Category Archives: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

No hay mujeres en el púlpito

Mujeres en la iglesia moderna
En las iglesias y denominaciones de hoy, las mujeres tienen una variedad de roles. Enseñan, escoltan, sirven. Pero también tienen posiciones que NO les pertenecen. Sabemos a través del Tanach ( Antiguo Testamento ) que las mujeres no eran sacerdotes ni trabajaban dentro del templo. Y las iglesias que defienden esa posición se llaman legalistas y sexistas. Sin embargo, esa posición es la posición de los Apóstoles también. Se menciona en varias epístolas. Entonces, este artículo es para poner a la vanguardia, el lugar de una mujer dentro del ministerio y las áreas en las que no están ordenadas.

Personas como Paula White, Gloria Copeland y otras, mientras proclaman que están llamadas a predicar, muestran que realmente desafían las enseñanzas de la primera iglesia cristiana dirigida por los Apóstoles.

Escrituras sobre el papel de una mujer en la Iglesia
En Hechos 2:17, el escritor habla las mismas palabras que el Profeta Joel. “ En los últimos días, Dios dice, derramaré mi Espíritu sobre todas las personas. Tus hijos e hijas serán profecías … ” Entonces los profetas pueden ser hombres o mujeres. Los profetas son aquellos que hablan los edictos de Dios, generalmente en una situación específica.

Hay múltiples escrituras que dicen que pueden enseñar, tanto hombres como mujeres. Tales como Colosenses 3:16, Lucas 24:44, Colosenses 1:28 y Efisios 5: 18-20. Entonces tienen varios roles dentro de la iglesia y el hogar ( 1 Timoteo 5:10, Tito 2: 3-5 ) Pero, como veremos, el púlpito no es uno de ellos.

Escritura sobre mujeres en el púlpito
Estos versículos se establecen en las Escrituras y deben tomarse como la Palabra inspirada de Dios ( 2 Timoteo 3: 16-17 ), así como los cristianos deben aceptar todo de principio a fin.

Pablo nos dice en su primera carta a los corintios capítulo 14 versículos 33 a 35, “ porque Dios no es un Dios de confusión sino de paz, como en todas las iglesias de los santos. 34 Que las mujeres guarden silencio en las iglesias; porque no se les permite hablar, sino que se sometan a sí mismas, tal como también lo dice la Ley. 35 Y si desean aprender algo, que les pregunten a sus propios maridos en casa; porque es inapropiado que una mujer hable en la iglesia. ”
1er Timoteo 2: 11-15, “ Una mujer debe recibir instrucciones en silencio con sumisión completa. Pero no permito que una mujer enseñe o ejerza autoridad sobre un hombre, sino que permanezca callada. Porque fue Adán quien fue creado por primera vez, y luego Eva. Y no fue Adam quien fue engañado, sino que la mujer engañada cayó en transgresión. Pero las mujeres serán preservadas a través de la porte de los niños si continúan en la fe, el amor y la santidad con autocontrol. ”

Entonces, si bien este artículo es corto, es directo al punto dentro de las Escrituras. Las mujeres no deben estar detrás del púlpito o al frente de una iglesia / congregación. Tienen deberes dentro de la iglesia: profecía, enseñanza, orientación, líder de canciones, etc. Pero una mujer no puede ser ordenada por una denominación porque no está ordenada por Dios para ese puesto.
Las Escrituras nos dicen en Hebreos 13: 8 que Jesucristo es el mismo ayer, hoy y mañana. Siendo ese el caso, las reglas establecidas en el Antiguo Testamento sobre las mujeres en puestos de liderazgo en la iglesia ( incluyendo el pastorado ) no cambian. Hebreos continúa diciendo en 13: 9 “ No te dejes llevar por buzos y doctrinas extrañas. ”

Standard
Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

Didache: Hymns and Praises

EARLY HYMNS & PRAYERS
T o sup p leM eNT the ancient Christian teachings in the Didache, we have included below a selection
of early Christian hymns and prayers, dating to the frst few generations of the Church. Timeless in
their beauty, many of these are still used and still inspire Christians today.
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
1st – 3rd century
glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men.
We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give thanks to you for your
great glory.
O Lord, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty, O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and
the Holy Spirit.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
You who take away the sins of the world, accept our prayer.
You who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are holy, you alone are the Lord, O Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
MORNING HYMN
1st – 3rd century
e ve ry day I will bless you; I will praise your name forever; yes, forever and ever.
In your goodness, O Lord, keep me from sin today.
You are blessed, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
Your name is praised and glorifed forever. Amen.
EVENING HYMN
1st – 2nd century
ojoy ful Light of the holy glory of the immortal Father,
the heavenly, the holy, the blessed Jesus Christ,
now that we have come to the setting of the sun, and see the light of evening,
we praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: God.
It is right at all times to worship you with joyful voices,
O Son of God and Giver of life: For which the whole world glorifes you.
DIDACHE 16
EASTER HYMN
2nd – 3rd century
c hrisT is risen: Hades is in ruins.
Christ is risen: the demons are fallen.
Christ is risen: the angels rejoice.
Christ is risen: the tombs are empty.
Christ is risen from the dead indeed,
the frst among those who have fallen asleep.
Glory and power are his forever and ever. Amen.
ANAPHORA HYMN
2nd – 3rd century
holy, holy, holy Lord of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!
COMMUNION HYMN
4th century
T his is his blood, who took fesh of the holy Virgin: Jesus Christ.
This is his blood, who was born of the God-bearing holy one: Jesus Christ.
This is God’s blood, who was seen by men and from whom demons fed: Jesus Christ.
This is his blood, who ofered himself a sacrifce for our sins: Jesus Christ.
A PRAYER OF THE
NEWLY–BAPTIZED
4th century
alM ighTy God, Father of Christ your Son, give me a clean body, a pure heart, a watchful mind, and
knowledge free from error. May your Holy Spirit come to me and bring me truth—yes, to the fullness of truth—through your Christ. The glory is yours, through him, in the Holy Spirit, forever and ever
and ever. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. IGNATIUS
AT HIS MARTYRDOM
ad 107
I aM the wheat of God. May I be ground up by the teeth of the wild beasts until I become the fne bread
of Christ. My sinful passions are crucifed, there is no burning in my fesh. A stream murmurs and
fows deep down inside me. It says: Come to the Father.
DIDACHE 17
DOXOLOGY
y ou are due praise,
You are due hymns,
You are due glory:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Forever and ever and ever.
Amen.
glory To god for all ThiNgs
aM e

Standard
Current events, faith, Human Right, Uncategorized

The Nation that Killed Itself

There are a few things I have learned in the 5 decades I have been on this rock. And usually, that wisdom tends to upset quite a few. One learns that when you speak through gained wisdom or a truth, that those that yell the loudest fit into 2 categories. The first is the ones who have to face in themselves what they have tried to hide. The other is one who has no true concept of decency or compassion beyond themselves. And nothing brings that out of people more than the discussion of Human Rights or faith.

For me, they go together, which tends to upset both liberal and conservative. I have defended Human Rights for decades. My generation started with things like the end of nuclear weapons, end of Apartheid in South Africa, AIDS research, and famine. And for the younger generation, this was the things Gen X stood for. The term Boomers actually is the generation before mine. Please get it right. Because they fought for things like Civil Rights, the end of the war in Vietnam, and Women’s Rights. The generation before that (The Greatest Generation) stopped the regimes that slaughtered millions of Jews and Gentiles.

You are not the first generation to see an issue and demand change. But, the change you seek will not be won through the burning of cities, the ending of law enforcement, or screaming like fools because your safe space and preferred gender are not respected. And to be honest, there are more important things in this world to deal with than your feelings and self imposed ego of pretend superiority.

Why a people and culture that is almost 200 years removed from slavery, it is still a global issue. Things like forced child labor and the Caste system in India, the sex trade, forced domestic and farmer workers, and the mines that produce blood diamonds. So while you have the freedom to act like babies wanting a bottle because you can’t be called by the pronoun you choose, people truly suffer and die at the whim of those that think they have the right to commit these atrocities against mankind.

You scream that abortion is a Human Right. But the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from 1948 list the number one Human Right as the Right to Life. Because without life, no other right can exist. It matters because every life matters. You have no problem screaming that no life matters until all lives matter yet willingly defy science and demand the right to the most innocent lives on this planet.

The original founding of this nation and the laws they placed for the safety and common good, are solely based upon the Ten Commandments of God. For those who deny that fact need to read the words, speeches, and letters of our Founding Fathers.

And Conservatives you are just as bad. Nationalism, in historical context, has bred nothing but hatred. Germany during the early to mid 20th century is the best example of the evil that comes from a nationalist mindset. And no matter how you want to view it, the assault on the hallowed halls of Congress was not only insurrection, but treason. For the veterans and politicians that were involved in the assault, you defied your oath. Those that got jail time, probation, or nothing should feel extra happy about the light sentence. Treason against the government is a death penalty offense.

