Why should we pray to Virgin Mary? The reasons are many.
Why do Catholics pray to Mother Mary? Is Rosary really powerful?
The intercession of Mother Mary is very powerful as Jesus cannot neglect His mothers commands.This can be proved by the first miracle Jesus did at the wedding at Cana. – (John 2:1-11). Mother Mary told Jesus “They have no more wine.” And what was the final result? He turned water into wine.
In “The Poem of the Man-God” by Maria Valtorta, she says that Jesus told her about this incident as “I did it for Mary”. This proves that the intercession of Mother Mary is very very strong.
Mother Mary was blessed with Holy Spirit abundantly. We can see this as we read “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:39-41) ; just by Virgin Mary’s greeting.
Listen to the talk from Apologetics on Mary, Purgatory and The Bible
What the angels thought on this matter:-
When angel appeared before Zechariah,father of John, angel just greets him by his name ,nothing more although he was “upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.” – (Luke 1:6)
When angel appeared before Joseph, the greeting was like this: “an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” – (Matthew 1:20). Angel greeted him ‘son of david’, thats all.
Now let us see how did the angel greet Virgin Mary. It goes like this: “The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28). See the difference….
Also read the article Mary, The Mystical Rose
I pray to the Virgin Mary for she is the Mother of Our Saviour.A ‘truth’, which this debate reveals, is far from being understood by some contributors.A truth that in a sense is mind boggling!
Mary provided the sanctified and perfect human nature for her son for to do so she had to be sinless and a virgin.Think about it- the almighty God being born via one of his creatures!Surely Mary had been prepared by the Holy Spirit prior to the creation of the world?
Yes, a divine person with a fully human nature.Thus in turn Mary,a human person,participated in the divine life.In truth Mary is what we all hope to become!!!
Mary is the heart of ‘created union’.In her”full of grace”(Lk 1:28)we see the destiny of the perfectly human being,in her ‘yes'(cf.Lk 1:38)Mary unites all of humanity with divinity,and in her “all generations shall call me blessed”(cf Lk 1:48)every human person is brought under the same faith in worship of the one true Creator.
OH MOTHER,I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!
@Liam (#1360)
You seem to have some problems with the term “Christian” and all the time want to project everything Jesus established has been Catholic right from the very beginning. Aren’t you trying to say that the terms Christian, Christianity, Christ, Jesus Christ are misnomers? Who is going to accept your popery madness? Please keep your un-scriptural opinions to yourself. Can you explain to readers of this post that if the Roman Catholic Church is the one true church established by Christ, that why is the teaching of Salvation different in comparison to what the Bible teaches on the same? Why is the teaching of salvation of RC Church and Biblical Christianity not agreement?
@Liam (#1362)
I pray to the Virgin Mary for she is the Mother of Our Saviour.A ‘truth’, which this debate reveals, is far from being understood by some contributors.A truth that in a sense is mind boggling!
That is your personal interpretation and has no scriptural support. The basis of all truth is Gods Holy Word. Your figment of imagination has no support in scripture whatsoever. You are overwhelmed by a seducing spirit and overcome by sentimentalism. I am now beginning to wonder whether you truly your own biological mother. Wouldn’t you obey the words of Mary herself?
Mary provided the sanctified and perfect human nature for her son for to do so she had to be sinless and a virgin.
Really … where does it say that Mary had to be sinless? The child Jesus she held in her womb is God – God does not need a sinless woman as God is immune to sin. So Mary born sinless is baseless and not supported in scripture. We see God chose a humble peasant Jewish non-catholic woman to the mother. God could have chosen to born His in some rich family but instead chose a humble lowly woman who in total submission yielded to the will of God. That is called obedience. Are you obedient what God’s holy infallible Word teaches. NOOO!!! but you are basking in the glory of your stupid man-made traditions that are not in agreement with the scriptures.
.. and do you think that the Child Jesus who is God in Mary’s womb would be contaminated if Mary was a sinnner? Does not the scriptures say that all are sinners except Christ Jesus?
God accepts us just the way we are – sinners thru’ and thru. In obtaining redemption for us, Christ did not place any conditions on mankind that we need to clean our sins before he went to the cross. That is why the scriptures say that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Liam (#)
Please don’t get bogged down in the fruit of Tradition, that is the Bible, for both are equal.
They are not equal. you are telling “black” lies.
You state that the apostles never heard confession-where you there at the time?
Scriptures don’t mention anything about roman catholic pagan confessions. So i Believe the scriptures. Besides Act 10:26 confirms that Peter was a mere simple fisher-man who was not the first pope. I can prove to you from several verses that Peter was never the first pope.
Alan,
The written word comes out of tradition-it comes after tradition.It is a record of the fruit of tradition.Thus the Bible cannot be separated from ‘holy tradition’.
Thus, can the New Testament be separated from ‘tradition’? No!Because the Gospels,etc.,are the written record of tradition.For example,the coming of Christ and his crucifixion and all that followed is recorded by the writers of the New Testament under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.The writings could not predate the events recorded but the holy tradition of recording was necessary.Otherwise we would not have a Bible.Thus the Bible recording the events of Christianity cannot be separated from tradition for the events of Christianity comes from tradition.Thus holy tradition and its record, that is, the Bible are inseparable.
The only reason that non-Catholics emphasise the Bible and attack ‘holy tradition’is because that alone with the Bible thay can manipulate the true meaning of its contents.In fact Jesus was aware of people like yourself,Alan,that is why he gave Peter the ‘Keys of the kingdom of Heaven’and assured His Church that what they expressed in relation to faith and morals would be in accord with the Divine Will.
It is very clear in the scripture that Jesus established ‘ONE CHURCH’-BUT THOSE WHO ARE ANTI HIS CHURCH ARISING FROM SATANIC MANIPULATION, OR EGOISM,OR PERSONAL POWER-or the combination of the 3,ETC.,HATE AND OPPOSE AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITY.
Here is a bit of true history,Alan.
Before the Church of Christ had evolved to warrant the title ‘Catholic’in 160AD a person was born in Carthage-the African part of the Roman Empire-and named Tertullian.His father was a Centurian for the Roman proconsul there.
However,Tertullian became a lawyer and then converted to the Christian faith in 193 AD.Then after sometime he became a priest of Christ’s Church-the only one existing-but towards the end of his life there arose in The Church a very strict sect called the Montanists who had criticised a successor of Peter Pope or Father Callistus.
The reason for criticising the then Pope was because the latter was prepared to forgive believers who had committed adultery and fornication if the latter repented and confessed.Of course the Holy Father was right for that was why we have confession as instructed by Jesus.
May I also add that Tertullian’s behaviour reminds me of an early form of attempted ‘reformism’ in the the Church.It was based upon personal opinion and refused to acknowledge the assurance of Christ that in matters of faith and morals the Pope was guided by the Holy Spirit.
I didnt see any confessional booths in Acts
John 12:48 The one who rejects me, and does not receive my word, already has a judge: the very word I have spoken will condemn him on the last day.
God going to judge us based on his words… NOT by man-made traditions.
If you are a Roman Catholic:
1. You must not eat meat during this time of lent
2. You must pray through Mary, mother of god, because if you do, Jesus Christ her son is more likely to hear you than if you don’t.
3. You must acknowledge that Mary was bodily assumed into heaven and is now officially the queen of heaven.
4. You must acknowledge that Mary is forever the virgin, and that she never at any one time knew Joseph, her husband.
5. You must go to the confessional box and let the priest Roman Catholic priest forgive your sins.
6. You must be baptized in order to be regenerated, this must esp. happen when you are an infant.
7. You must keep pleading through the dead saints.
8. You must keep praying for your dead relatives, and conduct mass for them if you can, just in case they landed in purgatory, and you need to help them get out of there soonest possible.
9. You must attend mass.
10. You must agree that the bread you eat and the blood you drink in the Lord’s table has been consecrated by the presiding priest to be the real flesh and real blood of Jesus Christ. That the RC priest has got the power and authority to do this magic.
11. You must believe that the Pope is the Vicar of Christ here on earth, and that he is keeper of the keys.
12. You must agree that the pope is infallible, that he makes no mistakes while he sits on Peter’s seat.
13. you must agree that the RC traditions and teachings, however how aberrant they may be, are superior to the teachings of scripture.
14. You must believe that if you are not a Roman Catholic, you are lost and you do not belong to the church.
15. You must be convinced that if you are not a Roman Catholic, you will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.
dear catholic friends …. read bible and hear the word of god..
Psalms 119: 128
So I rule my life by your precepts, I hate all deceptive paths.
Run,Jibson,run,
For satan is having fun
When you and Alan,
His disciples,
Continue to attack
The Church of Christ.
Which was established
Ages before fundamentalism
Or protestantism
Arose from the slime
of his evil and sinful garden
Which is ‘hell’.
Thus if you continue
To hold his hand
He will take you
To where he dwells…
So run Jibson run-
Run Jibson run!!!!!!!
