Results 581 - 600 of 744
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Norrie Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
581 | How does any Homosexual believe they are | Rom 1:19 | Norrie | 91761 | ||
DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY JULY 31, 2003 ( Genesis 18:16 - 19:28 ) The United States, a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah? In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned the sodomy law in Texas, we now learn that in New York City, there will be an all gay high school. Harvey Milk High School will be for GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered) students. Also, now available is a new television network called the Pride Network , that will have 24/7 programming geared towards a gay audience. On top of that is the plethora of new programs on cable and network television promoting the gay lifestyle. "Boy Meets Boy" is a reality dating program for gay men to meet other gay men. Another reality genre program is "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy." Already airing on cable is "Queer as Folk" and the popular HBO series "Six Feet Under" where a leading character is gay. Not to be outdone, the networks which already have brought us openly gay characters on the top-rated sitcom "Will and Grace," will have over 6 new sitcoms with openly gay characters. Welcome to a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah! The purpose of this Devotional today is to warn those who are not aware to what extent the pro-homosexual agenda is being fulfilled and to hopefully wake up the bloated, weak, and apathetic church that has to bear much of the responsibility for the moral decay of our culture. The goal of those who have chosen the homosexual lifestyle is to justify their sinful choice that is inherently destructive both to society and themselves. They are trying to force society to validate legally and ethically their choice of sexual behavior and relationships, and to enact laws that allow them to promote this sinful choice to our children as normal, even desirable behavior. Let me say right up front, sin is sin in God's eyes. No sin is greater than another. The sin of homosexuality is no more, or no less a sin than murder, adultery, stealing, lying, gossiping, or gluttony. THE REASON THIS SIN IS BEING SINGLED OUT AND ADDRESSED IS BECAUSE THOSE WHO COMMIT IT, ARE PROUD OF THEIR SIN AND PROMOTE IT AS AN ACCEPTABLE LIFESTYLE! People who commit adultery do NOT have parades to celebrate their sin. People who commit murder do NOT have political action committees to make murder legal. People who steal do not have high school clubs and try to teach children that stealing is acceptable behavior. Homosexuality is a SIN in the eyes of God and is something to be ashamed of, NOT proud of. Theologically this is not even a debatable issue. All through the Bible, from the Old Testament through the New, homosexuality is defined by God as a sin, PERIOD. God calls it an ABOMINATION! I have heard the tortured theological arguments homosexuals have made, but there is absolutely NO WAY to change the fact this act is a sin. Just because there is now a homosexual version of the Bible where they have literally changed the passages that call this act a sin, that does NOT change God's inspired, inerrant Word. Just because there is a fast growing homosexual denomination, the Metropolitan Community of Churches, that does NOT change the fact God calls this act a sin. I can guarantee you if I started a church that taught adultery was acceptable and wonderful behavior, I could fill stadiums on Sunday morning! THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN CHANGE THE FACT GOD CALLS HOMOSEXUALITY A SIN!!! The two greatest lies the pro-homosexual community has put out are that 1) homosexuality is something that you are "born with," 2) 10Percent or more in our society are homosexual. First, modern science has CLEARLY rejected and been unable to prove that ANYONE is "born gay". IT IS A CHOICE!!!! PEOPLE CHOOSE TO ENGAGE IN HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR!!!! LIKE ALL SIN, ONCE YOU DO IT LONG ENOUGH, IT MAY SEEM 'NATURAL', BUT IT IS STILL A CHOICE THAT YOU MAKE. Also, all legitimate studies done by the non-homosexual community clearly show that less then 1Percent of the population EVER engage in this type of sexual sin. Cont. |
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582 | How does any Homosexual believe they are | Rom 1:19 | Norrie | 91762 | ||
Cont from above Of course, anyone that dares to speak up on this issue is labeled as "intolerant" and a "homophobe." I find it amusing that Dr. Laura, who correctly pointed out that homosexuality is a deviant lifestyle, had her television program targeted and eventually taken off the air by the homosexual community. So this group that calls for tolerance by others, is very INTOLERANT when someone opposes their views. They also use the word "homophobe" to intimidate people from speaking out against their sexual choice. Since I started Liveprayer just under 4 years ago, I receive an average of 5-6 death threats a month. By far, the largest number of those threats over the years have been after running a Devotional on this issue. Last night on my television program I dealt with this issue. I immediately received 2 death threats, was sent some of the most hateful, nasty, vile emails that I have ever seen. But I can promise you one thing, I WILL NOT BE SILENT! It upsets the pro-homosexual community in Tampa where my program originates since my program