And Christians, you are the worst of all. The far right church has come to the point that you not only love the sinner but condone the sin. The far right church has come to the point of hating both. Yes, God loves everyone, hence the price of the Cross for redemption of man. But, like all other systems of justice, there is punishment as well as reward based upon actions of the person. But I find the far right church has forgotten whom they follow. As followers of Christ we are suppose to help those in need. Christ did not say only if they agree with you, only if they are from the same nation, the same color, the same gender, or the same anything as you. All he said was go help. Love those that hate and persecute you. Aid those that are hungry, weak, in jail, etc.

I am appalled at the people of this nation. The extremes on both sides scream and yell to force their viewpoint without regard how it affects the whole. But I’m more appalled at the majority in the center. Those that see the good options that lean both left and right as is warranted depending on the issue. Why? Because they are the majority but choose to remain quiet.

In another article, I will explain what I believe would be a good and centered position is on many things that cause contention in today’s political climate. And why they would work and the benefits. But right now, both sides need to get their heads out of their backside orifices and the center needs to get their heads out of the sand.

Every great power as fallen into the sands and abyss of time. Many from the inside not an outside enemy. And this nation is going the same way. I see and hear, God make this nation great again. He has lifted his hand of protection from this land because we have become what we once, as a nation, fought against. The Scriptures say there will come a time when man will be left to his reprobate mind and God will allow a nation to feel his wrath. We are there.

This nation will eventually fade into history and another shall take our place on the world stage. And it will not be from an attack or natural disaster. It will be from the combined extreme egos and mindset this nation now holds above logic and compassion. We used to be a nation that believed in the words on the Statue of Liberty in the poem, The Tempest. We used to fight for liberation of the oppressed. But we have allowed hatred of those from outside our borders and systems of injustice inside our borders to overrule common sense and common decency.

So when this nation falls, as it will if we don’t change our path and actions as a whole people, we shall have nobody to blame but ourselves.

Standard
Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

Old Faith, New Renewal

Last night, I finally got around to watching a service from Pentecost Sunday at the Field Church in Bluffton, Indiana. I had been there a few times and it is my son’s church of choice. It was where he finally was washed in the blood of Christ at the altar. It was where he was given a watery death and and  a rebirth in Christ.

While you may not think this too amazing, he was 22 years old and had been an Odinist. That was until he was healed by God through the power of the Holy Spirit that was brought on by prayers across the country. So to me, it is important. And in some way, this post is about him, but what happened after the Pentecost service.

Pastor Zach Petree had a guest pastor that Sunday. I’ve seen people filled with the Holy Ghost, but this gentleman was overflowing. My son said you could fill the electricity in the air, a different feeling he had truly had there before. My son was called to the altar, and was laid out by the Power of the Holy Ghost when he had hands laid on him. Not once, not twice, but three times.

For someone not in the Pentecostal church, this usually seems either weird or ridiculous. And as a Catholic of over 20 years, I might agree with you. After all, the Catholic Christians don’t really go in for emotionalism and the signs following. But, I’m not your average Catholic. Before I was confirmed, I started as a Seventh Day Adventist and then more of an Evangelical. So I understand and believe in the signs following.

My last post pointed out, in a small way, that I am a mix of Pentecostal and Catholic. If you choose to, go read Paradox Christian. But for this article, I will go over a few series of events that hit me. The first was watching my son at the Pentecost service.

I fully understand that the Catholic Church does not accept Scripture alone but also relies on traditions that go back over the last two thousand years. But like many denominations, there are things they agree and disagree with in biblical concept. And that’s fine. Considering Heaven will not be denominational in makeup, I don’t generally adhere to the sign out front.

Anyway, I still hold to many of my Evangelic beliefs. The signs following are those, as well as study, prayer, and service. After watching the replay of the service, I was looking around You Tube and found Pastor Greg Locke. If you haven’t heard of him, and I would be surprised if you haven’t, he was speaking about the biblical scriptures on witchcraft bad divination. The context was because he has been threatened a few times by local practitioners of the black arts (and yes, they come from the devil). Leviticus tells us in chapter 20 verse 6: ‘As for the person who turns to mediums and to spiritists, to play the harlot after them, I will also set My face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.’

So finishing that short video, not the first I have watched from him, I was presented with a flash from the past. Back in the late 1990’s (my Evangelical days), I watched Breakthrough with Rod Parsley. But at the time of this particular viewing, it had been between 20 and 25 years since I had watch Pastor Parsley preach. This episode came from the recent Dominion Camp Meeting. This is a week or so of varying pastors and speakers. Pastor Parsley was the last to speak, and the message hit like a brick.

He was preaching about the weakness of today’s preachers and the compromises they have made. The weakness of a pulpit allows for sin to openly be within the church. I have written about this and the message was energetic and filled with power when pastor Parsley spoke. There are preachers that have a silver tongue and sound eloquent. There are those that sound like they belong in the halls of academia. But Pastor Locke and Pastor Parsley are the throwback that is more than needed for today. They pull no punches, and as Pastor parsley said, does not worry about Twitter or Facebook likes or being Tik Tok famous. What they care about are the souls that are headed for Hell.

Pastor Parsley spoke of many things in that sermon. But more importantly, it brought my mind and spirit back to a time from long ago. A time where I had a fire and a passion to see souls saved through the power of the Holy Ghost. It brought understanding and a clarity that even the Catholic Church with all of it’s history and traditions have not brought back to me.

They say what most pastors and priests are afraid to. That man sin’s and needs repentance. That things like homosexuality, sexual immorality, and compromising the commands and teachings of God will send your soul to hell. In today’s political and self-serving climate, men like these are a fresh wind of an old power. A wind that entered a room 2000 years ago and transformed not only that age, but every age since.

The feeling that I have felt before, I am starting to feel again. Where the breath and will of God will take me, I have yet to see. What God will have me do, I have yet to now. But I do know that I am reminded of a couple of verses that fit this situation.

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:8. 18)  

 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1Corintians 1:18-25)

Standard
Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

Didache Capítulo 4

DIDACHE

  • IV –
    EL SEÑOR VIENE
    de tu vida. No dejes que tus lámparas se consuman, ni que tu cintura se descuelgue,i
    sino que estén preparados,
    porque no sabéis cuándo vendrá nuestro Señor.j
    Y reúnanse con frecuencia, buscando lo que es
    de lo necesario para vuestras almas, porque todos vuestros años de fe no servirán de nada si no sois perfeccionados en los
    últimos días.k
    En los últimos días se multiplicarán los falsos profetas y los corruptores,l
    y las ovejas se convertirán en lobos
    y el amor se convertirá en odio.m A medida que aumente la anarquía, los hombres se odiarán, se perseguirán y se traicionarán unos a otros
    unos a otros.n
    Y entonces el Engañador del mundo se presentará como hijo de Dios, y hará señales y prodigios,o
    y la tierra será entregada en sus manos. Cometerá abominaciones que nunca se han visto
    desde el principio del mundo.p
    Entonces toda la humanidad vendrá a la friolera de la prueba,q
    y muchos fracasarán y perecerán.r
    Pero los que resistan en su fe serán salvados
    por el que fue maldecido.t
    Y entonces aparecerán las señales de la verdad: primero una señal de una grieta en los cielos,u
    luego una señal de una voz de
    una trompeta,v
    y en tercer lugar la resurrección de los muertos.w Pero no de todos, sino como se dijo:
    El Señor vendrá y todos sus santos con él.x
    Entonces el mundo verá al Señor venir
    sobre las nubes del cielo con poder
    y dominio
    para pagar a cada hombre
    según sus obras,z
    con
    justicia, ante todos los hombres
    y los ángeles.
    aM eN.
    i Lucas 12:35. j Mat. 24:42, 44; Marcos 13:35; Lucas 12:40. k Epístola de Bernabé 4:9. l Mat. 24:11. m Mat. 24:12. n Mat. 24:10; 2 Pe. 3:3. o Marcos 13:22; 2 Tes. 2:4, 9. p Dan. 12:1; Marcos 13:19; 2 Juan 7; Apocalipsis 12:9, 13:2, 19:20. q 1 P. 4:12. r Mat. 24:10, 13. s Marcos 13:13. t Gal. 3:13. u Mat. 24:30. v Mat. 24:31; 1 Tes. 4:16. w 1 Cor.
    15:52. x Zac. 14:5. y Marcos 13:26. z Sal. 62:12; Mat. 16:27
Standard
Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

