The battle cry of the heavenly host as they expelled Satan was, "Who is like unto God" which is the meaning of the word Michael. The leader of the heavenly host that cast Lucifer and his followers into hell was Saint Michael the Archangel.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Do not be afraid... Come follow me!
I am starting to really enjoy the use of inputing video into my blog. Here is a great film on the priesthood and the necessity of it.
I watched this for the first time today and it brought tears to my eyes on some of the more touchy areas like the car wreck. That was based on a true vocation story.. what a lucky person that young man was to recieve at the end like that, he must have had a great devotion to Our Lady!
Speaking to the Christians scattered throughout the Roman world and to all true believers today: "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession..." (NASB 1Peter 2:9). It seems contradictory to elevate and outfit men in fine garments and call only them priests. Christ himself lowered himself to the position of even washing the disciples feet. Just a thought...
The Catholic Church acknowledges that we are all called to be a holy priesthood; however, this in no way excludes another priesthood. It should be noted that while the Jews were described as a kingdom of priests in the Old Testament (Ex 19:6), they also had a separate Levitical priesthood! Peter, in writing his letter, reminds his readers that while they, too, are a priesthood of believers, they also have an additional priesthood in place (like in Ex 19:6). Furthermore, Peter was referring to priestly holiness in a universal sense, not priestly function, because if you look at the context, you see that Peter is exhorting holy actions, not functions:
"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" (1 Peter 2:1-2)
"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious," (1 Peter 2:4)
"Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner," (1 Peter 2:7)
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;" (1 Peter 2:9)
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;" (1 Peter 2:11)
"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:12)
"For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." (1 Peter 2:15-17)
"For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully." (1 Peter 2:19)
"For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:20-21)
This theme of exhortation to holiness is seen in the preceeding chapter:
"Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:" (1 Peter 1:21-22)
And seen in the following chapter as well:
"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." (1 Peter 3:8-12)
Basically, we are all priests in terms of offering the sacrifices of prayer (Heb13:15), almsgiving (Heb 13:16), and faith (Phil 2:17), but this different than the presbyteros' special authority to forgive sins power to forgive sins in Jesus' name (Luke 24:47, John 20:21-23, 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, James 5:15) and also given the power to change the wine into the blood of Christ and the bread into his body. We need Priests to baptise us, to marry us, to bury us, ect.. Your right, we are a royal priesthood, but Christ also instituted another Priesthood and that is comprised of those that are "called" by him. Just like he "chose" the 12 apostles, he also chooses certain people to follow him as a Priest to lead the people.
Michael, First, and foremost, I want to thank you for your attitude in this comment to me. Your previous comments have been very attacking in nature, and this is truly a healthy debate of the issues. So, thanks...on with the debate of issues.
the only one who has any authority to forgive sins is God. Jesus fogave people of their sins countless times in the Bible, and anyone else who was preaching Jesus told people that they needed to seek God for forgiveness. We as believesrs, however, can reassure people that if they come before God in true sorrow and repentance for their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive them; we do not offer God's fogiveness to them since that is something only He can give. THe role of the priest in the OT is much different than that of a pastor as described in the NT. The priest was the only one who could go before God and offer sacrifices for all the people for the forgiveness of their sins. He did this by entering into the Holy of Holies. God was, in fact, so serious about this that the priest went in with a rope tied around him so that if he was in any way unclean in the eyes of God, God could strike him dead, and the people could pull him out without entering into the presence of God. But when Jesus died on the cross, the veil was torn which surrounded the holy of holies where prior to that only priests could enter. The signifigance is clear. Jesus now had made a way so that people could come directly to God for the forgiveness of their sins. They no longer needed to come before a priest and confess. Also, there is no Biblical support for turing the bread into the body of Christ and the wine into the blood. If this were so, Christ would have instituted the act of communion after he had died on the cross instead of before. He was showing the disciples a symbol by the breaking of bread and the giving of wine that He would be broken for them and His blood would be spilled out for the forgiveness of their sins. He then commanded them to do this act of communion whenever they come together as a reminder of what Christ was about to do on the cross. Although, now I am sure that you are thinking about John 6:53-ff which states that unless you eat of the flesh...and drink of His blood...you have no life in you. But if you eat and drink the body and blood you will