Ever wondered what is Christianity? Here are some ideas from scripture.
Christianity is not just something we do, but something Jesus did for us.
Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Christianity is not intended to make us better people; Jesus makes us new people.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Christianity is not just pie in the sky when you die, it is the kingdom of heaven in our hearts.
Luke 17:21 "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
Christianity is not a Sunday affair. Its a daily love affair with Jesus.
Matthew 22:37 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."
Christianity is not a heavy burden, Jesus' burden is light.
Jesus said in: Matthew 11:29-30 "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Christianity is not just a way of life to be practised - it is a gift of life to be nurtured.
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Christianity is not earned through good works. Its a free gift.
Ephesians 4:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Christianity is not a new start in life. It is a new life to start.
Romans 6:4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
Christianity is not western or eastern, It from above, through Jesus in heaven above.
John 3:31 "He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all."
Christianity is not about "arriving" it's about "journeying" with Jesus.
Matthew 16:24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
Christianity is not simply a lifestyle, It is living and dying for Jesus.
Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Christianity is not a culture, Christianity is transcultural.
Mark 16:15 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
Christianity is not a philosophy or outlook on life, its looking to a living Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Christianity is not brain-washing, but the washing away of sins in Jesus blood.
1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
Christianity is not a bunch of do's and don'ts. It is love, life and liberty through Jesus Christ.
Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Christianity is not hereditary. It is an inheritance we receive by faith in Jesus.
Colossians 1:12 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."
Christianity is not always an easy walk but an eternally rewarding one.
Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Christianity is not a fairy tale, a myth or fable. It is a fact its witnesses even died for.
2 Peter 1:16 "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty."
Christianity is not something hidden, private or kept personal, it is something that shows.
Matthew 5:14 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."
Christianity is not one of many possible religious options. Jesus is the only way!
John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"
Christianity is not denying reality, but debunking deception and discovering true reality.
Titus 3:3 "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another."
Christianity is not dependent on race, color, sex or background. All are one in Jesus.
Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
Christianity is not an excuse for our sins, but freedom from servitude to sin.
Romans 6:6 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."
Christianity is not a get rich quick scheme, but contentment in all situations.
Hebrews 13:5 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Christianity is not all the answers on a silver platter. Its receiving Him who has the answers.
John 6:68 "Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."
Christianity is not a crutch, its a life support machine.
1 John 5:11-12 "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."
Christianity is not just for the life hereafter, but life in abundance here and now.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Christianity is not primarily churchgoing, ceremonies, creeds or conduct. It is Christ in you.
Colossians 1:27 "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"
Christianity is not a new religion, it is fulfilment of the promises made to Adam & Abraham.
John 8:58 "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."
Christianity is not momentary emotional experience, it is a lifetime commitment.
Matthew 10:22 "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."
Christianity is not something you are born into. it is being born again in spirit.
John 3:3 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Christianity is not boring, It is peace & joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Christianity is not in contradiction with science. Studying Gods creation reveals the creator.
Romans 1 20 "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"
Christianity is not irrelevant and is not just ancient history in a book. It is life and godliness.
2 Peter 1:3 "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:"
Christianity is not a spectator sport, All Christians are expected to participate.
Hebrews 12:1 " Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"
Christianity is not just something you do, it is faith in Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Christianity is not just faith, it is something you do.
James 2:20 "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
Christianity is not about buildings. It's about souls, "spiritual stones"
1 Peter 2:5 "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."
Christianity is not about doctrines and denominations, It's a family united by Jesus blood.
Matthew 23:8 "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren."
Romans 12:5 "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another"
Christianity is not just another institution or organization. It is a living body.
1 Corinthians 12:12 "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ."
Christianity is not an escape from fear of death. but faith in Jesus conquering death.
Hebrews 2:14 "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."
Christianity is not about getting smart, its about getting a new heart.
Ezekiel 36:26 "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
Christianity is not satisfying self but self denial and self sacrifice.
James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
Christianity is not a badge you put on your chest, It is the core of your existence.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Christianity is not salvation through observing set rules and regulations but faith in Jesus.
Acts 16:31 "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
If your still wondering Christianity is an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ! And the fruit of that relationship are joy, love, peace, and freedom. Christianity is not learn and do, It is know and be!
(By Anonymous)
Shaila Touchton's Despite of Differences, Come Unity in Jesus Christ!
Showing posts with label pagan religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pagan religion. Show all posts
Why I am Proud of the Catholic Church and to be Catholic?
Why I am Proud of the Catholic Church and to be Catholic?
1.Catholic Church was prefigured by Old Testament prophets.
2.Catholic Church has a Holy Founder in Jesus Christ.
3.Catholic Church was built upon the Rock of Peter and the foundation of the Apostles.
4.God guaranteed that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against it.
5.Jesus Christ said it would last forever, as He would be with it always.
6.Therefore it can be found in every day, in every century, from the time He said it.
7.Jesus Christ left His legacy, the Kingdom of GOD, His Church, to the care of the Apostles.
8.Catholic Church is guided by the Holy Spirit. Acts 15:28
9.Catholic Church is a living Church.
10.Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Christ.
11.Catholic Church can neither be confused nor separated from its head.
12.The thread of the Church is woven throughout Holy Scripture.
Catholic Church is a Christ based Church, whereas the Bible is Catholic Church based.
13.Catholic Church has all of the pieces to the puzzle.
14.Catholic Church is indefectible. Ephesians 5:27
15.Catholic Church is The Bride of Christ.
16.Catholic Church is infallible in matters of faith and morals since it is guided by the Holy Spirit.
17.Catholic Church is infallible in its teaching of Holy Scripture since it is guided by the Holy Spirit.
18.Catholic Church fits the blueprint laid out for it in Holy Scripture.
19.Catholic Church is a visible Church that could not be hidden.
20.Jesus Christ would be the invisible head and we, the body of His Church.
21.His Church would cover the earth. Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8.
22.GOD appointed a visible Father Figure to shepherd His flock on earth, as He had always done.
23.Catholic Church is the Pillar and the Foundation of Truth. 1Timothy 3:15
24.Catholic Church alone has the fullness of truth.
25.GOD's Church would have an hierarchal form of government.
26.GOD's Church would have Bishops, Priests, and Deacons within it.
27.Catholic Church has a system of Apostolic Succession in order to perpetuate the visible Church on earth.
28.Catholic Church is traceable through an unbroken line of Apostolic Succession all the way back to St. Peter.
29This unbroken line is shown in secular encyclopedias as well as Catholic archives.
30.Catholic Church has a succession of truth in teaching all the way from 31.Jesus Christ down to present day Bishops.
32.Catholic Church is almost 1500 years older than the oldest Protestant church.
33.Catholic Church has the authority to abolish or enforce rules of conduct, through binding and loosing.
34.Catholic Church has the authority to forgive or to retain sins, through binding and loosing. John 20:21-23
35.Catholic Church teaches that we are not automatically saved, but our salvation depends upon us as well.
36.Catholic Church has the authority to form Councils when needed, in order to settle the issues that arise. Acts 15
37.Catholic Church was given the authority to decide the Canons of both the Old and New Testaments of Scripture.
