibles you can reach,
But when push comes to shove
Do you practice what you preach?
Anyone can go to church
And collapse on the floor,
But when Judgment Day comes
Will you be at Heaven's door?
You can have the biggest of fits
And say the Holy ghost passed through,
But is that really reflected
In the things you do?
You can yell far and wide
Proclaiming your love for Christ,
But what have you given him
When for you He gave his life?
You can lecture others
About the wrong things they do,
But before you look at others
You need to look at you.
You can damn all the sinners
Tell them they're headed south,
But what have you done lately
Besides run your mouth?
You can call yourself a Christian
Spend all your days at church,
But while you are praising His name,
Have you been doing the Lord's work?
You can boast of good deeds
To show us the spirit is within
But why show it to us?
You should show it to Him!
You can memorize the bible
Know it from front to back,
But you don't use it to regulate others
Regulate how you act!
Take a good look at yourself
Not at what others do,
Because when He comes to get his children ...
Will He be coming for you too?
A Handy Reference List in Psalms!
On knowing God 9 16 17 23 25 27 29 40 41 46 54 56 57 59 62 63 68 73 76 84 91 92 97 111 138 143 145 149
Lord is my shepeard 23
how high above us God is 77 92 97 99 108 113 144
how God created the earth and the universe 8 19 29 33 65 104 124 135 136 148
God’s thoughts 40 92 113 139
God appreciates you 134 147 149
When you want to be closer to God 42 61 63 70 84 99 119 131 143
Jesus dying on the cross 22 85 98
When you want to tell people about God 9 40 71 67 92 96 105 145 149
When you want to put God first 40 84 86 95 97 103 115 127 132 135
Wanting to live right 5 14 15 17 19 25 32 40 51 53 86 90 101 119 141 143
God helps you live right 1 26 32 81 108 111 122 127 128 144
When you wonder if living right is worth it 1 15 24 37 39 73 75 109 112 126 128
When you need encouragement to do the right thing 1 101
Needing help to know the right things to do 5 16 19 25 32 81 86 119 141 143
you can live up to God’s standards and earn your way to heaven 14 53
being saved and received into heaven by God 49 85 87
Having a really bad day 88 102
When life gets too complicated or difficult 11 25 46 61 124 131 142
When you’re sick bad 6 41
your life will be good 1 25 37 39 60 75 80 90 102 124 125 126 128 138 142 143
When you think your life will never be good 4 13 25 74 77 107
you need God to help you get things right 5 14 19 48 53 60 81 90 101 108 115 127 139 141 143
When you feel really guilty 14 32 38 51 53 103 143
When you’ve sinned and tried to cover it up 32 51
When you need to confess your sin 32 38 51
When you’re suffering because of your sin 38 41 51 89 107 143
Needing forgiveness 19 22 25 32 39 51 85 99 103 106 130 143
your sin and it’s consequences 5 14 53 78 79 81 101 106 107 141 143
When you’re bothered by your unintentional sins 19 39
God forgives you 32 41 65 86 99 103 106 107 130
affected by your family’s sin 79 106
When you need help with your mouth 141
When you need help with your thoughts and desires 19 141
When people are leading you wrong 5 101 143
When friends betray you
35 41 55
Feeling like you can’t trust anyone 12 55
Wanting faithful friends 26 101 141
When you’re glad you have your friends 122 133
God is your God 16 20 37 48 67 84 92 95 99 104 113 135 144 145 147 149
you belong to God 40 65 87 95 100 114 149
Happy to be His child 68 87 131
God is with you 16 18 21 23 34 37 41 46 68 73 91 108 121 125 138 139 144 145
God is for you 9 17 21 27 56 68 89 91 92 103 109 114 115 118 124 138 147
Thankful that God watches you 34 56 91 113 121 139
God knows what you’re going through 31 34
God wants you to spend time with Him 27 105 116
When you want to be close to God 25 27
Thankful that God answers prayer 3 4 9 17 18 20 21 28 31 34 40 54 65 66 81 86 91 99 102 107 116 118 120 138 145
To ask God to hear and answer your prayer 4 5 17 27 28 39 54 55 61 69 86 102 119 123 130 141 142 143
To pray for others
69
To ask God to take up for you (or for friends) 9 10 35 44 59 60 64 109 120 123
When you’re thankful God listens to you 27 31 34 55 61 99 116
When you’re glad God showed you in your life how awesome He is 17 18 20 21 28 66 106 111 126 138
God takes vengeance 45 58 59 94 109
When you are upset at liars 4 5 10 12 31 35 50 52 58 63 64 109 120
When you are at hypocrites 26 50
About anger 4
When you are upset being a hypocrite 101
with religion 40 50
Upset at injustice 10 14 45 53 76 82 94
When you’ve been cheated 41
When you’re angry at evil governments and politicians 2 45 76 82 146
About cliques and racism 117 118
About anti-Semitism 83 129
why good people suffer and bad people don’t 10 73
frustrated with evil people getting away with their evil 10 36 37 50 52 58 59 94 146
On envy 37 73
When you think nothing can touch you 30 66 91 108 125
If you worry about what people think about you 20
If you boast too much 20 52 53 75
If you want something to boast about 20 108 135
When you need some humility 14 30 39 53 107 108 127
When you’re humble 39 60 76 106 108 131 132 134
When you need security 4 16 27 46 56 91 121 125 139
When you’re not confident in yourself 14 25 39 53 60 108 125 127 130 131 141 143
When you need confidence 20 71 112 138
When you need strength 84
About fear and courage 3 27 46 56 57 91 112 118
When you’re afraid to go to school 49 55 120
When people twist your words 56
When people are spoiling your reputation 4 7 27 31 35 41 44 62 64 109 119 140
When people are cutting you down 57 69 80 102 123
Being punished or threatened for something you didn’t do 7 27 35 59 69 120
When you’re put down for being a Christian 44 69 83 119 129
When you’re put down for being Jewish 83 114 119 120 123 129
When a gang is after you 3 11 17 27 35 56 59 83 118 120 129 140
When the crowd is on you 49
When you need protection 3 5 17 23 25 40 44 55 59 61 120 140 143 70
God protects you 3 23 27 36 46 57 62 66 71 91 115 118 121 125 129 144
When you’re thankful God protected you and brought you out of a bad situation 18 34 56 66 103 107 116 124
God takes up for the weak (or for you) 9 12 17 31 35 45 59 64 72 76 83 94 107 109 113 116 118 129 140 146
God is strong 18 21 24 29 33 35 46 54 57 59 62 65 68 76 89 93 97 99 108 114 125 135 147
God is loving 21 23 33 36 59 68 86 89 100 103 106 116 118 130 136 138 145 146
God is righteous 36 45 65 89 92 96 98 99
God is just 9 10 17 52 72 75 82 99 109
God rules 2 9 21 24 33 45 46 47 48 62 72 75 76 82 87 93 96 97 99 103 108 113 123 125 135 145 146
God doesn’t change or get weak 135
God’s in control of the future 33 46 102 110 125
God knows the way to go 16 19 32 81 108 111 142
To ask God to show you the way to go 5 25 43 61 86 139 141 142 143
When you’ve been waiting a long time for God to act 37 126
Looking forward to Judgment Day 2 50 75 76 82 87 96 98
Jesus is coming back 2 24 45 47 72 76 82 96 98 110 146 150
When you’re glad Jesus came 85 98
When you’re down 6 9 13 25 42 69 70 88 89 102 107 113 116 126 142
When you feel nobody cares about you 88 134 142
When you feel God’s forgotten you 13 42 44 74 102 134 138
When you feel God’s rejected you 43 60 74 77 80 88 108
When you need God, but He seems far away 10 42 61 63 70 77 143
When you’ve been crying 6 31 42 43 56 69 80 88 107 116 126
When your heart’s broken 34
When you’re lonely 25
When you feel like being by yourself 11 55
When you think you don’t belong 118 120 137 142 146 147
After moving (when you wish you didn’t) 120 137
When you feel trapped 66 142
When you’re feeling small 8 39 90 108 113 131 134 138
Feeling like a loser 14 53 60
About trusting God 9 12 33 37 49 65 66 78 81 84 85 91 95 108 112 115 119 121 125 127
To trust and hope in God when you’re down 9 13 25 42 43 60 86 102 112 113 126 130
Trusting God in a difficult situation 4 11 13 23 25 27 28 31 34 46 54 55 56 57 59 61 62 89 91 94 102 105 107 123 138 143
To be hopeful in tough situations 42 43 54 57 138
When you love His word 1 12 19 33 111 119 147
To thank God for doing His word 12 56 111 138 147
To thank God for being good to you 16 18 21 23 36 65 66 67 84 86 92 100 103 113 116 126 138 145 147
To tell God you love Him 18 116 145
To cut loose and praise God 92 98 113 135 145 148 149 150
When you want (or don’t want) to go to church 100 122
God is good to You in this life, not just in heaven 27 36 103 138
Thinking about how God takes bad things and uses them for good 66 105 112 126
For really long road trips 119
When you only have time for a short Bible study 100 117 123 131 134
When world seems bigger than God 90
Lord is my shepeard 23
how high above us God is 77 92 97 99 108 113 144
how God created the earth and the universe 8 19 29 33 65 104 124 135 136 148
God’s thoughts 40 92 113 139
God appreciates you 134 147 149
When you want to be closer to God 42 61 63 70 84 99 119 131 143
Jesus dying on the cross 22 85 98
When you want to tell people about God 9 40 71 67 92 96 105 145 149
When you want to put God first 40 84 86 95 97 103 115 127 132 135
Wanting to live right 5 14 15 17 19 25 32 40 51 53 86 90 101 119 141 143
God helps you live right 1 26 32 81 108 111 122 127 128 144
When you wonder if living right is worth it 1 15 24 37 39 73 75 109 112 126 128
When you need encouragement to do the right thing 1 101
Needing help to know the right things to do 5 16 19 25 32 81 86 119 141 143
you can live up to God’s standards and earn your way to heaven 14 53
being saved and received into heaven by God 49 85 87
Having a really bad day 88 102
When life gets too complicated or difficult 11 25 46 61 124 131 142
When you’re sick bad 6 41
your life will be good 1 25 37 39 60 75 80 90 102 124 125 126 128 138 142 143
When you think your life will never be good 4 13 25 74 77 107
you need God to help you get things right 5 14 19 48 53 60 81 90 101 108 115 127 139 141 143
When you feel really guilty 14 32 38 51 53 103 143
When you’ve sinned and tried to cover it up 32 51
When you need to confess your sin 32 38 51
When you’re suffering because of your sin 38 41 51 89 107 143
Needing forgiveness 19 22 25 32 39 51 85 99 103 106 130 143
your sin and it’s consequences 5 14 53 78 79 81 101 106 107 141 143
When you’re bothered by your unintentional sins 19 39
God forgives you 32 41 65 86 99 103 106 107 130
affected by your family’s sin 79 106
When you need help with your mouth 141
When you need help with your thoughts and desires 19 141
When people are leading you wrong 5 101 143
When friends betray you
35 41 55
Feeling like you can’t trust anyone 12 55
Wanting faithful friends 26 101 141
When you’re glad you have your friends 122 133
God is your God 16 20 37 48 67 84 92 95 99 104 113 135 144 145 147 149
you belong to God 40 65 87 95 100 114 149
Happy to be His child 68 87 131
God is with you 16 18 21 23 34 37 41 46 68 73 91 108 121 125 138 139 144 145
God is for you 9 17 21 27 56 68 89 91 92 103 109 114 115 118 124 138 147
Thankful that God watches you 34 56 91 113 121 139
God knows what you’re going through 31 34
God wants you to spend time with Him 27 105 116
When you want to be close to God 25 27
Thankful that God answers prayer 3 4 9 17 18 20 21 28 31 34 40 54 65 66 81 86 91 99 102 107 116 118 120 138 145
To ask God to hear and answer your prayer 4 5 17 27 28 39 54 55 61 69 86 102 119 123 130 141 142 143
To pray for others
69
To ask God to take up for you (or for friends) 9 10 35 44 59 60 64 109 120 123
When you’re thankful God listens to you 27 31 34 55 61 99 116
When you’re glad God showed you in your life how awesome He is 17 18 20 21 28 66 106 111 126 138
God takes vengeance 45 58 59 94 109
When you are upset at liars 4 5 10 12 31 35 50 52 58 63 64 109 120
When you are at hypocrites 26 50
About anger 4
When you are upset being a hypocrite 101
with religion 40 50
Upset at injustice 10 14 45 53 76 82 94
When you’ve been cheated 41
When you’re angry at evil governments and politicians 2 45 76 82 146
About cliques and racism 117 118
About anti-Semitism 83 129
why good people suffer and bad people don’t 10 73
frustrated with evil people getting away with their evil 10 36 37 50 52 58 59 94 146
On envy 37 73
When you think nothing can touch you 30 66 91 108 125
If you worry about what people think about you 20
If you boast too much 20 52 53 75
If you want something to boast about 20 108 135
When you need some humility 14 30 39 53 107 108 127
When you’re humble 39 60 76 106 108 131 132 134
When you need security 4 16 27 46 56 91 121 125 139
When you’re not confident in yourself 14 25 39 53 60 108 125 127 130 131 141 143
When you need confidence 20 71 112 138
When you need strength 84
About fear and courage 3 27 46 56 57 91 112 118
When you’re afraid to go to school 49 55 120
When people twist your words 56
When people are spoiling your reputation 4 7 27 31 35 41 44 62 64 109 119 140
When people are cutting you down 57 69 80 102 123
Being punished or threatened for something you didn’t do 7 27 35 59 69 120
When you’re put down for being a Christian 44 69 83 119 129
When you’re put down for being Jewish 83 114 119 120 123 129
When a gang is after you 3 11 17 27 35 56 59 83 118 120 129 140
When the crowd is on you 49
When you need protection 3 5 17 23 25 40 44 55 59 61 120 140 143 70
God protects you 3 23 27 36 46 57 62 66 71 91 115 118 121 125 129 144
When you’re thankful God protected you and brought you out of a bad situation 18 34 56 66 103 107 116 124
God takes up for the weak (or for you) 9 12 17 31 35 45 59 64 72 76 83 94 107 109 113 116 118 129 140 146
God is strong 18 21 24 29 33 35 46 54 57 59 62 65 68 76 89 93 97 99 108 114 125 135 147
God is loving 21 23 33 36 59 68 86 89 100 103 106 116 118 130 136 138 145 146
God is righteous 36 45 65 89 92 96 98 99
God is just 9 10 17 52 72 75 82 99 109
God rules 2 9 21 24 33 45 46 47 48 62 72 75 76 82 87 93 96 97 99 103 108 113 123 125 135 145 146
God doesn’t change or get weak 135
God’s in control of the future 33 46 102 110 125
God knows the way to go 16 19 32 81 108 111 142
To ask God to show you the way to go 5 25 43 61 86 139 141 142 143
When you’ve been waiting a long time for God to act 37 126
Looking forward to Judgment Day 2 50 75 76 82 87 96 98
Jesus is coming back 2 24 45 47 72 76 82 96 98 110 146 150
When you’re glad Jesus came 85 98
When you’re down 6 9 13 25 42 69 70 88 89 102 107 113 116 126 142
When you feel nobody cares about you 88 134 142
When you feel God’s forgotten you 13 42 44 74 102 134 138
When you feel God’s rejected you 43 60 74 77 80 88 108
When you need God, but He seems far away 10 42 61 63 70 77 143
When you’ve been crying 6 31 42 43 56 69 80 88 107 116 126
When your heart’s broken 34
When you’re lonely 25
When you feel like being by yourself 11 55
When you think you don’t belong 118 120 137 142 146 147
After moving (when you wish you didn’t) 120 137
When you feel trapped 66 142
When you’re feeling small 8 39 90 108 113 131 134 138
Feeling like a loser 14 53 60
About trusting God 9 12 33 37 49 65 66 78 81 84 85 91 95 108 112 115 119 121 125 127
To trust and hope in God when you’re down 9 13 25 42 43 60 86 102 112 113 126 130
Trusting God in a difficult situation 4 11 13 23 25 27 28 31 34 46 54 55 56 57 59 61 62 89 91 94 102 105 107 123 138 143
To be hopeful in tough situations 42 43 54 57 138
When you love His word 1 12 19 33 111 119 147
To thank God for doing His word 12 56 111 138 147
To thank God for being good to you 16 18 21 23 36 65 66 67 84 86 92 100 103 113 116 126 138 145 147
To tell God you love Him 18 116 145
To cut loose and praise God 92 98 113 135 145 148 149 150
When you want (or don’t want) to go to church 100 122
God is good to You in this life, not just in heaven 27 36 103 138
Thinking about how God takes bad things and uses them for good 66 105 112 126
For really long road trips 119
When you only have time for a short Bible study 100 117 123 131 134
When world seems bigger than God 90
Do you want the Bible to keep you away From Sin, or Sin to keep you away from the Bible?
The Holy Bible is given by the inspiration of God and the Holy Spirit. And it is called the word of God, Word of Christ, Word of truth, Scripture of truth, Holy Scriptures, Book of the Lord, Sword of the Spirit, Oracles of God and the Law of the Lord.
