Salvation the true conditions

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The ^ Role of “Faith” in Salvation

justification by faith, introducedSt. Peter’s Church in Rome.

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

 

by Martin Luther, on October 31, 1517, evolved during the formation of his “new church, and new religion.” What is very interesting was that Martin did not originally set out to establish a new religion, but events and circumstances led him to this decision. Martins original “Ninety-five Thesis” dealt with what he and many saw as an abuse of power in the Church of his time. Martin’s objection’s were at first part of an intellectual debate addressing these abuses, which consisted of the Church charging money for “forgiveness” and for “special graces applied to certain acts of piety,” which were in effect being sold “by the Church” to raise funds for the construction of The new doctrine of

　Because Salvation is the ultimate goal of all Christians; truth about how to gain it is to be eagerly sought by all. Pope John Paul II tells us in the end, there is but a single truth for any topic.

 Because Jesus is “the way, the truth and the light,” John 14:6 all Christians, wishing to take the name of Christ, become obligated to 1. Follow the way of Christ. 2. Seek the single truth of the issue being probed. 3. Recognize that God who is “all-good” cannot lie, and that Jesus Christ is God. Taking these three points together imposes on all of us a grave moral duty of obedience.What began as an intellectual exercise, evolved through miscommunication, simple bullheadedness on both sides of the debate, and a lack of piety and humility on both sides, into a discussion on many more unrelated doctrinal issues. The more they talked the less they “discussed”! Both sides were at fault, but Luther was right on the original ninety-five thesis issues. The church instituted a non-doctrinal position based on perceived need, either forgetting or setting aside one of the basic tenants of Moral Theology: “one may never do a wrong to cause a right.” These practices were at the time, part of Church practice, not part of Her Doctrine, and were subsequently and rightly abrogated.

One of the most profound truths is that EVERYTHING that the Church teaches, with and through Jesus Christ, is rooted in LOVE. That, my friend is the most solid foundation, and certainly the best way on which to establish truth. Christ is the founder of His Catholic Church, and Christ is the one who first articulated what the Church taught then, and what His Church teaches as “truth” today.It is our goal to assist you in seeking the truth, supported by historical facts as recorded by the “Original Bible,” which is the Catholic bible. Of great interest, much of what I will bring to light is also found in other Christian bibles, and notably the King James Bible, although Martin Luther did necessarily make some changes to fortify and justify his new found beliefs. Significant differences are noted with an asterisk.

 It is a historical fact that Jesus Christ intended and did in fact institute only One Church, the church known today, as the Catholic Church. Matthew 16:18 notes clearly Jesus spoke only of a single church. This same Catholic Church, was the only Christian Church for nearly fifteen hundred consecutive years. And a two thousand year unbroken succession of Popes, beginning with Saint Peter gives further evidence of this fact.If one desires to confirm our Catholic selections, might I suggest that you do a web search on the “Latin Vulgate translation”, the “Douay-Rheims Bible On -Line.” The Douay-Rheims Bible was translated from Saint Jerome’s “Latin Vulgate”(dates back to about the year 350 AD) Bible into other common languages and officially approved as authentic and accurate by the Council of Trent. It has been the foundation of all subsequent Catholic Bibles. The Vulgate would have been the bible in use at the time Luther was in his new faith formation and The Douay-Rheims was published about thirty-five years before the first Anglican (non-Catholic) Bible. Bible

 Martin Luther began the Catholic Revolt, (for that’s what it was) and established non-Catholic Christianity, thus further opening “Pandora’s box” of Christian Disciplines and free and open decent.

Simply because one chooses not to believe some doctrine or another, does not automatically place a mantel of truth on that new doctrine. It might, or, it might not be true

. Please understand I am sharing a historical perspective, and only commenting on “cause and effect.” Christ begot “one Church.” Luther’s action has caused and led to over thirty thousand Christian sects currently in existence. Each one teaching and preaching what they believe to be the truths, yet Catholicism continues to be the largest organized religion in the world. It is impossible that there are more than a single truth for a single issue, to accept more than thirty thousand truths, challenges the meaning of “truth” itself. Mt. 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of hell shall not prevail against it.Nearly, but not all of the doctrines and dogma’s of the Catholic Church in existence today, were basically the same nearly two thousand years ago. We have in some cases gained “a fuller and better understanding,” but the basic teaching, have not, and in many cases, cannot be changed. Why? Because there is only one way, one truth and one light. Eph. 4Luther’s decent focused in the early stages of his crisis of faith, on the Sacrament of Penance, the “payoff’s for forgiveness” and indulgences which deal with special graces being applied to certain defined acts of piety, which also at the time were being sold. These were the basis of his “Ninety-five Thesis.” Of note the abuses Luther described have long since been abrogated and done away with. These were matters of “practice” not matters of Church doctrine or dogma. Not a word is mentioned about JUSTIFICATION in Martins original “Ninety-five Theses. Our task at hand is to present objectively, both points of view, on the issue of “justification and salvation.” Whether by God’s design it is by faith alone as Luther claims or by faith as demonstrated by and fulfilled through works, which is the constant and consistent position of the Catholic Church, a dogma, for nearly two thousand years. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. 

We will display the most common biblical evidence for both positions, and in the end, allow you the reader, to make a more informed decision.

Why are we discussing this topic of Justification? Because in some manner, it touches all of our lives. There is only one Christ, who only taught one truth on every topic. Because we desire to be in personal relationship with Christ, we strive to discover, not my truth, not your truth, but our truth, the truth that has to be in conformity with what Christ teaches. True LOVE cannot be “blind.” Thus, together we seek the truth. Come Holy Spirit come!

In the discussion of Justification and Salvation, I make clear again that the arguments presented are bible based. It is critical for the reader to understand that in doing so, one puts at great risk, the proper understanding, by quoting only selected, limited verses. Exegesis, (bible study experts) know that a fuller and more accurate understanding is gained in reviewing the body of the work, rather than in single isolated elements. We are seeking the complete truth, the single truth.

 

I began by quoting some of the well-known verses that, on their own seemly support the theology of Justification through Faith alone. Before doing so, It is good to ask the question: what is faith?Saint Paul tells us in Heb.11: 1 now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. A more encompassing definition is Faith is the belief in the unknown, fortified through hope, and manifested and expressed in love.

Biblical Quotes supporting Justification through Faith alone.