38.Catholic Church decided the Canon of both testaments by infallible decision of several Councils.
39.Catholic Church more finely develops revealed public revelation.
40.Catholic Church does not twist Scripture to conform to its teachings. It conforms its teaching to Scripture.
41.Catholic Church has faithfully copied and preserved Holy Scripture down through the ages.
42.Catholic Church has known that The Word was Heard and not Read by the masses before the printing press.
43.Catholic Church has the final authority. Matthew 18:15-18
44.Catholic Church holds many traditions which are followed by Catholics and Protestants alike.
45.Catholic Church is an "And" Church, not "Or".
46.Catholic Church is a teaching Church as commanded by Holy Scripture.
47.Catholic Church is consistent in its teaching and does not 'flip-flop' as do other churches for the whims of people.
48.Catholic Church faithfully feeds the sheep as commanded by Jesus Christ.
49.Catholic Church is rock solid and unchanging in its teaching.
50.Catholic Church stands upon a solid three legged stool, of Scripture, of Apostolic Tradition, and the Magisterium.
51.Catholic Church is the guardian of both Sacred Scripture and of Sacred Tradition.
52.Catholic Church has the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Matthew 26:26
53.The Apostles knew that the truth was in Jesus Christ and in His one true Church.
54.Catholic Church has Eucharistic Adoration.
55.Catholic Church offers a clean oblation around the world and around the clock, in the Holy Mass. Malachi 1:11
56.In every minute of every day, a Mass is being celebrated somewhere.
57.Catholic Church venerates Christ on the Cross as a sacrifice and not just a plain cross devoid of Christ.
58.Catholic Church preaches the Gospel to the whole world. Matthew 24:14
59.Catholic Church has produced many thousands of Holy Saints.
60.The Church venerates the Mother of GOD. Luke 1:26-56
61.The Church venerates the Saints who have done so much for it.
62.The Mother of GOD is also the Mother of the Church. John 19:26-27
63.Catholic Church has all seven Sacraments.
64.Catholic Church treats marriage as a Sacrament.
65.Catholic Church has an annulment procedure.
66.Catholic Church has many varied Devotions.
67.Catholic Church can be found by its name, the Catholic Church, in thousands of early writings.
68.Catholic Church can be shown from these same writings that it is the same Church which Jesus Christ founded.
69.Catholic Church houses the remains of all of the Apostles and Gospel writers.
70.Catholic Church is the New Jerusalem.
71.Catholic Church is our Mother Church.
72.Catholic Church has withstood the ravages of thousands of detractors and heretics from its very foundation.
73.Catholic Church has performed many successful exorcisms.
74.Catholic Church is unbending and unmovable in its pro-life stance.
75.Catholic Church has scores of separate services of help. 1Corinthians 12:28
76.Catholic Church preaches the Word of GOD to the entire world through E.W.T.N. and other resources.
77.Catholic Church tries to unite all of Christianity into one fold.
78.Catholic Church has incredible openness.
79.Catholic Church Has provided us with a comprehensive catechism.
80.Catholic Church has a vast influx of intellectuals.
81.Catholic Church has had a spectacular growth, with over one billion Catholics in the world now.
82.Catholic Church has the Holy Spirit dwelling within it.
83.Catholic Church has humbled itself by apologizing to GOD for the past sins of some of its members.
84.Catholic Church is the most outspoken advocate of morality on earth.
85.Catholic Church has issued so many beautiful Papal documents which are guidelines for the whole world.
86.Catholic Church has the largest collection of authentic Christian documents in the world in the Vatican archives.
87.Catholic Church is the last refuge for those who are persecuted.
88.Catholic Church is because the "Pillar and the foundation of truth" has said so.
89.Catholic Church is because common sense tells us so.
90.Catholic Church is the undisputed leader of Christianity in the world.
91.Catholic Church is its own City-State, and is represented in the United Nations. Acts 1:8
92.When Rome speaks, the whole world listens.
93.Catholic Church is the only Christian Church which proclaims Jubilee years.
94.Circumstantial evidence points to the Catholic Church and only the Catholic Church.
95.The Catholic Church hears and listens carefully to Jesus Christ, her founder.
96.Catholic Church always has what the world is lacking.
We know because The Catholic Church is the Most Hated Christian Church in the World.
Just as the Catholic Church is the Body of Christ, so she naturally must follow the trials and tribulations of her founder and Head. His physical body endured an unmerciful persecution and scourging, and so must His Mystical Body, the Catholic Church, endure the same.
A comparison between Jesus Christ and His Mystical Body. They are one and cannot be separated.
What happened to the One also happens to the other.
Jesus Christ persecuted..................................His Mystical Body, the Catholic Church persecuted...
They rebelled against His Authority......................They rebel against its Authority. 2Peter 2:10
They said Crucify Him.........................................They have tried to destroy it for 2000 years.
He is called Beelzebub..........................................It is run by Satan. Matthew 10:25.
He is a false messiah............................................It is a false church. Luke 22:70-71
He called Himself the Son of GOD.......................It claims it was founded by GOD, Matthew 16:18.
He called Himself Truth.......................................It claims to be infallible, 1Timothy 3:15.
He called Himself King........................................It says it is the only true Church, Matthew 16:18.
He could not sin...................................................It has no spot or wrinkle, Ephesians 5:27.
He was not be believed by many...........................It is not believed by many. Luke 22:67
He was denied by many........................................It is denied by many. Luke 22:57-60
Not understanding Him, they walked away...........Not understanding it, they walk away. John 6:66
He had false accusers...........................................It has false accusers. Mark 14:56-59
He was mocked....................................................It is mocked. Luke 23:35-37
He was scandalized..............................................It is scandalized. Luke 17:1-2
He was hated without a cause...............................It is hated without a cause. John 15:18-25
His accuser, Judas, died.......................................Its accusers die, but still, the Church lives on.
His enemies would stumble and fall......................Its enemies stumble and fall. John 18:6
We have no king but Caesar.................................We have no need of it, as we have the Bible.
Can anything good come out of Nazareth?............Can anything good come from Rome? John 1:46
They cried out, "Not this one but Barabbas".........It is also rejected by the world. John 15:18-25
He bore His Cross................................................It bears a cross also, the cross of persecution.
He died on the Cross............................................It has thousands of martyrs, many on crosses.
1970 years later, He lives, stronger than ever........1970 years later, it lives, stronger than ever.
However, no matter how hard the persecutors try...
His Kingdom will last forever, Daniel 7:14, Hebrews 1:8.
His Church will last until the end of the world as promised by Him in Matthew 28:20.
"BEHOLD, I HAVE GIVEN YOU POWER TO TREAD UPON SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS, AND OVER ALL THE MIGHT OF THE ENEMY; AND NOTHING SHALL HURT YOU."
Luke 10:19
"Do not be a stumbling block to Jews and Greeks AND TO THE CHURCH OF GOD"
1Corinthians 10:32
Anyone who persecutes the Catholic Church has made himself/herself a stumbling block to the Church of GOD. It is a clear violation of Holy Scripture.