Jibson,
‘On the evening of that day,the first day of the week’Jesus appeared to his apostles.’He breathed on them,and said to them:”Receive the Holy Spirit.If you forgive the sins of any,they are forgiven;if you retain the sins of any,they are retained”.
And inspite of this and his Church Fathers total agreement there are those who deny the confessional.And to one of His priests you can confess anywhere-not necessarily in a booth.
I’ll pray for you and Alan at the Holy Sacrifice of The Mass this evening.
Please recognise that I love the ‘truth’and if I feel that I have to defend it on behalf of Our Saviour I will do so.
I bear no hatred towards anyone although my expressions at times may appear harsh.But the truth has to be defended.Sometimes an appearance of ‘harshness’ is the opening of the door to Christ.
Alan,1358.
The term ‘Church’means ‘convocation’.It refers to those whom God’s Word ‘convokes’i.e.it gathers together to form the people of God,and who themselves,nourished by the Body of Christ,become the Body of Christ.
The Church is both the means and the goal of our Creator’s plan:prefigured in creation,prepared for in the Old Covenant,founded by the words and actions of Jesus,fulfilled by his redeeming cross and his Resurrection,the Church has been manifested as the mystery of salvation by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.The authentic Church of Christ based at The Vatican will be perfected in the glory of heaven as the assembly of all the redeemed of the earth(cf.Rev 14:4).
Jesus once said’Abide in me,and I in you…I am the vine,you are the branches’.(JN 15:4-5).He also proclaimed a mysterious and real communion between his own body and ours:’He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me,and I in him'(Jn 6:56.)
@Liam (#1372)
I’ll pray for you and Alan at the Holy Sacrifice of The Mass this evening.
Don’t bother!! It won’t work and you are wasting your breath. I don’t believe the blasphemous RC mass.
What is the meaning of the mass anyway? The official RC Teaching?
@Liam (#1376)
All RC Catholics think that the Church Christ set up is a physical organization or a church building. The terms “church” and “church building” are not the same. Christ came to first and foremost save the lost sinners. He then established a “spiritual Church” of all born-again believers. The keys he gave to Peter were keys to the kingdom of heaven – that will comprise a “spiritual church” of all borna gain believers in the body of christ, separated or called out saints from this world. Physical churches” exist to train, equip the saints in righteousness for the glory of God.
There is no such exclusive and authentic Church of Christ based at “The Vatican”. That is your false indoctrination you have been brain-washed by RC popery madness.
Christ said – “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst”. Do you understand that when born-again believers assemble together it is the spiritual church of Christ gathered together in fellowship? The design patterns or structures of Christ church is clearly defined in the New Testament. A Church that is based on the structures of a New Testament church is the authentic church of Christ where the scriptures are the only infallible rule of faith. Tradition is welcome provided is DOES NOT contradict scripture. If it does .. then scripture takes authority above everything else and tradition is to be discarded.
We as Christians do not recognize that the Church at Vatican (built on an old pagan site) as authentic church of christ.
Alan-‘born again believers’?
The New Testament in no way states,’You must accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour’.Thats not what Jesus was talking about when he told Nicodemus in John (3:3)that he had to be’born again’.In fact Our Lord clarified what he did ‘MEAN’when he stated (2 verses later),’You must be born of water and the Spirit’.This was reference to ‘baptism’.St.John made this point clearer when describing Christ’s discourse with Nicodemus in verses 2-21,he stated in the next verse that ‘After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea;there he remained with them and baptised’.Then, continue on to where John reported how ‘the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptising more disciples than John’.In other words,when Our Saviour said we must be ‘born again’,what he meant was ‘Baptism’.
The above confirms Alan that the personal interpretation of scripture by non Catholics opens the doors to a flood of so called churches claiming to be the one church formed by Jesus.The Catholic interpretation of scripture is the only ‘truth’one can accept if we are seriously and sincerely committed to following the Son of God and Mary.The scriptures themselves confirm the assurance given by Jesus-that the truth would always be known via the Catholic Church.
Alan,
May I add that Baptism highlights justification by ‘grace’ alone.Thus the Protestant teaching of justification by ‘faith’ alone is unscriptural.
Why do I pray to Mary.
St.Elizabeth in holy scripture praised Mary and called her ‘blessed’ because she had ‘believed’.Mary,the faithful echo of our Creator,at once intoned:”My soul doth magnify the Lord”.(Lk 1:46).
Please reflect upon her answer-especially the word ‘magnify’…
That which Mary did then she now does daily.When we praise her, love her, honour her or give anything to her, it is God who is praised,God who is loved,God who is glorified,and it is to God that we give,through Mary and in Mary.
For God is ‘love’and because of that love he sent his Son to save and redeem us.The love that he has for us cannot be described in words and Mary who is one of us is loved immensely. A- because she is the mother of Jesus our Saviour and B- she freely offered herself to participate in our salvation when she answered “Yes” to Gabriel.Without that response would we be now ‘saved’?
May those who have expressed hatred and slander in the direction of our Mother be forgiven by her Son and may the former seek forgiveness for Mary is the predestined Queen of Heaven.
Alan,1375-
What an initial mouthfull!!!
Again you lie for we members of the Church of Christ do not believe what you allege.How could your allegation be true when as members of the one and only Church biblically based we are members of its mystical reality.That is we are members of the Body of Christ which is His Church.
I can assure you,Alan,that I am not a ‘brick’!!!
Why dont you take a trip to what you refer to as that ‘old pagan site’and enter the catacombs.There paintings and words express the truth of Catholicism, and the Mass, and Mary’s role,etc,.Scenes and words sculptored and painted in the early years of the Church.
As for scripture and tradition I have already referred to above but the Church’s interpretation will never conflict with tradition for Jesus in the Bible assures it of spiritual protection.Anyway the truth cannot be separated- tradition and bible contents are one!
Bear in mind that Jesus said “I will build my Church” not churches and not your or my church.The Catholic Church is Christ’s and is also called the Mystical Body of Christ.
So,Alan, the suppers waiting and Our Saviour is calling:”Behold,I stand at the door and knock;if anyone hears my voice and opens the door,I will come in to him and ‘eat’with him and he with me “(Rev 3:20).
I must honour mary she is the co-redeemer, she bore my lord in her womb, gave birth to him and nutured him for me. Mary is the mother of God, she means more to me and i thank for having created her. I thank her for accepted the message of God through angel…
@Liam (#1378):
A- because she is the mother of Jesus our Saviour and B- she freely offered herself to participate in our salvation when she answered “Yes†to Gabriel.Without that response would we be now ‘saved’?
IN OTHER WORDS WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO SAY IS THAT IF MARY REFUSED AND SAID “NO” – GODS PLAN OF SALVATION WOULD COME TO A SCREECHING HALT??
BESIDE WE ARE NOT SAVED BY MARY’S “YES”. WE ARE SAVED ONLY BY GOD’S GRACE ALONE THRU FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE (EPHESIANS 2:8-9). WE ARE SAVED WHEN WE RECOGNIZE THE GUILT OUT OUR SINS, THAT JESUS WAS THE SON OF GOD INCARNATE IN THE FLESH (1 JOHN 4:2) AND BELIEVE THRU FAITH THAT JESUS ALONE PAID THE PENALTY OF OUR SINS BY HIS SHED BLOOD ON THE CROSS, DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION (THAT IS THE GOSPEL).
YOUR ARE PREACHING A FALSE GOSPEL. YOU ARE ELEVATING MARY SHOWING HER AS BLESSED ABOVE WOMEN INSTEAD OF AMONG WOMEN. MANKIND’S SALVATION IS NOT DEPENDENT ON MARY’s ROLE WHATSOEVER. YOU ARE PROJECTING A FALSE MARY.
See John 3:16-17, 6:40, Romans 5:10, Acts 16:30-31.
May I add that Baptism highlights justification by ‘grace’ alone.Thus the Protestant teaching of justification by ‘faith’ alone is unscriptural.
Please provide the scripture reference to back up your claim…
Below are the teachings of the RC Church with comparison what the Bible teaches. You will see the notable difference and I challenge you to refute the un-biblical claims. The RC Church is not the one true church established by Christ.
Salvation: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that salvation is by baptismal regeneration and is maintained through the Catholic sacraments unless a willful act of sin is committed that breaks the state of sanctifying grace. The Bible teaches that we are saved by grace which is received through simple faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and that good works are the result of a change of the heart wrought in salvation (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17) and the fruit of that new life in Christ (John 15).
Assurance of salvation: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that salvation cannot be guaranteed or assured. 1 John 5:13 states that the letter of 1 John was written for the purpose of assuring believers of the CERTAINTY of their salvation.
Good Works: The Roman Catholic Church states that Christians are saved by meritorious works (beginning with baptism) and that salvation is maintained by good works (receiving the sacraments, confession of sin to a priest, etc.) The Bible states that Christians are saved by grace through faith, totally apart from works (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 3:10-11; Romans 3:19-24).