Rom.5: 1For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God — not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

Eph. 2: 8For no human being will be justified in his sight by works of the law, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all that believe. For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On the principle of works? No, but on the principle of faith. For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles too, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of their faith and the uncircumcised through their faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.  

Rom. 4:

19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “reckoned to him as righteousness.” But the words, “it was reckoned to him,” was written not for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him that raised from the dead Jesus our Lord who was put to death for our trespasses and raised for our justification. 

Rom. 3 20Rom. 4: 1Gal. 2: 16 yet we know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified.Rom. 10: 10Rom. 5: 9Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received our reconciliation. 

 

For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved. The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him. For, “every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”  

Gal. 3: 23Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls. We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. 

 CATHOLIC EVIDENCE for salvation through Faith with works.

Heb. 11: 17This is a perfect example of Faith supported and completed by and through works.

Gen. 22:

10Gal, 3: 27 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ 

Acts 22: 16: 16

Eph. 4:

Acts 2: 38

 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. but grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.Baptism is a requirement unto salvation. It is manifested as a work of Faith, Hope and Love. John 3: 5*Rom 1

We are being told that faith by itself does not guarantee our salvation) More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. Suffering and endurance are both charitable works. This is yet another example of the “process of salvation;” wherein works complete Faith, and together make salvation possible. *Not the same in Catholic and Kings James versions.Rom. 2: 12 All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. (Speaking here of the Commandments.)And isn’t it interesting that this is found in Romans chapter One and chapter Two, which sets up the verses in chapter Three, Four and Five, of the same book.

 1^st. Cor. 13: 13And LOVE is a decision, an action, a work that must be willed.

Rom. 6: 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but yield yourselves to God as men who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Rom. 8: 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.

 James 2:

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So, Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But some one will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 19 you believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe–and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works, and the scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness”; and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body apart from the spirit are dead, so faith apart from works is dead. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the Day of Judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” 

Mt. 12: 35Heb. 5: 8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,Though we speak thus, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things that belong to salvation. For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work, and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  

Heb. 6: 9 1^st. Peter 2: 1 . Once again works are called to be used in conjunction with faith to complete what Christ expects from us. Salvation is a process; a series of acts (works) that fulfill and complete Faith. you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.So put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander. Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation

1^st. Cor. 6: 9-10 9 Do

Clearly Saint Paul points out the need for works WITH faith. Not only are we to do works, but they are to be righteous works. John 14: 15It is perfectly reasonable to ask: how can their be two divergent views expressed in the same bible, all from the New Testament, no less?

Now to answer the specific question: you will recall early on in this document, on page number two, I warned readers to take care in applying their own understanding; i.e. truth, to a limited in scope bible passage. If you will go back and review all of the passages used in support of Justification by Faith alone, you will discover that some of them make reference to “the law.” Even those, which do not specifically speak of “the law,” implicitly, reference it. So then we ask what is “the law,” and what relevance does “the law” have on the current discussion?

We know of course that the “original law,” the Law of the Covenant, with Moses, The Ten Commandments, were what Yahweh -God, issued and expected everyone to follow.

By the time of our Blessed Lord’s ministry on earth, they had been expanded as “THE (Torah) LAW” to over three hundred ADDITIONAL obligations, most of which had little or nothing to do with God’s original intent. This was done over time to add authority to teaching, thought by the priest, to be for benefit of the Jewish nation. Many of them were good, some even necessary, but they were NOT part of the Covenant relationship with God. Yet they were taught “as the law (of the Covenant).” What is being said in all of these (Justification Only) passages is that one’s obedience to “the priest expanded law” was not essential to ones salvation in the eyes of God. Jesus without condemning these “RULES,” rather only saying, their fulfillment, did little or nothing to assist in ones salvation clearly stated that “the law,” was separate from the Covenant of Salvation. Obeying the Commandments YES, obeying “the law,” yes too, but not effecting the Covenant, Good, but not essential.

With this understanding, one can see more clearly, that they are not in contradiction, rather they are speaking, really of different things. Are we to do evil? Or are we to do good? Are we to nothing? Or are we to be charitable, and practice loving our neighbor as ourselves, as well as we are able? WWJD: What Would Jesus Do?

As a side note, getting a bit ahead of ourselves, when we later get to the discussion of the Ten Commandments, and their application and obligation to our lives today, we will discover that the Church, has again applied, far greater obligations, than the HEADINGS of the Commandments at first suggest. The difference is that all of them DO APPLY DIRECTLY to the Commandment being discussed. The Church has fulfilled her mission of necessarily applying a fuller understanding, a more enlightened understanding, to the issues, as is Her charge.

In consideration of these weighty issues

Salvation did not come through a single act.

If I were to ask you “what is the most powerful force on God’s earth (because God willed it and created it that way), what would be your answer? Mine would be our “freewill.” Our freewill is so powerful that it makes us different, unique and better than all of Gods other creations. Why is this?

God gave us a freewill, and wrote on our hearts the instruction manual on how to use it. If we are honest, we know instinctively what is right and wrong if we are in God’s grace. The perfect and full-intended use of our freewill is PROVING to God that we LOVE Him. And love is a decision, an act!Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who keep his commandments abide in him and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us.

 *1^st. John 3: *Not the same in Catholic and Kings James versions.

 Clearly and indisputably, God expects more from His children than ONLY to believe in Him. Of course we must have Great Faith! We must also be baptized, we must obey His Commandments, and of critical importance, we must sincerely attempt to love our neighbors, as we love ourselves. We must through our works put Faith, Hope and Love into action. The degree that we are successful in these endeavors will determine our Salvation. Thus salvation is an ongoing process.

One can readily understand why the Protestant doctrine of sola fide; Justification by Faith Alone is so readily accepted and naturally appealing. It is less demanding; far easier to accommodate, than it is to follow Jesus in the manner He demands. “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”( Mt. 16:24 )

True our God is a loving and merciful God. However we put our souls at risk if we forget that our God is also an All Mighty God, a Super-Natural God who offers Super-Natural Graces to enable us to over come our mere “Natural” sinful human nature. Our God posses all attributes and all attribute’s, completely. This means that our God is not only all loving and all merciful, but He is and has to be, must be all just.

