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"To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant." That statement was made by Cardinal John Newman, a
convert to Catholicism from the Anglican Church.
If anyone would take the time to research the hundreds of years of writings
of the Church Fathers, and their successors, they would see a rich treasure of the history of the Catholic
Church from the very beginning of its founding, and continuing on through today. So many false
charges made against the Catholic Church fall away like the pruned dead
branches from the vine. Any subject you can think of is covered in these writings. As just one example, detractors say the
Church which Jesus Christ founded, apostatized around the time of Constantine and is not the Catholic
Church of today. This is saying that the 'Gates of Hell' did prevail against Christ's
Church. Read Matt 16:18. These same detractors cannot produce one shred of documentation to back up what they charge. However,
by reading the Church Fathers, you will find just the opposite. The writings make no mention of this 'great apostasy', but
instead they show the Church, which Jesus Christ founded, growing and expanding just as He said it would. Read Acts 1:8. You
will see that the 'Gates of Hell' did not prevail. Sadly, Protestants are told not to read the Church Fathers. From what Cardinal
Newman said, you can readily see why they are taught this. What a waste to disregard such a goldmine of truth.
Go to the "What Church Fathers Had to Say" section on this website for a whole new world, a wealth of
information on practically any subject having to do with the Church. These writings are readily available on the internet
for free. I list the URL's in some of these pages for you to see for yourself.
"But there is nothing
concealed that will not be disclosed,
and nothing hidden that will not be made known." Luke 12:2
Let
Him be Anathema.
Galatians 1:8-9
Anathema:
1Corinthians 16:22 "If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ,
let him be Anathema."
Anathema...
the meaning
of...
'Let him be cursed, excluded from the kingdom of GOD. To be banned or excommunicated'.
Have you ever seen two Bible verses, back to back, which say essentially the same thing?
No? Well,
here are a pair...
Galatians 1:8, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a Gospel to you other than that which we have preached
to you,
let him be Anathema."
Galatians 1:9, "As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone preach a Gospel to you other than that which you have
received,
let him be Anathema."
Now, why do you suppose St. Paul repeated himself in Gal 1:8-9?
Why does anyone purposely repeat him or herself, except
to drive home a very important point?
We humans are usually good at hearing, but are sometimes poor at listening.
St.
Paul stressed the very important point, that if you do not preach the truth,
you
have separated yourself from the kingdom of GOD
On 2 July, 1988, the Holy Father ex motu propio issued the
Apostolic Letter Ecclesia Dei adflicta on the subject of the Tridentine mass. In it, he formally acknowledged the lawfulness
of this old Roman Rite and appealed to all the bishops of OUR HOLY MOTHER THE CHURCH to permit its celebration widely and
generously throughout the world.
A face radiant as the sun 9. “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone
like the sun” ( Mt 17:2). The Gospel scene of Christ's transfiguration, in which the three Apostles Peter, James
and John appear entranced by the beauty of the Redeemer, can be seen as an icon of Christian contemplation. To look
upon the face of Christ, to recognize its mystery amid the daily events and the sufferings of his human life, and then to
grasp the divine splendour definitively revealed in the Risen Lord, seated in glory at the right hand of the Father: this
is the task of every follower of Christ and therefore the task of each one of us. In contemplating Christ's face we become
open to receiving the mystery of Trinitarian life, experiencing ever anew the love of the Father and delighting in the joy
of the Holy Spirit. Saint Paul's words can then be applied to us: “Beholding the glory of the Lord, we are being changed
into his likeness, from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” ( 2Cor
3:18).
Mary, model of contemplation 10. The contemplation of Christ has an incomparable model
in Mary. In a unique way the face of the Son belongs to Mary. It was in her womb that Christ was formed, receiving from
her a human resemblance which points to an even greater spiritual closeness. No one has ever devoted himself to the contemplation
of the face of Christ as faithfully as Mary. The eyes of her heart already turned to him at the Annunciation, when she conceived
him by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the months that followed she began to sense his presence and to picture his features.
When at last she gave birth to him in Bethlehem, her eyes were able to gaze tenderly on the face of her Son, as she “wrapped
him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger” ( Lk2:7).
38. The Rosary can be recited in full every day, and there are those who most laudably do so. In this way it fills with
prayer the days of many a contemplative, or keeps company with the sick and the elderly who have abundant time at their disposal.
