Month: August 2008

Names of Jesus – Day 21 – Carpenter

On By KateIn Catholicism, Devotionals, Salvation, Scriptures4 Comments

Is this picture too precious or what? What a beautiful depiction of the Lord’s mission on earth! It goes well with today’s name of Jesus – Carpenter!

~Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

We can assume that Joseph taught Jesus the carpenter trade as a child. I can see Jesus playing beside Joseph’s workbench, can’t you? As He matured into a teenager, I can see Him working side-by-side with Joseph to earn a living for the family. Jesus used His carpentry skills in His teachings.

~Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (24) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (25) And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: (26) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (27)

Notice that Jesus said whoever hears His words and heeds His words is building his faith upon the Rock. The Carpenter knows how to build a house and He also knows what type of foundation is best. Christ likened our faith in Him as one who builds his house upon a rock. That house is solid and is unshakable – even when the rains came, the floods came and the winds blew! Now that’s a solid house! When we liken this visual picture to our own spiritual lives, we must ask ourselves if our faith in Christ is as unshakeable. Are you certain of your faith? Are you certain that you are going to Heaven when you die? Are you certain beyond a shadow of a doubt? Be honest with yourself. The Word says,

~1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

Jesus Christ is the Rock on which we must build our house of faith! As a catholic, I build my faith on the catholic church. I had always been taught that Peter is this rock. However, this is contrary to many Scriptures. When the Scriptures contradict a religious belief, one must make a decision for one’s self. Do I believe God’s Holy Word or do I believe what I have been taught by my religious leaders?

Our Carpenter, Jesus Christ, longs to help us build our house of faith, my friend. He longs for us to build it upon Him.

~John 5:39-40 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (39) And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (40)

Won’t you search the Word of God and learn from the Great Carpenter how to build your house of faith upon the Rock?

~Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ( 28 ) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (29) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (30)

Christ’s salvation does not involve burdens. I had a heavy burden of sin upon my shoulders as a catholic. The catholic church never removed my heavy burden. But the day I truly met the Carpenter, He took that burden completely away. With no exaggeration, I felt a hundred pounds lighter the moment I accepted Christ as my Saviour according to the Scriptures. I repented of my sins and changed direction in my life. It was at this point that I began to build my house of faith upon the Rock as my Carpenter taught me in His Word! Praise the God of Glory and Mercy!

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Free Indeed by Alexander Carson

On By KateIn Catholicism, Good Reading, Salvation, Testimony2 Comments

Free Indeed

Former Priest Alexander (Sandy) Carson

From childhood to age forty-four, then in my seventeen years as a Roman priest (1955-1972), the Roman Catholic Church had been the pillar of truth to me and my infallible guide to God. This “pillar of truth,” the Roman Church, was not constructed solely of the infallible Scriptures, but also constructed of man’s “traditions” apart from Scripture, which were held to be revelations from God, but which in fact contradicted and were in opposition to the plain teachings of Scripture.

During the first century days of the Apostles, truth was being preached in the streets and Temple areas of Jerusalem. That would eventually make up the content of the New Testament. The book of Acts, chapter 6 verse 7, bears testimony to that preaching: “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” At great personal cost, those Jewish Old Testament priests left all to follow Jesus. When their hearts were pierced by the truth, that “two edged sword” the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12), they left all to follow Jesus. All former Catholic priests who have become “obedient to the faith” can certainly relate to this passage (Acts 6:7), from Wycliffe, Huss, and Luther down to the present day. At different times and in various ways God has used His written Word to set men, even Catholic priests, free! “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). In 1972, while I was pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rayville, Louisiana, USA, the Lord’s truth and grace became clear as day to me. Here is my full story.

Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation

In 1928 I was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church as an infant. When I was just over a year old my family moved from New York State to New Milford, Connecticut, where I was raised in the Catholic faith. I thoroughly believed in all Catholic practises and beliefs, and I took my relationship to the Church, and therefore to God, very seriously. My first communion and confirmation were important events to me. After high school, I went to Tufts College in Boston to study pre-med, hoping one day to become a medical doctor like my revered uncle. However, at the end of two years of study, I really desired to become a priest. I felt it was more important to help people spiritually than to aid them medically.