One who assumes that all that is required by Almighty God for our salvation is Faith without works would be of the mind that our life’s conduct is of no consequence, and our personal decisions can rule. Wrong, wrong, wrong! If this were true, there would be no need for the Commandments, or the Beatitudes, which are road -maps on how we are to live and love. They are not simply suggestions they are the directions we need to live a happy, fruitful and spiritually rewarding life in accordance to God’s plan for our salvation.. One may not choose to live a sinful life with impunity. To reject this truth is to fail to understand the JUST NATURE of our “Jealous God.” To believe that salvation is only through Faith alone, is to deny the intended use of our intellect and freewill, and why God gave these precious gifts to us. “To know, love and to serve Him, here in this world, so we can be with Him in the next.” But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it; you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law (again speaking of all the Commandments) and the prophets.”

Mt.34

Almighty God will judge what we do and what we fail to do. It is God’s Justice acknowledging His gifts to us of freewill and intellect, that require Him to judge our actions (works), and not only our faith, but also our love and how we prove it. St. James is right: “faith without woks is dead.” What do you think?

Before closing, I would like to respond to the all too common charge that “the Church is intolerant.” This is almost a natural reflex response, to any disagreement of philosophy or theology these days.

Quoting: William J. Martin, in “homiletic pastoral review” October 2007: ‘Church and intolerance.”“One of the biggest complaints against the Church is that she is intolerant. Intolerance is hung on the Church like a quarantine to frighten away anyone knocking on her portals. When asked why they consider the Church intolerant, some say she is not tolerant because of her self-complacency and smug satisfaction as the unique interpreter of the teachings of Christ. She is condemned because she claims to be divine When other churches are throwing dogmatic differences to the winds to better serve the religious needs of America, she will not conform, and therefore she is narrow minded and intolerant.”

“The Church is the most honorable of all societies. She is the highest standard of honor, because she judges all things in the light of God, who is the source of all honor.”

“What happened in the life of Christ happens in the life of the Church, for the Church cannot compromise her teachings for the sake of religious unity.” Christ was tolerant of those who nailed Him to the cross (Luke 23: 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”).

“We must be tolerant of all people for they are human, we must be intolerant of principles for they are divine. For truth is of God’s making, and what is made by God cannot be altered by man.” End of Article Quotes.

We can accept a truth, share a truth but not divide a truth, not make your truth, and my truth, but only seek, “The truth.” That my friend, is the most basic truth.

The Catholic Church speaks the truth because God founded her. (Mt.16: 18) She continues to speak the truth, because the Holy Spirit is her intelligence, her voice, her conscience, and her guide. Acts Chapter 1: 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”

God bless you, and May Mary our Blessed Mother intercede for us with Jesus, her Son for each of us. Amen

  

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

it is good to recall Christ acts of redemption. First He was born a man, for a time made lower than the angels. Second He endured willingly the most excruciating and debasing torture known to society at the time: namely Scorching at the pillar, Crowned with thorns and then Crucified on the Cross. Third He rose again from the dead: Alleluia! No it came through a series of actions. So too our salvation requires Faith. But what is faith without hope and love? Our salvation requires baptism, and our salvation depends on obedience and works of Love alive with Faith and Hope. 

Before I answer this directly, I hasten to point out that there are obvious and multiple divergent views when comparing Old Testament, and New Testament readings. This is caused by two factors: First, Everything in the Old Testament finds the fullness of its truths as expressed by Christ in the New Testament. Second, Early church history, by necessity caused by illiteracy, and a lack of writing materials, was verbal. Thus Old church history relied primarily on the spoken word, practiced most often in the form of stories, which did not always maintain the same original message. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”Again speaking of the process of salvation. So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. (:51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if any one keeps my word, he will never see death 

John 8

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.for, as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me. 

1^st. Peter 1: 8

Rom. 8: 28Here is a brief explanation of what, “foreknew, predestined, called and justified,” means in this passage. It does not mean that Christ from the beginning of time “pre-selected” only certain souls for salvation! No, what Saint Paul is saying is that our God is an Awesome God, an Almighty God, who knows all-things before they happen. Thus He knows who will, and who will not cooperate with His graces, accept His graces, put His graces into right-action and thus are rewarded with the gift of salvation. Paul is speaking of the “process” of salvation, which extends beyond the single, yet essential act of Faith. By faith Abraham, when he was tested offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your descendants be named.”

Thus Abraham “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” So you see that it is men of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are men of faith are blessed with Abraham who had faith. For all that rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be every one who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no man is justified before God by the law; for “He who through faith is righteous shall live. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things, which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification were through the law, then Christ died to no purpose. What then shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now to one, who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due. And to one who does not work but trusts him, who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. So also David pronounces a blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: 

Gal. 3: 6

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Keys to The kingdom explained

In your opinion, what does the phrase “keys to the kingdom” refer to?

I would like just one Catholic to tell me specifically what they think these keys are that were given to their church.

　

　

Who?

In order to do so I must attempt to answer for you the W’s, who, what, where and why?Jesus the Christ [Mt. 16:16] The Son of God. All Knowing – all Wise – all everything Good. A key element of Gods Perfect Goodness is that God is and has to be “All-Fair and All Just.” Otherwise He would not be God.

Who?

So from this we are able to understand that when God teaches He does so with complete understanding of what it is He is teaching, and does so in a manner those whom He chooses to enlighten WILL UNDERSTAND that. [Mt. 11:25-26][Mt. 16: 15-19]

He [JESUS] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, [Peter is in a personal one on one conversation with Jesus here] “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And [JESUS]I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock [ON YOU PETER] I will build my [SINGULAR] church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. [19] I will give you [PETER / My new Church] the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

This is part of the discourse

We can know this by the choice of words selected by Christ.

　

WHERE? Mt. 16:13: “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” “

The timing and the location were of great significance to the message, the purpose and the mission of what Jesus was in the process of setting up and doing. Jesus was aware of when and how soon He would be put to death.

Caesarea Philippi

This is significant, for the mandate that follows is directly out of the mouth of God! And all there were aware of this fact.

The location Jesus chooses is a clear indication of the Mission of His Church, and Peter and the Apostles. “Overcome, do away with pagan worship.” Jesus not only gives His Church this Mission, He gives His Church all of the tools and authority needed to accomplish it!

Why? Why indeed!