God gave us the Bible for many reasons:
1. So we can know who He is. (Psalm 100:3),
2. To know that He (the Lord) is the one and only true God. (Jeremiah 10:10)
3. To know His words are always true (John 17:17 Psalm 119:42 Psalm 119:74)
4. To learn about people from the past. Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:6),
5. To understand we are sinners. ( Romans 3:23 Ecclesiastes 7:20)
6. To know that Jesus is God, and that Jesus is the Son of God.( 1 John 5:5 , John 1:1)
7. To show us we need a Savior. (Acts 4:12 , 2 Corinthians 5:21)
8. To know how to live. (Proverbs 8:33 Psalm 86:11),
9. It equips us to serve God (2 Timothy 3:17; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12),
10. It shows how to be saved from our sin and its ultimate consequence (2 Timothy 3:15)
11. To give us guidance in life, making us wiser than our teachers (Psalm 32:8, 119:99; Proverbs 1:6) etc
12. It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
13. To know that man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
14. To know how much God loves us (Romans 5:6-8; John 3:16).
15. To learn about Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:8).
16. To give us hope (Romans 15:4)
17. It gives us strength to do good things (1 Peter 2:2; Ephesians 3:3-5, 16, 17).
18. Our peace would multiply (Philippians 4:6-9; Psalm 85:8).
19. Our patience in difficult times would be maintained (Acts 20:32; Ephesians 4:1-3).
20. It helps us to cleanse our ways (Psalms 119:9) and to keep us from destructive paths (Psalms 17:4)
21. It promotes us to grow in grace (1 Peter 2:2) and Building up our faith (Acts 20:32)
22. It is Used against our spiritual enemies (Matthew 4:4, Matthew 4:7, Matthew 4:10)
23. It says that who search scriptures, are truly noble.( Acts 17:11)
24. It says that those who hear and obey, God blesses them.( Luke 11:28, James 1:25)
Final Conclusion: Ignorance of scriptures will be ignorance of God and Jesus Christ, by not reading and not meditating on the scriptures will allow us to be Alienation from God(Ephesians 4:18) ,to live in sinful lusts(1 Thessalonians 4:5, 1 Peter 1:14), to live in error(Matthew 22:29), not be able to identify the false preachers . If you do not read bible, sin increases, abortion increases, temptation increases, moral declination increases, sexual sins increases, violence increases, marriages fails, families fall apart, divorce increases, Single parent families increases, suicide increases, wickedness, unrighteousness and hypocrisy increases,Adultry and Premarital sex increases, Living together relationships increases ,Violent crimes such as Robbery, Assault, Bombings,murder,Alcohol and drug abuse , Extortion and Gang warfare, wars,Gunshootings,and crimes of all kinds increases, moral pollution increases, corruption in the Government and among the people increases, sexual perverters and sexual predators will increases, Division in the church members increases, God haters will increase. And finally because of all this many souls will land up in eternal fire.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:15-17
God gave us the Bible for many reasons:
1. So we can know who He is. (Psalm 100:3),
2. To know that He (the Lord) is the one and only true God. (Jeremiah 10:10)
3. To know His words are always true (John 17:17 Psalm 119:42 Psalm 119:74)
4. To learn about people from the past. Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:6),
5. To understand we are sinners. ( Romans 3:23 Ecclesiastes 7:20)
6. To know that Jesus is God, and that Jesus is the Son of God.( 1 John 5:5 , John 1:1)
7. To show us we need a Savior. (Acts 4:12 , 2 Corinthians 5:21)
8. To know how to live. (Proverbs 8:33 Psalm 86:11),
9. It equips us to serve God (2 Timothy 3:17; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12),
10. It shows how to be saved from our sin and its ultimate consequence (2 Timothy 3:15)
11. To give us guidance in life, making us wiser than our teachers (Psalm 32:8, 119:99; Proverbs 1:6) etc
12. It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
13. To know that man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
14. To know how much God loves us (Romans 5:6-8; John 3:16).
15. To learn about Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:8).
16. To give us hope (Romans 15:4)
17. It gives us strength to do good things (1 Peter 2:2; Ephesians 3:3-5, 16, 17).
18. Our peace would multiply (Philippians 4:6-9; Psalm 85:8).
19. Our patience in difficult times would be maintained (Acts 20:32; Ephesians 4:1-3).
20. It helps us to cleanse our ways (Psalms 119:9) and to keep us from destructive paths (Psalms 17:4)
21. It promotes us to grow in grace (1 Peter 2:2) and Building up our faith (Acts 20:32)
22. It is Used against our spiritual enemies (Matthew 4:4, Matthew 4:7, Matthew 4:10)
23. It says that who search scriptures, are truly noble.( Acts 17:11)
24. It says that those who hear and obey, God blesses them.( Luke 11:28, James 1:25)
Final Conclusion: Ignorance of scriptures will be ignorance of God and Jesus Christ, by not reading and not meditating on the scriptures will allow us to be Alienation from God(Ephesians 4:18) ,to live in sinful lusts(1 Thessalonians 4:5, 1 Peter 1:14), to live in error(Matthew 22:29), not be able to identify the false preachers . If you do not read bible, sin increases, abortion increases, temptation increases, moral declination increases, sexual sins increases, violence increases, marriages fails, families fall apart, divorce increases, Single parent families increases, suicide increases, wickedness, unrighteousness and hypocrisy increases,Adultry and Premarital sex increases, Living together relationships increases ,Violent crimes such as Robbery, Assault, Bombings,murder,Alcohol and drug abuse , Extortion and Gang warfare, wars,Gunshootings,and crimes of all kinds increases, moral pollution increases, corruption in the Government and among the people increases, sexual perverters and sexual predators will increases, Division in the church members increases, God haters will increase. And finally because of all this many souls will land up in eternal fire.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:15-17
Some Accuse Church for their Bible Illiteracy!
It’s not the sole responsibility of the church to teach bible it’s the individual responsibility to know the scriptures. Most of Christian denominations accuse that Catholics do not read bible. Catholics do read the Bible, and are encouraged by the Church to do so. First of all, Catholics read the Bible every day at the church, at home with their families. Catholic Mass (service) is conducted by reading the several passages from the Bible. Catholics protected the Bible over the centuries of wars, famines, plaques, the fall of Rome, fires, and threats from all sides. This was long before any other denomination existed. Parents have primarily and perhaps solely, responsible for the spiritual teaching of their children. Because the Bible is God's Word to our hearts; God's Word is for our Spirit. The true Christian reads the Bible for instruction and edification, wisdom and knowledge since The Bible is inspired by the God and hence even a common man can understand it.
Some people don’t understand bible because they don’t search the scriptures diligently and daily. Those who do not study will not understand; but it is their own fault. Matthew 22:29 - The Sadducees were in error because they did not know the Scriptures. But Jesus did not blame the Scriptures. He blamed the people. They could and should have studied enough to know the truth, the Spirit of Truth that teaches us all things. Only through the Spirit of God that the Word of God can be understood. I am firmly convinced that each and every believer has the individual responsibility to participate in his spiritual training, and to learn of our Lord Jesus Christ, just as He specifically instructed us.
To those who follow Jesus, the mysteries are revealed. Church can only teach, lead, and guide but its individual responsibility to read Gods word and get wisdom from Gods word its not sole responsibility of church to teach the believers to educate them in Bible. However, each individual is still responsible for his or her own spiritual journey.
Refference Verses:
Hebrews 5:14 - To be able to discern good from evil, we must have our senses exercised by reason of use. Some people do not know the truth, not because it cannot be understood, but simply because they have never studied it or because they have not been diligent in study.
He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:16
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
Some people do not understand truth because their minds have been blinded by false teaching. These false teachings may come from preachers, family, friends, or denominational creeds.
2 Corinthians 4:2-4 - The god of this age (Satan) blinds the minds of some people so the light of the gospel does not shine on them. This sometimes happens because teachers handle the word of God deceitfully.
Matthew 15:9, 14 - Following human doctrines makes worship vain. These doctrines are often taught by blind leaders. If we follow blindly, we will be lost like they are.
Note that we could and should check teachers out in God's word (Acts 17:11). That is why God is justified in condemning people who are deceived by false teachers. It is simply not true that we need to take a preacher's word for truth.
Galatians 1:6-9 - The Galatians were turning away from Christ because of the influence of people who were perverting the gospel of Christ. But they were not excused on the grounds they could not understand. Instead they should have compared what they were being taught to the gospel they had received from inspired men.
And all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29
And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9
If you have an intimate relationship with the God of the Bible, ask Him how He wants you to interpret His Word. Read the words that are there, and let the divine Teacher instruct you. You do not have to understand everything in the Word or be correct on every single teaching in order to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind. So many parents think they don’t have enough Bible knowledge to teach their children and they expect from churches or religious institutions to teach Bible for them. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you can read, you can teach your children God’s Word, and you can get educated in Gods word. Although all believers possess the Holy Spirit, who lives in them, not all believers allow the indwelling Spirit to affect their lives. The Holy Spirit has the power to teach, testify, guide into all truth. You don’t have to be a seminary-trained theologian or some church leader to read and teach the scriptures. The Bible is the story of God's relationship with the people he has called to himself. God has given us the Bible in an understandable form. We do not have to break codes or unravel riddles in order to understand the basic teaching of God’s Word. God gave the responsibility of spiritual training to the Parents and their primary responsibility for teaching God's words (Deut 6:6-7; Ep 6:4) and ways to their children, and sometimes the other people can teach them as well, like church etc. If any one has personal relationship with God he will seek God, he will read Gods word daily and he meditates on the scriptures day and night. Most of the protestant denominations keep accusing that Catholics are ignorant about Bible and they do not read bible. I am sure many do not read the Bible, just as I am sure that many Protestants do not read the Bible, either.
There are as many different ways to read the Bible some churches use the scriptures in the booklet form and read it and some churches take one verse of the Bible and gives lecture about hours together. The best place to read the Bible will be home with silent place one can focus, read, Understand, meditate on Gods word, Will bring a person closer to God, Will offer strength, comfort and hope that only the Scriptures provide it is not always necessary to join a religious community to educate ourselves in the scriptures.
God did not gave the word just for churches, he gave for all the people in the world (Romans 16:26) and he commanded all the people to seek him, to search the scriptures, to meditate on them. God gives his wisdom liberally to all men who ask him in faith (James 1:5-6); indeed, no one who hungers and thirsts for God's truth will be turned away, if he cries out to the Savior and applies himself to study the bible, for Jesus has invited us all with these words, “If anyone thirst, let him come unto me and drink” (John 7:37).Since Scriptures are the book of the Lord ,book of the law , sword of the spirit, oracles of the spirit it is written for our instruction Containing the promises of the gospel, his laws, statutes, and judgments of God, his divine prophecies, Testifying of Christ, Converting the soul, Producing faith, hope, obedience, Cleansing the heart and the ways, Promoting growth in grace, Building up in the faith, Rejoicing the heart, commanded to be read publicly to all (Deuteronomy 31:11-13, Nehemiah 8:3, Jeremiah 36:6, Acts 13:15),those who search makes them noble(Acts 17:11).Gods blessings will be on those who hear and obey them( James 1:25).
Paul tells Timothy to "give attention to the public reading of Scripture." (1Tim 4:13) Paul instructed that his letter to the Colossians be read publicly in the Collosian church and the Laodicean church. (Col 4:16) Ezra read the Law of Moses to the Jews restored to Israel out of captivity. (Neh 8:1-3) And Jesus participated in the public reading of Scripture in the synagogue. (Luke 4:16-21).
The primary purpose of the readings is to be itself an act of worship, celebrating God's story, power and wisdom and, above all, God's son. Whether some churches preaches the Gods word for hours or some churches may read in few sentences, it conveys the same message of God. If we really knew the love of God in an intimate way, our faith would work. Peter summed it all up in 2 Pet. 1:3 by saying, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue." The truly blessed person feeds upon the Word of God daily ( Psa 1:1-3; 119:97-98).
Scriptures are given by God to show us how to have a relationship with Him , if we are ignorant about scriptures that shows that we do not have intimate relationship with God and we are not searching the scriptures daily. Scriptures are able to make wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Some people don’t understand bible because they don’t search the scriptures diligently and daily. Those who do not study will not understand; but it is their own fault. Matthew 22:29 - The Sadducees were in error because they did not know the Scriptures. But Jesus did not blame the Scriptures. He blamed the people. They could and should have studied enough to know the truth, the Spirit of Truth that teaches us all things. Only through the Spirit of God that the Word of God can be understood. I am firmly convinced that each and every believer has the individual responsibility to participate in his spiritual training, and to learn of our Lord Jesus Christ, just as He specifically instructed us.
To those who follow Jesus, the mysteries are revealed. Church can only teach, lead, and guide but its individual responsibility to read Gods word and get wisdom from Gods word its not sole responsibility of church to teach the believers to educate them in Bible. However, each individual is still responsible for his or her own spiritual journey.
Refference Verses:
Hebrews 5:14 - To be able to discern good from evil, we must have our senses exercised by reason of use. Some people do not know the truth, not because it cannot be understood, but simply because they have never studied it or because they have not been diligent in study.
He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:16
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
Some people do not understand truth because their minds have been blinded by false teaching. These false teachings may come from preachers, family, friends, or denominational creeds.
2 Corinthians 4:2-4 - The god of this age (Satan) blinds the minds of some people so the light of the gospel does not shine on them. This sometimes happens because teachers handle the word of God deceitfully.
Matthew 15:9, 14 - Following human doctrines makes worship vain. These doctrines are often taught by blind leaders. If we follow blindly, we will be lost like they are.
Note that we could and should check teachers out in God's word (Acts 17:11). That is why God is justified in condemning people who are deceived by false teachers. It is simply not true that we need to take a preacher's word for truth.
Galatians 1:6-9 - The Galatians were turning away from Christ because of the influence of people who were perverting the gospel of Christ. But they were not excused on the grounds they could not understand. Instead they should have compared what they were being taught to the gospel they had received from inspired men.
And all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29
And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9
If you have an intimate relationship with the God of the Bible, ask Him how He wants you to interpret His Word. Read the words that are there, and let the divine Teacher instruct you. You do not have to understand everything in the Word or be correct on every single teaching in order to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind. So many parents think they don’t have enough Bible knowledge to teach their children and they expect from churches or religious institutions to teach Bible for them. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you can read, you can teach your children God’s Word, and you can get educated in Gods word. Although all believers possess the Holy Spirit, who lives in them, not all believers allow the indwelling Spirit to affect their lives. The Holy Spirit has the power to teach, testify, guide into all truth. You don’t have to be a seminary-trained theologian or some church leader to read and teach the scriptures. The Bible is the story of God's relationship with the people he has called to himself. God has given us the Bible in an understandable form. We do not have to break codes or unravel riddles in order to understand the basic teaching of God’s Word. God gave the responsibility of spiritual training to the Parents and their primary responsibility for teaching God's words (Deut 6:6-7; Ep 6:4) and ways to their children, and sometimes the other people can teach them as well, like church etc. If any one has personal relationship with God he will seek God, he will read Gods word daily and he meditates on the scriptures day and night. Most of the protestant denominations keep accusing that Catholics are ignorant about Bible and they do not read bible. I am sure many do not read the Bible, just as I am sure that many Protestants do not read the Bible, either.
There are as many different ways to read the Bible some churches use the scriptures in the booklet form and read it and some churches take one verse of the Bible and gives lecture about hours together. The best place to read the Bible will be home with silent place one can focus, read, Understand, meditate on Gods word, Will bring a person closer to God, Will offer strength, comfort and hope that only the Scriptures provide it is not always necessary to join a religious community to educate ourselves in the scriptures.
God did not gave the word just for churches, he gave for all the people in the world (Romans 16:26) and he commanded all the people to seek him, to search the scriptures, to meditate on them. God gives his wisdom liberally to all men who ask him in faith (James 1:5-6); indeed, no one who hungers and thirsts for God's truth will be turned away, if he cries out to the Savior and applies himself to study the bible, for Jesus has invited us all with these words, “If anyone thirst, let him come unto me and drink” (John 7:37).Since Scriptures are the book of the Lord ,book of the law , sword of the spirit, oracles of the spirit it is written for our instruction Containing the promises of the gospel, his laws, statutes, and judgments of God, his divine prophecies, Testifying of Christ, Converting the soul, Producing faith, hope, obedience, Cleansing the heart and the ways, Promoting growth in grace, Building up in the faith, Rejoicing the heart, commanded to be read publicly to all (Deuteronomy 31:11-13, Nehemiah 8:3, Jeremiah 36:6, Acts 13:15),those who search makes them noble(Acts 17:11).Gods blessings will be on those who hear and obey them( James 1:25).
Paul tells Timothy to "give attention to the public reading of Scripture." (1Tim 4:13) Paul instructed that his letter to the Colossians be read publicly in the Collosian church and the Laodicean church. (Col 4:16) Ezra read the Law of Moses to the Jews restored to Israel out of captivity. (Neh 8:1-3) And Jesus participated in the public reading of Scripture in the synagogue. (Luke 4:16-21).
