Protestantism
Q.: What is a Protestant? The protest against the Roman Catholic mother church has now stopped! People now are asking why? The reason is that truth is always progressive. Either for- or backwards.
The protestant reformation did not start with Dr. Martin Luther, but the reformation reached its height with Luther and his ten German prince's.
The Protestants stopped their protest much to early. There was more to be recovered from the doctrine which the Roman mother had changed. Changes like the Gospel, was the real reason of the protest that shook the world.
Changes not dealt with by the Protestant Reformation was the use of holy water, candles, the rosary, the halo, the sun monstrance, sun day of worship, statues and images and the violation of the Ten Commadnments. Another major point Protestants have been against is the worship of Mother Mary and the saints in place of worshipping God.
The English word 'Protestant' comes from the Latin and is made up from two words, pro-for, and testari-witness. And it has come to mean to write or speak strongly against.
In the spring of 1529 a.d., the Roman Catholic and Lutheran Princes of Germany were gathered at the second Diet of Speyer. With the help of the catholic majority, Ferdinand of Austria succeeded in enacting a measure forbidding any 'further' changes in the religious constitution of the states, and demanding full rights of property and worship for the Catholics in the Protestant territories, while denying it to Protestants in the Catholic states.
Unable to veto the decision, the princes of the six Lutheran states and fourteen free cities drew up their famous "protestati". They presented it to the Emperor Charles V, the brother of Ferdinand, on April 19 and by this action earned for themselves a noble name that has been adopted by a large section of Christendom ever since-Protestant.
The Protestant Reformer and co-worker and friend of Martin Luther, Philip Melanghton, urged Martin to carry the Protestant Reformation to its conclusion. Luther's reply was, I do not want to lead the people further as the are willing to go. This was especially true of the day of worship Rome had changed.
In the Lutheran Augsburg confession we read: "Besides, they (The R.C.Church) appeal to the fact that the Sabbath was changed to Sunday-contrary, as they say, to the Ten Commandments. No case is appealed to and urged so insistently as the change of the Sabbath, for thereby they wish to maintain that the power of the church is indeed great because the church has dispensed from and altered part of the Ten Commandments."--Article XXVIII. page 50 also see Thomas Aquinas, Summa theologica, II, q122, a.4 ad 4.
Why the Protest
Roman Christians wanted to avoid being persecuted and so compromised by mixing the Roman state religion of Mithra with Christianity to please the Emperor. This is why Roman Catholicism does not square up with the Bible. With this came a mystical spirit which replaced God's Holy Spirit.
That Great Power
That great power claimed by the Roman church is not from above. There is no authorisation from God in the Bible. That great power was of the state. It was worldly and not godly power. "Friendship with the world is enmity with God, whosoever therefore whosover therefore will be a friend of the world is an enemy of God."--James 4:4.
Protestantism started not with Luther
worshippers of our Lord Jesus Christ brought terrible persecution right from its start. In order to escape persecution, the Romans started to compromise their faith by accepting pagan doctrines into their church and so perverted Christianity. Here the first Protestants were protesting against such a move and were bitterly persecuted by the fallen.
The Roman Catholic Church
No one knows for sure when the Roman Catholic Church was born. We can see from historians that it began early with the Greek Philosopher Justin which was later surnamed Martyr falsely because he was never martyred. He was a friend of the Emperor while the true Christians were murdered.
Rome and Mithra
"Mithra deliberately imitated Christianity by borrowing such elements of Christian worship as were likely to make most impression upon the pagan mind. But it is certainly worthy of consideration that Justin, who is the earliest Christian writer who alludes to Mithraism, only mention the bread and water of the Mithraic Eucharist"--source: History of Early Christianity, Leighton Pullan,1898 ed, p.19.
The Roman Catholic priesthood are still wearing the costums or robes from the priests of Mithra and use real alcohol in the eucharist. In the Bible, unfermented wine represents the purity of the blood of Jesus Christ.