Baptism: In the New Testament baptism is ALWAYS practiced AFTER saving faith in Christ. Baptism is not the means of salvation; it is faith in the Gospel that saves (1 Corinthians 1:14-18; Romans 10:13-17). The Roman Catholic Church teaches baptismal regeneration of infants, a practice never found in Scripture. The only possible hint of infant baptism in the Bible that the Roman Catholic Church can point to is that the whole household of the Philippian jailer was baptized in Acts 16:33. However, the context nowhere mentions infants. Acts 16:31 declares that salvation is by faith. Paul spoke to all of the household in verse 32, and the whole household believed (verse 34). This passage only supports the baptism of those who have already believed, not of infants.
Prayer: The Roman Catholic Church teaches Catholics to not only pray to God, but also to petition Mary and the saints for their prayers. Contrary to this, we are taught in Scripture to only pray to God (Matthew 6:9; Luke 18:1-7).
Priesthood: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there is a distinction between the clergy and the “lay people,†whereas the New Testament teaches the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9).
Sacraments: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that a believer is infused with grace upon reception of the sacraments. Such teaching is nowhere found in Scripture.
Confession: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that unless a believer is hindered, the only way to receive the forgiveness of sins is by confessing them to a priest. Contrary to this, Scripture teaches that confession of sins is to be made to God (1 John 1:9).
Mary: The Roman Catholic Church teaches, among other things, that Mary is the Queen of Heaven, a perpetual virgin, and the co-redemptress who ascended into heaven. In Scripture, she is portrayed as an obedient, believing servant of God, who became the mother of Jesus. None of the other attributes mentioned by the Roman Catholic Church have any basis in the Bible. The idea of Mary being the co-redemptress and another mediator between God and man is not only extra-biblical (found only outside of Scripture), but is also unbiblical (contrary to Scripture). Acts 4:12 declares that Jesus is the only redeemer. 1 Timothy 2:5 proclaims that Jesus is the only mediator between God and men.
Many other examples could be given. These issues alone clearly identify the Roman Catholic Church as being unbiblical. Also there are many Christian denomination having traditions and practices that are not explicitly based on Scripture.
That is why Scripture must be the standard of Christian faith and practice. The Word of God is always true and reliable. The same cannot be said of church tradition. Our guideline is to be: “What does Scripture say?†(Romans 4:3; Galatians 4:30; Acts 17:11). 2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. â€
@Liam :
It shows very clear that you DO NOT Love Jesus but like all Roman Catholics try to usurp and steal the redemption work of Christ and attributed them to His human mother. This is the devils device to is subtly moving you away from Jesus. Don’t you see the deception? Some idiot in the vatican guided by satan came out with all those stupid dogmas that are holding all roman catholics in perpetual bondage.
See.. there is no assurance the RC Church gives its members. Ask any catholic priest on this and see what answer you get. So where is the hope?? After death what will be the destination for your soul? heaven or hell? The scriptures are very clear: If one does not abide in Christ he/she is lost forever.
I pray that you go on your knees are ask for forgiveness. Be a follower of Christ. Don’t waste you time following Mary because you have been misled.
To all readers!!!
A Presbyterian Minister from the USA was extremely anti-Catholic, perhaps on a par or more extreme as some contributers to this debate. But in due course he converted to the Church established by Jesus and as you know physically based in the City of the Vatican in Rome.
Since then he has written wonderful books confirming that Catholicism is “the household of God”-“the pillar and foundation of truth”(1 Tim 3:15)
Thus, implying that the Catholic Church is the family of God which was divinely established and empowered to uphold revealed truth.
His name-Scott Hahn- and for those who are searching for the authentic truth or are OPEN TO THE TRUTH my advice is to read his beautiful selection of books for I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit expresses the truth of Christianity through them.
Therefore put his name in your computer and there will be more information about a person who travelled the protestant road proclaiming its ‘truth’ from the heights(so to speak) but who in time because he was ‘open’really entered the field of truth and came away with its Catholic treasure.
After browsing and reading some of these posts one thought comes to mind- what would happen and what would all of you that worship Mary (she is not a virgin anymore she had many children after Jesus and she is not the mother of God) do if Mary herself was given the chance by the only God to come down and tell you not to worship her and that the only one that shall receive worship is our Almighty God, would you obey? Why wait for that to happen if the Bible clearly states you should not worship anything on heaven, earth, below earth or any angels, man-made statues. Another thing Peter was not given any keys to the kingdom of God, when you read the Bible you have to ask the Holy Spirit to give you the revelation of what you are reading, which is the rhema of God, when you read it out of your own intellectual understanding you are only reading the logos. Anyway, Jesus said to Peter that on the confession he said He would build His church (Peter answered you are the Christ, the Son of the living God – upon that confession He will build His church) please, please ask the Holy Spirit to guide you when reading the Holy Scriptures. Another thing, where in the Bible are we told to baptise our young children? Please read the OT/NT carefully as no-where does it say to baptise our babies or children, they do not have knowledge whatsoever of sin, they cannot confess their sins neither can they accept Jesus in their little hearts as their only Lord and Saviour. There is no such thing as the purgatory either, this are all celebrations to juice you out of money. Seriously answer what I have asked and don’t try to go around by stating other information which I have not asked for. I sat for many years at a Catholic church, and never learned a bit about the Bible. So answer those questions I have posed, especially the one if Mary were given the opportunity to come and tell you all you are wrong by praying to her and you need to stop and look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) would you obey? Liam and all the others that pray to Mary and the rosary, I will kneel down before my God who is the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit, to open your spiritual eyes, open your heart so that all of you may finally come to the light of Jesus.
Wait…before you respond why don’t you pray and for a change ask Jesus to guide your prayer and the words you will type. I ask in the name of Jesus pray, pray so that nothing corrupted may come out of you but only what is revealed unto your spirit through the Holy Spirit of my Dear God. Try it, let Jesus guide your prayers you will experiment a fulfilling anointing that can only be received when we pray in His Powerful name. You will not sin if you don’t pray to Mary, in the other hand you will be surrounded by His glory, you will be filled with His grace and His eternal love will embrace you, you will never want to leave His presence as it is so wonderful. Just try it before you try to comment, kneel right there where you find yourself at this moment and ask Jesus if you are to only pray to the Father and Son with the assistance of the Holy Spirit to reveal His glory to you…don’t be afraid you cited Rev. 3.20 so it is time for you to really live those words, don’t just cite them make them yours, live them, rejoice in them, He is knocking will you let Him in? He is at the door of your heart will you open the door or will you keep on locking Him out? He will bring healing to your heart, healing that you have long been waiting for, many questions in your mind, yet no answers, He says “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”(Matthew 7:7).
@Liam (#1376):
The New Testament in no way states,’You must accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour’.
Then does it say you must accept who? mary? saints? Are you NOT denying that Jesus is the savior of the world? Did you know that you have just disobeyed and dis-honored even what mary said God was her savior-Luke 1:47?
Who will accept your false teachings? You are a ravening wolf in sheep’s clothing.
A certain Hope:
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” – Titus 2:11–13
Because sin is part of our world, we have to deal with the reality of death. But for a believer, death is not the end. We have the promise of eternal life if we die before the Lord returns—and the promise of being transformed in a moment if we are alive on that blessed day. This is a hope that we can be sure of, because the promises of God never fail. Others may not keep their promises to us, but He always does—and thus we can be certain of the future.
Next to the tomb in which former U.S. George and and his wife Martha Washington are buried, on the back wall of the open vault, there is a plaque with Jesus’ words inscribed: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die” – (John 11:25-26). The Late U.S President found confidence in the hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ.
There is no more powerful comfort than the knowledge that we who know Christ have a hope for the future, even after death. When Jesus went to the grave of His friend Lazarus, He declared His power over death in an unmistakable way. This great enemy has already been defeated. We need no longer fear what will come—for our Lord has already faced death and conquered it. And because of His victory, we can have full certainty in our hope for the future.
If you have trusted Christ as your Saviour, rejoice in the certain truth that God’s love has prepared a place in eternity for you.
Liam:
Be aware of false Gospel that the RCC teaches that “baptism” saves and is a requirement for salvation. This is called the damnable heresy of “Baptismal regeration”. Many evangelical churches also practice it.
Baptismal regeneration is the damnable teaching that one must be water baptized to be saved(In the New Testament covenant, water baptism is always commanded only for believers, who are already saved-good passage proving this: Acts 8:34-38).
Popular verses used to support this heresy: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, etc…Can easily be refuted with the Word:
@Liam (#1384):
His name-Scott Hahn- and for those who are searching for the authentic truth.
Scott Hahn is a deceived persons like yourself. Many evangelicals are being “seduced” by Rome. for the Vatican selectively ropes them in with promise of a lavish lifestyle and gobs of money stashed in private swiss bank accounts, while the poor lay faithful have to bite the dust. There is sinister games going on in this dark world.