has no commercial sponsors that they can boycott, and I BUY THE TIME from the UPN Network, specifically so nobody can tell me what I can and cannot say. So they have no way to silence me, except thru trying to intimidate me. I CANNOT BE SILENT ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS NOT ONLY A BONDAGE MANY MEN AND WOMEN NEED TO BE SET FREE FROM, BUT IT IS HELPING TO DESTROY THE FAMILY! I love you and care about you so much. THE GREATEST PROBLEM IN OUR NATION TODAY IS THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FAMILY. God's definition of "family" is a man and woman that are married and their children. We have literally watched the family become perverted and destroyed over the past 40 years. The destruction of the family will be the ultimate destruction of our society. THAT is why this issue is so critical, because it destroys the family as God intended it to be! The church better wake up and realize that while they have been building great buildings and getting fat, satan has been busy using the sin of homosexuality to destroy the family. As much of an abomination as homosexual churches are, equally as abominable to God are regular churches that accept homosexuality as a normal lifestyle! Parents, you better wake up and be aware that your daughters are being taught at school that it is "cool" to have sex with other girls, it is called "lesbian chic." You also better be aware that your sons are being taught having a boyfriend is the "in thing." Lastly, you better be VERY AWARE of what is on television, in music, and out in the culture that is constantly sending the message to your children that homosexuality is a normal and acceptable CHOICE! We live in a free society. If people who have chosen to engage in homosexual activity want to have their own schools, their own churches, their own television network, they have every right to. It is about time the church wakes up and realizes that those who promote this sin are bold and are stopping at NOTHING to get their message out to the masses. THAT is why I am always talking about how the church, those who know Christ as their Savior, have got to quit preaching to the choir and start taking the hope and love of Christ to the world at large. As those who follow Christ, we also have a responsibility to pray for those who are in this bondage, for God to open their hearts to the truth of His Word, and to turn from their sin. Only God can change hearts, and for those who are in bondage to the sin of homosexuality, we must pray for them to open their hearts and turn from their sin. Until Jesus returns, we will always have those who choose a perverted form of sex with those of their own gender, just like we will always have those who choose to pervert sex by having it outside of the bonds of marriage. While we can never accept their choice since it is clearly against God's Word, we must pray for them, just like we must pray for everyone who is battling sin in their life. For those reading this who are currently fighting homosexuality, let me tell you that God has never stopped loving you, and is simply waiting for you to turn from your sin and come back to Him. We serve a God of deliverance from sin, a God of forgiveness, and a God of restoration. Millions have turned from the sin of homosexuality and found complete restoration and fulfillment in living a life according to God's plan. What He did for someone else, He can do for you! I pray today that you hear these words, and choose to find freedom from your sin today. That freedom is only a prayer away! In his love and service, Your friend and brother in Christ, Bill Keller |
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583 | Faithful response to gays / lesbians? | Rom 1:21 | Norrie | 87577 | ||
Wow! That is an excellent explanation! | ||||||
584 | Faithful response to gays / lesbians? | Rom 1:21 | Norrie | 87590 | ||
You are blessed! After 12 yrs, we here are like oil and water but this is no.3. What's funny is that 1 I divorced but I hardly remember he was alive, 2 died but he's the one I remember more...wonder how that one wife thing applies w/death and not divorce? But I understand exactly what you are trying to say about God didn't say it was sin, just His requirement. | ||||||
585 | is homosexuality a sin? | Rom 1:27 | Norrie | 49262 | ||
You are kidding, right? What has been called an abomination by God you wonder if it's sin? Do your search on homosexuality and see what you come up with, there are so many verses for you. | ||||||
586 | is homosexuality a sin? | Rom 1:27 | Norrie | 49268 | ||
Sodom and Gomorrah:) If a homosexual throw that old "we're made in God's image" at you, tell them that was Adam, not us. When sin entered, little by little man was corrupted by sin and corruption until we are what we are today. Our spiritman is recreated in God's image but our body sure isn't. :) |
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587 | gay is wrong but where does it say why? | Rom 1:27 | Norrie | 93102 | ||