The primary purpose of the readings is to be itself an act of worship, celebrating God's story, power and wisdom and, above all, God's son. Whether some churches preaches the Gods word for hours or some churches may read in few sentences, it conveys the same message of God. If we really knew the love of God in an intimate way, our faith would work. Peter summed it all up in 2 Pet. 1:3 by saying, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue." The truly blessed person feeds upon the Word of God daily ( Psa 1:1-3; 119:97-98).
Scriptures are given by God to show us how to have a relationship with Him , if we are ignorant about scriptures that shows that we do not have intimate relationship with God and we are not searching the scriptures daily. Scriptures are able to make wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Old Testament is just as inspired as New Testament. But still why many will ignore OT?
Most Christians like in pick and choose the bible verses to follow and ignore. The Old Testament lays the foundation for the teachings and events found in the New Testament. First, the Old Testament is of great importance to Christians because it is inspired of God (2 Tim. 3.16-17). Some Christians ignore the Old Testament and focus on the New, but only those who read the New in light of the Old can really learn what God is saying in His Word. The Old Testament provides a fore shadow of the blessing revealed in the New Testament (Hebrews 10: 1).
The old testament is very important because The Old Testament Tells the Beginning of Earth and the Human Race, it Records God's Relations with Men in Times Past, Gives Evidences to Support Our Faith, it shows the Evidence that God Exists and there is one true God, it shows the evidence that Bible is the word of God and inspired by God, it shows the evidence the promise of our savior Jesus Christ, in the new testament, it shows the Basic Nature and Needs of Man Have Never Changed, a complete picture of Gods amazing salvation plan is revealed, Proper understanding of the Old Testament helps us understand and appreciate the New Testament, it also shows that the nature of God has never changed. Without OT We would not be able to know what pleases Him and what angers Him and thus build a better relationship with Him. we also know that from the OT that God has always been: good and merciful; holy and just, condemning evil and rewarding good; all-knowing and all-powerful, worthy of praise and worship; faithful to His promises, etc. The Old Testament is also the Word of God just like the New Testament. God speaks to us also through the Old Testament. Without the Old Testament, we would not understand why this Messiah was coming Isaiah 53), and we would not have been able to identify Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah through the many detailed prophecies that were given concerning Him, e.g., His birthplace (Micah 5:2); His manner of death (Psalm 22:1, 7-8, 14-18; Psalm 69:21), His resurrection (Psalm 16:10), and many more details of His ministry (Isaiah 52:19, 9:2).
God made it very clear that the punishment of sin is death, by using the flood to destroy all life. However after the flood, He promised not to let history repeat itself. Does it mean that man would become sinless that God would never need to bring his wrath on mankind again? Gods anger is not only said in OT it is said even in NT as well .( Acts 5:1-10). Throughout the Old Testament we see God’s judgment and wrath poured out on sin. Likewise, in the New Testament we see that the wrath of God is still “being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness” (Romans 1:18). So, clearly, God is no different in the Old Testament than He is in the New Testament.
There are lots of Old Testament prophecies which were fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus' fulfillment of the Law does not give us license to sin or reason to ignore the Old Testament. He fulfilled the law by being the ultimate sacrifice and now, the ultimate high priest so that our bodies can be temples .Jesus used the Old Testament to show these disciples that He was the Christ the Old Testament foretold (John 3:14, Numbers 21:9). Paul warned those who continue in the Old Law must continue in all of it( Galatians 3:10) .In both testaments, we find all we need for eternal life and godly living (2 Timothy 3:15-17).Both OT and NT are inspired by the Holy spirit(Heb. 10.15-17)
The apostle Peter also affirmed the inspiration of the Old Testament. In 1 Pet. 1.10-11, he said:
Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them?
Jesus accepted all OT and NT of it as God's word and that no part of the Bible can be ignored. Jesus continually quoted Old Testament scripture to teach his disciples and criticize the Jewish pharmacies. He ridiculed, “Have you not read that which was spoken to you by God?” (Matthew 22:31) and “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?” (Mark 12:24). He also used stories from the Old Testament to teach, “Have you not read what David did?” (Matthew 12:3).
Jesus believed that the Old Testament was divinely inspired as he referred to the scriptures as “the commandment of God” (Matthew 15:3) and as the “word of god” (Matthew 15:6). He also taught Christians the infallibility of scripture when he stated, “Until Heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the law, until all is accomplished” (Matthew 5:18) and “the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35).
Jesus also confirmed many of the historical accounts in the Old Testament, such as the destruction of Sodom and the death of Lot’s wife (Matthew 10:15, Luke 17:29-32), the murder of Abel by his brother Cain (Luke 11:51), the calling of Moses (Mark 12:26), the manna given in the wilderness (John 6:31-51), and the judgment upon Tyre, Sidon and Sodom (Mathew 11:20-24).
Jesus even confirmed the most often rejected Old Testament stories, such as the creation story of Adam and Eve (Matthew 19:4-6), Noah and the great flood (Matthew 24:37-39), and the three days of Jonah spent in the belly of a great fish (Matthew 12:40).
Jesus always believed and obeyed the OT scriptures. He never changed the law or never came to destroy the law he only fulfilled.
Some False preachers corrupt the gospel and they teach different gospels, they are more concerned about popularity than purity comforting them in their sin rather than calling them to repentance and They will tell the people what they want to hear.
Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they also strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his wickedness. All of them are like Sodom to Me, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah” (Jeremiah 23:14).
Beware of false prophets, preachers and priests who tickle the itching ears of evildoers (2 Timothy 4:3,4).
Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:16).
Because of the neglect of the false prophets, the people did not repent: “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings” (Jeremiah 23:21,22).
Jesus being born a man but being also God perfectly fulfilled the law. He Himself had no sin but He obediently paid the price for the curse on man under God's perfect law. Atonement for sin brought into the world by Adam's disobedience was paid for by the obedience of God's Lamb by death on the cross. At the cross He took the curse upon Himself for it is written "cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree" (Gal 3:13). Satan with his wolves in sheep's clothing has corrupted the gospel.
Both Old Testament and New Testament make whole Bible which is God's inspired Word. Because it is inspired and trustworthy, we should read it and apply it to our lives. The Bible is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It is our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live. It is our only source of knowledge about how we can be saved (2 Timothy 4:16-17).
The old testament is very important because The Old Testament Tells the Beginning of Earth and the Human Race, it Records God's Relations with Men in Times Past, Gives Evidences to Support Our Faith, it shows the Evidence that God Exists and there is one true God, it shows the evidence that Bible is the word of God and inspired by God, it shows the evidence the promise of our savior Jesus Christ, in the new testament, it shows the Basic Nature and Needs of Man Have Never Changed, a complete picture of Gods amazing salvation plan is revealed, Proper understanding of the Old Testament helps us understand and appreciate the New Testament, it also shows that the nature of God has never changed. Without OT We would not be able to know what pleases Him and what angers Him and thus build a better relationship with Him. we also know that from the OT that God has always been: good and merciful; holy and just, condemning evil and rewarding good; all-knowing and all-powerful, worthy of praise and worship; faithful to His promises, etc. The Old Testament is also the Word of God just like the New Testament. God speaks to us also through the Old Testament. Without the Old Testament, we would not understand why this Messiah was coming Isaiah 53), and we would not have been able to identify Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah through the many detailed prophecies that were given concerning Him, e.g., His birthplace (Micah 5:2); His manner of death (Psalm 22:1, 7-8, 14-18; Psalm 69:21), His resurrection (Psalm 16:10), and many more details of His ministry (Isaiah 52:19, 9:2).
God made it very clear that the punishment of sin is death, by using the flood to destroy all life. However after the flood, He promised not to let history repeat itself. Does it mean that man would become sinless that God would never need to bring his wrath on mankind again? Gods anger is not only said in OT it is said even in NT as well .( Acts 5:1-10). Throughout the Old Testament we see God’s judgment and wrath poured out on sin. Likewise, in the New Testament we see that the wrath of God is still “being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness” (Romans 1:18). So, clearly, God is no different in the Old Testament than He is in the New Testament.
There are lots of Old Testament prophecies which were fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus' fulfillment of the Law does not give us license to sin or reason to ignore the Old Testament. He fulfilled the law by being the ultimate sacrifice and now, the ultimate high priest so that our bodies can be temples .Jesus used the Old Testament to show these disciples that He was the Christ the Old Testament foretold (John 3:14, Numbers 21:9). Paul warned those who continue in the Old Law must continue in all of it( Galatians 3:10) .In both testaments, we find all we need for eternal life and godly living (2 Timothy 3:15-17).Both OT and NT are inspired by the Holy spirit(Heb. 10.15-17)
The apostle Peter also affirmed the inspiration of the Old Testament. In 1 Pet. 1.10-11, he said:
Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them?
Jesus accepted all OT and NT of it as God's word and that no part of the Bible can be ignored. Jesus continually quoted Old Testament scripture to teach his disciples and criticize the Jewish pharmacies. He ridiculed, “Have you not read that which was spoken to you by God?” (Matthew 22:31) and “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?” (Mark 12:24). He also used stories from the Old Testament to teach, “Have you not read what David did?” (Matthew 12:3).
Jesus believed that the Old Testament was divinely inspired as he referred to the scriptures as “the commandment of God” (Matthew 15:3) and as the “word of god” (Matthew 15:6). He also taught Christians the infallibility of scripture when he stated, “Until Heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the law, until all is accomplished” (Matthew 5:18) and “the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35).
Jesus also confirmed many of the historical accounts in the Old Testament, such as the destruction of Sodom and the death of Lot’s wife (Matthew 10:15, Luke 17:29-32), the murder of Abel by his brother Cain (Luke 11:51), the calling of Moses (Mark 12:26), the manna given in the wilderness (John 6:31-51), and the judgment upon Tyre, Sidon and Sodom (Mathew 11:20-24).
Jesus even confirmed the most often rejected Old Testament stories, such as the creation story of Adam and Eve (Matthew 19:4-6), Noah and the great flood (Matthew 24:37-39), and the three days of Jonah spent in the belly of a great fish (Matthew 12:40).
Jesus always believed and obeyed the OT scriptures. He never changed the law or never came to destroy the law he only fulfilled.
Some False preachers corrupt the gospel and they teach different gospels, they are more concerned about popularity than purity comforting them in their sin rather than calling them to repentance and They will tell the people what they want to hear.
Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they also strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his wickedness. All of them are like Sodom to Me, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah” (Jeremiah 23:14).
Beware of false prophets, preachers and priests who tickle the itching ears of evildoers (2 Timothy 4:3,4).
Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:16).
Because of the neglect of the false prophets, the people did not repent: “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings” (Jeremiah 23:21,22).
Jesus being born a man but being also God perfectly fulfilled the law. He Himself had no sin but He obediently paid the price for the curse on man under God's perfect law. Atonement for sin brought into the world by Adam's disobedience was paid for by the obedience of God's Lamb by death on the cross. At the cross He took the curse upon Himself for it is written "cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree" (Gal 3:13). Satan with his wolves in sheep's clothing has corrupted the gospel.
Both Old Testament and New Testament make whole Bible which is God's inspired Word. Because it is inspired and trustworthy, we should read it and apply it to our lives. The Bible is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It is our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live. It is our only source of knowledge about how we can be saved (2 Timothy 4:16-17).
Bible says there is only One mediator between God and man
JOB 33:21 His flesh wastes away to nothing, and his bones, once hidden, now stick out. JOB 33:22 His soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the messengers of death. JOB 33:23 "Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him, JOB 33:24 to be gracious to him and say, Spare him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for him'-- JOB 33:25 then his flesh is renewed like a child's; it is restored as in the days of his youth . JOB 33:26 He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy, he is restored by God to his righteous state.
Here we have an example of an Angel acting as a mediator for a man who is about to die from sickness and sin and yet by the Angels mediation the man is restored to his health and his righteous state. By virtue of the Angels persuading intercessory prayer to God to have mercy on the man, the man was spared death. Contrast this to Jeremiah:
JER 15:1 Then the LORD said to me: "Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people. Send them away from my presence! Let them go!
Here we have God being very angry at Israel because of idolatry and God says that even if Moses and Samuel were to make intercession before his very throne he would not grant their request. Now this example is in the negative but it clearly shows that departed saints go before the very throne of God and make intercessory prayer for those of us on earth.
Looking at the Second Book of Maccabees we find an even more explicit example of intercession by departed and glorified Saints:
2 Maccabees 15:11 When he had armed each of them, not so much with the safety of shield and spear as with the encouragement of noble words, he cheered them all by relating a dream, a kind of vision, worthy of belief. 12 What he saw was this: Onias, the former high priest, a good and virtuous man, modest in appearance, gentle in manners, distinguished in speech, and trained from childhood in every virtuous practice, was praying with outstretched arms for the whole Jewish community. 13 Then in the same way another man appeared, distinguished by his white hair and dignity, and with an air about him of extraordinary, majestic authority. 14 Onias then said of him, "This is God's prophet Jeremiah, who loves his brethren and fervently prays for his people and their holy city." 15 Stretching out his right hand, Jeremiah presented a gold sword to Judas. As he gave it to him he said, 16 "Accept this holy sword as a gift from God; with it you shall crush your adversaries."
This passage of Scripture clearly shows us that departed Saints make intercession for those of us on earth who live their life in faith. If you will recall my previous Scripture citation of Matthew 22 where Jesus said at the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven....
Jesus said glorified Saints will be like the Angels in Heaven and Angels are ministering spirits to those of us on earth!
HEB 1:14 ?Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation??
Jesus said that those who die in Christ are transformed and will be like the Angels in heaven and that implies glorified and perfected heavenly Saints (the "spirits of just men made perfect" Hebrews 12:22-24) will like Angels be ministering spirits to the people of God on earth struggling in this life. The difference between Angels and glorified Saints is that the Saints in Heaven lived out their earthly lives through all the trials and tribulations, having their faith tested as gold is tested and purified by fire (1 Peter 1:6-9; 1 Cor 3:12-15).
The Saints in Heaven can perfectly relate to our struggles on earth and by virtue of that experience and knowledge they make perfect intercession before the very throne of God on our behalf. That is the very reason why we have Patron Saints such as Saint Joseph the Patron Saint of workers, Fathers, and husbands. A carpenter or an aircraft mechanic struggling in his skills or the fear of losing his job or a business may petition Saint Joseph who perfectly understands and can relate to this struggle and fear and can take that prayer to the very throne of God and -- just like the Angel in Job -- make perfect intercessory prayer to restore the man back to his health and save his life.
?And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.? (James 5:15-16 KJV).
This is exactly how God has designed his Kingdom so that not only are we dependent on God but also on each other and especially those glorified saints who have departed the earth to receive their eternal inheritance and rewards.
So then why does Saint Paul write to Timothy that there is only One mediator between God and man who is Jesus? The answer is because Jesus mediation role is unique as Jesus was the Lamb of God whose very sacrifice reconciled man back to God satisfying the penalty of eternal damnation sin brings. Such a supreme sacrifice has poured out the grace of God upon all flesh enabling us to receive mercy and grace from God so that we can grow in virtue and holiness through Christ. The mediation role of Saints is between man and Christ to keep us strong in Christ during the trials and tribulations we will have on earth.
The Apostle Paul warns us:
1CO 10:1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
1CO 10:6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did--and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did--and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did--and were killed by the destroying angel.
1CO 10:11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Even though Christ Jesus has bridged the gap for man to be reconciled to God and even though God gives us the grace to be strong, we ourselves are responsible for what we do with grace, we must cooperate with grace and that is a free will choice. God said that when we are greatly tempted he will make a way for us to escape; that way is through the intercession of the heavenly Saints as well as Angels who are ministering spirits for those of us who are destined and striving to finish the race laid out before us so that we may receive the crown of eternal life (2 Tim 4:8; James 1:12).
We who are struggling against the principalities and powers of dark forces in the heavenly realm must put on the full armor of God but that armor only covers the front, therefore it is the vital prayers of the Saints that cover our backs (Ephesians 6:11-18).
Without the help of Angels and Saints God has given us we may not even have the strength to put on the armor of God! The Devil?s battleground is the mind and it is there that he will try and destroy us. Without the prayers of the Saints we can so easily become weak and emotionally defeated but God knew this and designed his kingdom so that we would have a great deal of help available to us from Heaven.
Fundamentalists may argue that Jesus is all we need and yet the Fundamentalist has to admit that God has created and given us Angels. Therefore this argument falls flat, as such it could be implied that God doesn?t need the help of Angels either. Since we know God has created Angelic beings to be ministering spirits to those of us who shall inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14), conversely we also know he has rewarded those who have received the crown of life with authority and power (Wisdom 3:1-9; Rev 12:1) and now are sharing in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) to help those not yet perfected saints on earth who continue to work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
This is one of the very reasons why Moses and Elijah appeared before Jesus and the Apostles. Jesus received aid from heaven from both Angels and Saints sent by his Father, and we have that same help available to us from God our Father. The Father loves his Son and Jesus said that the love he received from the Father to take care of Him is also in us (John 17:26) ! If you are a Fundamentalist, an Evangelical, or a Reformed believer you may still be resisting my clear Scriptural case but the Bible teaches us exactly what I am saying. Let us look at the book of Hebrews which perfectly reflects and confirms everything I have presented in my case:
HEB 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
This passage in Hebrews clearly sums up my case by confirming and telling us that we can come to not only Jesus in prayer but to Angels and the Spirit of Righteous Men made perfect which is the glorified Saints in heaven. This passage of Scripture flies in the face of the arguments Fundamentalists may make as a last ditch effort to say that praying to anyone else other than God is worshipping another being. However, one has to just look back at Matthew 17:3 and we see Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah. If praying to the Blessed Mother Mary or to any other Saint constitutes worship then Jesus himself would have been worshipping Moses and Elijah. But the truth is that all Angels and Saints direct worship toward God and they themselves are servants of God. They have been rewarded with eternal treasures which includes ruling over nations and tongues by virtue of the power and grace which God has rewarded them. Consider this Scripture from the book of Wisdom:
Wisdom 3:1 But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. 2 They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction 3 and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. 4 For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; 5 Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. 6 As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.7 In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; 8 They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. 9 Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.