Read dave hunt’s book titled – “Seduction of Christianity”, Download a PDF copy at OR buy the book on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Seduction-Christianity-Spiritual-Discernment/dp/0890814414.
The ordinary catholic is easily deceived and is sooo excited all over the place of the so called Dr. Scott Hahn. See why did he convert to the RC Church from excerpts of an interbiew with his wife . And another
Incidentally, you may want also to get the truth about the Roman Church from a former RC Priest by name of Richard Bennett at his official website http://www.bereanbeacon.org. Now you can say that this is coming directly from the horses mouth of a former priest.
VV-
Mary loves you because she is the mother of God whose very nature is Love.Remember at the Cross Mary was still with her Son.And that record of the Life of Jesus was written by the first members of the Catholic Church.The Bible especially the New Testament would not exist
if the earlier members of Christ’s Church had not written it down.Protestantism and other ism’s are the result of satan’s attempt to destroy the only Church Jesus established.And there are thousands of the latter so called churches because satan has got through to their founders.Have you ever reflected upon the fact that if they were authentic christian bodies why have they not one Church?Why can they not agree?After all Jesus referred to “my Church”-not Churches.
Alan-1389
You have just confirmed by your picking and choosing parts of the Sacred Scriptures the almighty wisdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ when he established the Catholic Church of the importance of the gift of the Keys to Peter our first earthly father.Thus ensuring that the Holy Spirit would ensure through the Keys that error would not occur.But, alas,error occurs in your case for the Holy Spirit does not assure your position for you are not a member of God’s Church.
Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord
BIBLE VERSE:
@Liam Ó Comáin (#1391):
Your defense for the RC Church holds no water whatsoever. You are making claims that even the teachings of the RC Church does not support. The darkness of deception is over your soul. Till date you are providing only your skewed interpretation and only attempting to re-write history. I know my Jesus enough.
Alan,
You continue to make wild accusations amongst your apparent satan influenced lies.What claims am I making that the Church founded by Jesus does not support? That contention of yours confirm your lack of true knowledge of scripture.
Also please listen to the Bible’judge not and you shall not be judged,condemn not and you shall not be condemned’.As a Catholic I am a lover of Christ and part of his Mystical Body-the Church.And logically when you lie and slander me it is felt by our Founder.
Long before any of the anti -Christ groupings came into existence under the title ‘protestant’the following was composed in Latin by a Catholic in 6th century Ireland.It relates to Jesus offering and confirming his being as food for humanity.It is given here in translation:
Sancti Venite
~~~~~~~
Draw nigh and take the Body of your Lord,
And drink with faith the Blood for you outpoured,
Saved by His Body,hallowed by His blood,
With souls refreshed we render thanks to God.
~
Salvation’s giver,Christ,the only Son,
By His dear Cross and Blood the victory won.
Offered was He for greatest and for least,
Himself the victim and Himself the priest.
~
Approach ye then with faithful hearts sincere,
And take the pledge of salvation here.
He, that in this world rules His saints,and shields,
To all believers life eternal yields.
~
With heavenly bread makes them that hunger whole,
Gives living waters to the thirsting soul.
O Judge of all,our only Saviour thou,
In this thy feast of love be with us now.
This is believed to be the the oldest Eucharistic hymn of the Catholic Church- composed approximately 500 years after the death of Jesus who founded Catholicism.
Oh LORD, no wonder Thou said when Thou comes again, so many that call out to Thee Lord Lord Lord, and Thou says Thou do not know them. For many are deceived by the satan,prince of the air who appears like the angel of light, OH LORD I PRAY THY PRAYER- THE LORD’S PRAYER THOU HAVE TAUGHT US, THOU HAVE TAUGHT US TO PRAY ONLY TO OUR MOST HIGH HEAVENLY FATHER IN THE HOLY DIVINE SPIRIT,OH LORD,THOU TAUGHT US TO PRAY AND ASK IN THY NAME,SO THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IN HIS WILL AND THROUGH THEE THAT OUR PRAYERS ARE HEARD ANSWERED! OH GOD HEAR OUR CRIES, LET ALL THOSE THAT CONFESS THEY TRULY LOVE THEE EXALT,PRAISE,THANKS,GIVE ALL GLORY ONLY TO THEE OH DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER SON AND HOLY SPIRIT AS ONE AND ONE WITH US.NO OTHER NAME! BUT THY NAME ALONE,AMEN!
Alan,
(and would all readers please note!!!!!!!)
To accuse sincere followers of Christ of joining the one and only Church established by Him in order to increase their bank accounts is proof positive that the accuser is a victim/friend of Lucifer.
Although requested to state the name of the church (Alan)he is a member of in fact he has not responded.I worry and pray for him therefore I request that our readers do the same.May Mary protect him and bring him to the family of God.
This request I express humbly and should not be seen in any other manner.
Hello V V,
A couple of days ago I was watching a T.V program “are you smarter than a fifth grader”, you know what I always find myself involve in answering the series of questions addressed to the contestant but I always ended failing the test the same way as other contestants admitted that we are not smarter than a fifth grader. But your argument posted #1385 was much more of a failure in my opinion. It will not even pass the test of reason if I match your argument to a grade two student of our Catholic school. I do not mean offense but your foolishness need to be corrected and reminded that you will be miserably in the receiving end if someone will pick you and destroy your argument. Your posting against Mary (she is not a virgin anymore she had many children after Jesus and she is not the mother of God) is the most ridiculous comments I have ever read in this forum. Is that your opinion or did someone told you that? I pity you and may God bless your poor soul through the intercession of the blessed Mother.
Ave Maria!
Alan-1390
Whats your point? Sure history records that many Catholics formed so called ‘churches’at that time and later for only one true Church existed then-The Catholic Church of Christ.And as for Priests being led astray sure a major one was Luther!
All victims,alas, of satanic intrigue and manipulation!!!!!!!
Liam (#1394):
What claims am I making that the Church founded by Jesus does not support?
– I’ve posed you a few questions but you have not answered. These are:
(i) Does the Catholic Church “officially” teach to pray to Mary and/or the Saints?
(ii) What is the doctrine of Salvation of the Catholic church and is it the same as the Bible teaches?
(iii) Does the Catholic church give an “assurance of salvation”?
(iv) The Catholic Church teaches “infant baptism” but it is not supported in the Bible. So how can you say that the Catholic Church is the one true church established by Christ when the teachings are not the same? So which one should we submit to? – the one taught by the Catholic Church or the one taught in Gods Holy Word – the Bible?
These are few questions for now. I have many. But for now the above is sufficient. Please provide evidence in support.
You also said that the Catholic church is the “truth” since Jesus founded it as you allege. But how come Jesus himself says – that it is NOT the Church, but the “Holy Word of God – the scriptures of the Bible that is the “Truth” (see John 17:17). So … don’t we believe what the founder says or should you discard what he teaches and brand Him a ‘Liar”?
Also please listen to the Bible’judge not and you shall not be judged,condemn not and you shall not be condemned’
As a Catholic I am a lover of Christ and part of his Mystical Body-the Church.And logically when you lie and slander me it is felt by our Founder.
This is a common misconception and the devils usual trick to dilute the power of God. I am a born-again believer and scripture gives us the privelege to judge the unbeliever like yourself and others who are not born-again believers. See 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 2:15. The Catholic Church does not support the doctrine of Born-Again as taught it scripture but teaches the damnable heresy of Baptismal regeneration especially of infants – an un-biblical teaching/doctrine.
This is believed to be the the oldest Eucharistic hymn of the Catholic Church- composed approximately 500 years after the death of Jesus who founded Catholicism.
Approximately when did the Catholic came into existence – (year/time period) ?
The most crucial problem with the Roman Catholic Church is its belief that faith alone in Christ is not sufficient for salvation. The Bible clearly and consistently states that receiving Jesus Christ as Savior, by grace through faith, grants salvation (John 1:12; 3:16,18,36; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10,13; Ephesians 2:8-9). The Roman Catholic Church rejects this. The official position of the Roman Catholic Church is that a person must believe in Jesus Christ AND be baptized AND receive the Eucharist along with the other sacraments AND obey the decrees of the Roman Catholic Church AND perform meritorious works AND not die with any mortal sins AND etc., etc., etc. Catholic divergence from the Bible on this most crucial of issues, salvation, means that yes, Catholicism is a false religion. If a person believes what the Catholic Church officially teaches, he/she will not be saved. Any claim that works or rituals must be added to faith in order for salvation to be achieved is a claim that Jesus’ death was not sufficient to fully purchase our salvation.
While salvation by faith is the most crucial issue, in comparing Roman Catholicism with the Word of God, there are many other differences and contradictions as well. The Roman Catholic Church teaches many doctrines that are in disagreement with what the Bible declares. These include apostolic succession, worship of saints or Mary, prayer to saints or Mary, the pope / papacy, infant baptism, transubstantiation, plenary indulgences, the sacramental system, and purgatory. While Catholics claim Scriptural support for these concepts, none of these teachings have any solid foundation in the clear teaching of Scripture. These concepts are based on Catholic tradition, not the Word of God. In fact, they all clearly contradict Biblical principles.