"For I am the least of the Apostles, and I AM NOT WORTHY TO BE CALLED AN APOSTLE, BECAUSE I PERSECUTED THE CHURCH OF GOD." 1Corinthians 15:9
"Do not be surprised, brethren, IF THE WORLD HATES YOU." 1John 3:13
"IF THE WORLD HATES YOU, KNOW THAT IT HATED ME BEFORE YOU.
IF YOU WERE OF THE WORLD, THE WORLD WOULD LOVE ITS OWN. BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE THE WORLD HATES YOU.
REMEMBER THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU: NO SERVANT IS GREATER THAN HIS MASTER. IF THEY HAVE PERSECUTED ME, THEY WILL PERSECUTE YOU ALSO; IF THEY HAVE KEPT MY WORD, THEY WILL KEEP YOURS ALSO.
BUT ALL OF THESE THINGS THEY WILL DO TO YOU FOR MY NAME'S SAKE, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW HIM WHO SENT ME.
IF I HAD NOT COME AND SPOKEN TO THEM, THEY WOULD HAVE NO SIN. BUT NOW THEY HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR THEIR SIN. HE WHO HATES ME HATES MY FATHER ALSO. IF I HAD NOT DONE AMONG THEM WORKS SUCH AS NO ONE ELSE HAS DONE, THEY WOULD HAVE NO SIN. BUT NOW THEY HAVE SEEN, AND HAVE HATED BOTH ME AND MY FATHER;
BUT THAT THE WORD WRITTEN IN THEIR LAW MAY BE FULFILLED, 'THEY HAVE HATED ME WITHOUT CAUSE', (Psalms 35:19)".
John 15:18-25
I would say that Jesus Christ said it all in these verses written with the inspired pen of Saint John wouldn't you?
Name another Church which is attacked so much on a daily basis as is the Catholic Church?
Jesus Christ warned us, "You will be HATED BY ALL NATIONS for My Name's sake."
Matthew 24:9
"Blessed are you when men reproach you, and persecute you, and speaking falsely, say all manner of evil against you, for My sake. REJOICE AND EXULT, BECAUSE YOUR REWARD IS GREAT IN HEAVEN; for so did they persecute the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
Everytime you see someone persecuting the Catholic Church, or speaking falsely against her, be happy, because those people are merely helping Catholics to gain their eternal reward in Heaven.
It is a promise from Jesus Christ Himself.
Peter's commission:
Here are some of the attributes of Jesus Christ which He passed on and shared with Peter by working through him...
Jesus is: Peter is:
The Good Shepherd, John 10:11-14 Shepherd of the Church, John 21:17
The Door of the Sheep, John 10:7 John 20:21-23, 21:17
The Rock, 1Corinthians 10:4 Matthew 16:18
The Foundation, 1Corinthians 3:11 Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 2:20
The Key Holder, Revelation 3:7 Matthew 16:19
Infallible, John 14:6 Luke 10:16, 22:28-32
The Recipient of GOD's Word, John 5:30 Matthew 16:17, Acts 15:7
Having the Authority, Matthew 28:18 Matthew 18:15-20, Acts 2:14-40, 15:7
A Worker of Miracles, Mark 2:2-12 Acts 3:6-12, 5:15
Able to raise the dead, John 11:43-44 Acts 9:36-42
The Invisible Head of His Church, Eph 5:23-24 The Visible Head of Christ's Church, Matt 16:18
What is the History of Your Church?
Church Year Established Founder Where Established
Catholic 33 Jesus Christ Jerusalem
Orthodox 1054 Schismatic Catholic
Bishops Constantinople
Lutheran 1517 Martin Luther Germany
Anabaptist 1521 Nicholas Storch &
Thomas Munzer Germany
Anglican 1534 Henry VIII England
Mennonites 1536 Menno Simons Switzerland
Calvinist 1555 John Calvin Switzerland
Presbyterian 1560 John Knox Scotland
Congregational 1582 Robert Brown Holland
Baptist 1609 John Smyth Amsterdam
Dutch Reformed 1628 Michaelis Jones New York
Congregationalist 1648 Pilgrims and Puritans Massachusetts
Quakers 1649 George Fox England
Amish 1693 Jacob Amman France
Freemasons 1717 Masons from four lodges London
Methodist 1739 John & Charles
Wesley England
Unitarian 1774 Theophilus Lindey London
Methodist Episcopal 1784 60 Preachers Baltimore, MD
Episcopalian 1789 Samuel Seabury American Colonies
United Brethren 1800 Philip Otterbein &
Martin Boehn Maryland
Disciples of Christ 1827 Thomas & Alexander
Campbell Kentucky
Mormon 1830 Joseph Smith New York
Methodist Protestant 1830 Methodist United States
Church of Christ 1836 Warren Stone &
Alexander Campbell Kentucky
Seventh Day Adventist 1844 Ellen White Washington, NH
Christadelphian (Brethren
of Christ 1844 John Thomas Richmond, VA
Salvation Army 1865 William Booth London
Holiness 1867 Methodist United States
Jehovah's Witnesses 1874 Charles Taze Russell Pennsylvania
Christian Science 1879 Mary Baker Eddy Boston
Church of God in Christ 1895 Various churches of God Arkansas
Church of Nazarene c. 1850-1900 Various religious bodies Pilot Point, TX
Pentecstal 1901 Charles F. Parkham Topeka, KS
Aglipayan 1902 Gregorio Aglipay Philippines
Assemblies of God 1914 Pentecostalism Hot Springs, AZ
Iglesia ni Christo 1914 Felix Manalo Philippines
Four-square Gospel 1917 Aimee Semple
McPherson Los Angeles, CA
United Church of Christ 1961 Reformed and
Congregationalist Philadelphia, PA
Calvary Chapel 1965 Chuck Smith Costa Mesa, CA
United Methodist 1968 Methodist and United
Brethren Dallas, TX
Born-again c. 1970s Various religious bodies United States
Harvest Christian 1972 Greg Laurie Riverside, CA
Saddleback 1982 Rick Warren California
Non-denominational c. 1990s various United States
(This article source is from http://home.inreach.com/bstanley/)
1.Catholic Church was prefigured by Old Testament prophets.
2.Catholic Church has a Holy Founder in Jesus Christ.
3.Catholic Church was built upon the Rock of Peter and the foundation of the Apostles.
4.God guaranteed that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against it.
5.Jesus Christ said it would last forever, as He would be with it always.
6.Therefore it can be found in every day, in every century, from the time He said it.
7.Jesus Christ left His legacy, the Kingdom of GOD, His Church, to the care of the Apostles.
8.Catholic Church is guided by the Holy Spirit. Acts 15:28
9.Catholic Church is a living Church.
10.Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Christ.
11.Catholic Church can neither be confused nor separated from its head.
12.The thread of the Church is woven throughout Holy Scripture.
Catholic Church is a Christ based Church, whereas the Bible is Catholic Church based.
13.Catholic Church has all of the pieces to the puzzle.
14.Catholic Church is indefectible. Ephesians 5:27
15.Catholic Church is The Bride of Christ.
