ANG KATOTOHANAN SA LIKOD NG PAG-IIKAPU AYON SA BIBLIA.

Kung hindi ninyo nalalaman, gumawa na ako ng isang artikulo ukol sa topic na ito ng pag-iikapu ng mga kasalakuyang Cristiano lalo na’t halata naman na ang ilang tao sa kasalukuyan ay ginagamit ito para kumita at pagkakitaan ang salita ng Dios. Kadalasan kapag tinatanong ng mga karaniwang tao na hindi palabasa sa Biblia ang kanilang pastor tungkol dito, ito ang palagian nilang sinisitas:

Malakias 3:10- ADB 

Dalhin ninyo ang buong ikasangpung bahagi sa kamalig, upang magkaroon ng pagkain sa aking bahay, at subukin ninyo ako ngayon sa bagay na ito, sabi ng Panginoon ng mga hukbo, kung hindi ko bubuksan sa inyo ang mga dungawan sa langit, at ihuhulog ko sa inyo ang isang pagpapala, na walang sapat na silid na kalalagyan.

Kung titingnan maigi ang talata, napakaganda nga namang pangako ito ng Dios kapag nagbibigay tayo ng ikapu dahil pagpapalain daw naman pala tayo anupa’t hindi raw magkakasya sa ating mga lalagyan. Lubha nga namang kaenga-engayo ang magbigay, ano po ? Kaya naman marami sa Born Again ngayon ang nahihikayat na magbigay dahil nga sa bagay na ito bukod sa ilang sekta sa kanila na ginagawa itong obligatoryo kung saan ang bawat kasapi ay inoobliga na magbigay kada linggo, o buwan, o kinsenas.

Maliban sa pag-enganyo ng mabuting pangako, minsan naman ay tinatakot ng mga pastor ang mga tao lalo na yung mga may balak na magtago sa paniningil ng ikapu, dahil nga ayon sa palagian nilang sinisitas;

Malakias 3:8-9-ADB 

Nanakawan baga ng tao ang Dios? gayon ma'y ninanakaw ninyo ako. Nguni't inyong sinasabi, Sa ano ka namin ninakawan? Sa mga ikasangpung bahagi at sa mga handog.  Kayo'y nangagsumpa ng sumpa sapagka't inyo akong ninakawan, sa makatuwid baga'y nitong buong bansa.  

Aba’y kasumpa-sumpa raw naman pala ang hindi magbigay kaya naman marami ngayon sa mga Born Again at ilang mga Protestante ay napipilitan na lang magbigay. Ito nga ba ay turo ni Cristo? Nilinaw na natin sa nakaraang artikulo na si Cristo sa kanyang buong ministerio ay walang sinabing anuman ukol dito. Si Apostol Pablo na apostol ni Cristo Jesus mismo ang nagsabi:

2 Corinto 9:7- AB   

Magbigay ang bawa't isa ayon sa ipinasiya ng kaniyang puso: huwag mabigat sa loob, o dahil sa kailangan: sapagka't iniibig ng Dios ang nagbibigay na masaya.

Aba, e dapat pala’y bukal sa loo bang pagbibigay at hindi napipilitan lamang. Bukal ba sa kalooban ang pagbibigay ng ikapu o sadyang napakabigat sa kalooban?

2 CORINTO 8:12-MBB  

Sapagkat kung bukal sa kalooban ang pagbibigay, tatanggapin ng Diyos ang inyong nakayanan; hindi niya hinihintay na magbigay kayo nang hindi ninyo kaya.

Aba e, kung mabigat nga naman talaga sa bulsa, pwede naman pala magbigay kahit sa maliit na halaga lalo na’t marami rin naman ang naghihirap ngayon? E kung hindi talaga kakayanin ang ikapu, dapat ba talagang obligahin ng mga pastor ang mga kawawang miembro na magbigay para lamang pagkakitaan ang mga ito? Ano po?

Ngunit ano po ang nakikita natin ngayon sa mga sektang ito ng Born Again:

“From its beginning in 1845, THE CONVENTION HAS EMPHASIZED GIVING. Still today, the SBC is among denominations that encourage believers TO GIVE AT LEAST 10 PERCENT of their income through their local church. Leaders of the two major faith-based financial service ministries -- Crown Financial Ministries and Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University -- do as well.”

Source: http://www.abpnews.com/new-voice-stories/item/8128-to-tithe-or-not-to-tithe%E2%80%94that-is-the-question

“ We believe and teach the giving of ten percent of one’s income to be an integral part of the Christian’s walk with the Lord. Abraham paid tithe before the Law was given, and in the New Testament Christ affirmed the paying of tithes. God’s blessings of prosperity are promised to those who tithe. Tithing demonstrates God’s ownership in our lives.” 

