REFUTING THE HISTORICAL DISTORTION AGAINST THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DURING THE TIME OF CONSTANTINE, Part 3

Jesus in Glory

Anonymous said...

Did He Ever Become a Christian?

Johnson notes: “Constantine never abandoned sun-worship and kept the sun on his coins.” The Catholic Encyclopedia observes: “Constantine showed equal favour to both religions. As pontifex maximus he watched over the heathen worship and protected its rights.” “Constantine never became a Christian,” states the encyclopedia Hidria, adding: “Eusebius of Caesarea, who wrote his biography, says that he became a Christian in the last moments of his life. This doesn’t hold water, as the day before, [Constantine] had made a sacrifice to Zeus because he also had the title Pontifex Maximus.”

Down to the day of his death in 337 C.E., Constantine bore the pagan title of Pontifex Maximus, the supreme head of religious matters. Regarding his baptism, it is reasonable to ask, Was it preceded by genuine repentance and a turning around, as required in the Scriptures? (Acts 2:38, 40, 41) Was it a complete water immersion as a symbol of Constantine’s dedication to Jehovah God?—Compare Acts 8:36-39.

A “Saint”?

The Encyclopædia Britannica states: “Constantine was entitled to be called Great in virtue rather of what he did than what he was. Tested by character, indeed, he stands among the lowest of all those to whom the epithet [Great] has in ancient or modern times been applied.” And the book A History of Christianity informs us: “There were early reports of his violent temper and his cruelty in anger. . . . He had no respect for human life . . . His private life became monstrous as he aged.”

Evidently Constantine had serious personality problems. A history researcher states that “his temperamental character was often the reason for his committing crimes.” (See the box “Dynastic Murders.”) Constantine was not “a Christian character,” contends historian H. Fisher in his History of Europe. The facts do not characterize him as a true Christian who had put on “the new personality” and in whom there could be found the fruitage of God’s holy spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, and self-control.—Colossians 3:9, 10; Galatians 5:22, 23.

The Consequences of His Efforts

As the pagan Pontifex Maximus—and therefore the religious head of the Roman Empire—Constantine tried to win over the bishops of the apostate church. He offered them positions of power, prominence, and wealth as officers of the Roman State religion. The Catholic Encyclopedia admits: “Some bishops, blinded by the splendour of the court, even went so far as to laud the emperor as an angel of God, as a sacred being, and to prophesy that he would, like the Son of God, reign in heaven.”

As apostate Christianity came into favor with the political government, it became more and more a part of this world, of this secular system, and drifted away from the teachings of Jesus Christ. (John 15:19; 17:14, 16; Revelation 17:1, 2) As a result, there was a fusion of “Christianity” with false doctrines and practices—the Trinity, immortality of the soul, hellfire, purgatory, prayers for the dead, use of rosaries, icons, images, and the like.—Compare 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

From Constantine, the church also inherited the tendency to be authoritarian. Scholars Henderson and Buck say: “The simplicity of the Gospel was corrupted, pompous rites and ceremonies were introduced, worldly honours and emoluments were conferred on the teachers of Christianity, and the Kingdom of Christ in good measure converted into a kingdom of this world.”

August 15, 2010 11:12 AM

Fr. Abe, CRS said...

[Did He Ever Become a Christian?]

YES HE DID. THAT IS A HISTORICAL FACT UNANIMOUSLY ACCEPTED. ARE YOU NOT AWARE OF IT?

[Johnson notes: “Constantine never abandoned sun-worship and kept the sun on his coins.”]

THIS IS A VERY ILLOGICAL REASONING. IT IS NON SEQUITUR. IT SIMPLY DOES NOT FOLLOW. THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES CARRIES THE LOGO OF AN EAGLE, DOES IT MEAN HE IS A SECRET PAGAN? THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES CARRIES THE LOGO WITH AN IMAGE OF A FISH, DOES IT MEAN THAT THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTS WORSHIPPED THE PAGAN GOD OF THE FISH - DAGON?

A VERY CHEAP SHOT.