The Seminary

In September of 1948, I began studies for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, and Massachusetts. How I loved the seminary! Everything was so “holy” there. Nevertheless, at the end of my first year in the seminary, I withdrew. I felt I could never measure up to being a priest, being convinced at the time that it was the highest possible call on a young man’s life. I attended Boston College (Jesuit) and served Mass almost every morning at a local Catholic monastery. At this time, during the Fall of 1949, God saved me by His grace (the only way!) even though I did not know a lot about the Bible. Jesus saves the believing repentant even though they walk in a measure of confusion and darkness. I had come to a place where I was uncertain about my relationship with God, and I wanted to be sure about that above everything else.

A Confession Absolutely Different

One night I knelt in a confessional booth and confessed every sin of my life that I could bring to mind.At confession I always really confessed my sins to God first, though it was in the presence of the priest who would give “absolution.” “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness…” (I John 1:9). After I expressed my repentance and while the priest was giving the ritual “absolution,” I cried out to God with my heart, saying, “God, if you’ll forgive all my sins, I take you as Lord of my heart and I’ll serve you the rest of my life!” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). Leaving that confessional box and walking across the transept of the church, I felt a great peace and “Abba, Father!” rang in my heart. I knew that I had a relationship with God! This did not happen because of the presence of a priest and liturgical absolution. It happened because of the presence of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest Who made intercession for me and Who made me the object of His grace, mercy, and compassion. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-9).The next year I re-entered the seminary to complete studies for the priesthood, the best way I knew to serve God at the time. I was ordained by Bishop Lawrence Shehan of Bridgeport, Connecticut on February 2,1955, and began ministry as a Diocesan, or secular, priest in the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana. The great excitement and joy I felt about my unique position of service began to wane after a few years, and try as I might to do everything right; it became empty, meaningless ritual.

The Bible — A New Standard

In 1971, after several years of crying out to God for something more meaningful, my great hunger was abated. Jesus and the Word of God (Scriptures) became very real to me. Because “…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts…” (Romans 5:5), the Holy Spirit led me to judge Roman Catholic theology by the standard of the Bible. Before, I had always judged the Bible by Catholic doctrine and theology. It was a reversal of authority in my life.On a Sunday night in July 1972, I began to read the Book of Hebrews in the New Testament. This letter exalts Jesus, His priesthood, and His sacrifice over all the Old Covenant or Testament. This is some of what I read: “Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself…” (Hebrews 7:27). This startled me, and I began to feel very uneasy. I understood for the first time that Jesus’ sacrifice was a one-time sacrificial offering at Calvary, in itself effectual to reconcile me to God and believing repentants of all ages. I saw at this time that the “Holy Sacrifice of the Mass” offered by me and thousands of other Catholic priests daily throughout the world was a fallacy and completely irrelevant. If the “sacrifice” I daily offered as a priest was meaningless, then my “Priesthood” which existed for the purpose of offering that “sacrifice” was likewise without meaning. These realizations were soon clearly confirmed as I continued to read in Hebrews Chapter10: “But this man, (Jesus) after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (v. 12-14). “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin” (v. 18).

Saved by God’s Grace Alone

That night the Roman Catholic Church lost credibility for me, as it had taught as truth what was clearly contrary to the Scriptures. I then chose the Scriptures as my standard of truth, no longer accepting the magisterium, or teaching authority of the Catholic Church as my standard. In my letter of resignation from the Catholic Church and ministry, I stated to the bishop that I was leaving the priesthood because I could no longer offer the Mass, as it was contrary to the Word of God and to my conscience. This was in 1972. It was not long before I was baptized by immersion, began Biblical studies and was ordained to the Gospel ministry.For over twenty years I have walked in the freedom of which Jesus spoke, saying, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32), and “If the Son therefore shall make you free,ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).Alexander (Sandy) Carson Through 1994 his ministry was mostly in seminary, evangelism and preaching in Florida, U.S.A. Then in1995 he did extensive preaching across parts of Eastern Europe. In March 1996 he went on a 6-week ministry in Siberia. From a radio interview with Bob Bush, a Russian believer in California contacted him.As a result, he has returned to Russia and Eastern Europe to proclaim the Gospel.