Source: http://www.christvictorychurch.com/about/doctrinal-statement/ 

Hindi raw dapat bumaba sa 10% ayon sa mga Southern Baptist Churches. At dogmatic naman ito sa Victory Church. Papaano ngayon nila nasusunod si Cristo gayong winika ni San Pablo dapat hindi ito obligatoryo. Sa katotohanan nga, hindi ikapu ang sinisingil ni Pablo bagkus ay mga abuloy o ambagan na isinasagawa ng iglesia tuwing Linggo;

1 Corinto 16:1-2 ADB 

Ngayon tungkol sa ambagan sa mga banal, ay gawin din naman ninyong gaya ng iniutos ko sa mga iglesia ng Galacia. Tuwing unang araw ng sanglinggo ang bawa't isa sa inyo ay magbukod na magsimpan, ayon sa kaniyang iginiginhawa, upang huwag nang gumawa ng mga ambagan sa pagpariyan ko. 

Bukod pa sa ikapu, marami rin sa ilang kulto at sekta ang naniningil din ng offering na hiwalay sa ikapu. Aba, tiba-tiba na ata ang mga pastor sa mga pera nito kaya hindi nakapagtataka na marami ang yumayaman kapag nagtatatag sila ng mga movements tulad nito. Isa na rito si Quiboloy na may private jet at si Eddie Villanueva na may mga kotse at mamahaling SUV. Hindi na ito kataka-taka dahil ang profile ni Eddie ay businessman:

Ngayon dumako na tayo sa kung ano ba ang totoong ikapu sa Biblia;

Ang tunay na ikapu sa Biblia ay iniutos sa Israel at hindi sa Cristiano, maliban na lamang kung Judio na tayo ngayon at marapat na magbigay ayon sa Kautusan sa Luma.

Malakias 4:4 

Alalahanin ninyo ang kautusan ni Moises na aking lingkod na aking iniutos sa kaniya sa Horeb para sa buong Israel, sa makatuwid baga'y ang mga palatuntunan at mga kahatulan. 

Dahil sa nagbagong-buhay na tayo kay Cristo, marapat na magbigay tayo sa paraang Cristiano at hindi sa paraang luma:

HEBREO 8:13  

Nang sabihin ng Diyos ang tungkol sa bagong kasunduan, pinawalang-bisa na niya ang una. At anumang pinapawalang-bisa at naluluma ay malapit nang mawala. (MAGANDANG BALITA)

 At sa Bago, ang sinisingil ay “ABULOY” at hindi “IKAPU”. Ngayon sinusunod baga talaga ng mga born again at mga Protestante ang batas ng pag-iikapu ayon sa nakasaad sa Malakias na naaayon daw sa kautusan ni Moises?

Dapat nating malaman mga kapatid na ang “Pag-iikapu ay isinasagawa HINDI KADA BUWAN, KADA KINSENAS O KADA LINGGO TULAD NG ISINASAGAWA NG MGA KULTO. May tiyak na panahon para rito, o taon ng Pag-iikapu.

Deuteronomio 14:22-ADB 

Iyo ngang pagsasangpuing bahagi ang lahat na bunga ng iyong binhi na nanggagaling TAON-TAON sa iyong bukid.

 Taon-taon magtitipon ng ikapu  dinadala ito sa Templo ng Dios sa Jerusalem. Dito ngayon mabibibwak ang kada buwan na ikapu ng mga born again, kada linggo na ikapu o kada kinsenas. Maliban dito, mayroon din na tinatawag na year of tithing na sinisingil kada tatlong taon;

Deuteronomio 14:28-ADB 

 Sa katapusan ng bawa't tatlong taon ay iyong kukunin ang buong ikasangpung bahagi ng iyong bunga ng taong yaon, at iyong ilalagay sa loob ng iyong mga pintuang-daan: 

Nasusunod ba ng mga pastor ang mga ito?

Bukod pa sa kada-taon na ikapu at ang year of tithing na tinitipon sa kada tatlong taon, mayroon pang tinatawag na tithe of the tithe o ikapu ng ikapu na iniaalay bilang handog na itataas sa Panginoon, samakatwid baga’y mga susunuging handog o ang tinatawag na “korban” ng mga Judio. Ang kahulugan ng korban ay mga alay o handog na kadalasa’y sinusunog o itinataas sa Panginoon.

Bilang 18:26 

Bukod dito'y sasalitain mo sa mga Levita, at sasabihin mo sa kanila, Pagkuha ninyo sa mga anak ni Israel ng ikasangpung bahagi na aking ibinigay sa inyo mula sa kanila na inyong pinakamana, ay inyong ihahandog nga na pinakahandog na itinaas sa Panginoon, ang ikasangpung bahagi ng ikasangpung bahagi. 

Samakatwid, magbabahagi ng ikapu ang mga tumanggap ng ikapu (Levita) sa Panginoon na ituturing bilang terumah o korban ayon sa mga rabbis ng Judio bilang handog na itataas sa Panginoon samakatwid maaaring ikonsiderang omah o burn offering.