In regards to the question “Are Catholics saved?”, this is a more difficult question to answer. It is impossible to give a universal statement on the salvation of all members of any denomination of Christianity. Not ALL Baptists are saved. Not ALL Presbyterians are saved. Not ALL Lutherans are saved. Salvation is determined by personal faith in Jesus alone for salvation, not by titles or denominational identification. Despite the unbiblical beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, there are genuine believers who attend Roman Catholic churches. There are many Roman Catholics who have genuinely placed their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. However, these Catholic Christians are believers despite what the Catholic Church teaches, not because of what it teaches. To varying degrees, the Catholic Church teaches from the Bible and points people to Jesus Christ as the Savior. As a result, people are sometimes saved in Catholic churches. The Bible has an impact whenever it is proclaimed (Isaiah 55:11). Catholic Christians remain in the Catholic Church out of ignorance of what the Catholic Church truly stands for, out of family tradition and peer pressure, or out of a desire to reach other Catholics for Christ.
At the same time, the Catholic Church also leads many people away from a genuine faith relationship with Christ. The unbiblical beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church have often given the enemies of Christ opportunity to blaspheme. The Roman Catholic Church is not the church that Jesus Christ established. It is not a church that is based on the teachings of the Apostles (as described in the Book of Acts and the New Testament epistles). While Jesus’ words in Mark 7:9 were directed towards the Pharisees, they accurately describe the Roman Catholic Church, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!”
Friends in Christ,
The Bible does not teach that it is the only authority.That was used by opponents of Christ’s Church and there has been many so called ‘Reformers’down through the ages.In 1 Timothy 3:15 tha Bible confirms that the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth.And as history confirms there was only one Church then.It was’nt Lutheran or Presbyterian,etc,.
Re our Mother Mary:there are two basic Bible principles- (1)as a man Christ fulfilled God’s law including the Commandment to honour his father and mother.The Hebrew for ‘honour’ is ‘kabodah’,which literally means ‘to glorify’.
So Jesus did not alone ‘honour’ his Father for he also ‘honoured’or ‘glorified’ his earthly Mother.
(2)The second principle was to ‘imitate Christ’.And we do this not just by honouring our own mothers but by honouring who God honours and this includes with the same honour that he includes on Mary.Thus the hatred of Mary by so called Christians is anti Christ-is anti God.
Remember from Scripture-“Henceforth all generations will call me blessed.”(Luke 1:48).
“We will do everything that the Lord has told us” That is what the people shouted as Moses related to them the words and commands of the Lord. “All that the Lord has said we will heed and do.” Then we are told in today’s first reading from the Book of Exodus, that Moses took the blood of young bulls and sprinkled it on the altar and then on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant – the agreement which the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words of his.” And the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything that the Lord has told us” That was the response of the Israelites to Moses; it is, and must be, our response to Christ.
Follow me now as we look at the new agreement made by Christ – the new covenant, the new testament.
In the second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, we are told that when Christ came as high priest he entered the sanctuary — the holy of holies — the presence of God — not with the blood of goats and calves as Moses had done, but with his own blood. In his giving up of his body and blood to the Father for us — his sacrifice — he established a new covenant, a new agreement, a new testament. No greater love that this, that one lay down ones life for another.
Before his death, before he poured out his blood so that it was sprinkled on us — at that last meal he had with his disciples — the last supper — you know as well as I: He took the cup; gave thanks; gave the cup to his disciples and said, “Take this all of you and drink from it. This is the cup of my blood; the blood of the new and everlasting covenant; it will be shed for you and for all, so that sins may be forgiven.”
Moses sealed the old covenant by sprinkling on the people and on the altar the blood of sacrificial animal offerings. Jesus sealed the new covenant, the new agreement, the new deal which he made with us and his Father — not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood. He gave himself for us.
And yet there are those who contend that it was pure symbolism.
The Born Again???
Sir Alan, it is seem to me that you are a follower or rather a preacher of the “Born Again Christianâ€, the way you phrase your arguments and teachings are in the same manner with one of my close friend when she was trying her best to share her knowledge to us how shall we enter the kingdom of God. This reminds me of your letter # 1274 addressed to me that you wish me to answer; and I quote, “Now the question to you: What Jesus advised Nicodemus … is it only applicable to Nicodemus only? Look a Matthew 7:21 – does it apply to everyone or just to those Jesus spoke?â€
I shall try to answer this by expounding the given verse only to maintain the broader context of the message.
The conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:1-12)
1. “There was one of the Pharisee called Nicodemus, a leading Jew,
2. who came to Jesus by night and said, Rabbi, we know we know that you are teacher who comes from God; for no one could perform the signs that you do unless God were with him.â€
Here, we can surmise that Nicodemus was once or many times a witness to the manifestations of Jesus whether by miracles or through His Divine teachings. So he sought audience to Jesus by night hoping to receive private instruction from Jesus about the kingdom of God. (Just a thought but can be proven in the following verses)
3. Jesus answered, “I tell you solemnly, unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Here, it was confirmed what Nicodemus wanted to learn about the kingdom of God from Jesus, and He explicitly told Nicodemus “I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4. Nicodemus said, ‘How can a grown man be born? Can he go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?’ Jesus replied:
Here, it is clear Nicodemus was somewhat confused of Jesus statement, his reply needs further explanation from Jesus (Can he go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?) in the succeeding verses.
5. “I tell you most solemnly, unless man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God: what is born of the flesh is flesh; 6. what is born of the Spirit is spirit.7. Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above.
Going back in verse 4 Nicodemus was seeking clarification answer from Jesus because (being confused) he cannot comprehend the statement “born from above†instead, he erroneously or innocently blurted out “born again†when he sought further explanation from Jesus. (Remember Jesus never stated in the whole chapter the word “born again†but Nicodemus did) And Jesus willingly explained to him in vv.5-7 what does mean to “be born through water and the Spirit.†Jesus knew Nicodemus was thinking of physical birth (what is born of the flesh is flesh) while Jesus was expressing the spiritual birth (what is born of the Spirit is spirit) that is why He continued, “do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above…to enter the kingdom of Godâ€. Verse 5 gives us a clue, born of water and the Spirit is a clarification from Jesus on what it means to be born from above. And what is born of the flesh (physical) is flesh (physical). The manner Nicodemus line of thinking! Vv.6&7 are self explanatory “born from above†means “born through water and the Spirit! And Jesus further explained this in the succeeding verses 8 “ The wind ( in Greek, as in Hebrew; one word serves for both “Wind & Spirit) blows wherever it pleases; you hear it sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of Spirit.â€
10. “How can that be possible? Nicodemus asked. You are teacher in Israel, and you do not know these things! Jesus replied.
Clearly in this passage Nicodemus still fails to understand the meaning (BORN FROM ABOVE) given to him by Jesus maybe because his line of reasoning prior of his seeking audience to Jesus took always a literal form as evidently suggested in verse 4. Likewise, the follower of “BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN†now a day took the literal word (statement without bases) from Nicodemus and formed now the biggest congregation in the United States that base on the confused teacher who fails to understand Jesus explanations. The title BORN AGAIN is inappropriate, the title of their fellowship should be BORN FROM ABOVE or BORN OF SPIRIT as suggested by the verses. It is more Biblical in its application and cannot be charged to be a misnomer like the one they had now.
Remember what Christ speaks, Nicodemus misunderstood, it is not wise to rely our faith to a Pharisee whose teachings of Christ he completely misunderstood. The way I look at it, the congregation of “Born Again†Christian now a day has no solid ground because its foundation has been built in the sand that can easily be destroyed and wash away by the coming waves from the shores. (Mt.7:25) Ever since the Apostolic era the phrase “born again” was always applied to the concept of baptismal regeneration. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. “Born of water AND the Spirit†is a clarification from Jesus on what it means to be born from above. Water and the spirit, when combined in the Bible, means a new beginning. So that by the power of the Father through the working of the Holy Spirit – when Christ is raised from the dead we too will rise WITH Him into “newness of life.”
I enjoyed taking note in a sideline but the latest statement of my forum mate #1353 encourage me to enter into discussion, my apology to my brothers in Christ, Liam and George, I hope you won’t mind me entering into discussion.
I almost fell on my seat of the latest statement of Sir Alan that he was claiming now to be Catholic…and I quote; “Strictly speaking ‘Roman Catholic’ is a contradiction of terms. Catholic means universal; Roman means particular. it is the Protestant and not the Romanist who believes in the catholic church. Protestants believe the church is universal or catholic; Rome cannot discover it beyond her own communion. Our formula is: ‘Ubi Spiritus ibi ecclesia’—’Where the Spirit is there is the church.’ Her motto is: ‘Ubi ecclesia ibi Spiritus’—’Where the (Roman) church is there is the Spirit.â€/ Evangelical Protestants are the truest “catholics,†for they base their faith on the New Testament as did the early Christiansâ€.