Yet it is clear – and this applies all the more if the new series of mysteria lucis is included – that
many people will not be able to recite more than a part of the Rosary, according to a certain weekly pattern. This weekly
distribution has the effect of giving the different days of the week a certain spiritual “colour”, by analogy
with the way in which the Liturgy colours the different seasons of the liturgical year.
According to current practice, Monday and Thursday are dedicated to the “joyful mysteries”, Tuesday
and Friday to the “sorrowful mysteries”, and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday to the “glorious mysteries”.
Where might the “mysteries of light” be inserted? If we consider that the “glorious mysteries” are
said on both Saturday and Sunday, and that Saturday has always had a special Marian flavour, the second weekly meditation
on the “joyful mysteries”, mysteries in which Mary's presence is especially pronounced, could be moved to Saturday.
Thursday would then be free for meditating on the “mysteries of light”.
This indication is not intended to limit a rightful freedom in personal and community prayer, where account
needs to be taken of spiritual and pastoral needs and of the occurrence of particular liturgical celebrations which might
call for suitable adaptations. What is really important is that the Rosary should always be seen and experienced as a path
of contemplation. In the Rosary, in a way similar to what takes place in the Liturgy, the Christian week, centred on Sunday,
the day of Resurrection, becomes a journey through the mysteries of the life of Christ, and he is revealed in the lives of
his disciples as the Lord of time and of history.
New Mysteries For Rosary
In an commemorating the beginning of the twenty-fifth year of his pontificate, Pope John Paul II has proposed
five new mysteries to be used during the saying of the Rosary. The apostolic letter deals in a general manner with both the
theory and the practice of saying the Rosary, so it contains much more than just the proposal of the new mysteries, which
are known as the "mysteries of light" or the "luminous mysteries."
These mysteries are as follows:
- The Baptism in the Jordan
- The Wedding at Cana
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom
- The Transfiguration
- The Institution of the Eucharist
John Paul II proposed that these mysteries be fitted into the weekly cycle of praying the Rosary in the following manner:
Sunday: The Glorious Mysteries
Monday: The Joyful Mysteries
Tuesday:
The Sorrowful Mysteries
Wednesday: The Glorious Mysteries
Thursday:
The Luminous Mysteries
Friday: The Sorrowful Mysteries
Saturday: The
Joyful Mysteries
However, the Holy Father goes on to note:
This indication is not intended to limit a rightful freedom in personal and community prayer, where account needs
to be taken of spiritual and pastoral needs and of the occurrence of particular liturgical celebrations which might call for
suitable adaptations. What is really important is that the Rosary should always be seen and experienced as a path of contemplation
The Joyful Mysteries
Said on Mondays and Thursdays and on Sundays from the First Sunday of Advent until Lent
The Annunciation to Mary
The Visitation of Mary
The Nativity of Our Lord
The Presentation of the Child, Jesus
in the Temple
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
The Sorrowful Mysteries
Said on Tuesdays and Fridays and on the Sundays of Lent
The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The
Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord on the Cross
The Glorious Mysteries
Said on Wednesdays and Saturdays and on Sundays from Easter to Advent
The Resurrection of our Lord
The Ascension of our Lord
The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and Mary
The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
The Crowning of Mary Queen of Heaven and Earth
THE BAPTISM OF THE LORDThe Luminous mystery is meditated when praying the Rosary. Catholics meditate on it on Thursday.
1. John is baptizing in the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of repentance.
2. "I am the voice of one crying in the desert,
make straight the way of the Lord."
3. "One mightier than I is coming after me."
4. "I have baptized you with water,
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
5. Seeing Jesus, John exclaims: "Behold the Lamb of God."
6. After Jesus'
baptism a voice from Heaven: "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
7. The Spirit descends upon Jesus in the
form of a dove.
8. In this heavenly manifestation is instituted the sacrament of baptism.
9. The divine Trinity is manifested:
the voice of the Father is heard as the Spirit descends upon the Son.
10. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus was led by
the Spirit into the desert for 40 days.
Becoming Catholic is one of life’s most profound and joyous experiences. Some are blessed enough to receive this
great gift while they are infants, and, over time, they recognize the enormous grace that has been bestowed on them. Others
enter the Catholic fold when they are older children or adults. This tract examines the joyful process by which one becomes
a Catholic.
A person is brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through reception of the three sacraments
of Christian initiation—baptism, confirmation, and the holy Eucharist—but the process by which one becomes a Catholic
can take different forms.
A person who is baptized in the Catholic Church becomes a Catholic at that moment. One’s
initiation is deepened by confirmation and the Eucharist, but one becomes a Catholic at baptism. This is true for children
who are baptized Catholic (and receive the other two sacraments later) and for adults who are baptized, confirmed, and receive
the Eucharist at the same time.