Web Site Details Dangers Of Homosexual Sex Thursday, August 14 @ 17:47:54 CDT Summary: A foreign web site that deals with the homosexual agenda contains an article that should be widely distributed. "Health and Homosexuality" provides compelling evidence that homosexuality should be discouraged on health grounds. A foreign site called "homosexuellt.com" published "Health and Homosexuality" in 2002. This article goes into graphic detail about the dangerous consequences of homosexual sex to those who engage in it. The article should be widely distributed to health officials, politicians, pastors, and other opinion leaders who think that homosexuality is normal and healthy. "Health and Homosexuality," notes, for example, "Despite the evidence of the unhealthy nature of homosexuality, medical doctors have often taken a politically correct view of the gay lifestyle in recent years. A doctor treating a heart patient would urge him to stay away from fatty foods. But instead of urging patients to abstain from dangerous sexual behavior, many doctors have encouraged patients to continue the unhealthy behavior-as long as they take precautions." To read and download this report, click here: HomoSexuellt.com: Health and Homosexuality. |
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588 | Prophet For This Age | Rom 3:4 | Norrie | 82527 | ||
Thanks, I know someone who needs that site, I'll pass it on. | ||||||
589 | Crime/punishment in Lev? | Rom 3:10 | Norrie | 37230 | ||
Has anyone done a study in Lev. where you can go to and see the crime vs penalty. Example: stoneing-muderder, incest, homosexuality, beastiality, etc. When they put to death, that is stoning, right? In Lev 20:14 they mention burned w/fire for marrying a woman and her mother. What about the cut off, is that like ostrasized? That's is Lev 20:6, those who turn to psychics. Then it in 17 says bear his guilt, 18 is cut off again, 19 bearing guilt, are they the same? |
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590 | Crime/punishment in Lev? | Rom 3:10 | Norrie | 37237 | ||
I'm trying to find a study on crime and punishment, I'm already saved. :) I'm on another forum w/homosexuals who think it is perfectly acceptable to be one, God condones it. Then they always throw the do you think we should be stoned thing at you. I was just wondering what all God commanded stoning for. So far I have got baby sacrifice and those who condone it and let that person get away w/it, cursing your parents, adultery, beastiality, homosexuality, mediums. I get kinda confused on where the line is drawn on incest tho, even a man w/dil is deathworthy but not brother and sister, aunts, sils. Those just said cut off from, I'm thinking like ostracised. I was just wondering if any indepth studies have been done. I just got to thinking about what is the worse things we do. Seems a rebellious child got stoneing too. What were all the stoneing offenses? | ||||||
591 | Opinions of J. Falwell on WTC attack. | Rom 3:23 | Norrie | 16691 | ||
DATE: September 17, 2001 FROM: Jerry Falwell WHY I SAID WHAT I SAID by Jerry Falwell Despite the impression some may have from news reports over the past several days, I hold no one other than the terrorists, and the people and nations who have enabled and harbored them, responsible for the September 11 attacks on this nation. I sincerely regret that comments I made during a theological discussion on a Christian television program were taken out of their context and reported, and that my thoughts - reduced to sound bites - have detracted from the spirit of this time of mourning. Like most Americans, I watched the September 11 tragedy unfold on television. I immediately called our Liberty University family of thousands together for prayer at 2 p.m. on the day of the attacks. On Wednesday, one day later, I led the Thomas Road Church in another call to prayer for America. On Friday, September 14th, President Bush invited me to join him, his family and administration and 3,000 others to the National Cathedral for a special Day of Prayer and Remembrance, where we asked God for His comfort, protection and wisdom. Since then, by television and radio, I have attempted to call together millions of people throughout this nation and around the world in remembering all those who died, and praying for our nation, the victims of this barbarism, and their loved ones. On Sunday, September 16, the Thomas Road Baptist Church, where I have served as pastor for 45 years, gathered thousands of dollars for the families of New York firefighters. Our members also gathered a huge collection of tools, clothing and other materials for the New York rescue and recovery efforts. My statements on the "700 Club" on Thursday, September 14th, were called divisive by some whom I mentioned by name. I had no intention of being divisive. I was sharing my burden for revival in America on a Christian TV program, intending to speak to a Christian audience from a theological perspective about the need for national repentance. In retrospect, I should have mentioned the national sins without mentioning the organizations and persons by name. I stated the deep concerns of millions of American evangelicals over America's sharp spiritual decline during the past generation. Over 40 million unborn babies have been aborted since Roe v. Wade. We have expelled God from the public square and the public schools. We have normalized an immoral lifestyle God has condemned. American families are falling apart. Because of our national moral and spiritual decline during the past 35 years, I expressed my personal belief that we have displeased the Lord and incurred his displeasure. I was asking a Christian audience on a Christian TV program to claim II Chronicles 7:14 and repent. I was calling upon the church to heed Proverbs 14:34, which says in paraphrase, "Living by God's principles promotes a nation to greatness; violating those principles brings a nation to shame." I was blaming no one but the terrorists for the terror, but I was chastising us, the Church, for a generation of departure from God. I was doing what I have done for nearly 