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HEALING THE DIVISION BETWEEN CHRISTIANS

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:11-16)

I have been getting into my Irish heritage by learning the history. Especially as a Catholic, I have been learning more about the issues of Northern Ireland where my ancestors are from (County Antrim). While those my age outside of Ireland saw The Troubles on the nightly news in America, and yes, there are still issues, the clip of the Real Derry Girls brings hope. You may wonder why I bring this situation up in relation to the opening verses. Simple.

While the issues arise from the conquering of the northern part of Ireland and forced submission to the crown in England centuries ago, that political divide is seen in a Catholic versus Protestant lens. I won’t go into the normal views of these two groups of Christians on the other. For me, the whole ‘No salvation outside the church’ versus the whole ‘the Church is the seat of the antiChrist’ mentality forget the words of our Lord.

I have been both Protestant (I was a huge anti Catholic Church person back in the beginning of my walk with Christ) and am now a devout Catholic Christian. Being devout does not mean I don’t question a few of the magisterial teaching of the church. It means that that the main tenets of faith, as held in the Nicean-Constantinople Creed (and yes, that is the full name) are the core beliefs of my faith. I am fully in understanding that Christ is fully resent in the Eucharist. Because it was said by Christ himself on many occasions. (John 6:48-59, Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20). I bring this part of the faith up because it a big issue between Catholics and the majority of Protestants. Although, many modern Catholics question the Eucharist as well.

This is just of a few differences between the two groups. But from a basic look, the troubles in Northern Ireland are way beyond just differences in faith and politics. I won’t touch on either of those in this article. What I will talk about is the statement Christ made in the verses at the beginning of this article. ‘I have other sheep which are not of this fold’.

As I watched this, and other videos, of the conflict between the two sides, it was not only about the history of division and war. It was the stories of hope that got my attention. The Derry Girls video was the story of starting to build a bridge by bringing women from both sides together and hearing their stories. Hear how the Troubles personally effected them and how the peace walls in Derry may be a hindrance to reconciliation. Other videos also showed that, while yes there are still issues that need resolved, there is a hope of reconciliation and peace between the two.

I am not foolish enough to think that there are multiple facets to this issue. But I’m going to just center on all of those that proclaim Christ as their savior. Despite the differences in theological or doctrinal views, we are all family and heirs to the King Jesus Christ. Sons and daughters of the most high. And yes, like every family with multiple siblings, there will be issues between us. But at the end of the day, we are siblings and children of God through the blood of Christ at the Cross. It is not important about the sign out front of your building. Its not important that you seek intercession of Mother Mary or the Saints (its not command, only suggested).

There will be doctrinal and theological differences between Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant. But to say one is better or that God will only accept one or the other defies the sovereignty of GOD. The real way to end this, or any other conflict, secular or religious (between Christians) is a change of heart and mind. That is only done through prayer, fasting, and a total reliance upon God alone. Not referendum on a ballot for unity of an island. Not on driving a government out so another can take control. And not a blind reverence of one denomination or church over another. 

We are told the commandments of loving God first and our brother second. ‘And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.  “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:34-40) 

It seems that we have forgotten that his sheep are not of the same flock. Reread the opening verses of this article. Then as, why are we making enemies of other Christians? Why do we make them an enemy? And if one has the idea that if they don’t go to our church, they can’t be true Christians, and you see them as an enemy of the faith, remember the words of Christ. ‘You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ (Matthew 5:43-48).

While this is an issue in Northern Ireland, it is also an issue anywhere the different Christian groups are together. While we are to speak of our faith in Christ as our only link to salvation, we are to remember we are still family in faith to the only true Father in Heaven. Understand that there are differences. Understand that there will always be disagreements, both doctrinal and theological. But the one thing we all have in common is found at the foot of the cross and an empty tomb. That is where the divisions of the faith will start to heal.

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Christianity, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

Immaculate Conception of Mary, is it logically and theoretically possible? My answer is yes. And the truth. 

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said “Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you”.      (Luke 1:26-28)

There has been the debate about Mary’s status, particularly on two points. The conception and her perpetual virginity. Today, we will look at the first point. It is the theology of the Holy Catholic Church, that Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin. The original sin spoken of in this regard is the consequence of the sin of Adam in Eden. ‘Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:’ (Romans 5:12) For the understanding of this article, it means the desire or propensity to sin.

