A Biblical Roadmap To The One, True Church

by Gary Zimak on May 12, 2011

©Heidi Bratton Photography

Teach me, LORD, your way that I may walk in your truth. (Ps 86:11)

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? I can’t imagine any Christian looking at the above verse and disagreeing with its content. Essentially, it is a summary of our mission as followers of Christ. But exactly how does the Lord teach us “His way” so that we can “walk in His truth”? Even though we acknowledge Jesus as “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”, we still need a set of guidelines for making moral decisions.

The Bible tells us that “the church” is the guardian of the truth, but why is it that various Christian churches hold such radically different beliefs? While pledging loyalty to the Bible, many denominations have conflicting teachings on important moral issues such as abortion, birth control, divorce and homosexuality. Didn’t Psalm 86 state that there is one way which allows us to walk in God’s truth? Can there actually be multiple conflicting “truths”?

In reality, the Bible illustrates that there is indeed ONE truth and that there is ONE Church which was established to help us learn and live that truth. Let’s look at 10 Scripture passages that take us from point “A” (there is one absolute truth) to point “B” (there is one Church that contains the fullness of truth). Once we arrive at our destination, finding that one, true Church is relatively easy!

1. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth (1 Tm 2:3-4).

According to St. Paul, God wants everyone to be saved and to know THE “truth”. It sounds good to me, but how can I discover THE “truth”?

2. But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Tm 3:15).

A clue! We are to look to “the Church” to discover the truth…but which one? There are tens of thousands of Christian churches!

3. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming (Jn 16:13).

There’s that “truth” thing again! This could be another clue. If (as Jesus promised) the Holy Spirit really guides us to all truth, then conflicting doctrinal beliefs would not be possible. Doesn’t that make a strong case for a single, authoritative interpreter of the truth? Could this interpreter possibly be “the Church” referred to as the “pillar and foundation of truth” in 1 Tm 3:15?

4. If your brother sins (against you), go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Mt 18:15-18).

Jesus gives us a clue about “the Church”. He points to “the Church” as the ultimate authority for settling moral issues and He gives this Church authority to make binding decisions on earth. That narrows my search down a bit; I need to find a church who can teach authoritatively…

5. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mt 16:18-19).

Not “churches”, but CHURCH (singular)! This Church, founded by Christ, is built on the leadership of St. Peter (the first pope), to whom Jesus gives the power to make authoritative decisions on earth. This could be that Church that I’m searching for, but I still need to look for more clues…

6. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:18-20).

Let’s see…Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He instructed the Apostles to carry on His mission by baptizing and teaching ALL that He has commanded. This is an unexpected development. Now I’m looking for a church that presents the teaching of Jesus Christ and also utilizes baptism as a means to become a disciple. I thought I was getting somewhere, but now I’m not so sure. Lots of churches baptize their members. I need to look for more clues…

7. Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit (Jn 3:1-5).

Wait a minute! Jesus told Nicodemus that no one can achieve salvation “without being born of water and Spirit”. It sounds like He’s referring to baptism and deeming it to be necessary for our salvation! Now I’m looking for a church with a common set of beliefs (the “truth”), that is visible, can make authoritative decisions AND teaches that baptism is necessary for salvation. Our list of potential churches has gotten a lot smaller!

8. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us (his) flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. Then many of his disciples who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” As a result of this, many (of) his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him (Jn 6:48-66).

Huh? Did Jesus just say that eating His flesh and drinking His blood is necessary for achieving salvation? This sounds like cannibalism! He must be speaking figuratively and probably means “spiritual bread”. Although, if Jesus was speaking figuratively – why would this saying be “hard” and why would He let many of His disciples walk away? Wouldn’t it make sense that He would call them back, explaining that He wasn’t speaking literally? In fact, He did just that when the Apostles misunderstood His reference to the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (“How do you not comprehend that I was not speaking to you about bread?”) in Mt 16:11. Therefore, we must assume that Jesus meant exactly what He said. If that’s true, how is it possible to actually eat His Body? There must be a missing piece to this puzzle and it’s definitely worth pursuing, since it sure sounds like Jesus is telling us that it’s necessary for salvation! Stay tuned…

9. Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you (Lk 22:19-20).

