Posted on 03/01/2006 10:35:38 AM PST by Full Court
Precisely. So we agree.
Thank you for the post it was very informative.
I might add, Roman Catholic's like to think that the rituals/sacraments that they have added over the years are somehow special because they do them. The reality is plain for all with open hearts and minds. The two sacraments that JESUS performed are what is needed, communion and baptism and these should only be done AFTER someone has come into a right relationship with the LORD.
What's pagan about Ash Wed?
It's certainly not a Biblical or Christian practice to make a mark with ash on the forehead.
Ping to 226
Who died and made you the arbitrator of what is or isn't "Biblical" or "Christian"?
Stop sniping other Christian's beliefs. You've probably got just as much wrong as anyone else.
It's rooted in the ashes of penitence - which are found all over the Old Testament.
I watched the Pope offering the Ash Wednesday Mass on EWTN. He and the co-celebrants sprinkled/crossed the top of the heads of those who came forward. That was interesting. Further, a Cardinal came up, removed the Pope's cap and did the same to him.
The congregation did not line up either. Instead, they sort of milled around at the front and the Priests reached out into the crowd while the Pope sat and did the same to a long line of Priests, Friars, and the like.
Jesus Christ.
The first mention of ashes are in relation to the ashes Moses tossed into the air, which then became boils on the Egyptians.
In another instance, Tamar put ashes on her head after she was raped by her brother.
ping to 233 for the first Scriptural mention of ashes tossed up.
Job 42:6.
Now if you please.
Yes, but what is Biblical instruction for making a mark with ashes on ones forehead?
Jesus Christ did not make you the judge of other Christians. Who are you to judge another man's servant?
Who cares about the "first mention?" That's a fallacious argument.
In another instance, Tamar put ashes on her head after she was raped by her brother.
As a sign of penitance and mourning. When Catholics put that ashen mark on their head, it is a sign of repentance from their sins.
Thank goodness we don't roll around in ash (see Jeremiah 6:26 below). What a mess that would make of the church!
Esther 4:1 When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went as far as the front of the king's gate, for no one [might] enter the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province where the king's command and decree arrived, [there was] great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
Job 16:15 "I have sewn sackcloth over my skin, And laid my head in the dust.
Job 42:6 Therefore I abhor [myself,] And repent in dust and ashes."
Jeremiah 6:26 O daughter of my people, Dress in sackcloth And roll about in ashes! Make mourning [as for] an only son, most bitter lamentation; For the plunderer will suddenly come upon us.
Daniel 9: 3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. 4 And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, 5 "we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.
Matthew 11: 21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Luke 10:13 " Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
I just showed you repentance symbolized with ashes. We are now back to what I said earlier was going to happen, namely that some Catholic detractor, having been shown a Scriptural source for a Catholic practice was going to insist that "that can't possibly mean what it plainly says"
And here you are.
Now if you don't mind, I'm trying to study. Unless you can show me Biblical instruction calling for Bible study on Wednesday night we probably should part company now.
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