50 years in the pulpit - confronting the culture and calling for national revival. ILL-TIMED COMMENTS My mistake on the "700 Club" was doing this at the time I did it, on television, where a secular media and audience were also listening. And as I enumerated the sins of an unbelieving culture, because of very limited time on the "700 Club," I failed to point the finger at a sleeping, prayerless and carnal church. We believers must also acknowledge our sins, repent, and fast and pray for national revival. We are all involved in a very sensitive period of national mourning. We are closing ranks and coming together in a time of great loss, as we are also facing the likelihood of imminent war. And if, in that crucial context, my statements seemed harsh and ill- timed, I truly regret this and apologize. But, I repeat, I blame no one but the hijackers and terrorists for the horrific happenings of September 11. But I do believe God's protection of us as individuals and as a nation is dependent upon our obedience to His laws. |
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592 | Opinions of J. Falwell on WTC attack. | Rom 3:23 | Norrie | 16697 | ||
I would think that if the militant islamic groups' personal vendeta is against "christian america" not "secular america", they are sadly misinformed. Most of our churches are so watered down, they don't even know the gospel, much less preach it. They are trying so hard to be politically correct, they lost the meaning of the gospel. Maybe it was the Christians fault when they didn't protest over Roe vs Wade, or when they didn't protest when prayer was taken out of schools. Then they didn't protest when the gays pushed their agenda, now they all have a stronghold and won't let loose. Has anybody been on a secular, liberal forum and listened to what's being spouted there? It will turn your stomach! I was at this one for awhile after the terrorists to find out news, this is a very liberal, Godhating, alternate lifestyle promoting forum, but they were being good after the attack, seems to be coming together. Then somebody brought up the Pat and Jerry thing. Then it was back to business as usual. These people hate Christians, when Jesus talks of being persecuted, these are the persecutors. If anybody wants to see how down and dirty it really is, I'll be glad to give you the link, but be prepared to barf. These people are proud of what they are and they hate anybody that tells them different. To them, the namby pamby, feelgood churches are OK, but don't say they are any kind of sinner, why that makes you are hater, just as bad as a terrorist!!! Most Christians just hang w/other Christians, they have no idea how bad it really is out there, go take a look, it will surprise and sicken you! Oh, there was another forum I haven't checked in awhile too because it was so sickening, I just couldn't stomach it. It was called Christianity General. I doubt there were any Christians there at all, maybe one or two hanging in there, but you can't reach these people, they hate Christianity so bad, they just eventually run you off because you get so sick of listening to their drivel. They don't want to hear anything about the Word, they just want to put it down. Maybe that's where we should all go and bombard them. But then, Jesus said shake the dust off... |
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593 | Opinions of J. Falwell on WTC attack. | Rom 3:23 | Norrie | 16990 | ||
I know where there are several forums these "fools" control, want some links? :) | ||||||
594 | What separates Evangelicals, Catholics? | Rom 3:28 | Norrie | 10319 | ||
I have several articles for you to read, they are quite long so will have to be in parts, sorry! PETER AND ROME The common tradition that Peter founded the church in Rome is unverifiable. Paul could hardly have named so many Roman Christians in the last chapter of Romans if there had not been churches there long before any possible bisit of Peter. Danielour observes however: "Was Paul's the only mission to the West? The Acts tells us that in 43, after the death of James, Peter left Jerusalem 'for another place' (Acts 12:17). He is lost from sight until 49, when we find him at the Council of Jerusalem. No canonical text has anything to say about his missionary activity during this time. But Eusebius writes taht he came to Rome about 44, at the beginning of Claudius's reign (HE II, 14, 61). It seems certain taht Rome was evangelized during the period from 43 to 49. Suetonius says that Claudius expelled the Jews in 50, because they were growing agitated 'at the prompting of Chrestos.' This shows that discussions between Jews and Jedaeo-Christians were taking place, leading to conflicts which came to the ear of the emperor. In fact at Corinth in 51 Paul met some converted Jews driven from Rome by Claudius: Aquilla and Priscilla. In 57 Paul addressed the community of Rome, already considered important. In 60 he found communities established in Puteoli andin Rome." (The Christian Centuries, Jean Danielou, p. 28) However, as we have pointed out, St. Peter was probably in Babylon from A.D. 44 to 49 rather than in Rome. We cannot imagine the silence of the Acts if Peter had been in Rome during that time. In any case this period (A.D. 44-49) seems to be the only time which Peter could have been in Babylon (See Peter's letter from Babylon - 1Peter 5:13), which was located on the great Roman highway as the next great city to the east of Antioch. (Peter was bishop of Antioch for 7 years before leaving for Rome, but preaching for a while at