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How the First Christians Changed the World (and What We Can Learn from Them)
http://www.catholic.com ^ | Fr. Michael Giesler

Posted on 12/12/2014 9:41:27 PM PST by NKP_Vet

A small group of men and women once set its principles of charity and temperance against the prevailing values of the age—and in so doing altered the course of civilization. Because the early Christians’ belief had a specific content of truth and morality based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, they could not simply go with the flow. Jesus was both God and man. They could not worship, or pretend to worship, a mere human being who claimed to be God because he was Caesar. And this seemed to non-Christians to be an unpardonable stubbornness and perversity.

Marriage and Family Matter

This "stubbornness" was not simply confined to matters of worship. The Christians’ family customs were an affront to their pagan neighbors. They would not practice artificial birth control or abortion (the Greeks and Romans had primitive forms of these) since they believed in both the sanctity of life and the life-giving process. Christian couples did not divorce or have sex before marriage because they believed that sexual intercourse was for marriage only, and that the unity of man and woman in marriage was sacred and indissoluble: It was a reflection of Christ’s own unity with his bride the Church (cf. Eph. 5:25). In an age when any father could command the death of his newborn child, Christians accepted all children, including those who were weak or handicapped. In the words of an early Christian testimony, probably written in the second century:

Christians . . . marry like all others, and beget children; but they do not expose their offspring. Their board they spread for all, but not their bed. They find themselves in the flesh, but do not live according to the flesh. They spend their days on earth, but hold citizenship in heaven.

(Excerpt) Read more at catholic.com ...


TOPICS: Apologetics; History; Religion & Culture; Theology
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To: verga

No, but I have noticed that when Catholics have nothing to refute what has been posted to correct them, they resort to making it personal.


81 posted on 12/14/2014 10:58:26 AM PST by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: NKP_Vet; metmom

....”if”.... on the last day the JUDGE asks you this question:
While you were on earth did you love my Mother?”...What will your answer be?”.....”.......

At ‘Judgement’ the true question will be ...

While you were on earth did you accept the love and finished work of my son...Jesus?


82 posted on 12/14/2014 10:58:56 AM PST by caww
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To: caww

I guess Catholics have failed to notice that not only did Jesus never mention His mother, He rebuffed any attempt by her to interfere with His ministry, and any attempts by others to focus attention on her instead of Himself.


83 posted on 12/14/2014 11:01:03 AM PST by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: metmom
'Mary of the Bible' always pointed to God....'never' herself.....and she knew she was a sinner needing a Savior....


84 posted on 12/14/2014 11:07:18 AM PST by caww
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To: caww

bump


85 posted on 12/14/2014 12:59:48 PM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: CynicalBear

Perpetual ordinance


86 posted on 12/14/2014 1:20:11 PM PST by verga (You anger Catholics by telling them a lie, you anger protestants by telling them the truth.)
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To: metmom

Still waiting on your reply do protestants eat fat in violation of the perpetual ordinance?


87 posted on 12/14/2014 1:24:38 PM PST by verga (You anger Catholics by telling them a lie, you anger protestants by telling them the truth.)
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To: verga

ROFL you mean like the Catholics adhere to the “Perpetual ordinance” of seventh day Sabbath?


88 posted on 12/14/2014 1:25:53 PM PST by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: CynicalBear

Have you noticed that protestants, like liberals, attack what they fear and can’t understand?


89 posted on 12/14/2014 1:28:25 PM PST by verga (You anger Catholics by telling them a lie, you anger protestants by telling them the truth.)
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To: NKP_Vet
you’ve been reported.

LoL! Good job comrade!

90 posted on 12/14/2014 2:02:41 PM PST by xone
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To: Salvation
everyone was Catholic. Check the facts, please.

So John Hus was Catholic? Was that why he was burned after his safe conduct pass was issued by the King of the Romans?

91 posted on 12/14/2014 2:09:04 PM PST by xone
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To: xone

Hux was nothing but a trouble-maker, but some Orthodox claim him.