Christmas
In the 4th century the great festival of Mithra, 25th December, was adopted by the (Roman) Christians as a fitting day for the celebration of the birth of the "Sun of righteousness." Ibid, p.25
Notice the "Sun" and not the "Son" of God. These pagan heathen would not worship the Son of God Jesus Christ. Other elements from sun worship adopted by Rome was the halo in form of the sun disc, the Sun monstrance and Sunday worship in opposition to the Ten Commandments.
Why the Roman Catholic Church?
This Church grew so rapidly because the compromised church was so easy to follow and later on used extreme force under torture to end the protest and join them. Just as the Emperor of Rome proclaimed himself as a god, so did the Pope when pagan Rome morphed into papal Rome. Even up to this day, the pope by his tripple crown claims it to be so.
The three fundamental doctrines of Protestantism are:
The Protestant goes directly to the word of God for instructions, and to the throne of grace in his/her devotion; while the pious Roman Catholic consults the teachings of his/her church, and prefers to offer prayers through the mediums of the virgin Mary and Saints.
(Note here that the bible teaches that the dead know not anything and Necromancy, the talking or praying to the dead, is an abomination Ps.106:28; Col.2:8).
The Evangelical Freedom
From this general principle of evangelical freedom, and direct individual relationship of the believer to Christ, comes the three fundamental doctrines of Protestantism: 1.) The Bible only 2.) by Grace only 3.) the general Priesthood of believers.-The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol.IV page 419.
The Bible Only
By the Bible only, is meant that we do not need extra revelations nor dogmas that contradict the 'Holy Word of God'. When the church of Rome was looking for an answer to Luther's Sola Scriptura, the found it in the change of the day of worship.
The Vatican Concel nr.1 went for years until the Bishop of Reggio stood up and explained that the change of the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday is not Sola Scriptura.
The Roman Catholic Bible
The Roman Catholic Bible is basically the same as the Protestant, except that Rome added the books of the Apocrypha, so named in the 5th century A.D. by a Latin scholar Jerome. It is rejected by Protestants because of its uncertain and doubtful origin as well as containing fiction and other ramblings. The Apocrypha was written by Hellenistic Jews during the inter-testamental period. They were formally added to the Roman Catholic Bible by the Council of Trent only after the Reformation (1546 A. D.), in a futile attempt to support purgatory, limbo and purgatory, and prayers for the dead which Luther attacked.
The Roman Catholic Teachings
In Catholic teachings salvation is dispensed by the church, especially through the sacramental system. The church has the authority to grant partial or plenary (full) remission of the temporal punishment of sin by selling memorial masses and indulgences. These can alleviate, shorten, and even eliminate the time spent in the purging fires of purgatory.
Protestantism agrees with Catholics on the necessity for "purgatory" or "cleansing" of our sins, before we can enter into the glorious presence of the Lord. But we disagree on how this cleansing is achieved. Catholicism insists that after baptism believers must expiate their sins by penance in this world, and by the purging fire in purgatory. But Scripture teaches that only the blood of Christ cleanses our lives from sin [1.John 1:7].
The Extreme Contrast Between The Protestant and Roman Catholic Positions!
The Reformers teaching that every justified Christian is simul justus et peccator, that is, a Saint and a Sinner at the same time, makes justification a phoney external transaction which leaves people internally unchanged. Such an understanding of "justification by faith alone" can become a thinly disguised license to go on sinning.
In their zeal to emphasize the free gift of salvation in opposition to the Roman Catholic emphasis on good works, Protestants have often given the impression that obedience to GOD'S law is not important, because after all justification is a judicial declaration of acquittal, not a moral transformation.
But in actual fact, the separation between these divine saving activities can only occur in the minds of speculative theologians, not in the practical experience of believers. Believers who are justified are also sanctified at the same time. Note how the apostle Paul lumps together regeneration, justification, and sanctification: " You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord JESUS CHRIST and in the Spirit of our GOD." [1.Cor.6:11].