Corinth and Jerusalem on his way.) There is no serious attempt by any reputable scholar to find the presence of Peter in Rome before Paul wrote the Book of Romans to the band of Christians that had already grown to some size in that capital city of the first century world. On the other hand Peter had to die and be buried somewhere and Christian tradition haas been in agreement from the earliest of times that it was actually in Rome that Peter died. No less a Protestant theologian and historian than Adolph Harnack wrote that, "to deny the Roman stay of Peter is an error which today is clear to every scholar who is not blind. The martyr death of Peter at Rome was once contested by reason of Protestant prejudice." The Protestant theologian H. Lietzmann, has come to the conclusion that the testimony fromt he year 170 A.D. concerning the graves of the two Apostles at Rome must be correct. That is, that the two Apostles (Peter and Paul) were actually buried in two places in Rome. Perhaps the lastest authoritative word which has been written is by Oscar Cullmann. In his book "Peter, Disciple, Apostle, Martyr", he presents an argument based upon First Clement 5:24, in which he inferred from this text that the martyrdoms of Peter and Paul took place in Rome. |
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595 | What separates Evangelicals, Catholics? | Rom 3:28 | Norrie | 10320 | ||
Part 2 RECENT EXCAVATIONS OF ST. PETER'S BASILICA IN ROME Since the end of the second world war great interest has been focused upon the excavations under the church of St. Peter in Rome. ... Scholars await full publication of all the results of the excavations before agreeing. Nevertheless, the general tendency of the scholarhsip today seems to be moving in the direction of accepting the Roman stay of Peter. ... Near the close of the gospel of John there is a hint given as to the manner of Peter's death. It agrees with the tradition which has been long with us that Nero had Peter crucified head-downward on the Vatican Hill. It says, "As long as you were young, you girded yourself and went wherever you chose, but when you have become old, you will stretch out your hands and another will gird you and carry you where you do not want to go." (Look this and the following verse up in your Bible. John 21:17-19) It is universally recognized that these words are intended as a prediction of the martyrdom of Peter for the following verses tell us that these words speak of the kind of death that Peter was going to die to glorify God. The phrase "stretching out of the hands" (John 21:18) may indicate the manner of execution, which is crucifixion. Finally, it would be well to note that in the entire scope of the very earliest Christian literature there is complete silence concerning the death of Peter. We certainly do not even have the slightest reference that points to any other place besides Rome which could be considered as the scene of his death. And in favor of Rome, there are two important traditions that he did actually die in Rome. In the second and third centuries when certain churches were in rivalry with those in Rome it never occurred to a single one of them to contest the claim of Rome that it was the scene of the martyrdom of Peter. Other writings (not official) concerning Peter's visit to Rome: "A certain Parun puts his house (aedes) at the disposal of Peter, as well as it's inner garden, which could hold 500 persons." "Maliciously condemned, Peter was cast into the horrible, fetid prison of the Mamertime. There, for 9 months, in absolute darkness, he endured monstrous torture manacled to a post." (This prison is also known as the 3,000 year old Tullian Keep.) "History also tells us the amazing fact that in spite of all the suffering Peter was subjected to, he converted his gaolers, Processus, Marinianus, and 47 others. Peter met his death at Rome by the hands of the murderous Romans, who crucified him, according to their fiendish manner. He refused to die in the same position as our Lord, declaring he was unworthy. Peter demanded to be crucified in the reverse position, with his head hanging downward. Ironically enough, this wish was gratified by the taunting Romans in Nero's circus A.D. 67." |
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596 | What separates Evangelicals, Catholics? | Rom 3:28 | Norrie | 10321 | ||
HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE CHURCH FATHERS "Thus Nero publicly announcing himself as the chief enemy of God, was led on in his fury to slaughter the Apostles. Paul is therefore said to have been beheaded in Rome, and Peter to have been crucified under him. And this account is confirmed byt he fact that the names of Peter and Paul still remain in the cemeteries of that city even to this day. But likewise, a certain ecclesiastical writer, Caius by name, who was born about the time of Zephyrinus bishop of Rome, disputing with Proclus the leader of the Phrygian sect, gives the following statement respecting the places where the earthly tabernacles of the aforesaid Apostles are laid. 