92 posted on 12/14/2014 3:07:17 PM PST by NKP_Vet ("Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus")
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To: metmom
BTW if you took the time to read "Jesus, Peter, and the Keys", you would see this argument destroyed by..... wait for it..... protestant scholars.

Don't let the facts get in the way of a good rant or hissy fit.

93 posted on 12/14/2014 3:18:19 PM PST by verga (You anger Catholics by telling them a lie, you anger protestants by telling them the truth.)
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To: NKP_Vet

Enough of a trouble-maker to be murdered after being granted safe passage. And Catholics wonder why Luther didn’t go to Rome under similar circumstances.


94 posted on 12/14/2014 9:06:59 PM PST by xone
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To: metmom; Salvation; boatbums; CynicalBear
Seeing as how you brought up ingestion in relation to the Eucharist. Do Protestants consume fat? Lev_3:17 It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings, that ye shall eat neither fat nor blood. P>Metmom I still have not seen your reply. Did I somehow miss it?

Or this another example of how prots dodge uncomfortable questions while accusing Catholics of that?

Please tell me; Do protestants, or what ever you all want to call yourselves this week, consume fat in clear violation of the Levitical covenant?

95 posted on 12/15/2014 2:19:30 PM PST by verga (You anger Catholics by telling them a lie, you anger protestants by telling them the truth.)
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To: verga; metmom; Salvation; boatbums
>>Do protestants, or what ever you all want to call yourselves this week, consume fat in clear violation of the Levitical covenant?<<

Acts 15:19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

I don't see any fat in there do you? I do still see that blood is restricted however so that didn't change.

Why would you continue to claim Jesus sinned against the commands of God not to eat blood? He for sure was still under the old law prior to His death and resurrection.

96 posted on 12/15/2014 3:23:12 PM PST by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: caww; metmom; NKP_Vet

The following are from actual Catholic prayers to Mary:

“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that any one who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help
or sought thy intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
We fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins my Mother;
to thee do we come, before thee we stand, sinful and sorrowful;
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not our petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer them. Amen.”

“Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus; O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.”

” O Immaculate Heart of Mary,
full of goodness,
show your love towards us.
Let the flame of your heart,
O Mary, descend on all people.
We love you immensely.
Impress true love in our hearts
so that we have a continuous desire for you.
O Mary, gentle and humble of heart, remember us when we are in sin.
You know that all men sin.
Give us, by means of your Immaculate Heart, spiritual health.
Let us always see the goodness of your motherly heart
and may we be converted by means of the flame of your heart.
Amen.

“Immaculate Heart of Mary,
full of love for God and mankind,
and of compassion for sinners,
I consecrate myself to you.
I entrust to you the salvation of my soul.
May my heart be ever united with yours,
so that I may hate sin,
love God and my neighbor,
and reach eternal life with those whom I love.”

Morning Consecration to Mary

My Queen, My Mother, I offer
myself entirely to thee.
And to show my devotion to thee,
I offer thee this day, my eyes,
my ears, my mouth, my heart,
my whole being without reserve.
Wherefore, good Mother, as I am thine own, keep me, guard me as thy property and possession.
Amen.

From “Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows”

“Honor, glory, and love to our Divine Lord Jesus, and to the Holy and Immaculate Mother of God.
Amen.”

From “Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes”

” Hail Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, Our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, To thee do we send up our sighs, Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

Mary, Help of Those in Need

Holy Mary,
help those in need,
give strength to the weak,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for God’s people,
assist the clergy,
intercede for religious.
Mary all who seek your help
experience your unfailing protection.
Amen.

Morning Consecration to Mary

My Queen, My Mother, I offer
myself entirely to thee.
And to show my devotion to thee,
I offer thee this day, my eyes,
my ears, my mouth, my heart,
my whole being without reserve.
Wherefore, good Mother, as I am thine own, keep me, guard me as thy property and possession.
Amen.