May ilan din akong tinanong na born again na kung saan ang pinag-gagamitan ng ikapu nila ay pagbabayad ng kuryente, internet, gasoline ni pastor sa kanyang service at iba pa, Ngunit kaylanman ay hindi binanggit ito ng Biblia. Ang tunay na ikapu kaylanman ay hindi nasa monetaryo o nasa anyong-pera bagkus mga “goods” o ang mga naani at napisan sa sakahan, pastulan at triguhan. Ang tunay na ikapu ay nakapokus sa charity o kawanggawa ng Israel sa loob ng sambayanan nito maging sa dayuhan.

Deuteronomio 14:29 

Bukod dito'y sasalitain mo sa mga Levita, at sasabihin mo sa kanila, Pagkuha ninyo sa mga anak ni Israel ng ikasangpung bahagi na aking ibinigay sa inyo mula sa kanila na inyong pinakamana, ay inyong ihahandog nga na pinakahandog na itinaas sa Panginoon, ang ikasangpung bahagi ng ikasangpung bahagi. 

Ito ay nakakain dahil nasa anyong- “good”  o mga pagkaing-ani na naani o napisan mula sa lupain;

Bilang 18:31-32 

At maaari nilang kainin iyon kahit saan, pati ng kanilang sambahayan sapagkat iyon ang kabayaran sa kanila sa paglilingkod nila sa Toldang Tipanan. 32 Hindi kayo magkakasala sa pagkain ng matitira kapag naibukod na ninyo ang pinakamaiinam. Ngunit kung hindi pa naibubukod at naihahandog kay Yahweh ang mga pinakamaiinam, at ito'y kinain ninyo, ituturing na nilalapastangan ninyo ang handog ng mga Israelita, at kayo'y dapat mamatay."

Palagi rin nating tandaan na ang mga Levitang pari lamang ang pinagkatiwalaan dito at hindi ang mga Pastor ng kahit anong sektang umaangkin na sila’y Kristyano. Ito ay marahil sa katotohanang ang BATAS SA PAG-IIKAPU o ang Kautusan na ito ay pinagkaloob lamang sa mga Israelita at hindi kaylanman sa mga Cristiano bilang susundin na batas.

Ngayon, paano kapag nilabag ito?

HEBREO 10:28 

Ang mapatunayang lumabag sa Kautusan ni Moises batay sa patotoo ng dalawa o tatlong saksi ay walang awang pinapatay. (MAGANDANG BALITA)

Katulad nga sa sinabi ng Bilang 18:32;

"Ngunit kung hindi pa naibubukod at naihahandog kay Yahweh ang mga pinakamaiinam, at ito'y kinain ninyo, ituturing na nilalapastangan ninyo ang handog ng mga Israelita, at kayo'y dapat mamatay."

Ngunit bilang mabuting Cristiano ay wala na tayo sa kautusang ito, samakatwid ang mga Kautusan ni Moises kaya naman hindi na natin kaylangan pa na magbigay ng ikapu dahil lalabas na dapat din pala nating sundin ang lahat ng tuntunin nito.

Roma 7:4& 6- MBB 

“Gayon din naman, ang mga kapatid, NAMATAY NA KAYO SA KAUTUSAN nang kayo’y maging bahagi ng katawan ni Cristo…Kaya’t naglilingkod tayo sa Dios hindi dahil sa lumang tuntuning”

COLOSAS 2:16  

“Kaya’t huwag na kayong magpapasakop pa sa anumang alituntunin . . .”

GAWA 13:39  

At sa pamamagitan niya ang bawa't nananampalataya ay inaaring ganap sa lahat ng mga bagay, na sa mga ito'y hindi kayo aariing ganap sa pamamagitan ng kautusan ni Moises. (ANG DATING BIBLIA) 

Tayong mga Cristiano ay inatasan magbigay ng bukas sa kalooban. Walang dapat magpilit sa atin, wala rin dapat ang maglimita sa ano ang minimum na ating ibibigay. 

Refuting the Plagiarized Lies of Mr. Anon Nymous PART 5

(ON THE NECESSITY OF THE CHURCH FOR SALVATION)

One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church ( the One True Church)

Anon NymousMarch 25, 2014 at 11:43 PM

Catholic False Doctrine 5
The Roman Catholic Church claim that salvation is only possible through herself.

"There is no salvation outside the church (Roman Catholic Church)." (Pope John Paul II, Radio Message for Francisan Vigil at St Peter's and Assisi, October 3, 1981)

"Salvation is to be found nowhere but in the church (Roman Catholic Church), the strong and effective instrument of salvation is none other than the Roman Pontificate." (Pope Leo XIII, Allocution for the 25th Anniversary of his election, February 20, 1903. (Papal Teachings: The Church, Benedictine Monks of Solesmes, St Paul Editions, Boston, 1962, par. 653)

Again, the Bible exposes this teaching of the Roman Catholic Church as false. Not only that, it is one of the most dangerous doctrines there is. To say that salvation lies only within the Roman Catholic Church is blasphemous against the ONLY ONE who can save us, which is Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:10-12 .....'Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.'