'But I can show,' says he, 'the trophies of those who have laid the foundation of this church. And that both suffered martyrdom about the same time, Dionysius bisho of Corinth bears the following testimony, in his discourse addressed to the Romans. "Thus, likewise you, by means of this admonition, have mingled the flourishing seed that thad been planted by Peter and Paul at Rome and Corinth. For both of these having planted us at Corinth, likewise instructed us; and having in like manner taught in Italy, they suffered martyrdom about the same time."' Historical records show that Peter chose Mark as his secretary or amanuensis. Papias of Hierapolis recorded the fact that "Mark, the interpreter of Peter, wrote down carefully what he remembered, both the sayings and the deeds of Christ, but not in chronological order, for he did not hear the Lord and he did not accompany him. At a later time, however, he did accompany Peter, who adapted his instruction to the needs (of his hearers), but not with the object of making a connected series of discourses of our Lord. So Mark made no mistakes in writing the individual discourses in the order in which he recalled them." (Keep this in mind later.) "Peter was led to the top of the Vatican Mount near the TYBER and crucified with his head downwards. His body was embalmed by Marcellinus the Presbyter after the Jewish manner, then buried in the Vatican near the Triumphal Way. Over his body a small church was erected. It was destroyed by Heliogalachis." (Dorman Newman) "His (Peter's) body was removed to the cemetery in the Appian Way, 2 miles from Rome where it rested obscurely until the Reign of Constantine (who) rebuilt and enlarged the Vatican to the honor of St. Peter. "The appearance of Peter was a follows; His body was slender of a middle size inclining to tallness. His complexion pail (sic) and almost white. His beard curled and thick but short. His eyes black but flecked with red due to frequent weeping. Eye brows thin or none." The Roman history, Augustus to Constantine, contains an interesting insight regarding controversies about the propriety of the early Christians' veneration of Apostolic burial places. "The Montanist Proclus argued that the tombs of the four daughters of Philip, all prophetesses in New Testament times, were still to be seen at Hierapolis in Asia. Gaius replied that he could point out the "trophies" of the Apostles (Peter and Paul) who founded the Roman church; they were on the Vatican Hill and by the Ostian Way. This interest in tombs was fairly widespread among Asian Christians and was certainly present at Rome as early as the middle of the second century. It did not spring into existence at that time, for in the New Testament itself we read of the burial of John the Baptist andof the martyr of Stephen. Ignatius of Antioch expected wild beasts to be his tomb, but this was a special case. Polycarp of Smyrna was carefully buried, even though a reference to an annual commemoration in the late second century may be an interpolation in the story of his martyrdom. |
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597 | What separates Evangelicals, Catholics? | Rom 3:28 | Norrie | 10322 | ||
Part 4 MODERN ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES OF PETER'S RELICS/BONES The most recent story concerning the burial of Peter was given in the National Geographic (1971). This account, which we quote by permission, provides the CATHOLIC archeological and ecclesiastical conclusions regarding the burial place of Peter. This report is interesting not only because of its conclusions, but becasue it provides an authoritive description of the steps by which those conclusions were reached. "Tradition holds that he was crucified upside down in Nero's circus near Vatican Hill. His body was given to friends, and he was buried close by. ".... When Julius II pulled much of it down and began the church that is there today, the tomb of Peter was lost to view. Historians thought Peter's bones were gone, his tomb sacked long before by Saracens. ".... in 1939, while excavations were being made for Pius XI's tomb, Pius XII gave orders that the digging was to be extended in a search for the tomb of Peter. This 'village' was one of the great discoveries. The houses and simpler tombs under them dated fromt he first to the third centuries A.D. They proved beyond doubt that Constantine had built St. Peter's over a cemetery. "But an even more exciting discovery was involved. A Roman presbyter named Gaius, who lived in the second and third centuries, had seen a grave memorial to Peter, and had mentioned it in a letter, a fragment of which has come down to us. Right under the papal altar, early in the escavations, a small ruined monument was found. This could well be the memorial Gaius had seen. At it's foot was a slab like a gravestone let into the ground. The excavators raised it. They found a grave, but it was quite empty. Some bones were discovered nearby. For several years they were believed to be the bones of Peter, but anthropological study established that they were actually the bones of more than one person. INSCRIPTION LEADS TO A STARTLING FIND "That would have been that, except for one obstinate and learned woman, Margherita Guarducci. She is a professor at the University of Rome, and she deciphers ancient inscriptions. "She spent 6 years studying the scribblings made by Christian pilgrims on two old walls above the empty grave. One graffito on the older wall, when deciphered, delivered an electrifying message: 'Peter is within'. In th eother wall was a recess lined with marble. To her it was clearly an ossuary, a niche for someone's bones. Had any been found? "The professor got hold of a workman who seemed to remember that something had been found there years ago, but he thought it was a piece of wall with a graffito. Undaunted, she searched St. Peter's storage rooms. There in a box marked for graffito, she found bones. "The bones, she learned were indeed fromt he ossuary in the ancient wall. Ten years before, a monsignor, during his