All people are born with a propensity to sin, once they reach the understanding what right and wrong are. One first has to know what is a sin. In simple terms, sin is any action, word, or thought that goes against the will and commands of God. Sin we are born into a fallen world, we have that propensity to do what is right to us. So looking at what sin is, comes the discussion on whether Mary could have been conceived without that original stain.

We will look at scripture and definition to determine, not if she was but if it is theoretically possible. To definitively say if she was (which is the way my belief leans) starts the discussion off with a loss of ability to make a true presentation. The purpose of this article is to make the reader at least come to the conclusion that it is a possibility. Non-Catholics, in general, say a definitive no. Catholics speak with a definitive yes. Both disallow for a truly open discussion.

Scripture says that all have sinned. ‘For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;’ (Romans 3:23) So, to make clear, this statement is not in dispute. So then the question. If all have sinned, how can she be conceived without sin? And the understanding by most Christians that only Jesus himself was conceived and born without sin.That understanding is bionically wrong. Scripture shows three were born without sin. Jesus, God in flesh definitely was since He is God. So who are the other two?

Adam and Eve of course. But you may say, they were created from the dirt and you would be right. But look at the wording about them and then look in anther book of scripture.’And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul’. (Genesis 2:7) ‘And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;   And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man’. (Genesis 2:21-22) In these two passages, we see that man is created and given life through the breath of God. This is echoed in David ‘I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well’. (Psalm 139:14) These passages show conception as being made and the breathe of life would be birth. So keep that in mind. Adam and Eve were made (conceived) prior to having the breath of life (birth).

They were made (conceived) sinless. Sin didn’t enter into their being until the whole fruit incident. ‘Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?   And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:   But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.   And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:   For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.   And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.   And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.   And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.   And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?   And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.   And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?   And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.   And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat’. (Genesis 3:1-13)

Now that scripture has shown that Adam and Eve began with no sin, it sets one perimeter of discussion. The knowledge that Jesus was not the only one in the history of man to be born in a sinless state. While Adam and Eve were sinless at the beginning, they still weren’t perfect. Only Jesus was perfect, the whole being God part. The other perimeter for this discussion is God being sovereign. The first understanding of this is the fact He created everything that came into existence. (Genesis) The second understanding of His sovereignty is that He is in charge. ‘Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases’. (Psalm 115:3) 

Now, we will look at the greeting by Gabriel. Full of grace. Full, by definition (it has two as an adjective in how it is used in the passage). 1) containing or holding as much as possible; having no empty space. 2) not lacking or omitting anything; complete. Grace, the Greek word used in the original form is ‘charis’. The definition of charis is: divine favor and the gift of salvation. So by definition, Full of Grace means Mary had been given as much divine favor and salvation as she needed. Sinless. That does not mean she no longer has the ability to sin. It means she did not have the desire or will to sin.

So at this point, I can hear the statement, ‘that does not mean she was conceived without sin’. But it also does not prove she wasn’t. Scripture shows us to normal human beings that were born without (created) without sin, since sin was not present at their creation. That combined with the fact, the angel Gabriel said she was Full of Grace, shows that she had all the grace she needed. And the final fact of God’s sovereignty to do as He wills. Unless one knows the mind of God, which one doesn’t. ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts’. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Is anyone in the real position to say she was not conceived and born without original sin? Are you willing to place your understanding against the Sovereign God doing what He wants? So historically, logically and theoretically it is possible. I’ll ask when I get there.

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Christianity, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

Fighting For My Faith Within Myself

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)

I, like many, struggle within their faith in God. Not that I question my faith, but not being happy being stagnant in my faith. Today, many are happy being where they are in their faith. That goes for the majority of Protestants (who believe in once saved always saved), Catholics, and Orthodox. But the above verse tells us not to be satisfied in our faith where it is, but to strive to move closer to God through Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I do as many do. Daily scripture readings, Church attendance, prayers. And as a Catholic, the Eucharist is the crowning moment of the week. But there is always that longing for more. Not more in the idea of those things are not enough, but more in the idea is understanding how faith in God has to be nurtured, grown, and built within the human soul. This is only done through the power of the Holy Spirit who gives discernment. I’m never satisfied with just daily readings or with a small devotional reading.

As a Protestant, we are told to say that little prayer and its all taken care of. But scripture says so much about how that isn’t true. The above verse is a good one to start with. Work out your own salvation is where most Protestants stop. The seem to forget the last part of that verse. The whole fear and trembling part. They go to church and talk among their friends and say how they know beyond doubt they are headed to glory. But they forget what Christ said, Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (Matthew 7:22). And they also don’t seem to see the warning in the next verse, And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:23).