So now we see that as part of their eternal reward in heaven Saints are perfected and glorified and are given nations to judge and rule over just like the Prophet Jeremiah was given power to rule over and intercede for Israel in Second Maccabees.
Jesus spoke of the Vine and the Branches representing the one body of Christ:
JN 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Explicitly this verse is speaking of our earthly journey but implicitly this verse tells us that we are never separated from the vine once we experience a physical death, we forever remain part of the vine. If glorified Saints are the branches of that vine and we who remain in Christ on earth are part of that vine then we are all intimately connected together from heaven to earth. By virtue of that intimate connection we have the sacred and divine rite and privilege to receive help from our brothers and sisters who have finished the race and received the crown of eternal life. They are still part of the vine which we ourselves are attached.
Finally my brothers and sisters in Christ, as the writer of Hebrews says,
?...since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.? (Hebrews 12:1)
God has given us a great heavenly host to help us on our earthly journey. To call on them for help and prayer is not only showing our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ but their love for us! And that reflects an even greater glory, love, and worship to God who rewards those ahead of us to enable us to be rewarded ourselves as we draw from the heavenly host the help needed to finish the race laid out before us and endure to the end (Matthew 24:9-14).
In closing, let us examine the Apostle Paul?s Epistle to the Corinthians:
1CO 13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Clearly we can see this verse refers to our perfection in heaven, there is perfect love which is shown in the mercy of prayer and aid from the glorified and perfected Saints. God has not left us as orphans and when our family members die in Christ they are still with us praying for us and eager to receive our prayer request to take to the very throne of God. Love never stops, even on the other side of eternity we cannot be separated from God or our departed loved ones, for those who have gone on in glory shall forever remain connected to the Vine which is Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
The earliest Christian believers and ecclesiastical writers certainly believed in the Catholic doctrine of the communion and intercession of the Saints and Angels in heaven:
New Testament
Matt. 5:44-45 - Jesus tells us to pray for (to mediate on behalf of) those who persecute us. God instructs us to mediate.
Matt. 17:1-3; Mark 9:4; Luke 9:30-31 ? deceased Moses and Elijah appear at the Transfiguration to converse with Jesus in the presence of Peter, James and John (these may be the two ?witnesses? John refers to in Rev. 11:3). Nothing in Scripture ever suggests that God abhors or cuts off communication between the living in heaven and the living on earth. To the contrary, God encourages communication within the communion of saints. Moses and Elijah?s appearance on earth also teach us that the saints in heaven have capabilities that far surpass our limitations on earth.
Matt. 26:53 ? Jesus says He can call upon the assistance of twelve legions of angels. If Jesus said He could ask for the assistance of angel saints, then so can we, who are called to imitate Jesus in word and in deed. And, in Matt. 22:30, Jesus says we will be ?like angels in heaven.? This means human saints (like the angel saints) can be called upon to assist people on earth. God allows and encourages this interaction between his family members.
Matt. 27:47,49; Mark 15:35-36 ? the people believe that Jesus calls on Elijah for his intercession, and waits to see if Elijah would come to save Jesus on the cross.
Matt. 27:52-53 - at Jesus' passion, many saints were raised and went into the city to appear and presumably interact with the people, just as Jesus did after His resurrection.
Mark 11:24 - Jesus says that whatever we ask in prayer, we will receive it. It is Jesus, and also we through Jesus, who mediate.
John 2:3 - Jesus knew the wine was gone, but invites and responds to Mary's intercession. God desires our lesser mediation and responds to it because He is a living and loving God.
John 2:5 - Mary intercedes on behalf of those at the wedding feast and tells them to do whatever Jesus tells them. Because Mary is our perfect model of faith, we too intercede on behalf of our brothers and sisters.
John 2:11 - in fact, it was Mary's intercession that started Jesus' ministry. His hour had not yet come, yet Jesus responds to Mary's intercession. Even though He could do it all by Himself, God wants to work with His children.
Acts 12:7 ? an angel strikes Peter on the side and wakes him up, freeing him from prison. The angel responds to Peter?s prayers.
Rom. 15:30 - Paul commands the family of God to pray for him. If we are united together in the one body of Christ, we can help each other.
2 Cor. 1:11 - Paul even suggests that the more prayers and the more people who pray, the merrier! Prayer is even more effective when united with other's prayers.
2 Cor. 9:14 - Paul says that the earthly saints pray for the Corinthians. They are subordinate mediators in Christ.
2 Cor. 13:7,9 - Paul says the elders pray that the Corinthians may do right and improve. They participate in Christ's mediation.
Gal. 6:2,10 - Paul charges us to bear one another's burdens, and to do good to all, especially those in the household of faith.
Eph. 6:18 - Paul commands the family of God to pray for each other.
Eph. 6:19 - Paul commands that the Ephesians pray for him. If there is only one mediator, why would Paul ask for their prayers?
Phil. 1:19 - Paul acknowledges power of Philippians' earthly intercession. He will be delivered by their prayers and the Holy Spirit.
Col. 1:3 - Paul says that he and the elders pray for the Colossians. They are subordinate mediators in the body of Christ.
Col. 1:9 - Paul says that he and the elders have not ceased to pray for the Colossians, and that, by interceding, they may gain wisdom.
Col. 4:4 - Paul commands the Colossians to pray for the elders of the Church so that God may open a door for the word. Why doesn't Paul just leave it up to God? Because subordinate mediation is acceptable and pleasing to God, and brings about change in the world. This is as mysterious as the Incarnation, but it is true.
1 Thess. 5:11 - Paul charges us to encourage one another and build one another up, in the body of Christ. We do this as mediators in Christ.
1 Thess. 5:17 - Paul says "pray constantly." If Jesus' role as mediator does not apply subordinately to us, why pray at all?
1 Thess. 5:25 - Paul commands the family of God to pray for the elders of the Church. He desires our subordinate mediation.
2 Thess. 1:11 - Paul tells the family of God that he prays for us. We participate in Christ's mediation because Christ desires this.
2 Thess. 3:1 - Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for Him, Silvanus and Timothy so that they may be delivered.
1 Tim. 2:1-3 - Paul commands us to pray for all. Paul also states that these prayers are acceptable in the sight of God.
2 Tim. 1:3 ? Paul says ?I remember you constantly in my prayers.?
Philemon 22 - Paul is hoping through Philemon's intercession that he may be able to be with Philemon.
Heb. 1:14 ? the author writes, ?Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation??
Hebrews 13:18-19 - the author strongly urges the Hebrews to pray for the elders so that they act desirably in all things.
James 5:14-15- James says the prayer of the priests over the sick man will save the sick man and forgive his sins. This is a powerful example of men forgiving sins and bringing a person to salvation with the sacrament of the sick.
James 5:16 - James instructs us to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another so that we may be healed.
James 5:17-18 - James refers to God's response to Elijah's fervent prayer for no rain. He is teaching us about the effectiveness of our earthly mediation.
1 John 5:14-15 - John is confident that God will grant us anything we ask of God according to His will.
1 John 5:16-17 - our prayers for others even calls God to give life to them and keep them from sinning. Our God is a personal and living God who responds to our prayers.
3 John 2 - John prays for Gaius' health and thus acts as a subordinate mediator.
Rev. 1:4 ? this verse shows that angels (here, the seven spirits) give grace and peace. Because grace and peace only come from God, the angels are acting as mediators for God.
Rev. 5:8 - the prayers of the saints (on heaven and earth) are presented to God by the angels and saints in heaven. This shows that the saints intercede on our behalf before God, and it also demonstrates that our prayers on earth are united with their prayers in heaven. (The ?24 elders? are said to refer to the people of God ? perhaps the 12 tribes and 12 apostles - and the ?four living creatures? are said to refer to the angels.)
Rev. 6:9-11 ? the martyred saints in heaven cry out in a loud voice to God to avenge their blood ?on those who dwell upon the earth.? These are ?imprecatory prayers,? which are pleas for God?s judgment (see similar prayers in Psalm 35:1; 59:1-17; 139:19; Jer. 11:20; 15:15; 18:19; Zech.1:12-13). This means that the saints in heaven are praying for those on earth, and God answers their prayers (Rev. 8:1-5). We, therefore, ask for their intercession and protection.
Rev. 8:3-4 ? in heaven an angel mingles incense with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne of God, and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. These prayers ?rise up? before God and elicit various kinds of earthly activity. God responds to his children?s requests, whether made by his children on earth or in heaven.
Old Testament
Gen. 20:17 - God responds to Abraham's intercession and heals Abimelech, and also his wife and slaves.
Gen. 27:29; Num. 24:9 - blessed be everyone who blesses you. If we bless others in prayer, we are also blessed.
Exodus 32:11-14, 30-34; 34:9; Num. 14:17-20; 21:7-9 - these are many examples of God's response to Moses' saintly intercession.
1 Sam. 12:23 - Samuel says that he would be sinning against God if he didn't continue to intercede for the people of Israel.
1 Sam. 28:7-20 ? the deceased prophet Samuel appears and converses with Saul, which is confirmed by Sirach 46:13,20).
1 Sam. 28:7; 1 Chron. 10:13-14 - Saul practiced necromancy. He used a medium, not God, to seek the dead and was therefore condemned. Saul's practice is entirely at odds with the Catholic understanding of saintly mediation, where God is the source and channel of all communication, and who permits His children to participate in this power.
2 Chron. 30:27 - the prayers of the priests and Levites came before God's holy habitation in heaven and were answered.
Tobit 12:12,15 - angels place Tobit and Sarah's prayers before the Holy One. This teaches us that the angels are also our subordinate mediators. We pray to the angels to take up our prayers to God.
Job 42:7-9 - Job prayed for three friends in sin and God listened to Job as a result of these prayers.
Psalm 34:7 ? the angel of the Lord delivers those who fear him.
Psalm 91:11 ? God will give His angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 103:20-21; 148:1-2 ? we praise the angels and ask for their assistance in doing God?s will.
Psalm 141:2 - David asks that his prayer be counted as incense before God. The prayers of the saints have powerful effects.
Isaiah 6:6-7 - an angel touches Isaiah's lips and declares that his sin is forgiven. The angel is a subordinate mediator of God who effects the forgiveness of sins on God?s behalf.
Jer. 7:16 - God acknowledges the people's ability to intercede, but refuses to answer due to the hardness of heart.
Jer. 15:1 ? the Lord acknowledges the intercessory power of Moses and Samuel.
Jer. 37:3 - king Zedekiah sends messengers to ask Jeremiah to intercede for the people, that he might pray to God for them.
Jer. 42:1-6 - all the people of Israel went before Jeremiah asking for his intercession, that he would pray to the Lord for them.
Baruch 3:4 - Baruch asks the Lord to hear the prayers of the dead of Israel. They can intercede on behalf of the people of God.
Dan. 9:20-23 - Daniel intercedes on behalf of the people of Israel confessing both his sins and the sins of the people before God.
Zech. 1:12-13 - an angel intercedes for those in Judea and God responds favorably.
2 Macc. 15:12-16 ? the high priest Onias and the prophet Jeremiah were deceased for centuries, and yet interact with the living Judas Maccabeas and pray for the holy people on earth.
Here we have an example of an Angel acting as a mediator for a man who is about to die from sickness and sin and yet by the Angels mediation the man is restored to his health and his righteous state. By virtue of the Angels persuading intercessory prayer to God to have mercy on the man, the man was spared death. Contrast this to Jeremiah:
JER 15:1 Then the LORD said to me: "Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people. Send them away from my presence! Let them go!
Here we have God being very angry at Israel because of idolatry and God says that even if Moses and Samuel were to make intercession before his very throne he would not grant their request. Now this example is in the negative but it clearly shows that departed saints go before the very throne of God and make intercessory prayer for those of us on earth.
Looking at the Second Book of Maccabees we find an even more explicit example of intercession by departed and glorified Saints:
2 Maccabees 15:11 When he had armed each of them, not so much with the safety of shield and spear as with the encouragement of noble words, he cheered them all by relating a dream, a kind of vision, worthy of belief. 12 What he saw was this: Onias, the former high priest, a good and virtuous man, modest in appearance, gentle in manners, distinguished in speech, and trained from childhood in every virtuous practice, was praying with outstretched arms for the whole Jewish community. 13 Then in the same way another man appeared, distinguished by his white hair and dignity, and with an air about him of extraordinary, majestic authority. 14 Onias then said of him, "This is God's prophet Jeremiah, who loves his brethren and fervently prays for his people and their holy city." 15 Stretching out his right hand, Jeremiah presented a gold sword to Judas. As he gave it to him he said, 16 "Accept this holy sword as a gift from God; with it you shall crush your adversaries."
This passage of Scripture clearly shows us that departed Saints make intercession for those of us on earth who live their life in faith. If you will recall my previous Scripture citation of Matthew 22 where Jesus said at the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven....
Jesus said glorified Saints will be like the Angels in Heaven and Angels are ministering spirits to those of us on earth!
HEB 1:14 ?Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation??
Jesus said that those who die in Christ are transformed and will be like the Angels in heaven and that implies glorified and perfected heavenly Saints (the "spirits of just men made perfect" Hebrews 12:22-24) will like Angels be ministering spirits to the people of God on earth struggling in this life. The difference between Angels and glorified Saints is that the Saints in Heaven lived out their earthly lives through all the trials and tribulations, having their faith tested as gold is tested and purified by fire (1 Peter 1:6-9; 1 Cor 3:12-15).
The Saints in Heaven can perfectly relate to our struggles on earth and by virtue of that experience and knowledge they make perfect intercession before the very throne of God on our behalf. That is the very reason why we have Patron Saints such as Saint Joseph the Patron Saint of workers, Fathers, and husbands. A carpenter or an aircraft mechanic struggling in his skills or the fear of losing his job or a business may petition Saint Joseph who perfectly understands and can relate to this struggle and fear and can take that prayer to the very throne of God and -- just like the Angel in Job -- make perfect intercessory prayer to restore the man back to his health and save his life.
?And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.? (James 5:15-16 KJV).
This is exactly how God has designed his Kingdom so that not only are we dependent on God but also on each other and especially those glorified saints who have departed the earth to receive their eternal inheritance and rewards.
So then why does Saint Paul write to Timothy that there is only One mediator between God and man who is Jesus? The answer is because Jesus mediation role is unique as Jesus was the Lamb of God whose very sacrifice reconciled man back to God satisfying the penalty of eternal damnation sin brings. Such a supreme sacrifice has poured out the grace of God upon all flesh enabling us to receive mercy and grace from God so that we can grow in virtue and holiness through Christ. The mediation role of Saints is between man and Christ to keep us strong in Christ during the trials and tribulations we will have on earth.
The Apostle Paul warns us:
1CO 10:1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
1CO 10:6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did--and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did--and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did--and were killed by the destroying angel.
1CO 10:11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Even though Christ Jesus has bridged the gap for man to be reconciled to God and even though God gives us the grace to be strong, we ourselves are responsible for what we do with grace, we must cooperate with grace and that is a free will choice. God said that when we are greatly tempted he will make a way for us to escape; that way is through the intercession of the heavenly Saints as well as Angels who are ministering spirits for those of us who are destined and striving to finish the race laid out before us so that we may receive the crown of eternal life (2 Tim 4:8; James 1:12).
We who are struggling against the principalities and powers of dark forces in the heavenly realm must put on the full armor of God but that armor only covers the front, therefore it is the vital prayers of the Saints that cover our backs (Ephesians 6:11-18).
Without the help of Angels and Saints God has given us we may not even have the strength to put on the armor of God! The Devil?s battleground is the mind and it is there that he will try and destroy us. Without the prayers of the Saints we can so easily become weak and emotionally defeated but God knew this and designed his kingdom so that we would have a great deal of help available to us from Heaven.
