Protestant Theology & Catholic Doctrines
Exposed to cover & discover the “Naked Truth“... Catholic responses to the Booklet: “Answers to my Catholic Friends” by Thomas F. Heinze … Part 5c
A Catholic reply to Protestant “[mis]- Understandings” Part 5c
DEVIDED INTO 3 SEPARATE LESSONS This is the final section on this topic
Good advise to our friends
Our Loving God manifest His love and concern for us in three ways:
1. By doing things For us
2. By doing things In us
3. By doing things Through us
Luke.10:parts of 1 to 24
After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. .. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. .. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the sick in it and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you; nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.' I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on that day for Sodom than for that town. … "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will. …All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
“Catholics ARE Idolaters” discussion continued:
1st. Tim.6:1-6 “Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be defamed. …If any one teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching which accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit, he knows nothing; he has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, and wrangling among men who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain” There is great gain in Godliness with contentment.
John 15: 5 - 8 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.”
The other half of the issue is in a correct understanding of what Catholics believe and practice about “Worship“. Catholic “going THROUGH” through Mary and the saints is the VERY SAME THING the Jewish peoples in the desert were doing through the brass-serpent… they were praying THROUGH IT to God, for their physical salvation. Similarly, Catholics pray THROUGH Mary and the Saints for our SPIRITUAL salvation. God NOT Mary or the Saints is the end- goal or purpose of these prayers of “intersession.” Because Mary and the Saints actually ADD their own prayers on-top of ours; thus increasing their effectiveness. … This will be covered in greater detail when we discuss “prayers.”
Our Second Topic is Constantine and his influence of world religions, especially the Catholic Church.
ALL of this information regarding Constantine comes from a NON-Catholic [maybe even anti-catholic source… From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia …A NOTABLY-UN-CATHOLIC SITE.
QUOTE Begins.. “not until Constantine conquered the entire “known world” in the mid forth Century, that he permitted “free practice of religions.” Not only Catholism, influenced by his mother who was a staunch catholic; but from a pragmatic-governance perspective. Because he had such a large territory to govern and control; Constantine understood the reality of not getting involved in other peoples religions would allow him to govern the many various countries and faiths, with FAR less difficulties to him and Rome. Constantine himself was a Pagan [at this time] who worshiped many false gods.
Constantine is perhaps best known for being the first Christian Roman emperor; his reign was certainly a turning point for the Church. In February 313, Constantine met with Licinius in Milan where they developed the Edict of Milan. The edict stated that Christians should be allowed to follow the faith of their choosing.[ This removed penalties for professing Christianity (under which many had been martyred in previous persecutions of Christians) and returned confiscated Church property. The edict did not only protect Christians from religious persecution, but all religions, allowing anyone to worship whichever deity they chose. A similar edict had been issued in 311 by Galerius, then senior emperor of the Tetrarchy; Galerius' edict granted Christians the right to practice their religion but did not restore any property to them. The Edict of Milan included several clauses which stated that all confiscated churches would be returned as well as other provisions for previously persecuted Christians.
Scholars debate whether Constantine adopted his mother St. Helena's Christianity in his youth, or whether he adopted it gradually over the course of his life. Constantine would retain the title of pontifex maximus until his death, a title emperors bore as heads of the pagan priesthood, as would his Christian successors on to Gratian (r. 375–83).
According to Christian writers, Constantine was over 40 when he finally declared himself a Christian, writing to Christians to make clear that he believed he owed his successes to the protection of the Christian High God alone. Throughout his rule, Constantine supported the Church financially, built basilicas, granted privileges to clergy (e.g. exemption from certain taxes), promoted Christians to high office, and returned property confiscated during the Diocletianic persecution. His most famous building projects include the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and Old Saint Peter's Basilica.
Constantine did not patronize Christianity alone, however. After gaining victory in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (312), a triumphal arch—the Arch of Constantine—was built (315) to celebrate it; the arch is decorated with images of Victoria and sacrifices to gods like Apollo, Diana, or Hercules, but contains no Christian symbolism.