Many in the Catholic Church are the same in many ways. They believe they sin, go to reconciliation, say their penance and all is done. And while confession is required (read my article on Reconciliation), it takes repentance. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (Acts 3:19). But many don’t understand what repentance means. It is the conviction of the heart, true contrition (truly deep sorrow for the offense, and the changing of the mind and heart toward God and away from the thoughts and actions that led to the sin.

Since becoming an Orthodox Cathecumen, I have found the study of Scripture, the Church Fathers, and those that have held to the faith of the first century (Catholic and Orthodox), I always tend to find myself judged and wanting. I find my prayers lack in substance many times. And yes, go determine a prayer rule, it helps focus the mind and heart on God in that time of preparing oneself.

I find that no matter how much I seek forgiveness or guidance, He is silent. Does that mean I believe He isn’t answering or care? No. It means, to me, that I have to still work on being able to know His still voice. Like most, I’m inpatient. I want an answer. I am coming to understand that He doesn’t always answer. That at times He lives it for me to find His light in the darkness that I created. Sometimes, He answers and I don’t receive as I should, or refuse to acknowledge the answer because it wasn’t the one I was looking for.

I, like many others, am working out my own salvation. The hardest part is getting my mind from always looking at things academically to metaphysically. Academically is looking at things in a formula style understanding. I am learning that the study of my faith, when going beyond the academics, takes me out of my comfort zone. Understanding the faith through the eyes of men like St Thomas Aquinas is fairly easy. He teaches like the great philosophers. And academically, its easy for me. Then I read great saints from the east like John of Damascus or modern saints like St Paisios, it understanding of faith is on a much deeper level.

I am finally starting to get those little nuggets of understanding. But only through extreme difficulty of learning outside of the box of theology that many Christians are happy to stay in. Why do we stay in that little box of understanding? Because it is comfortable. Because its known. Because outside of it, we are made to look into darkness of our own creation. Not through anything other than a self imposed ignorance.

I’ll end this article with a quote that has stuck deeply into my mind as I continue on this journey of faith. From Saint Silouan the Athonite ‘Keep your mind in hell and despair not’. I understand this to mean, for me, to fully recognize that no matter what, first I am a sinful man and second, that Christ is still there as my anchor and refuge.

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Christianity, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

Journey of Faith in Battle

It has been a time since I have written and posted. I have been on a journey of transition from Roman Catholicism to Eastern Orthodoxy. This journey has been a long one. I left RC and became more of a Calvinist. Sola Scriptura (scripture alone) led me back to the RC parish I had left. But this was just a step in a direction that God had for me.

I found something still lacking in the western church. It was not the Eucharist, as this is the whole moment that the Mass is about. But I didn’t feel like I belonged there and started attending the Eastern Catholic church. In that, I found the beauty of the ancient of traditions in the way the service (Divine Liturgy) was presented. The fluidity of beginning to end, the scents and aromas, the singing and chants. I started to fell a drawing. But there was something still lacking.

It was this longing that made me seek out the ancient church, Eastern Orthodoxy. A church more in line with style and teaching of the first century Church. The Antiochian Church is where the followers of Christ (the Way) were first called Christians.

I started as an inquirer. This is a section of time to ask questions, attend Divine Liturgy, and seek God’s guidance. A made the decision after this period to become a Catechumen. This is a student’s learning period. It will go from the New Year of the liturgy and find fulfillment of this period at Pascha (Easter).

But here is why I now write. Since making that decision, I have been fighting a spiritual battle that I had not had. I have always struggled between faith and personal desires. All Christians have this fight in varying levels. But for me, it was a fight unlike I have been used to. The desires of my human flesh fought intensely against my faith in God. A battle that consumed my. Passions I didn’t know that cold be that intense and overpowering. Battling my full desire to follow God through Christ.

This fight, I still deal with. Although not as all consuming, but still a hard fight. I know I am in the right church and walk of faith. The powers of darkness do not fight so hard against something that isn’t of God. This is not a message of defeat, nor a message of my abilities. But a message of the fact that it takes God alone in our battle to defeat the powers of darkness and evil. If life gets hard, the battle gets vicious, it means two things. First, you no longer belong to the dark. Second, remember it is God alone that we find our strength.