Didache Chapter 4

DIDACHE
— IV —
THE LORD IS COMING
waTch over your life. Do not let your lamps burn out, nor your waist be ungirded,i
but be ready,
for you do not know when our Lord is coming.j
And gather together frequently, seeking what is
necessary for your souls, for all your years of faith will count for nothing unless you are perfected in the
last days.k
In the last days, false prophets and corrupters will multiply,l
and the sheep will turn into wolves,
and love will be turned into hate.m As lawlessness increases, men will hate and persecute and betray one
another.n
And then the Deceiver of the world will appear as a son of God, and will do signs and wonders,o
and the earth will be delivered into his hands. He will commit abominations which have never been seen
since the world began.p
Then all mankind will come to the fre of testing,q
and many will fail and perish.r
But those who endure in their faith will be saveds
by him who was accursed.t
And then shall the signs of the truth appear: frst a sign of a rift in the heavens,u
then a sign of a voice of
a trumpet,v
and thirdly the resurrection of the dead.w Yet not of all, but as it was said:
The Lord shall come and all his saints with him.x
Then shall the world see the Lord coming
upon the clouds of heaven with power
and dominiony
to repay each man
according to his works,z
with
justice, before all men
and the angels.
aM eN.
i Luke 12:35. j Mat. 24:42, 44; Mark 13:35; Luke 12:40. k Epistle of Barnabas 4:9. l Mat. 24:11. m Mat. 24:12. n Mat. 24:10; 2 Pet. 3:3. o Mark 13:22; 2 Tess. 2:4, 9. p Dan. 12:1; Mark 13:19; 2 John 7; Rev. 12:9, 13:2, 19:20. q 1 Pet. 4:12. r Mat. 24:10, 13. s Mark 13:13. t Gal. 3:13. u Mat. 24:30. v Mat. 24:31; 1 Tess. 4:16. w 1 Cor.
15:52. x Zech. 14:5. y Mark 13:26. z Ps. 62:12; Mat. 16:27

Standard
Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

La Didaché: Capítulos 1-3

Esta es la Didaché. Son las enseñanzas de los Apóstoles que siguen al Nuevo Testamento. Los cristianos, en su conjunto, hemos dejado que los vientos de los pensamientos políticos y subversivos se conviertan en doctrina. La Didaché es la enseñanza escrita más antigua que se conoce de los Apóstoles fuera de las Epístolas.

Hemos olvidado las enseñanzas de los que siguieron inmediatamente después de los Apóstoles, conocidos como los padres apostólicos. Esta instrucción escrita para los cristianos se sitúa entre las Epístolas y las obras de los Padres Apostólicos. Los Padres Apostólicos fueron los maestros cristianos de primera y segunda generación que siguieron inmediatamente a los Apóstoles originales de Cristo.

Hoy comparto el primer capítulo de la Didajé. Ya sea leyendo o escuchando, encuentra la fe de Cristo.

Cristianos, es hora de que dejemos de lado las interpretaciones personales y sigamos las palabras de los primeros cristianos. En la cultura cancelada, despertada, y el mundo guiado por Satanás de hoy (especialmente aquí en los EE.UU. y la civilización occidental) es vital volver a los fundamentos del principio. Dejar de permitir que el pecado sea levantado y los justos rebajados.

“Ay de vosotros que llamáis al mal bien, y al bien mal; que ponéis las tinieblas por luz, y la luz por tinieblas; que ponéis lo amargo por dulce, y lo dulce por amargo. Ay de vosotros, que sois sabios en vuestros propios ojos, y prudentes en vuestras propias ideas. Ay de vosotros, que sois poderosos para beber vino, y robustos para la embriaguez. Que justificáis al impío por las dádivas, y le quitáis la justicia al justo. Por tanto, como la lengua del fuego devora el rastrojo, y el calor de la llama lo consume, así su raíz será ceniza, y su brote subirá como polvo; porque desecharon la ley del Señor de los ejércitos, y blasfemaron la palabra del Santo de Israel. Por eso se encendió la ira de Jehová contra su pueblo, y extendió su mano sobre él, y lo hirió; y los montes se turbaron, y sus cadáveres quedaron como estiércol en medio de las calles. Por todo esto su ira no se aparta, sino que su mano está aún extendida”. (Isaías 5:20-25) Douay-Rheims

Este es sólo el primer capítulo. Durante las próximas dos semanas, haré un capítulo por semana hasta completar la Didajé.

Leamos, pues, las palabras de los Apóstoles y oremos para que nos guíen.

LA ENSEÑANZA DE LOS DOCE APÓSTOLES A LAS NACIONES, CONOCIDA COMO LA DIDAJÉ

INTRODUCCIÓN L a Didajé, Διδαχή, o Enseñanza de los Doce Apóstoles, es un texto de los primeros tiempos del cristianismo que la mayoría de los estudiosos sitúan en el siglo I o principios del II. La Didaché fue muy apreciada por muchos autores y teólogos de los primeros tiempos del cristianismo. Atanasio de Alejandría (†373) la recomendó a los conversos, y tuvo una gran influencia en las Constituciones Apostólicas (375). Antes de que se estableciera formalmente el canon del Nuevo Testamento en el año 692, varios cánones bíblicos incluían la Didaché; Juan de Damasco (†749) fue también un destacado partidario. El texto desapareció y se perdió durante siglos, hasta que fue redescubierto en 1873 por Philotheos Bryennios, metropolitano de Nicomedia. Hoy en día se suele incluir entre los escritos cristianos de segunda generación conocidos como los Padres Apostólicos. La primera sección de la Didaché, “Los dos caminos”, es un tratado sobre la teología, la moral y la conducta cristianas básicas. Los catecúmenos (conversos en formación) eran instruidos en sus enseñanzas antes de ser bautizados. La segunda sección trata de la administración de varios sacramentos: el bautismo, la eucaristía (santa comunión) y la unción con aceite. La tercera sección trata de las relaciones entre los cristianos, ofreciendo una instrucción práctica sobre diferentes tipos de hospitalidad. También da una idea de la jerarquía clerical de la Iglesia primitiva, que incluía instituciones conocidas como el episcopado (obispos) y el diaconado (diáconos), y también instituciones que cayeron en desuso desde el principio, como los profetas (los que hablaban en lenguas). Hay que tener en cuenta que, en esta época de la historia cristiana, no existía una clase distinta de clérigos que fueran presbíteros (sacerdotes). La comunidad cristiana era pequeña, y todavía no había necesidad de delegar las funciones sacerdotales de un obispo en el clero inferior; los obispos dirigían personalmente la iglesia en el culto en cada comunidad cristiana. La sección final es un breve apocalipsis, o revelación del fin de los tiempos. Esto es notable, ya que la Didaché fue escrita probablemente incluso antes del libro del Apocalipsis, que no fue aceptado universalmente en el Nuevo Testamento hasta el siglo VII. Aunque la Didajé no se incluyó en el canon final del Nuevo Testamento, es un manual útil para la vida cristiana, incluso hoy en día. Las enseñanzas básicas del Evangelio se condensan en piezas de sabiduría e instrucción de fácil comprensión, y se obtiene una visión de la liturgia y el culto cristianos del siglo I. La Didaché es un libro en el que todos los cristianos pueden encontrar apoyo. La Escritura se entrelaza con las claras enseñanzas del texto, demostrando por qué el libro era tan querido y apreciado por la Iglesia primitiva.

LA DIDACHE

Capítulo 1

LOS DOS CAMINOS Hay dos caminos, uno de vida y otro de muerte, y hay una gran diferencia entre los dos caminos.a El camino de la vida es éste. En primer lugar, amarás al Dios que te hizo. En segundo lugar, amarás a tu prójimo como a ti mismo.b Y todo lo que no quieras que te hagan a ti, no lo hagas a otra persona.c Ahora bien, la enseñanza de estas palabras es ésta. Bendecid a los que os maldicen,d y rezad por vuestros enemigos, y ayudad por los que os persiguen.e Porque, ¿qué mérito tenéis si amáis a los que os aman?f ¿No hacen lo mismo los pueblos de las naciones?g Pero amad a los que os odian,h y no tendréis enemigo.i Absteneos de los deseos de la carne y de la carne. j Si alguien os golpea en la mejilla derecha, ponedle también la otra mejilla,k y seréis perfectos. l Si alguien te obliga a recorrer una milla, recorre con él dos millas.m Si alguien te quita el abrigo, dale también la camisa.n Si alguien te quita lo que es tuyo,o no exijas que te lo devuelvan,p porque no puedes.q A cualquiera que te pida algo, dáselo y no le pidas que te lo devuelva,r porque el Padre quiere que se den dones a todos de sus propias riquezas. Bienaventurado el que da caritativamente según el mandamiento, porque es irreprochable. Ay del que recibe. Si un necesitado recibe la caridad, es irreprochable, pero al que no está necesitado se le pedirán cuentas de por qué la aceptó. Y al ser encarcelado, será interrogado sobre sus actos, y no será liberado hasta que haya devuelto hasta el último céntimo.s En efecto, también se ha dicho Deja que tu limosna sude en tus manos, hasta que hayas discernido a quién le darás.