Jesus clearly knew what lie in store for His Disciples and the persecution His Church, and His Disciples, would have to face. This is precisely why the mandate, why the authority, why the church, why they too would die professing that Christ is Lord! That Jesus remains present “ Really Present,” why Jesus instituted the Seven Sacraments. All this so that His Church would have the power and the authority, the tools and the grace, to become the “Narrow Gate” of Christ plan for our Salvation. [Mt. 7: 13.][19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The “Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven” is a literal statement of FACT! [Mt. 16:19] Jesus speaking directly to Saint Peter at the occasion of Founding His [now Catholic] Church: “

This is what Jesus said, did, intended and has accomplished.

I made the point of why Jesus selected Caesarea Philippi, and it was primarily because it was the “center of pagan worship for the area.” Indeed it was the location of a very large Pagan Temple.

But why did Jesus use the term “the keys?” Was there a specific reason? Would those to whom Jesus was speaking have easily picked up on what Jesus was saying and doing?

Our Blessed Lord was fond of Parables that told stories in order to make the point He was trying to make. So we can understand that whatever words Jesus selected were carefully chosen.

Have you by chance ever watched EWTN and the morning rosary? The reason I ask is that it shows various parts of Jerusalem today. Jerusalem even today continues to be a walled in fortified city, with real gates, and real keys.

Back in the time if Jesus all major cites were walled in for protection from attack. These cities actually had two real GATES, with REAL KEYS. A minor gate and the Main gate.

Now under independent rule, each major city also had there own king, and thus a “kingdom.” So there were many Kings and many kingdoms. A brief reading of the Old Testament list many Kings (who often merged with other kingdoms for the purpose of self-defense) because they were usually too small to be completely independent against other NATIONS, who too merged all of their kingdoms resources to do battle and gain territory.

So the Apostles and the Jewish people of that time period would have been familiar and comfortable with the idea of a King and his Kingdom, a Prime Minister who is the Keeper of the Key’s.

Such was true of Kings and Kingdoms. All day to day governance was given to a person that they selected as “Prime Minister.” An example of this is Genesis 42 and Joseph, the brother sold into slavery, which is made Prime Minister of all of Egypt.

Typically a Prime Minister had complete, autonomous control of ALL day to day activities. The Prime Minister answered to NO-ONE except the King Himself and nobody but the King.

This is the common understanding and the very reason for the specific reference to “Keys” and the “Kingdom.” There would have been absolutely zero doubts about what Christ was saying, doing and mandating for Peter, now the “Prime Minister” for Christ!

This account is historically provable. Indeed Christ intended to start His (ONE) Church, and to give Peter and those “prime-ministers” (POPES) complete and autonomous control and governance of His Church.

Some further Biblical evidence on the Authority of the Pope and the Only Church actually founded by Christ.

God Bless you,

Pat

It’s what the Word of God clearly says and clearly means. Amen!Jesus knew from the moment of his Conception in the Virgin womb of His Mother, what Gods plan (His Plan) was. He knew that he would suffer and die that He would rise from the Dead, and be our Redeemer. He further knew that [Mt. 22:14 “14 ] For many are called, but few are chosen.” The word “chosen, in this context means “chosen BY US!” In other words, many will deny, and many will die because of unbelief, because of the personal choice we make. is in the hill country of Judea. It was a by their standards, a large town. It was also the site of the areas Major Pagan Temple. Thus Jesus ask, “ who do people say that I am.” Not satisfied with the response Jesus then “ask His decuples (plural.) PETER answers, [Mt. 16: 16 ]Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”To “bind” and to “loose” were common, rabbinical, legally binding at Law terms for exactly that! Complete, and free governance. Jesus, Peter and all that heard knew exactly what Jesus meant! Exactly what Jesus meant! At the time these were very commonly used words. Also see [Mt. 18:15-18] “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; [SINGULAR] and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind [Mandate / decide on] on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. in which Christ makes clear in unambiguous language that He intends to: 1. Form His Church (singular use of “I” and “you” and “church.” 2. That it is to be only ONE church. 3. That Peter is given the access (gate keys) to heaven. 4. Peter (and Peter alone) is given all of the power and authority to govern with COMPLETE autonomous authority, answering ONLY to God Himself!

The words used by Jesus are carefully selected to insure proper understanding.

Jesus the Christ [Mt. 16:16] The Son of God. All Knowing – all Wise – all everything Good. A key element of Gods Perfect Goodness is that God is and has to be “All-Fair and All Just.” Otherwise He would not be God.

The words used by Jesus are carefully selected to insure proper understanding.

[Mt. 16: 15-19] He [JESUS] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, [Peter is in a personal one on one conversation with Jesus here] “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And [JESUS]I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock [ON YOU PETER] I will build my [SINGULAR] church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. [19] I will give you [PETER / My new Church] the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The choice of words selected by Christ. To “bind” and to “loose” were common, rabbinical, legally binding at Law terms for exactly that! Complete, and free governance. Jesus, Peter and all that heard knew exactly what Jesus meant! Exactly what Jesus meant!

WHERE Mt. 16:13: “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” “

Caesarea Philippi is in the hill country of Judea. It was a by their standards, a large town. It was also the site of the areas Major Pagan Temple.

The location Jesus chooses is a clear indication of the Mission of His Church, and Peter and the Apostles. “Overcome, do away with pagan worship.” Jesus not only gives His Church this Mission, He gives His Church all of the tools and authority needed to accomplish it!

Why? The “Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven” is a literal statement of FACT! [Mt. 16:19] Jesus speaking directly to Saint Peter at the occasion of Founding His [now Catholic] Church: “[19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

This is what Jesus said, did, intended and has accomplished. It’s what the Word of God clearly says and clearly means. Amen!

Back in the time of Jesus all major cites were walled in for protection from attack. These cities actually had two real GATES, with REAL KEYS. A minor gate and the Main gate.

Now under independent rule, each major city also had there own king, and thus a “kingdom.” So there were many Kings and many kingdoms. A brief reading of the Old Testament list many Kings (who often merged with other kingdoms for the purpose of self-defense) because they were usually too small to be completely independent against other NATIONS, who too merged all of their kingdoms resources to do battle and gain territory.

So the Apostles and the Jewish people of that time period would have been familiar and comfortable with the idea of a King and his Kingdom, and a “Prime Minister” who is the Keeper of the Key’s.

Typically a Prime Minister had complete, autonomous control of ALL day to day activities. The Prime Minister answered to NO-ONE except the King Himself

This is the common understanding and the very reason for the specific reference to “Keys” and the “Kingdom.” There would have been absolutely zero doubts about what Christ was saying, doing and mandating for Peter, now the “Prime Minister” for Christ!