[ The Catholic Encyclopedia observes: “Constantine showed equal favour to both religions. As pontifex maximus he watched over the heathen worship and protected its rights.”]

IT MEANS THAT CONSTANTINE IS AN UNBIASED AND A BENEVOLENT EMPEROR. IT IS THE DUTY OF THE EMPEROR TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF ALL HIS CITIZENS REGARDLESS OF RELIGION. THE KING OF THAILAND, JORDAN, SPAIN, ENGLAND [now a Queen] ARE DOING THE SAME. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT? THAT IS GOOD. THE EMPEROR MUST SERVE HIS PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF RELIGION.

NOW, YOU ARE CHANGING TUNES. EARLIER YOU ARE CLAIMING THAT CONSTANTINE FAVORED CHRISTIANITY OVER PAGANISM. NOW YOU ARE ARGUING THAT HE REMAINED PAGAN. HA, HA, HA... YOU ARE SHOWING INCONSISTENCIES IN YOUR CLAIMS.

[“Constantine never became a Christian,” states the encyclopedia Hidria,]

CONSTANTINE IS THE FIRST CHRISTIAN EMPEROR. THAT FACT CANNOT BE DENIED. BESIDES, YOUR QUOTES FROM THESE SOURCES ARE SUSPECT. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT AN ENCYCLOPEDIA WILL COMMIT SUCH A PLAIN STUPIDITY AS TO DENY THE CONVERSION OR BAPTISM OF CONSTANTINE.

[adding: “Eusebius of Caesarea, who wrote his biography, says that he became a Christian in the last moments of his life. This doesn’t hold water, as the day before, [Constantine] had made a sacrifice to Zeus because he also had the title Pontifex Maximus.”]

THE TITLE PONTIFEX MAXIMUS IS NOT EXCLUSIVE OF THE ZEUS WORSHIPPERS. THAT IS WHY YOUR QUOTE FROM EUSEBIUS OF CAESAREA IS HIGHLY SUSPECT. IT IS FAKE. EUSEBIUS WILL NOT BE UNGRATEFUL TO CHRISTIANITY'S GREASTEST BENEFACTOR. ACTUALLY, THE EASTERN CHURCHES WHERE EUSEBIUS BELONG CONSIDER CONSTANTINE AS SAINT. SO DREAM ON. YOU ARE FREE TO HALLUCINATE.

[Down to the day of his death in 337 C.E., Constantine bore the pagan title of Pontifex Maximus, the supreme head of religious matters.]

THE TITLE OF PONTIFEX MAXIMUS BEFORE CONSTANTINE MEANS "THE EMPEROR IS GOD". IT WAS FOR 'EMPEROR WORSHIP'. IN THE REIGN OF CONSTANTINE, HE REJECTED THAT. HE DIDN'T DECLARE HIMSELF AS GOD. THE TITLE PONTIFEX MAXIMUS SIMPLY MEAN 'GOD'S HIGHEST REPRESENTATIVE IN THE EMPIRE'. NO MORE THAN THAT. BESIDES, THAT TITLE BELONGS TO THE EMPEROR SIMPLY BY POPULAR ACCLAIM BECAUSE AS THE EMPEROR HE REPRESENTS GOD. WHEN HE ABANDONED PAGANISM CONSTANTINE BECAME THE PONTIFEX MAXIMUS OF THE CHRISTIANS AS THEIR 'POLITICAL LEADER'. LIKE DAVID AND SOLOMON WHO WERE KINGS YET ALSO REPRESENTATIVES OF GOD AS HIS ANOINTED.

CONSTANTINE SERVES THE GOD OF THE CROSS... THE GOD OF THE CHRISTIANS. HE IS THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADER OR PONTIFEX MAXIMUS OF THE PEOPLE UNDER THE BANNER OF THE CHRISTIAN GOD.

YOUR CLAIM THAT CONSTANTINE WORSHIPPED ZEUS EVEN AFTER HIS ENTHRONEMENT IS PATHETIC AND A HISTORICAL DISTORTION. BECAUSE IT WAS CONSTANTINE WHO ORDERED THE DESTRUCTION OF THE PAGAN TEMPLES AND BUILT OVER THEM THE CATHOLIC BASILICAS INSTEAD.