EL SEGUNDO MANDAMIENTO

Este es el segundo mandamiento de la enseñanza. No asesinarás.t No cometerás adulterio.u No serás sexualmente perverso.v No serás sexualmente promiscuo.w No robarás.x No practicarás la magia.

No practicarás la hechicería.z No asesinarás a un niño por medio del aborto, ni matarás a un niño al nacer. No codiciarás las cosas de tu prójimo.a No cometerás perjurio.b No levantarás falso testimonio.c No hablarás mal.d No guardarás rencor.e No serás de doble ánimo ni de doble lengua, porque la doble lengua es un lazo de muerte.f Tus palabras no serán falsas ni vacías, sino que se cumplirán con tus actos. No serás avaro,g ni estafador, ni hipócrita, ni malhumorado, ni orgulloso. No conspirarás contra tu prójimo. No odiarás a nadie, sino que reprenderás a algunos, y orarás por otros, y a otros los amarás más que a tu propia vida.

LAS “CERCAS”

Hijo mío, aléjate de todo lo malo y de todo lo que se le parezca. No te enojes, porque la ira conduce al asesinato. No seas celoso, ni discutidor, ni de mal genio; porque todas estas cosas engendran el asesinato. Hijo mío, no seas lujurioso, porque la lujuria lleva a la promiscuidad sexual. No hables con obscenidad, ni tengas los ojos desviados; porque todo esto da origen a la promiscuidad. Hija mía, no te ocupes de los presagios, pues eso lleva a la idolatría. No seas un encantador, ni un astrólogo, ni un mago; ni siquiera estés cerca de esas cosas; porque todas ellas dan lugar a la idolatría. Hijo mío, no seas mentiroso, pues eso lleva al robo. No seas avaro ni vanidoso, porque todo eso da origen al robo. Hijo mío, no seas quejoso, pues eso lleva a la blasfemia. No seas testarudo ni malvado, pues todo esto da lugar a la blasfemia. Sé manso, pues los mansos heredarán la tierra.i Sé paciente, y misericordioso, y sincero, y tranquilo, y bondadoso, y siempre temeroso de las palabras que has escuchado.j No te alabes a ti mismo, y no dejes que la arrogancia entre en tu alma. No juntes tu alma con una persona pomposa,k sino camina sólo con los justos y los humildes. Todo lo que te ocurra, acéptalo como bueno, sabiendo que nada se hace sin Dios. Hijo mío, acuérdate de aquel que te anuncia la palabra de Dios. Acuérdate de él de noche y de día,l y honralo como al Señor; porque dondequiera que hable, allí está el Señor mismo. Busca cada día la compañía de los santos, para que encuentres descanso en sus palabras. No provoquéis divisiones, sino llevad la paz entre los que disputan. Juzga con justicia.m No favorezcas a una de las partes cuando reprendas a otras. No tengas doble ánimo cuando consideres si una cosa debe ser o no. No extiendas la mano para recibir, para luego retirarla cuando debas dar. Si has ganado algo con tu trabajo, dalo como rescate por tus pecados. No vaciles en dar, ni te quejes cuando des, pues conoces al buen pagador de tu recompensa. No rechaces a nadie que tenga necesidad, sino que comparte todo con tu hermano, y no digas que algo es tuyo.n Porque si todos compartís las cosas celestiales, ¿cuánto más las terrenales? No relajes tu control sobre tu hijo o tu hija, sino que desde su juventud enséñales el temor de Dios. No des una orden en tu ira a tu siervo, que confía en el mismo Dios, para que no deje de temer al Dios que está sobre ambos. Porque él no llama a los hombres según la condición mundana, sino que acude a los que el Espíritu ha preparado. Y vosotros, que sois siervos, obedeced a vuestros amos como a Dios, con respeto y temor.o Abandonad toda hipocresía y todo lo que no sea agradable al Señor. No abandonéis nunca los mandamientos del Señor. Pero guardad las cosas que habéis recibido, sin añadirles ni quitarles nada.p Confesad vuestros pecados en la iglesia, y no vayáis a la oración con mala conciencia. Este es el camino de la vida.

EL CAMINO DE LA MUERTE

Pero el camino de la muerte es éste. En primer lugar, es malo y está lleno de maldiciones: el asesinato, el adulterio, la lujuria, la promiscuidad, el robo, la idolatría, las artes mágicas, la brujería, el robo, el falso testimonio, la hipocresía, la duplicidad, la traición, el orgullo, la malicia, la terquedad, la avaricia, el lenguaje soez, los celos, la arrogancia, el orgullo y la jactancia. q Perseguidores de los hombres de bien, odiando la verdad, amando la mentira, sin conocer la recompensa de la justicia, sin adherirse al bien ni al buen juicio, atentos al mal más que al bien; ni mansos ni pacientes; amando lo que no vale la pena, persiguiendo una recompensa, no teniendo misericordia de los pobres, no trabajando por los oprimidos, no reconociendo al Dios que los hizo, asesinos de niños, corruptores de la creación de Dios, apartándose de los necesitados, oprimiendo a los afligidos, defensores de los ricos, jueces injustos de los pobres: ¡pecadosos en todos los sentidos! Que seáis liberados, hijos míos, de todas estas cosas.

CONCLUSIÓN

Tened cuidado, no sea que alguien os desvíe de este camino de la justicia, porque enseña fuera de Dios. Porque si podéis llevar todo el yugo del Señor, seréis perfectos; pero si no podéis, haced todo lo que podáis.

a Jer. 21:8; Mat. 7:13. b Lev. 19:18; Mat. 22:37-39. c Mat. 7:12. d Luke 6:28; Mat. 5:44. e Luke 6:27-28; Mat. 5:44. f Luke 6:32. g Luke 6:33; Mat. 5:46-47. h Luke 6:27; Mat. 5:44. i 1 Pet. 3:13. j 1 Pet. 2:11. k Mat. 5:39; Luke 6:29. l Mat. 5:48, 19:21. m Mat. 5:41. n Mat. 5:40. o Mat. 5:42; Luke 6:30. p Luke 6:30. q Mat. 5:39. r Luke 6:30; Mat. 5:42. s Mat. 5:25, 18:34; Luke 12:58. t Exod. 20:15(13). u Exod. 20:13(14). v Lit. “You shall not corrupt boys.” w Deut. 23:17. x Exod. 20:14(15). y Deut. 18:10.

z Deut. 18:10. n Mat. 5:40. o Mat. 5:42; Luke 6:30. p Luke 6:30. q Mat. 5:39. r Luke 6:30; Mat. 5:42. s Mat. 5:25, 18:34; Luke 12:58. t Exod. 20:15(13). u Exod. 20:13(14). v Lit. “You shall not corrupt boys.” w Deut. 23:17. x Exod. 20:14(15). y Deut. 18:10. i Ps. 37:11; Mat. 5:5. j Isa. 66:2. k Rom. 12:16; Jas. 2:2-3. l Heb. 13:7. m Deut. 1:16-17; Prov. 31:9.

n Acts 4:32. o Eph. 6:1-9; Col. 3:18–4:1. p Deut. 4:2, 12:32. q Mat. 15:19; Rom. 1:29; Gal. 5:20. r Rom. 12:9. s Ps. 4:2; Isa. 1:23. t Epistle of Barnabas 19:8.

DIDACÍA 8 – II – INSTRUCCIÓN PARA LOS CATECÚMENOS

EN RELACIÓN CON LA COMIDA Ahora bien, en lo que se refiere a la comida, observad las tradiciones lo mejor que podáis. Pero no comáis carne sacrificada a los ídolos, porque es el culto a los dioses muertos.

EN LO QUE RESPECTA AL BAUTISMO En lo que respecta al bautismo, bautizad de esta manera. Después de haberle instruido en todas estas enseñanzas, bautizad al catecúmeno en el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo, en agua corriente.v Pero si no tenéis agua corriente, bautizad en otra agua. Y si no puedes en agua fría, usa agua tibia.  Pero si no tenéis ninguna de las dos, echad agua sobre la cabeza tres veces, en el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Y antes del bautismo, que ayunen tanto el bautizador como el catecúmeno, y también los demás que puedan. Y asegúrate de que el catecúmeno ayune un día o dos antes.

No dejéis que vuestros ayunos coincidan con los de los hipócritas, pues ellos ayunan los lunes y los jueves. Guardad vuestro ayuno los miércoles y los viernes.

ORACIÓN d No oréis como los hipócritas,x sino orad como el Señor manda en su Evangelio:  Padre nuestro, que estás en los cielos, santificado sea tu nombre; venga a nosotros tu reino; hágase tu voluntad, así en la tierra como en el cielo; danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día; y perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden; y no nos dejes caer en la tentación, y líbranos del maligno, porque tuyo es el poder y la gloria por los siglos de los siglos.y Reza así tres veces al día.

