Posted on 05/04/2007 5:46:36 AM PDT by Saundra Duffy
What church were you baptized into? The official name. Are you ashamed to say?
I’m not smart enough to be a Mormon apologist. All I know is that I love Jesus and I love my Church.
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
• • •
3 He saw in a avision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an cangel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
• • •
7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
• • •
17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,
• • •
21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was awarned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
• • •
24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
• • •
30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was afasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a bman stood before me in bright clothing,
31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
I believe being visited by an angel counts as being taught about the Gospel or given a particular knowledge of God and his dealings with men. The scripture also says he was “one that feareth God”. It suggests that he had previous knowledge as well.
Again, I refer to those who do not receive the word of God because it was never preached to them. Are they saved in your estimation? What happens to them?
Cornelius believed in God and lived his life accordingly (Godfearer) and that is why God sent an angel to him. Plain and simple. You are adding words to the text that are not there. Where does the text say that the angel taught Cornelius anything??
If suggestions are allowed, I say it suggests that God chose Cornelius because he was obedient and kept God's commandments and through his charity helped his fellow mankind that were less fortunate than himself. Just another way that we show our love for God, by loving others.
Again, I refer to those who do not receive the word of God because it was never preached to them. Are they saved in your estimation? What happens to them?
As I pointed out already, Cornelius had already found grace in God's eyes BEFORE hearing the gospel, and before being baptised.
Jesus taught this through the story regarding the garment worn by the counterfeit trying to sneak in to the wedding ... the one trying to sneak in was not a bride, he was seeking to sneak in as a witness.
When you ask a question regarding the being and going to heaven, try to focus upon which being will they be in Heaven: The Bride (only those of most chaste status will be the Bride), or the invited guests? God has a means of measuring the heart of ALL and the garment of His Righteousness may be conveyed to ANY whom God chooses, but He has a system of evaluation you can be sure for anything else diminishes His Son, His Righteousness.
Acts 10
1 And there was a certain man in Cesarea, by name Cornelius, a centurion from a band called Italian,
2 pious, and fearing God with all his house, doing also many kind acts to the people, and beseeching God always,
3 he saw in a vision manifestly, as it were the ninth hour of the day, a messenger of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, `Cornelius;’
4 and he having looked earnestly on him, and becoming afraid, said, `What is it, Lord?’ And he said to him, `Thy prayers and thy kind acts came up for a memorial before God,
34 And Peter having opened his mouth, said, `Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons,
35 but in every nation he who is fearing Him, and is working righteousness, is acceptable to Him;
Morons = Mormons no wait! man, I hate spell check some times.
8^P
Also, 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and agathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 ¶ And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into aouter darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are acalled, but few are bchosen.
The man bound and cast out was a guest, not a bride. There is significance to this. If you are familiar with Jewish custom, the guests were attired very specifically and brought certain items with them. The wedding garment does not refer to the dress of the bride or groom. It identifies the person as one who belonged to the wedding party. Another parable that touches on these Jewish customs is the parable of the ten virgins. Their lamps of oil were an actual accouterment that was required of them as guests at any wedding feast, among other items, as I said. ...and still Californian refuses to tell us what Church he was baptized into.
I have no issues with stating that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
I won't trouble you further. You seem intent on repeating some of what I offered to you as if it were from some other source you imagine I disagree with. Carry on in your chosen direction, leave me not divert you from your happy trails.
And still you do not answer my question from posts 2452 and 2453. What church title do you label me? The official name. Are you ashamed to say?
What church were you baptized into?
Secondly, once again, you show you are in Scriptural error. (Will you at least 'fess up this time?) We are not baptized into a church or into an organization or into an institution or into a denomination (at least I was not).
I was baptized into a Person. A very specific Person. Or do you deny Romans 6:3? (Go ahead. Read it)
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" (Rom. 6:3)
By emphasizing mere men above Jesus Christ, you are a divider of the faith like Paul says (1 Cor. 3:3-5, 21-23). By emphasizing "denominationalism," you can't see the forest through the trees, and so you're stuck on the trees (and not even a clump of trees, but one). Thus, you can't see the forest. You can't see the whole body. The one body that Paul writes about in Romans 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-13, 20; Eph. 4:4; Col. 3:15.
Why is that mathematical reality so difficult for you to comprehend. (Paul doesn't say the "many" bodies, but the "one")
I'm not your "let's conquer & divide" type of poster. Go find another who is.
“I’m not smart enough to be a Mormon apologist. All I know is that I love Jesus and I love my Church.”
Saundra, the problem is you love your church and Joseph Smith far beyond Jesus. As a Christian I can go into any Christian Church there is and confess my sins and be part of the family. You can only go to a Mormon church because you have set yourself apart from the rest of us. Your Temple is a fortress to separate Mormons from other Christians. You have to go out of your way to defend Joseph Smith, because if belief in his infallibility crashes, so does your whole belief system. That certainly isn’t putting Christ first, it is putting church social events and doctrine first.
And I have issues that anyone is baptized into a church.
We are baptized into a Person, Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:3) and it's done in the Name [note that both the Bible & D&C 84:27 say this baptism is done in a Name--singular...cf. Mt 28:18-20] of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Do you want to explain how it is--if you believe in 3 gods who make up a "Godhead"--how that you are not baptized in the "Names" (plural) of your 3 gods?
Why are you baptized in only a Singular Name?
I know at least in the 1990s that if you visited the LDS South Visitor Center there was one picture of Jesus on the main floor with a heading over an LDS Scriptural citation with the heading reading, "Jesus testifies of Joseph Smith."
There's been a tendency to run things a little backward in the LDS church, with LDS prophets Brigham Young and Joseph Fielding Smith saying that celestial-bound folks need the "consent of Joseph Smith" (BY, JoD, 7:289) and that there is "no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith" (DoS, 1:189-190). Even the LDS Melchizedek Priesthood Manual of '84 said: "If we get our salvation, we shall have to pass by him [JS]; if we enter into our glory, it will be through the authority that he has received. We cannot get around him." (p. 133)
How difficult is this question? What is it with you guys? I’ve posted it several times. This question obviously does not apply to Cornelius. Sorry I let you side track me.
I sincerely want to know what your beliefs teach you on this.
Matt. 28: 19
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Um, looks like three names to me.
What’s your church? Your dodge is very cowardly.
Um, okay. Not sure what this has to do with what I posted.
Just because Cornelius doesn't fit into your tidy little box doesn't mean it doesn't apply to him, especially since he found grace in God's eyes before hearing the gospel and or being baptised.
LOL
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