Fundamentalists may argue that Jesus is all we need and yet the Fundamentalist has to admit that God has created and given us Angels. Therefore this argument falls flat, as such it could be implied that God doesn?t need the help of Angels either. Since we know God has created Angelic beings to be ministering spirits to those of us who shall inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14), conversely we also know he has rewarded those who have received the crown of life with authority and power (Wisdom 3:1-9; Rev 12:1) and now are sharing in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) to help those not yet perfected saints on earth who continue to work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
This is one of the very reasons why Moses and Elijah appeared before Jesus and the Apostles. Jesus received aid from heaven from both Angels and Saints sent by his Father, and we have that same help available to us from God our Father. The Father loves his Son and Jesus said that the love he received from the Father to take care of Him is also in us (John 17:26) ! If you are a Fundamentalist, an Evangelical, or a Reformed believer you may still be resisting my clear Scriptural case but the Bible teaches us exactly what I am saying. Let us look at the book of Hebrews which perfectly reflects and confirms everything I have presented in my case:
HEB 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
This passage in Hebrews clearly sums up my case by confirming and telling us that we can come to not only Jesus in prayer but to Angels and the Spirit of Righteous Men made perfect which is the glorified Saints in heaven. This passage of Scripture flies in the face of the arguments Fundamentalists may make as a last ditch effort to say that praying to anyone else other than God is worshipping another being. However, one has to just look back at Matthew 17:3 and we see Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah. If praying to the Blessed Mother Mary or to any other Saint constitutes worship then Jesus himself would have been worshipping Moses and Elijah. But the truth is that all Angels and Saints direct worship toward God and they themselves are servants of God. They have been rewarded with eternal treasures which includes ruling over nations and tongues by virtue of the power and grace which God has rewarded them. Consider this Scripture from the book of Wisdom:
Wisdom 3:1 But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. 2 They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction 3 and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. 4 For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; 5 Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. 6 As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.7 In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; 8 They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. 9 Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.
So now we see that as part of their eternal reward in heaven Saints are perfected and glorified and are given nations to judge and rule over just like the Prophet Jeremiah was given power to rule over and intercede for Israel in Second Maccabees.
Jesus spoke of the Vine and the Branches representing the one body of Christ:
JN 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Explicitly this verse is speaking of our earthly journey but implicitly this verse tells us that we are never separated from the vine once we experience a physical death, we forever remain part of the vine. If glorified Saints are the branches of that vine and we who remain in Christ on earth are part of that vine then we are all intimately connected together from heaven to earth. By virtue of that intimate connection we have the sacred and divine rite and privilege to receive help from our brothers and sisters who have finished the race and received the crown of eternal life. They are still part of the vine which we ourselves are attached.
Finally my brothers and sisters in Christ, as the writer of Hebrews says,
?...since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.? (Hebrews 12:1)
God has given us a great heavenly host to help us on our earthly journey. To call on them for help and prayer is not only showing our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ but their love for us! And that reflects an even greater glory, love, and worship to God who rewards those ahead of us to enable us to be rewarded ourselves as we draw from the heavenly host the help needed to finish the race laid out before us and endure to the end (Matthew 24:9-14).
In closing, let us examine the Apostle Paul?s Epistle to the Corinthians:
1CO 13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Clearly we can see this verse refers to our perfection in heaven, there is perfect love which is shown in the mercy of prayer and aid from the glorified and perfected Saints. God has not left us as orphans and when our family members die in Christ they are still with us praying for us and eager to receive our prayer request to take to the very throne of God. Love never stops, even on the other side of eternity we cannot be separated from God or our departed loved ones, for those who have gone on in glory shall forever remain connected to the Vine which is Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
The earliest Christian believers and ecclesiastical writers certainly believed in the Catholic doctrine of the communion and intercession of the Saints and Angels in heaven:
New Testament
Matt. 5:44-45 - Jesus tells us to pray for (to mediate on behalf of) those who persecute us. God instructs us to mediate.
Matt. 17:1-3; Mark 9:4; Luke 9:30-31 ? deceased Moses and Elijah appear at the Transfiguration to converse with Jesus in the presence of Peter, James and John (these may be the two ?witnesses? John refers to in Rev. 11:3). Nothing in Scripture ever suggests that God abhors or cuts off communication between the living in heaven and the living on earth. To the contrary, God encourages communication within the communion of saints. Moses and Elijah?s appearance on earth also teach us that the saints in heaven have capabilities that far surpass our limitations on earth.
Matt. 26:53 ? Jesus says He can call upon the assistance of twelve legions of angels. If Jesus said He could ask for the assistance of angel saints, then so can we, who are called to imitate Jesus in word and in deed. And, in Matt. 22:30, Jesus says we will be ?like angels in heaven.? This means human saints (like the angel saints) can be called upon to assist people on earth. God allows and encourages this interaction between his family members.
Matt. 27:47,49; Mark 15:35-36 ? the people believe that Jesus calls on Elijah for his intercession, and waits to see if Elijah would come to save Jesus on the cross.
Matt. 27:52-53 - at Jesus' passion, many saints were raised and went into the city to appear and presumably interact with the people, just as Jesus did after His resurrection.
Mark 11:24 - Jesus says that whatever we ask in prayer, we will receive it. It is Jesus, and also we through Jesus, who mediate.
John 2:3 - Jesus knew the wine was gone, but invites and responds to Mary's intercession. God desires our lesser mediation and responds to it because He is a living and loving God.
John 2:5 - Mary intercedes on behalf of those at the wedding feast and tells them to do whatever Jesus tells them. Because Mary is our perfect model of faith, we too intercede on behalf of our brothers and sisters.
John 2:11 - in fact, it was Mary's intercession that started Jesus' ministry. His hour had not yet come, yet Jesus responds to Mary's intercession. Even though He could do it all by Himself, God wants to work with His children.
Acts 12:7 ? an angel strikes Peter on the side and wakes him up, freeing him from prison. The angel responds to Peter?s prayers.
Rom. 15:30 - Paul commands the family of God to pray for him. If we are united together in the one body of Christ, we can help each other.
2 Cor. 1:11 - Paul even suggests that the more prayers and the more people who pray, the merrier! Prayer is even more effective when united with other's prayers.
2 Cor. 9:14 - Paul says that the earthly saints pray for the Corinthians. They are subordinate mediators in Christ.
2 Cor. 13:7,9 - Paul says the elders pray that the Corinthians may do right and improve. They participate in Christ's mediation.
Gal. 6:2,10 - Paul charges us to bear one another's burdens, and to do good to all, especially those in the household of faith.
Eph. 6:18 - Paul commands the family of God to pray for each other.
Eph. 6:19 - Paul commands that the Ephesians pray for him. If there is only one mediator, why would Paul ask for their prayers?
Phil. 1:19 - Paul acknowledges power of Philippians' earthly intercession. He will be delivered by their prayers and the Holy Spirit.
Col. 1:3 - Paul says that he and the elders pray for the Colossians. They are subordinate mediators in the body of Christ.
Col. 1:9 - Paul says that he and the elders have not ceased to pray for the Colossians, and that, by interceding, they may gain wisdom.
Col. 4:4 - Paul commands the Colossians to pray for the elders of the Church so that God may open a door for the word. Why doesn't Paul just leave it up to God? Because subordinate mediation is acceptable and pleasing to God, and brings about change in the world. This is as mysterious as the Incarnation, but it is true.
1 Thess. 5:11 - Paul charges us to encourage one another and build one another up, in the body of Christ. We do this as mediators in Christ.
1 Thess. 5:17 - Paul says "pray constantly." If Jesus' role as mediator does not apply subordinately to us, why pray at all?
1 Thess. 5:25 - Paul commands the family of God to pray for the elders of the Church. He desires our subordinate mediation.
2 Thess. 1:11 - Paul tells the family of God that he prays for us. We participate in Christ's mediation because Christ desires this.
2 Thess. 3:1 - Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for Him, Silvanus and Timothy so that they may be delivered.
1 Tim. 2:1-3 - Paul commands us to pray for all. Paul also states that these prayers are acceptable in the sight of God.
2 Tim. 1:3 ? Paul says ?I remember you constantly in my prayers.?
Philemon 22 - Paul is hoping through Philemon's intercession that he may be able to be with Philemon.
Heb. 1:14 ? the author writes, ?Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation??
Hebrews 13:18-19 - the author strongly urges the Hebrews to pray for the elders so that they act desirably in all things.
James 5:14-15- James says the prayer of the priests over the sick man will save the sick man and forgive his sins. This is a powerful example of men forgiving sins and bringing a person to salvation with the sacrament of the sick.
James 5:16 - James instructs us to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another so that we may be healed.
James 5:17-18 - James refers to God's response to Elijah's fervent prayer for no rain. He is teaching us about the effectiveness of our earthly mediation.
1 John 5:14-15 - John is confident that God will grant us anything we ask of God according to His will.
1 John 5:16-17 - our prayers for others even calls God to give life to them and keep them from sinning. Our God is a personal and living God who responds to our prayers.
3 John 2 - John prays for Gaius' health and thus acts as a subordinate mediator.
Rev. 1:4 ? this verse shows that angels (here, the seven spirits) give grace and peace. Because grace and peace only come from God, the angels are acting as mediators for God.
Rev. 5:8 - the prayers of the saints (on heaven and earth) are presented to God by the angels and saints in heaven. This shows that the saints intercede on our behalf before God, and it also demonstrates that our prayers on earth are united with their prayers in heaven. (The ?24 elders? are said to refer to the people of God ? perhaps the 12 tribes and 12 apostles - and the ?four living creatures? are said to refer to the angels.)
Rev. 6:9-11 ? the martyred saints in heaven cry out in a loud voice to God to avenge their blood ?on those who dwell upon the earth.? These are ?imprecatory prayers,? which are pleas for God?s judgment (see similar prayers in Psalm 35:1; 59:1-17; 139:19; Jer. 11:20; 15:15; 18:19; Zech.1:12-13). This means that the saints in heaven are praying for those on earth, and God answers their prayers (Rev. 8:1-5). We, therefore, ask for their intercession and protection.
Rev. 8:3-4 ? in heaven an angel mingles incense with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne of God, and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. These prayers ?rise up? before God and elicit various kinds of earthly activity. God responds to his children?s requests, whether made by his children on earth or in heaven.
Old Testament
Gen. 20:17 - God responds to Abraham's intercession and heals Abimelech, and also his wife and slaves.
Gen. 27:29; Num. 24:9 - blessed be everyone who blesses you. If we bless others in prayer, we are also blessed.
Exodus 32:11-14, 30-34; 34:9; Num. 14:17-20; 21:7-9 - these are many examples of God's response to Moses' saintly intercession.
1 Sam. 12:23 - Samuel says that he would be sinning against God if he didn't continue to intercede for the people of Israel.
1 Sam. 28:7-20 ? the deceased prophet Samuel appears and converses with Saul, which is confirmed by Sirach 46:13,20).
1 Sam. 28:7; 1 Chron. 10:13-14 - Saul practiced necromancy. He used a medium, not God, to seek the dead and was therefore condemned. Saul's practice is entirely at odds with the Catholic understanding of saintly mediation, where God is the source and channel of all communication, and who permits His children to participate in this power.
2 Chron. 30:27 - the prayers of the priests and Levites came before God's holy habitation in heaven and were answered.
Tobit 12:12,15 - angels place Tobit and Sarah's prayers before the Holy One. This teaches us that the angels are also our subordinate mediators. We pray to the angels to take up our prayers to God.
Job 42:7-9 - Job prayed for three friends in sin and God listened to Job as a result of these prayers.
Psalm 34:7 ? the angel of the Lord delivers those who fear him.
Psalm 91:11 ? God will give His angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 103:20-21; 148:1-2 ? we praise the angels and ask for their assistance in doing God?s will.
Psalm 141:2 - David asks that his prayer be counted as incense before God. The prayers of the saints have powerful effects.
Isaiah 6:6-7 - an angel touches Isaiah's lips and declares that his sin is forgiven. The angel is a subordinate mediator of God who effects the forgiveness of sins on God?s behalf.
Jer. 7:16 - God acknowledges the people's ability to intercede, but refuses to answer due to the hardness of heart.
Jer. 15:1 ? the Lord acknowledges the intercessory power of Moses and Samuel.
Jer. 37:3 - king Zedekiah sends messengers to ask Jeremiah to intercede for the people, that he might pray to God for them.
Jer. 42:1-6 - all the people of Israel went before Jeremiah asking for his intercession, that he would pray to the Lord for them.
Baruch 3:4 - Baruch asks the Lord to hear the prayers of the dead of Israel. They can intercede on behalf of the people of God.
Dan. 9:20-23 - Daniel intercedes on behalf of the people of Israel confessing both his sins and the sins of the people before God.
Zech. 1:12-13 - an angel intercedes for those in Judea and God responds favorably.
2 Macc. 15:12-16 ? the high priest Onias and the prophet Jeremiah were deceased for centuries, and yet interact with the living Judas Maccabeas and pray for the holy people on earth.
Blessings From Obeying God
(Genesis 22:18 NIV) and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
(Exodus 15:26 NIV) He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."
(Exodus 23:22 NIV) If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you.
(Deuteronomy 4:39-40 NIV) Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. {40} Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.
(Deuteronomy 5:29 NIV) Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!
(Deuteronomy 7:9-15 NIV) Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. {10} But those who hate him he will repay to their face by destruction; he will not be slow to repay to their face those who hate him. {11} Therefore, take care to follow the commands, decrees and laws I give you today. {12} If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers. {13} He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land--your grain, new wine and oil--the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land that he swore to your forefathers to give you. {14} You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless, nor any of your livestock without young. {15} The LORD will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you.
(Deuteronomy 11:26-28 NIV) See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse-- {27} the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; {28} the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.
(Deuteronomy 12:28 NIV) Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the LORD your God.
(Deuteronomy 28:1-20 NIV) If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. {2} All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: {3} You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. {4} The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock--the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. {5} Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. {6} You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. {7} The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. {8} The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. {9} The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. {10} Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. {11} The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity--in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground--in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you. {12} The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. {13} The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. {14} Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them. {15} However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: {16} You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. {17} Your basket and your kneading trough will be cursed. {18} The fruit of your womb will be cursed, and the crops of your land, and the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. {19} You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out. {20} The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him.
(Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NIV) This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live {20} and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
(1 Samuel 15:22-23 NIV) But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. {23} For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."
(2 Chronicles 26:5 NIV) He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.
(Proverbs 3:1-6 NIV) My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, {2} for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. {3} Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. {4} Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. {5} Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; {6} in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
(Proverbs 16:7 NIV) When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
(Isaiah 58:6-14 NIV) "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? {7} Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? {8} Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. {9} Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, {10} and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. {11} The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. {12} Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. {13} "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, {14} then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
(Jeremiah 7:23-24 NIV) but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. {24} But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.
(John 10:27-29 NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. {28} I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. {29} My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
(John 14:15-18 NIV) "If you love me, you will obey what I command. {16} And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- {17} the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. {18} I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
(John 14:23-24 NIV) Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. {24} He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
(John 15:7-14 NIV) If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. {8} This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. {9} "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. {10} If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. {11} I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. {12} My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. {13} Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. {14} You are my friends if you do what I command.
(Exodus 15:26 NIV) He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."
(Exodus 23:22 NIV) If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you.
(Deuteronomy 4:39-40 NIV) Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. {40} Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.
(Deuteronomy 5:29 NIV) Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!
(Deuteronomy 7:9-15 NIV) Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. {10} But those who hate him he will repay to their face by destruction; he will not be slow to repay to their face those who hate him. {11} Therefore, take care to follow the commands, decrees and laws I give you today. {12} If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers. {13} He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land--your grain, new wine and oil--the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land that he swore to your forefathers to give you. {14} You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless, nor any of your livestock without young. {15} The LORD will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you.
(Deuteronomy 11:26-28 NIV) See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse-- {27} the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; {28} the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.
(Deuteronomy 12:28 NIV) Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the LORD your God.
(Deuteronomy 28:1-20 NIV) If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. {2} All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: {3} You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. {4} The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock--the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. {5} Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. {6} You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. {7} The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. {8} The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. {9} The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. {10} Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. {11} The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity--in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground--in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you. {12} The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. {13} The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. {14} Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them. {15} However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: {16} You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. {17} Your basket and your kneading trough will be cursed. {18} The fruit of your womb will be cursed, and the crops of your land, and the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. {19} You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out. {20} The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him.
(Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NIV) This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live {20} and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
(1 Samuel 15:22-23 NIV) But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. {23} For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."
(2 Chronicles 26:5 NIV) He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.
(Proverbs 3:1-6 NIV) My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, {2} for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. {3} Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. {4} Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. {5} Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; {6} in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
(Proverbs 16:7 NIV) When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
(Isaiah 58:6-14 NIV) "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? {7} Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? {8} Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. {9} Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, {10} and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. {11} The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. {12} Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. {13} "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, {14} then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
(Jeremiah 7:23-24 NIV) but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. {24} But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.
(John 10:27-29 NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. {28} I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. {29} My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
(John 14:15-18 NIV) "If you love me, you will obey what I command. {16} And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- {17} the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. {18} I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
(John 14:23-24 NIV) Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. {24} He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
(John 15:7-14 NIV) If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. {8} This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. {9} "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. {10} If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. {11} I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. {12} My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. {13} Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. {14} You are my friends if you do what I command.
What a great Bible we have!
Bible is miraculous in its origin -- coming to us by divine inspiration.
Bible is miraculous in its durability -- outlasting the opposition of its critics and surviving the attempts of its enemies to exterminate it.
It is miraculous in its results -- transforming the lives of those who read and believe it.
Bible is miraculous in its harmony -- agreeing in all its parts, even though written over a period of 1600 years by about 40 different authors.
Bible is miraculous in its message -- telling of many occasions when God supernaturally intervened in the affairs of men to accomplish his redemptive purposes.
Bible is miraculous in its preservation -- maintaining its accuracy and reliability down through the centuries.