[Regarding his baptism, it is reasonable to ask, Was it preceded by genuine repentance and a turning around, as required in the Scriptures? (Acts 2:38, 40, 41)]

YES. BESIDES, WHAT IS THERE FOR HIM TO REPENT OF EXCEPT HIS NORMAL SINS AS A HUMAN PERSON? HE LIVED A MORAL AND CHRISTIAN LIFE. HIS MISTAKES ARE NORMAL MISTAKES OF A GREAT LEADER BUT HE WAS EXEMPLARY IN HIS VIRTUES AND STEADFAST IN FAITH.

[Was it a complete water immersion as a symbol of Constantine’s dedication to Jehovah God?—Compare Acts 8:36-39]

EXCUSE ME. READ THE TEXT CAREFULLY. THERE IS NO STATEMENT THERE SHOWING IMMERSION INTO THE WATER. HERE:

Act 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

Act 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Act 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Act 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

YOU SEE, THERE IS NO IMMERSION THERE. GOING DOWN INTO THE WATER DOES NOT MEAN IMMERSION. IT MEANS THAT THEY WENT INTO LOWER PLACE WHERE THERE IS THE WATER. THE EUNUCH COULD HAVE BEEN STANDING WHEN BAPTIZED LIKE ST. PAUL OF TARSUS:

Act 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and ENTERED INTO THE HOUSE; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Act 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and AROSE, and was baptized.

ST. PAUL WAS BAPTIZED STANDING INSIDE THE HOUSE. SO YOU ARE LYING TO US IN CLAIMING THAT BAPTISM MUST BE BY IMMERSION ONLY. BECAUSE THERE IS NO STATEMENT THERE THAT BAPTISM IS BY IMMERSION ONLY.

Besides, the REAL Name of God is NOT JEHOVAH... NO, NO, NO... That is wrong rendition of the Tetragrammaton. The REAL NAME OF GOD IS 'YHWH'.

SO PLEASE STOP YOUR HALLUCINATIONS.

[A “Saint”?]

THE PEOPLE OF CONSTANTINOPLE RECOGNIZED HIM AS SUCH. UNTIL NOW THAT IS THE BELIEF OF THE GREEK CHURCH. THEY ARE MORE CREDIBLE THAN YOU BECAUSE THEY ARE THE DESCENDANTS OF THOSE WHO SAW AND LIVED WITH CONSTANTINE.

[The Encyclopædia Britannica states: “Constantine was entitled to be called Great in virtue rather of what he did than what he was.]

THAT IS JUST AN OPINION. THE TESTIMONY OF OUR CHRISTIAN FOREFATHERS IS DIFFERENT AND THEIR TESTIMONY IS MORE CREDIBLE.

[Tested by character, indeed, he stands among the lowest of all those to whom the epithet [Great] has in ancient or modern times been applied.”]

YEAH, THE ANGLICAN CHURCH COMPOSED OF BRITS WHO MADE THAT ENCYCLOPEDIA CONSIDERS AS GREAT QUEEN ELIZABETH WHO BURNED OUR CHURCHES, MARTYRED OUR PRIESTS AND MONKS, DESTROYED OUR MONASTERIES AND ELIMINATED THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ENGLAND.

[And the book A History of Christianity informs us: “There were early reports of his violent temper and his cruelty in anger. . . .]

CONSTANTINE IS NOT A DIPLOMAT. HE IS A WARRIOR. ALL WARRIORS OF THOSE TIMES WERE STRONG IN CHARACTER. HE WAS MAJESTIC AND TERRIBLE IN ANGER. THAT WAS A PLUS FACTOR THAT TIME.

CRUELTY? HE WAS THE ONE WHO REMOVED THE CRUELEST TORTURES BEING APLIED AGAINST THE ENEMIES OF CHRISTIANS THAT TIME. HE STOPPED FEEDING PEOPLE TO THE LIONS OR BURNING THEM ALIVE. HE STOPPED THE CRUCIFIXIONS AND THE DEADLY GLADIATORIAL GAMES. HOW CAN THIS CAN OF MAN BE CRUEL?