In 321, Constantine instructed that Christians and non-Christians should be united in observing the venerable day of the sun, referencing the esoteric eastern sun-worship which Aurelian had helped introduce, and his coinage still carried the symbols of the sun cult until 324. Even after the pagan gods had disappeared from the coinage, Christian symbols appeared only as Constantine's personal attributes: the chi rho between his hands or on his labarum, but never on the coin itself. Even when Constantine dedicated the new capital of Constantinople, which became the seat of Byzantine Christianity for a millennium, he did so wearing the Apollonian sun-rayed Diadem.
The reign of Constantine established a precedent for the position of the emperor as having some influence within the religious discussions going on within the Catholic Church of that time, e.g., the dispute over Arianism. [a religious faction that denied the Divinity of Christ] Constantine himself disliked the risks to societal stability that religious disputes and controversies brought with them, preferring where possible to establish an orthodoxy. The emperor saw it as his duty to ensure that God was properly worshiped in his empire, and that what proper worship consisted would be determined by the Church. In 316, Constantine acted as a judge in a North African dispute concerning the validity of Donatism. After deciding against the Donatists [heretics] , Constantine led an army of Christians against the Donatist Christians. After 300 years of pacifism, this was the first intra-Christian persecution. More significantly, in 325 he summoned the Council of Nicaea, effectively the first Ecumenical Council (unless the Council of Jerusalem is so classified). [It’s NOT] Nicaea was dealt mostly with Arianism. Constantine also enforced the prohibition of the First Council of Nicaea against celebrating the Lord's Supper on the day before the Jewish Passover (14 Nisan) (see Quartodecimanism and Easter controversy).
Churches were seized and many were exiled. Yet the Donatist heresy did not disappear until the Moslem invasion of Africa in the seventh century.”
Constantine made new laws regarding the Jews. They were forbidden to own Christian slaves or to circumcise their slaves
In 331, Constantine commissioned Eusebius to deliver fifty Bibles for the Church of Constantinople. Athanasius (Apol. Const. 4) recorded Alexandrian scribes around 340 preparing Bibles for Constans. Little else is known. It has been speculated that this may have provided motivation for canon lists, and that Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus are examples of these Bibles. Together with the Peshitta and Codex Alexandrinus, these are the earliest extant Christian Bibles.
Christian Emperorship: Enforcement of Church policy
The reign of Constantine established a precedent for the position of the Christian Emperor in the Church. Emperors considered themselves responsible to God for the spiritual health of their subjects, and thus they had a duty to maintain orthodoxy. The emperor did not decide doctrine — that was the responsibility of the bishops — rather his role was to enforce doctrine, root out heresy, and uphold ecclesiastical unity. The emperor ensured that God was properly worshiped in his empire; what proper worship (orthodoxy) and doctrine (dogma) consisted of was for the Church to determine.
Constantine himself was baptized into Christianity just before his death in May 337 by his distant relative Arianian Bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia. During Eusebius of Nicomedia's time in the Imperial court, the Eastern court and the major positions in the Eastern Church were held by Arians or Arian sympathizers. With the exception of a short period of eclipse, Eusebius enjoyed the complete confidence both of Constantine and Constantius II and was the tutor of the later Emperor Julian the Apostate. After Constantine's death, his son and successor Constantius II was an Arian, as was the later Emperor Valens.
Constantine's position on the religions traditionally practiced in Rome evolved during his reign. At first he prohibited the construction of new temples and tolerated traditional sacrifices; by the end of his reign, he had begun to order the pillaging and tearing down of Roman temples.[END QUOTE]
Our Third Issue of this topic is why Do Catholics Pray “to” Mary and the Saints?
Matthew 16:18-19 “ And I [Jesus /God] tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock [you Peter] I will build my church, [SINGULAR] and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.