Aha! Now the words about eating His Body make sense and thankfully it has nothing to do with cannibalism! Our Lord didn’t say that “this REPRESENTS my Body” or “this SYMBOLIZES my Body”. He said, “This IS my Body”. Is there a church that believes that Our Lord’s Body can actually exist under the appearance of bread and that follows His command to “do this in memory of me”? This sounds like the Catholic Mass…and, come to think of it, the Catholic Church fits all of the other scriptural requirements, but it can’t really be “the Church”, can it? After all, Catholics believe that they can only be saved by faith AND works. All Christians know that we are saved by faith alone…

10. See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone (James 2:24).

It doesn’t get much clearer than that. Could it be that the teaching of the Catholic Church is actually supported by the Bible? If that’s the case does anything prevent me from recognizing that the Catholic Church is the one, true Church founded by Jesus Christ?

While there are hundreds of Bible passages that support Catholic doctrine, these 10 are among the best. If you are Catholic, you can take comfort in the fact that our beliefs are totally in harmony with these verses. If you are not Catholic, I invite you to compare the teachings of your church to God’s Word contained in these Scripture passages. I urge you to read them over, meditate upon them and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to “the truth”. A careful and honest study of Scripture has brought many people into the Catholic Church.

I think we should all recall Paul’s wise words in 1 Corinthians 9:22 in these discussions - I try to find common ground with everyone that I might bring them to Christ.

On this Peter/Rock thing - Please do a word search on Rock, Cornerstone etc and see how many times it comes up in context as referring to Jesus, our Lord, or the Word, which is Jesus, (see John 1) and what he would accomplish for the world by his sacrifice and in his Kingdom. Jesus did not say it was finished on the cross and end 2,000 years of the old covenant and its sacrifices, plus hundreds of man made religious traditions/burdens, to create yet another burdensome religious hierarchy on the physical man, Peter. How would that even be possible or even desirable? Peter would physically die and his spirit join the Lord in Heaven. But Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, has been active here since Pentecost. The Church is STILL being built by this revelation.

What eactly did Peter confess? That Jesus is the Son of God. How are we saved? By believing in your heart and confessing that Jesus is the Son of God.(Romans 10) THAT IS HOW THE CHURCH IS BUILT. We are saved/recreated and join God’s family, by believing and confessing Jesus as our Savior. For 2,000 years, this is how GOD’S CHURCH has grown. We are not joing a social club or secret society, we are being spiritually reborn into God’s family.

People are being born again, filled with the Holy Spirt all over the world and in many different churches to this day. In fact, I just heard a wonderful testimony from a Nigerian Believer yesterday now studying here in the states. He was not recreated by Peter or a denomination, it was through faith in Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit recreating his spirit and providing for all his needs.

It was Peter’s declaration that Jesus was the anointed Son of God, that CONFESSION, is how the Church is built. And in that same verse, Jesus says that HE would build it, not Peter. Jesus is the head of the Church (big C - collection of Believers who trust in Jesus). The Believers are his body on earth. The power of binding and loosing is for all Believers, again not an institution and not just Peter. God is no respecter of persons. All Believers can enjoy all the spiritual gifts.

Start from verse 13 and notice that Jesus was asking them all who he was. The revelation that Peter received from God and confessed is the rock. Jesus never told him to become the first pope - that would be quite a stretch of this passage that even Peter seemingly disagreed with (see 1 Peter 2 and Acts 4). In fact, only a few verses later in Matthew 16, Jesus rebukes him for thinking like Satan and countering the will of God. Jesus tells him that he is looking at things from a human point of view - something we all must avoid.

A few passages referencing Jesus/Rock/cornerstone/Kingdom: (see also Daniel 2 - the supernatural rock that crushes the other kingdoms and fills the earth)

Peter preaching under the anointing of the Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus referencing prophecy - He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’ Acts 4:11 WEB - This sermon would have been a perfect time to point out that he was the head of the church and the “rock”.