This account is historically provable. Indeed Christ intended to start His (ONE) Church, and to give Peter and those “prime-ministers” (POPES) complete and autonomous control and governance of His Church.

Isaiah 22-24 : Re: PETER(and Jesus)“And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him like a peg in a sure place, and he will become a throne of honor to his father’s house. And they will hang on him the whole weight of his father’s house, the offspring and issue, every small vessel, from the cups to all the flagons

Mt. 28: 19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

John 10: 1“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door [ MY CHURCH] but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; 2 but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Rev. 3: [RE: PETER] “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens.

Eph. 2:19 19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple [SINGULAR] in the Lord; [singular] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

Showbread, what is it?

                                 i Catholic
　
                                           What’s Showbread?
 
One of the eternal and essential truths evident in the Bible is that God is, was and continues today, His vigilance of influence in His relationship and Personal intervention into the lives of His humanity.
 
by sharing the Catholic understanding of just what these bible reference verses mean, both when recorded and now in our lives today..
 
More than any other evidence of God’s Infinite love for Humanity and God’s unheralded Desire for a personal relationship with us, His Created humanity is God’s Gift of HIMSELF in Catholic Holy Communion. This abasement, of this Sacrifice is FAR GREATER than the Incarnation, and even exceeds the unphantomable Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ to effect our “Redemption.” WHY?
 
The answer lies in the degree of Sacrifice and the intended purpose for such a Sacrifice. By becoming “man-God” and then Dying and Rising from the Dead, causing our redemption, Jesus knew that He would be returning to His Rightful place in Heaven. The Incarnation, and Passion of Christ had as it’s primary purpose; “Our Redemption,” which permitted heaven to once again become a POSSIBILITY for humanity. Heaven had been blocked by the sins of our First Parents Adam and Eve, [“Original Sin”] so there was NO Possible ACCESS to God after death. … Christ Redemption allowed God ‘s humanity to once again, prove there love for Him, by cooperating with Christ plan for our personal salvation.
In the Eucharist Christ Sacrifice is both Greater and Prolonged. Jesus assumes the appearance of Bread and Wine; mere inanimate objects, completely immobile, and unable to communicate. Jesus is daily ignored, rejected, ridiculed and subject to the whims of humanity, allowing Himself even to be subject to His Priest. His Presence seems indefensible, and the reality of His Divine Presence is unimaginable; and therefore “impossible.” But that is because humanity often fails to understands the depth of God Love for us His Created. … Many chose to forget that God can do anything “good,” and ignore that “if true,” Eucharist would be the Greatest Possible Good the World can experience. And so it is! … WHY?
 
Because “Redemption is NOT Salvation. Indeed, salvation would be meaningless without Redemption, because access to heaven would still be denied. … Jesus chooses freely to remain here with us, to provide the Supernatural Sacramental Graces necessary for us to endure our “Daily Crosses,” Obey His Commandments, and humbly follow the Teaching and guidance of His Catholic Church Leaders, all to facilitate the possibility of us cooperating with The Divine plan for our personal salvation. God cannot send us to either Hell or Heaven without our permission! Matt.28 : 19 to 20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.“
 
Isaiah 43: 7, 21 “every one who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” “the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”

 
Romans 14: 11 ‘for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.”
 
1Pet.1: 7“so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
 
Gal.2: 16yet who know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. [“Works of the law” make reference to the unperfected works commanded by the Jewish leaders bundled to the Commandments; now exceeding 300 in number] Jas.2: -14-26 “ What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But some one will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.
 
Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works, You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.”
 
Heb. 6: 10“For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do“.
 
Rom.13: 11
 
Eph.1: 13“In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit“, [The Gospel does not end with Christ Death; rather it began with Christ Death and Resurrection.]
 
Eph.6: 17 ““And take the helmet of salvation
 
Phil.2: 12“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
 
Take Up your Cross and Follow Me
 
Phil.2: 8 “Luke.9 :23 And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Mark.8: 34 And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Luke.9: 23And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke.14: 7 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Matt.5: 19“Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. “ Matt.19: 17 “And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”
 
No we can’t work our way to heaven, but our God is a Jealous God; and demands that we prove our love of Him, and give Him thanks and Glory through our good actions.
 
So what does Showbread; Bread of Presence; Holy Bread lead to in the New Testament?
 
Catholic Holy Communion is the greatest source of God’s grace on planet earth. It is not an overstatement to proclaim, “Catholic Holy Communion” is a foretaste of Heaven on earth!
 
resides Jesus Christ HimselfNot ONLY a sign, not ONLY a Symbol; but the very REAL, alive Glorified Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in Person., who gives Himself to us in what appears to the human senses as mere “bread and wine,” but which FIVE authors of the New Testament proclaim [ FOUR of them unto there gruesome death], as the “very Real Glorified and Risen Christ..” Ones Faith , is truly tested. “believe or not to believe,“ is the challenge set before us by Christ Himself. John. 20: 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” AMEN!
 
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Paul “Do this in Memory of Me.” [Luke 22:19] T
The transformation of what remains after the “Transubstanuation” [God Miracle of Love], still has the appearance of “bread and wine” [“called, the accidents”] while actually being now the Real Jesus Christ. … It is “these accidents,” these “look like” bread and wine, while being something else: Jesus Christ Himself, that have there origin in the Showbread; bread of Presence; Holy Bread.
 
This belief was immediately accepted, understood and put into practice by Jewish Apostles who were familiar with the Old Testament, and God ‘s provincial Manna , and God’s “Bread of Presence,“ also called “Showbread”, and “holy Bread.” The tie -in by Christ of the Passover Meal to introduce the Eucharist [meaning “thanksgiving”] gave further evidence to them, of God’s clear future Intent.
 
We spoke earlier about the OT leading to the NT. One bit of evidence of this fact is the OT use of priest, by God, and there particular responsibilities regarding Worship, offering Sacrifice and being Intercessors for the forgiveness of sins. ALL of these actions are maintained and perfected by Christ priest [Popes and bishops included] in the NT..
 