The fact that Paul mentions the cleansing, the sanctification, and the justification as saving activities simultaneously experienced by believers indicates that believers are sanctified at the moment of justification. The reason why "there is now no condemnation for those who are in CHRIST JESUS" [Romans 8:1] is not merely because penitent sinners have been declared "not guilty" before GOD'S court, but because "GOD sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin.......in order that the just requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" [Romans 8:3-4].
Both the legal declaration of justification and the moral transformation of sanctification are gifts of divine of grace received at the same time. "The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness for heaven." The imputed and imparted righteousness of CHRIST are both offered at the same time to those who accept GOD'S offer and provision of salvation.
Roman Catholics are right in affirming that justification by faith is not merely a legal declaration but also a moral transformation. But they are wrong in claiming that such a transformation is triggered by an infusion of grace that begins at baptism and continues through life by means of the sacrament and good works. To Roman Catholics, justification is ultimately not a divine gift of grace, but a human accomplishment by believers who join their works with faith. This understanding of salvation is reflected in Passion Plays like Gibson's movie. Salvation is sought to be achieved through penitential suffering, rather than being received as a divine gift of grace.
Sin
Since "the transgression of the law" is sin [ 1 John 3:4; Romans 3:20; 7:7-14 ] one of the things the Protestant Reformation must do before it is finished is to restore the Sabbath of Christ and the fourth commandment. Here the Protestant Reformers have left us a perfect foundation to built on. The Sabbath is incredible! At one and the same time it stands for full obedience to God's law [sanctification] and resting in the merits of Jesus [justification].
The Roman Catholic church found itself with very few weapons to use against the Protestant Reformation. The Reformers had the Bible, the church had the stake and fear -- they said that the Protestant Reformation, in breaking down the iron grip of the church on society, would lead to the breakdown of society. The Protestant Reformers replied that God's law has three uses: 1.] To guide civil government in making good laws for society. 2.] To be a schoolmaster convicting of sin and bringing us to Christ and 3.] To guide the born again in living to the praise of grace. Both sides accepted point 1 and 2. It was the "Third Use of the Law" that was of special interest to the people in general and the authorities in particular.
The Holy Spirit also speaks with strong emphasis to us today that some have been seduced by spirits and doctrines of demons. This is that God allows those who love deceptions, to be deceived by Satan the Arch-chief-Deceiver, who has transformed himself and his ministers into angels of light.
So when the Faith healer Oral Roberts was told by Satan that Satan was God and to infiltrate Christianity because the time was ripe in the 1960's, the roman Catholic church was quick to recognize it as their own spirit. Yet when the association of Spiritualists claim that the Roman Catholic Church belongs to them, they deny it. But there seem to be no denial when Haitians claim that "Voodoo" is part of the Church. Voodoo means spirit, called Santeria in Cuba, Orisha in Brazil and Obeah in Jamaica. It is an African rite to obtain favours from the dead and deities through animal sacrifices.
"The Spirit speaks expressively, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocricy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and to abstain from meats."-1.Timothy 4:1-3
Note, what is there to lie about the truth? When you insist that the apostle Peter was the first Pope. This can never be, the very religious title, Pope, meaning Papa or Father is forbidden (see Matthew 23:9) because the pope is seated in God's Church or Temple and calls himself by the name of God, namely "Holy Father". See 2.Thess.2:3-7
" Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there comes a falling away first (depart from the faith), and that the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who exposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he is seated in the temple of God showing himself that he is God."
Q.: How does the pope exalt himself above God? A.: He owns a tripple crown by which it is claimed that he is the King of heaven, 2, of earth,3 of the lower regions. And the son of perdition? Luther called him the little son of the Devil. The pope also claims to have inherited the 'Babylonian' title Pontifex Maximus or in short 'Pontiff'. This makes the Bible claim of Revelation 17 believable that all that attach themselves with Rome and its church, are her daughters.
