Posted on 10/31/2010 11:59:22 AM PDT by RnMomof7
In Christ Alone lyrics
Songwriters: Getty, Julian Keith; Townend, Stuart Richard;
In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This Cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease My Comforter, my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless Babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save
?Til on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live, I live
There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory Sin?s curse has lost its grip on me For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ
Don't put words in my mouth I have not stated..If you misread what I wrote, I also can get a little scarcastic like you and say "help yourself"
I am immensely flattered when I am assailed by them. :)
God in His mercy has made it clear in His Word that the assurance of salvation is granted to any who repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and in Him alone for their salvation. Calvinists call this "perspicuity." I am confident the citations to the Word have been provided numerous times in the past.
AMEN!
More raspberries for you. Harumph.
OK, I’ll try to continue to put it first . . . when I bother with both.
LUB
What’s the status of the signals from your work?
That’s why I said
“If . . . “
Maybe it was too forceful an encouragement to be more open to the implications of what Christ chose to do through Paul as evidence of his rank.
However, we have evidence from Paul in Scripture and reports of what he’s told heavenly visitors . . . asserting that he considers himself of rather low rank in such matters. Evidently Paul agrees with you.
I find it interesting that since it cannot be found in scripture by you, you resort to using the word heretic to describe a question I asked...If you cannot find it in scripture, just say so instead of using the word heretic. That is making a value judgment based on a question you have no scriptural answer for...
I expected better from you...GG
Great question.
Usually they just do the usual RC dismissive smug disclaimer that since it’s not YET in the Catechism, it can’t be a real part of Roman Catholocism.
imho,
that’s sadly farrrrr tooooo true.
If you know the story of Saul/Paul, then you know he was not a believer in Christ until after Jesus ascended to heaven. The record we have starts in Acts - which is widely believed to have been written by Luke. Acts 9 describes Saul's conversion. Luke would, of course, be saying what Paul related to him concerning the experience. This is what Paul says Jesus said to him:
Acts 9:5-6
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
We are also told the testimony of a man named Ananias who Jesus appeared to in a vision. He told Ananias:
Acts 9:11-12
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
Anaias was worried about what he was being told to do since Saul was a known persecutor of Christians. The Lord then told Ananias:
Acts 9:15-16
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Barnabas was greatly impressed with the work Saul was doing in the name of Jesus and he personally brought him to the apostles to introduce him:
Acts 9:26-28
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
Barnabus then worked together with Saul in Antioch:
Acts 11:25-26
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
When Paul and Barnabus were in Iconium they spoke boldly for the Lord, who "confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders." Acts 14:3. This caused division among the people in that city who we are told, "Some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles." Acts 14:4. Paul was later referred to as an "apostle" in Acts 14:14. Paul and Barnabus also appointed elders in the churches.
When Paul was speaking to the crowd in Jerusalem and retold his experience on the road to Damascus, he said the Lord said to him:
Acts 22:21
21 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
When Paul was testifying to King Agrippa, he said the Lord said to him:
Acts 26:15-18
15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
So, we have the words of Luke, Saul/Paul, Barnabus, Peter, James and Jesus stating that Paul was sent by the Lord himself to the Gentiles. All the other disciples and Apostles were convinced, so I am, too. The Lord would not have allowed Paul's epistles to be included as Holy Scripture if he was a fake.
Galatians 1:11- 24
1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
1:14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
Unfortunately, it appears that most RC's think THE Gospel is just the entire contents of RC doctrine. or the contents of the the 4 "Gospels", with maybe a chapter or 2 from Acts. It appears NOT to be what we understand as The Good News.
The definition of FAITH to Rome is basically just an acknowledgement of the various doctrines and dogmas and obedience to all the rules and regulations. Certainly NOT what we understand by Faith in Christ Alone thru Faith Alone.
The definition of GRACE to Rome is more a limited quantity o infused divine quality, that can partially and temporarily cleanse the soul(sanctifying) or assist one in attaining THEIR OWN Righteousness (Actual).
AMEN! Great post!
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,] 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
PS Long drawn out posts are usually passed by by me. You did good and I enjoyed it..
I spent more time on the gospels than I did over the Acts...Have read them but not as many times as the gospels..For me the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John gives us a pattern of Jesus beliefs on how one should live their lives, therefore I read them over many times, but I have not read cover to cover in many years...
Well it is relevant as the revelation that he was called before he was born, by the grace of God, to be the apostle to the Gentiles was given to him by the HS. Your original statement was that you were wondering if he just took the title, Apostle to the Gentiles, because he wanted it, is thus proved incorrect. Paul says his Apostleship, his call, and the church, were all part of the Plan of Salvation. He didn’t just make it up.
INDEED. AMEN! AMEN!
The world was all rainbows and ponies until that EVIIILLLL Reformation, dontcha know?
Everyone was happy and prosperous until them eviiiillll Reformers came along and mucked everything up.
They just had to go and mess with success....
Reformed theology appeals to people who at some point in their lives were "not very nice." Perhaps they were ostracized by others, constantly in trouble, and on the wrong side of the law, literally lost in their misfortune, and someone came to them and said "Jesus loves you."
It is possible that this is the first time anyone has ever told those words, that even they can be loved. So, it is no wonder they were drawn to it.
I have known many a Protestant who told me "You wouldn't have liked me before I was saved," or "I was nasty, I liked to cut people down with words, etc." and similar stories.
Such people found a new and better self in Christianity and a lifeline that sustains them, so I can't really blame them. To them, the humility of catholic and orthodox Christianity is too reminiscent of them being a fringe, rejected, laughed at, and worse. Nothing is more repulsive to them than being humble; they needed a crutch and an ego-building compliment, strength, not weakness, even something as unChristian as pride, something they never had but always wanted. And they found it in the Reformed theology.
They are saved, they can do now wrong in God;s eyes, no matter what they do, what they say, how much they fail. They have been given the ultimate assurance that, contrary to human realization that we are all ignorant, nasty and selfish creatures by nature, they will be rescued in an easy way with magic words. Anyone can do that, even the worst of us. Hecne the appeal. Reformed "worship" is all about "God loves me, halleluyah", a pagan-like spectacle one would expect to see in a pagan temple, all swaying their hands in the air like something from "Indiana Jones" movie.
Catholic and Orthodox worship and theology is like that tax collector in the Gospels who feels so undeserving he can't even look up, but can only beg God for mercy. How could you expect people who seek low self-image therapy and food for their narcissistic nature to subscribe to that?!
Consequently, I think people end up in a camp that suits their personality and world view, as well as self image. You see the same segragation among Muslims (for exmaple Sufis and more ilitatnt groups) and Jews (Orthodox, reofrmed, Liberal, etc).
Oh . . . right
sort of successful
for the bureaucratic powermongering magicsterical religious elite . . .
in an UNBIBLICAL and tyrannical sort of way.
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