And the Catholic now ridiculously charged of something that we are not aware of like we have been hi-jacked of our cherished birth right. Now I know why some of our Protestant brothers never omitted the word Catholic Church in their own version of the Apostle Creed. They will be like the thieves at night time who will strike at proper opportune time and simply take what is rightfully belong to us but if they will only ask for it to be called Catholic Christian, we Catholics would be more happier and willingly embrace them into our fold, after all monopoly is not in the vocabulary of our Universal Church.
The term “catholic” is derived from the Greek word καθολικός (katholikos) meaning “universal” and was first used to describe the Church in the early 2nd century. The term katholikos is equivalent to καθόλου (katholou), a contraction of the phrase καθ’ ὅλου (kath’ holou) meaning “according to the whole”.”Catholic Church” (he katholike ekklesia) first appears in a letter of St Ignatiuswritten in about 110. In the “Catechetical Discourses” of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, “Catholic Church” is used to distinguish it from other groups that also call themselves the church. Reference sources: Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia Americana, vol. 6 p.69 at vol. 21, pp 251-256.
The reference sources were written by people whose knowledge of history is unquestionable and holds true to their cherish profession. And of course it can never be denied that St. Peter was in Rome during their apostolic mission. 1 Peter 5:13; “Your sister in Babylon, (Rome) who is with you among the chosen, sends you greetings; so does my son, Mark.†This was the primary reason why Catholic acknowledged the word Roman Catholic as distinct to other churches because this is where the place (Rome) that the first Pope St. Peter established his domain as head of the “universal†Catholic Church.
“Now the question to you: What Jesus advised Nicodemus … is it only applicable to Nicodemus only? Look a Matthew 7:21 – does it apply to everyone or just to those Jesus spoke?â€
I will gladly answer this question with a resounding YES! It applies generally speaking to our present days up to the future time to come and even to the end of time. Now will look at the passage you quoted from Mt.7:21 will expound this verse to whose this passage pertain for! â€It is not those who say to me, ’Lord, Lord, who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heavenâ€. This given text has set a condition how one can ‘enter the kingdom of heaven’ by of course do ‘the will of my Father in heaven’. It is very clear in the text. Now, how do we know the will of the Father??? Can we explain the will of the Father without having statement from other reliable source from the scripture? Of course not! So the best thing to do is to look for passages in the scriptures that had relevancy in explaining Mt.7:21; declaration of Christ; THE WILL OF THE FATHER.
Point one
John 7:17-19; “If anyone is prepared to do his “WILL”, he will know whether my teaching is from God or whether my doctrine is my own. When a man’s doctrine is his own he is hoping to get honor for himself; but when he is working for the honor the one who sent him, then he is sincere and by no means an impostor. Did not Moses give you the Law? And yet no one of you keeps the Law!â€
Here we can safely surmise that the “will of GOD” (the Father) is synonymous to the Law of Moses. Therefore the Law was established to be obeyed, that was its primary purpose to be in OBEDIENT of the Law, the “Will of God”. Jesus further explained that we will know whether his teaching (doctrine) is from God to emphasize the difference of man’s doctrine from the one He is teaching. Unfortunately there were congregations now a day that base their doctrine in the manifestation of a teacher of the Law (man) that evidently misunderstood Jesus teachings. I wish you can already identify one!
Point two
Romans 12:2; “Do not model yourselves on the behavior of the world around you, but let your behavior change, modeled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the “will of God” and what is good, what is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to doâ€.
This verse teach us the continual renunciation of the world, meaning sins that brings us death, and the continual transformation of our mind to understand the “will of God”, meaning what God wants us to do, model our mind and spirit to make it perfect because this is what God wants us to be, “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfectâ€. Mt.5:8; He gave us the exact formula on this text. Good deeds always equate perfect in His eyes because we did it to Him for His greater glory. This was the theme of Mt.25:34-40; “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the Kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me. Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, Lord when did we see you hungry and we feed you; or thirsty and gave you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; sick or in prison and go to see you? And the King will answer, I tell you solemnly, and so far as you did this to one of the least as these brothers of mine you did to meâ€.
Point three
Ephesians 6:6; “Slaves, be obedient to the men you called masters in this world, with deep respect and sincere loyalty, as you are obedient to Christ; Not only when you are under their eye, as is you had only to please men, but because you are slaves of Christ and wholeheartedly do the “will of Godâ€. Work hard and willingly, but do it for the sake of the Lord and not for the sake of menâ€.
This text has only one condition addressed to the believers to understand the “will of Godâ€, that is, obedience to your masters as we are obedient to Christ. Stressing willingly to work hard for the sake of the Lord…something with “dedication to God†(sanctification) so that we “be properly rewarded by the Lord…†(vv.8)
St. James makes this very explicit in order to counter early ‘Protestant’ errors in the Apostolic Church: James 2:14-24 (Jerusalem bible); Take the case, my brothers, of someone who has never done a single good act but claims he has faith. Will that faith save him? If one of the brothers or one of the sisters is in need of clothes and has not enough to live on, and one of you says to them, I wish you well; keep yourself one and eat plenty, without giving them these bare necessities of life, then what good is that? Faith is like that: If good works do not go with it, it is quite dead. This is the way to talk to people of that kind: You say I have faith and I have a good deeds; I will prove to you that I have faith by showing you my good deeds- now you prove to me that you have faith without any good deeds to show…You surely know that Abraham our father was justified by his deed, because he offer his son to Isaac on the altar? There you see it: Faith and deeds were working together; his faith became perfect by what he did…v.v 24; You see now that it is by doing something good, and not only in believing , that a man is justified.
This is the overall summary of the pointers listed above of my understanding of Mt.7:21â€It is not those who say to me, ’Lord, Lord, who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heavenâ€. Lastly, Mt. 12:48-50; stated in the text, “who is my mother? Who are my brothers? And stretching out his hand towards the disciples he said, here are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the “will of my Father†in heaven, he is my brother and sister and motherâ€. Does the last statement of the text have not made bell ringing in your ear? This text has some relevancy in one of the seven last words of Christ when he was hanging on the cross, (John 19:-26) “Seeing His Mother and the disciple he loved standing near Her, Jesus said to His Mother, woman, this is your son. Then to the disciple He said, this is your Mother. John of the cross symbolizes the whole Christendom and Mary the mother played the important role to be our guardian and protector so as we will not be deceived of the false lord mentioned in Mt.7:21. For who can identify the true Lord, Jesus Christ but her Mother that gives birth to him and who during his passion had not abandoned him despite all the physical deformities of the lashing he received. The blessed Mother can identify for us the true Lord we must follow in order we surely inherit the kingdom promise by our Lord Jesus Christ. (Luke 8:21) “My Mother and my brothers are those who hear the words of God and put in to practiceâ€.
Jesus King of Mercy I trust in you. Ave Maria!
@ Liam:
I forget to mention that formner RC priest Richard Benett is your fellow irish country man. being a former priest he would be in better position to tell you about truth of the RC Church.
Incidentally, you may want also to get the truth about the Roman Church from a former RC Priest by name of Richard Bennett at his official website http://www.bereanbeacon.org. Now you can say that this is coming directly from the horses mouth of a former priest.
To any one who wishes to know about the catholic beliefs and faith – the mass, the priesthood etc…. This is good especially majority Roman Catholics shy from questioning the clergy.
Catholic priest Jim Mitchell has all on his website at http://www.biblecatholics.com
@Christine Marie (#1403):
Glad to see you back online.I do believe you have a truth seeker spirit in you. Every blessings to you in Christ. I will respond to a part of your post at #1403.
Mathew 7:21 – this verse Jesus speaks of a condition that is needed to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Sadly, today, many people by only “lip service” say I believe in Jesus but there are too busy focusing on other things in life. That is why Jesus said – let the dead bury the dead – take up your cross and follow me. Christianity believes only in one God manifested in 3-persons unlike man made religions including Roman Catholicism which believes in many Gods.
In this verse (Matthew 7:21) Jesus is referring to persons who call or use His name for their own selfish purposes but they actually have a “Pharisee” attitude(too much religiosity) and their hearts are actually far away from Him. Its a sort.. I have the all the know self-righteous attitude. They are like the Pharisees who crave worldly attention and accolades for their fanatical religious zeal and works. This are the people who will not enter into Heaven.
Who can we apply this truth Jesus spoke in Matthew 7:21 to? Well.. apologies if it will be bitter for some to digest the fact, but i will not hesitate to speak the truth. So.. can we apply this to MOTHER THERESA? Yes we can.. Take her by her own very words that she revealed in Her personal diary published after her death – of how she went about doing her religious life albeit with that “emptiness” she so profoundly experienced without actually having God in her life. A life steeped in religiosity, the same pharisee like attitude. Hope you get the picture. See excerpts of her story CRISIS OF FAITH published in the TIME magazine at . You see man can is blessed with a “free will” and he certainly can run his day to day life relying on his self-righteousness, but without God involved in the “equation” he is hopelessly lost for eternity just like Mother Theresa’s own confessions.