REPLY:

Here we are again in another part of our rebuttal against the plagiarized lies of Mr. Anon Nymous who is trying to deceive others by his plagiarized statements. It is proven in the previous parts that all of his statements are certified lies and hoaxes. In the previous parts of this series, we have exposed his act of plagiarism, his lies in quoting some of our Catholic books, his historical lie and his misrepresented understanding about Catholic dogmas. Again, we will expose another set of his lies to prove that the Catholic Church is truly the bulwark of truth. (1 Tim. 3:15)

Catholic False Doctrine 5
The Roman Catholic Church claim that salvation is only possible through herself.

"There is no salvation outside the church (Roman Catholic Church)." (Pope John Paul II, Radio Message for Francisan Vigil at St Peter's and Assisi, October 3, 1981)


This time, Mr. Anon Nymous misrepresented again the quote to prove that the Catholic Church teaches false doctrine which according to him, “the Church in its own self can save”. The quote again was misquoted. This is the whole statement of Pope John Paul II:

"THE MYSTERY OF SALVATION IS REVEALED TO US AND IS CONTINUED AND ACCOMPLISHED IN THE CHURCH...and from this genuine and single source, like 'humble, useful, precious and chaste' water, it reaches the whole world. Dear young people and members of the faithful, like Brother Francis we have to be conscious and absorb this fundamental and revealed truth, consecrated by tradition: 'There is no salvation outside the Church.' FROM HER ALONE THERE FLOWS SURELY AND FULLY THE LIFE-GIVING FORCE DESTINED IN CHRIST AND IN HIS SPIRIT, TO RENEW THE WHOLE OF HUMANITY, AND THEREFORE DIRECTING EVERY HUMAN BEING TO BECOME A PART OF THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST." (Pope John Paul II, Radio Message for Franciscan Vigil in St. Peter's and Assisi, October 3, 1981, L'Osservatore Romano, October 12, 1981.)”

The above statement clarifies that the assurance of salvation inside the Church is greater than the outside by stating that by the Church alone, there flows SURELY AND FULLY THE LIFE- GIVING FORCE IN DIRECTING EVERY HUMAN BEING TO BECOME PART OF MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST. It does not say the exact plagiarized statement of Mr. anon Nymous by saying that the Church claim that salvation is only possible through herself. On the other hand, the above statement of Blessed Pope John Paul II is not a new doctrine since it was already taught even at the early age of Christianity. Saint Paul said that Christ saves His body:

Ephesians 5:23- NLT [emphasis added] 

For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. HE IS THE SAVIOR  OF HIS BODY, THE CHURCH.

Saint Paul clarifies that Christ saves His body, the Church which was built on the Rock [Peter] (Matt. 16:18). God wants to save everyone but more specifically He wants to save the Church thus, commissioning the Church to proclaim Christ all over the nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). The salvation is for everyone through the Church. To proclaim the Salvation for all human beings, God used the Church and not the Bible. THEREFORE, THE CHURCH WAS BUILT TO BECOME THE INSTRUMENT OF SALVATION JUST LIKE HOW OUR APOSTLES AND OUR BLESSED VIRGIN MARY BECAME CO-REDEMPTRIX IN PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS OF REDEMPTION. In fact, the plagiarized statement of Mr. Anon nymous by saying that the “Church claim that salvation is only possible through herself” IS A COMPLETE LIE since we Catholics believe that God is our Savior:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church itself affirms the fact that Jesus saves:

CCC 430:

JESUS MEANS IN HEBREW: "GOD SAVES." At the annunciation, the angel Gabriel gave him the name Jesus as his proper name, which expresses both his identity and his mission.¹⁸ Since God alone can forgive sins, it is God who, in Jesus his eternal Son made man, "will save his people from their sins".¹⁹ in Jesus, God recapitulates all of his history of salvation on behalf of men.

The CCC also says:

CCC 432:

The name "Jesus" signifies that the very name of God is present in the person of his Son, made man for the universal and definitive redemption from sins. IT IS THE DIVINE NAME THAT ALONE BRINGS SALVATION, AND HENCEFORTH ALL CAN INVOKE HIS NAME, FOR JESUS UNITED HIMSELF TO ALL MEN THROUGH HIS INCARNATION, SO THAT "THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED.

The Catholic Church accepts the fact that Jesus saves, the only Divine Name that brings Salvation. Therefore, the claim of Mr. Anon Nymous that our doctrine is false falls flat on his face since the Catholic Church never denies Jesus as our Sole Savior.