A propósito de la eucaristía, dad gracias de esta manera. En primer lugar, en cuanto al cáliz: Te damos gracias, Padre nuestro, por la santa vid de tu hijo David,a que nos diste a conocer por medio de tu Hijo Jesús.b Tuya es la gloria por los siglos de los siglos. Luego, en cuanto al pan partido Te damos gracias, Padre nuestro, por la vida y el conocimiento que nos diste a conocer por medio de tu Hijo Jesús. Tuya es la gloria por los siglos de los siglos. Como este pan partido fue esparcido por los montes y reunido se convirtió en uno, u . así tu Iglesia sea reunida desde los confines de la tierra en tu reino. Porque tuyos son la gloria y el poder por Jesucristo hasta los siglos de los siglos. No dejéis comer ni beber de esta Eucaristía a nadie que no haya sido bautizado en el nombre del Señor, pues sobre esto ha dicho el Señor: “No deis las cosas santas a los perros”.d Y después de haber sido saciados, dad gracias de la siguiente manera:  Te damos gracias, Padre santo, por tu santo nombre, que has hecho habitar en nuestros corazones,e y por el conocimiento y la fe y la inmortalidad, que nos has dado a conocer por medio de tu Hijo Jesús. Tuya es la gloria por los siglos de los siglos. Tú, Maestro Todopoderoso, creaste todas las cosasf por amor a tu nombre, y diste de comer y beber a los hombres para que se divirtieran, para que te dieran gracias. Y nos has dado alimento y bebida espiritual y vida eterna por medio de tu Hijo.g Sobre todo, te damos gracias porque eres poderoso. Tuya es la gloria por los siglos de los siglos. Acuérdate, Señor, de tu Iglesia,h y líbrala de todo mal y perfecciónala en tu amor. Reúnela -la santificada- desde los cuatro vientosj en tu reino que le has preparado. Porque tuyos son el poder y la gloria hasta los siglos de los siglos. Que venga la gracia y que pase este mundo.k Hosanna al Dios de David.l Si alguno es santo, que venga; si no lo es, que se arrepienta. Mar’anatha. m Amén. Pero permitid a los profetas que den las gracias que deseen.

CON RESPECTO A LA UNCIÓN y en relación con el ungüento, dad gracias de la siguiente manera: Te damos gracias, Padre nuestro, por el fragante ungüento que nos has dado a conocer por medio de tu Hijo Jesús. Tuya es la gloria por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.

EL MAESTRO APROBADO que venga y os enseñe todo esto que se ha enseñado antes, recibidlo. Pero si el mismo maestro se aparta y enseña una doctrina diferente que subvierte lo que se ha enseñado antes, no le escuchéis.n Si su enseñanza fomenta la justicia y el conocimiento del Señor, recibidlo como al Señor.o .

U Acts 15:29. v Mat. 28:19. w Mat. 6:16. x Mat. 6:5f. y Mat. 6:9f. z 1 Cor. 11:23-25. a John 15:1. b Acts 3:13, 26. c John 3:15, 5:26, 6:68f

d Mat. 7:6. e John 1:14, 6:56-57. f Rev. 4:11. g John 6:27. h Mat. 16:18. i John 17:15. j Mat. 24:31. k Rev. 22:20. l Mat. 21:9, 15. m Hebrew: “Our Lord has come.” 1 Cor. 16:22. n Gal. 1:6-9. o Mat. 10:40; John 13:20

DIDACHE CAPÍTULO 3: LA VIDA EN LA COMUNIDAD

APÓSTOLES Y PROFETISTAS c o n s i g u i e n d o a l o s apóstoles y profetas,p actúa de acuerdo con la enseñanza del Evangelio.q Recibe a todo apóstol como al Señor.r No debe quedarse más que un solo día, o dos si es necesario. Pero si se queda tres días, es un falso profeta. Cuando se vaya, que el apóstol no reciba nada más que pan, hasta que encuentre un lugar donde quedarse. Pero si pide dinero, es un falso profeta.r No probéis ni juzguéis a ningún profeta que hable en el Espíritu. Todos los demás pecados serán perdonados, pero éste no lo será.s Y no todo el que habla en el Espíritu es profeta, sino sólo el que sigue los caminos del Señor. Por su comportamiento, pues, conocerás a un falso profeta de un verdadero profeta.t Cualquier profeta que ordene una comida en el Espíritu no comerá de ella, pero si come de ella, es un falso profeta.  Todo profeta que enseña la verdad, pero no hace las cosas que enseña, es un falso profeta.  Todo profeta verdadero, si realiza un misterio mundano de la Iglesia, pero no enseña a otros a hacer lo mismo, no debe ser juzgado por ustedes. Tiene su juicio en presencia de Dios, como los profetas de antaño.  Si alguno dice en el Espíritu: “Dadme dinero”, no le hagáis caso.u Pero si os dice que deis a otros necesitados, que nadie le juzgue.

HOSPITALIDAD A LOS VIAJEROS re ceja a todo el que viene en nombre del Señor.v Examínalo y conoce la naturaleza de su situación.  Si sólo está de paso, ayúdale todo lo que puedas, pero no debe quedarse contigo más de dos o tres días.  Si desea establecerse con vosotros y conoce un oficio, dejadle trabajar y ganarse el pan.w Si no conoce un oficio, decidid con vuestro criterio cómo debe vivir como cristiano entre vosotros, pero no en la ociosidad. Si no lo hace, está traficando con Cristo.x Tened cuidado con esos hombres.

APOYO A LOS MINISTROS DE DIOS e l verdadero profeta que desea establecerse entre vosotros es digno de su alimento. Asimismo, el verdadero maestro, al igual que el obrero, merece su alimento.y Tomad todos los frutos del lagar y de la era, de vuestros bueyes y de vuestras ovejas, y dadlos como fruto a los profetas, porque son vuestros sumos sacerdotes.z Pero si no tenéis profeta, dad vuestros frutos a los pobres. Si hacéis pan, tomad el fruto y dadlo según el mandamiento. Asimismo, cuando abran una jarra de vino o de aceite, tomen el fruto y dénselo a los profetas. Y así con el dinero, la ropa y toda posesión: toma el fruto, según te parezca, y dalo según el mandamiento.

EL SACRIFICIO: reuníos todos los domingos, partiendo el pan y dando gracias, confesando primero vuestros pecados, para que vuestro sacrificio sea puro.  Y que ninguno de vosotros, que tenga un desacuerdo con su hermano, se una a vosotros hasta que se hayan reconciliado, para que vuestro sacrificio no sea defectuoso.b Porque fue este sacrificio del que habló el Señor: “En todo lugar y en todo tiempo ofrézcanme un sacrificio puro;c porque yo soy un gran rey, dice el Señor, y mi nombre es maravilloso entre las naciones”.

LÍDERES DE LA IGLESIA APORTAD para vosotros obispos y diáconos que sean dignos del Señor: hombres que sean mansos y no amantes del dinero, y que sean honestos y probados. Por tanto, no los tengáis en cuenta, pues son hombres honorables junto con los profetas y los maestros.

DISCIPLINA COMUNITARIA re p roveed los unos a los otros, no con cólera, sino con paz, como lo encontráis en el Evangelio. Evitad al que haya pecado contra su prójimo; no le digáis nada hasta que se arrepienta.g Pero rezad vuestras oraciones, dad limosna y hacedlo todo según el Evangelio de nuestro Señor.h

.

p 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 3:5. q Mat. 7:15f, 10:40-41; Luke 10:4f. r Mat. 10:40; John 13:20. s Mat. 12:31. t 2 Pet. 2:1; John 4:1. u Mat. 10:8. v Ps. 118:26; Mat. 21:9. w 2 Tess.  3:10; Acts 18:3. x 1 Tim. 6:5. y Mat 10:10; 1 Tim. 5:18. z Deut. 18:1-5. Rev. 1:10. b Mat. 5:23. c Mal. 1:11. d Mal. 1:14. e 1 Tim. 3:2-13; Tit. 1:5-9. f Eph. 4:11-12. g Mat. 5:22-26, 18:15-35. h Mat. 6:1-15.

Standard
Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

DIDACHE CHAPTER 3: LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY

DIDACHE CHAPTER 3: LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY

APOSTLES AND PROPHETS c oNce rNiNg apostles and prophets,p  act according to the Gospel’s teaching.q  Receive every apostle as  the Lord.r  He should not stay for more than a single day, or two days if necessary. But if he remains  for three days, he is a false prophet. When he leaves, let the apostle receive nothing except bread, until he  fnds a place to stay. But if he asks for money, he is a false prophet.r Do not test or judge any prophet who speaks in the Spirit. Every other sin will be forgiven, but this sin  will not be forgiven.s  And not everyone who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet, but only he who follows the  ways of the Lord. From his behavior, then, you will know a false prophet from a true prophet.t Any prophet who orders a meal in Spirit will not eat from it, but if he does eat of it, he is a false prophet.  Any prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do the things he teaches, is a false prophet.  Every true prophet, if he performs a worldly mystery of the Church, but does not teach others to do  likewise, he must not be judged by you. He has his judgment in the presence of God, as with the prophets  of old.  If anyone says in the Spirit, “Give me money,” do not listen to him.u  But if he tells you to give to others who are in need, let no one judge him.

