Posted on 05/28/2008 6:05:04 PM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007
Hello fellow Freepers. I believe this is my first post on the Religion forum.
Over the past week or so, I put some thought into something I've been pondering for a while; my spiritual welfare. As it was, I had been part of the 'Sola Scriptua' school of thought (Evangelical Christian). By the Bible and only the Bible. Sounded good enough.
Well...what about before the Bible was put into word? It stuck in my head when reading an article earlier on FR concerning a deconstruction of Sola Scriptura and its inherent weaknesses as a foundation for one's faith.
This, combined with a genuine lack of churchgoing (as a family, we've been uncertain about going to various churches, given that top-down problems with Episcopal/Methodist/etc. churches and their increasing liberalization are a genuine problem for one's spiritual welfare), compelled me to make a decision.
I don't know if my family will follow me, persay, but I'm going to go ahead and take the plunge.
Next month, I'm going to the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle near my home, and I'm joining the Roman Catholic Church.
As is, I have a few volumes of the Magnificat pamphlet and the Catechism of the Catholic Church to read.
Any other pointers from other Catholic Freepers?
Read any definition of excomunication, and it states that one can be “unexcommunicated” (”reconciled”) by repentance and the affirmation of the bishop who performed the excommunication. In some cases (logically, I’d think this’d be when it was a papal excommunication, but I’m not sure), the excommunication can only be lifted by the Pope.
Jesus said that to be born again, one must be born of both water and spirit.
Read up on the baptism of Christ in the Jordan and let me know what the main components are. (Hint: It’s water and the Holy Spirit)
I’d be glad to. You’ll probably have to remind me, given that I won’t be able to partake of the Eucharist as a Catholic until after RCIA, in all likelihood.
What do you think of various courses? I still have some interest in it.
Observe the viciousness and meanness of this attack, and grow in your Catholic faith, my friend. It is truly a privilege to be Catholic.
No, in fct it's found in the bible, imagine that!
Col 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
Or two fistfuls of snakes.
I’ll get back to you next Easter.
And be prepared for a LONG Mass. When my hubby entered the church we started at 7 and ended at 11. My four year old was asleep by the end of it, but boy it was worth it!!!!!!
And thanks!
That only works with vampires. :D
>>Oh? Kinda like holding up a crucifix? <<
I do that when Vampires are afoot.
That doesn't give God any less of a right to do to people today what He did to Pharaoh.
We also have to keep in mind that God foresaw the choices that both Pharoah and Hitler would make with their free will, thus, the hardening of their hearts would not be an encouragement to sin
First, to say that God simply "foresaw" is a severe understatement to His abilities beyond our comprehension. Second, there is no greater moral authority than God. So if God tells someone to kill another (many instances in the Bible), then it is not a sin, because sin itself can be fairly comprehensively defined as taking God's authority for ourselves. Third, our "free will" is practically indefinable with respect to God. In the end, whatever matters that God holds us responsible for are what we are responsible for--even if God did millions of actions to influence ours with the knowledge of what we would do in every situation.
Great minds think alike.
That sadly doesn't seem to work in modern vampire lore.
>>Col 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. <<
Well there ya go!
Don’t like what they’re doing in your church, start up another.
>>That sadly doesn’t seem to work in modern vampire lore<<
Maybe the Vampires are Protestant.
A “church” is only a gathering together of the faithful and where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there.
Later all Roman Emperors held the title Pontifex Maximus. Emperor Constantine held the title from 306 to 337 AD Constantine convened the Nicene Council in 325 AD and issued this edict: ON THE KEEPING OF EASTER. From the Letter of the Emperor to all those not present at the Council.
from DOCUMENTS FROM THE FIRST COUNCIL OF NICEA [THE FIRST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL] A.D. 325 Emperor Constantine, Emperor of the Roman Empire He had issued an Edict making Sunday the day of rest In 321 CE, while a Pagan sun-worshiper, the Emperor Constantine
They ruled: "Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday, but shall work on that day."