"Salvation is to be found nowhere but in the church (Roman Catholic Church), the strong and effective instrument of salvation is none other than the Roman Pontificate." (Pope Leo XIII, Allocution for the 25th Anniversary of his election, February 20, 1903. (Papal Teachings: The Church, Benedictine Monks of Solesmes, St Paul Editions, Boston, 1962, par. 653)

Again, the Bible exposes this teaching of the Roman Catholic Church as false. Not only that, it is one of the most dangerous doctrines there is. To say that salvation lies only within the Roman Catholic Church is blasphemous against the ONLY ONE who can save us, which is Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:10-12 .....'Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.'

The above statement does not contradict the Bible at all. In fact, this proves the idiocy of Mr. Anon Nymous because he did not comprehend the statement itself: 

"Salvation is to be found nowhere but in the church (Roman Catholic Church), the strong and effective instrument of salvation is none other than the Roman Pontificate."

Mr. Anon Nymous missed the point of stating the phrase “effective instrument of salvation.” The Pope and the Church are both instruments of salvation and the Church itself is the place where we can find salvation. Saint Paul said:

1 Timothy 3:15- NRSV [emphasis added] 

if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of  God, which is THE CHURCH of the living God, THE PILLAR AND BULWARK OF THE TRUTH.

The Church itself IS THE GROUND, THE PILLAR AND THE BULWARK OF TRUTH. IT IS THE SOURCE OF TRUTH. NOW, LET’S ASK THE BIBLE WHAT IS THIS TRUTH:

John 14:6- NRSV [emphasis added] 

 JESUS SAID TO HIM, “I AM THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus is THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. Can you see the word “TRUTH” in that particular verse? Of course, everyone can see it. Jesus is the Truth but the Bible also states something which is even more mysterious: The Bible also says, THE CHURCH IS THE BULWARK AND THE PILLAR OF TRUTH. JESUS IS TRUTH AND THE CHURCH IS THE BULWARK OF TRUTH, THEREFORE THE CHURCH IS THE BULWARK OF JESUS, THE PLACE WHERE WE CAN FIND JESUS. 

The Bible claims that Jesus saves, the source of SALVATION of everyone who believes in Him (Acts 4:12 & John 3:16), the Bible says that Jesus is truth (John 14:6) and the bulwark of truth IS THE CHURCH (1 Tim. 3:15). If we are going to base our faith in the Bible, what would be the conclusion? Well, what’s your decision? On these three points, we can conclude that Jesus as Head resides in His Body, the Church. IN FACT, THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST IS IN THE CHURCH, THUS MAKING THE CHURCH AND CHRIST AS INSEPARABLE MEAN OF SALVATION:

Ephesians 1:22-23 NRSV [emphasis added] 

 And He has put all things under His feet and has made Him [Christ]  THE HEAD OVER ALL THINGS FOR THE CHURCH,  WHICH IS HIS BODY, THE FULLNESS OF HIM WHO FILLS ALL IN ALL.

Basically, Christ will never be a complete one without His body. HIS FULLNESS CAN BE VIVIDLY SEEN BY HIS BODY, AND THIS MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST IS NONE OTHER THAN THE CHURCH. WE DO NOT WANT A BEHEADED CHRIST, DO WE? IF WE LOVE CHRIST AS HEAD, THEREFORE WE MUST ALSO LOVE THE CHURCH AS HIS BODY. THESE TWO MUST NOT BE SEPARATED.

There is even more greatness in the Church because it teaches unity with Christ and unity of people and unity with the Father making them One (John 20:21) . Saint Paul said:

1 Corinthians 12:12 –KJV [emphasis added]  

For as the body is one, and hath many members, AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF THAT ONE BODY, BEING MANY, ARE ONE BODY: SO ALSO IS CHRIST.

Saint Paul also continued that everyone needs one another, so as for Christ is the fullness of one complete body, we can see the necessity of the Church in our salvation. Each one of us is necessary. We need Christ but Christ also needs us, because He sees us as brothers and sisters of one complete happy family, the Church (Heb. 2:11). The Bible has clarified it in the verse 21 of the same Chapter of Saint Paul’s epistle to Corinthians:

1 Cor. 12:21 –KJV [emphasis added] 

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: NOR AGAIN THE HEAD TO THE FEET, I HAVE NO NEED OF YOU.

1 Cor. 12:21- NLT [emphasis added] 

The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” THE HEAD CAN’T SAY TO THE FEET, “I DON’T NEED YOU.”

We all know that the single head of this mystical body of Christ is Christ Himself. From that particular verse, we can certainly conclude the fact that Christ needs His Church. He cannot say to us [Church] that He doesn’t need us because it is clear in the Scripture itself.

Colossians 1:18- NLT [emphasis added] 

CHRIST IS ALSO THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH, WHICH IS HIS BODY. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.

 The common misconception among our separated brethren including Mr. Anon Nymous is that, they separate Christ and His Church but the Bible contradicts this fallacious idea because the Bible states:

Romans 8: 38-39- NLT [emphasis added] 

And I am convinced that NOTHING CAN EVER SEPARATE US from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Indeed, Christ also said:

Matthew 28:20- NLT [emphasis added]  

“And be sure of this: I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE.”