[He had no respect for human life . . .]

HE HAS RESPECT OF HUMAN LIFE. HE WAS BENEVOLENT AND KIND. HE ENDED OPPRESSION. THAT IS THE CONCRETE PROOF, NOT YOUR HISTORICAL REVISIONISM. HE WAS ONLY TERRIBLE IN WAR. BECAUSE HE KNEW THAT ONCE THE ENEMIES BECAME VICTORIOUS THEY WILL DESTROY THE EMPIRE. CONSTANTINE IS GODLY BUT NOT STUPID. HE WAS A GREAT MILITARY COMMANDER AS HE WAS GODLY. LIKE GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON. HE WAS THE BEST GENERAL, FIERCE AND DEADLY, STRIKING TERROR TO THE ENEMIES... BUT HE WAS VIRTUOUS IN HIS LIVING.

[His private life became monstrous as he aged.”]

O NO. THE TESTIMONY OF HISTORY IS THAT HE WAS CLOSER TO GOD AS HE WAS BECOMING AGED AND SICKLY. HE WAS SURROUNDED BY PRAYERS OF THE PRIESTS OF THE CHURCH.

[Evidently Constantine had serious personality problems.]

CONSTANTINE HAS GREATER PROBLEMS THAN ANY MAN OF HIS TIME. BEING THE EMPEROR OF BOTH EAST AND WEST HIS BURDEN WAS GREATER THAN ANYBODY ELSE. THUS, IT IS REASONABLE THAT HE SHOWED STRESS OR WHATEVER.

BUT, THE FACT THAT HE WAS DOING GREAT AS YOU'VE STATED IS A MANIFESTATION THAT HE WAS SANE, HE WAS CARING, HE WAS BENEVOLENT AND HE FULFILLED HIS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WELL. ONLY A BALANCED PERSON CAN ACHIEVE THIS.

[A history researcher states that “his temperamental character was often the reason for his committing crimes.”]

WHO IS THIS ANIMAL?... RESEARCHER?

[(See the box “Dynastic Murders.”)]

HA, HA, HA... IT IS VERY OBVIOUS THAT YOU JUST COPIED THIS FROM ANOTHER WEBSITE. HA, HA, HA... EVEN THE DIRECTIONS HAVE BEEN COPIED. HA, HA, HA...

[Constantine was not “a Christian character,” contends historian H. Fisher in his History of Europe.]

IT IS NOT THE DUTY OF HISTORIANS TO JUDGE PEOPLE BUT TO PRESENT THEIR FINDINGS AS OBJECTIVE AS POSSIBLE. HIS OPINION IS NICE BUT WHAT COUNTS WAS THE UNANIMOUS LOVE, RESPECT, ADMIRATION AND HONOR CONFERRED TO THE FIRST CHRISTIAN EMPEROR BY HIS OWN PEOPLE.

[The facts do not characterize him as a true Christian who had put on “the new personality” and in whom there could be found the fruitage of God’s holy spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, and self-control.—Colossians 3:9, 10; Galatians 5:22, 23.]

CONSTANTINE WAS FILLED WITH LOVE. HE LOVED ALL HIS PEOPLE. HE LOVED CHRISTIANITY AND GAVE FREEDOM TO THE PEOPLE. HIS RULE MARKED THE END OF TWO CENTURIES OF CRUELTY AND OPPRESION. IT WAS THE END OF EMPEROR-WORSHIP. IT WAS ALSO AN ACT OF GREAT CHARITY AND GOODNESS. YOU ARE SIMPLY BLIND ON THE FACT OF HIS GREATNESS THAT ONLY A MAN OF GOD CAN GIVE AND CAN ACHIEVE.

[The Consequences of His Efforts]

THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS EFFORTS ARE FREEDOM FOR CHRISTIANITY. THE DEFEAT AND DESTRUCTION OF PAGANISM WITH ITS TEMPLES, AND THE RISE OF CHRISTIANITY AS THE NEW WORLD RELIGION. THESE ARE VERY GOOD... THESE ARE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS.