I will give you [AND YOU ALONE] the keys of the kingdom of heaven, [to control the access to heaven] and this is [ACCOMPLISHED in John 20:21-22] and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." … One errors gravely in forgetting the fact that to Peter ALONE as the head of Christ new Covenant Catholic-Church, did JESUS / GOD entrust the very “keys to heavenly access.”
I will give you [AND YOU ALONE] the keys of the kingdom of heaven, [to control the access to heaven] and this is [ACCOMPLISHED in John 20:21-22] and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." … One errors gravely in forgetting the fact that to Peter ALONE as the head of Christ new Covenant Catholic-Church, did JESUS / GOD entrust the very “keys to heavenly access.”
Canonization in the Catholic Church is quite another thing. The Catholic Church canonizes or beatifies only those whose lives have been marked by the exercise of heroic virtue, and only after this has been proved by common repute for sanctity and by conclusive arguments. The chief difference, however, lies in the meaning of the term canonization, the Church seeing in the saints nothing more than friends and servants of God whose holy lives have made them worthy of His special love. She does not pretend to make gods
The true origin of canonization and beatification must be sought in the Catholic doctrine of the worship (cultus), invocation, and intercession of the saints. As was taught by St. Augustine (Quaest. in Heptateuch., lib. II, n. 94; Reply to Faustus XX.21), Catholics, while giving to God alone adoration strictly so-called, honor the saints because of the Divine supernatural gifts which have earned them eternal life, and through which they reign with God in the heavenly fatherland as His chosen friends and faithful servants. In other words, Catholics honour God in His saints as the loving distributor of supernatural gifts. The worship of latria (latreia), or strict adoration, is given to God alone; the worship of dulia (douleia), or honor and humble reverence, is paid the saints; the worship of hyperdulia (hyperdouleia), a higher form of dulia, belongs, on account of her greater excellence, to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Reply to Faustus XX.21; cf. City of God XXII.10) erects her altars to God alone, though in honor and memory of the saints and martyrs. There is Scriptural warrant for such worship in the passages where we are bidden to venerate angels (Exodus 23:20 sqq.; Joshua 5:13 sqq.; Daniel 8:15 sqq.; 10:4 sqq.; Luke 2:9 sqq.; Acts 12:7 sqq.; Revelation 5:11 sqq.; 7:1 sqq.; Matthew 18:10; etc.), whom holy men are not unlike, as sharers of the friendship of God. And if St. Paul beseeches the brethren (Romans 15:30; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Colossians 4:3; Ephesians 6:18-19) to help him by their prayers for him to God, we must with even greater reason maintain that we can be helped by the prayers of the saints, and ask their intercession with humility. If we may beseech those who still live on earth, why not those who live in heaven?
Our friend and Brother in Christ Thomas claims there is no such biblical evidence as is shown below.
Exo. 23:20 "Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared.”
Joshua 5:13-15 “When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood before him with his drawn sword in his hand; and Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?" And he said, "No; but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshiped, and said to him, "What does my lord bid his servant?" And the commander of the LORD'S army said to Joshua, "Put off your shoes from your feet; for the place where you stand is holy." And Joshua did so.”
Luke 2:9 “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear“.
Acts 12:7 “and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands.”
Rev. 5:7-8 “and he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints;
FROM THE HISTORY OF THE CANONAZATION OF SAINTS: “It is objected that the invocation of saints is opposed to the unique mediatorship of Christ Jesus. There is indeed "one mediator of God and man, the man Christ Jesus". But He is our mediator in His quality of our common Redeemer; He is not our sole intercessor nor advocate, nor our sole mediator by way of supplication. In the eleventh session of the Council of Chalcedon (451) we find the Fathers exclaiming, "Flavianus lives after death! May the Martyr pray for us!" If we accept this doctrine of the worship of the saints, of which there are innumerable evidences in the writings of the Fathers and the liturgies of the Eastern and Western Churches, we shall not wonder at the loving care with which the Church committed to writing the sufferings of the early martyrs, sent these accounts from one gathering of the faithful to another, and promoted the veneration of the martyrs.
Being declared a Saint in the CC is no easy; no simple matter. Even these steps have been greatly abbreviated.