Those who have been validly baptized outside the Church become Catholics by making
a profession of the Catholic faith and being formally received into the Church. This is normally followed immediately by confirmation
and the Eucharist.
Before a person is ready to be received into the Church, whether by baptism or by profession of
faith, preparation is necessary. The amount and form of this preparation depends on the individual’s circumstance. The
most basic division in the kind of preparation needed is between those who are unbaptized and those who have already become
Christian through baptism in another church.
For adults and children who have reached the age of reason (age seven),
entrance into the Church is governed by the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), sometimes called the Order of
Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA).
O Lord, we are the millions of believers, humbly kneeling at Thy feet and begging
Thee to preserve, defend and save the Sovereign Pontiff for many years. He is the Father of the great fellowship of souls
and our Father as well. On this day, as on every other day, he is praying for us also, and is offering unto Thee with holy
fervor the sacred Victim of love and peace.
Wherefore, O Lord, turn Thyself toward us with eyes of pity; for we
are now, as it were, forgetful of ourselves, and are praying above all for him. Do Thou unite our prayers with his and receive
them into the bosom of Thine infinite mercy, as a sweet savor of active and fruitful charity, whereby the children are united
in the Church to their Father. All that he asks of Thee this day, we too ask it of Thee in union with him.
Whether he weeps or rejoices, whether he hopes or offers himself as
a victim of charity for his people, we desire to be united with him; nay more, we desire that the cry of our hearts should
be made one with his. Of Thy great mercy grant, O Lord, that not one of us may be far from his mind and his heart in the hour
that he prays and offers unto Thee the Sacrifice of Thy blessed Son. At the moment when our venerable High Priest, holding
in His hands the very Body of Jesus Christ, shall say to the people over the Chalice of benediction these words: "The peace
of the Lord be with you always," grant, O Lord, that Thy sweet peace may come down upon our
hearts and upon all the nations with new and manifest power. Amen
[10] But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he said to the paralytic
--
[11] "I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home."
“And [Jesus] found Philip
and said to him, “Follow me.” (John 1:43)
So, too, does Jesus find us wherever we are in our lives.
So, too, does He say to us “Follow me.” But what is our response? Do we rise from whatever we are doing to follow
Him with the enthusiasm of the Apostle Philip? Or do we say “Yes, Lord” and go back to whatever we were doing?
Join with the Church’s preparation for the coming celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord. Give
up something (perhaps meat on Wednesdays and Fridays). Help someone (invite an elderly widow
or widower to dinner, visit a nursing home, help take food supplies to those in need). Pray (The
Lord’s Prayer three times a day together with 3 or 4 psalms a day).
For you reading: “Philip’s Fast / Advent – Who do you say that I am?”
Song is an important part of prayer, and a vital aspect of our worship celebrations. Each weekend Mass has
a different musical “tone”.
Our Catholic Christian Formation program proclaims the Good News of God's love and teaches the wisdom of the
Catholic Tradition.
The Good News is for the heart and the mind; it comes to us as gift and invitation; it calls us to responsible
action. To encourage and guide our formation as Catholic Christians,
God bestows unique gifts on each individual. The vitality of a small parish, as we are, depends upon the
willingness of all our members to share their particular gifts in the various ministries of the church. Some ministries require
only the basic gift of time and a willingness to serve. Other ministries require training, which the parish provides.
Visitation
parish members demonstrate their faith by participating in various ministries and organizations.
What gift will
you share?
He who sings prays twice. – St. Augustine
~This is Father ~VU~ And I He is The
Paster of St.Anne Catholic
Church in Youngsville, Louisiana.
He is a Very Good Friend of mine and A Great Shepherd of his
Church.
~This is Msgr.Richard Green Episcopal Vicar.
Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana.
And Rev. P. Austin Leger. Paster
for the Catholic Church in St.
Martinville, Louisiana. And Myself one of the Owners of this Site, This was for my grand
Dauthers Confirmation, They are
Two Great Shepherds of our Catholic Churches
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will
uphold you with my righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41:10
| ~MY HOLY MOTHER MARY~ |
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| ~HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE~ |
|
|
| ~This is Fr. Mark F. Melancon Associate Paster Of Our Catholic Church Sts, Peter & Paul ~ |
A MESSAGE OF LOVE FOR ALL PRIESTS
Father, Father never doubt,
Your vocation
as a priest.
For it is a treasure without measure.