[As the pagan Pontifex Maximus—and therefore the religious head of the Roman Empire—Constantine tried to win over the bishops of the apostate church.]

HA, HA, HA... CONSTANTINE IS THE PONTIFEX MAXIMUS OF THE PEOPLE AND NOT OF PAGANISM. HE IS THE EMPEROR. THE EVIL EMPEROR NERO IS THE PONTIFEX MAXIMUS OF THE PAGANS BUT NOT CONSTANTINE. HIS BANNER IS THE CROSS OF CHRIST.

AND IT IS VERY ILLOGICAL FOR HIM TO TRY TO WIN OVER THE BISHOPS OF THE APOSTATE CHURCH. WHY THE APOSTATE CHURCH? WHY NOT THE TRUE CHURCH? BECAUSE DURING THAT TIME THERE IS ONLY ONE, TRUE CHURCH, THAT IS, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. THE APOSTATE CHURCH WAS ARIANISM.

DEFINITELY THERE WAS NO BORN AGAIN THEN, NO PROTESTANTS, NO MORMONS, AND NO JEHOVAH WITNESSES. THESE ARE NEWLY INVENTED RELIGIONS.

[He offered them positions of power, prominence, and wealth as officers of the Roman State religion.]

WRONG. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WAS NOT THE STATE RELIGION DURING CONSTANTINE'S TIME.

THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS BECAME PROMINENT DURING THE TIME OF CONSTANTINE BECAUSE CONSTANTINE LOVED AND RESPECTED THEM MORE THAN OTHERS. WHOM WILL HE HONOR THE INSANE MINISTERS OF THE JEHOVAH WITNESSES? OR OF THE INC OR OF ADD WHO WERE ABSENT THEN?

[The Catholic Encyclopedia admits: “Some bishops, blinded by the splendour of the court, even went so far as to laud the emperor as an angel of God, as a sacred being, and to prophesy that he would, like the Son of God, reign in heaven.”]

THIS IS FAKE. THERE IS NO SUCH THING IN CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA. THIS IS FAKE.

CITATION PLEASE. WHAT VOLUME AND WHAT PAGE OF CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA AND WHAT EDITION?

[As apostate Christianity came into favor with the political government,]

CHRISTIANY NEVER BECAME APOSTATE. THE CHURCH REMAINED STEADFAST IN ITS FAITH.

BEING IN FAVOR OF THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT EVIL. IT IS GOOD. DURING THE TIME OF DAVID AND SOLOMON THE TRUE FAITH WAS FAVORED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND IT WAS GOOD.

[it became more and more a part of this world, of this secular system, and drifted away from the teachings of Jesus Christ.]

O NO. THE CHURCH WAS THE ONLY INSTITUTION THEN PROCLAIMING THE TRUE TEACHING OF JESUS CHRIST. THE ONLY CHRISTIAN FAITH THEN IS CATHOLICISM. THE OTHERS WERE THE HERETICS.

[(John 15:19; 17:14, 16; Revelation 17:1, 2)]

LET ME CHECK THESE PASSAGES:

Joh 15:19 If you had been of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

OBVIOUSLY, THE WORLD HATES THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. THE POPE IS ALWAYS CRITICIZED IN THE WORLD TODAY BECAUSE HE OPPOSES ABORTIONS, CONTRACEPTIONS, SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, PROSTITUTIONS AND PORNOGRAPHY. HAVE YOU HEARD THE WORLDY MEDIA ATTACKING THE LEADERS OF JEHOVAH WITNESSES? IGLESIA NI MANALO? DATING DAAN? SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS? BORN AGAIN? ALMOST NOTHING.

Rev 17:1-2 And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven vials and spoke with me, saying: Come, I will shew thee the condemnation of the great harlot, who sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication. And they who inhabit the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her whoredom.

