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To: pgyanke; Dr. Eckleburg; Forest Keeper; Gamecock; RnMomof7; HarleyD; fish hawk; Alex Murphy; ...
"Of course the text existed before it was included in the Canon by the Church..."

Obfuscation, of course. Your claim was that we would never have read it had it not been for Rome. Piffle. Double piffle. The churches (note little c) were reading it in the letters circulated long before such a thing as the Roman Catholic Church (trademark) existed (or for that matter before the "Church" with a capital C existed). Read the text, my FRiend (now that it is legal) and notice all the references to "churches". Gatherings of the real believers occurred everywhere, all over the world, and do to this day. There was no central authority.

The eklesia simply means "a popular assembly" or "summoned out ones". Of course, recognizing this elementary koine' greek etymology would require a break from Rome's demand to consider "Church" like a brand of chewing gum. Oh, well.

The called out, the elect had been reading the text in question from Hebrew Canon for the thousand (David) and seven hundred (Isaiah) years before Christ. Paul was simply (simply?) granted the understanding that this is what the Word of God was getting at all along. Works by lost, evil men were inadequate, ineffective. Men are at war with God and do, cannot, seek Him...alone.

It is true that God waited for Paul to really give perspicuity to the rest of the Scripture. It was Paul who explained faith is granted as a gift by the gracious working of the Holy Spirit as the only sufficient cure. When the Blood was shed, the shadows of sacrifices, priests & cermonies were done away with. No transaction, just a gift to the chosen. No organization, no sacerdotalism, no absolution by man, no human mediators. Amazing.

And, what I read into the Schism and name branding is that the believers in Christ are grateful much of the damage is contained within that organization. Witness the celebration of Luther's excommunication. What a blessing! Give Rome our thanks. However, there are still remnants of errant theology around, some of it perpetrated by those outside of Rome. The darkness has worked very hard to poison the orginal message of the Gospel...free grace through faith granted to the elect.

"{shaking the dust from my sandals...}"

Grateful for the exit. It allows me to cooperate with Paul's words of caution to Timothy: But, refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing they produce qarrels. And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in oppostion, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

We pray He will grant such release to many currently inside the prison of Rome. Come out into His light...if you are granted eyes to see and ears to hear.

534 posted on 01/07/2011 2:04:23 PM PST by Dutchboy88
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To: Dutchboy88
I haven't followed the discussion, but this post was well worth the read!

I stand with you brother.

535 posted on 01/07/2011 2:10:02 PM PST by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
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