He is always with the church and no one can separate Christ from His Church, thus making us one with CHRIST AND ONE WITH THE FATHER (Jn. 20:21). This is included in one of the four marks and attributes of the Church. The Church is ONE!

CCC 813:

THE CHURCH IS ONE BECAUSE OF HER SOURCE: "THE HIGHEST EXEMPLAR AND SOURCE OF THIS MYSTERY IS THE UNITY, IN THE TRINITY OF PERSONS, OF ONE GOD, THE FATHER AND THE SON IN THE HOLY SPIRIT." The Church is one because of her founder: for "the Word made flesh, the prince of peace reconciled all men to God by the cross, . . . restoring the unity of all in one people and one body." The Church is one because of her "soul": "It is the Holy Spirit, dwelling in those who believe and pervading and ruling over the entire Church, who brings about that wonderful communion of the faithful and joins them together so intimately in Christ that he is the principle of the Church's unity."Unity is of the essence of the Church.

Now, does the Church condemn those who are outside? Of Course not. The Church also believes in Merciful God who with His Divine Judgment can look upon the heart of everyone according to human’s conscience in doing good things. The Catechism clarifies this doctrine of Extra Ecclessiam nulla salus in the paragraphs 839-848:

CCC 842: 

The Church's bond with non-Christian religions is in the first place the common origin and end of the human race:
All nations form but one community. This is so because all stem from the one stock which God created to people the entire earth, and also because all share a common destiny, namely God. His providence, evident goodness, and saving designs extend to all against the day when the elect are gathered together in the holy city. .    CCC 843: The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. THUS, THE CHURCH CONSIDERS ALL GOODNESS AND TRUTH FOUND IN THESE RELIGIONS AS "A PREPARATION FOR THE GOSPEL AND GIVEN BY HIM WHO ENLIGHTENS ALL MEN THAT THEY MAY AT LENGTH HAVE LIFE.”

The CCC further clarifies:

CCC 847 

This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - THOSE TOO MAY ACHIEVE ETERNAL SALVATION.(lumen gentium)

Another Catholic book states:

“We do not believe, of course, that all non-Catholics go to hell, any more than we believe that just calling oneself a Catholic will get one to heaven. The dictum that “Outside theChurch, there is no salvation,” means no salvation for those who are outside the Church through their own fault. One who has been a Catholic and who deliberately abandons the Church cannot be saved unless he returns... THOSE,HOWEVER, WHO ARE OUTSIDE THE CHURCH THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, AND WHO DO THE BEST THEY CAN ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY KNOW, MAKING GOOD USE OF THE GRACES THAT GOD SURELY WILL GIVE THEM IN THE VIEW OF THEIR GOOD WILL- THEY CAN BE SAVED.” (p.175, The Faith Explained- 3^rd edition. Fr. Trese, Leo J.)  

That’s how merciful the Church is because of the truth that God is merciful too. The Church has this doctrine because it is not asked to judge and condemn those people outside who are innocently ignorant about what truth is. Saint Paul said:

1 Corinthians 5:12-13- NIV [emphasis added] 

 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  GOD WILL JUDGE THOSE OUTSIDE.

Is the Adventist church doing this? I don’t think so. Every time we look upon Adventist websites, they keep on attacking our doctrines and condemning us as enemies of God and Satanic. That’s how they condemn and judge us by their malicious minds and by their prejudiced conscience. This contradicts the Bible, what do you think?

Before I end this part 5 of our series, allow me to quote one verse in Paul’s epistle to Philemon:

Philemon 1:19- NLT [emphasis added] 

I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. AND I WON'T MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL!

If Philemon owed Saint Paul (a priest and a member of the Church) for his salvation, how much more we owe the Church in its contribution in proclaiming the Gospel, in building our civilization, in contributing advancement in Science and Philosophy and even in preserving and compiling the Bible!  IS IT HARD TO SAY “THANK YOU” MR. ANON NYMOUS?

Refuting the Plagiarized Lies of Mr. Anon Nymous PART 4

(On the Assumption of Mary and Mary Co-redemptrix)

The Blessed Virgin Mary at the foot of the Cross
Source: catholicsoul.tumblr.com

[Anon Nymous March 25, 2014 at 11:39 PM 

Catholic False Doctrine 4

The Roman Catholic Church claim that Mary is in Heaven and is co-redeemer with Jesus. 

"That we may rightly say she (Mary) redeemed the human race together with Christ." (Benedict XV, Inter Sodalicia, 1918) 

"In fact, by being assumed into Heaven she (Mary) has not laid aside the office of salvation, but by the manifold intercession she continues to obtain for us the grace of eternal salvation." (John Paul II, Dives in Misericordia, 1980, quoting Lumen Gentium) 

Praise God that we have His Word to expose these false and dangerous teachings. There is ONLY ONE Mediator between God and man, and that is Christ Jesus. The Bible also reveals that those who have died in Christ are still in their graves awaiting the resurrection. Mary is in her grave, NOT in heaven. 