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Christianity, faith

Las otras ovejas del pastor

Estoy seguro de que este artículo crujirá la pluma de la mayoría de las denominaciones de la cristiandad. Que así sea, pero hay que decirlo. Y escuchen bien. Ninguna denominación tiene la totalidad de la fe. Incluso la Iglesia Católica, que tiene la mayor parte, carece de algunas cosas que se muestran como partes de la fe en las Escrituras. Y si los cristianos han de ser tomados en serio, debemos recordar que debemos dejar de pelearnos entre nosotros.

Para mostrar este punto, vi un documental sobre Jerusalén hace décadas. Una parte del mismo se me quedó grabada y muestra las fracturas dentro de la comunidad cristiana. Las iglesias de varias partes de Tierra Santa están vigiladas por católicos y ortodoxos (en general). En la iglesia del Santo Sepulcro, el patriarca ortodoxo y el obispo católico se enzarzaron en una acalorada discusión. En un momento dado, el Patriarca gritó “al diablo con tu dios”. Lo cual me pareció, incluso entonces, indignante. La mayoría de los cristianos (dependiendo de las enseñanzas y la doctrina de los que se dicen cristianos) adoran al mismo Dios por medio de Cristo en el poder del Espíritu Santo. Por lo tanto, voy a tratar de arrojar algo de luz en mi introducción.

Si usted leyó mi último artículo, me identifiqué como evangélico católico. Y pasé a explicar por qué. Así que para entender este artículo, y la razón de lo que hay en él desde mi perspectiva, hay que ir a leer ese. Así que, enciendan sus antorchas, tomen sus horcas y piedras. Porque este artículo sólo hará una de dos cosas. O te hará gritar por mi lapidación o te hará querer investigar la plenitud de la fe cristiana.

Aquí hay una pequeña historia para aquellos que dicen que las iglesias católica romana y ortodoxa están equivocadas por las tradiciones. Muchas denominaciones protestantes todavía leen los Padres Apostólicos y los padres de la Iglesia que escribieron antes del evento de Lutero. Y si los leen, defenderán las enseñanzas de la Iglesia Católica. Dicho esto, soy católico por las enseñanzas de las Escrituras sobre la Verdadera Presencia de Jesús en la Eucaristía. Cuerpo, Sangre, Alma y Divinidad. Y debe ser tomado como tal, porque nuestro Salvador Jesús el Cristo lo dijo. En Juan 6:53-59 Jesús dijo estas palabras (y para la gente de la Escritura solamente, aquí está) “Entonces Jesús les dijo: De cierto, de cierto os digo, que si no coméis la carne del Hijo del Hombre, y no bebéis su sangre, no tenéis vida en vosotros. El que come mi carne y bebe mi sangre, tiene vida eterna; y yo lo resucitaré en el último día. Porque mi carne es verdadera comida, y mi sangre es verdadera bebida. El que come mi carne y bebe mi sangre, habita en mí, y yo en él. Como el Padre viviente me ha enviado, y yo vivo por el Padre, así el que me come, vivirá por mí. Este es el pan que ha bajado del cielo; no como vuestros padres que comieron el maná, y están muertos; el que coma de este pan vivirá para siempre.Estas cosas decía en la sinagoga, mientras enseñaba en Cafarnaúm.”

He escrito sobre otros aspectos de la fe en la Iglesia Católica Romana, y seguiré haciéndolo. Pero para mí, la Eucaristía es el punto principal de esta parte de mi fe. Sentarse de verdad a la comida del Señor, como Él pretendía. Hay un par de otras denominaciones que creen de la misma manera, tal vez no de la misma manera litúrgica, pero la presencia real.

Pero otras denominaciones tienen áreas de fe como se prescribe en los Evangelios que los católicos no tienen. Los ortodoxos dirigen sus iglesias como lo hicieron los Apóstoles. Un Obispo (Patriarca) sobre cada grupo. Todos ellos creen en la ortodoxia pero tienen una cabeza de cada iglesia (Antioquía, Damasco, Rusia, Grecia, Ucrania, etc). La Santa Sede (Papa) es el Obispo de Roma. Pero también tiene una posición más alta como líder de la fe dada a sus predecesores todo el camino de vuelta a Simón Pedro. Él era el Apóstol principal. Desde que los Apóstoles transmitieron su autoridad, por así decirlo, a los que vinieron después, como hacen todos los pastores cuando se retiran o pasan a mejor vida (Lester Sumerall a Rod Parsley, Billy Graham a Franklin Graham, etc). Este derecho de sucesión en realidad se remonta a los antiguos israelitas cuando la autoridad del Templo y de las Sinagogas pasaba a una persona para dirigir al pueblo en la fe.