daily inspection of the excavations had put the bones in a plain wooden box and deposited it in storage. "Professor Guarducci had the bones examined by Professor Venerando Correnti, and anthropologist of the University of Rome, who as she puts it, "entirely bore out what could be expected for the bones found in the only niche built by Constantine in his monument to St. Peter. "It was plain to her what had happened. When Constantine had erected the first St. Peter, he had cautiously moved the bones of the saint from his grave to this hiding place, a few feet away, to protect them from deterioration and grave robbers. "The bones that were found are those of a man of 60 or 70 years old, and in abox witht hem were bits of earth and shreds of purple-and-gold cloth. The age tallies with Peter's traditional age at the time of his crucifixion. Tradition says that he was buried in plain earth. And when Constantine had the bones removed to the niche, it would have seemed only fitting to have had them wrapped in precious purple-and-gold cloth. "Scholars disputed these conclusions; some still do. The writer of the above was allowed to study and photograph the burial place of Peter, deep beneath the basilica of St. Peter's church. He says " Beyond any doubt this huge church was built upon a very extensive and well preserved 1st century Roman cemetery, and the photographs reveal the name of Peter clearly inscribed in ancient Latin in the place where the Apostle's bones were discovered." (Something to keep in mind. If we are to believe Mark's gospel, which was authenticated by church historians years ago... should we discard church historians when it comes to where Peter died and where he was buried? Were the church historians honest enough to give us "Mark" as a gospel, but still liars when it comes to what they knew of Peter's death and burial?) |
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598 | What separates Evangelicals, Catholics? | Rom 3:28 | Norrie | 10323 | ||
THE BONES OF PETER by Dr. W.A. Criswell Simon Peter is addressed by our Lord Jesus in the sixteenth chapter of Matthew in these words: "And I say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whosoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Because of this passage, there is a vast system of religion built upon Simon Peter. Three things in this ecclesiastical system are avowed about him. 1. That Peter ruled the church. 2. That Peter ruled the church in Rome. Jerome (d. 240 A.D.) declared that Peter, after being first bishop at Antioch, and after laboring in Pontus, Galatia, Asia, Cappadocia, and Bithynia, went to Rome in the second year of Claudius (about 42 A.D.) to oppose Simon Magus, and was bishop of that church for 25 years, finally being crucified head downward in the last year of Nero's reign (67 A.D.) and was buried on the Vatican hill. 3. That Peter's tomb and his bones are under the high altar of St. Peter's church in Rome. There is no intimation in the Scriptures that the words of our Savior addressed to Simon Peter made him ruler and head of the church. In the Greek there is a play upon his name --- "Thou art Petros (a stone) and upon thee petra (a stratum of stone) I will build my church." First Peter 2:5 says, "Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house." First Corinthians 3:11 says, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus." The meaning is self-evident. The foundation, "the petra", upon which Christ will build His church is His deity, which Simon Peter has just confessed upon a revelation from the Father. The stones out of which Christ will erect His church are believing disciples, one of whom is Peter himself. The keys of the kingdom here given to Peter as a representative disciple, with the authority of binding and loosing, are given to all the disciples in Matthew 18:18 and in John 20:23. PETER IN THE EARLY CHURCH Was Peter ever the ruler of the church? Of any church any time, any place? Not that anybody knows of. The pastor and leader of the church at Jerusalem was James, the Lord's brother (Acts 12:17; 15:13-21; 21:18; Gal. 2:9) This Scriptural account of James is confirmed by Josephus in his Antiquities XX, 9,1, where James' martyrdom is described. Josephus never heard of Simon Peter, but the Jewish historian knows all about the faithful pastor and leader of the Christian church in Jerusalem. Notice in Acts 8:14 that Peter is "sent" by the apostles along with John to Samaria. Peter is not doing the sending; somebody else is. Notice in Acts 15:14-21 that at the Jerusalem conference, after Peter made his speech and Paul and Barnabas made their speeches, it is James who delivers the final verdict. WAS PETER EVER IN ROME? The second avowal of the Roman hierarchy concerning Peter is that he was bishop at Rome from 42 A.D. to 67 A.D., when he was crucified under Nero. If Peter was in Rome during those years, then the New Testament cannot be relied upon. There is not the faintest, slightest historical foundation for the fiction that Peter ever saw the city of Rome. 1. Paul was converted about 37 A.D. He says in the first chapter of Galatians (Gal. 1:13-18) that after his conversion he went into Arabia, "then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him 15 days." This takes us to 40 A.D., and Peter is still in Jerusalem. 2. Sometime during those days made his missionary journey through the western part of Judea, to Lydda, to Joppa, to Caesarea, and back to Jerusalem (Acts 9, 10, 11). Then came the imprisonment under Herod Agrippa I and the miraculous deliverance by the angel of the Lord (Acts 12). Peter then "went down from Judea to Caesarea and there abode" (Acts 12:19). Herod Agrippa died not long after these events (Acts 12:20-23). Josephus says that the death of Agrippa occurred in the fourth year of the reign of Claudius. This would be about 45 A.D., and Peter is still in Palestine. |