1 Timothy 2:5 .....'For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.']

REPLY: As we proceed on the fourth instalment of our series of rebuttals, we notice that the arguments that are being presented are becoming more and more obnoxious and absurd. Again, we will scrutinize, expose and debunk another set of fallacious and ‘epic fail’ statements of Mr. Anon Nymous just like what St. Paul taught us to do:

Ephesians 5:11

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Mr. Anon Nymous [through his plagiarized en toto comment] wrote: 

Anon Nymous March 25, 2014 at 11:39 PM 

Catholic False Doctrine 4 

The Roman Catholic Church claim that Mary is in Heaven and is co-redeemer with Jesus. 

"That we may rightly say she (Mary) redeemed the human race together with Christ." (Benedict XV, Inter Sodalicia, 1918) 

"In fact, by being assumed into Heaven she (Mary) has not laid aside the office of salvation, but by the manifold intercession she continues to obtain for us the grace of eternal salvation." (John Paul II, Dives in Misericordia, 1980, quoting Lumen Gentium) 

This time, Mr. Anon Nymous shortly attacks the Dogma of Mary’s Assumption and the unofficial catholic teaching on Mary as the co-redemptrix by again citing Catholic documents which are most probably taken out of context. He seeks to challenge the biblical basis of these catholic Marian beliefs and categorizes it as another “Catholic False Doctrine.” 

As usual in response to this, we are willing to once again present the scriptural evidences that demolishes the erroneous notions of heretics, this time with regards to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Let me point out some of the basic and essential facts on each of these Marian teachings.

THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY

The Assumption of Mary painted by Palma Vecchio
Source: wikipedia.com 

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is primarily the result of her sinlessness as tackled on the previous blog post. Since God, in anticipation of his Incarnation, saved and preserved Mary from sin, then Mary is not subject to bodily CORRUPTION and DEATH.

Romans 6:23 [emphasis added]

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Again, this points us to the PROTOEVANGELIUM pronounced by God himself right after the Fall of Adam and Eve.

Genesis 3:15 [labelled for emphasis] 

I will put enmity between you [Satan] and the woman [Mary],
and between your offspring [works of Satan; i.e. sin/death] and hers [Jesus Christ];
he will strike your head [Resurrection of Christ],
and you will strike his heel.[Sufferings of Christ; i.e. Crucifixion]”

Christ along with Mary is the fulfilment of this very early prophesy.  Mary in order to be in enmity with the old serpent must be set apart from the works of the latter, thus she must be sinless. It is also understandable that Christ's flesh and blood are purely Marian in origin. Therefore if Mary has a stain of sin then Christ must also possess it. But then as we know, this is not the case.   

So again, if Mary is sinless then she cannot suffer DEATH!

Now this leads to the discussion of whereabouts of Mary.

Accordingly, Mary is already in HEAVEN as St. John of Patmos wrote in his vision:

Revelation 11:19 

Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

As we know, this God's Temple refers to Jesus himself:

John 2:21

But he was speaking of the temple of his body.

Revelation 21:22 

I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.

but what about the Ark of the Covenant?

We have a good number of evidences that says MARY IS THE NEW ARK OF THE COVENANT. As we have noted in our post regarding Marian Veneration, 2 Samuel 6:1ff are parallel to Luke 1:39ff showing Mary's visitation to Elizabeth. Striking parallelism is exhibited to the greetings of Mary's cousin which is almost verbatim to that of David. The Church also argues that Mary indeed personified the ARK OF THE COVENANT for she literally bore in her womb the Living Bread (Manna), the Highest Priest and the incarnate Word of God.

Surprisingly, the next verses of Johannine vision do not shift topic but instead continue revealing what John saw in HEAVEN.

Revelation 12:1

A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

Now, it has been noted that Jesus, the new Adam (cf. Rom. 5:14; 1 Cor. 15:22, 45), never called her "mother, mama, mom, etc" but only "WOMAN" (cf. Jn 2:4, 19:26-27; Gal. 4:4; Rev. 12:1ff) not to disrespect her but to emphasize the fulfilment of the prophesied woman of Genesis on her.

So before any other biblical exegeses, this woman in heaven who has feet and head (v. 1) and who gave birth to a son who will rule nations (v. 5) pertains to none other than Mary in the most literal sense. This is a clear affirmation of Mary's Assumption in Heaven!

MARY AS THE CO-REDEMPTRIX

This title is not officially proclaimed by the Church but catholic theologians still offer possible biblical evidences with regards to Mary as the Co-redemptrix.

As an example, let us consider this Pauline epistle to the Colossians:

Colossians 1:24 [emphasis added] 

I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.

It is significant to note that Jesus' one and complete sacrifice in Calvary is not only enough but superabundant for the redemption of the humankind. However, St. Paul emphasizes that this sacrifice must continue in history through man's participation and cooperation in the salvation of the world, thus qualifying us including MARY to be "co-redeemers" with Christ.

