Posted on 06/13/2011 3:57:07 PM PDT by HarleyD
One of the more controversial teachings of the Catholic church deals with the perpetual virginity of Mary. This doctrine maintains that Mary remained a virgin after the birth of Jesus and that biblical references suggesting Jesus had siblings are really references to cousins (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 510).
As the veneration of Mary increased throughout the centuries, the vehicle of Sacred Tradition became the means of promoting new doctrines not explicitly taught in the Bible. The virginity of Mary is clearly taught in scripture when describing the birth of Jesus. But is the doctrine of her continued virginity supported by the Bible? Did Mary lose her virginity after Jesus was born? Does the Bible reveal that Mary had other children, that Jesus had brothers and sisters?
The Bible does not come out and declare that Mary remained a virgin and that she had no children. In fact, the Bible seems to state otherwise: (All quotes are from the NASB.)
• Matthew 1:24-25 - "And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took as his wife, and kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus."
• Matthew 12:46-47 - "While He was still speaking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. And someone said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You."
• Matthew 13:55 - "Is not this the carpenters son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?"
• Mark 6:2-3 - "And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?"
• John 2:12 - "After this He went down to Capernaum, He and His mother, and His brothers, and His disciples; and there they stayed a few days."
• Acts 1:14 - "These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers."
• 1 Cor. 9:4-5 - "Do we not have a right to eat and drink? Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?"
• Gal. 1:19 - But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lords brother."
In Greek, the word for brother is adelphos and sister is adelphe. This word is used in different contexts: of children of the same parents (Matt. 1:2; 14:3), descendants of parents (Acts 7:23, 26; Heb. 7:5), the Jews as a whole (Acts 3:17, 22), etc. Therefore, the term brother (and sister) can and does refer to the cousins of Jesus.
There is certainly merit in this argument, However, different contexts give different meanings to words. It is not legitimate to say that because a word has a wide scope of meaning, that you may then transfer any part of that range of meaning to any other text that uses the word. In other words, just because the word brother means fellow Jews or cousin in one place, does not mean it has the same meaning in another. Therefore, each verse should be looked at in context to see what it means.
Lets briefly analyze a couple of verses dealing with the brothers of Jesus.
• Matthew 12:46-47, "While He was still speaking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. And someone said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You."
• Matthew 13:55 - "Is not this the carpenters son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?"
Psalm 69, A Messianic Psalm
There are many arguments pro and con concerning Jesus siblings. But the issue cannot be settled without examining Psalm 69, a Messianic Psalm. Jesus quotes Psalm 69:4 in John 15:25, "But they have done this in order that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their Law, they hated Me without a cause."
He also quotes Psalm 69:9 in John 2:16-17, "and to those who were selling the doves He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Fathers house a house of merchandise." His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Thy house will consume me."
Clearly, Psalm 69 is a Messianic Psalm since Jesus quoted it in reference to Himself two times. The reason this is important is because of what is written between the verses that Jesus quoted.
To get the whole context, here is Psalm 69:4-9, "Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; Those who would destroy me are powerful, being wrongfully my enemies, What I did not steal, I then have to restore. 5O God, it is Thou who dost know my folly, And my wrongs are not hidden from Thee. 6May those who wait for Thee not be ashamed through me, O Lord God of hosts; May those who seek Thee not be dishonored through me, O God of Israel, 7Because for Thy sake I have borne reproach; Dishonor has covered my face. 8I have become estranged from my brothers, and an alien to my mothers sons. 9For zeal for Thy house has consumed me, And the reproaches of those who reproach Thee have fallen on me."
This messianic Psalm clearly shows that Jesus has brothers. As Amos 3:7 says, "Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets." Gods will has been revealed plainly in the New Testament and prophetically in the Old. Psalm 69 shows us that Jesus had brothers.
Did Mary have other children? The Bible seems to suggest yes. Catholic Tradition says no. Which will you trust?
Of course, the Catholic will simply state that even this phrase "my mother's sons" is in reference not to his siblings, but to cousins and other relatives. This is a necessary thing for the Catholic to say, otherwise, the perpetual virginity of Mary is threatened and since that contradicts Roman Catholic tradition, an interpretation that is consistent with that tradition must be adopted.