Ahora, vienen los grupos que tienen su nacimiento fuera de la reforma. Hay algunas denominaciones que tienen muy pocos cambios desde Roma. Los grupos que mencionaré tienen partes específicas de la creencia apostólica que los católicos romanos parecen no tener. Y aquí, no debatiré ni discutiré las áreas con las que encuentro problemas bíblicos, sino que señalaré las partes de su creencia con las que estoy de acuerdo.

Para los evangélicos esto es fácil. He visto el poder de la imposición de manos y las oraciones por los enfermos, echando fuera demonios, y creo en la capacidad de edificación a través de las lenguas angélicas (aunque la mayoría no sigue las reglas establecidas para su presencia). Los evangélicos tienen la parte maravillosa de la fe comúnmente conocida como seguimiento de los suspiros. Estos son bíblicos. (Juan 16:14-20) “Después se apareció a los once mismos, mientras estaban sentados a la mesa; y les reprochó su incredulidad y dureza de corazón, porque no habían creído a los que le habían visto después de resucitar. Y les dijo: “Id por todo el mundo y predicad el Evangelio a toda la creación. El que haya creído y se haya bautizado se salvará; pero el que no haya creído se condenará. Estas señales acompañarán a los que hayan creído: en mi nombre expulsarán demonios, hablarán nuevas lenguas; cogerán serpientes, y si beben algún veneno mortal, no les hará daño; impondrán las manos a los enfermos, y sanarán.” Entonces, cuando el Señor Jesús les hubo hablado, fue recibido en el cielo y se sentó a la derecha de Dios. Y ellos salieron a predicar por todas partes, mientras el Señor colaboraba con ellos, y confirmaba la palabra con las señales que se producían.”

Los Adventistas del Séptimo Día (SDA de los cuales fui antes de ser confirmado en la Iglesia Católica) entienden la necesidad de que los cristianos también crean en las raíces judías de la fe cristiana. Siguen las leyes dietéticas, celebran el Shabat, etc. Juan también habló de estas cosas en la Isla de Patmos. (Apocalipsis 14:12) “Aquí está la paciencia de los santos; aquí están los que guardan los mandamientos de Dios y la fe de Jesús”.

La razón por la que traigo a colación esta parte de la doctrina ASD es porque la mayoría de los cristianos olvidan que Jesús y los Apóstoles eran judíos. Ellos siguieron la tradición, la fe, y cuando Jesús habló, enseñó y predicó, fue a través de la fundación de la fe de los Patriarcas (Abraham, Isaac y Jacob). No condenó su fe como judío. Pidió cuentas a los que enseñaban y gobernaban a través de la letra de la ley y olvidaban el espíritu de la ley. Hay que recordar, que Él celebraba las fiestas (la mayoría de sus momentos más pronunciados en los Evangelios fue alrededor de la época de una fiesta).

Esta también es una razón por la que empecé a estudiar la fe judía de mi Salvador. Porque Él y sus seguidores eran judíos. Y si realmente se estudian los Evangelios y el Apocalipsis a la luz de las Escrituras Judías (el Antiguo Testamento o Tanach) se vería que sólo las leyes del sacrificio se terminaron con Su venida. El ceremonial terminó pero el resto permaneció. Esto es evidente cuando se mira la construcción y colocación de los Mandamientos y leyes. Los Mandamientos estaban en el Arca mientras que las leyes estaban fijadas fuera del Arca. Pero escribiré sobre eso en una fecha posterior.

Cada denominación de la cristiandad olvida 2 declaraciones de Cristo cuando tratan de demostrar que son los únicos cristianos “verdaderos”. Y terminaré este artículo con esas declaraciones.

Juan 10:16 “Y tengo otras ovejas que no son de este redil; también a ellas debo traer, y oirán mi voz; y habrá un solo redil, y un solo pastor.”

Lucas 9:49-50 ” Respondiendo Juan, dijo: “Maestro, hemos visto a uno que echaba los demonios en tu nombre, y se lo prohibimos porque no sigue con nosotros. Pero Jesús le dijo: “No se lo prohibáis, porque el que no está contra nosotros está de nuestra parte”.

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Christianity, faith

The Shepard’s Other Sheep

I’m sure that this article will rustle the feather of most denominations in Christendom. So be it, but it needs to be said. And listen close. Not one denomination has the wholeness of the faith. Even the Catholic Church, which has most of it, lacks a few things that are shown as parts of the faith in Scripture. And if Christians are to be taken seriously, we must remember to quit fighting amongst ourselves.