HOSPITALITY TO TRAVELERS re ce ive everyone who comes in the name of the Lord.v  Examine him and learn the nature of his situ-  ation.  If he is only passing through, help him as much as you can, but he must not stay with you more than two  or three days.  If he wishes to settle with you and knows a trade, let him work and earn his bread.w If he does not know a trade, use your judgment to decide how he should live as a Christian among you,  but not in idleness. If he will not do this, he is trafcking upon Christ.x  Beware of such men.

SUPPORTING GOD’S MINISTERS e ve ry true prophet who desires to settle among you is worthy of his food. Likewise, a true teacher, like  the worker, deserves his food.y Take every frstfruit of the winepress and of the threshing foor, of your oxen and of your sheep, and  give as the frstfruit to the prophets, for they are your high priests.z  But if you do not have a prophet, give  your frstfruits to the poor. If you make bread, take the frstfruit and give according to the commandment. Likewise, when you  open a jug of wine or oil, take the frstfruit and give to the prophets. And so with money, and clothing, and  every possession—take the frstfruit, as it seems appropriate to you, and give according to the commandment.

THE SACRIFICE gaTher together each Sunday,a  break bread and give thanks, frst confessing your sins, that your sacrifce may be pure.  And let no man, having a disagreement with his brother, join you until they have been reconciled, that  your sacrifce may not be defled.b  For it was this sacrifce that was spoken of by the Lord: “In every place  and at every time ofer me a pure sacrifce;c  for I am a great king, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful  among the nations.”d

CHURCH LEADERS ap p oiNT for yourselves bishops and deacons who are worthy of the Lord: men who are meek and not   lovers of money, and who are honeste  and proven. For they also perform the service of the prophets and teachers.f  Therefore, do not hold them in contempt, for they are honorable men along with the  prophets and teachers.

COMMUNITY DISCIPLINE re p rove one another, not in anger but in peace, as you fnd in the Gospel. Shun anyone who has   sinned against his neighbor; do not say a word to him until he repents.g  But say your prayers, and  give your alms, and do everything according to the Gospel of our Lord.h

p 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 3:5. q Mat. 7:15f, 10:40-41; Luke 10:4f. r Mat. 10:40; John 13:20. s Mat. 12:31. t 2 Pet. 2:1; John 4:1. u Mat. 10:8. v Ps. 118:26; Mat. 21:9. w 2 Tess.  3:10; Acts 18:3. x 1 Tim. 6:5. y Mat 10:10; 1 Tim. 5:18. z Deut. 18:1-5. Rev. 1:10. b Mat. 5:23. c Mal. 1:11. d Mal. 1:14. e 1 Tim. 3:2-13; Tit. 1:5-9. f Eph. 4:11-12. g Mat. 5:22-26, 18:15-35. h Mat. 6:1-15.

Standard
Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

Didache repost part 2

This is part two of my Didache series. The Didache is the teachings of the original Apostles of Christ. It is also the second oldest Christian writings, only second behind Holy Scripture. Original printing issues are not replaced. All Scriptural references have been moved to bottom of article.

DIDACHE 8 — II — INSTRUCTION FOR CATECHUMENS

CONCERNING FOOD N ow concerning eating, observe the traditions as best you can. But do not eat meat sacrificed to idols,  for it is the worship of dead gods.

CONCERNING BAPTISM concerning baptism, baptize in this way. Having instructed him in all of these teachings, baptize the  catechumen in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in running water.v  But  if you do not have running water, then baptize in other water. And if you cannot in cold water, use warm.  But if you have neither, then pour water on the head three times, in the name of the Father, and of the Son,  and of the Holy Spirit. And before the baptism, let both the baptizer and the catechumen fast, and also any  others who are able. And be sure that the catechumen fasts a day or two before.

CONCERNING FASTING d o NoT let not your fasts fall on the same days as the hypocrites,w for they fast on Mondays and Thursdays. Keep your fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.

CONCERNING PRAYER d o NoT pray as the hypocrites either,x  but pray as the Lord commanded in His Gospel:  Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on  earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those  who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one; for thine is the  power and the glory unto ages of ages.y Pray this way three times each day.

CONCERNING THE EUCHARIST N ow concerning the eucharistic thanksgiving,z  give thanks in this way. First, as concerning the cup: We give you thanks, our Father, for the holy vine of your son David,a  which you made known  to us through your Son Jesus.b  Yours is the glory unto ages of ages. Then as regards the broken bread: We give you thanks, our Father, for the life and knowledge  which you made known to us through your  Son Jesus. Yours is the glory unto ages of ages. As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and being gathered together became one,  u . so may your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom. For yours is the  glory and the power through Jesus Christ unto ages of ages. Do not let anyone eat or drink of this Eucharist who has not been baptized into the name of the Lord,  for concerning this the Lord has said, “Do not give the holy things to the dogs.”d And after you have been flled, give thanks as follows:  We give you thanks, holy Father, for your holy name, which you have made to dwell in our hearts,e and for the knowledge and faith and immortality, which you have made known unto us through your Son  Jesus. Yours is the glory unto ages of ages. You, Almighty Master, created all thingsf  for your name’s sake, and gave food and drink to men for  their enjoyment, that they might give you thanks. And you have given us spiritual food and drink and  eternal life through your Son.g Most of all, we give you thanks that you are powerful. Yours is the glory unto ages of ages. Remember, Lord, your Church,h  and deliver it from all evili  and to perfect it in Thy love. Gather it— the sanctifed one—together from the four windsj  into your kingdom which you have prepared for it. For  yours is the power and the glory unto ages of ages. May grace come and may this world pass away.k  Hosanna to the God of David.l  If any man is holy, let  him come; if any man is not, let him repent. Mar‘anatha. m Amen. But permit the prophets to ofer thanksgiving as much as they desire.

CONCERNING THE OINTMENT aNd concerning the ointment, give thanks as follows: We give you thanks, our Father, for the fragrant ointment which you have made known to us  through your Son Jesus. Yours is the glory unto ages of ages. Amen.

THE APPROVED TEACHER whoever comes and teaches you all these things that have been taught before, receive him. But if  the teacher himself turns aside and teaches a diferent doctrine that subverts what has been taught  before, do not listen to him.n  If his teaching fosters righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive  him as the Lord.o .

Scriptural references:

U Acts 15:29. v Mat. 28:19. w Mat. 6:16. x Mat. 6:5f. y Mat. 6:9f. z 1 Cor. 11:23-25. a John 15:1. b Acts 3:13, 26. c John 3:15, 5:26, 6:68f

d Mat. 7:6. e John 1:14, 6:56-57. f Rev. 4:11. g John 6:27. h Mat. 16:18. i John 17:15. j Mat. 24:31. k Rev. 22:20. l Mat. 21:9, 15. m Hebrew: “Our Lord has come.” 1 Cor. 16:22. n Gal. 1:6-9. o Mat. 10:40; John 13:20

Standard
Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

The Didache repost, part one

This is the Didache. It is the teachings of the Apostles that follow after the New Testament. We Christians, as a whole, have allowed the winds of political and subversive thoughts turn into doctrine. The Didache is the oldest known written teachings of the Apostles outside of the Epistles.

We have forgotten the teachings of those that followed immediately after the Apostles, known as the Apostolic fathers. This written instruction to Christians falls between the Epistles and the works of the Apostolic Fathers. The Apostolic Fathers were the first and second generation Christian teachers immediately following the original Apostles of Christ.

Today, I share chapter one of the Didache. Whether reading or listening, find the faith of Christ.

Christians, it is time we lay aside personal interpretations and follow the words of the first Christians. In today’s cancel culture, woke, and Satan guided world (especially here in the US and Western civilization) it is vital to get back to the basics of the beginning. To quit allowing sin to be lifted up and the righteous lowered.

“Woe to you that call evil good, and good evil: that put darkness for light, and light for darkness: that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Woe to you that are wise in your own eyes, and prudent in your own conceits. Woe to you that are mighty to drink wine, and stout men at drunkenness. That justify the wicked for gifts, and take away the justice of the just from him. Therefore as the tongue of the fire devoureth the stubble, and the heat of the flame consumeth it: so shall their root be as ashes, and their bud shall go up as dust: for they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and have blasphemed the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore is the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched out his hand upon them, and struck them: and the mountains were troubled, and their carcasses became as dung in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.” (Isaiah 5:20-25) Douay-Rheims

This is only the first chapter. For the next couple of weeks, I will be doing a chapter a week until the completion of the Didache.