August 11th, 2009 by Sonija Corbitt
 
“What is it?” the Israelites asked, when it appeared on the wilderness floor, and so they named it “manna,” meaning “What?” (Ex. 16:14-31). Manna was heavenly bread miraculously provided by God to nourish the Israelites during their sentence of 40 years wandering in the wilderness. It appeared after the morning dew and melted with the sun. It was small, round, fine as frost, tasted like wafers made with honey, and could be boiled, baked, or made into cakes. Wisdom 16:20 Apparently it was nutritionally balanced, as it kept them healthy for 40 years. The Israelites were to gather only enough to meet their need for the day, except the Sabbath, before which they were to gather enough for two days; any excess gathered would spoil.
 
In the tabernacle sanctuary, but outside the Holy of Holies was a gold table, set to the right, that held two stacks of six loaves of flatbread, one for each tribe of Israel. This bread was a reminder of God’s perpetual provision, and it was a communal offering rather than a sacrificial one; because the bread belonged to God, it was to be eaten by the priests every Sabbath “in the sacred place,” the sanctuary, as they replaced the previous week’s bread with fresh each week. Along with the bread, there were also offerings of wine and oil. This was to be an everlasting observance.
 
The name of this bread is remarkable. Some translations call it “showbread,” some the “loaves of setting forth,” from which the name “loaves of proposition” comes; but in Hebrew, it literally means bread of the face [of God], or bread of the presence. It was bread where God was presentThe manna and bread of the presence conveyed a single theme: God was with His people in the bread, feeding and providing for them. Both were to be an eternal covenant; a memorial pot of manna was included in the ark within the holy of holies, and the bread of the presence was also to perpetually be in the tabernacle. Symbolic of God’s enduring provision for His people, manna showed God’s sweetness to the people (Wisdom 16:21), but there was another reason He miraculously furnished it. Moses explained to them, “So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone, but that man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Notice He did not say man “could not,” though that is certainly true, because He said man “shall not” live by bread alone. God will not allow man to live only in the physical realm, and with these words, words Jesus repeated (Matthew 4:4), He was preparing us for something wondrous.
 
“It is to be an everlasting covenant,” the Lord commanded Moses, and thousands of years later One came who stunned the religious leaders of the time by saying, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35) provoking a raging scandal that continues sifting God’s people today. It is in the context of the Old Testament bread that this statement must be understood, as Jesus pointed out. The bread of the earth, of wheat and bran, and even the heavenly bread of the Old Testament manna, gave physical nourishment and life, but the bread that Jesus is, gives life that is spiritual, for “the flesh profits nothing” (6:63). Perceiving how literally Jesus was speaking, many true disciples ceased to follow, turning away from the bread that would nourish them and tragically bringing to pass Jesus’ warning that “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” This is a fearful statement, for it was the statement that divided the sheep from the goats, those who would continue to follow and those who ceased following, but it was not spoken as a punishment, merely a statement of fact: this life is in Christ; when one ceases to follow Him, one ceases to be connected to that life. “These words that I speak,” he said, the words proceeding from the mouth of God, by which we must live, “are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:64). Despite this assurance, “some did not believe,” and Jesus claimed that they, in fact, could not believe what the Catholic Church teaches, that Jesus is present in the Eucharistic Bread of the Presence, feeding us with Himself in scandalous humility, unless the Lord granted that they should.
 
In the New Testament we learn from Jesus that manna was an intimation of Himself, a whisper of His coming to assume responsibility for the souls of men (John 6). He is the life-giving Bread of whom we are instructed to eat, the sustenance of the soul. When the people inferred that He could give them spirit-bread just as their fathers ate manna in the wilderness, they asked of Him, “Give us this bread always” (John 6:34), and Jesus truly answered their prayer, fulfilling the command that this Presence Bread feed and exist forever. On the night of His Passion, He instituted the eternal Eucharist: Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples saying, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Could the twelve disciples have doubted what Jesus was referring to, given their familiarity with the twelve loaves of Presence Bread provided daily in the temple?
 
To Satan himself, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Man’s soul is sustained, not by rye or pumpernickel, but by the words of God’s mouth. Interestingly, “word” in Hebrew is literally “promise,” meaning, man shall live by God’s promise(s). “I AM the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever . . .”
(John 6:51; emphasis mine). These words are His promise. The fulfillment and interpretation of all Old Testament things, Jesus is present, He feeds us; we can live forever with God by becoming one with, eating, this Bread of the Presence.” END
　
The first point of biblical interest is that there are THREE synonymous NAMES for Showbread.
 
Showbread: Neh. 10:33, 1 Chr. 9: 22-34, and 1 Chr.28:9-19 are examples.
Bread of Presence: Exo. 25: 30, Num. 4:7, 1 Sam.21:6, Heb. Chapter 9 are examples
Holy Bread: Exo. 29:34, Lev. 21:6, 1 Sam. 21:4, 6 are examples
 
Showbread
 
The Origin of the “holy Bread” seems to be in the time of Moses and God’s Instruction for the ‘Ark of the Covenant” in Exodus chapters 25 to 29.
 
Neh.10: 33
 
OT Times
 
When these words were written, the Jewish nation had just been saved by Yahweh God [through Moses] form the Egyptian Captors. They were salves, now they were free. The Jews were humbled by God in there 40 years of training and punishment and now God was introducing to them Holyday’s, and celebrations. God also introduced the Sabbath, [the third Commandment] and the priest role in the remission of there sins.
 
Present Times
 
In the present times we find God’s desire for the Sabbath, for holydays and for the use of priest as necessary elements for the forgiveness of sins both maintained and perfected. This is evidence that God does not change, and God remains both Present and in charge. God’s Divine Presence in a way mirrors the “Exodus,” in that in the Present time God is in Process of offering Salvation, hoping to assist and direct us through His manifold Supernatural Sacramental Graces, most especially Holy Eucharist and Confession, available validly and licitly ONLY in Christ Catholic Church.
 
1 Chr. 9: 22-34 “1] So they and their sons were in charge of the gates of the house of the LORD[2] house of the tent, as guardsThe gatekeepers were on the four sides, east, west, north, and south; and their kinsmen who were in their villages were obliged to come in every seven days, from time to time, to be with these; for the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were in charge of the chambers and the treasures of the house of God. And they lodged round about the house of God; for upon them lay the duty of watching, and they had charge of opening it every morning. Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required to count them when they were brought in and taken out. Others of them were appointed over the furniture, and over all the holy utensils, also over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the incense, and the spices. Others, of the sons of the priests, prepared the mixing of the spices, [3] and Mattithi’ah, one of the Levites, the first-born of Shallum the Ko’rahite, was in charge of making the . flat cakes32Also some of their kinsmen of the Ko’hathites had charge of the showbread, to prepare it every sabbath. “
 
[1] We see here evidence of “priest” as gate keepers, “in charge of the house of the Lord.” Again I point out: God does not change. If we look to the past, we see it’s bearing on the present and the future; but now Perfected by Jesus. Today’s Priest, Bishops and Pope are Christ “NT Priest.”
 