Because it is contained in Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, and precious: He who believes in him will not be disappointed.” 1 Peter 2:6 WEB, WEY, RSV, NIV - Again Peter writes about who, Jesus, the precious cornerstone who will not disappoint our faith. If Peter ever thought he was the foundation of a church, now would have been a good time to mention it. But no, he always pointed to Christ, His Savior and ours.

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11 - Paul makes it clear, Jesus is the foundation, not Paul, not Peter, not any man or institution other than Jesus. Tradition, philosophy, dogma have no part of the foundation of God’s Church.

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4 KJV - Paul discussing and comparing the children of Israel to his new children under the New Covenant. Note - Spiritual rock = Christ, not Peter or even Paul. We are ambassadors of Christ in a fallen world. Just like the Jews we need a supernatural source and supply that can only come from Jesus.

“There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. ... There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. - 1 Samuel 2:2 - Hannah’s prayer of praise is a beautiful witness.

“The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! ... “The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock! May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted! 2 Samuel 47 - David praising God his rock. Coincidence?

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. - Psalm 18:2 - Another witness.

Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. ... Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Psalm 71:3 Yet another witness comparing the Lord to a rock. Remember, Jesus came to FULFILL the law, so everything spoken of him was accomplished by and through him.

He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that... - Luke 6:48 see also Matthew 7:24. The Word (Jesus) is that solid foundation. When the floods come against the house built on the Rock (Jesus) it will NOT fall.

And I’m quoting a much longer passage because it is especially relevant:

What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written:
“See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.” Romans 9:30-33 NIV - Our righteousness, or right standing with God, is based solely on our faith in Jesus. The simplicity of the Gospel is still a stumbling block for far too many people.

I encourage you to get out your Bible and read the verses above in context, starting with Matthew 16 where the Peter/Rock thing starts. Ask God for wisdom and understanding - He gives it willingly to those searching for the Truth. I have not turned to any denomination or elders or deacons, I have leaned heavily on God’s Word for everything I have written. I have often found that if you pick up the Bible and read it like you have never read it before, it comes alive in your spirit.

If time permits and this thread continues, I will address some of the other points from the source article.

181 posted on 11/29/2011 12:44:57 PM PST by Kandy Atz ("Were we directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want for bread.")

Beautifully said!

I love Jesus so much. I’m so glad He’s my Rock!

182 posted on 11/29/2011 12:58:45 PM PST by Country Gal

You are trying to discuss two separate areas of Catholic Doctrine.

1) Jesus told us clearly in the synoptics that the bread and wine become his literal body, blood, soul, and divinity. This is not a metaphor and it is not figurative.

Joh 6:32 Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Joh 6:34 They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Joh 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Joh 6:41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven."

Joh 6:48 I am the bread of life.

Joh 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

Joh 6:53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Joh 6:54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. Joh 6:55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Joh 6:56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. Joh 6:57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. Joh 6:58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."

How much more literal do you want Jesus to be? Now if the tabernacle does contain the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus shouldn't we bow down before it? this is the second time I am asking yo a direct yes or no question, please answer with either a yes or no.

Your second point 2) You keep combing bowing and worshiping. The bowing is not the issue, rather it is the worshiping. God commanded the construction of the Ark of the covenant and the bronze serpent as well as all of the statuary around the Ark. the Jewish people bowed down before this on a regular basis. The Bronze serpent was only destroyed when the Jewish people began to worship it.

183 posted on 11/29/2011 12:59:09 PM PST by verga (I am not an apologist, I just play one on television.)