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Schools — 1957 vs. 2007

On By KateIn MiscellaneousLeave a comment

A friend of mine sent this to me in an email. I don’t know how it was started or if any of the facts are from real-life situations. However, the point that comes across is so good and so truthful!!!

Scenario: Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.

1957 -Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack’s shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2007 -School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.

1957 -Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2007 -Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario: Jeffrey won’t be still in class, disrupts other students.

1957 -Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2007 -Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor’s car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1957 -Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.

2007 -Billy’s dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy’s sister that she remembers being abused herself and the dad goes to prison. Billy’s mom has affair with psychologist.

Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.

1957 -Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.

2007 -Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.

1957 -Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.

2007 -Pedro’s cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro’s English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario: Johnny takes apart left over firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.

1957 -Ants die.

2007 -ATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny’s Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.

1957 -In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2007 -Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

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Names of Jesus – Day 20 – Deliverer

On By KateIn Catholicism, Devotionals, Encouragement, Salvation, Scriptures4 Comments

While looking at this graphic, one can get the feeling of being delivered from harm’s way. Searching the Scriptures for this name of our Saviour really blessed me! My spirit was encouraged and lifted up!

~2 Samuel 22:2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;

~Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

~Psalm 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

~Psalm 70:5 But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

~Psalm 144:2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

~Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Noah Webster defines the word deliverer as:

1. One who delivers; one who releases or rescues; a preserver.

Christ releases us from the sin debt that mankind has owed since the fall of Adam and Eve! The catholic church would have you believe that the catholic’s debt is not fully paid until after he is released from purgatory. However, that is a work and is not covered under the Grace of God. The Word says:

~Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Therefore, to the one who believes that Christ’s payment for our sin debt is not enough but one must add penance and indulgences with purgatory, then that person is under the sin debt for certain. But Christ said that He released us from this debt, my friend!

The word deliverer also means “rescues.” Oh what a precious picture in the mind’s eye! We are rescued from burning in hell! Like the graphic above, Christ’s payment for our sins rescues us from eternal punishment! We no longer need to work our way to heaven because the payment is paid and our salvation is secure in His hands!

And lastly, the last definition for deliver is “preserver.” Oh my! Our salvation is preserved by Christ, Himself! God is not a mere man who can fail us. He is the God of Glory and securely holds our salvation forever!

~Luke 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

~2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

~Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

There is nothing else that needs to be done for our salvation. Christ died once for all. He paid the price once for all. When we repent and believe in Him, we need only do it once for all eternity. Jesus, our Deliverer, has our salvation securely in His hand!

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Are You a Nicolaitan?

On By KateIn Catholicism, Scriptures, Traditions4 Comments

In Christ’s letters to the churches as given to John, we see that twice the Nicolaitans are mentioned.

~Revelations 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

~Revelations 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

This interested me. When God says He hates something, we should take note, right? The Word tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that all of Scripture:

1. has been given to us by the inspiration of God,
2. is profitable for doctrine
3. for reproof
4. for correction
5. for instruction in righteousness
6. so we may be complete
7. and thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

~2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (16) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (17)

Notice that no where is it recorded that we are to glean from church tradition or the doctrines of the magisterium! In fact, it is quite the opposite. Christ, Himself, said that He hates the doctrine of the Nicolaitans! The word Nicolaitan is interpreted: Niko “to conquer, to overthrow,” and laos, “the people or laity.” So Christ said He hated the doctrine of those who conquered the people/laity! Somewhere in the church ages, a heretical doctrine arose of separation between those that were preaching and those that were not. Furthermore, it seems that this conquering over the laity placed the preachers in a special category – a hierarchy, if you will. Apparently, this “doctrine” must have been underway while Peter was yet living because he spoke of something similar:

~1 Peter 5:2-3 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (2) Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. (3)