So let us now read the words of the Apostles and pray for guidance.

THE TEACHING OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES TO THE NATIONS, KNOWN AS THE DIDACHE

INTRODUCTION T he Didache (did-a-key), Διδαχή, or Te Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, is an early Christian text that most scholars date to the frst or early second century. The Didache was highly regarded by many early Christian authors and theologians. Athanasius of Alexandria (†373) recommended it to converts, and it had a great infuence on the Apostolic Constitutions (375). Before the New Testament canon was formally settled in 692, a number of Biblical canons included the Didache; John of Damascus (†749) was also a noted supporter. The text disappeared and was lost for centuries, until it was rediscovered in 1873 by Philotheos Bryennios, Metropolitan of Nicomedia. Today it is usually included among the second-generation Christian writings known as the Apostolic Fathers. The Didache’s frst section, “The Two Ways,” is a treatise on basic Christian theology, morality, and conduct. Catechumens (converts in training) were instructed in its teachings before they were baptized. The second section deals with the administration of several sacraments: baptism, the Eucharist (holy communion), and anointing with oil. The third section discusses relations among Christians, ofering practical instruction in different types of hospitality. It also gives insight into the clerical hierarchy of the early Church, which included familiar institutions like the episcopacy (bishops) and the deaconate (deacons), and also institutions that fell out of use early on, such as prophets (those who spoke in tongues). It should be noted that, at this time in Christian history, there was no distinct class of clergy who were presbyters (priests). The Christian community was small, and there was not yet a need to delegate a bishop’s priestly duties to lower clergy; bishops personally lead the church in worship in each Christian community. The final section is a brief apocalypse, or revelation of the end times. This is notable, as the Didache was likely written even before the book of Revelation, which was not universally accepted into the New Testament until the 7th century. Even though the Didache itself did not fnd its way into the fnal canon of the New Testament, it is nevertheless a useful manual for Christian living, even today. The basic teachings of the Gospel are condensed into easily-understood pieces of wisdom and instruction, and insight is gained into frst-century Christian liturgy and worship. The Didache is a book that all Christians can fnd proft in. Scripture weaves through the text’s clear teachings, demonstrating why the book was so well-loved and appreciated by the early Church.

THE DIDACHE

Chapter 1

THE TWO WAYS T he re are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great diference between the two ways.a The way of life is this. First of all, you shall love the God who made you. Second, love your neighbor as yourself.b And all things you would not want done to you, do not do to another person.c Now the teaching of these words is this. Bless those who curse you,d  and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you.e  For what credit is it to you, if you love those who love you?f  Do the people of the nations not do the same?g  But you should love those who hate you,h  and you will not have an enemy.i Abstain from the desires of the fesh and of the body. j If anyone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other cheek to him also,k and you will be perfect.l If anyone compels you to go one mile, go with him for two miles.m If anyone takes away your coat, give him your shirt also.n If anyone takes away what is yours,o  do not demand its return,p  for you cannot.q To anyone who asks something of you, give it to him, and do not ask for it back,r  for the Father desires that gifts be given to all from His own riches. Blessed is he who gives charitably according to the commandment, for he is blameless. Woe to him who receives. If a needy man receives charity, he is blameless, but anyone is not in need will be called to account for why he accepted it. And being imprisoned, he will be interrogated concerning his actions, and he will not be released until he has repaid every last penny.s Indeed, it has also been said: Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you have discerned to whom you will give.

THE SECOND COMMANDMENT

This is the second commandment of the teaching. You shall not murder.t You shall not commit adultery.u You shall not be sexually perverse.v You shall not be sexually promiscuous.w You shall not steal.x You shall not practice magic.

You shall not practice sorcery.z You shall not murder a child by abortion, nor kill a child at birth. You shall not covet your neighbor’s things.a You shall not commit perjury.b You shall not bear false witness.c You shall not speak evil.d You shall not bear a grudge.e You shall not be double-minded nor double-tongued, for the double tongue is a snare of death.f Your words shall not be false or empty, but fulflled in your actions. You shall not be greedy,g  nor a swindler, nor a hypocrite, nor bad-tempered, nor proud. You shall not plot against your neighbor. You shall not hate any man, but you shall reprove some, and you shall pray for others, and others you shall love more than your own life.

THE “FENCES”

My child, fee from every evil thing, and everything that is like it. Do not be angry, for anger leads to murder. Do not be jealous, nor argumentative, nor hot tempered; for all of these things give birth to murder. My child, do not be lustful, for lust leads to sexual promiscuity. Do not speak obscenely, and do not have wandering eyes; for all of these things give birth to promiscuity. My child, do not deal in omens, since it leads to idolatry. Do not be an enchanter, nor an astrologer, nor a magician—do not even be around such things; for all of these things give birth to idolatry. My child, do not be a liar, since it leads to theft. Do not be greedy or vain; for all of these things give birth to theft. My child, be not a complainer, since it leads to blasphemy. Do not be stubborn nor evil-minded; for all of these things give birth to blasphemy. Be meek, since the meek shall inherit the earth.i Be patient, and merciful, and sincere, and quiet, and kind, and always fearing the words which you have heard.j Do not praise yourself, and do not let arrogance enter your soul. Do not join your soul with a pompous person,k  but walk only with the righteous and the humble. Whatever happens to you, accept it as good, knowing that nothing is done without God. My child, remember him who proclaims to you the word of God. Remember him night and day,l  and honor him as the Lord; for wherever he speaks, the Lord himself is there. Every day, seek out the company of the saints, that you may find rest in their words. Do not cause division, but bring peace between those who dispute. Judge righteously.m Do not favor one side when you reprove others. Do not be double-minded when you consider whether or not a thing should be. Do not hold out your hand to receive, only to pull your hand back when you should give. If you have gained something through your work, give it away as a ransom for your sins. Do not hesitate to give, nor complain when you give, for you know the good paymaster of your reward. Do not turn away from anyone who is in need, but share everything with your your brother, and do not say that anything is your own.n  For if you all share in the heavenly things, how much more in earthly things? Do not relax your control over your son or your daughter, but from their youth teach them the fear of God. Do not give a command in your anger to your servant, who trusts in the same God, lest he ceases to fear the God who is over both of you. For he does not call men according to worldly status, but he comes to those whom the Spirit has prepared. And you who are servants, be obedient to your masters as to God, in respect and fear.o Hate all hypocrisy, and everything that is not pleasing to the Lord. Never forsake the Lord’s commandments. But you shall guard the things which you have received, neither adding to them nor taking away from them.p Confess your sins in church, and do not go to prayer with a guilty conscience. This is the Way of Life.

THE WAY OF DEATH

BuT the way of death is this. First of all, it is evil and full of curses: murder, adultery, lust, promiscuity, theft, idolatry, magical arts, witchcraft, robbery, false testimony, hypocrisy, duplicity, treachery, pride, malice, stubbornness, greed, foul language, jealousy, arrogance, pride, and boasting.q Persecutors of good men, hating truth, loving a lie, not knowing the reward of righteousness, not adhering to the good  nor to good judgment, alert to evil rather than to good; neither gentle nor patient; loving worthless things,s  pursuing a reward, not having mercy on the poor, not working for the downtrodden, not recognizing the God who made them, murderers of children, corrupters of God’s creation, turning away from the needy, oppressing the aficted, advocates of the rich, unjust judges of the poor—sinful in every way! May you be delivered, my children, from all these things.

CONCLUSION

Beware, lest anyone lead you astray from this way of righteousness, for he teaches apart from God. For if you can bear the whole yoke of the Lord, you will be perfect; but if you cannot, do as much as you can.

Corresponding Scriptures to the first chapter:

a Jer. 21:8; Mat. 7:13. b Lev. 19:18; Mat. 22:37-39. c Mat. 7:12. d Luke 6:28; Mat. 5:44. e Luke 6:27-28; Mat. 5:44. f Luke 6:32. g Luke 6:33; Mat. 5:46-47. h Luke 6:27; Mat. 5:44. i 1 Pet. 3:13. j 1 Pet. 2:11. k Mat. 5:39; Luke 6:29. l Mat. 5:48, 19:21. m Mat. 5:41. n Mat. 5:40. o Mat. 5:42; Luke 6:30. p Luke 6:30. q Mat. 5:39. r Luke 6:30; Mat. 5:42. s Mat. 5:25, 18:34; Luke 12:58. t Exod. 20:15(13). u Exod. 20:13(14). v Lit. “You shall not corrupt boys.” w Deut. 23:17. x Exod. 20:14(15). y Deut. 18:10.

z Deut. 18:10. n Mat. 5:40. o Mat. 5:42; Luke 6:30. p Luke 6:30. q Mat. 5:39. r Luke 6:30; Mat. 5:42. s Mat. 5:25, 18:34; Luke 12:58. t Exod. 20:15(13). u Exod. 20:13(14). v Lit. “You shall not corrupt boys.” w Deut. 23:17. x Exod. 20:14(15). y Deut. 18:10. i Ps. 37:11; Mat. 5:5. j Isa. 66:2. k Rom. 12:16; Jas. 2:2-3. l Heb. 13:7. m Deut. 1:16-17; Prov. 31:9.

n Acts 4:32. o Eph. 6:1-9; Col. 3:18–4:1. p Deut. 4:2, 12:32. q Mat. 15:19; Rom. 1:29; Gal. 5:20. r Rom. 12:9. s Ps. 4:2; Isa. 1:23. t Epistle of Barnabas 19:8.

