Posted on 02/05/2012 2:58:27 PM PST by marshmallow
Fidel Castro will be received back into the communion of the Roman Catholic Church during Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the island in March, the Italian press is reporting. If true, this is a remarkable story — and one that has yet to catch the attention of editors this side of the Atlantic.
On 1 Feb 2012, La Republicca — [Italy’s second largest circulation daily newspaper, La Republicca follows a center-left political line and is strongly anti-clerical; not anti-Catholic per se but a critic of the institutional church] — reported that as death approaches, the octogenarian communist has turned to God for solace.
ABC’s Global Note news blog is the only U.S. general interest publication I have found that has reported this story. It referenced the La Republicca story and said that Castro’s
daughter Alina is quoted as saying “During this last period, Fidel has come closer to religion: he has rediscovered Jesus at the end of his life. It doesn’t surprise me because dad was raised by Jesuits.” The article quotes an unidentified high prelate in the Vatican who is working on the Pope’s Cuba trip: “Fidel is at the end of his strength. Nearly at the end of his life. His exhortations in the party paper Granma, are increasingly less frequent. We know that in this last period he has come closer to religion and God.”
Some Italian websites have even speculated as to when Fidel will make his confession and credo — setting the date as 27 March 2012 at 17:30 when the two ottantacinquenni, Pope Benedict XVI and Castro, will meet at the Palacio de la Revolución when the pope makes his official visit to the head of state, Raul Castro.
During Pope John Paul II’s 1998 visit to Cuba, Castro attended mass, but did...........
(Excerpt) Read more at geoconger.wordpress.com ...
So Jesus didn't really mean what He said that we have to eat His flesh and drink His blood to have life within us?
You know, if the eucharist is His flesh and blood, it works regardless of the state of the person consuming it.
So it's His flesh and blood except when it isn't.
And you have to eat it to have eternal life except when you don't.
OK. So if consuming the eucharist doesn't impart spiritual life, then what does?
I hear CRICKETS.
You know this how?
You know, it's the WORD that brings faith, not how it's internalized.
The method of delivery is unimportant because that's not what leads to faith.
The WORD is living and active and sharper than any double edged sword. It's inherent in its nature.
You know, if the eucharist is His flesh and blood, it works regardless of the state of the person consuming it.You really need to study Holy Scripture. Your odd view is at total odds to what Scripture says.
Romans 1:7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
Colossians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:
1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
2 Peter 1:1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
I’m sorry you even have to ask that queation.
John 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
To become a member of the body of Christ, this is all that is necessary.....
Ephesians 2:1-10 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Romans 10:9-13 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
“I’m sorry you even have to ask that {SIC} queation.”
But not sorry enough to answer? Why?
I read it in Scripture and understand perfectly well what Scripture teaches communion is all about.
What my view is at odds with is the misinterpretation of Jesus’ and Paul’s words by the Catholic church concerning communion.
Oh I answered it. You just didn’t recognize it sad to say.
I read it in Scripture and understand perfectly well what Scripture teaches communion is all about.Not based on what you posted. Sorry, not possible.
“Oh I answered it.”
No, you did not.
You have obfuscated and avoided any kind of honest answers, you avoid telling me what version of the Bible you think I should use. You do tell me to renounce my faith. Very odd, clearly not Christian. Like your attacks on Easter and Christmas and Sunday worship.
If you don’t recognize the answers I would suggest you pray directly to the Father, in Jesus name and ask for the Holy Spirit to enlighten. Besides, metmom also gave part of the answer.
>>you avoid telling me what version of the Bible you think I should use.<<
Use whatever version you are led to use. It’s best to double check using a Greek or Hebrew lexicon when in doubt about certain passages. These threads have consistently contained truth from scripture that show the doctrines of the RCC to not be consistent with God’s word. If you choose to put the RCC over scripture no one can help you.
>>Like your attacks on Easter and Christmas and Sunday worship.<<
I have never attacked Sunday worship. I have consistently posted scripture showing that whatever day you choose is your business.