In order to secure beatification (the most important and difficult step in the process of canonization) the regular procedure is as follows: Choosing of a vice-postulator by the postulator-general of the cause, to promote all the judicial inquiries necessary in places outside of Rome. Such inquiries are instituted by the local Episcopal [Bishops] authority.
The preparation of the inquiries all of which are carried on by the ordinary episcopal authority. They are of three kinds:
(a) Informative inquiries regard the reputation for sanctity and miracles of the servants of God, not only in general, but also in particular instances; there may be several such inquiries if the witnesses to be examined belong to different dioceses.
(b) Processes are instituted to prove that the decrees of Urban VIII regarding the prohibition of public worship of servants of God before their beatification have been obeyed; they are generally conducted by the bishop of the place where the relics of the servant of God are preserved.
(c) Other inquiries are known as and have for their object the writings attributed to the person whose beatification is in question; they vary in number according to the dioceses where such writings are found, or are thought likely to be found, and may not be judicially executed before an "Instruction" is obtained from the promotor of the Faith by the postulator-general and by him sent to the bishop in question.
The results of all these inquiries are sent to Rome, to the Congregation of Rites, in charge of a messenger chosen by the judges, or by some other secure way, in case a rescript of the congregation dispenses from the obligation of . The writings of the servant of God are next revised by theologians appointed by the cardinal relator himself, authorized to so act by a special rescript.
This collection of documents is printed and distributed to the cardinals of the Congregation of Rites forty days before the date assigned for their discussion. If nothing contrary to faith and morals is found in the writings of the servant of God, a decree is published, authorizing further action i.e., the discussion of the matter of appointment or non-appointment of a commission for the introduction of the cause.
At the time fixed by the Congregation of Rites an ordinary meeting is held in which this appointment is debated by the cardinals of the aforesaid congregation and its officials, but without the vote or participation of the consultors, though this privilege is always granted them by rescript.
If in this meeting the cardinals favor the appointment of the aforesaid commission, a decree to that effect is promulgated, and the pope signs it, but, according to custom, with his baptismal name, not with that of his pontificate. Thenceforward the servant of God is judicially given the title of Venerable.
A petition is then presented asking remissorial letters for the (outside of Rome), authorizing them to set on foot by Apostolic authority, the inquiry with regard to the fame of sanctity and miracles in general. This permission is granted by rescript, and such remissorial letters are prepared and sent to the bishops by the postulator-general. In case the eye-witnesses be of advanced age, other remissorial letters are usually granted for the purpose of opening a process known as "inchoative" concerning the particular virtues of miracles of the person in question. This is done in order that the proofs may not be lost and such inchoative process precedes that upon the miracles and virtues in general.
Meanwhile all necessary preparation is made for the discussion of the question (dubium): Is there evidence that the venerable servant of God practiced virtues both theological and cardinal, and in an heroic degree? — In each case, before proceeding to the subsequent meeting, a majority of the consultors must decide that the difficulties of the promotor of the Faith have been satisfactorily solved.
When the Congregation of Rites in the above described general meeting has decided favourably, the pope is asked is asked to sign the solemn decree which asserts that there exists evidence of the heroic virtues of the servant of God.
GOD HIMSELF IS ASKED TO VERIFY THAT THIS PERSON SHOULD BE DECLARED A SAINT THROUGH THE GRANTING OF MIRACLES.
The miracles now remain to be proved, of which two of the first class are required in case the practice of virtues in the heroic degree has been proved, in both ordinary and Apostolic inquiries or processes by eyewitnesses — three, if the eyewitnesses were found only in the ordinary processes; four, if the virtues were proven only by hearsay witnesses. If the miracles have been sufficiently proven in the Apostolic processes already declared valid, steps are taken at once to prepare the documents with regard to miracles . If in the Apostolic processes only general mention has been made of the miracles, new Apostolic processes must be opened, and conducted after the manner already described for proving the practice of virtues in an heroic degree.