16.Catholic Church is infallible in matters of faith and morals since it is guided by the Holy Spirit.
17.Catholic Church is infallible in its teaching of Holy Scripture since it is guided by the Holy Spirit.
18.Catholic Church fits the blueprint laid out for it in Holy Scripture.
19.Catholic Church is a visible Church that could not be hidden.
20.Jesus Christ would be the invisible head and we, the body of His Church.
21.His Church would cover the earth. Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8.
22.GOD appointed a visible Father Figure to shepherd His flock on earth, as He had always done.
23.Catholic Church is the Pillar and the Foundation of Truth. 1Timothy 3:15
24.Catholic Church alone has the fullness of truth.
25.GOD's Church would have an hierarchal form of government.
26.GOD's Church would have Bishops, Priests, and Deacons within it.
27.Catholic Church has a system of Apostolic Succession in order to perpetuate the visible Church on earth.
28.Catholic Church is traceable through an unbroken line of Apostolic Succession all the way back to St. Peter.
29This unbroken line is shown in secular encyclopedias as well as Catholic archives.
30.Catholic Church has a succession of truth in teaching all the way from 31.Jesus Christ down to present day Bishops.
32.Catholic Church is almost 1500 years older than the oldest Protestant church.
33.Catholic Church has the authority to abolish or enforce rules of conduct, through binding and loosing.
34.Catholic Church has the authority to forgive or to retain sins, through binding and loosing. John 20:21-23
35.Catholic Church teaches that we are not automatically saved, but our salvation depends upon us as well.
36.Catholic Church has the authority to form Councils when needed, in order to settle the issues that arise. Acts 15
37.Catholic Church was given the authority to decide the Canons of both the Old and New Testaments of Scripture.
38.Catholic Church decided the Canon of both testaments by infallible decision of several Councils.
39.Catholic Church more finely develops revealed public revelation.
40.Catholic Church does not twist Scripture to conform to its teachings. It conforms its teaching to Scripture.
41.Catholic Church has faithfully copied and preserved Holy Scripture down through the ages.
42.Catholic Church has known that The Word was Heard and not Read by the masses before the printing press.
43.Catholic Church has the final authority. Matthew 18:15-18
44.Catholic Church holds many traditions which are followed by Catholics and Protestants alike.
45.Catholic Church is an "And" Church, not "Or".
46.Catholic Church is a teaching Church as commanded by Holy Scripture.
47.Catholic Church is consistent in its teaching and does not 'flip-flop' as do other churches for the whims of people.
48.Catholic Church faithfully feeds the sheep as commanded by Jesus Christ.
49.Catholic Church is rock solid and unchanging in its teaching.
50.Catholic Church stands upon a solid three legged stool, of Scripture, of Apostolic Tradition, and the Magisterium.
51.Catholic Church is the guardian of both Sacred Scripture and of Sacred Tradition.
52.Catholic Church has the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Matthew 26:26
53.The Apostles knew that the truth was in Jesus Christ and in His one true Church.
54.Catholic Church has Eucharistic Adoration.
55.Catholic Church offers a clean oblation around the world and around the clock, in the Holy Mass. Malachi 1:11
56.In every minute of every day, a Mass is being celebrated somewhere.
57.Catholic Church venerates Christ on the Cross as a sacrifice and not just a plain cross devoid of Christ.
58.Catholic Church preaches the Gospel to the whole world. Matthew 24:14
59.Catholic Church has produced many thousands of Holy Saints.
60.The Church venerates the Mother of GOD. Luke 1:26-56
61.The Church venerates the Saints who have done so much for it.
62.The Mother of GOD is also the Mother of the Church. John 19:26-27
63.Catholic Church has all seven Sacraments.
64.Catholic Church treats marriage as a Sacrament.
65.Catholic Church has an annulment procedure.
66.Catholic Church has many varied Devotions.
67.Catholic Church can be found by its name, the Catholic Church, in thousands of early writings.
68.Catholic Church can be shown from these same writings that it is the same Church which Jesus Christ founded.
69.Catholic Church houses the remains of all of the Apostles and Gospel writers.
70.Catholic Church is the New Jerusalem.
71.Catholic Church is our Mother Church.
72.Catholic Church has withstood the ravages of thousands of detractors and heretics from its very foundation.
73.Catholic Church has performed many successful exorcisms.
74.Catholic Church is unbending and unmovable in its pro-life stance.
75.Catholic Church has scores of separate services of help. 1Corinthians 12:28
76.Catholic Church preaches the Word of GOD to the entire world through E.W.T.N. and other resources.
77.Catholic Church tries to unite all of Christianity into one fold.
78.Catholic Church has incredible openness.
79.Catholic Church Has provided us with a comprehensive catechism.
80.Catholic Church has a vast influx of intellectuals.
81.Catholic Church has had a spectacular growth, with over one billion Catholics in the world now.
82.Catholic Church has the Holy Spirit dwelling within it.
83.Catholic Church has humbled itself by apologizing to GOD for the past sins of some of its members.
84.Catholic Church is the most outspoken advocate of morality on earth.
85.Catholic Church has issued so many beautiful Papal documents which are guidelines for the whole world.
86.Catholic Church has the largest collection of authentic Christian documents in the world in the Vatican archives.
87.Catholic Church is the last refuge for those who are persecuted.
88.Catholic Church is because the "Pillar and the foundation of truth" has said so.
89.Catholic Church is because common sense tells us so.
90.Catholic Church is the undisputed leader of Christianity in the world.
91.Catholic Church is its own City-State, and is represented in the United Nations. Acts 1:8
92.When Rome speaks, the whole world listens.
93.Catholic Church is the only Christian Church which proclaims Jubilee years.
94.Circumstantial evidence points to the Catholic Church and only the Catholic Church.
95.The Catholic Church hears and listens carefully to Jesus Christ, her founder.
96.Catholic Church always has what the world is lacking.
We know because The Catholic Church is the Most Hated Christian Church in the World.
Just as the Catholic Church is the Body of Christ, so she naturally must follow the trials and tribulations of her founder and Head. His physical body endured an unmerciful persecution and scourging, and so must His Mystical Body, the Catholic Church, endure the same.
A comparison between Jesus Christ and His Mystical Body. They are one and cannot be separated.
What happened to the One also happens to the other.
Jesus Christ persecuted..................................His Mystical Body, the Catholic Church persecuted...
They rebelled against His Authority......................They rebel against its Authority. 2Peter 2:10
They said Crucify Him.........................................They have tried to destroy it for 2000 years.
He is called Beelzebub..........................................It is run by Satan. Matthew 10:25.
He is a false messiah............................................It is a false church. Luke 22:70-71
He called Himself the Son of GOD.......................It claims it was founded by GOD, Matthew 16:18.
He called Himself Truth.......................................It claims to be infallible, 1Timothy 3:15.
He called Himself King........................................It says it is the only true Church, Matthew 16:18.
He could not sin...................................................It has no spot or wrinkle, Ephesians 5:27.