Standard
Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

A Personal Reflection

Having taken a sabbatical prior to Lent, I realized that the call of God was stronger. So I threw myself into Lent, giving up social media and television to focus on reading and studying. It led me to start a diploma course in Divinity studies and strengthened my desire to be in God’s Holy Scriptures.

While I attend Catholic mass and am a confirmed Roman Catholic, the readings and studies have drawn me closer to my Evangelical roots. I was washed by the blood of Christ in 1996 as a Seventh Day Adventist. I was confirmed Catholic in 1999. But for almost 20 years did not attend mass on a regular basis. Because of rules of the church, I was not allowed to take Eucharist. So for that 20 years, I went to various churches.

Since 2019, I was allowed to receive Eucharist again, but from time to time felt the need to step away from the building of the church but not my faith. So I since that time, I have taken a few personal sabbaticals to immerse myself into scripture and prayer.

That leads me to today. At Easter, me and some of my children went to the local Methodist church that my daughter attends. My 22 year old son was to go but had been placed in the hospital with a life threatening issue. At that point, I did what I could do. I opened up payer warriors from everywhere and everyone I could. Having seen the power of miraculous healing before (during my Evangelical years) I knew it was the only way to fix the situation.

My son was born with a congenital heart defect where he was born without the main pump chamber of the heart. He had various surgeries that remedied it but still lives with complications at times. This night, he was admitted for a saddle embolism and clots in the lungs, A saddle embolism is a massive clot that blocks the aortic entry into both lungs.

I knew that only God Himself could deal with the problem. He was transferred to another hospital where he had his surgeries and was the place his cardiologist was. When they took more x-rays and another CT scan the next day, the prayer had worked. There was no sign that he had ever had the clots or embolism. The doctors could not explain it. There was nothing there. He went from an 80% chance of death to a full removal of all clots and the embolism. There will be nobody that will ever tell me it was not a healing of Divine intervention.

That week, he asked something he had never asked. He wanted to go to church that next Sunday. So, we found a church but something led me to take him to one that I had been to a couple times a few years ago. It is a Pentecostal church. We went.

Another prayer was answered this last Sunday. My son, an avowed Odinist was touched and made the altar call. We were both crying. Me from happiness and him from finally understanding God’s love and forgiveness. Why we went there and not my normal Catholic church or the church we had decided on was because at that time on that day, God was going to deliver my son’s soul only a week after delivering his physical need.

Those two acts by Christ Jesus and the pull on me to go back to the well, so to speak, have led me to a point of not only reaffirming my faith in God through the power of Christ’s cleansing blood, but has started to rekindle that fire I once had inside me.

Praise be to God, in Christ, through the Holy Ghost.

Standard
Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

Ghosts, Spirits, and Demons, OH MY!

Over the last few decades, ghost hunting has been a huge event worldwide. Shows like Ghost Hunters have elevated it to the point groups around the country have formed. I will admit, I like going out from time to time when something feels off. However, despite what is thought, is not actually the case.

I will not say that entities do not exist. They do and there has been quite a bit of evidence scientifically. The issue is not whether or not there are entities, the issue is what is actually being found. Whether the evidence is caught on video, in an EVP, a ghost box, through a Ouija board/witch board, or even through the medium you visited in New Orleans, it is not your dear granny, the lady that died mysteriously, or Johnny Cash. What you are capturing is demonic.

The Bible gives clear instruction on the dead in many places. And in revealing the scriptures, it will also bring to view the idea that death does not immediately mean Heaven  or Hell for the recently departed. And as you know, most preachers when giving the funeral services, more than not he will say that Mr. So and So is now in heaven. You never hear they went to hell, no matter how evil the person was. Nor do they go to a place of limbo (Purgatory for Catholics) to be cleansed of any remaining sin that was not bad enough to go to Hell. And Hell itself will be dealt with in another article.

The writers of the Old Testament tells us that the dead have no knowledge, memory, or ability. For there is no mention of You in death; In Sheol who will give You thanks? (Psalms 6:5). Will Your wonders be made known in the darkness? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? (Psalms 88:12). Will You perform wonders for the dead? Will the departed spirits rise and praise You? Selah. Will Your loving kindness be declared in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon? (Psalms 88:10-11). The dead do not praise the Lord, Nor do any who go down into silence; (Psalms 115:17).

In other Old Testament books we find more writings of the dead. For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten (Eccl 9:5). Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going (Eccl 9:10). 

Other scriptures in the Old Testament speak of death as sleep. But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age (Daniel 12:13). And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt (Daniel 12:2).

The bible makes it clear that a person dies, that is it it until the resurrection of the dead. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return (Genesis 3:19).Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead (Isaiah 26:19). And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt (Daniel 12:2).For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first (1st Thess 4:16).

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years (Rev 20:4-6).

Now, there are two terms, Sheol (Hebrew) from the Old Testament and Hades (Greek) from the New Testament. Both of these terms simply mean the grave. So all that die are headed to Sheol/Hades. It is that 6×6 hole in the ground.

The Bible is clear that the dead are just that, DEAD, until the resurrection. Now, you hear this verse often, Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it (Eccl 12:7). Most think that when term spirit is used in this verse, that is the person’s essence (being) going to Heaven. This can’t be the way the term means because it does not differentiate saved and non-saved. That would mean that all go to Heaven, and we know by Scripture that only those who believe in Christ and follow His commandments are saved and go to Heaven. The spirit spoke of here is strictly the breathe of life, Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (Genesis 2:7).

Since ghosts and haunts are not those that have passed, what are they? They are demons, or more correctly, Lucifer (Satan) and the third of the angels that followed him. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (6:12). Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you (1 Peter 5:8-10). Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time (Rev 12:12).And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him (Rev 12:9).

So the next time you hear that disembodied voice that sounds like a loved one, a friend, someone you don’t know from the past, or Michael Jackson remember that the dead are dead until resurrection and that they know nothing because their is no type of life within or from them, pray to the Lord for aid and send the entity from you pleading the blood of Christ. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

Standard
Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

Commandment 2: No Graven Images

You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:4-6 (NIV)

While most know the first part of this commandment but don’t go on to read the second part. This has led to various concepts of the verses and the commandment. The Amish have no images (pictures, faced dolls, statuary, etc) because they believe that these can lead to false worship and ego. But then you have the Catholic Church which allow it in certain ways.

The Catholic Church has combined the 1st and 2nd commandments and split the 10th commandment into two commandments. This allows them the use of statuary in private and parish worship. So in this concept, we will look at how not every man made image is an idol or god and how some are within Christendom.

The first part of the commandment leads directly into the second part. What makes a man made image a sin is the person’s giving it adoration given only to God. So the pictures of your kids, a concert poster, an star’s autographed picture, the garden gnome are NOT what the commandment is referring to. These are just images UNLESS you bow down to them and give them the adoration and praise allowed only to God.

The Catholic Church has statuary, prints, reliefs, etc that correspond to those they deem saints, the blessed mother of Christ, the walk to the cross, etc. What makes them sin is the prayers and adoration given them. The catechism states that worship is given only to God (which is true). The part that is in defiance of the 2nd commandment is giving prayers to the saints that these statues and prints that represent them. No where in the Holy Scriptures does it say to pray to the dead (which the saints and mother of Christ are).

It actually says not to pray to them because they can’t hear prayer. For the living know that they will die,but the dead know nothing;they have no further reward,and even their name is forgotten.Their love, their hateand their jealousy have long since vanished;never again will they have a partin anything that happens under the sun. Eccl 9:5-6 (NIV)

Now, they will bring up Moses and the making of the image of a serpent. But as you will see, that image was ordered by God and not worshiped, but only looked upon.  They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way;they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.”So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. Numbers 21:4-9 (NIV). Jesus later told what this action actually was.Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. John 3:14 (NIV).Prayer is a form of worship (https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/blog/prayer-is-an-act-of-worship/). Worship is to God alone. So not matter what you pray to or worship, if it is NOT God alone it is a violation of the commandment of God. This would include pagan gods and deities. As well as the saints, the mother of Jesus, and any image of them.

Standard