WE OPPOSED THE POWERS AND KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD. OUR POPE IS THE GREATEST MORAL FIGURE IN THE WORLD TODAY WHILE THE HEADS OF OTHER RELIGIONS ARE BOWING TO THE DEMANDS OF RELATIVISM AS LONG AS THEY GOT THEIR MONEY FROM THEIR MEMBERS. WE DO NOT FORNICATE. WE CONDEMN THE WORLD AND THE WORLD OPPOSES US WITH SUCH INTENSITY. THUS, THE RH BILL, DIVORCE AND ABORTIONS ARE NOT WINNING IN THE PHILIPPINES BECAUSE OUR CHURCH STANDS STRONG AGAINST THE POWERS OF THESE WORLD.

[As a result, there was a fusion of “Christianity” with false doctrines and practices—]

O NO. THERE IS NO FUSION WITH FALSE DOCTRINES AND PRACTICES BECAUSE WE WERE THE ONE WHO DEFEATED THE PROPONENTS OF THOSE FALSE DOCTRINES AND PRACTICES. NOT THE JEHOVAH WITNESSES WHICH IS RECENTLY ESTABLISHED BY A FOOL FROM THE UNITED STATES.

[the Trinity,]

THE TRINITY IS BIBLICAL:

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

[immortality of the soul,]

HA, HA, HA... WHERE CAN YOU FIND IN THE BIBLE THAT SOULS ARE MORTAL? THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF THE HUMAN SOUL AS BEING KEPT BY GOD:

1 Pet 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

IF THE SOUL IS KEPT BY GOD IT WILL NOT BE DESTROYED. THE KEEPER-GOD IS NOT THE KILLER OF THE SOULS.

[hellfire,]

Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with FIRE and brimstone: which is the second death.

IMAGINE, YOU ARE SO IGNORANT EVEN OF BASIC BIBLICAL DESCRIPTION OF HELL. HA, HA, HA...

[purgatory,]

Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, PULLING THEN OUT OF THE FIRE; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

THERE IS A FIRE FROM WHICH A SOUL CAN BE SAVED OR PULLED OUT. THAT IS THE PURGATORIAL FIRE.

[prayers for the dead,]

Ruth 2:20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and TO THE DEAD. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

SEE, NAOMI THE HOLY WOMAN OF ISRAEL MENTIONED THE DEAD IN HIS PRAYER TO GOD.

[use of rosaries,]

ROSARIES IS THE RECITATION OF HAIL MARY. HERE IS THE BIBLICAL FOUNDATION:

Luk 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Luk 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

[icons, images,]

Eze 41:18 And it was made with cherubims and palm trees, so that a palm tree was between a cherub and a cherub; and every cherub had two faces;

Eze 41:19 So that the face of a man was toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side: it was made through all the house round about.

SEE, THE PROPHET EZEKIEL DESCRIBED THE SACRED IMAGES IN THE TEMPLE, CHERUBS, FACE OF A MAN AND OF A YOUNG LION, WITH IMAGES OF PALM TREE... THESE IMAGES ARE ALL AROUND THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, HIS HOLY TEMPLE.

[nd the like.—Compare 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.]

WHAT IS THIS? YOU ARE USING THE STATEMENT OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS AGAINST THE PAGANS, THE WORSHIPPERS OF BELIAL AGAINST THE CATHOLICS? HOW DARE YOU. THE TEMPLE OF BELIAL AND HIS WORSHIP ENDED BECAUSE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DESTROYED IT. WE WORSHIP OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS FATHER, NOT BELIAL. WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT DEMON.

[From Constantine, the church also inherited the tendency to be authoritarian.]

HA, HA, HA...THIS IS THE MOST STUPID ARGUMENT I'VE EVER HEARD.

EVERY ORGANIZATION HAS AUTHORITY IN ORDER TO BE EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT AND UNITED. THE CHURCH HAS ITS OWN AUTHORITY THAT CAME FROM JESUS AND THE APOSTLES. IT HAS THE SUCCESSOR OF PETER - THE POPE. IT HAS THE BISHOPS AND THE PRESBYETERS, THEN THE DEACONS.

IT IS NOT AUTHORITARIAN BUT A BIBLICAL DISTINCTIONS OF AUTHORITY AS ESTABLISHED BY CHRIST AND HIS HOLY APOSTLES.