What a prime example of the hierarchy of the catholic church. They have a semblance of feeding the flock of God but it is not with the Word of God. It is through magisterium, sacred tradition and THEN the Scriptures IF the Scriptures coincided with the aforementioned! Secondly, the catholic hierarchy has forced its membership to follow the dogmas and “sacred” traditions so as to keep them under bondage. This bondage is exactly what Christ came to free mankind from! I never felt free in Christ when I was a catholic. But I did feel as though I was under bondage. I felt a heavy weight upon my shoulders just as Christian did in Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. Every catholic should read this book. It is the book most sold next to the Bible. (John Bunyan uses an allegory style of writing to portary a lost sinner who finds salvation without any influence from various religions but by using the Word of God.) Thirdly, the catholic hierarchy most certainly fits in this description of being “lords over God’s heritage”! This is the conquering of the laity that Jesus said He hates! There is no head over the church but Christ.

~1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

~Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

~Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

If Peter were the first pope, then he would have made mention of this hierarchy in his letters. But instead, Peter stated that he was an elder just like the other elders.

~1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

Instead of heeding God’s Word as exhorted in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the catholic church has taken the doctrines of the Nicolaitans and lorded over the laity – adding burden after burden of dogma, sacraments, rules, etc. The poor catholic doesn’t know whether he is coming or going when it comes to his salvation. He does not have peace but an immense burden of sin on his shoulders. How tragic this is when Christ is so willing to give that peace which goes beyond understanding!

~Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Do you have that peace, dear catholic? I do not speak up against catholic doctrine because I hate the catholics! I speak up because I once was in darkness and served the catholic church as it was entrenched in me from an early age. I served out of ignorance. But the blessed Word of God has been given to us to instruct us of all doctrine. The catholic church has incorporated various dogmas into its religion and added extra doctrine that is not spoken of in the Bible thus nullifying 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

The catholic church preaches heresy and goes against the Word of God in many areas. Its hierarchy has forced its membership (laity) to submit to them or else be condemned. I do not speak lies but back all that I write on this blog with the Scriptures, the Truth! I do this so that maybe one searching catholic will read here one day and will realize that he has been led astray by the false teachers of the catholic church.

I have been cussed out and spoken evil of in the last couple of weeks by catholics who post comments at my blog. The comments are not posted because some are vile. They do not encourage the lost to seek but instead support heresy. Some accuse me of being an enemy of the catholic church. This comment reminded me of:

~Galatians 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

If I have stirred the pot, then I say, “Good!” I hope and pray that one catholic will be freed from the lies of the catholic church and will be set free as Christ wants us to be set free!

~John 8:32-36 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (32) They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? (33) Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. (34) And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. (35) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (36)

The catholic church would have you believe that salvation is only found in the church. However, Jesus taught that it was Him, the Son, that shall make you free! And in the same breath, Jesus provides assurance of this “Ye shall be free indeed.” No doubts, no wondering, no purgatory, nothing more, nothing less!

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The Confessional

On By KateIn Catholicism, Traditions4 Comments

The confessional – I can still recall the musty smell of incense burning outside it and waiting in fear to confess my sins to our local parish priest. Once a month, on a Saturday, we would have to go to confession. I recall the exact words I use to recite each time I went to confession:

Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been one month since my last good confession. I confess that I told a lie, “x” amount of times. I cursed, “x” amount of times, etc.

It was then that the priest would “absolve” me from my sins and give me a penance to perform. The only penance I ever received was to recite the rosary. I would leave the confessional relieved that it was over with and would return to my pew to say my rosary. Then afterwards, I did not feel any differently than when I walked into the confessional. I did not feel forgiven. I did not have that peace that comes when one is truly forgiven. Much to my surprise, my friends felt the same way. None of us had a calm assurance that we had met with God that day. How sad is that? How blind we truly were.

So exactly what does the Bible teach about confessing our sins? Does the Word say we should confess our sins to someone other than God? The catholic church made the confessional a dogma in the year 1225. In my readings, I discovered that prior to 1225, the priest heard confession but didn’t absolve sins. He merely prayed to God for that person.