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599 | What separates Evangelicals, Catholics? | Rom 3:28 | Norrie | 10324 | ||
Part 2 3. Paul writes in the second chapter of Galatians that fourteen years after his first visit to Jerusalem to visit Simon Peter he went again to see him. The first journey was 40 A.D.; fourteen years later brings us to 54 A.D., and Peter is still in Palestine. 4. Peter returns the visit and goes to Antioch where Paul is working. This occasioned the famous interview between the two recorded in Galatians 2:11-14. Peter is still in the Orient, not in Rome. 5. After 54 A.D., and after the Antioch visit, the Apostle Peter makes an extensive missionary journey or journeys throughout the Roman provinces of the East. On these missionary tours Peter takes his wife (1Cor. 9:5). They labor in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. So vast a work and so great a territory must have consumed several years. This would take us therefore, to at least 60 A.D., and Peter and his wife are still not in Rome but in the East. 6. In about 58 A.D. Paul wrote a letter to the church at Rome. In the last chapter of that epistle, Paul salutes twenty-seven persons, but he never mentions Simon Peter. If Peter were "governing" the church at Rome, it is most strange that Paul should never refer to him. Romans 1:13 shows that the church at Rome was a Gentile church. At the Jerusalem conference (Gal. 2:9), it was agreed that Peter should go to the Jews and Peter to the Gentiles. The gospel ministry of Paul was motivated by a great principle which he clearly repeats in Romans 15:20: "Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation." A like avowal is made in 1Corinthians 10:15-16. Where no other apostle has been, there Paul wanted to go. Having written this plainly to the people at Rome, his desire to go to the Roman city would be inexplicable if Peter were already there, or had been there for years. 7. Paul's first Roman imprisonment took place about 60 A.D. to 64 A.D. From his prison the Apostle to the Gentiles wrote four letters --- Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. In these letters he mentions many of his fellow Christians who are in the city, but he never once refers to Simon Peter. 8. Paul's second Roman imprisonment brought him martyrdom. This occurred about 67 A.D. Just before he died Paul wrote a letter to Timothy, our "2Timothy". In that final letter the apostle mentions many people but plainly says that "only Luke is with me." There is never a reference to Peter. We have gone throughout those years of 42 A.D. to 67 A.D., the years Peter is suppose to have been the prince and bishop and ruler of the church at Rome. There is not a suggestion anywhere that such a thing was true. Rather the New Testament clearly and plainly denies the fiction. |
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600 | What separates Evangelicals, Catholics? | Rom 3:28 | Norrie | 10325 | ||
Part 3 BABYLON AND ROME In 1Peter 5:13, Peter says, "The church that is at Babylon saluteth you." Some suppose "Babylon" is a cryptic word for Rome. There is no evidence that Rome was ever called "Babylon" until after the Book of the Revelation was written. The Revelation was written about 95 A.D., many years after the death of Simon Peter. If 1Peter 5:13 refers to Rome, then Simon Peter did not write the letter and we have a forgery in the Bible. Peter's method and manner of writing are in no sense apocalyptic. He is direct and matter-of-fact. That this man Peter, plain of speech almost to bluntness, should interject into the midst of his personal explanations and final salutations such a mystical epithet, with no hint of what he means by it, is beyond credulity. Peter says the elect in Babylon send greetings to the Jews of the Dispersion in Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. "Babylon" is no more cryptic than "Pontus", "Asia", or the rest. He means what he says. His "Babylon" is the Babylon on the Euphrates. It is a part of the eastern world where Peter lived his life and did his work. Babylon in the time of Simon Peter was no longer a great world capital, but it was still inhabited by a colony of people, mostly Jews. Among those Hebrew friends he won many to Christ, and those Jewish Christians sent greetings to their fellow - Jewish Christians in Asia Minor where Peter had previously done a blessed missionary work. Unbiased historians and the Scriptural records indicate that Peter died and was buried either in Mesopotamia or Asia Minor. The Pope of Rome will be able to find plenty of bones beneath the Vatican hills, where Christians by the thousands were murdered and buried by pagan and papal persecutors back when Rome ruled the world. But these bones prove nothing except that the Roman hierarchy is frantic in its efforts to find something that will give a semblance of justification to their false claims that Peter was connected with the papal system. Peter was never in Rome. Nor was he ruler over any church. Nor did he have any keys to give anybody else to hand down to others. He was a stone, one out of many with which God is building His spiritual house in earth and in heaven. |
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