He was not be believed by many...........................It is not believed by many. Luke 22:67
He was denied by many........................................It is denied by many. Luke 22:57-60
Not understanding Him, they walked away...........Not understanding it, they walk away. John 6:66
He had false accusers...........................................It has false accusers. Mark 14:56-59
He was mocked....................................................It is mocked. Luke 23:35-37
He was scandalized..............................................It is scandalized. Luke 17:1-2
He was hated without a cause...............................It is hated without a cause. John 15:18-25
His accuser, Judas, died.......................................Its accusers die, but still, the Church lives on.
His enemies would stumble and fall......................Its enemies stumble and fall. John 18:6
We have no king but Caesar.................................We have no need of it, as we have the Bible.
Can anything good come out of Nazareth?............Can anything good come from Rome? John 1:46
They cried out, "Not this one but Barabbas".........It is also rejected by the world. John 15:18-25
He bore His Cross................................................It bears a cross also, the cross of persecution.
He died on the Cross............................................It has thousands of martyrs, many on crosses.
1970 years later, He lives, stronger than ever........1970 years later, it lives, stronger than ever.
However, no matter how hard the persecutors try...
His Kingdom will last forever, Daniel 7:14, Hebrews 1:8.
His Church will last until the end of the world as promised by Him in Matthew 28:20.
"BEHOLD, I HAVE GIVEN YOU POWER TO TREAD UPON SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS, AND OVER ALL THE MIGHT OF THE ENEMY; AND NOTHING SHALL HURT YOU."
Luke 10:19
"Do not be a stumbling block to Jews and Greeks AND TO THE CHURCH OF GOD"
1Corinthians 10:32
Anyone who persecutes the Catholic Church has made himself/herself a stumbling block to the Church of GOD. It is a clear violation of Holy Scripture.
"For I am the least of the Apostles, and I AM NOT WORTHY TO BE CALLED AN APOSTLE, BECAUSE I PERSECUTED THE CHURCH OF GOD." 1Corinthians 15:9
"Do not be surprised, brethren, IF THE WORLD HATES YOU." 1John 3:13
"IF THE WORLD HATES YOU, KNOW THAT IT HATED ME BEFORE YOU.
IF YOU WERE OF THE WORLD, THE WORLD WOULD LOVE ITS OWN. BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE THE WORLD HATES YOU.
REMEMBER THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU: NO SERVANT IS GREATER THAN HIS MASTER. IF THEY HAVE PERSECUTED ME, THEY WILL PERSECUTE YOU ALSO; IF THEY HAVE KEPT MY WORD, THEY WILL KEEP YOURS ALSO.
BUT ALL OF THESE THINGS THEY WILL DO TO YOU FOR MY NAME'S SAKE, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KNOW HIM WHO SENT ME.
IF I HAD NOT COME AND SPOKEN TO THEM, THEY WOULD HAVE NO SIN. BUT NOW THEY HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR THEIR SIN. HE WHO HATES ME HATES MY FATHER ALSO. IF I HAD NOT DONE AMONG THEM WORKS SUCH AS NO ONE ELSE HAS DONE, THEY WOULD HAVE NO SIN. BUT NOW THEY HAVE SEEN, AND HAVE HATED BOTH ME AND MY FATHER;
BUT THAT THE WORD WRITTEN IN THEIR LAW MAY BE FULFILLED, 'THEY HAVE HATED ME WITHOUT CAUSE', (Psalms 35:19)".
John 15:18-25
I would say that Jesus Christ said it all in these verses written with the inspired pen of Saint John wouldn't you?
Name another Church which is attacked so much on a daily basis as is the Catholic Church?
Jesus Christ warned us, "You will be HATED BY ALL NATIONS for My Name's sake."
Matthew 24:9
"Blessed are you when men reproach you, and persecute you, and speaking falsely, say all manner of evil against you, for My sake. REJOICE AND EXULT, BECAUSE YOUR REWARD IS GREAT IN HEAVEN; for so did they persecute the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
Everytime you see someone persecuting the Catholic Church, or speaking falsely against her, be happy, because those people are merely helping Catholics to gain their eternal reward in Heaven.
It is a promise from Jesus Christ Himself.
Peter's commission:
Here are some of the attributes of Jesus Christ which He passed on and shared with Peter by working through him...
Jesus is: Peter is:
The Good Shepherd, John 10:11-14 Shepherd of the Church, John 21:17
The Door of the Sheep, John 10:7 John 20:21-23, 21:17
The Rock, 1Corinthians 10:4 Matthew 16:18
The Foundation, 1Corinthians 3:11 Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 2:20
The Key Holder, Revelation 3:7 Matthew 16:19
Infallible, John 14:6 Luke 10:16, 22:28-32
The Recipient of GOD's Word, John 5:30 Matthew 16:17, Acts 15:7
Having the Authority, Matthew 28:18 Matthew 18:15-20, Acts 2:14-40, 15:7
A Worker of Miracles, Mark 2:2-12 Acts 3:6-12, 5:15
Able to raise the dead, John 11:43-44 Acts 9:36-42
The Invisible Head of His Church, Eph 5:23-24 The Visible Head of Christ's Church, Matt 16:18
What is the History of Your Church?
Church Year Established Founder Where Established
Catholic 33 Jesus Christ Jerusalem
Orthodox 1054 Schismatic Catholic
Bishops Constantinople
Lutheran 1517 Martin Luther Germany
Anabaptist 1521 Nicholas Storch &
Thomas Munzer Germany
Anglican 1534 Henry VIII England
Mennonites 1536 Menno Simons Switzerland
Calvinist 1555 John Calvin Switzerland
Presbyterian 1560 John Knox Scotland
Congregational 1582 Robert Brown Holland
Baptist 1609 John Smyth Amsterdam
Dutch Reformed 1628 Michaelis Jones New York
Congregationalist 1648 Pilgrims and Puritans Massachusetts
Quakers 1649 George Fox England
Amish 1693 Jacob Amman France
Freemasons 1717 Masons from four lodges London
Methodist 1739 John & Charles
Wesley England
Unitarian 1774 Theophilus Lindey London
Methodist Episcopal 1784 60 Preachers Baltimore, MD
Episcopalian 1789 Samuel Seabury American Colonies
United Brethren 1800 Philip Otterbein &
Martin Boehn Maryland
Disciples of Christ 1827 Thomas & Alexander
Campbell Kentucky
Mormon 1830 Joseph Smith New York
Methodist Protestant 1830 Methodist United States
Church of Christ 1836 Warren Stone &
Alexander Campbell Kentucky
Seventh Day Adventist 1844 Ellen White Washington, NH
Christadelphian (Brethren
of Christ 1844 John Thomas Richmond, VA
Salvation Army 1865 William Booth London
Holiness 1867 Methodist United States
Jehovah's Witnesses 1874 Charles Taze Russell Pennsylvania
Christian Science 1879 Mary Baker Eddy Boston
Church of God in Christ 1895 Various churches of God Arkansas
Church of Nazarene c. 1850-1900 Various religious bodies Pilot Point, TX
Pentecstal 1901 Charles F. Parkham Topeka, KS
Aglipayan 1902 Gregorio Aglipay Philippines
Assemblies of God 1914 Pentecostalism Hot Springs, AZ
Iglesia ni Christo 1914 Felix Manalo Philippines
Four-square Gospel 1917 Aimee Semple
McPherson Los Angeles, CA
United Church of Christ 1961 Reformed and
Congregationalist Philadelphia, PA
Calvary Chapel 1965 Chuck Smith Costa Mesa, CA
United Methodist 1968 Methodist and United
Brethren Dallas, TX
Born-again c. 1970s Various religious bodies United States
Harvest Christian 1972 Greg Laurie Riverside, CA
Saddleback 1982 Rick Warren California
Non-denominational c. 1990s various United States
(This article source is from http://home.inreach.com/bstanley/)
Oral Tradition in the New Testament
The teaching of the Bible and of the Church is that God’s Word comes to us both through the writings of the prophets and apostles and through the oral Traditions that they handed on, and these are preserved by the Church through the leading of the Holy Spirit. The burden of proof is on any Christian who believes otherwise.