A treasure of the greatest kind.
One that no one can ever find,
Tho' they dig and seek and pine.
For it is given as a gift,
From one who lives on high,
One who is Divine.
You are chosen from among all men,
To offer sacrifice for all mankind.
A sacrifice-the greatest One,
To change
some bread into His Body,
And then to take a cup of wine,
A simple cup of wine
To change into His blood,
The
real Blood of the Son Divine!
What a gift He's given you.
What a gift from such a King!
The Only King! And you...O
priest
Are His greatest treasure,
His royal representative
His truly chosen one.
The Royal Order of the Priesthood
Come down from Christ
To touch you,
Chosen one chosen priest...
A royal priest forever!
~Our Church is in Scott, Louisiana~
Fr. Mark Is A Great Shepherd Of Our Catholic Church.
| Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Peter the Apostle.Dearly beloved, be prudent, and
watch in prayers. But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves; for charity covereth a multitude
of sins. Using hospitality one toward another without murmuring. As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one
to another; as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the words of God. If any man
minister, let him do it as of the power which God administereth; that in all things God may be honored through Jesus Christ,
our Lord. |
~THIS IS A GREAT WEBSITE CLICK HERE~ This Is Internet Padre Web Site
|
| ~Click On Picture ~ |
Duquesne University, which describes itself as "one of the top ten Catholic universities in the nation," has punished
a 19-year-old sophomore for statements made on a website which had no connection to the school. While the mainstream
media has frequently repeated that political science and pre-law student Ryan Miner is being sanctioned for calling gays and
lesbians 'subhuman', Miner told LifeSiteNews.com in an interview he used the word 'subhuman' to describe homosexual acts,
not homosexuals themselves.
COURAGE and ENCOURAGE in the Archdiocese of St. Louis
For some time now the Archdiocese has been supporting an apostolate that ministers to men and women who find
themselves attracted to persons of the same sex. COURAGE is a spiritual support group for Catholic men and women who wish
to live chaste lives in accordance with the Churchs teaching on homosexuality. Their goals include: living chaste lives in
accordance with Church teaching; dedication to Christ through service of others; spiritual direction; frequent attendance
at Mass; frequent reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist; support of others who deal with issues
of same-sex attraction through prayer and discussion and periodic meetings.
The
Papacy is Scriptural...
Some say the Papacy is a fabrication of the Catholic Church.
Well,
let us look at Holy Scripture and see what we can find...
GOD, who is Himself a "Father Figure", has always provided a human "Father Figure", a "Chief
Shepherd", a visible leader on earth to act as a liaison between Himself and His people. In the Old Testament, His Chief Shepherds
were Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and David, to name a few. In the New Testament, the "Father Figure", and
"Chief Shepherd", of GOD's people, the Church, is Saint Peter. His successors down through the centuries are affectionately called, Papa, or let us use the Italian word meaning the same
as father, the Pope.
"And Pharaoh (the King) said unto Joseph (a Father Figure), 'For as much as GOD has shown you all of this, there is none so
discreet and wise as you are: You shall be over my house, and according to your word shall all my people be ruled: only in
the throne will I be greater than you'. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt'. And
Pharoah took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put
a gold chain around his neck..."
Genesis 41:39-42
Keys have always been used as a symbol of power and authority for the Jews. He who has the key can open the locked door.
He who has not the key remains locked out. The one who has the key has all authority over who enters through the locked door.
If He shuts (locks), no one can open (unlock). If He opens (unlocks), no one can shut (lock).
"And to the angel of the Church at Philadelphia write: Thus says the Holy One, the True
One, he who has the "Key of David". he who opens and no one shuts, and who shuts and no one opens: I know thy works.
Behold, I have caused a door to be opened before thee which no one can shut, for thou hast scanty strength, and thou hast
kept My Word and hast not disowned My Name." Rev 3:7-8
The "Key of David", what is the significance?
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call My servant Eliakim the son of Helcias, and I will clothe him with thy Robe, and
I will strengthen him with thy Sash, and will give thy Power (authority) into his hand; and he shall be as a FATHER
(the word 'Pope' means 'Father') to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. And I will lay the Key of
the House of David (the symbol of primacy) upon his shoulder; and he shall open and none shall shut; and he shall shut
and none shall open. And I will fasten him as a peg in a Sure Place(the Papal Office), and he shall be for a Throne
of glory to the house of his Father. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his Fathers house, diverse kinds of vessels,
every little vessel, from the vessels of cups even to every instrument of music." Isaiah 22:20-24
"My servant" means
"Faithful to GOD". "Eliakim" means "GOD will establish". Here we have a figure who is faithful to GOD and someone whom GOD
will exalt. In several verses in Scripture, whenever this "Eliakim" is mentioned, he is also shown to be "Over the Household",
2Kings 18:18, 2Kings 18:37, 2Kings 19:2, Isaiah 36:3, Isaiah 36:22, Isaiah 37:2.
