Posted on 06/14/2006 8:05:55 AM PDT by NYer
How do you know that you were called to be a Calvinist? How does the missionary know that he's been called to serve in another country? How did Yochanan the Immerser (John the Baptist) know he was called to act like a crazy person?
It varies by the person. In my case, I knew I was called when I saw that the Jews had all of the really good holidays. ;-)
You might have something of substance to contribute in your latest post, but that misplaced remark compromises the integrity of your post. It makes you look like a real-life example of the old saying, "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
And from where I'm sitting, it looks like you have a little knowledge.
Thanks for playing, though. I am sure there are some parting gifts for you.
Calvinism isn't a way of life. It's a theology. If Calvin told everyone not to eat fish on Fridays would I agree with that? Of course not unless there was an 11th commandment in scripture that state, "You shall not eat fish on Friday." and then Calvin would have good justification.
Let's suppose there was an 11th commandment against fish. Then, guess what would happen. More than likely, sometime during my life as hard as I would try, I would eat fish on Friday. I would have transgressed the law. And the wages for my sin is death. The commandment isn't void-fish on Friday is a bad thing according to the 11th commandment. But Christ has freed me that if, on the most like possibility that I stumble and eat fish, He has taken away my sin. It doesn't excuse my actions. It only corrects my behavior before God. The trouble is, there is no 11th commandment about fish on Friday just as there are no commandments against dietary laws-unless you're willing to say everyone here is transgressing the law of God.
Let's suppose there is another reason for me giving up fish. If I give up fish on Friday to the Lord, what does that buy me? Do you think God would be extra pleased with my "sacrifice"? Do you think that I will "feel" a greater sense of spirituality by my sacrifice or an extra "closeness" to God than someone who doesn't give up fish? If I go to McDonald's with a group of my friends and they order a fish fillet and I order a hamburger because it's Friday, do you think this is a great testimony?
It buys you absolutely nothing and one has to wonder what precisely is the point?
The intent of any fast is not for the benefit of the faster, imho. It doesn't make him/her more spiritual, insightful, holy, etc.
It's intent is to demonstrate his/her sole reliance on God; i.e., give glory to God by showing serious intent for only the things of God.
Just my humble 2c
"Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house." -- Matthew 13:55-57
"Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house." -- Mark 6:3-4
Fasting is for the benefit of the faster. It can bring us closer to God, as in prayer.
"Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency." -- 1 Corinthians 7:5
But this is very different from special dietary laws which Christ says he abolished.
Thank you, sir. I shall get to work.
I do not agree that fasting is for the benefit of the faster. Nor do I believe that prayer should be for the benefit of the prayer.
Both must always be rooted in the glory of God.
There is no value in a bunch of smug folks running around thinking how holy they are. And human nature will make them all have that problem at some point or another.
I agree with you, xzins! Thanks for the ping!
Why would a Christian still be entering the temple in Jerusalem and offering a sacrifice? Jesus IS our sacrifice for sins. Not the blood of goats, bulls or lambs but it is the blood of the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.
Paul did so because he was Jewish.
All of the Jewish apostles in Jerusalem were apparently still involved in Temple life.
First off, you're being waaay too serious in the face of a flippant answer.
Secondly, do you only obey God if there's something in it for you?
Precisely.
That's why the Lord's Prayer begins with "Our Father" and deals with the things of God first.
It's not about us.
All of the Jewish apostles in Jerusalem were apparently still involved in Temple life.
Where does Sacred Scripture say that all of the Apostles were still offering sacrifices?
Would you mind answering my previous question because I am very perplexed. Why do you think it is okay to still offer sacrifices when Jesus is the salvific sacrifice?
Acts 21. What did the apostles tell Paul to do regarding the temple?
Also, I'm not Jewish, so I have no real reason to engage in Temple practice.
I'm not sure if this passage has beeb posted yet, so here goes. From Acts chapter 21:
Acts 21
17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
We can see a couple of things from this passage:
1. Paul still kept the law (see verses 23-24)
2. Gentile believers were not required to do as Paul was doing. (verse 25)
3. Paul (with the 4 other men) was going into the Temple where an offering would be made for them. (verse 26)
In reading Acts 21, I don't see where it says to specifically offer a sacrifice. If they did, then they would be turning against what Jesus did for them.
Also, better toss out the book of Hebrews if you still have to offer sacrifices and you better toss out the whole New Testament. Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross was for naught if the blood of bulls or lambs atones for you.Also, I'm not Jewish, so I have no real reason to engage in Temple practice.
I don't see as how a Jewish Chrisitian would have reason to engage in it either.
1st Epistle of St. Peter 1:18-19 :
"Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things as gold or silver, from your vain conversation of the tradition of your fathers:
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unspotted and undefiled
And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, "Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.So now, which oath in the Torah (since showing that he still kept it is the point of the whole exercise) involves shaving one's head, and what are the expenses incurred when the head is shaved, again according to the Torah?"Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the Law."
--Acts 21:20-24
Hmm.. see post #458 for St. Peter's opinion on what redeems you and below:
Now where there is a remission of these, there is no more an oblation for sin. Hebrews 10:18
"For if we sin wilfully after having the knowledge of the truth, there is now left no sacrifice for sins. Hebrews 10:26
"Behold, the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sin of the world." St. John 1:29
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