Now.. what is the “WILL OF THE FATHER” Jesus speaks off in Matthew 7:21? Well all the verses you have quoted from point-one to point-three are valid, but however in the order of importance you have missed the “bulls-eye”. Why?? because I see its your typical Roman Catholic upbringing to do “good works” just like Mother Theresa, but that’s NOT the perfect WILL OF THE FATHER Jesus speaks of.
So what is the “key verse” to unlock the meaning of Matthew 7:21? Well.. many don’t realize that “believe” is the most significant term in the NEW TESTAMENT. And it has a deep and profound meaning for our salvation, I can’t stress enough. It means to totally turn to and put your trust in God and the Lord Jesus Christ in repentance (Acts 20:20-21).
So the key verse is so profound is … John 6:40 – “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Remember we need to look “only” to Jesus the son of God who is the source of Eternal Life. As he only is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last (Revelation 22:13). And he only holds the keys to “hell” and “death” (Revelation 1:18).
God Bless you and keep you.
@Christine Marie (#1403):
I almost fell on my seat of the latest statement of Sir Alan that he was claiming now to be Catholic. Now I know why some of our Protestant brothers never omitted the word Catholic Church in their own version of the Apostle Creed.
The Apostles creed is not something that the Apostles themselves wrote, but was in use in the Church perhaps much after the last Apostle John died. But yes.. you should aware of some truths about his issue. Protestants hold to the term “catholic church” – all in lower case letters, which actually refers to the Apostolic universal Church. Then there is “Catholic Church” – all uppercase letters referring to the Roman Catholic Church and also the Eastern Orthodox Church (Syrian Catholics).
@Christine Marie (#1403):
Apostles Creed?
I am a Bible Believing Christian and not a Protestant. So I do not hold to the Apostles creed because it was not written by the Apostles and it is not the inspired infallible Word of God.
The term “catholic†is derived from the Greek word καθολικός (katholikos) meaning “universal†and was first used to describe the Church in the early 2nd century.
You have just “debunked” and nailed Liam :) So the First Century Church was always a “Christian” church and not Catholic or Roman Catholic church. The later happened in the second century, onward. Therefore the RC Church is not the one-true church established by Jesus.
Born Again?
The way we become “born again†is found in the Word of God…
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.†— 1st Peter 1:23.
What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?
This term “born again†first appears in the Bible in John chapter three…
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 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. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again†(John 3:1-7).
n unsaved man once said to me, “That born again stuff makes no sense to me.†Perhaps you feel the same. There are “How To Be Saved†articles all over the internet (and I am thankful for them all), but many people want a complete explanation of what it means to be “born-again.†Why do we need to be born again? What does it mean? That is my purpose in this article, that is, to explain this great Biblical doctrine in layman’s terms. Please give me a moment and I will make it as plain as you’ve ever heard. Most people have religion, but very few people have ever been Biblically born-again. Unless you are born again, you absolutely cannot go to Heaven (John 3:5).
Simply put, to be “born again†means to have He (Jesus) Who is the beginning born in you. In Revelation 1:8 Jesus said, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.†Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, respectively. Man by birth is spiritually dead, which I will explain further in a moment. To be born-again is a miracle of God, by which Jesus Christ comes into your body to live, literally in the form of the Spirit of God. Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.â€
To understand what it means to be born-again, it is necessary to understand that there are TWO BIRTHS. The “first†birth is the PHYSICAL BIRTH when you were born into this world from your mother and father. When the Bible speaks of being “born of water,†it is speaking about the physical birth (NOT baptism). The “second†birth is a SPIRITUAL BIRTH, which means to be born of the “Spirit†(that is, God’s Holy Spirit). Why does a person need to be born spiritually? What is a “spiritual†birth?
The Bible teaches that man is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). There is one God according to Deuteronomy 6:4; but He exists in the three Persons of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Bible refers to this triune nature of God as the Godhead (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20, Colossians 2:9 – King James Bible only). Colossians 2:2 refers to the Godhead as “the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.†The Godhead wasn’t meant to be understood; but rather, believed as sound Biblical doctrine by God’s children.
Likewise, mankind is created in God’s image in the form of a body, soul and spirit. Our earthly body is the tabernacle (2nd Corinthians 5:1-4) of the soul and spirit. The body is a temporary dwelling place of man’s soul and spirit. Our soul is composed of the heart (to feel), the mind (to think), and the will (to decide). Hebrews 4:12 makes a distinction between man’s soul and spirit, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.â€
Animals have souls, but not a spirit. Man’s spirit returns to God upon death. Ecclesiastes 12:7, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.†Animals have a mind to think, and a heart to feel and a will to decide; but animals do not have a spirit to discern spiritual matters. This is why humans have an inherent need for religion (God). It is the spirit of man that makes humans totally different and unique from animals.
Man’s spirit is dead in sin when we are born; that is, we are born void of God with an inherited sin nature from Adam. The only exception is the Lord Jesus Christ Who came as God in the flesh (1st Timothy 3:16). Our spirit is dead in trespasses and sin the Bible says…
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience†(Ephesians 2:1,2)
The unsaved person cannot understand God, nor His Words, because they are spiritually discerned…
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned†(1st Corinthians 2:14)
The reason why you need to be “spiritually†born is because you have never been spiritually born to begin with. So when the Bible speaks of being “born again,†it actually means “born for the second time.†You were born physically into this world, but you were born without the Spirit of God in your soul (spiritually dead). Yes, God created you, but He gave you a freewill to decide for yourself where you will spend eternity.
God never forces anyone to accept Jesus as their Savior. He simply offers a warm invitation to anyone who wants to have their sins forgiven and go to Heaven. Salvation is a free gift (Romans 5:15; 6:23), paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1st Peter 1:18,19; Revelation 1:5). We must accept God’s gift of eternal life or it WILL be forever forfeited when we leave this world (die).
God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.†Notice, God said they would die “the day that thou eatest thereof.†Interestingly, Adam and Eve DIDN’T die physically the day they ate the fruit and disobeyed God’s command. Why?
The reason is because they died SPIRITUALLY instead of physically. When Adam sinned, sin and death entered the human race. The Bible teaches that from Adam until present time, mankind has been born spiritually dead, inherited down from Adam’s sin. This is why humanity MUST be born-again. This is only possible through the Holy Spirit of God, which makes us alive again (quickened the Bible says) by faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. We are saved by repenting of our unbelief and believing the Gospel that Jesus DIED, was BURIED and RAISED up three days later.
To be “spiritually†born means that God’s Holy Spirit “quickens†us (or makes us alive). When a sinner believes on the Lord Jesus as the Christ—trusting Him alone to forgive all sins—then God the Father and God the Son come into one’s heart in the form of God the Holy Spirit (John 14:23). The “Holy Spirit†is “God within us.†The old man is the flesh. The old man cannot be tamed. There is nothing good about the flesh. When we get saved (born again), the old man doesn’t change. Rather, the new man (which is Jesus Christ) comes to indwell (live) within our body. 1st Corinthians 3:16, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?â€
I have God living in my body in the form of the Holy Spirit. I was born-again at age 13. Romans 8:9 tells us that the Spirit of Christ dwells within every believer. I am not God, but I have God’s Spirit living in my body. The Godhead indwells every believer. The Holy Spirit of God guides me, comforts me, teaches me, rebukes me, chastises me, convicts me, encourages me, empowers me, loves me, strengthens me, and so much more. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to do these things. This is why it is critically important for every believer to live in their Bible (and make sure you have a reliable Bible—I only use the faithful King James Bible).
A person cannot understand the Bible without the presence of the Author, and God is the Author. When you become born-again (or born for the second time), God’s Holy Spirit comes into your body (1st Corinthians 3:16), never to leave (Hebrews 13:5), and you will begin to understand many new things for the first time in your life…
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.†—2nd Corinthians 5:17.
It is ONLY through the Precious Word of God that anyone can be born-again. Surely, no one can be born into this world again physically. There is no turning back the hands of time. However, you most certainly can be born again, spiritually, into God’s family through the Spirit of Christ… “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his†(Romans 8:9).
@Christine Marie:
How To Be Born Again Biblically
The way we become “born again†is found in the Word of God…
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.†—1st Peter 1:23
We are born again by the Word of God. Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1,14: Revelation 19:13). The following statement sums it up pretty good…
If you’re born once, then you die TWICE;
If you’re born twice, then you die ONCE.
If you don’t receive Jesus Christ and become a born again Christian, then you will sadly burn in hellfire for all eternity (John 3:18,36; Revelation 20:15; 21:8). Perhaps you say with the man I mentioned earlier, “That born again stuff makes no sense to me.†Well, most people can’t explain how a black cow can eat green grass, give white milk, and then it’s turned into yellow butter—but they still eat it! My friend, you don’t have to figure everything out to be saved, you just need to trust upon Jesus, the Christ, the only begotten Son of God.