[Scholars Henderson and Buck say: “The simplicity of the Gospel was corrupted, pompous rites and ceremonies were introduced,]

HA, HA, HA... YOUR SCHOLARS ARE IGNORANT OF THE BIBLE. JESUS WAS ENTERING AND PRAYING IN THE TEMPLE:

Mat 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God...

THE APOSTLES WERE ALSO ENTERING THE TEMPLE TO WORSHIP AND PRAY:

Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Act 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

WHAT KIND OF WORSHIP DO THEY HAVE IN THE TEMPLE? THEY HAVE RITES:

Exo 29:7 And thou shalt pour the oil of unction upon his head: and by this RITE shall he be consecrated. [Douay-Rheims]

Exo 40:4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set upon it the things that are commanded according to THE RITE. The candlestick shall stand with its lamps,

Lev 8:34 As at this present it hath been done, that THE RITE OF THE SACRIFICE might be accomplished.

Num 3:26 The tabernacle itself and the cover thereof, the hanging that is drawn before the doors of the tabernacle of the covenant, and the curtains of the court: the hanging also that is hanged in the entry of the court of the tabernacle, and whatsoever belongeth to THE RITE OF THE ALTAR, the cords of the tabernacle, and all the furniture thereof.

Num 8:7 According to this RITE: Let them be sprinkled with the water of purification, and let them shave all the hairs of their flesh. And when they shall have washed their garments, and are cleansed,

I DON'T KNOW IF YOUR SCHOLARS ARE CHRISTIANS AT ALL OR IF THEY HAD READ THE BIBLE. THERE ARE RITES IN THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD. THEY HAVE VESSELS, PRIESTLY GARMENTS, CANDLESTICKS, ALTAR, SANCTUARY, SHOWBREAD, HOLY WATER, HOLY OIL, ETC.

PRIOR TO CONSTANTINE THE CHRISTIANS DO NOT HAVE TEMPLES BECAUSE THEY WERE PERSECUTED. BUT WHEN FREEDOM WAS ACHEIVED THEY STARTED BUILDING HOUSES OF WORSHIPS FOR THE LORD PATTERNED AFTER THE HOLY TEMPLE OF GOD.

[worldly honours and emoluments were conferred on the teachers of Christianity,]

DON'T BE HYPOCRITES. YOUR MINISTERS AND PASTORS ARE ACCORDED HONOURS AND EMOLUMENTS TOO. ARE YOU INSULTING YOUR PASTORS AND MINISTERS? NO, YOU ARE HONOURING THEM. TEACHERS ARE ALWAYS HONOURED IN EVERY CULTURE. JESUS WAS HONOURED BY HIS DISCIPLES. PAUL WAS HONORED BY HIS CONVERTS AND WAS PETER AND JAMES AND OTHERS.

THE EVIL IS IN YOUR MIND AND HEART. THEY ARE FULL OF MALICE AND EVIL PLOTS.

[and the Kingdom of Christ in good measure converted into a kingdom of this world.”]

DEFINITELY NOT. THE CHURCH IS THE ONLY INSTITUTION WITH COURAGE TO OPPOSE THE POWERS OF THIS WORLD. WE FOUGHT AND DEFEATED THE PAGAN ROMAN EMPERORS, WE DISMANTLED THE PAGAN TEMPLES, WE FOUGHT THE MOSLEMS IN CRUSADES, WE FOUGHT AGAINST THE TYRANNY OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, WE FOUGHT THE SOVIET UNION AND THE COMMUNISTS... IN THE PHILIPPINES WE DEPOSED THE DICTATOR MARCOS AND THE CORRUPT JOSEPH ESTRADA.

WE LOST A LOT OF LIVES BY MARTYRDOM FIGHTING THESE EVIL REGIMES BUT ITS ALRIGHT. WE WON AT THE END.

TODAY WE ARE FIGHTING AGAINST OBAMA AND THE U.N. ON ABORTIONS, CONTRACEPTIONS AND SAME-SEX MARRIAGE WHILE YOU AND YOUR KIND ARE BUSY ATTACKING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH INSTEAD.

August 17, 2010 5:22 PM