The question is, "Was Jesus estranged by His brothers?". Yes, He was. John 7:5 says "For not even His brothers were believing in Him." Furthermore, Psalm 69:8 says both "my brothers" and "my mother's sons." Are these both to be understood as not referring to His siblings? Hardly. The Catholics are fond of saying that "brothers" must mean "cousins." But, if that is the case, then when we read "an alien to my mother's sons" we can see that the writer is adding a further distinction and narrowing the scope of meaning. In other words, Jesus was alienated by his siblings, His very half-brothers begotten from Mary.
It is sad to see the Roman Catholic church go to such lengths to maintain Mary's virginity, something that is a violation of biblical law to be married and fill the earth.
Yes, I understand that's your approach but I wasn't going to use the word. have a nice day
What a bunch of Sophistry to say the the plain Scriptures regarding this is not true.
I wonder what Mary would say about not having son’s by the names of James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
have a nice day
I do concede that you are a GREATLY BETTER EXPERT
on
flame bait.
No.
My assertions stand about those verses.
In the context of the whole of Scripture and in the context of the culture and mindsets of the culture . . .
the verses make no sense
unless they are referring as fair-minded translators accurately depict—
about Christ’s blood half brothers and sisters by the authentic Mary.
Rationalized smoke, mirrors, rubberized ‘bibles’ and concocted Magicsterical !!!!TRADITION!!!!
are all horrid things with which to try and understand authentic Biblical Truth.
That was a predictable response as I wrote that post.
Thanks for being so predictable.
INDEED.
THX.
Well, I’m not going to have to defend that James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas are not the son of Mary over and over again am I?
Mary’s unique glorified ‘enhousement’ of Holy Spirit is no more special than that of all those Heaven residing obedient to The Lord.
New International Version (©1984) New Living Translation (©2007) English Standard Version (©2001) New American Standard Bible (©1995) International Standard Version (©2008) GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995) King James Bible American King James Version American Standard Version Bible in Basic English Douay-Rheims Bible Darby Bible Translation English Revised Version Webster’s Bible Translation Weymouth New Testament World English Bible Young’s Literal Translation
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MATTHEW 12:50 New International Version (©1984) New Living Translation (©2007) English Standard Version (©2001) New American Standard Bible (©1995) International Standard Version (©2008) GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995) King James Bible American King James Version American Standard Version Bible in Basic English Douay-Rheims Bible Darby Bible Translation English Revised Version Webster’s Bible Translation Weymouth New Testament World English Bible Young’s Literal Translation
. [HERE'S A MUCH MORE BIBLICAL http://daaixin.wordpress.com/heavenly-visitations-heavenly-visits/ Then he started showing me women. He told me, “Daughter, “that woman that you see there is my servant, Mary Magdalene; my servant, Sara,” and suddenly He told me,” Daughter, she is Mary, Mary, who gave birth to Jesus Christ, Who I am.” “Daughter, I want to tell you that she has no knowledge of anything that exists on Earth. I want to tell you that you must go and tell humanity, tell idol worshippers that hell is real and that idolaters will not inherit my kingdom, but go and tell them that if they repent, they can enter my heavenly dwelling place. Humanity has been deceived believing in an assumed saint, which is not, but is a demon working through that idol made by the hand of man. But, let me tell you that the Lord wants to give you the best. He wants you to enter the Kingdom of Heaven; to repent and to leave idolatry to the side because idolatry will not save you. He who saves is Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who gave his life for you, for me and for all humanity. The Lord has a great message for humanity. As He wept, He told me, “Please, Daughter, do no be silent; go and tell the truth, go and tell what I have shown you.” I then saw how Mary worshipped the Lord and I could see those women with very beautiful hair, long hair and I told the Lord, “Lord, how pretty the way they wear their hair.” He told me, “Daughter, that which you see is the veil that I have given to a woman.” He added, “Daughter, go and tell women to take care of the veil that I have given them.” http://endtimerevelations.org/downloads/RaptureTrib-Canela.pdf Visions of the Rapture, Tribulation, the Holy City, & the Thrones of GOD and satan. The testimony of an 8 year old girl who encountered Jesus Christ. (Jannet Balderas Canela) . . . It was so beautiful; the presence of the Lord could be felt there, such glory and majesty! The Lord said, “Servant, come here because I will show you other things.” We arrive at a place with many beautiful doors, so many beautiful doors. I said, “Lord what’s behind those doors?” He said, 3 “Behind these doors are My disciples, behind these doors are My apostles, behind these doors are all those who once walked over the Earth praising and glorifying My Name.” - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We began to ride again and arrive at a door that was half-opened, and the Lord said, “Servant come here, come here because behind this door is Mary. Get close and hear what she is saying, so you can go and tell My people, so you can tell the people how Mary is suffering.” I got closer and saw a young lady, such a beautiful young lady, so beautiful, her face was so pretty. She was looking through a very tiny window. She was kneeling down and looking to the face of the Earth, crying with tremendous pain. She said, “Why are you worshiping me? Why, if I do not have any power! Why are you worshiping me? I do not do anything! Do not worship me! Do not bow before me! For I cannot save you! The only one that can save, the only one that can redeem you is Jesus, who died for all mankind! Many people say that I have power, that I can perform miracles, but that is a lie! I do not do anything! Almighty God was satisfied with me and He used my womb so that Jesus could be born and save everyone, but I don’t have any power. I cannot do anything! Do not bow before me! Do not worship me! For I am not worthy of worship. The only one that is worthy, the only one that you bow before and adore is Jesus! He is the only one that heals and saves!” I could see how that young lady was in such tremendous pain, full of anguish and crying. She said, “No! No! Do not worship me! Why do you bow before me? I don’t do anything!” You see dear brothers, it was a tremendous thing to look at this young lady, how she was crying with such pain and sadness.