The Bible gives us the knowledge by which we can distinguish truth from error. The Bible equips us to serve God .Bible helps us know how to be saved from our sin and its ultimate consequence Meditating on God’s Word and obeying its teachings will bring success in life. God’s Word helps us see sin in our lives and helps us get rid of it It gives us guidance in life, making us wiser than our teachers. The Bible keeps us from wasting years of our lives on that which does not matter and will not last .
Yes, the Bible is God's Miracle Book!
If you are cold, let it WARM you,
If you are asleep, let it WAKE you,
If you are a backslider, let it WARN you,
If you are defiled, let it WASH you.
If you are disobedient, let it WHIP you.
If you are uncertain, let it WITNESS to you.
If you are unsaved, let it WIN you.
How grateful we should be for the Holy Bible. In it we learn not only of the life and teachings of Christ, we learn of His Church and of His priesthood and miracles.
Bible is miraculous in its durability -- outlasting the opposition of its critics and surviving the attempts of its enemies to exterminate it.
It is miraculous in its results -- transforming the lives of those who read and believe it.
Bible is miraculous in its harmony -- agreeing in all its parts, even though written over a period of 1600 years by about 40 different authors.
Bible is miraculous in its message -- telling of many occasions when God supernaturally intervened in the affairs of men to accomplish his redemptive purposes.
Bible is miraculous in its preservation -- maintaining its accuracy and reliability down through the centuries.
The Bible gives us the knowledge by which we can distinguish truth from error. The Bible equips us to serve God .Bible helps us know how to be saved from our sin and its ultimate consequence Meditating on God’s Word and obeying its teachings will bring success in life. God’s Word helps us see sin in our lives and helps us get rid of it It gives us guidance in life, making us wiser than our teachers. The Bible keeps us from wasting years of our lives on that which does not matter and will not last .
Yes, the Bible is God's Miracle Book!
If you are cold, let it WARM you,
If you are asleep, let it WAKE you,
If you are a backslider, let it WARN you,
If you are defiled, let it WASH you.
If you are disobedient, let it WHIP you.
If you are uncertain, let it WITNESS to you.
If you are unsaved, let it WIN you.
How grateful we should be for the Holy Bible. In it we learn not only of the life and teachings of Christ, we learn of His Church and of His priesthood and miracles.
Jesus from Genesis to Revelation!
In the Old Testament . . .
In Genesis, He is the Creator God
In Exodus, He is the Redeemer
In Leviticus, He is your sanctification
In Numbers, He is your guide
In Deuteronomy, He is your teacher
In Joshua, He is the mighty conqueror
In Judges, He gives victory over enemies
In Ruth, He is your kinsman, your lover, your redeemer
In I Samuel, he is the root of Jesse
In 2 Samuel, He is the Son of David
In 1 Kings and 2 Kings, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
In 1st and 2nd Chronicles, He is your intercessor and High Priest
In Ezra, He is your temple, your house of worship
In Nehemiah, He is your mighty wall, protecting you from your enemies
In Esther, He stands in the gap to deliver you from your enemies
In Job, He is the arbitrator who not only understands your struggles, but has the power to do something about them
In Psalms, He is your song–and your reason to sing
In Proverbs, He is your wisdom, helping you make sense of life and live it successfully
In Ecclesiastes, He is your purpose, delivering you from vanity.
In the Song of Solomon, He is your lover, your Rose of Sharon.
In Isaiah, He is the mighty counselor, the prince of peace, the everlasting father, and more. He’s everything you need
In Jeremiah, He is your balm of Gilead, the soothing salve for your sin-sick soul
In Lamentations, He is the ever-faithful one upon whom you can depend
In Ezekiel, He is your wheel in the middle of a wheel–the one who assures that dry, dead bones will come alive again
In Daniel, He is the ancient of days, the ever- lasting God who never runs out of time
In Hosea, He is your faithful lover, always beckoning you to come back–even when you have abandoned Him
In Joel, He is your refuge, keeping you safe in times of trouble
In Amos, He is the husbandman, the one you can depend on to stay by your side
In Obadiah, He is Lord of the Kingdom
In Jonah, He is your salvation, bringing you back within His will
In Micah, He is judge of the nation
In Nahum, He is the jealous God.
In Habakkuk, He is the Holy One
In Zephaniah, He is the witness
In Haggai, He overthrows the enemies
In Zechariah, He is Lord of Hosts
Moving to the New Testament . . .
In Matthew, He is king of the Jews
In Mark, He is the servant
In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel
In John, He is the Son of God
In Acts, He is Savior of the world
In Romans, He is the righteousness of God
In I Corinthians, He is the rock that followed Israel
In II Corinthians, He the triumphant one, giving victory
In Galatians, He is your liberty; He sets you free
In Ephesians, He is head of the Church
In Philippians, He is your joy
In Colossians, He is your completeness
In I Thessalonians, He is your hope
In II Thessalonians, He is your glory
In I Timothy, He is your faith
In II Timothy, He is your stability
In Philemon, He is your benefactor
In Hebrews, He is your perfection
In James, He is the power behind your faith
In I Peter, He is your example
In II Peter, He is your purity
In I John, He is your life
In II John, He is your pattern
In III John, He is your motivation
In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith
In the Revelation, He is your coming King
In Genesis, He is the Creator God
In Exodus, He is the Redeemer
In Leviticus, He is your sanctification
In Numbers, He is your guide
In Deuteronomy, He is your teacher
In Joshua, He is the mighty conqueror
In Judges, He gives victory over enemies
In Ruth, He is your kinsman, your lover, your redeemer
In I Samuel, he is the root of Jesse
In 2 Samuel, He is the Son of David
In 1 Kings and 2 Kings, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
In 1st and 2nd Chronicles, He is your intercessor and High Priest
In Ezra, He is your temple, your house of worship
In Nehemiah, He is your mighty wall, protecting you from your enemies
In Esther, He stands in the gap to deliver you from your enemies
In Job, He is the arbitrator who not only understands your struggles, but has the power to do something about them
In Psalms, He is your song–and your reason to sing
In Proverbs, He is your wisdom, helping you make sense of life and live it successfully
In Ecclesiastes, He is your purpose, delivering you from vanity.
In the Song of Solomon, He is your lover, your Rose of Sharon.
In Isaiah, He is the mighty counselor, the prince of peace, the everlasting father, and more. He’s everything you need
In Jeremiah, He is your balm of Gilead, the soothing salve for your sin-sick soul
In Lamentations, He is the ever-faithful one upon whom you can depend
In Ezekiel, He is your wheel in the middle of a wheel–the one who assures that dry, dead bones will come alive again
In Daniel, He is the ancient of days, the ever- lasting God who never runs out of time
In Hosea, He is your faithful lover, always beckoning you to come back–even when you have abandoned Him
In Joel, He is your refuge, keeping you safe in times of trouble
In Amos, He is the husbandman, the one you can depend on to stay by your side
In Obadiah, He is Lord of the Kingdom
In Jonah, He is your salvation, bringing you back within His will
In Micah, He is judge of the nation
In Nahum, He is the jealous God.
In Habakkuk, He is the Holy One
In Zephaniah, He is the witness
In Haggai, He overthrows the enemies
In Zechariah, He is Lord of Hosts
Moving to the New Testament . . .
In Matthew, He is king of the Jews
In Mark, He is the servant
In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel
In John, He is the Son of God
In Acts, He is Savior of the world
In Romans, He is the righteousness of God
In I Corinthians, He is the rock that followed Israel
In II Corinthians, He the triumphant one, giving victory
In Galatians, He is your liberty; He sets you free
In Ephesians, He is head of the Church
In Philippians, He is your joy
In Colossians, He is your completeness
In I Thessalonians, He is your hope
In II Thessalonians, He is your glory
In I Timothy, He is your faith
In II Timothy, He is your stability
In Philemon, He is your benefactor
In Hebrews, He is your perfection
In James, He is the power behind your faith
In I Peter, He is your example
In II Peter, He is your purity
In I John, He is your life
In II John, He is your pattern
In III John, He is your motivation
In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith
In the Revelation, He is your coming King
Bible and also Tradition required.
1 Cor 11:2; -- hold fast to traditions I handed on to you
2 Thess 2:15; -- hold fast to traditions, whether oral or by letter
2 Thess 3:16; -- shun those acting not according to tradition
Jn 21:25; -- not everything Jesus said is recorded in Scripture
Mk 13:31; -- heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word won't
Acts 20:35; -- saying of Jesus not recorded in the gospels
2 Tim 1:13; -- follow my sound words; guard the truth
2 Tim 2:2: -- what you heard, entrust to faithful men
2 Pet 1:20; -- no prophecy is a matter of private interpretation
2 Pet 3:15-16; -- Paul's letters can be difficult to grasp and interpret
1 Pet 1:25; -- God's eternal Word is the Word preached by you
Rom 10:17; -- faith comes from what is heard
1 Cor 15:1-2; -- being saved if you hold fast to the word I preached
Mk 16:15; -- go to the whole world, proclaim the gospel to every creature
Mt 23:2-3; -- chair of Moses; observe whatever they tell you
Mt 15:3; -- break commandment of God for your tradition
Mk 7:9; -- set aside God's commandment to uphold tradition
Col 2:8; -- seductive philosophy according to human tradition
1 Cor 11:2; -- commends them for following Apostolic tradition
2 Thess 2:15; -- commands them to keep traditions
2 Thess 3:16; -- shun those acting not according to tradition
2 Thess 2:15; -- hold fast to traditions, whether oral or by letter
2 Thess 3:16; -- shun those acting not according to tradition
Jn 21:25; -- not everything Jesus said is recorded in Scripture
Mk 13:31; -- heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word won't
Acts 20:35; -- saying of Jesus not recorded in the gospels
2 Tim 1:13; -- follow my sound words; guard the truth
2 Tim 2:2: -- what you heard, entrust to faithful men
2 Pet 1:20; -- no prophecy is a matter of private interpretation
2 Pet 3:15-16; -- Paul's letters can be difficult to grasp and interpret
1 Pet 1:25; -- God's eternal Word is the Word preached by you
Rom 10:17; -- faith comes from what is heard
1 Cor 15:1-2; -- being saved if you hold fast to the word I preached
Mk 16:15; -- go to the whole world, proclaim the gospel to every creature
Mt 23:2-3; -- chair of Moses; observe whatever they tell you
Mt 15:3; -- break commandment of God for your tradition
Mk 7:9; -- set aside God's commandment to uphold tradition
Col 2:8; -- seductive philosophy according to human tradition
1 Cor 11:2; -- commends them for following Apostolic tradition
2 Thess 2:15; -- commands them to keep traditions
2 Thess 3:16; -- shun those acting not according to tradition
The Bibe teaches us to pray and venerate saints!
Protestants, who claim to be obedient to Scripture, are the first ones to level these accusations against Catholics, not without a Bible quote or two, which seem to back them up, but little do they realize that the Bible actually teaches that we should pray to and venerate saints.
God uses His angels as messengers
1 Chronicles 21:18: “And the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to tell David…”
4 Kings 1:3: “And an angel of the Lord spoke to Elias the Thesbite, saying…”
Acts 8:26: “Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying…”
Throughout the Bible God uses His angels to deliver messages, to give instructions, to deliver justice and to answer prayers.
Numbers 20:16: “And how we cried to the Lord, and he heard us, and sent an angel, who hath brought us out of Egypt…”
Isaias 37:36: “And the angel of the Lord went out, and slew in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and eighty-five thousand…”
God answers prayers by sending angels, and this is so frequent and natural that not only are they sent by God, but they are also besought and entreated by men.
Judges 6:12-13: “The angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said: The Lord is with thee, O most valiant of men. And Gedeon said to him: I beseech thee, my lord, if the Lord be with us, why have these evils fallen upon us?”
Angles can be prayed to
Osee 12:3-4: “In the womb he supplanted his brother: and by his strength he had success with an angel. And he prevailed over the angel, and was strengthened: he wept, and made supplication to him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us.”
Not because they are God, of course, but because they are powerful supernatural servants of God.
St. Luke 1:10-13: “And all the multitude of the people was praying without, at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the alter of incense. And Zachary seeing him, was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him: Fear not, Zachary, for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”
The angel heard the prayer and responded.
How does this relate to saints?
Matthew 22:29-32: "And Jesus answering, said to them: You err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they shall neither marry nor be married; but shall be as the angels of God in heaven. 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."
St. Luke 20:34-36: “And Jesus said to them: The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they that shall be accounted worthy of that world, and of the resurrection from the dead, shall neither be married, nor take wives. Neither can they die any more: for they are equal to the angels, and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.”
Saints in heaven are as the angels. Do angels mete out God’s justice? Yes. Answer prayers on behalf of God? Yes. Receive supplication and prayer? Yes. Therefore the saints of Jesus do all of those things. Now that we have made the link between angels and saints, we need to consider a few more things in this regard. The intercession angels, on behalf of God, is extraordinarily powerful and effective. They transmit the message of the Almighty so frequently that in many passages it is not clear if the angel is speaking or if God is speaking.
Zacharias 12:8: “In that day shall the Lord protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and he that hath offended among them in that day shall be as David: and the house of David, as that of God, as an angel of the Lord in their sight.”
St. Luke 2:9: “And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear.”
The Bible shows us the importance of the witness of angels and saints.
St. Luke 12:8-9: “And I say to you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. But he that shall deny me before men, shall be denied before the angels of God.”
Jesus considers His confession before angels to be very significant, much like His confession to His Father (Matthew 10:32).
St. Luke 15:10: “So I say to you, there shall be joy before the angels of God upon one sinner doing penance.”
Angles have a connection with and influence over the salvation of men. They rejoice when a man converts because their intercession assits his conversion. They cheer him, they help him and intercede for him. That’s why Catholics understand the intercession of saints to be so important. Saints in heaven are as the angels of God, they are intimately involved in man’s salvation under Jesus Christ. When one prays to them, they in turn pray to God who commonly grants His graces on their behalf and because of their close relationship with Him. The Bible also teaches that angels are present in the assemblies of the faithful.
1 Corinthians 11:10: Therefore ought the woman to have a power (head covering) over her head, because of the angels.
This verse tells us that because of the angels, not God, the woman should cover her head. Veneration is also due to angels, since they are the worthy servants of God almighty.
Jesus described St. John the Baptist as an angel.
St Matthew 11:9-10: “But what went you out to see? a prophet? yea I tell you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.”
In Hebrews we find a description of the Church of Jesus Christ and its heavenly majesty. Notice that the Christian coming before the heavenly description of the Church, comes before the spirits of the just men made perfect, the saints in heaven. The Christian is warned before about coming before all of the following:
Hebrews 12:22-23: "But you are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of angels, And to the church of the firstborn, who are written in the heavens, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect"
Prayers to them are Biblical and of tremendous value, since God is glorified and not detracted by His saints.
2 Thessalonians 1:10: “When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be made wonderful in all them who have believed; because our testimony was believed upon you in that day.”
As we see, Saints do not diminish God’s glory, they augment it. Those who are closest to the king can gain favours that are not always given to those who are further away from him. Just like in any other hierarchy, family, company team, etc.
The communion of saints
This is the true and Catholic view of heaven. To use an analogy, it’s like the magnificent palace of the king where there are dozens of levels of servants, assistants and attendants. Each level is full of them, they wait on the king and they have dedicated everything to him. They are his true friends in addition to being his servants. Their lives of service, their extraordinary examples strike each visitor with awe. All of the king’s servants possess their own splendor, which is given to them as a result of their place of honour in the palace.
The king has bestowed some of his own glory on everyone with him, even though theirs is infinitely less than his own. Their personal glory contributes to the glory of the entire place. The thought of the profound glory of the kings servants and friends strikes one with awe at the thought of the unique glory of the king himself whom all of these magnificent creatures serve. As you see more of the palace and move closer to the king, the glory of his friends and servants increases. In creation itself, the brilliant diversity of God’s masterpiece, with differences in snow capped mountains, flowing rivers, serene lakes, green jungles, beautiful woods and rolling hills, strike one with wonder. In heaven there is a countless variety of people, each with a different story, a different trial, a different sacrifice, a different gift, all of which were dedicated and used for God to the fullest and which culminated in perfect happiness in heaven. This stunning variety stirs one to even greater love and awe of the Almighty.
This is the true and Catholic view of heaven and the heavenly hierarchy. It is easy to see in this description how the glory of the saints does not detract from the glory of God, but magnifies it.
St. Luke 1:46: “And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord.”
The Protestant view on the other hand is much different. It’s comparable to a palace that is filled only with the king. In this palace there is nothing and no one that can move your attention away from him. Which king is the more glorious? Which image of the heavenly kingdom is the true one? Which is the Biblical one? The answer is that the Bible teaches the Catholic view, the communion of the saints.
Daniel 7:10: “A swift stream of fire issued forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times a hundred thousand stood before him: the judgment sat, and the books were opened.”
The mind-boggling number of servants who minister to God only enhances the majesty of the appearance of God.
St. Matthew 25:31: “And when the Son of man shall come in his majesty, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty.”
God comes with and is glorified by his ministers and his angels and his saints. The Catholic view is the correct and Biblical view of heaven and the heavenly hierarchy. Next we will talk about how the Bible teaches that men can intercede with God.