So what does the Bible say about confessing our sins? Jesus answered the disciples questions in this way:

~Matthew 6:9-15 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (9) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (10) Give us this day our daily bread. (11) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (12) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (13) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (14) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (15)

Jesus did not say to pray this prayer word for word, but after this manner. This was an example of how to pray to our Heavenly Father. Here we see that we are to ask God to forgive us, not a priest. Jesus would have had the perfect opportunity to teach about the confessional here. But nowhere do we see this. In fact, we are to forgive one another when we sin against each other. So if I sin against you, I must go to you and ask your forgiveness. And if you are a repentant born-again Christian, you will forgive this sin I’ve committed against you or Jesus teaches that you won’t receive God’s mercy in your life.

Also, notice verses 14 and 15 say your heavenly Father will forgive you! Not the priest!

So how does the catholic church support its dogma of the confessional? They claim that John 20:21-23 give them the authority. But let’s look at those verses and see to whom Jesus was referring:

~John 20:19-24 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (19) And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. (20) Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (21) And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (22) Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (23) But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. (24)

Not only the Apostles were in attendance during this event. Notice in verse 19, it states that the disciples were gathered and Jesus stood in their midst and spoke to them. Verse 20 says that the disciples were glad. Verse 21 says that Jesus spoke to them again. It was to the disciples, not just the Apostles, that Jesus breathed the Spirit on them. It was to the disciples, not just the Apostles, that Jesus commanded that they remit and retain sins. Is this just semantics? No! Verse 24 says that Thomas, one of the 12, was not with them. So clearly these verses state the difference between the disciples and Apostles. This act of remitting sins and retaining them was not specifically given to the Apostles only but to all repentant, born-again believers.

So what was being said here? It simply means that those we preach to (witness to) who receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ are are saved will receive forgiveness of sins and those who do not accept the Gospel will not receive forgiveness of sins. Plain and simple!

This is definitely in line with the example Christ gave us in the Lord’s Prayer. It is also in line with

~Acts 2:37-38, 10:43 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (37) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ( 38 ) ~Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

It is the act of repentance, believing in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, receiving the Holy Spirit and being baptized into the family of God that we receive our forgiveness. This is crucial – repentance is key. You hear many a gospel today but few include repentance. Most include church membership, works, baptism, the confessional, etc. But this is not what Jesus said we must do to receive forgiveness. Repentance is vital because it produces a change of life.

~2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

If a person is born again, he has a NEW nature. That is the whole purpose of being born again. The catholic church claims this occurs at baptism when a baby is baptized. However, that baby cannot change his mind toward sin and walk in newness of life. That baby has no control over his sin. It is not until that baby learns the difference between right and wrong that he can see that he is a sinner in need of forgiveness. That baby cannot repent! However, a person with knowledge of right and wrong can. A person that sees he needs forgiveness definitely can repent and be truly born again. Do you see how the catholic church has muddied the beautiful water of the Word of God?

Yes, we need to confess our sins but they are to be confessed to our Heavenly Father as Christ taught us. If we do not forgive our brothers and sisters in Christ when they sin against us, then how can we receive God’s mercy toward us for our own sins?

The confessional did not teach me repentance. It placated my guilty feelings and gave me a false sense of security. Once I truly repented of my sins, I was born again and the Lord gave me a new life. I have a life of peace and assurance, knowing that my sins are forgiven and that Jesus Christ paid the penalty, once and for all on the cross of Calvary. I do not need to confess to anyone but my Heavenly Father. If I have sinned against a brother or sister in Christ and I am truly repentant, I will go to that brother or sister and acknowledge to them my sin and make things right. That, my friend, is true confession.

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Names of Jesus – Day 19 – Captain

On By KateIn Catholicism, Devotionals, SalvationLeave a comment

How I love today’s name for Jesus Christ. Our Captain leads the way for us. Not only is He perfect in every way, but His sacrifice on the cross is perfect as well. Nothing more is needed to obtain salvation than the blood of our Captain and Leader.

~Joshua 5:13-15 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? (13) And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? (14) And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so. (15)

~Hebrews 2:9-11 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (9) For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (10) For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, (11)

~Hebrews 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Our Captain is perfect in every way. Not only can He lead His army but He can safely keep any member (born-again Christian) safe in His care.

