John 6 and what Jesus was saying to his disciples

Do you really believe that?

 

I believe that Protestantism is heresy. God is the final Judge of individuals' souls and their culpability. However, all Christian peoples are part of the Body of Christ through their adoption via the Sacrament of Baptism. Even though different Christian denominations believe differently about that Sacrament, it is still efficacious as Baptism is conferred via water and the words of consecration and does not need apostolic authority to be conferred (the bible tells us to Baptize one another). I was Baptized in a Protestant denomination and did not need "re-baptism." We do the best we can in the circumstances of our lives. God is Merciful.

 

Apostolic authority certainly isn't inherited... I don't think Jesus was Catholic. Heresy is a strong word.

 

No..it is passed on via the Sacrament of Holy Orders. This is seen Biblically in the acts of laying on of hands and in the succession of Matthias who was elevated to apostleship to replace Judas.

So it is.

 

If it were passed via the sacrament of Holy Orders, we wouldn't have pedophile priests.

 

No. People are sinners. Peter sinned. Paul sinned...All people are subject to falling short of the glory of God. Judas sinned and refused redemption--and he knew the love of Jesus face to face.

Your assumption is false.

 

Jesus told the 12 to "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."

My suggestion is that if this apostolic succession remains with the priests, they should use it more often? I would think that at least one dead person could have been raised within the last 2000 years and this expectation is hardly an "everyday thing" so my faith in the priesthood is low,not even enough faith for the absolution of my sins.

Yes I do believe in miracles and power and healing and that God forgives us through our own repentance but I think all that exists within the believing mind, not any particular "authority."

Please take no offense because I do like the Catholic Church but I think they wanted to hold the patent on the Holy Spirit.

 

Matt 10
[7] And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
[8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay.

You do recognize that you are referencing events prior to Jesus' death and Resurrection? That period was before The Kingdom was established.

Peter raised Tabitha in Joppa. (Acts 9)

The priest doesn't absolve you, Jesus does through His instrument, the priest.

That's good to believe, but God did not leave you to your own guesses and your assuming that the Holy Spirit guides you. After all, MANY sincerely believing people come to different conclusions. Jesus left an established Church to discern the Will of God--it is documented in Acts and elsewhere. If you believe the Bible is an authority, refer to Acts 15 for a clear example of an authoritative, hierarchical Church body.

 

The church was pretty disorganized in the first century... and fragmented between the teachings of Paul and the teachings of James.

 

So you're acknowledging an authoritative Church, I see. To you also, I suggest Acts 15. Please note verses 6-12 where Peter discerns the Teaching. It is true, however, that James then states the rule. That is how it works in the Magisterium.

 

When Matthew says .. the kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God is at hand I think he means that the Temple will be destroyed and instead of living under the old Law of Moses, they would be living under the new covenant ..

Look at the parables of the fig trees which bear fruit twice a year in Palestine.. The promise seems to be that Judaism will not longer bear fruit.

Don't ignore the political landscape of the time. Jesus lived under occuption and Roman laws. That should be evident from the Sermon on the Mount.

 

Your point? Can't things have multi-layered meaning?

 

They most certainly do have multi layered meanings.

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/

Early Christian writings.

 

They most certainly do have multi layered meanings.

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/

Early Christian writings.

 

By all means, do read the teachings of the Early Church Fathers--The established Church of the most definitely reflects the worship practices and beliefs of the modern Catholic Churches. This is not to say there weren't heretics back then, too.

 

Heretics? I don't think so.. I think everyone and their cousin were writing about Jesus and his message.

 

How does that make heretical teaching any less heretical?

 

It only means the victor decided what was heretical.

 

Sure, it was Jesus telling them that. Point ?

I said "priests" not Peter.

Does it without his "instrument."

More specific please ?

 

The victor in what? The Church in Acts? Where is anything anyone is "victorious" over?

 

Peter was a priest--he was appointed and chosen by God.

He does that too. However, perfect contrition is difficult (IOW, contrition based solely on sorrow for offending God and not out of some self-serving motivation). The gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is that an audible absolution assures the weak flesh of the sinner and gives that person a moment in time to recognize he is freed from the bondage of his sin. God doesn't need the priest, we do because we are so attached to our sense perceptions.

I followed up with Margot, but basically the whole chapter tells the story of it.

 

Most scholars think the Book of Acts was written by Luke.

 

So? Paul's companion, right? What victory there?

 

We all are

Revelation 1:4-6 "To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood [6] and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Under the old way, only the priests had access to God

So you are saying that some people 'Need' to hear that they are forgiven when they have had a change of heart (repentance) while others don't need to hear it but know they are forgiven without having to hear it from another.

 

http://www.jeevanjal.org/jeevanjal/rm8.html
http://www.stpeterslist.com/4546/fr-higgins-the-man-i-saw-brought-back-to-life/