Matthew 2:23
Scripture says that Joseph and Mary returned to Nazareth after their sojourn in Egypt, "that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’" (Matt. 2:23). All commentators admit that the phrase "He shall be called a Nazarene" is not found anywhere in the Old Testament. Yet Matthew tells us that the Holy Family fulfilled this prophecy, which had been passed on "by the prophets."
The proposed solutions to explain this verse are legion. They range from trying to find some word-play on "Nazarene" in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament, to viewing this text as loosely "fulfilling" a conglomeration of Old Testament passages that refer to a despised Messiah. The serious grappling by scholars with the text is admirable, but in the end their solutions seem farfetched.
It may be that we should seek resolution in simplicity. When read in Greek, the introduction to this prophecy differs from all the other "fulfillment" sayings in Matthew (for example Matt. 1:22, 2:15, 3:15, and others). Thus, the failed attempts to locate the Old Testament background to this prophecy, coupled with this unique introduction, suggest to me that the simplest solution is probably the correct one: Matthew is drawing on oral Tradition for this saying. If this is the case, it is significant that he places this prophecy on the same level as ones he attributes to specific authors of the Old Testament. This then would be an example of God’s own Word being passed on via oral Tradition and not through written Scripture.
Matthew 23:2
Just before launching into a blistering denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus delivers this command to the crowds: "The scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice" (Matt. 23:2-3).
Although Jesus strongly indicts his opponents of hypocrisy for not following their own teaching, he nevertheless insists that the scribes and Pharisees hold a position of legitimate authority, which he characterizes as sitting "on Moses’ seat." One searches in vain for any reference to this seat of Moses in the Old Testament. But it was commonly understood in ancient Israel that there was an authoritative teaching office, passed on by Moses to successors.
As the first verse of the Mishna tractate Abôte indicates, the Jews understood that God’s revelation, received by Moses, had been handed down from him in uninterrupted succession, through Joshua, the elders, the prophets, and the great Sanhedrin (Acts 15:21). The scribes and Pharisees participated in this authoritative line and as such their teaching deserved to be respected.
Jesus here draws on oral Tradition to uphold the legitimacy of this teaching office in Israel. The Catholic Church, in upholding the legitimacy of both Scripture and Tradition, follows the example of Jesus himself.
In addition, we see that the structure of the Catholic Church—with an authoritative teaching office comprised of bishops who are the direct successors of the apostles—follows the example of ancient Israel. While there are groups of Christians today that deny continuity between Israel and the Church, historic orthodox Christianity has always understood the Church to be a fulfillment of Israel. This verse about Moses’ chair illuminates why we say that the successor of Peter, when he gives a solemn teaching for the whole Church, is said to speak ex cathedra or "from the chair."
Whereas under the Old Covenant the administration of God’s people came from the "chair of Moses," Christians under the New Covenant look to the "chair of Peter" for direction on questions of faith and morals. But there is a notable difference between the magisterium under the Old Covenant and our teachers under the New Covenant. The successors of the apostles, and especially Peter’s successor, have the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth, and they have Jesus’ promise that the "gates of hell will not prevail" against the Church (Matt. 16:17-19).
1 Corinthians 10:4
Paul shows how Christian sacraments—baptism and the Eucharist—were prefigured in the Old Testament. He treats baptism first: "Our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea" (vv. 1-2). Next he highlights the Eucharist, prefigured by the manna in the wilderness (v.3; cf. John 6:26-40), and the water that God provided for Israel: "All drank the same supernatural drink. For they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ" (1 Cor. 10:4).
The Old Testament says nothing about any movement of the rock that Moses struck to provide water for the Israelites (Ex. 17:1-7, Num. 20:2-13), but in rabbinic Tradition the rock actually followed them on their journey through the wilderness. In a further development, another Tradition, given by Philo, even equates this rock with preexistent Wisdom: "For the flinty rock is the Wisdom of God, which he marked off highest and chiefest from his powers, and from which he satisfies the thirsty souls that love God."
It seems that Paul is drawing on this Tradition, but he elevates it to even a higher level. Christ himself was the Rock who provided for the people of Israel, which in turn makes their rebellion all the more heinous (1 Cor. 10:5ff.). Paul does not hesitate to draw on stock oral Tradition to illustrate and enhance his presentation of the gospel. The details provided in these Traditions preserved under the Old Covenant shed fresh light on the preparation that God made through Israel for the building of his Church and on the characteristics of the Christian sacraments.
1 Peter 3:19
In his first epistle Peter tells of Christ’s journey to the netherworld during which "he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah" (1 Pet. 3:19). There is a growing scholarly consensus that the interpretive key to this verse is found in Genesis 6:1-7, in which "the sons of God" cohabited with "the daughters of men" and produced ghastly offspring. According to ancient interpretation, these "sons of God" were actually rebellious angels who sinned by mating with human women.
It appears likely that this is Peter’s view as well. "For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them to pits of nether gloom to be kept until judgment…then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial" (2 Pet. 2:4, 9). Note the close link to Noah and Geneses 6. Compare too Jude 6, which says that "the angels that did not keep their own position but left their proper dwelling have been kept by him in eternal chains in the nether gloom until the judgment of the great day…" These references are evidence that Peter has this traditional interpretation of Genesis 6:1-4 in mind when he writes of Christ’s preaching "to the spirits in prison."
Additional background is found in the extra-biblical book of 1 Enoch. In this work, which was popular both in ancient Jewish and early Christian circles, the righteous man Enoch (Gen. 5:22-24) goes at God’s command to the place where these sinful angels are imprisoned and proclaims their impending judgment and punishment for their sin.
The parallel to Peter’s epistle is too close to dismiss. It seems possible that Peter views Enoch as a "type" of Christ and that in 1 Peter 3:19 he portrays Christ as a "second Enoch," who goes to the spirit world and proclaims the final downfall of these evil spirits (compare Col. 2:15). Peter’s source for this analogy is Tradition, not Scripture.