The Roman Office of the Pontifex Maximus began in 712 BC
b'SHEM Yah'shua
(Found in Eusebius, Vita Const., Lib. iii., 18-20.) When the question relative to the sacred festival of Easter arose, it was
universally thought that it would be convenient that all should keep the
feast on one day; for what could be more beautiful and more desirable,
than to see this festival, through which we receive the hope of
immortality, celebrated by all with one accord, and in the same
manner? It was declared to be particularly unworthy for this, the
holiest of all festivals, to follow the custom [the calculation] of the
Jews, who had soiled their hands with the most fearful of crimes, and
whose minds were blinded. In rejecting their custom,(1) we may
transmit to our descendants the legitimate mode of celebrating Easter,
which we have observed from the time of the Saviour's Passion to the
present day[according to the day of the week]. We ought not,
therefore, to have anything in common with the Jews, for the Saviour
has shown us another way; our worship follows a more legitimate and
more convenient course(the order of the days of the week); and
consequently, in unanimously adopting this mode, we desire, dearest
brethren, to separate ourselves from the detestable company of the
Jews, for it is truly shameful for us to hear them boast that without
their direction we could not keep this feast. How can they be in the
right, they who, after the death of the Saviour, have no longer been led
by reason but by wild violence, as their delusion may urge them? They
do not possess the truth in this Easter question; for, in their blindness
and repugnance to all improvements, they frequently celebrate two
passovers in the same year. We could not imitate those who are openly
in error. How, then, could we follow these Jews, who are most
certainly blinded by error? for to celebrate the passover twice in one
year is totally inadmissible. But even if this were not so, it would still
be your duty not to tarnish your soul by communications with such
wicked people[the Jews]. Besides, consider well, that in such an
important matter, and on a subject of such great solemnity, there ought
not to be any division. Our Saviour has left us only one festal day of
our redemption, that is to say, of his holy passion, and he desired[to
establish] only one Catholic Church. Think, then, how unseemly it is,
that on the same day some should be fasting whilst others are seated
at a banquet; and that after Easter, some should be rejoicing at feasts,
whilst others are still observing a strict fast. For this reason, a Divine
Providence wills that this custom should be rectified and regulated in a
uniform way; and everyone, I hope, will agree upon this point. As, on
the one hand, it is our duty not to have anything in common with the
murderers of our Lord; and as, on the other, the custom now followed
by the Churches of the West, of the South, and of
the North, and by some of those of the East, is the most acceptable, it
has appeared good to all; and I have been guarantee for your consent,
that you would accept it with joy, as it is followed at Rome, in Africa,
in all Italy, Egypt, Spain, Gaul, Britain, Libya, in all Achaia, and in the
dioceses of Asia, of Pontus, and Cilicia. You should consider not only
that the number of churches in these provinces make a majority, but
also that it is right to demand what our reason approves, and that we
should have nothing in common with the Jews. To sum up in few
words: By the unanimous judgment of all, it has been decided that the
most holy festival of Easter should be everywhere celebrated on one
and the same day, and it is not seemly that in so holy a thing there
should be any division. As this is the state of the case, accept joyfully
the divine favour, and this truly divine command; for all which takes
place in assemblies of the bishops ought to be regarded as proceeding
from the will of God. Make known to your brethren what has been
decreed, keep this most holy day according to the prescribed mode; we
can thus celebrate this holy Easter day at the same time, if it is granted
me, as I desire, to unite myself with you; we can rejoice together,
seeing that the divine power has made use of our instrumentality for
destroying the evil designs of the devil, and thus causing faith, peace,
and unity to flourish amongst us. May God graciously protect you, my
beloved brethren.
This is the Decree from the first Pontiff of the Roman church to all the world.
declared that Sunday was to be a day of rest throughout the Roman Empire: "On the venerable day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest,
Council of Laodicea circa 364 CE ordered that religious observances were
and let all workshops be closed. In the country however persons engaged in agriculture
may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits because it often happens that another day
is not suitable for gain-sowing or vine planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment
for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost."
to be conducted on Sunday, not Saturday. Sunday became the new Sabbath.
>>A “church” is only a gathering together of the faithful and where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there.<<
Well then that makes it easy on you. Take your Bible, your statues, beads and anything else you want and worship them.
Voila! Church!
If it’s good enough for Henry VIII, it’s good enough for you.
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