You on the other hand have never given any scriptural source for the celebration of either Easter or Christmas.
http://sites.google.com/site/christadelphianinfo/articles/apologetics/dbhislop#TOC-Was-there-a-Deliberate-Adoption-of-
Are the Ornaments, Symbols, Rituals and Images of the RCC Borrowed from Pagan Idolatry?
No. While it is true that the RCC is an idolatrous system indeed, her ornaments, symbols, rituals and images are (for the most part), the result of man-made traditions which arose from within the Catholic system itself. They are not purloined from pagan mythology.
“Use whatever version you are led to use.”
Way funny.
“These threads have consistently contained truth from scripture that show the doctrines of the RCC to not be consistent with God’s word.”
No, in fact the opposite.
“I have consistently posted scripture showing that whatever day you choose is your business.”
Modernism defined. Your own Church, whatever feels good. Very sad.
Again, substitute ‘grace’ and you’ll understand better. If you wish to. Or not if you don’t.
The debate of Faith vs. Reason was in full bloom in the Church from about 1100 on. But it goes back further; it was St. Augustine, among others who said: “I believe in order that I may understand.”
And it was Christ who said: “ if you have faith as small as a mustard seed...”
I certainly believe in the value of Holy Scripture, but I don't believe it's magic, or that magical thinking is intended by the scripture referenced.
How big a dose you figure works every time? :)
I know that it has become quite popular for purist to renounce Christmas and Easter but I do not nor do I think does our LORD. Granted the timing of Christmas is in the winter, but not on the shortest day as pagan celebrations are. I really do not know why Dec. 25th was the day chosen to celebrate our LORD's birthday. The fact that most Christians celebrate His birthday knowing that it is not the exact day of His birth, as the exact day is unknown, but rather the day chosen to celebrate it, I do not think offends the LORD, as He looks on the heart. Whatsoever is not faith is sin. Many faithful reverently remember and celebrate His birth on Dec. 25.
No, there isn't a record of this in the New Testament and yes, the Passover was celebrated by the Israelites in the Old Testament but in the Old Testament time our LORD had not been born yet. They really didn't fully understand the gloriousness of the fact that God would become flesh. We do and we, most Christians, like to celebrate the fact. Because there isn't record of this in The Bible doesn't mean that God disapproves. The fact that many have turned the celebration into a thing of commercialism isn't a good thing but I find it interesting that a world that is getting more pagan all the time still stands still at Christmas and knows that it is actually the time of the celebration of His birth.
In the same vein I like to remember His resurrection, which is fairly timely. Why should not Christians celebrate the remembrance of His resurrection on about the same day of the year that He actually rose from the dead? As a child it caused me to think about His resurrection as a very happy event. Many of the feasts of Israel The LORD ordained to help people remember important events, so why would He object to us remembering and celebrating the two most important events of our faith?
Even some of the things that were pagan that were adopted by Christians such as the Christmas tree rightly belong to us. The evergreen tree represents eternal life, staying green even in the cold of winter. The tree represents that Jesus died on a tree to give to us eternal life. The lights represent that He is the light of the world. I think the pagans stole these from God to begin with as all things created give glory to Him.
I really think that we have much "bigger fish to fry" such as hoping and praying for those that may be lost in a system of works to find their way into The Kingdom of God by grace through faith in Jesus and His finished work of dying on the cross for us.
Anyway, even if you and others strongly believe that you shouldn't celebrate Christmas nor Easter I think that to The LORD it isn't important but only in that He looks at the heart and sees rather those who are devout who remember His birth and resurrection are doing it to remember Him. I would suggest that Christians celebrate Christmas with Christ at it's center and let their children behold the wonder of God becoming flesh. He loves us so much He became a man, being LORD, humbly born in a stable, grew up, lived a perfect loving life and died a horrible brutal death so that we can live with Him forever. Nothing is worth celebrating more than this!
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Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]:
Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ.
They who to real people who real names and were addressed also to real congregations in real places such as in Rome, Corinth...
And they continued after the NT. The did not disappear, they continued as the visible Church. They remained congregations of the Apostolic Church, still people with names, still reading Paul and the Gospels, still teaching the Christian faith, still writing.
We have this in history, the history of the Church.
I keep asking you for yours. The people, places, dates, etc. Do you have a piece of history of your church?
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