This example is significant because it highlights one of the important functions that Tradition still plays for us. As is all too clear from the divisions within Christendom, Scripture may be interpreted in many different ways. Sometimes the Traditions passed on in the Catholic Church provide the interpretive key to certain passages. This was important in the early Church, because heretics of all stripes appealed to the Bible in support of their doctrine.
It is simply false to suppose that the early Church relied on sola scriptura to defend Christian orthodoxy. "There is no reason to infer," says J.N.D. Kelly in Early Christian Doctrines, "that the primitive Church regarded the apostolic testimony as confined to written documents emanating from, or attributed to, the apostles." Rather, the early Church Fathers argued that the interpretations of the heretics were not in line with the "rule of faith," that is, the deposit of Tradition passed on by the apostles to the bishops of the Catholic Church and preserved through an unbroken lineage.
A specific application of this is the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary. The data of the New Testament concerning the "brothers and sisters" of Jesus are ambiguous by themselves, although I would argue that the biblical evidence leans toward the Catholic interpretation. But we have additional help in the form of the Traditions preserved in the early Church which say that Mary remained a virgin and bore no other children besides Jesus. So Tradition can sometimes serve as arbiter and interpreter in cases where the meaning of Scripture is unclear.
Jude 9
Jude relates an altercation between Michael and Satan: "When the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, disputed about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a reviling judgment upon him, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you.’" (Jude 9).
As H. Willmering says in A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, "This incident is not mentioned in Scripture, but may have been a Jewish oral tradition, which is well known to the readers of this epistle." Some versions of the story circulating in ancient Judaism depict Satan trying to intervene as Michael buries the body. Several of the Church Fathers know of another version in which Moses’ body is assumed into heaven after his death. Jude draws on this oral Tradition to highlight the incredible arrogance of the heretics he opposes; even Michael the archangel did not take it on himself to rebuke Satan, and yet these men have no scruples in reviling celestial beings.
This text provides another example of a New Testament author tapping oral Tradition to expound Christian doctrine—in this case an issue of behavior. In addition, this text relates well to a Catholic dogma that troubles many non-Catholics—the bodily Assumption of Mary. There is no explicit biblical evidence for Mary’s Assumption (although see Rev. 12:1-6), but Jude not only provides us with a third biblical example of the bodily assumption of one of God’s special servants (see also Gen. 5:24, 2 Kgs. 2:11), he shows that oral Tradition can be the ground on which belief in such a dogma may be based.
Jude 14-15
This one’s a real show-stopper, perhaps the best example of all. St. Jude speaks of the rebellious upstarts of his day, saying, "It was of these also that Enoch in the seventh generation from Adam prophesied, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord came with his holy myriads, to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness which they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.’"
This statement may also be found in the non-Scriptural book of 1 Enoch (1:9); but Jude’s use of it does not really say anything about the inspiration of 1 Enoch. Rather, he asserts that the saying itself actually hales from the venerable Enoch, whose righteous life is mentioned in Genesis 4-5.
Here is a tradition, a prophetic revelation, which was passed on orally for millennia before being captured first in a non-inspired written document (1 Enoch) and then in an inspired document (Jude). Did the writers of the New Testament ever regard oral tradition as divine revelation? This example more than any other shows that the answer to that is a resounding, Yes!
Other Examples
There are a number of other examples in the New Testament in which the writer likely draws on oral tradition, but not so clearly in support of any doctrine. For instance, Paul dips into rabbinic tradition to supply the names, Jannes and Jambres, of the magicians who opposed Moses in Pharoah’s court (2 Tim. 3:8). In the Old Testament, these individuals are anonymous (Ex. 7:8ff.). James tells us that because of Elijah’s prayer there was no rain in Israel for three years (Jas. 5:17), but the Old Testament account of Elijah’s altercation with King Ahab says nothing of him praying (1 Kgs. 17).
It is rabbinic tradition that characterizes Elijah as the quintessential man of prayer. And even the Golden Rule, "So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets" (Matt. 7:12) was anticipated by Jewish oral Tradition. Rabbi Hillel taught, "What you do not like should be done to you, do not to your fellow; this is the whole Torah, all the rest is commentary."
Matthew 2:23
Scripture says that Joseph and Mary returned to Nazareth after their sojourn in Egypt, "that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’" (Matt. 2:23). All commentators admit that the phrase "He shall be called a Nazarene" is not found anywhere in the Old Testament. Yet Matthew tells us that the Holy Family fulfilled this prophecy, which had been passed on "by the prophets."
The proposed solutions to explain this verse are legion. They range from trying to find some word-play on "Nazarene" in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament, to viewing this text as loosely "fulfilling" a conglomeration of Old Testament passages that refer to a despised Messiah. The serious grappling by scholars with the text is admirable, but in the end their solutions seem farfetched.
It may be that we should seek resolution in simplicity. When read in Greek, the introduction to this prophecy differs from all the other "fulfillment" sayings in Matthew (for example Matt. 1:22, 2:15, 3:15, and others). Thus, the failed attempts to locate the Old Testament background to this prophecy, coupled with this unique introduction, suggest to me that the simplest solution is probably the correct one: Matthew is drawing on oral Tradition for this saying. If this is the case, it is significant that he places this prophecy on the same level as ones he attributes to specific authors of the Old Testament. This then would be an example of God’s own Word being passed on via oral Tradition and not through written Scripture.
Matthew 23:2
Just before launching into a blistering denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus delivers this command to the crowds: "The scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice" (Matt. 23:2-3).
Although Jesus strongly indicts his opponents of hypocrisy for not following their own teaching, he nevertheless insists that the scribes and Pharisees hold a position of legitimate authority, which he characterizes as sitting "on Moses’ seat." One searches in vain for any reference to this seat of Moses in the Old Testament. But it was commonly understood in ancient Israel that there was an authoritative teaching office, passed on by Moses to successors.
As the first verse of the Mishna tractate Abôte indicates, the Jews understood that God’s revelation, received by Moses, had been handed down from him in uninterrupted succession, through Joshua, the elders, the prophets, and the great Sanhedrin (Acts 15:21). The scribes and Pharisees participated in this authoritative line and as such their teaching deserved to be respected.
Jesus here draws on oral Tradition to uphold the legitimacy of this teaching office in Israel. The Catholic Church, in upholding the legitimacy of both Scripture and Tradition, follows the example of Jesus himself.
In addition, we see that the structure of the Catholic Church—with an authoritative teaching office comprised of bishops who are the direct successors of the apostles—follows the example of ancient Israel. While there are groups of Christians today that deny continuity between Israel and the Church, historic orthodox Christianity has always understood the Church to be a fulfillment of Israel. This verse about Moses’ chair illuminates why we say that the successor of Peter, when he gives a solemn teaching for the whole Church, is said to speak ex cathedra or "from the chair."
Whereas under the Old Covenant the administration of God’s people came from the "chair of Moses," Christians under the New Covenant look to the "chair of Peter" for direction on questions of faith and morals. But there is a notable difference between the magisterium under the Old Covenant and our teachers under the New Covenant. The successors of the apostles, and especially Peter’s successor, have the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth, and they have Jesus’ promise that the "gates of hell will not prevail" against the Church (Matt. 16:17-19).