To: PetroniusMaximus

“When you change the meaning it is not rephrasing”

You are grasping at straws. The two words you are quibbling about can have the SAME meaning... Ignorant: “resulting from or showing lack of knowledge or intelligence” Stupid: “lacking intelligence or reason” -Merriam Websters

Sure and my aunt CAN become by uncle after and addadictomy. Your example is ridiculous, I chose the word ignorant for a reason, you want to quote me then quote me there is no need to rephrase. +++++++++++++++ SIGH! Please Go look at the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

As if that is the UNBIASED final authorityThat’s like asking the Soviet Ministry of Propaganda to list out the deficiencies of Marxism/Leninism. I’m sure the Catechism of the Catholic Church isn’t going to say “Catholics bowing and praying to Mary are engaging in idol worship”.!!! On what Catholic believe and practice I would have to say YES. Who/What should we go to? If I want to know what Lutherans believe I go to Luther's Catechism, If I want to know what Calvin taught I go to the Penceses. +++++++++++++++

“Prove me wrong.” You claim that, “... each and everyone of them [your posts] is completely in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church which has divine origins.” is beyond laughable. Does the Pope know that you are also infallible? He might want to check with you before he speaks of matter of faith and morals.Could you show me where I said infallible, Again words have meaning. I said my posts were completely in line with Catholic teaching. That does not mean infallible, that means aligned, in unity with, but you have not shown yet where my posts were not in line with Catholic Doctrine. Please post a single example of where my posts are not in line, I will gladly apologize and correct myself.

184 posted on 11/29/2011 1:11:40 PM PST by verga (I am not an apologist, I just play one on television.)

The theme of John 6 is belief in Jesus Christ. Jesus most certainly used figurative language to explain his meaning. He wanted to see who truly believed in Him and was testing His followers who were only interested in miracles. He chose to use eating and drinking as a metaphor because he was speaking to those who just witnessed the miracle of feeding the 5 thousand. He said “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” He clearly wasn’t talking about physical hunger and physical thirst, because Christians are still physically hungry and thirsty. Instead, he meant those that partake in the bread of life are true believers.

He also said,”Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you.” He then told them “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” However, those followers demanded more signs and didn’t believe.

He knew that some didn’t truly believe as seen in verses 63-64: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus deliberately used a difficult metaphor to see if these followers were really committed to Him. He knew that many would walk away and said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

As expected many followers left after his metaphor of eating His flesh and blood, but his disciples (except for Judas Iscariot) were devoted to Him and remained. Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

185 posted on 11/29/2011 1:35:03 PM PST by Turtlepower

Yes, I will bow to Jesus when I meet him face to face. He is worthy of all of my praise.

I will not, however, bow to anything created on this earth. Please answer my question about where are the tabernacles located in my photos?

Jesus wasn’t meaning to be literal, as he stated in John 16:25. Which I’ve said several times.
Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.

We will have to agree to disagree. I respect your beliefs and I know that they bring you peace. They are not my beliefs. My beliefs bring me peace. I know my denomination is not the “one true” church and I would never state that. It would be nice if you could also state the same. I don’t believe that you can or will, but that’s ok. Jesus is Lord and I live my life for His glory, and it’s not about a denomination.

May God richly bless you and your family.

186 posted on 11/29/2011 2:17:10 PM PST by Country Gal

Jesus said my body is real food my blood is real drink. There is no room for equivocation, REAL is REAL. Second if you combine this with the synoptics; In the original Greek he is saying "this is the Body which is me/ Mine. Again no equivocation.

187 posted on 11/29/2011 4:04:27 PM PST by verga (I am not an apologist, I just play one on television.)

Yes, I will bow to Jesus when I meet him face to face. He is worthy of all of my praise.

And Catholics believe He is in the Tabernacle.

I will not, however, bow to anything created on this earth. Please answer my question about where are the tabernacles located in my photos?

There is no Tabernacle, and they are not worshiping. It may appear that way,but if you ask them they will tell you in all sincerity that they are not. Just as I have said I am not. Are you going to tell me that you know my heart?

Jesus wasn’t meaning to be literal, as he stated in John 16:25. Which I’ve said several times. Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.

Then why did he say He say His body was REAL food and His Blood REAL drink?

May God richly bless you and your family. And you and yours as well.

188 posted on 11/29/2011 4:12:33 PM PST by verga (I am not an apologist, I just play one on television.)

The usage of the phrase “My body is real (or true) food and my blood is real (or true) drink” is still metaphorical. The entire context of John 6 makes it clear that Jesus was speaking of spiritual nourishment, which lasts for eternity. He did not mean to physicaly eat and drink Him.