Present Times
 
[1] To associate these “gate-keepers” with our Popes and Bishops is an easy task. In Matt. 16:15-19, and explicitly in v. 19, we find Jesus giving “ the keys to the gates of heaven” to Saint Pater and subsequent Popes. [Had to include his successors in order to fulfill Matt. 28:19-20 quoted above.]
 
OT Times
 
[2] We note that it was seen as necessary to post guards to protect God’s house. This was because of the high value of what was inside, both materially and Spiritually.
 
Present Times
 
The application for today is far broader. It extends beyond the necessity of physical protection of churches, houses of the Lord God, and extends to defense of Theology, Philosophy, Church Doctrines, Dogmas, Tradition and practices and very significantly the only place to get the Proper Understanding of God‘s Holy Writ.
 
There are a GREAT many wolfs in sheep’s clothing within and outside of the Catholic Church. Matt.10: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matt.7; 21 “Not every one who says to me, `Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
 
OT Times
 
[3] We take note that it is the priestly class guarding God’s home, preparing the Temple, and making the “flatbread” used for the twelve loafs of the “bread of Presence.”
 
The Eucharistic bread is also “flat” [unleavened] bread.] And it nearly always is made by Catholic Religious Communities. This bread too is “bread of Presence,” but NOW PERFECTED by Jesus and actually becomes Jesus Christ Himself. … Now [dare I say; “not only the Spirit of God“]; but Really Jesus in Person, God Himself alive in our midst!
 
1 Chr. 28: 9-19 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind; [1] for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off for ever. Take heed now, [2] for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuaryThen David gave Solomon his son the plan of the vestibule of the temple, and of its houses, its treasuries, its upper rooms, and its inner chambers, and of the room for the mercy seat; and the plan of all that he had in mind for the courts of the house of the LORD, all the surrounding chambers, the treasuries of the house of God, and the treasuries for dedicated gifts; for the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, and all the work of the service in the house of the LORD; for all the vessels for the service in the house of the LORD, the weight of gold for all golden vessels for each service, the weight of silver vessels for each service, the weight of the golden lampstands and their lamps, the weight of gold for each lampstand and its lamps, the weight of silver for a lampstands and its lamps, according to the use of each lampstand in the service, the weight of gold for each table for the showbread, the silver for the silver tables, and pure gold for the forks, the basins, and the cups; for the golden bowls and the weight of each; for the silver bowls and the weight of each; for the altar of incense made of refined gold, and its weight; also his plan for the golden chariot of the cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD. [3]
 
OT Times
 
[1] Again we see that God is unchangeable. Mt. 10: 26-27 “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops.” “If you seek him, he will be found by you; “ While there are many ways to encounter Christ; the surest way is to actually desire too discover God. God cannot deny Himself to anyone with a open mind, and earnest heart who seeks Him.
Present Times
 
This is much more difficult in the present times because of the Heretic, Martin Luther, Calvin and all those in the present times founding new churches based there own understanding of God’s holy Word.
 
There can logically be only ONE TRUTH for every issue. Only One!And on matters of Faith and Morals; Christ Himself has seen fit to place this Treasure of Great Value, in His Catholic Church. [John 14: 16-17, John 17: 14:19]. Make no mistake: This is why God founded just the One New Church; One new Faith. Eph. 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [SINGULAR] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; [SINGULAR in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. … Eph. 4: 4 “There is one body [One Church] and one Spirit, [One set of beliefs] just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, [One God] one faith, [One set of doctrine and dogma] one baptism,[ By water in the Trinity] one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
 
“This last verse means, due to sins of the founder-heretics who abandoned God, started there own religions in competition the Gods given Faith; denied the Infallibility of God very Word, Covenant and promises [2 Tim 3:16-17] that grace, Wisdom, Understanding , all controlled and measured out by God, are limited [but sufficient for accepting God’s plan for our salvation], are limited by God who do not accept the One True Faith; the One True Christian Religion; Cat holism. Eph.4: they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart; 1 Cor. 2: 7,13 “But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification. [13] And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit” James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.”
 
OT Times
 
[2] “for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary;”
In the time, this was written it had multiple meanings, and understandings. 1. We all bear a responsibility to support with our money and our God given talents, our churches. 2. God has chosen us for certain ministries by the talents God has given us to share. 3. We have a moral responsibility to use our bodies in moral ways.
 
Present Times
 
Same as the OT times, but we might add the obligation to try at least to maintain our heath.
　
OT Times
 
[3] “
 
Once again we see that God does not change. Additionally we can see here how Personally God desires His Role in our lives to be.. We can see from the instructions God gave to Moses how exactly the Ark was to be built. [Exodus chapters 25 to 29] This is the same personal involvement that is given to David who is clearly being told as was Moses: “Do it My Way!” This ought to give pause to those who carelessly, and dangerously ask the question: “Does God really care what church we chose; or how we practice our faith; or what we chose to accept or reject from the Bible”? Yea! God REALLY does care, and it REALLY does matter. By God’s testimony of how to build His Ark and His Temple [a rather “insignificant” matter for many of us] we ought to be able to grasp how much more Important, Significant, and Critical God views our Obedience to How He God wants us to Worship Him. The OT is replete with frequent rebukes to the Jewish Nation precisely because they chose to worship gods of there own choosing; and in ways God did not specify and approve off. And they were always punished for doing so.
 
Present Times
 
Friends God does not change. There are about 100 references in the NT for “The Church,” or “One Church.” The Protestant faiths are built on QUICKSAND, not ROCK. Today’s Protestants do not bear the same degree of guilt as there founders, because the founders ought to have know better as they were educated in Christ One Church; [Heb. 6: 4-10] while today’s Protestants, even with there decreased culpability, pay a penalty with weakened understanding, less wisdom, fewer graces as they are only doing as they are taught. 2 Tim. 4: 3-5 “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. [God obviously foresaw the advent of Protestantism]. As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
 
Keep in mind that when these words were written and placed into the Bible; the ONLY Christian Church in existence was the Christian Church known today as the Catholic Church. This is not simply a Catholic position; it is historically provable FACT.
 