In Isaiah 36:3, he is described as being
"Over the House". The Pope is certainly "Faithful to GOD", and he is "Over the House of GOD", the visible Church on earth.
So
what do we have here? We have an OFFICE, a SASH, a ROBE, a THRONE, a KEY, a PEG, and a SURE PLACE.
The House of David
is the Davidic Kingdom. David is a figure of Christ.
The OFFICE is the Papacy, the Holy Father, the Pope, to the inhabitants
of Jerusalem, and to the House of Judah, (the Church), the Vicar of Christ, the Bishop of Rome, the successor of Saint Peter,
the visible head of the Catholic Church on earth.
The SASH, The ROBE, the THRONE, and the KEYS are symbols of his
authority.
The SASH is what separates the prime priest from the other priests,
"Therefore, to the various expert
workmen whom I have endowed with skill, you shall give instructions to make such vestments for Aaron as will set him apart
for his sacred service as My priest. These are the vestments they shall make; a breastpiece , an ephod, a Robe, a brocaded
tunic, a miter, and a SASH." Ex 28:3-4.
"He(Aaron) shall wear the sacred linen "Tunic", with the linen drawers next to
his flesh, gird himself with the linen Sash and put on a linen Miter (the Pope wears a Miter)." Lev 16:3
The ROBE symbolizes
his authority as The Bishop of Rome, the Supreme Pontiff, the High Priest of the Visible Church on earth.
"As an olive
tree budding forth, and a cypress tree rearing itself on high, when he put on the ROBE of Glory, and was clothed with the
perfection of POWER. When he went up to the Holy Altar, he honored the vesture of Holiness. And when he took the portions
out of the hands of the priests, he himself stood by the Altar. And about him was the ring of his brethren: and as the cedar
planted in mount Libanus, and as branches of palm trees, they stood round about him, and all the sons of Aaron in their glory.
And the Oblation of the Lord (the Holy Eucharist) was in their hands before all the Congregation (Church) of Israel. And finishing
his service on the Altar, to honor the offering of the Most High King, he stretched forth his hand to make a libation, and
offered the Blood of the grape (wine transformed into the Blood of Christ)." Sir 50:11-16
"Now therefore we make thee this
day High Priest (Vicar of Christ) of thy nation, and that thou be called the King's friend (and he sent them a Purple ROBE,
and a CROWN OF GOLD (Miter)), and that thou be of one mind with us in our affairs, and keep friendship with us." 1Macc 10:20
The
THRONE is the Chair (Seat) of Saint Peter from which the Vicar of Christ proclaims to the whole world, infallible statements
on faith and morals.
Moses, the Leader of GOD's chosen people had a Seat of Authority.
"The Scribes and the Pharisees
have sat on the Chair of Moses." Matt 23:2
"This Propitiatory (Mercy Seat) you shall then place on top of the Ark. In the
Ark itself you are to put the Commandments which I will give you. There I will meet you and there, from above the Propitiatory,
between the two cherubim on the Ark of the Commandments, I will tell you all of the commands that I wish you to give the Israelites
(Ex-Cathedra)." Ex 25:20-22
"He took the Commandments and put them in the Ark; he placed poles alongside the Ark and set
the
Propitiatory upon it." Ex 40:20
"...the Lord spoke to Moses and said to him, "Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to
come whenever he pleases into the sanctuary, inside the veil, in front of the Propitiatory on the Ark; otherwise, when I reveal
myself in a cloud above the Propitiatory, he will die (GOD will speak to His chosen Visible Leader on earth only, His Vicar)."
Lev 16:2
"When Moses entered the Meeting Tent to speak with Him, he heard the voice addressing him from above the Propitiatory
on the Ark of the Commandments, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him...(Ex-Cathedra)" Num 7:89
The Mercy
Seat thus becomes the protector of the Ark and its contents. In the Ark were the Stone Tablets handed to Moses, Aaron's staff,
and the Manna from Heaven. These are prefigurements of the New Ark of the Covenant, the Blessed Virgin Mary, as she carried
within her womb, the Word of GOD, the Power of GOD, and the Body of Christ, the Manna from Heaven.