He means that only He is the true source of spiritual nourishment. If one partakes, which means believes, in Him (The Bread of Life) then they will never be SPIRITUALLY hungry or SPIRITUALLY thirsty. He wasn’t referring to the act of physically eating and drinking.

189 posted on 11/29/2011 5:37:58 PM PST by Turtlepower

The Catholic position of the literal blood and flesh would be so easy to prove. Get it to a legitimate lab and do DNA analysis. Let’s find out what Jesus looked like. I would convert today if the Catholic church could do this.

To you, bowing may not be worshipping, but to God it is. He makes it very clear.

Exodus 20:
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

190 posted on 11/29/2011 5:54:01 PM PST by Country Gal

BTW - Idolatry is anything we put before God. It could be our jobs, our money, our possessions, or our denominations.

Anything that is more important to us than our continuous seeking of a deeper relationship with Christ.

191 posted on 11/29/2011 6:19:25 PM PST by Country Gal

To: Country Gal; Turtlepower

192 posted on 11/29/2011 6:31:54 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

To: Country Gal; All

**I will not, however, bow to anything created on this earth.**

And who do you think created everything on this earth?

Haven’t you heard the joke yet about the scientist wanting to challenge God and creat a human? When the scientist dipped his hand down into the dirt, God said, “Create your own dirt!”

End of challenge!

Even the hosts of wheat come from God — through human hands, but that does not mean they are corrupted.

193 posted on 11/29/2011 6:36:06 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

To: PetroniusMaximus

***
“No it will be your local school district or Protestant church.”

No, it will be any church that preaches the message of the Bible without addition or subtraction.
***

And the Protestants have subtracted books from the Bible.

194 posted on 11/29/2011 6:38:28 PM PST by Not gonna take it anymore (Member of the First Church of Christ, I am Catholic)

It’s not me saying it. It’s in the 10 Commandments.

195 posted on 11/29/2011 6:44:05 PM PST by Country Gal

Not sure where my post went, but I’ll take a chance on double-posting.

I know of someone who was healed after taking Communion - in a non-denominational church. There’s great power in Communion and we take it very seriously.

May you all sleep peacefully and dwell in safety.

196 posted on 11/29/2011 6:47:26 PM PST by Country Gal

Jesus used a lot of material objects to describe Himself—He said, “I am the Light.” “I am the Door.” “I am the Shepherd.”

But He never said, “That light is Me.” “That door is Me.” “That shepherd is Me.”

However, He did say, “That Bread is Me. That Wine is Me.”

You either believe Christ or you think he is a liar.

Your choice.

197 posted on 11/29/2011 6:49:10 PM PST by Not gonna take it anymore (Member of the First Church of Christ, I am Catholic)

In the second link it refers to “dogs” - that Communion could not be taken by the dogs.

Are non-Catholics “dogs” to you?

Perhaps this is where the name-calling comes from.

198 posted on 11/29/2011 6:49:54 PM PST by Country Gal

It's clear from the context of John 6 that Jesus was speaking of spiritual and not physical nourishment. Assuming that Jesus meant to literally eat his body and drink his blood is the same mistake that Nicodemus made as described in John 3. In that chapter Jesus used another term that typically has a physical connotation - birth. Nicodemus thought that Jesus was referring to a physical rebirth, but Jesus meant a spiritual rebirth.

In the same way, Jesus was not referring to the physical act of eating and drinking in John 6. Instead, he used the metaphor of eating and drinking to mean spiritual sustenance. Jesus taught that only He can provide everlasting, spiritual nourishment.

199 posted on 11/29/2011 6:52:32 PM PST by Turtlepower

To: Not gonna take it anymore

I believe in Jesus with all my heart. You don’t know my heart. When He says He’s been speaking figuratively up until now, I believe Him. When He says that bowing to graven images upsets Him, I believe Him.

Jesus is Lord. That’s the most important thing. May His peace indwell all of us.

200 posted on 11/29/2011 6:53:56 PM PST by Country Gal

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