Jeremias 15:1: “And the Lord said to me: If Moses and Samuel shall stand before me, my soul is not towards this people: cast them out from my sight, and let them go forth.”
Intercession of saintly men helps influence what God does for people and what God does to them, as this last verse shows, even if it wouldn’t have helped in this particular case.0
Exodus 32:9-15: “And again the Lord said to Moses: See that this people is stiffnecked: Let me alone, that my wrath may be kindled against them, and that I may destroy them, and I will make of thee a great nation. But Moses besought the Lord his God, saying: Why, O Lord, is thy indignation kindled against thy people, whom thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt, with great power, and with a mighty hand? Let not the Egyptians say, I beseech thee: He craftily brought them out, that he might kill them in the mountains, and destroy them from the earth: let thy anger cease, and be appeased upon the wickedness of thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou sworest by thy own self, saying: I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven: and this whole land that I have spoken of, I will give to you seed, and you shall possess it for ever. And the Lord was appeased from doing the evil which he had spoken against his people. And Moses returned from the mount, carrying the two tables of the testimony in his hand, written on both sides.”
Moses influence with God was so great that God even asked Moses to let Him alone that he might destroy them, but ultimately He relented because of Moses. Not all men are equal before God or have the same intercessory power before with Him. Moses is an exceptional case as is Abraham.
Genesis 18:26-33: “And the Lord said to him: If I find in Sodom fifty just within the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake. And Abraham answered, and said: Seeing I have once begun, I will speak to my Lord, whereas I am dust and ashes. What if there be five less than fifty just persons? wilt thou for five and forty destroy the whole city? And he said: I will not destroy it, if I find five and forty. And again he said to him: But if forty be found there, what wilt thou do? He said: I will not destroy it for the sake of forty. Lord, saith he, be not angry, I beseech thee, if I speak: What if thirty shall be found there? He answered: I will not do it, if I find thirty there. Seeing, saith he, I have once begun, I will speak to my Lord. What if twenty be found there? He said: I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty. I beseech thee, saith he, be not angry, Lord, if I speak yet once more: What if ten should be found there? And he said: I will not destroy it for the sake of ten. And the Lord departed, after he had left speaking to Abraham: and Abraham returned to his place.”
God at times accepts the sacrifices and prayers of saintly men on behalf of sinners, as in the case of Job.
Job 42:7-10: “And after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Themanite: My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends, because you have not spoken the thing that is right before my, as my servant Job hath. Take unto you therefore seven oxen, and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer for yourselves a holocaust: and my servant Job shall pray for you: his face I will accept, that folly be not imputed to you: for you have not spoken right things before me, as my servant Job hath. So Eliphaz the Themanite, and Baldad the Suhite, and Sophar the Naamathite went, and did as the Lord had spoken to them, and the Lord accepted the face of Job. The Lord also was turned at the penance of Job, when he prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”
Another example involving Moses, where his intercession played a key role in obtaining the help of God:
Exodus 17:11-13: “And when Moses lifted up his hands, Israel overcame: but if he let them down a little, Amalec overcame. And Moses' hands were heavy: so they took a stone, and put under him, and he sat on it: and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands on both sides. And it came to pass that his hands were not weary until sunset. And Josue put Amalec and his people to flight, by the edge of the sword.”
It is clear that God grants certain things through the intercession of holy men.
Protestants like to argue that praying to saints is against Scripture, and one of the few passages they use to try and prove this is as follows:
1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus”
As we will see, this objection is false for many reasons.
In John 10:16: “And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.”
Jesus calls Himself the one shepherd but, in John 21:15-17, he appoints St. Peter over his flock. “Feed my lambs… feed my lambs… feed my sheep”.
Another example is that Jesus says that He is the supreme judge, in John 9:39 and many other passages. Certain Christians will also act on His behalf as judges in heaven, even of angels.
1 Corinthians 6:2: "Know you not that the saints shall judge this world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know you not that we shall judge angels? how much more things of this world?”
St. Matthew 19:28: “And Jesus said to them: Amen, I say to you, that you, who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Jesus is the unique mediator, since He united man to God. Jesus alone did this by His passion and death for those who cooperate with it. That does not mean that in the one mediation of Christ there are not others who participate in His mediation. In fact the Bible clearly teaches that there are.
If Jesus’ unique mediation excluded praying to saints then it would also exclude asking a fellow man to pray for you. There is no way around this. When you ask a fellow man to pray for you, you are asking another person to act as a mediator with Jesus for you. Therefore if prayers to saints are excluded by the unique mediation of Jesus, then asking another to pray for you is excluded as well.
St. Paul himself repeatedly asks others for prayers.
Romans 15:30: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the charity of the Holy Ghost, that you help me in your prayers for me to God.”
He also tells others that he is praying for them.
Colossians 1:3: “Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you…”
The Bible also says this about the suffering of St. Paul:
Colossians 1:24: “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church.”
This verse might be a shock to some non-Catholics that are not familiar with it. St. Paul says that he fills up for the Church those things that are wanting or lacking in the sufferings of Christ. Christ’s suffering was perfect and of infinite value, so what does this mean? What St. Paul means is that many sufferings are still wanting and needed for the members of the Church to work out their salvation, which was made possible by Christ’s sacrifice. This verse is teaching that in addition to his prayers, his sacrifices and sufferings can intercede with God so that God gives others graces to convert or to remain faithful. Those people must still cooperate with the grace, but the efforts, sacrifices and prayers of members of the Church can help grant the graces. All of this proves the Catholic teaching on the communion of saints. It refutes Protestant objections in this area. The fact that man can go to other men for prayers and that the saints in heaven can answer prayers and intercede, is all rooted in the Biblical teaching on the unity of the body f Christ. There is a union among the true members of the Church of Jesus. This union does not cease when members die.
Romans 8:38-39: “For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
And while true members of the Church can assist each other by prayers, the prayers and intercession of saintly men is particularly powerful. That is exactly what we saw in the cases of Moses, Abraham and Job. These saintly men, even after death, are interested in earthy affairs.
St. Matthew 17:2-3: “And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him.”
Hebrew 1:14: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation? ”
Psalms 90:11: “For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.”
Samuel, some time after he had died (1 Kings 25:1), appeared to Saul to rebuke him.
1 Kings 28:18: “Because thou didst not obey the voice of the Lord, neither didst thou execute the wrath of his indignation upon Amalec. Therefore hath the Lord done to thee what thou sufferest this day.”
Apocalypse (Revelation) 8:2-4: “And I saw seven angels standing in the presence of God; and there were given to them seven trumpets. And another angel came, and stood before the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer of the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar, which is before the throne of God. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel.”
In truth, a real Christian does not follow any man, rather this verse means that he venerates the saints and tries to imitate them in their tremendous spiritual lives and fidelity to the Gospel. This is because saints, like the great Saint Paul, literally can help save lives and souls, as seen in the following example. During a voyage by sea of St. Paul, there came a terrible storm that threatened to destroy the ship.
Acts of the Apostles 27:21-25: “And after they had fasted a long time, Paul standing forth in the midst of them, said: You should indeed, O ye men, have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer. For there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but only of the ship. For an angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, stood by me this night. Saying: Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Caesar; and behold, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God that it shall so be, as it hath been told me.”
Undeniably, angels and saints are very active and interested in the affairs and events taking place on earth.
Canonizing Saints
Saints, because of their fidelity to Jesus Christ, are models worthy of imitation, as taught by the Bible.
1 Corinthians 4:16: “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 11:1: “Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ.”
Philippians 3:17: “Be ye followers of me, brethren, and observe them who walk so as you have our model.”
That’s why the Catholic Church canonizes saints for us to imitate. The Bible also teaches exactly the same thing:
James 5:10: “Take, my brethren, for an example of suffering evil, of labour and patience, the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord.”
Hebrews 11 even goes through a whole list of heroes of faith, the Old Testament saints, including Abel, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sara, Esau, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gedeon, Barac, Samson, Jephthe, David and Samuel. The first verse of the next chapter exhorts us to have confidence, knowing that all these saints are in heaven praying for us.
Hebrew 12:1: “And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us.”
Relics of Saints
The Bible teaches that even relics of the saints are to be used and venerated and can be miraculous.
St. Matthew 9:20-22: “And behold a woman who was troubled with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment. For she said within herself: If I shall touch only his garment, I shall be healed. But Jesus turning and seeing her, said: Be of good heart, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”
The garment of Jesus is one thing, since Jesus is God. But does God allow miracles to be worked through the relics of his saints, or is this superstition and idolatry? Those who believe it is superstitious or idolatrous are unaware that the Bible teaches otherwise.
Acts 19:11-12: “And God wrought by the hand of Paul more than common miracles. So that even there were brought from his body to the sick, handkerchiefs and aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the wicked spirits went out of them.”
In this verse we see that St. Paul was not only given miraculous powers, but the handkerchiefs and aprons he touched were given miraculous power. Similar miracles are worked through the shadow of St. Peter:
Acts 5:15: “Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that when Peter came, his shadow at the least, might overshadow any of them, and they might be delivered from their infirmities.”
The same is seen regarding relics of saints in the Old Testament.
4 Kings 2:14: “And he struck the waters with the mantle of Elias, that had fallen from him, and they were not divided. And he said: Where is now the God of Elias? And he struck the waters, and they were divided, hither and thither, and Eliseus passed over.”
4 Kings 13:21: “And some that were burying a man, saw the rovers, and cast the body into the sepulchre of Eliseus. And when it had touched the bones of Eliseus, the man came to life, and stood upon his feet.”
This is particularly interesting, because the bones of saints are a common relic used by Catholics, far from being idolatrous or superstitious.
Statues and images
Protestants like to use the following verse as an objection to the Catholic practice of venerating images and statues of saints.
Deuteronomy 5:8: “Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of any things, that are in heaven above, or that are in the earth beneath, or that abide in the waters under the earth.”
This argument fails for many reasons. If we take this verse on its own and literally, then that means we can make no likeness of anything at all, such as a picture of an animal or another person. Protestants reject that understanding and even carry pictures of family, coins upon which are the images of men, etc.
To get the full context of the passage all we need to do is read the verse that comes right after it.
Deuteronomy 5:8-9: “Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of any things, that are in heaven above, or that are in the earth beneath, or that abide in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt not adore them, and thou shalt not serve them. For I am the Lord thy God, a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon their children unto the third and fourth generation, to them that hate me.”
Thou shalt not adore them and serve them. The idolatrous worship of creatures, that is what God forbids. Catholics do not worship statues or images and to say otherwise is a lie. In fact, God commands the use of statues and images for religious purposes.
Exodus 25:18-19: “Thou shalt make also two cherubims of beaten gold, on the two sides of the oracle.”
Other passages where we see references to images and statues being sanctioned, even commanded by God for use in religion.
Exodus 26:1: “And thou shalt make the tabernacle in this manner: Thou shalt make ten curtains of fine twisted linen, and violet and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, diversified with embroidery.”
There are many more examples of this, for example in 3 Kings 6 and 3 Kings 7:25-36.
Numbers 21:8: “And the Lord said to him: Make brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: whosoever being struck shall look on it, shall live.”
God commanded Moses to make an image of a serpent for the people to look upon and be healed. It should also be noted that non-Catholics who consider use of religious statues or images to be idolatrous not only condemn the Bible passages we just covered, but they also share their belief with Muslims.
Another false idea that must be addressed is the idea that Catholics worship statues because they sometimes kneel or bow before them in prayer. This objection is false and is clearly refuted by the Bible. The posture of kneeling and even of lying prostrate on the ground does not necessarily mean worship or adoration. It does signify that in certain religious contexts and in some false religions. But bowing, kneeling or even going completely prostrate can be merely a sign of respect, a humble posture. Anyone who has taken the time to read the Old Testament knows this is true. Throughout the Old Testament we see holy figures bowing down prostrate before other men, not as a sign of worship, but of respect and humility.
Genesis 33:3: “And he [Jacob] went forward and bowed down with his face to the ground seven times until his brother came near.”
This is the same Jacob who Jesus says in Luke 13:28 will be in the kingdom of heaven. He was not an idolater of course.
We read a similar thing of Abraham in Genesis 23:12. There are many other examples like this in the books of Kings. Other passages which show that men bow before other men, not idolatrously, but merely out of respect are Genesis 19:1 Ruth 8:10.
These passages are sufficient to refute the false assertion that Catholics worship statues when they kneel or bow to assume a humble and respectful posture while invoking the heavenly figure whom the statue represents.
Conclusion
We have seen in much detail that the Bible teaches the communion of saints, that praying to saints is Biblical and efficacious. We’ve seen that Jesus teaches that the saints in heaven are as the angels. We’ve seen that saints who have died and gone to heaven pray and intercede for men. We’ve seen that relics and statues are not idolatrous, but Biblically based. None of this is to suggest that one cannot pray directly to Jesus. True Catholics pray directly to Jesus every day, but praying to saints and invoking their intercession is extremely effective and powerful and often obtains from Jesus graces that He is otherwise not inclined to give. It is particularly important and necessary in the case of the greatest of all the saints, the Mother of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the vessel He chose to come to earth.
The example, the devotion, the miracles and the lives of Catholic saints have been among the most important things in the spread of the Gospel throughout the earth. And the necessity to venerate and invoke the saints was recognized from the very beginning of the Christian Church by the Fathers of the Church. All of what the Catholic saints are and have done is by the grace of Jesus Christ. By cooperating with it they spiritually conquered the world for Christ, a world which is sadly falling into apostasy from that Catholic heritage that defined it.
John 14:12: “Otherwise believe for the very works' sake. Amen, amen I say to you, he that believeth in me, the works that I do, he also shall do; and greater than these shall he do.”
The Bible teaches the communion of saints. Praying to and venerating saints does not detract from God’s glory, on the contrary, it inspires us to center our whole lives more zealously around Christ and doing His will, as they did. Throughout her history, the Catholic Church has remained faithful to the teachings of Jesus and the Bible on angels and saints. This is because the Catholic Church is the one true Church of Jesus Christ. You need to learn the true Catholic Faith, and convert to it, or you cannot attain salvation.
God uses His angels as messengers
1 Chronicles 21:18: “And the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to tell David…”
4 Kings 1:3: “And an angel of the Lord spoke to Elias the Thesbite, saying…”
Acts 8:26: “Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying…”
Throughout the Bible God uses His angels to deliver messages, to give instructions, to deliver justice and to answer prayers.
Numbers 20:16: “And how we cried to the Lord, and he heard us, and sent an angel, who hath brought us out of Egypt…”
Isaias 37:36: “And the angel of the Lord went out, and slew in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and eighty-five thousand…”
God answers prayers by sending angels, and this is so frequent and natural that not only are they sent by God, but they are also besought and entreated by men.
Judges 6:12-13: “The angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said: The Lord is with thee, O most valiant of men. And Gedeon said to him: I beseech thee, my lord, if the Lord be with us, why have these evils fallen upon us?”
Angles can be prayed to
Osee 12:3-4: “In the womb he supplanted his brother: and by his strength he had success with an angel. And he prevailed over the angel, and was strengthened: he wept, and made supplication to him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us.”
Not because they are God, of course, but because they are powerful supernatural servants of God.
St. Luke 1:10-13: “And all the multitude of the people was praying without, at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the alter of incense. And Zachary seeing him, was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him: Fear not, Zachary, for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”
The angel heard the prayer and responded.
How does this relate to saints?
Matthew 22:29-32: "And Jesus answering, said to them: You err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they shall neither marry nor be married; but shall be as the angels of God in heaven. 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."
St. Luke 20:34-36: “And Jesus said to them: The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they that shall be accounted worthy of that world, and of the resurrection from the dead, shall neither be married, nor take wives. Neither can they die any more: for they are equal to the angels, and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.”
Saints in heaven are as the angels. Do angels mete out God’s justice? Yes. Answer prayers on behalf of God? Yes. Receive supplication and prayer? Yes. Therefore the saints of Jesus do all of those things. Now that we have made the link between angels and saints, we need to consider a few more things in this regard. The intercession angels, on behalf of God, is extraordinarily powerful and effective. They transmit the message of the Almighty so frequently that in many passages it is not clear if the angel is speaking or if God is speaking.
Zacharias 12:8: “In that day shall the Lord protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and he that hath offended among them in that day shall be as David: and the house of David, as that of God, as an angel of the Lord in their sight.”
St. Luke 2:9: “And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear.”
The Bible shows us the importance of the witness of angels and saints.
St. Luke 12:8-9: “And I say to you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. But he that shall deny me before men, shall be denied before the angels of God.”
Jesus considers His confession before angels to be very significant, much like His confession to His Father (Matthew 10:32).
St. Luke 15:10: “So I say to you, there shall be joy before the angels of God upon one sinner doing penance.”
Angles have a connection with and influence over the salvation of men. They rejoice when a man converts because their intercession assits his conversion. They cheer him, they help him and intercede for him. That’s why Catholics understand the intercession of saints to be so important. Saints in heaven are as the angels of God, they are intimately involved in man’s salvation under Jesus Christ. When one prays to them, they in turn pray to God who commonly grants His graces on their behalf and because of their close relationship with Him. The Bible also teaches that angels are present in the assemblies of the faithful.