The KEYS are symbolic of His Authority, and over the Binding and Loosening powers of
sin, and as a symbol of discernment.
The PEG is symbolic in Hebrew tradition, as the main tent peg into which all
other lines ran.
The SURE PLACE, of course, is The Vatican in Rome, the Papal Office.
"With him is wisdom and strength. He hath counsel (the Magisterium in conjunction with the Holy Spirit) and understanding
(discernment). If he pull down, there is no man that can build up. If he shuts up a man, there is none that can open (Papal
authority, Rome has spoken, the matter is settled)." Job 12:13-14
"And I say to thee, thou art Peter, and upon this 'Rock' I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it. And I will give THEE the KEYS of the Kingdom of Heaven; and whatever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven,
and whatever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven." Matt 16:18-19
Jesus Christ addressed Peter and Peter
only in these two verses. He gave Peter alone, the KEYS to the Kingdom of Heaven, and the power of "Binding and Loosening"
of sins, or if you prefer, the "Sacrament of Reconciliation". Clearly, when Jesus addressed Peter only, and at the same time
gave him a name change from Simon to Peter, he had appointed Peter as the "prime" Apostle. Later in Matt 18:18, Jesus gave
the power of "Binding and Loosening" to all of the Apostles. After Jesus had risen from the dead, He appeared to all of the
Apostles and again gave them the power of "Binding and Loosening" in John 20:22-23.
To further strengthen the "Primacy of Peter" Jesus addressed him only, in John 21:15-17, when He commanded him to "Feed My
Sheep". As another example, Jesus commanded Simon-Peter to strengthen his brethren in Luke 22:31-32.
Peter acknowledged
his primacy, when at the Council of Jerusalem, he stood up and said, "Brethren, you know that in early days GOD made choice
among us, that through MY mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the Gospel and believe." Acts 15:7
Peter's statement
was singular in that the truth of the Gospel would come from the primacy of the Catholic Church, and that primacy is the Papacy.
"But if thy brother sin against thee, go and show him his fault, between thee and him alone. If he listen to thee, thou hast
won thy brother. But if he do not listen to thee, take with thee one or two more so that on the word of two or three witnesses
every word may be confirmed. And if he refuse to hear them, appeal to the CHURCH, but if he refuse to hear even the CHURCH,
let him be to thee as the heathen and the publican. Amen I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound also in Heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed also in Heaven." Matt 18:15-18
Here, right out of Holy Scripture
is an outline for a system of appeal. How do you appeal to the Church unless there is a system of arbitrators pre-existing
in that Church? To whom does one appeal in civil life? We appeal to a higher court of our government. What do you suppose
would have happened if our founding fathers had not set up a system of checks and balances; a system with lots of laws, but
no 'hierarchy' to interpret those laws for us? What would happen if our founding fathers wrote our constitution and made no
provision for a Supreme Court to have the final say on interpretation of the laws within it? What would have happened if they
left it up to the people and said, "Interpret the law of the land as you see fit?" Immediately, there would be conflicts and
chaos and splits in the unity of the country. Isn't this exactly what our Protestant brothers and sisters did to the 'Law
of GOD', the Bible? The reformers rejected the authority of the Catholic Church and immediately there began conflicts and
chaos, infighting within their ranks, and splits in the Body of Christ which number over 28,000 in Protestantism today.
Where
is the 'supreme court' of Protestantism? Who or what is the authority in their ranks which arbitrate disputes in Bible interpretation?
The prefigurement of final authority of such matters was recorded in detail in the Old Testament, and it fits perfectly with
Papal authority and the Magisterium of today in the Catholic Church.
"The next day Moses sat in judgment for the people,
who waited about him from morning until evening. When his father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people he inquired,
"What sort of thing is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone while all the people have to stand about
you from morning till evening?"
Moses answered his father-in-law, "THE PEOPLE COME TO ME TO CONSULT GOD. Whenever they
have a disagreement, THEY COME TO ME TO HAVE ME SETTLE THE MATTER (MOSES HAD SPOKEN, THE ISSUE WAS SETTLED) BETWEEN THEM AND
MAKE KNOWN TO THEM GOD'S DECISIONS AND REGULATIONS."