~Jude 1:24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (24) To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (25)

Our Captain keeps us from losing our salvation and will present us faultless before the presence of His glory, my friend! There’s no purgatory after death – if there were, how can Jude 1:24 be fulfilled? That means that Jesus Christ is able to keep us from falling because it is His blood (Hebrews 7:27) that is perfect and was offered up once for all. We cannot lose our salvation because our Captain is the one who holds our salvation securely – it is eternal.

~John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Not only is our Captain in charge of our souls, but He is also known as the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls.

~1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (24) For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (25)

He alone possesses our souls because He purchased us at a great price with His own blood. After I accept Christ as the only way to Heaven, I become His property, if you will. I am now a child of the King of kings!

~Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

~Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

How can one have spiritual blessings in Christ if we are not saved? We have a position in God’s family once we are born again in newness of life (2 Corinthians 5:17).

~Romans 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

~Colossians 3:3-4 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (3) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (4)

There is nothing I could possibly do to get me on inch closer to the gates of Heaven. I’m already a part of Christ (in Him) and there’s nothing else I can do to earn it or keep it.

~Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, (4) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (5) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (6) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (7)

Everything dealing with my salvation revolves around the work of the cross. I cannot keep the sacraments, I cannot work my way to Heaven by doing good deeds, I cannot perform penance enough to make up for my filthy rotten sin. I will always have this sin nature because I was born with it. But praise the Lord it’s not up to me but it’s all up to Christ. If it were up to us, Cain’s offering would have been sufficient, but it was not. It needed to be God’s way!

I am thankful that Christ saw fit to put in His Word:

~1John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

We can know NOW that we have eternal life when we believe that Christ came of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for our sins on the cross, rose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of the Father awaiting to return for His own. We do not need to live a life wondering if our salvation is secure. If our salvation depended on our faithfulness to God, we would be miserable because we fail Him every single day. But our salvation is not dependent on us but it is totally dependent on the precious work of Jesus Christ and, therefore, our Captain holds it securely in the palm of His hand!!!

Do you want your children to constantly doubt whether or not they are a member of your family? Our Heavenly Father is no different! He wants us to know right here and now if we are going to heaven or not. There is no purgatory. Judgment comes swiftly after death if one isn’t saved. But God calls everyone to salvation right now! After you die, it’s too late!

~2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

The Captain wants you to get saved today. He wants to be your Guide and your Leader. Everything He does is perfect. Therefore, He can securely keep your salvation!

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Are we required to do penance?

On By KateIn CatholicismLeave a comment

What is penance? Is it found in the Bible? The word itself is not found in the Bible. Noah Webster defines penance as:

Penance
PEN’ANCE, n.

1. The suffering, labor or pain to which a person voluntarily subjects himself, or which is imposed on him by authority as a punishment for his faults, or as an expression of penitence; such as fasting, flagellation, wearing chains, &c. Penance is one of the seven sacraments of the Romish church.

2. Repentance.

The word repentance, however, is found in the Bible. Noah defines this word as:

2. In theology, the pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment. This sorrow proceeding merely from the fear of punishment, is called legal repentance, as being excited by the terrors of legal penalties, and it may exist without an amendment of life.

3. Real penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence. This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life.

Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God.

The catholic church’s penance is very different from the definition of repentance. In fact, penance is a “work” that a catholic must do to achieve salvation. The catholic catechism states:

Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all the disorders sin has caused. Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must ‘make satisfaction for’ or ‘expiate’ his sins. This satisfaction is also called ‘penance.'” Pg. 366, #1459

Penance comes in different forms. After confessing your sins to the priest, he can have you say the rosary a dozen times and that is called penance. I never once walked away feeling remorse after having done my penance. I did it, it was over with and I moved on. I thought I had made amends for my sin but all I did was say a lot of empty words.

Christ paid for our sins – plain and simple. His death on the cross was for all sin and it was complete.

~Hebrews 10:17-18 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (17) Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin (18 ).