Again, being born-again means having He Who is the Beginning (Jesus Christ) born in you.†Revelation 1:8, “I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.†Isn’t that beautiful. When a person is born-again, the Spirit of Christ comes to live in that person’s body. “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His†(Romans 8:9b). This birth comes about only through faith in the Son of God.
The GOOD NEWS (the Gospel) is that it is very EASY to have the second birth, i.e., a spiritual birth. God came down to this earth 2,000 years ago and took upon Himself the form of a man. That man was the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1,14; 1st Timothy 3:16). Literally, the GODHEAD became incarnate (Colossians 2:9—King James Bible).
Jesus was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). Jesus never sinned even once (2nd Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). Jesus died, was buried and rose again after three days (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). Jesus shed His precious blood to pay for all our sins (Colossians 1:14; 1st Peter 1:18,19), and applied that blood to the Mercyseat in Heaven (Hebrews 9:12, 24-26). My friend, if you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God Who died, was buried and rose again for your sins, and you’ve made that your hope for Heaven by believing on His name, then you are a born-again child of God.
Jesus is the Savior Who paid for our sins. If you realize that you’re a guilty sinner, then you simply need to believe on the Gospel of Jesus Christ to have your sins forgiven. Believe that Christ died and was resurrected, shedding His precious blood to wash away your sins. All God the Father asks is that we come for salvation by way of the cross upon which His Son Jesus Christ died.
Repent And Believe The Gospel
Anyone who teaches salvation or bettering humanity without including the cross of Jesus Christ is teaching religious humanism. No one can be saved apart from the cross. Having faith in Jesus in not God’s plan of salvation. Many people believe on Jesus, but they have left out the cross. To be born anew by the Spirit of God you must include the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus. That is the Gospel according to 1st Corinthians 15:1-4.
Acts 20:21 states: “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.†Repentance and faith are inseparable. Repentance is simply a change of mind that involves turning to Jesus Christ to be forgiven of one’s sins. We repent of our unbelief, and from dead works of self-righteousness which cannot save (Hebrews 6:1). The words “believe†and “believeth†appear 85-times in the Gospel of John; but the word “repent†isn’t mentioned even once. Obviously, the person who believes has repented. Repentance unto salvation does NOT mean a change of life; but rather, a change of mind.
Mark 1:15, “repent ye, and believe the gospel.†The object of repentance is to believe the Gospel, not to clean up one’s life. When a man repents he believes. There is a popular false teaching in MOST churches today that says a person must try to stop sinning to be saved. That is self-righteousness.
Salvation happens when a person acknowledges their guilt of sin, and comes to God on the basis of being a hell-deserving sinner; believing on Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, for forgiveness. Acts 10:43 states: “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.â€
Jesus Came to Save Sinners!
You may pray a sinner’s prayer if you’d like, but you don’t have to. Salvation is of the heart (Romans 10:10). If you’d like to pray, simply admit that you are a guilty sinner for breaking God’s commandments. Tell Jesus that you believe He died, was buried and rose again. Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and tell Him that you’re receiving His sacrifice as payment for your sins. It matters not exactly what you pray, just as long as you realize these two main truths:
1.) You are a guilty sinner under the condemnation of God’s Law!
2.) Jesus is the Savior who died, was buried and resurrected three days later. Jesus shed His blood to take away your sins!
Just take God at His word and claim His salvation by faith. Believe, and you will be saved. No church, no lodge, nor any amount of good works can save you. Remember, God does the saving. All of it! Man’s part is to believe. God does the saving. Being born-again is a supernatural miracle of God in response to a man’s faith in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s simple plan of salvation is: You are a sinner. Therefore, unless you “believe” on Jesus Who died in your place, you will spend eternity in Hell. If you believe on Him as your crucified, buried, and risen Savior, you receive forgiveness for all of your sins and His gift of eternal salvation by faith.
You say, “Surely, it cannot be that simple!” Yes, that simple. It is scriptural; it is God’s plan. My dear fellow Catholics, believe on Jesus and receive Him as Savior today.
Salvation is NOT a prayer, although you may prayer a sinner’s prayer to express your heart’s faith in Jesus. We are saved by HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, i.e., the righteousness of Jesus Christ which is charged to our account at the time of salvation. This is the IMPUTED righteousness of Jesus Christ… “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.†We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ Jesus, because of the blood that He sacrificed for our sins. Our part is only to believe.
Salvation is not a matter of praying some special words. The publican merely cried out, “God be merciful to me a sinner.†The thief on the cross simply asked Jesus to “remember” him, and Jesus most certainly did. It was their faith in Christ and not their words, that brought salvation. Both men acknowledged their guilt of sin and turned to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. There is nothing “magic†about the words you pray, it is your faith (trust) upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ that brings salvation. It is your faith that causes you to call upon Jesus to forgive your sins and take you to Heaven. God wants to save you more than you could ever want to be saved (2nd Peter 3:9).
Salvation is very simple—we are sinners and Jesus is the Savior. Christ died, was buried and rose from the dead. Anyone who believes on the name of Jesus for salvation becomes a part of God’s family (Romans 10:13; Galatians 3:26). Eternal life is a free gift—freely given and freely received. Salvation is receiving; not giving. Our part is to acknowledge our guilt of sin and believe the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to be forgiven.
You see, there is no religion involved here, ONLY Jesus. The big issue is that we are all sinners, and that sin MUST be dealt with. The Word of God indicts all of us as guilty sinners. Only through faith in Christ can we be justified, JUST-IF-I’D never sinned. Those who DIE IN THEIR SINS without Christ (John 8:24) will stand trial at The Great White Throne of Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). They will die the Second Death and be cast into the Lake of Fire forver. Those who DIE IN THE LORD (Revelation 14:13) already have eternal life. If you’re saved, you’re already a citizen of Heaven. Amen!
The Second Death Verses Spiritual Death
Please understand that spiritual death is not the same as the second death. Every man is born spiritually dead. We are already spiritually dead by birth. In contrast, the second death is being cast into the Lake of Fire forever. The first death is separation of our soul and spirit from our earthly body. The second death is separation of our body, soul and spirit from God for all eternity. Matthew 10:28, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.â€
Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.â€
Please don’t go to Hell. You don’t have to die a second death. Because of sin we must all die a physical death (Romans 6:23), but Jesus shed His blood and paid the price for our sins so we wouldn’t have to die a second death. Revelation 21:8 defines the second death as spending eternity being tormented in a lake of brimstone and fire. Is that what you want? The choice is yours.
Jesus said in John 3:5 to Nicodemus (a Jewish leader), “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.†Being born again is not optional. Whether Jew or Gentile, everyone must be born again. Being born again is not giving your heart to Jesus. That’s discipleship. Judas gave his heart to Jesus, but the Lord said Judas had a devil (John 6:70). Forsaking sinful bad habits is not salvation. That’s consecration. Salvation is not turning over a new leaf. That’s reformation. Salvation is not cleaning up one’s life. That’s rehabilitation. Salvation is not embracing the Christian philosophy. That’s education. Salvation is REGENERATION!!! Ye must be born again!!!
1st Peter 1:23, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.†We are born again by the seed of the Word of God. We’ve all been born of water (physically); but now we all must be born anew—a second, spiritual, birth by the Spirit of God in response to our faith in the seed of the Word of God.
Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.†The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every person that believes. That’s the way to be born-again. Believe the Gospel and the work is done! John 6:29, “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.â€
If you’ve never been born-again, you are missing out on a whole new world of spiritual understanding. 1st Corinthians 2:9-10, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.†Once you get saved you’ll begin to understand ALL THINGS and the DEEP THINGS OF GOD. Within context, the Bible says that the things the eyes have not seen, and the things the ears have nor heard, are the precious truths of God’s Word. False cults are formed when people try to interpret the Scriptures without the presence of the Author, Who is God. Once you become born-again, the eyes and ears of your spiritual understanding will be opened.
If you want to be saved, then receive Jesus Christ, by believing that He died, was buried and rose again three days later from the dead for your sins. Acknowledge your sinful condition as Romans 3:19 teaches, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.†We are all guilty sinners. I am the biggest sinner I know (and so are you if you understand the Bible, James 2:10). Salvation is about dealing with our sins.
Religion can clean you up, but only the blood of Jesus can wash your sins away (1st John 1:7). Religion wants to fit us with glasses, but the Lord wants to open our eyes. God promises to save the worst sinner, no matter what evil things you may have done, if you’ll simply believe upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31). Salvation is based upon the love and promises of God.
Alan,
The persons you mention are still priests for once a priest always a priest.But like Fr.Martin Luther they have succumed to the intrigue of Satan.Is it not ironic that you are calling for help from Catholic Priests who were ordained in the one and only church of Christ.There are those who see your behaviour like that of someone calling on Judas to support their errors.For as you know Judas is the great betrayer of the founder of the Church which I am proud to be a member of- a church which because of its essence- Our Lord Jesus- I would die for.