"You are not acting wisely," his father-in-law replied. "You will
surely wear yourself out, and not only yourself but also these people with you. The task is too heavy for you; you cannot
do it alone. Now, listen to me, and I will give you some advice, that GOD may be with you. ACT AS THE PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVE
BEFORE GOD, BRINGING TO HIM WHATEVER THEY HAVE TO SAY. ENLIGHTEN THEM IN REGARD TO THE DECISIONS AND REGULATIONS, SHOWING
THEM HOW THEY ARE TO LIVE AND WHAT THEY ARE TO DO. BUT YOU SHOULD ALSO LOOK AMONG ALL THE PEOPLE FOR ABLE AND GOD-FEARING
MEN, TRUSTWORTHY MEN WHO HATE DISHONEST GAIN, AND SET THEM AS OFFICERS (CARDINALS AND BISHOPS, THE MAGISTERIUM) OVER GROUPS
OF THOUSANDS, OF HUNDREDS, OF FIFTIES, AND OF TENS. LET THESE MEN RENDER DECISIONS FOR THE PEOPLE IN ALL ORDINARY CASES. MORE
IMPORTANT CASES THEY SHOULD REFER TO YOU (PAPAL AUTHORITY. ROME HAS SPOKEN, THE ISSUE IS SETTLED), BUT THE LESSER CASES THEY
CAN SETTLE THEMSELVES. THUS YOUR BURDEN WILL BE LIGHTENED, SINCE THEY WILL BEAR IT WITH YOU. IF YOU DO THIS, WHEN GOD GIVES
YOU ORDERS YOU WILL BE ABLE TO STAND THE STRAIN, AND ALL THESE PEOPLE WILL GO HOME SATISFIED."
Moses followed the advice
of his father-in-law and did all that he had suggested. HE PICKED OUT ABLE MEN FROM ALL ISRAEL AND PUT THEM IN CHARGE OF THE
PEOPLE AS OFFICERS OVER GROUPS OF THOUSANDS , OF HUNDREDS , OF FIFTIES, AND OF TENS (CARDINALS, ARCHBISHOPS, AND BISHOPS,
AS WE HAVE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TODAY). THEY RENDERED DECISIONS FOR THE PEOPLE IN ALL ORDINARY CASES. THE MORE DIFFICULT
CASES THEY REFERRED TO MOSES, BUT ALL THE LESSER CASES THEY SETTLED THEMSELVES."
Exodus 18:13-26
Rome has truly
spoken.
If Exodus 18:13-26 isn't enough proof, here is another reference which reinforces it.
Moses said,
"I
cannot carry all this people by myself for they are too heavy for me. If this is the way you will deal with me, then please
do me the favor of killing me at once, so that I need no longer face this distress."
Then the Lord said to Moses, "Assemble
for Me seventy of the elders of Israel, men you know for true elders and authorities among the people, and bring them to the
Meeting Tent. When they are in place beside you, I will come down AND SPEAK WITH YOU THERE. I WILL ALSO TAKE SOME OF THE SPIRIT
THAT IS ON YOU AND WILL BESTOW IT ON THEM, THAT THEY MAY SHARE THE BURDEN OF THE PEOPLE WITH YOU. YOU WILL THEN NOT HAVE TO
BEAR IT BY YOURSELF."
Numbers 11:14-17
Exodus 18 and Numbers 11 depict a "type" of the hierarchy of the Catholic
Church of today. We see a system of arbitration and a final authority to settle inevitable disputes which arise from time
to time. We see a 'type' of the Magisterium in the seventy elders. Rome has truly spoken. The blueprint was drawn in the Old
Testament.
"Now you are the Body of Christ, member for member. And GOD indeed has placed some in the Church, first Apostles, secondly
prophets, thirdly TEACHERS (The Pope is the foremost teacher); after that miracles, then gifts of healing, services of help,
POWER OF ADMINISTRATION, and the speaking of various tongues." 1Cor 12:27-28
ADMINISTRATION: Management, especially
of business affairs. The activity of a sovereign state in the exercise of its powers or duties. This is how one dictionary
defines the word.
This is a good description of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, which certainly does include the
Pope and the Magisterium, and over 3500 Bishops.
Every government, every corporation, and every institution, has a
POWER OF ADMINISTRATION.
The Federal Government has an Executive Branch, a Legislative Branch, and a Judicial Branch.
Corporations
have a Chief Executive Officer, a Board of Directors, and Stockholders.
Why then, should the largest and oldest institution
on earth, the Catholic Church, not have a Pope, a Magisterium, and thousands of Bishops, all guided in truth by the Holy Spirit?