Christ was offered once for sins. Once we repent and accept Christ as our Saviour, we are totally forgiven. God no longer even remembers our sins so why do we need to do penance?

Repentence, however, is a whole different story. When one repents, he totally changes the direction he is going. If he is a thief, he steals no more. If he is a liar, he lies no more. Furthermore, he is truly remorseful for what he has done. So the thief would return what he has stolen. The liar would go to the one he has lied to and speak the truth. That is true repentance. The fruit of repentance is a changed life. Not a life that continues in sin and repeats the same sin over and over, only to go to confession and confess it to a priest over and over.

Let’s look at the Bible to see what God says repentance is:

~Mat 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

~Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

~Mar 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

~Luk 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

~Act 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

~Act 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

~Act 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

~Act 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

~Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

~2 Cor 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

~2 Cor 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

~Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

~Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

~2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repetance.

No where in the New Testament do you see penance. The Jews repented in sackcloth and ashes but no where did it say that they repeated prayers (rosary) or caused pain to their body. Jesus’ work of forgiveness was complete. A sinner who repents of the sin of stealing, returns the stolen merchandise, confesses his sin to God, has received forgiveness, and the sinner now moves on. He may suffer the consequence of his sin if the person he stole from presses legal charges against him. However, God forgave the sinner and remembers his sin no more because Christ paid the price!

Penance is just another tradition invented by the catholic church – a distortion of Scriptures and a practice that puts their members under bondage for a life time.

~Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Nothing we do will forgive us any more than Christ has forgiven us. Once the true born again believer is forgiven, he will produce the fruits of repentance.

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Names of Jesus – Day 18 – Shepherd

On By KateIn DevotionalsLeave a comment

Today’s name for Jesus was a total blessing to me! Jesus is known as our Shepherd!

~Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, (20) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (21)

Let’s look at a little history on the shepherds from the Middle East at the time of Christ. The shepherd had but a few tools for his trade. He possessed a rod, a staff and scented oil.

The rod was a straight stick and was used to beat away predators. The staff had a hook on the end and was used to guide the sheep in the direction the shepherd wanted them to go. If they strayed, he would reach out with his staff and pull the sheep back by its head.

When you look at the uses our Shepherd’s tools, you can see so many spiritual applications! We have the comfort of knowing that Christ carries a rod – a big stick, if you will :) He promises to beat away the enemy and have victory over ole slew foot.

~1John 4:4b … because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Jesus’ staff guides us through His Word:

~Psalm 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

~Psalm 73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

~Psalm 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

~Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

When we disobey the Word, however, the Lord allows circumstances, trials and tribulations into our lives to draw us toward Him.

~Psalm 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

The scented oil was used to anoint the sheep. I found it interesting that there were three reasons why the sheep needed anointing:

  1. The oil kept flies from laying eggs in the sheeps’ nose. It is said that when the eggs hatched, it would cause the sheep to become hysterical and they would run into trees and even run off cliffs to their death!
  2. He lubricated the rams’ horns so they wouldn’t hurt each other during battle.
  3. The oil was used on the sheeps’ wounds to promote healing.

God anoints His children through the Holy Spirit. Noah Webster defines it as:

The use of oil in consecrations, was of high antiquity. Kings, prophets and priests were set apart or consecrated to their offices by the use of oil. Hence the peculiar application of the term anointed to Jesus Christ.

We are to be set apart, consecrated to Christ once we repent and are born again. We are anointed and when we are obedient sheep, the cares of this world will not overpower us and cause us to be blown about with every wind of doctrine. (see Ephesians 4:14) As well, when we are yielded to the Holy Spirit, we will not be fussing with the brethren but will love the brethren. (see 1 John 3:14) Thirdly, when we are anointed by the Shepherd, we are promised that He will heal our hearts, our wounds, our spirits, our broken hearts, our devastated homes, our sinful lives, etc. Our Shepherd will draw us to salvation, to His Father and to eternal life!

~Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Oh what a Great Shepherd we serve! Praise the Lord that the Perfect Shepherd is our Guide. He is the one who teaches us and leads us in His Word. What a beautiful depiction of Christ – the Great Shepherd! Praise His Holy Name!

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