Historically provable FACT: When the OT Books were collected to be included in the Bible; when the entire New Testament was written [by men known today to have been the First Catholic], there was as God Desired ONLY His One Church… the now 2,000 year old Catholic Church founded by Jesus Himself[Matt. 16:15-19]
 
2Chr.2: 4 “Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the LORD my God and dedicate it to him for the burning of incense of sweet spices before him, and for the continual offering of the showbread, and for burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths and the new moons and the appointed feasts of the LORD our God, as ordained for ever for Israel.
 
OT Times
 
One can see here the purpose of the Showbread was 1. “to make God Present to His Chosen People.” [Spiritually]. 2. To give God praise and Worship. 3. To establish both rituals of Worship, and specify “days of Worship.” [The Third Commandment.] Of note was that this holy bread could [lawfully] be consumed only by the Priestly class.
 
Present Times
 
Again we see the perfection of what was and what is. God is no longer Present JUST in Spirit! No, God Himself in now Present in His Catholic Churches visibly [or at least OUGHT TO BE] both for Worship and Supernatural Grace through Catholic Holy Communion. We see also were the Church derives her practices of Sunday and Holyday Worship.
 
2 Chr. 13: 10-12 But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him. [1] We have priests ministering to the LORD who are sons of Aaron, and Levites for their service.set out the showbread on the table of pure gold, and care for the golden lampstand that its lamps may burn every evening; for we keep the charge of the LORD our God, but you have forsaken him. [2] .”
OT Times
 
[1] The priest act as Intercessors on behalf of the people. They have ritual responsibilities assigned indirectly by God. The priest were completely responsible for the Showbread.
 
[2] One of the important roles given to the priest was “to accuse them of there sins.” To make evident to them there transgressions, and shortcomings. And to remind them that either we are in charge; or God is in charge. It can’t be both way’s.
Present Times
 
[1] Today’s priest have even a greater role. While Eucharist is From God, Is God, and offered to God; God’s plan has this miracle take place only through the hands of His Catholic Priest.
 
[2] These days the CC takes a real verbal beating for holding to Her positions on Faith and Moral Issues. But in truth, it’s not an option. Either we hear and obey God or pay the consequences. There are fewer by far, options in the practice of ones faith, than many of us willingly admit. Both Catholics and Protestants.
 
Bread of Presence
 
Exod.25: 30 And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me always.
In the Present Times this Command is fulfilled in the CC, in the Tabernacle. [Which is why “the tabernacle MUST be visible to All, ALL of the time.”]
 
Num.4: 7“And over the table of the bread of the Presence they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put upon it the plates, the dishes for incense, the bowls, and the flagons for the drink offeringthe continual bread also shall be on it;”
 
In the Present Times we see the origin of the use of BREAD and Wine comes from OT Worship practices. Again in the Present Times we see that these too have been perfected; and now become the Real Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Himself, in His Glorified Body.
 
1Sam.21: 6 “So the priest gave him the holy bread; [Speaking of future King Davis when he was fleeing King Saul who sought out of jealously to kill him] for there was no bread there but the bread of the Presence, which is removed from before the LORD, to be replaced by hot bread on the day it is taken away.” Mark.2: 23 -28 “One sabbath he [Jesus] was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, when Abi’athar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” And he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; so the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath.”
 
In the Present Times we too at times forget that the Sabbath is given to humanity as an opportunity to Worship God. It ought not to focus on fellowship and community; rather its focus ought to be first and foremost on God and for God. Fellowship and community ought to be practiced as God desires; but it should NEVER compete with Divine Worship.
 
Heb.9: 1-38 the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; [The Commandments]

above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary is not yet opened as long as the outer tent is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, but deal only with food and drink and various ablutions, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
 
Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred which redeems themfrom the transgressions under the first covenant.”

For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. Hence even the first covenant was not ratified without blood. For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than theseFor Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the Holy Place yearly with blood not his own**; for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
 
** Christ can [and does only die one time] In The Eucharist, Christ Pascal Sacrifice is RE-PRESENTED; NOT “represented“. Christ is made present time and time again in His Risen and Glorified Body. And it is Christ Risen Glorified Body [not His pre-death carnal body] that we consume in Catholic holy Communion.
　　
Holy Bread
 
Exod.29: 34“And if any of the flesh for the ordination, or of the bread, remain until the morning, then you shall burn the remainder with fire; it shall not be eaten, because it is holy.
 
In the Present Times how much truer is the now Bread [and Wine] Perfected by Transubstanuation, The Miracle of Love, worthy of being called “Holy Bread,” and “Bread of Presence.” What an awesome God we have! Amen!
 
Lev.21: 6 They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God; for they offer the offerings by fire to the LORD, the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy. [8] You shall consecrate him, for he offers the bread of your God; he shall be holy to you; for I the LORD
 
In the Present Times What a GREAT and Urgent need there is to understand that Priest, Bishops and the Pope are in special ways called by God, and Given extra Graces to “be holy.” And yet, it is evident that they too are human, and can and at times to REJECT these graces, We must understand that God’s Promise to guarantee the TRUTHFUL TEACHINGS of the Pope and the CC, are restricted to only those areas defined by God: namely all matters touching Faith and Morals. [John 14: 16-17, John 17:14-19].
 
1Sam.21: 4 And the priest answered David, “I have no common bread at hand, but there is holy bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women.” [6the holy bread
 
In the Present Times We see that God does not change. We see here a clear example of that, and also that The OT leads to the NT, where it is completed and perfected through Jesus Christ. Now in a Real and Literal Sense, God, who desires to be in a Intimate and Personal Relationship with us; assume in abject poverty and humiliation the appearance of mere Bread and Wine. WHY?
 
True Love knows no bounds!
 
Love and Prayers,
 
Pat

i, I’m new here

Hello, my name is Pat and I am an informed, practicing Roman Catholic who has been trained, tested and certified to explain and defend our Catholic Faith.

As a retired grandpa, I have the time to respond to all questions, anyone may have about what Catholics believe, how we practice our faith and why we hold these positions.

If I don’t have the answer, I know how and where to get it for you.

I’m an easy-going  kind of guy; but do tend to speak frankly.

If you have a question [or two], please ask and I’ll respond ASAP.

Love and prayers,

Pat… working4christ

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