"If
in your community there is a case at issue which proves too complicated for you to decide, in a matter of bloodshed or of
civil rights or of personal injury, you shall then go up to the place which the Lord your GOD chooses, to the Levitical priests
(Magisterium) or to the JUDGE (Pope) who is IN OFFICE (the Papacy) at that time. They shall study the case and then hand down
to you their decision. According to this decision that they give you in the place which the Lord chooses, you shall act, BEING
CAREFUL TO DO EXACTLY AS THEY DIRECT. YOU SHALL CARRY OUT THE DECISIONS WHICH THEY GIVE YOU AND THE VERDICT THEY PRONOUNCE
FOR YOU, WITHOUT TURNING ASIDE TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT FROM THE DECISION THEY HAND DOWN TO YOU. ANY MAN WHO HAS THE INSOLENCE
TO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO THE PRIEST WHO OFFICIATES THERE IN THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD, YOUR GOD, OR TO THE JUDGE, SHALL DIE (now,
Spiritual death). THUS SHALL YOU PURGE THE EVIL FROM YOUR MIDST." Deut 17:8-12
"In this breastpiece of decision you
shall put the Urim and Thummim, that they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus HE SHALL
ALWAYS BEAR THE DECISIONS FOR THE ISRAELITES OVER HIS HEART IN THE LORD'S PRESENCE."
Ex 28:30
Now, just what do
these verses prefigure? This is exactly how the Pope and the Magisterium work in conjunction with the Holy Spirit today.
Now that we have a Church Hierarchy guided by the Holy Spirit, one of their primary duties is to hold periodic Church Councils.
These Councils are called in order to define revealed truths in Scripture and to address rising heresy, and other problems
of the time. The Councils are attended by the Pope and the Bishops.... And they are Biblical.
"Where there is no Governor,
the people shall fall; but there is safety where there is much Council." Prov 11:14
"The way of a fool is right in
his own eyes; but he that is Wise harkens unto Councils." Prov 12:15
"Designs are brought to nothing where there is
no Council; but where there are many Counselors, they are established." Prov 15:22
"Hear Council, and receive instruction,
that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end." Prov 19:20
"Designs are strengthened by Councils, and wars are to be managed
by governments." Prov 20:18
"Because war is managed by due ordering; and there shall be safety where there are many
Councils." Prov 24:6
"Take Council, gather a Council..." Isa 16:3
"And that they had made themselves a senate
house, and consulted daily three hundred and twenty men that sat in Councils always for the people, THAT THEY MIGHT DO THE
THINGS THAT WERE RIGHT. And that they committed their government to One Man every year, to rule over their country, and they
all obey one, and there is no envy nor jealousy among them." 1Macc 8:15-16
Salvation Past, Present, and Future
by James Akin
I."Have You Been Saved?"
This is a question Protestants often pose when they are doing evangelism, but it is a question which takes many people
by surprise, including many Catholics. Some people are surprised because they never think about salvation, but Catholics tend
to be surprised by it for a different reason. Catholics tend to focus on salvation as a future event, something that has yet
to happen. As a result, the Protestant question, "Have you been saved?" can sound presumptuous. But the question sounds very
natural to Protestant ears because Evangelicals tend to conceive of salvation as a past event, something that happens to the
believer at the very beginning of his life as a Christian.
Both of these conceptions of salvation
"even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)"
(all Scripture quotations NKJV)
Since this passage speaks of salvation in the past tense, something that has been done to us, it is conceiving of
salvation as a past reality.
But this is only one aspect of salvation. There is an ongoing aspect to salvation as well, as is indicated in 1st Peter
1:8-9, which states,
" . . . Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving
. . . the salvation of your souls."
The same idea of salvation as something that is taking place presently is found in the writings of the St. Paul as well,
for example, in Philippians 2:12 he states,
"Therefore, my beloved, as you 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"
Salvation in the Bible is therefore also a pr
"And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer
than when we first believed." (Romans 13:11)
"If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through
fire." (1Corinthians 3:15)
" . . . deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the
day of the Lord Jesus." (1Corinthians 5:5)
These verses all speak of salvation in the future tense, as something that will happen to us in the future. Therefore,
salvation has past, present, and future aspects or dimensions.
If we were to offer a general definition of salvation, including its past, present, and future dimensions, we would say
something like, "Salvation is a process which begins when a person first becomes a Christian, which continues through the
rest of his life, and which concludes on the Last Day." This definition allows the faithful Christian to do justice to all
of the Biblical data by saying, "I have been saved; I am being saved; and I will be saved." It embraces all three of the aspects
of salvation which are present in the biblical literature.
II.Other Aspects of Salvation
In addition to sal
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