To show this point, I watched a documentary on Jerusalem decades ago. Part of it stuck with me and shows the fractures within the Christian community. The churches in various parts of the Holy Land  are watched over by Catholics and Orthodox (generally). At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Orthodox Patriarch and the Catholic Bishop got into a heated shouting match. At one point, the Patriarch yelled ‘to hell with your god’. Which I though even then was outrageous. Most Christians (depending on the teachings and doctrine of those saying they are Christians) worship the same God through Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. So, I’m going to try and shed some light on my introduction.

If you read my last article, I identified myself as Evangelically Catholic. And I went on to explain why. So to understand this article, and my reason for what is in it from my perspective, one needs to go read that one. So, let your torches be lit, grab your pitchforks and stones. Because this article will do only one of two things. It will either make you cry out for my stoning or it will make you want to investigate the fullness of the Christian faith.

Here is a small history for those that say the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches are wrong because of traditions. Many Protestant denominations still read the Apostolic Fathers and the Church fathers that wrote prior to the Luther event. And if you read them, they will uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church. That being said, I am Catholic because of the Scriptural teachings of the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. And it must be taken as such, because our Savior Jesus the Christ said so. In John 6:53-59 Jesus spoke these words (and for Scripture alone people, here it is) “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.”

I have written on other aspects of faith in the Roman Catholic Church, and will continue to do so. But for me, the Eucharist is the main point of this part of my faith. To truly sit at the Lord’s meal as He intended. There are a couple other denominations that believe the same way, maybe not in the same liturgical manner, but the real presence.

But other denominations have areas of faith as prescribed in the Gospels that Catholics don’t have. The Orthodox run their churches like the Apostles did. A Bishop (Patriarch) over each group. These all believe Orthodoxy but Have a head of each church (Antioch, Damascus, Russia, Greece, Ukraine, etc). The Holy See (Pope) is the Bishop of Rome. But he also holds a higher position as the leader of faith given to his predecessors all the way back to Simon Peter. He was the lead Apostle. Since the Apostles handed down their authority, so to speak on those that came after, like all pastors do when they retire or pass on (Lester Sumerall to Rod Parsley, Billy Graham to Franklin Graham, etc). This right of succession actually goes back to the ancient Israelites when authority of the Temple and Synagogues would be passed to one person to lead the people in faith.

Now, comes the groups that have their birthing out of the reformation. There are a few denominations that have very little changes from Rome. The groups I will mention have specific parts of Apostolic belief that Roman Catholics seem not to. And here, I will not debate nor discuss the areas that I find scriptural issue with but instead point out the parts of their belief that I agree with.

For Evangelicals this is an easy one. I have seen the power of the laying on hands and prayers for the sick, casting out demons, and believe in the ability for edification through angelic tongues (although most don’t follow the rules set forth for their presence). Evangelicals have the wondrous part of faith commonly known as sighs following. These are scriptural. (John 16:14-20) “Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.”

The Seventh Day Adventists (SDA of which I was prior to being confirmed into the Catholic Church) understands the need for Christians to also believe in the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. They follow the dietary laws, celebrate Shabbat, etc. John also spoke of these things on the Isle of Patmos. (Revelation 14:12) “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

The reason I bring up this part of SDA doctrine is because most Christians forget that Jesus and the Apostles were Jewish. They followed tradition, the faith, and when Jesus talked, taught, and preached, it was through the founding of the faith of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). He didn’t condemn his faith as a Jew. He called to account those that taught and ruled through the letter of the law and forgot the spirit of the law. You have to remember, He celebrated the feasts (most of his most pronounced moments in the Gospels was around the time of a feast).

This also a reason I started to study the Jewish faith of my Savior. Because He and his followers were Jewish. And if you truly study the Gospels and Revelation in light of the Jewish Scriptures (the Old Testament or Tanach) you would see that only the laws of sacrifice were ended by His coming. The ceremonial ended but the rest stayed. This is evident when you look at the construction and placement of Commandments and laws. The Commandments were in the Ark while the laws were attached out side of the Ark. But I’ll write about that at a later date.

Every denomination of Christendom forget 2 statements of Christ when they try to prove that they are the only “true” Christians. And I will end this article with those statements.

John 10:16 “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

Luke 9:49-50 “ Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us. But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”

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