have eternal life.... The problem with that, however, is that Jesus had not yet commanded the disciples to partake in the act of communion. It was not until later that Christ instituted that as a practice to remember what Christ did on the cross. This passage is a symbol as Jesus being our spiritual food. The whole context is talking about Jesus being the bread of life. He begins this comparison after they had eaten bread which would satisfy their physical need, but He was telling them that they also had a spiritual need. A person does not receive eternal life by simply taking of the bread and wine at communion--if this were true, Jesus would not have been crucified, died, buried, and risen again. The act of communion is to recall to our minds the enormity of His sacrifice for us on the cross. As far as having an additional priesthood in place, the only position in place is that of a pastor or shepherd. One who would lead the people in the teachings of Christ. The OT priesthood has now been fulfilled in Christ as the High priest and true believers as the priesthood. As to those who are called. Called is another word for the elect. THe elect is a group of people chosen by God before the foundations of the world. THe Elect are the true believers. And yes, there is a separate calling for teachers, pastors, etc...but they are not given any other authority than to teach Christ and lead the people. Luke 24:47 speaks of proclaiming the fogiveness of sins. We are all to proclaim that there is now a way to be forgiven by God and that is because of Jesus. This in no way speaks to idea that only some can proclaim a person forgiven. THe same goes with John 20:23. A believer could tell people that they would be forgiven by God if they truly repented. This can be cross referenced with Matt 16:19. Jesus is speaking to the disciples and telling them that they could tell people with certainty they would be forgiven or not. "whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven....(Matt 18:18 and matt 16:19). All of your verses do speak about forgiveness, but in no way speak to special authority given to any one person or group of priests to forgive sins. I think that I have dealt with all the issues you raised. As far as marry, bury, and baptize. Any ordained person can do those things. And sadly, in this culture any old person can be ordained to do those things. SOrry this posted comment is not as wonderfully flowing as I would like it to be. I have encountered many distractions, and had to leave my writing you many times and come back, but all my thoughts are here.
6 comments:
This is the DVD "Fishers of Men". I ordered a DVD copy around a year ago I think. Overall, it was a wonderful video. I really, really enjoyed it.
I watched this for the first time today and it brought tears to my eyes on some of the more touchy areas like the car wreck. That was based on a true vocation story.. what a lucky person that young man was to recieve at the end like that, he must have had a great devotion to Our Lady!
St. Michael,
Happy Feast Day!!
Speaking to the Christians scattered throughout the Roman world and to all true believers today: "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession..." (NASB 1Peter 2:9). It seems contradictory to elevate and outfit men in fine garments and call only them priests. Christ himself lowered himself to the position of even washing the disciples feet. Just a thought...
Doc,
The Catholic Church acknowledges that we are all called to be a holy priesthood; however, this in no way excludes another priesthood. It should be noted that while the Jews were described as a kingdom of priests in the Old Testament (Ex 19:6), they also had a separate Levitical priesthood! Peter, in writing his letter, reminds his readers that while they, too, are a priesthood of believers, they also have an additional priesthood in place (like in Ex 19:6). Furthermore, Peter was referring to priestly holiness in a universal sense, not priestly function, because if you look at the context, you see that Peter is exhorting holy actions, not functions:
"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" (1 Peter 2:1-2)
"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious," (1 Peter 2:4)
"Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner," (1 Peter 2:7)
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;" (1 Peter 2:9)
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;" (1 Peter 2:11)
"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." (1 Peter 2:12)
"For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." (1 Peter 2:15-17)
"For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully." (1 Peter 2:19)
"For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:20-21)
This theme of exhortation to holiness is seen in the preceeding chapter:
"Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:" (1 Peter 1:21-22)
And seen in the following chapter as well:
"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." (1 Peter 3:8-12)
Basically, we are all priests in terms of offering the sacrifices of prayer (Heb13:15), almsgiving (Heb 13:16), and faith (Phil 2:17), but this different than the presbyteros' special authority to forgive sins power to forgive sins in Jesus' name (Luke 24:47, John 20:21-23, 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, James 5:15) and also given the power to change the wine into the blood of Christ and the bread into his body. We need Priests to baptise us, to marry us, to bury us, ect.. Your right, we are a royal priesthood, but Christ also instituted another Priesthood and that is comprised of those that are "called" by him. Just like he "chose" the 12 apostles, he also chooses certain people to follow him as a Priest to lead the people.