From “Prayer to Mary, Our Lady of Walsingham”

O Mary, recall the solemn moment when Jesus,
your divine Son, dying on the Cross,
confided us to your maternal care.
You are our Mother, we desire ever to remain your devout children.
Let us therefore feel the effects of your powerful intercession with Jesus Christ.
make your Name again glorious in the shrine once renowned throughout England by your visits, favours, and many miracles.

Prayer to Our Lady of Czestochowa

O Mother of God, Immaculate Mary, to thee do I dedicate my body and soul, all my prayers and deeds, my joys and sufferings, all that I am an all that I have. With a joyful heart I surrender myself to thy love. To thee will I devote my services of my own free will for the salvation of mankind, and for the help of the Holy Church whose Mother thou art.
From now on my only desire is to do all things with thee, through thee, and for thee. I know I can accomplish nothing by my own strength, whereas thou can do everything that is the will of thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Thou are always victorious. Grant, therefore, O Helper of the Faithful, that my family, my parish, and my country might become in truth the Kingdom where thou reignest in the glorious presence God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.

From “Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes”

“And now, Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Healer of the Sick, Comforter of the Afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Look upon me with mercy.”

These prayers not only assign to Mary attributes which God’s Word and Spirit both teach that He alone possesses, but in doing so, because they wrongfully give Mary these attributes, they direct love towards Mary that should also be for the Lord. Hearing these attributes inspires love, and as they are God’s alone, when they are properly credited to Him, they inspire feelings of love for Him in us, and I would never want to credit them to anyone other than God, which is falsehood, and because they are the things that make Him GOD, and that I love about HIM.

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” Psalm 42:1

There is only one Worthy One:

1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. (Revelation 5)


97 posted on 12/15/2014 8:18:05 PM PST by Faith Presses On
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To: Faith Presses On

A bunch of great prayers. Thanks a million. Us Catholics have great prayers. Peace be with you.

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.

Amen.


98 posted on 12/15/2014 10:00:41 PM PST by NKP_Vet ("Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus")
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To: CynicalBear; metmom; boatbums; Salvation
You prots are so silly when you try to put punctuation where there wasn't any.

It is Blood offered to idols. Granted it is much clearer in the original Greek.

You do understand PERPETUAL ordinance! Perpetual means FOREVER. So do protestants or prots consume fat in violation of a PEPETUAL ORDINANCE?

It is hilarious that the one person a that hasn't tried to answer is the one that WHINES the most about Catholics not answering questions.

99 posted on 12/16/2014 2:41:24 AM PST by verga (You anger Catholics by telling them a lie, you anger protestants by telling them the truth.)
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To: verga
>>It is Blood offered to idols. Granted it is much clearer in the original Greek.<<

Well, let's look at it in the Greek with NO punctuation.

Acts 15:20 but to write to them to abstain from pollutions of the idols and sexual immorality and that which is stangled and from blood.

Even the word order is the same as in the Greek. I don't suppose you would claim they had sexual immorality with idols or strangled their idols do you?

>>You do understand PERPETUAL ordinance! Perpetual means FOREVER.<<

Did you notice the "your generations" in the verse you are using? That was Israelite generations. Be that as it may you may have heard that a "New covenant" was established in the New Testament. As a matter of fact we see that the Old Covenant was made obsolete.

Hebrews 8:13 in the saying 'new,' He hath made the first old, and what doth become obsolete and is old is nigh disappearing.

Scripture says specifically that we are released from those old laws unless reinstated in the New Covenant as the prohibition against eating blood was.

Romans 7:6 and now we have ceased from the law, that being dead in which we were held, so that we may serve in newness of spirit, and not in oldness of letter.

Yet you would try to put us back under the old law? I would caution you against that.

Galatians 5:3 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

>>So do protestants or prots consume fat in violation of a PEPETUAL ORDINANCE?<<

As I just showed you, there is no "perpetual ordinance" that is being violated by eating fat. I would suggest you cease trying to put man back under the law and alienating yourself from Christ.

100 posted on 12/16/2014 8:17:10 AM PST by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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