When the miracles have been proved, another meeting of the Congregation of Rites is held in which it is debated once, and only once, whether or not, given the approbation of the virtues and miracles, it is safe to proceed with the solemnities of beatification
Next we move to Mary and the practice of Catholics praying to [actually THROUGH] Mary and the Saints.
By FAR, the most comply prayed and used prayers for Catholics is what I refer to is “Our Catholic trilogy of prayers; 1. The Lords Prayer: Luke 11:1-4; The “Hail Mary”: Luke chapter 1; and the “Glory be to the Father” [prayer to the Blessed Trinity‘ Matt. Chapter 3]. Each of these prayers has a Biblical foundation.
Luke 1:26-35
“And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women … Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. … The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
The most common Catholic Prayer to Mary is the “Hail Mary”
“Hail Mary
Full of Grace
The Lord is with thee
Blessed are YOU among [all] women
And Blessed in the FRUIT of your womb: Jesus
Holy Mary
Mother of God
Pray for us sinners NOW
And at the hour of our Death [Praying THROUGH MARY to God].
Amen “[I Believe!]
Luke 1: 39-45 ““In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
AND HERE IS MARY’S RESPONSE Luke 1: 46-55
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm, he has [AND WILL] scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel, [and NOW His new Chosen People of the Catholic Church in VERY special ways: The Blessed sacraments]
in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever."
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm, he has [AND WILL] scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel, [and NOW His new Chosen People of the Catholic Church in VERY special ways: The Blessed sacraments]
in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity for ever."
With more than ONE BILLIONS Catholics scattered throughout the world, no doubt, there are some who WRONGLY do “worship” Mary or a Saint. BUT THAT IS AGAINST WHAT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHES, PRACTICES AND BELIEVES; if they are following the guidance of our Pope. IF they really are: 1. Informed 2. Humbly Obedient 3. Fully practicing Catholics.
While it is “correct” to claim that Catholic pray “to Mary and the saints“; it is FAR more correct to understand that what we really do is PRAY TO GOD THROUGH THEM, ASKING FOR THEIR PRAYERS TOO ON BEHALF OF OUR PETITIONS. God has granted to Peter and the Church authorities great powers. With great power comes EVEN GREATER RESPONSINILITES.
2 John 8-9 Anyone who is so “progressive” as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son
Mark 4: 24-25 “And he said to them, "Take heed what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away."
Friends, It is deeply distressing to be able to understand and comprehend God’s very evident desires for only One God, with His [actual] one set of Faith beliefs, and only one worldwide church organization. This is what God became Incarnate man to accomplish. What He Died for; died for and continues to live for in the Gift of Himself; Catholic holy Communion.
Acts.20: 28 “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God [SINGULAR] which he obtained with the blood of his own Son.”
Eph. 4: 1-7 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us [ONLY] according to the measure of Christ's gift.
John.10: 16 “And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd”
Eph. 2:19-20 “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into [ONE] a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”
Know Brothers and Sisters that there is NO desire; no attempt to cause anger in the words we have shared. But knowing God’s truth and opting to ignore it is NOT a valid option for anyone seeking eternity in heaven. Everything Brother Thomas shares in built on the Quicksand of humanities personal understanding, or ignorance.. Factually it consistently is at odds with actual Biblical truth and God’s actual teachings and Will.
Matthew 7: 14-27
“For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few. … "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. [CAN AND SHOULD] Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. [thousands OF SETS OF DIFFERING BELIEBED BASED ON but one Bible is the clear evidence of this failing].. A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. [This is Christ CC; guided, guarded, protected and warranted by God: Mt. 16:15-19; Mt. 28:16-20; John 14:16-17; John 17:15-19 and John 20:19-23... All shared earlier in this document] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus you will know them by their fruits. "Not every one who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.' "Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it."
Thus you will know them by their fruits. "Not every one who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.' "Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it."
Let us All pray that this petition we pray so often’ Finds Realization within our Lifetimes: “Father, not my will; But Thy Will Be Done!”
END OF SECTION FIVE
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