Michael,
First, and foremost, I want to thank you for your attitude in this comment to me. Your previous comments have been very attacking in nature, and this is truly a healthy debate of the issues. So, thanks...on with the debate of issues.
the only one who has any authority to forgive sins is God. Jesus fogave people of their sins countless times in the Bible, and anyone else who was preaching Jesus told people that they needed to seek God for forgiveness. We as believesrs, however, can reassure people that if they come before God in true sorrow and repentance for their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive them; we do not offer God's fogiveness to them since that is something only He can give. THe role of the priest in the OT is much different than that of a pastor as described in the NT. The priest was the only one who could go before God and offer sacrifices for all the people for the forgiveness of their sins. He did this by entering into the Holy of Holies. God was, in fact, so serious about this that the priest went in with a rope tied around him so that if he was in any way unclean in the eyes of God, God could strike him dead, and the people could pull him out without entering into the presence of God. But when Jesus died on the cross, the veil was torn which surrounded the holy of holies where prior to that only priests could enter. The signifigance is clear. Jesus now had made a way so that people could come directly to God for the forgiveness of their sins. They no longer needed to come before a priest and confess.
Also, there is no Biblical support for turing the bread into the body of Christ and the wine into the blood. If this were so, Christ would have instituted the act of communion after he had died on the cross instead of before. He was showing the disciples a symbol by the breaking of bread and the giving of wine that He would be broken for them and His blood would be spilled out for the forgiveness of their sins. He then commanded them to do this act of communion whenever they come together as a reminder of what Christ was about to do on the cross. Although, now I am sure that you are thinking about John 6:53-ff which states that unless you eat of the flesh...and drink of His blood...you have no life in you. But if you eat and drink the body and blood you will have eternal life.... The problem with that, however, is that Jesus had not yet commanded the disciples to partake in the act of communion. It was not until later that Christ instituted that as a practice to remember what Christ did on the cross. This passage is a symbol as Jesus being our spiritual food. The whole context is talking about Jesus being the bread of life. He begins this comparison after they had eaten bread which would satisfy their physical need, but He was telling them that they also had a spiritual need. A person does not receive eternal life by simply taking of the bread and wine at communion--if this were true, Jesus would not have been crucified, died, buried, and risen again. The act of communion is to recall to our minds the enormity of His sacrifice for us on the cross.
As far as having an additional priesthood in place, the only position in place is that of a pastor or shepherd. One who would lead the people in the teachings of Christ. The OT priesthood has now been fulfilled in Christ as the High priest and true believers as the priesthood.
As to those who are called. Called is another word for the elect. THe elect is a group of people chosen by God before the foundations of the world. THe Elect are the true believers. And yes, there is a separate calling for teachers, pastors, etc...but they are not given any other authority than to teach Christ and lead the people.
Luke 24:47 speaks of proclaiming the fogiveness of sins. We are all to proclaim that there is now a way to be forgiven by God and that is because of Jesus. This in no way speaks to idea that only some can proclaim a person forgiven. THe same goes with John 20:23. A believer could tell people that they would be forgiven by God if they truly repented. This can be cross referenced with Matt 16:19. Jesus is speaking to the disciples and telling them that they could tell people with certainty they would be forgiven or not. "whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven....(Matt 18:18 and matt 16:19). All of your verses do speak about forgiveness, but in no way speak to special authority given to any one person or group of priests to forgive sins.
I think that I have dealt with all the issues you raised.
As far as marry, bury, and baptize. Any ordained person can do those things. And sadly, in this culture any old person can be ordained to do those things.
SOrry this posted comment is not as wonderfully flowing as I would like it to be. I have encountered many distractions, and had to leave my writing you many times and come back, but all my thoughts are here.
Post a Comment