1 Corinthians 11:10: Therefore ought the woman to have a power (head covering) over her head, because of the angels.
This verse tells us that because of the angels, not God, the woman should cover her head. Veneration is also due to angels, since they are the worthy servants of God almighty.
Jesus described St. John the Baptist as an angel.
St Matthew 11:9-10: “But what went you out to see? a prophet? yea I tell you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.”
In Hebrews we find a description of the Church of Jesus Christ and its heavenly majesty. Notice that the Christian coming before the heavenly description of the Church, comes before the spirits of the just men made perfect, the saints in heaven. The Christian is warned before about coming before all of the following:
Hebrews 12:22-23: "But you are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of angels, And to the church of the firstborn, who are written in the heavens, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect"
Prayers to them are Biblical and of tremendous value, since God is glorified and not detracted by His saints.
2 Thessalonians 1:10: “When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be made wonderful in all them who have believed; because our testimony was believed upon you in that day.”
As we see, Saints do not diminish God’s glory, they augment it. Those who are closest to the king can gain favours that are not always given to those who are further away from him. Just like in any other hierarchy, family, company team, etc.
The communion of saints
This is the true and Catholic view of heaven. To use an analogy, it’s like the magnificent palace of the king where there are dozens of levels of servants, assistants and attendants. Each level is full of them, they wait on the king and they have dedicated everything to him. They are his true friends in addition to being his servants. Their lives of service, their extraordinary examples strike each visitor with awe. All of the king’s servants possess their own splendor, which is given to them as a result of their place of honour in the palace.
The king has bestowed some of his own glory on everyone with him, even though theirs is infinitely less than his own. Their personal glory contributes to the glory of the entire place. The thought of the profound glory of the kings servants and friends strikes one with awe at the thought of the unique glory of the king himself whom all of these magnificent creatures serve. As you see more of the palace and move closer to the king, the glory of his friends and servants increases. In creation itself, the brilliant diversity of God’s masterpiece, with differences in snow capped mountains, flowing rivers, serene lakes, green jungles, beautiful woods and rolling hills, strike one with wonder. In heaven there is a countless variety of people, each with a different story, a different trial, a different sacrifice, a different gift, all of which were dedicated and used for God to the fullest and which culminated in perfect happiness in heaven. This stunning variety stirs one to even greater love and awe of the Almighty.
This is the true and Catholic view of heaven and the heavenly hierarchy. It is easy to see in this description how the glory of the saints does not detract from the glory of God, but magnifies it.
St. Luke 1:46: “And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord.”
The Protestant view on the other hand is much different. It’s comparable to a palace that is filled only with the king. In this palace there is nothing and no one that can move your attention away from him. Which king is the more glorious? Which image of the heavenly kingdom is the true one? Which is the Biblical one? The answer is that the Bible teaches the Catholic view, the communion of the saints.
Daniel 7:10: “A swift stream of fire issued forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times a hundred thousand stood before him: the judgment sat, and the books were opened.”
The mind-boggling number of servants who minister to God only enhances the majesty of the appearance of God.
St. Matthew 25:31: “And when the Son of man shall come in his majesty, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty.”
God comes with and is glorified by his ministers and his angels and his saints. The Catholic view is the correct and Biblical view of heaven and the heavenly hierarchy. Next we will talk about how the Bible teaches that men can intercede with God.
Jeremias 15:1: “And the Lord said to me: If Moses and Samuel shall stand before me, my soul is not towards this people: cast them out from my sight, and let them go forth.”
Intercession of saintly men helps influence what God does for people and what God does to them, as this last verse shows, even if it wouldn’t have helped in this particular case.0
Exodus 32:9-15: “And again the Lord said to Moses: See that this people is stiffnecked: Let me alone, that my wrath may be kindled against them, and that I may destroy them, and I will make of thee a great nation. But Moses besought the Lord his God, saying: Why, O Lord, is thy indignation kindled against thy people, whom thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt, with great power, and with a mighty hand? Let not the Egyptians say, I beseech thee: He craftily brought them out, that he might kill them in the mountains, and destroy them from the earth: let thy anger cease, and be appeased upon the wickedness of thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou sworest by thy own self, saying: I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven: and this whole land that I have spoken of, I will give to you seed, and you shall possess it for ever. And the Lord was appeased from doing the evil which he had spoken against his people. And Moses returned from the mount, carrying the two tables of the testimony in his hand, written on both sides.”
Moses influence with God was so great that God even asked Moses to let Him alone that he might destroy them, but ultimately He relented because of Moses. Not all men are equal before God or have the same intercessory power before with Him. Moses is an exceptional case as is Abraham.
Genesis 18:26-33: “And the Lord said to him: If I find in Sodom fifty just within the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake. And Abraham answered, and said: Seeing I have once begun, I will speak to my Lord, whereas I am dust and ashes. What if there be five less than fifty just persons? wilt thou for five and forty destroy the whole city? And he said: I will not destroy it, if I find five and forty. And again he said to him: But if forty be found there, what wilt thou do? He said: I will not destroy it for the sake of forty. Lord, saith he, be not angry, I beseech thee, if I speak: What if thirty shall be found there? He answered: I will not do it, if I find thirty there. Seeing, saith he, I have once begun, I will speak to my Lord. What if twenty be found there? He said: I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty. I beseech thee, saith he, be not angry, Lord, if I speak yet once more: What if ten should be found there? And he said: I will not destroy it for the sake of ten. And the Lord departed, after he had left speaking to Abraham: and Abraham returned to his place.”
God at times accepts the sacrifices and prayers of saintly men on behalf of sinners, as in the case of Job.
Job 42:7-10: “And after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Themanite: My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends, because you have not spoken the thing that is right before my, as my servant Job hath. Take unto you therefore seven oxen, and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer for yourselves a holocaust: and my servant Job shall pray for you: his face I will accept, that folly be not imputed to you: for you have not spoken right things before me, as my servant Job hath. So Eliphaz the Themanite, and Baldad the Suhite, and Sophar the Naamathite went, and did as the Lord had spoken to them, and the Lord accepted the face of Job. The Lord also was turned at the penance of Job, when he prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”
Another example involving Moses, where his intercession played a key role in obtaining the help of God:
Exodus 17:11-13: “And when Moses lifted up his hands, Israel overcame: but if he let them down a little, Amalec overcame. And Moses' hands were heavy: so they took a stone, and put under him, and he sat on it: and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands on both sides. And it came to pass that his hands were not weary until sunset. And Josue put Amalec and his people to flight, by the edge of the sword.”
It is clear that God grants certain things through the intercession of holy men.
Protestants like to argue that praying to saints is against Scripture, and one of the few passages they use to try and prove this is as follows:
1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus”
As we will see, this objection is false for many reasons.
In John 10:16: “And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.”
Jesus calls Himself the one shepherd but, in John 21:15-17, he appoints St. Peter over his flock. “Feed my lambs… feed my lambs… feed my sheep”.
Another example is that Jesus says that He is the supreme judge, in John 9:39 and many other passages. Certain Christians will also act on His behalf as judges in heaven, even of angels.
1 Corinthians 6:2: "Know you not that the saints shall judge this world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know you not that we shall judge angels? how much more things of this world?”
St. Matthew 19:28: “And Jesus said to them: Amen, I say to you, that you, who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Jesus is the unique mediator, since He united man to God. Jesus alone did this by His passion and death for those who cooperate with it. That does not mean that in the one mediation of Christ there are not others who participate in His mediation. In fact the Bible clearly teaches that there are.
If Jesus’ unique mediation excluded praying to saints then it would also exclude asking a fellow man to pray for you. There is no way around this. When you ask a fellow man to pray for you, you are asking another person to act as a mediator with Jesus for you. Therefore if prayers to saints are excluded by the unique mediation of Jesus, then asking another to pray for you is excluded as well.
St. Paul himself repeatedly asks others for prayers.
Romans 15:30: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the charity of the Holy Ghost, that you help me in your prayers for me to God.”
He also tells others that he is praying for them.
Colossians 1:3: “Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you…”
The Bible also says this about the suffering of St. Paul:
Colossians 1:24: “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church.”
This verse might be a shock to some non-Catholics that are not familiar with it. St. Paul says that he fills up for the Church those things that are wanting or lacking in the sufferings of Christ. Christ’s suffering was perfect and of infinite value, so what does this mean? What St. Paul means is that many sufferings are still wanting and needed for the members of the Church to work out their salvation, which was made possible by Christ’s sacrifice. This verse is teaching that in addition to his prayers, his sacrifices and sufferings can intercede with God so that God gives others graces to convert or to remain faithful. Those people must still cooperate with the grace, but the efforts, sacrifices and prayers of members of the Church can help grant the graces. All of this proves the Catholic teaching on the communion of saints. It refutes Protestant objections in this area. The fact that man can go to other men for prayers and that the saints in heaven can answer prayers and intercede, is all rooted in the Biblical teaching on the unity of the body f Christ. There is a union among the true members of the Church of Jesus. This union does not cease when members die.
Romans 8:38-39: “For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
And while true members of the Church can assist each other by prayers, the prayers and intercession of saintly men is particularly powerful. That is exactly what we saw in the cases of Moses, Abraham and Job. These saintly men, even after death, are interested in earthy affairs.
St. Matthew 17:2-3: “And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him.”
Hebrew 1:14: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation? ”
Psalms 90:11: “For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.”
Samuel, some time after he had died (1 Kings 25:1), appeared to Saul to rebuke him.
1 Kings 28:18: “Because thou didst not obey the voice of the Lord, neither didst thou execute the wrath of his indignation upon Amalec. Therefore hath the Lord done to thee what thou sufferest this day.”
Apocalypse (Revelation) 8:2-4: “And I saw seven angels standing in the presence of God; and there were given to them seven trumpets. And another angel came, and stood before the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer of the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar, which is before the throne of God. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel.”
In truth, a real Christian does not follow any man, rather this verse means that he venerates the saints and tries to imitate them in their tremendous spiritual lives and fidelity to the Gospel. This is because saints, like the great Saint Paul, literally can help save lives and souls, as seen in the following example. During a voyage by sea of St. Paul, there came a terrible storm that threatened to destroy the ship.
Acts of the Apostles 27:21-25: “And after they had fasted a long time, Paul standing forth in the midst of them, said: You should indeed, O ye men, have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer. For there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but only of the ship. For an angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, stood by me this night. Saying: Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Caesar; and behold, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God that it shall so be, as it hath been told me.”
Undeniably, angels and saints are very active and interested in the affairs and events taking place on earth.
Canonizing Saints
Saints, because of their fidelity to Jesus Christ, are models worthy of imitation, as taught by the Bible.
1 Corinthians 4:16: “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 11:1: “Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ.”
Philippians 3:17: “Be ye followers of me, brethren, and observe them who walk so as you have our model.”
That’s why the Catholic Church canonizes saints for us to imitate. The Bible also teaches exactly the same thing:
James 5:10: “Take, my brethren, for an example of suffering evil, of labour and patience, the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord.”
Hebrews 11 even goes through a whole list of heroes of faith, the Old Testament saints, including Abel, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sara, Esau, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gedeon, Barac, Samson, Jephthe, David and Samuel. The first verse of the next chapter exhorts us to have confidence, knowing that all these saints are in heaven praying for us.
Hebrew 12:1: “And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us.”
Relics of Saints
The Bible teaches that even relics of the saints are to be used and venerated and can be miraculous.
St. Matthew 9:20-22: “And behold a woman who was troubled with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment. For she said within herself: If I shall touch only his garment, I shall be healed. But Jesus turning and seeing her, said: Be of good heart, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”
The garment of Jesus is one thing, since Jesus is God. But does God allow miracles to be worked through the relics of his saints, or is this superstition and idolatry? Those who believe it is superstitious or idolatrous are unaware that the Bible teaches otherwise.
Acts 19:11-12: “And God wrought by the hand of Paul more than common miracles. So that even there were brought from his body to the sick, handkerchiefs and aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the wicked spirits went out of them.”
In this verse we see that St. Paul was not only given miraculous powers, but the handkerchiefs and aprons he touched were given miraculous power. Similar miracles are worked through the shadow of St. Peter:
Acts 5:15: “Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that when Peter came, his shadow at the least, might overshadow any of them, and they might be delivered from their infirmities.”
The same is seen regarding relics of saints in the Old Testament.
4 Kings 2:14: “And he struck the waters with the mantle of Elias, that had fallen from him, and they were not divided. And he said: Where is now the God of Elias? And he struck the waters, and they were divided, hither and thither, and Eliseus passed over.”
4 Kings 13:21: “And some that were burying a man, saw the rovers, and cast the body into the sepulchre of Eliseus. And when it had touched the bones of Eliseus, the man came to life, and stood upon his feet.”
This is particularly interesting, because the bones of saints are a common relic used by Catholics, far from being idolatrous or superstitious.
Statues and images
Protestants like to use the following verse as an objection to the Catholic practice of venerating images and statues of saints.
Deuteronomy 5:8: “Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of any things, that are in heaven above, or that are in the earth beneath, or that abide in the waters under the earth.”
This argument fails for many reasons. If we take this verse on its own and literally, then that means we can make no likeness of anything at all, such as a picture of an animal or another person. Protestants reject that understanding and even carry pictures of family, coins upon which are the images of men, etc.
To get the full context of the passage all we need to do is read the verse that comes right after it.
Deuteronomy 5:8-9: “Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of any things, that are in heaven above, or that are in the earth beneath, or that abide in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt not adore them, and thou shalt not serve them. For I am the Lord thy God, a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon their children unto the third and fourth generation, to them that hate me.”
Thou shalt not adore them and serve them. The idolatrous worship of creatures, that is what God forbids. Catholics do not worship statues or images and to say otherwise is a lie. In fact, God commands the use of statues and images for religious purposes.
Exodus 25:18-19: “Thou shalt make also two cherubims of beaten gold, on the two sides of the oracle.”
Other passages where we see references to images and statues being sanctioned, even commanded by God for use in religion.
Exodus 26:1: “And thou shalt make the tabernacle in this manner: Thou shalt make ten curtains of fine twisted linen, and violet and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, diversified with embroidery.”
There are many more examples of this, for example in 3 Kings 6 and 3 Kings 7:25-36.
Numbers 21:8: “And the Lord said to him: Make brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: whosoever being struck shall look on it, shall live.”
God commanded Moses to make an image of a serpent for the people to look upon and be healed. It should also be noted that non-Catholics who consider use of religious statues or images to be idolatrous not only condemn the Bible passages we just covered, but they also share their belief with Muslims.
Another false idea that must be addressed is the idea that Catholics worship statues because they sometimes kneel or bow before them in prayer. This objection is false and is clearly refuted by the Bible. The posture of kneeling and even of lying prostrate on the ground does not necessarily mean worship or adoration. It does signify that in certain religious contexts and in some false religions. But bowing, kneeling or even going completely prostrate can be merely a sign of respect, a humble posture. Anyone who has taken the time to read the Old Testament knows this is true. Throughout the Old Testament we see holy figures bowing down prostrate before other men, not as a sign of worship, but of respect and humility.
Genesis 33:3: “And he [Jacob] went forward and bowed down with his face to the ground seven times until his brother came near.”
This is the same Jacob who Jesus says in Luke 13:28 will be in the kingdom of heaven. He was not an idolater of course.
We read a similar thing of Abraham in Genesis 23:12. There are many other examples like this in the books of Kings. Other passages which show that men bow before other men, not idolatrously, but merely out of respect are Genesis 19:1 Ruth 8:10.
These passages are sufficient to refute the false assertion that Catholics worship statues when they kneel or bow to assume a humble and respectful posture while invoking the heavenly figure whom the statue represents.
Conclusion
We have seen in much detail that the Bible teaches the communion of saints, that praying to saints is Biblical and efficacious. We’ve seen that Jesus teaches that the saints in heaven are as the angels. We’ve seen that saints who have died and gone to heaven pray and intercede for men. We’ve seen that relics and statues are not idolatrous, but Biblically based. None of this is to suggest that one cannot pray directly to Jesus. True Catholics pray directly to Jesus every day, but praying to saints and invoking their intercession is extremely effective and powerful and often obtains from Jesus graces that He is otherwise not inclined to give. It is particularly important and necessary in the case of the greatest of all the saints, the Mother of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the vessel He chose to come to earth.
The example, the devotion, the miracles and the lives of Catholic saints have been among the most important things in the spread of the Gospel throughout the earth. And the necessity to venerate and invoke the saints was recognized from the very beginning of the Christian Church by the Fathers of the Church. All of what the Catholic saints are and have done is by the grace of Jesus Christ. By cooperating with it they spiritually conquered the world for Christ, a world which is sadly falling into apostasy from that Catholic heritage that defined it.
John 14:12: “Otherwise believe for the very works' sake. Amen, amen I say to you, he that believeth in me, the works that I do, he also shall do; and greater than these shall he do.”
The Bible teaches the communion of saints. Praying to and venerating saints does not detract from God’s glory, on the contrary, it inspires us to center our whole lives more zealously around Christ and doing His will, as they did. Throughout her history, the Catholic Church has remained faithful to the teachings of Jesus and the Bible on angels and saints. This is because the Catholic Church is the one true Church of Jesus Christ. You need to learn the true Catholic Faith, and convert to it, or you cannot attain salvation.
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