Of course, this does not equate us to Christ. The prefix "co-"  does not always imply equality but simply cooperation just like what St. Paul wrote in his Corinthian epistle: "we are co-workers in God’s service" (cf. 1 Cor. 3:9 NIV)

This explains why the belief on MARY AS CO-REDEEMER WITH CHRIST is seen as biblically correct and consistent.

Mary's coredemption is highly exceptional and unique in nature compared to other Christians because of her intimate relationship with Christ. As St. Simeon prophesied:

Luke 2:35  [emphasis added] 

so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Indeed, Jesus' suffering is deeply connected to that of Mary. If Jesus suffered so much in the Cross, how much more Mary who witnessed the pains of his only beloved son? If St. Paul without any blood relations with Jesus could say: “I am crucified with Christ” (Gal. 2:20), how much more Mary--the Mother of the Redeemer?

Mr. Anon Nymous also wrote:

Praise God that we have His Word to expose these false and dangerous teachings. There is ONLY ONE Mediator between God and man, and that is Christ Jesus. The Bible also reveals that those who have died in Christ are still in their graves awaiting the resurrection. Mary is in her grave, NOT in heaven.

1 Timothy 2:5 .....'For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.'

Mr. Anon Nymous’ remarks are deceptively brief and simplistic. Without having established anything yet, he then concludes that those marian teachings discussed above are nothing but "false and dangerous."  He did not even spare some of his time considering the Catholic positions in this matter. As a result, his 'conclusion' is significantly too far from what he had discussed. Remember that he started with Mary's Assumption and Co-redemption. But now instead of refuting these two he deviate and proceed to another topic of CHRIST SOLE MEDIATION.

This inconsistency and doctrinal dance proves that Mr. Anon Nymous cannot even establish a logical case. His objections to the catholic faith are highly pathetic due to his inability to comprehend the Word of God and his deliberate misunderstanding of Church documents.

By the way, the context of 1 Timothy 2 is not about the exclusivity of mediation of Jesus Christ. In contrary, St. Paul speaks of "petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving" to be made by all Christians for our good on the first verses of this chapter.

Moreover, the original greek text of 1 Timothy 2:5 is as follows:

1 Timothy 2:5 Mounce Reverse-Interlinear New Testament (MOUNCE-emphasis added)

Forgar there is oneheis Godtheos, andkai oneheis mediatormesitēs between Godtheos andkai peopleanthrōpos; a personanthrōpos, ChristChristos JesusIēsous

Notice the term "heis" which is translated as "one" in English.

heis 

Word Origin
a primary number 

Definition
one 

NASB Word Usage
agreement (1), alike* (1), alone (3), common (1), detail (1), first (9), individual (2), individually* (1), lone (1), man (1), nothing* (1), one (282), one another (1), one man (2), one thing (5), one* (2), person (1), single (1), smallest (1), someone (2), thirty-nine* (1), unity (1).

Source: NAS Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries available at <http://biblehub.com/nasec/greek/1520.htm>

Instead of the word "monos" which means absolute and exclusive uniqueness, St. Paul intentionally used "heis" to denote "first" and "unity." It suggests "pre-eminence" of Christ' Mediation without excluding that of minor mediators.

In the Old Testament alone we see many other mediators:

Abraham (Genesis 18:22- 26)
Moses (Exodus 32:30-32)
Jeremiah (Jeremiah 42:1-5)
David (1 Chronicles 21:17, 26-27)
Angels (Job 33:23-24)

And in the New Testament, saints served as mediators in the form of intercessory prayers:

St. Peter (Acts 8:24)
St. Paul (Colossians 1:9)
Christians (James 5:16; Colossians 4:2-4; 1 Thessalonian 5:25; Romans 15:30)

And of course, the Blessed Virgin Mary's intercession during the Wedding at Cana which paved the way for the first sign of Jesus Christ (John 2:1-12)

Now, this "pre-eminence" of Christ' Mediation comes from his unique and distinct mediation of the new covenant:

Hebrews 8:6 [emphasis added]  

But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted through better promises.

Hebrews 9:15 [emphasis added]

For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.

But by virtue of our communion with him [Christ is the Head, We are the Body], we are made partakers of his unique MEDIATION in the same way we share in his distinct PRIESTHOOD.

Now, he goes on to say: "Mary is in her grave, NOT in heaven."

So where are the remains of Mary? Where is her grave? Mr. Anon Nymous does not tell.

Now, our challenge is this: IF YOU COULD FIND ANY ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCES ON MARY'S REMAINS AND HER ORIGINAL GRAVE, WE WILL CONCEDE AND RETRACT! BUT IN THE CASE YOU COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING,  REPENT AND CONVERT!

+Pax Christi! 

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*Unless otherwise stated, all scriptural verses cited by the author of the blog are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.