LUKE 7:28
I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!”
I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
“I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
I tell you, no one has ever been born who is greater than John. Yet even the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
I can guarantee that of all the people ever born, no one is greater than John. Yet, the least important person in the kingdom of God is greater than John.
For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
For I say to you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
I say to you, Among all the sons of women, not one is greater than John: but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
For I say to you: Amongst those that are born of women, there is not a greater prophet that John the Baptist. But he that is the lesser in the kingdom of God, is greater than he.
for I say unto you, Among them that are born of women a greater prophet is no one than John the baptist; but he who is a little one in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
For I say to you, Among those that are born of women, there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God, is greater than he.
“I tell you that among all of women born there is not one greater than John. Yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.
“For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.”
for I say to you, a greater prophet, among those born of women, than John the Baptist there is not; but the least in the reign of God is greater than he.’
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For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
“For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
because whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Whoever does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother and sister and mother.”
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
For whoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
For whoever does the pleasure of my Father in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father, that is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
for whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in the heavens, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
For whoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
To obey my Father who is in Heaven–that is to be my brother and my sister and my mother.”
For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
for whoever may do the will of my Father who is in the heavens, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.’
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DESCRIPTION OF MARY IN HEAVEN]:
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Prepare to meet your God!
The Kingdoms of Heaven & Hell,
and the Return of CHRIST
by Angelica Zambrano
aka.23 Hours Dead
[section below is the last approximately 20% portion of the whole narrative posted at my blog]:
Go tell them that I love them and tell them that Mary has no knowledge of anything and the only One that they must exalt is me, because neither Mary, nor St. Gregory nor any other saint can offer salvation. I am the only One who saves and outside of me – nobody, nobody, nobody- saves!” He repeated it three times – that nobody could save; only He saves.
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FROM:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2691659/posts?page=6#6
Well, I’m not going to have to defend that James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas are not the sons of Mary over and over again am I?
It's not necessary to resort to making it personal.
Yes, that is correct. When one takes an others "infallibility" as doctrine over reaped Scripture.
Then why did you?
Well DUH! Of course she did. After Jesus’ virgin birth, Joseph fathered children with her. The fact that Jesus had brothers and sisters who were obviously the offspring of Mary and Joseph does not in any way take away from Jesus’ identity.
(It doesn’t hurt to read the Bible. Really.)
All you have are assertions. You've not made any attempt to refute narses's post.
In the context of the whole of Scripture and in the context of the culture and mindsets of the culture . . . the verses make no sense unless they are referring as fair-minded translators accurately depict— about Christ’s blood half brothers and sisters by the authentic Mary.
More meaningless assertions.
That's less than impressive. False prophets always make their claims after the fact.
Support your claim, or is this just another empty assertion?
Now, where does that rely on anything but Scripture? It doesn't it simply states a fact about the way the Scripture was written in the original language and the way words were defined at that time. Since I do not see how Scripture can answer the question clearly one way or another I believe the testimony of witnesses as that testimony has been handed down for several thousand years the same exact way Scriptures were handed down prior to being written out and combined into the Bible. If you want to start a topic regarding who may and may not be infallible, fine, but it in no way relates to the question at issue in any way, shape, or form. Infallibility of Scripture isn't an issue, either, only your interpretation in the face of Scriptures that contradict your personal interpretation is at issue.
have a nice day
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