1 Corinthians 10:4
Paul shows how Christian sacraments—baptism and the Eucharist—were prefigured in the Old Testament. He treats baptism first: "Our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea" (vv. 1-2). Next he highlights the Eucharist, prefigured by the manna in the wilderness (v.3; cf. John 6:26-40), and the water that God provided for Israel: "All drank the same supernatural drink. For they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ" (1 Cor. 10:4).
The Old Testament says nothing about any movement of the rock that Moses struck to provide water for the Israelites (Ex. 17:1-7, Num. 20:2-13), but in rabbinic Tradition the rock actually followed them on their journey through the wilderness. In a further development, another Tradition, given by Philo, even equates this rock with preexistent Wisdom: "For the flinty rock is the Wisdom of God, which he marked off highest and chiefest from his powers, and from which he satisfies the thirsty souls that love God."
It seems that Paul is drawing on this Tradition, but he elevates it to even a higher level. Christ himself was the Rock who provided for the people of Israel, which in turn makes their rebellion all the more heinous (1 Cor. 10:5ff.). Paul does not hesitate to draw on stock oral Tradition to illustrate and enhance his presentation of the gospel. The details provided in these Traditions preserved under the Old Covenant shed fresh light on the preparation that God made through Israel for the building of his Church and on the characteristics of the Christian sacraments.
1 Peter 3:19
In his first epistle Peter tells of Christ’s journey to the netherworld during which "he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah" (1 Pet. 3:19). There is a growing scholarly consensus that the interpretive key to this verse is found in Genesis 6:1-7, in which "the sons of God" cohabited with "the daughters of men" and produced ghastly offspring. According to ancient interpretation, these "sons of God" were actually rebellious angels who sinned by mating with human women.
It appears likely that this is Peter’s view as well. "For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them to pits of nether gloom to be kept until judgment…then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial" (2 Pet. 2:4, 9). Note the close link to Noah and Geneses 6. Compare too Jude 6, which says that "the angels that did not keep their own position but left their proper dwelling have been kept by him in eternal chains in the nether gloom until the judgment of the great day…" These references are evidence that Peter has this traditional interpretation of Genesis 6:1-4 in mind when he writes of Christ’s preaching "to the spirits in prison."
Additional background is found in the extra-biblical book of 1 Enoch. In this work, which was popular both in ancient Jewish and early Christian circles, the righteous man Enoch (Gen. 5:22-24) goes at God’s command to the place where these sinful angels are imprisoned and proclaims their impending judgment and punishment for their sin.
The parallel to Peter’s epistle is too close to dismiss. It seems possible that Peter views Enoch as a "type" of Christ and that in 1 Peter 3:19 he portrays Christ as a "second Enoch," who goes to the spirit world and proclaims the final downfall of these evil spirits (compare Col. 2:15). Peter’s source for this analogy is Tradition, not Scripture.
This example is significant because it highlights one of the important functions that Tradition still plays for us. As is all too clear from the divisions within Christendom, Scripture may be interpreted in many different ways. Sometimes the Traditions passed on in the Catholic Church provide the interpretive key to certain passages. This was important in the early Church, because heretics of all stripes appealed to the Bible in support of their doctrine.
It is simply false to suppose that the early Church relied on sola scriptura to defend Christian orthodoxy. "There is no reason to infer," says J.N.D. Kelly in Early Christian Doctrines, "that the primitive Church regarded the apostolic testimony as confined to written documents emanating from, or attributed to, the apostles." Rather, the early Church Fathers argued that the interpretations of the heretics were not in line with the "rule of faith," that is, the deposit of Tradition passed on by the apostles to the bishops of the Catholic Church and preserved through an unbroken lineage.
A specific application of this is the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary. The data of the New Testament concerning the "brothers and sisters" of Jesus are ambiguous by themselves, although I would argue that the biblical evidence leans toward the Catholic interpretation. But we have additional help in the form of the Traditions preserved in the early Church which say that Mary remained a virgin and bore no other children besides Jesus. So Tradition can sometimes serve as arbiter and interpreter in cases where the meaning of Scripture is unclear.
Jude 9
Jude relates an altercation between Michael and Satan: "When the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, disputed about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a reviling judgment upon him, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you.’" (Jude 9).
As H. Willmering says in A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, "This incident is not mentioned in Scripture, but may have been a Jewish oral tradition, which is well known to the readers of this epistle." Some versions of the story circulating in ancient Judaism depict Satan trying to intervene as Michael buries the body. Several of the Church Fathers know of another version in which Moses’ body is assumed into heaven after his death. Jude draws on this oral Tradition to highlight the incredible arrogance of the heretics he opposes; even Michael the archangel did not take it on himself to rebuke Satan, and yet these men have no scruples in reviling celestial beings.
This text provides another example of a New Testament author tapping oral Tradition to expound Christian doctrine—in this case an issue of behavior. In addition, this text relates well to a Catholic dogma that troubles many non-Catholics—the bodily Assumption of Mary. There is no explicit biblical evidence for Mary’s Assumption (although see Rev. 12:1-6), but Jude not only provides us with a third biblical example of the bodily assumption of one of God’s special servants (see also Gen. 5:24, 2 Kgs. 2:11), he shows that oral Tradition can be the ground on which belief in such a dogma may be based.
Jude 14-15
This one’s a real show-stopper, perhaps the best example of all. St. Jude speaks of the rebellious upstarts of his day, saying, "It was of these also that Enoch in the seventh generation from Adam prophesied, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord came with his holy myriads, to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness which they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.’"
This statement may also be found in the non-Scriptural book of 1 Enoch (1:9); but Jude’s use of it does not really say anything about the inspiration of 1 Enoch. Rather, he asserts that the saying itself actually hales from the venerable Enoch, whose righteous life is mentioned in Genesis 4-5.
Here is a tradition, a prophetic revelation, which was passed on orally for millennia before being captured first in a non-inspired written document (1 Enoch) and then in an inspired document (Jude). Did the writers of the New Testament ever regard oral tradition as divine revelation? This example more than any other shows that the answer to that is a resounding, Yes!
Other Examples
There are a number of other examples in the New Testament in which the writer likely draws on oral tradition, but not so clearly in support of any doctrine. For instance, Paul dips into rabbinic tradition to supply the names, Jannes and Jambres, of the magicians who opposed Moses in Pharoah’s court (2 Tim. 3:8). In the Old Testament, these individuals are anonymous (Ex. 7:8ff.). James tells us that because of Elijah’s prayer there was no rain in Israel for three years (Jas. 5:17), but the Old Testament account of Elijah’s altercation with King Ahab says nothing of him praying (1 Kgs. 17).
It is rabbinic tradition that characterizes Elijah as the quintessential man of prayer. And even the Golden Rule, "So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets" (Matt. 7:12) was anticipated by Jewish oral Tradition. Rabbi Hillel taught, "What you do not like should be done to you, do not to your fellow; this is the whole Torah, all the rest is commentary."
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