The blessed virgin Mary seems to be popping up everywhere lately and the Pope says he talks to her every night. That means that he gets his advice and instructions from the dead who know not anything ( Eccl.9:5)
Satan's first lie " You shall not surely die".-Genesis 3:4 is unfortunately repeated in many pulpits today. But where do they get it from? Not from the Bible, but from Rome. The Bible calls it, 'the wine of Babylon'.
Q.: What are the doctrines of demons mentioned above from 1.Tim.4 ? A.: All that the spirits gave Mother Church of Rome long ago. The mythology from the Greek empire, Plato, teaches that when you die you are not dead but alive. Protestantism is still drunk with the wine of this false doctrine! The Bible does not teach reincarnation or life after death before the resurrection.
The blasphemous claim to have authority from heaven to even modify divine law puts Roman Catholic authority above God. Similar to Joseph Smith receiving his golden plates. Rome removed the second of the Ten Commandments which forbids the making of images above and under the ground, so they could start idolatry the worship of saints and introduce the underground purgatory, limbo and hell. In order to make up its number, they split the last command and moved down the numbers.
The Bible teaches us that demons have the ability to perfectly reproduce the image and voice of people after they have died. When King Saul disobeyed God by carrying out the duty of the Priest, God no longer answered his prayers. And the day came when his enemies made war against him and he went to consult the witch of Andor who brought up a counterfeit Elijah to talk to him. This things only happen at night time until now because it is the work of darkness. Rome also shifted God's time from sundown to sundown to the darkest hour of midnight when Pope Gregory made the new Calendar.
Protestantism has always believed the little horn in Daniel represents the Papacy and the Ten Horns of Daniel 7:7,24 are also found in Revelation 13, show that it is the Papacy who wore out the saints, thought to change times and laws and given into his hands for 1260 years.
The time he changed from sundown to midnight and the laws, the Ten Commandments also involved God's time element from Saturday to Sunday and the removal of the second command. He certainly thought he had authority from heaven to modify divine law. The problem is, you can never alter a testament after the testator has died. God calls the testament a field that contains precious jewels for which a man would sell everything he has, so he can to buy it. But thank God, it is free. Trouble is, not many people discipline themselves enough to study and search for these precious hidden treasures.
Q.: Ever wondered why the "Protest" is become so silent these days? Ever wondered why they have the sudden urge to re-unite? But the protest has not completely died! The positive witness for the truth is alive and well. All the faithful can see how spiritualism and worldliness is taken over the fallen churches of Babylon the great and that God is calling all to come out. May the protest continue and the workings of Satan as an angel of light be exposed. The only Protestant church ;leftover' or 'remnant church' is found here!
Luther has been one of the more popular Protestant Reformers. There have been many others as long as Roman Catholicism existed. Recently, the Church of Rome claimed to have changed. But these changes are only cosmetic. On the outside you can see the sheep clothing. Innerly, she has not changed and remains the dangerous wolf. Anyone wanting to expose her sins, will be bitten.
Dr. Martin Luther was born November 10, 1483, at Eisleben, a town in upper Saxony. It was about eleven o'clock at night on what was called St. Martin's Eve, which was the reason he was called Martin.
His father's name was Hans or Johannes which answers to our John, and the surname Luder or Luther. His mother's maiden name was Lindemann and he had a brother Jacob.
We are extremely grateful to Luther for freeing us from the shackles of Rome. Yet he was only a half-way reformer. His co-worker Phillip Melangthon and his mentor Von Karlstadt had to flee to neutral Switzerland where they continued to publish Luther's short comings known as the Orlamunde writings. They wanted Luther to bring back the Seventh-day Sabbath of Christ as the true Lord's day. Luther replied that he was not willing take the reform further as the people were willing to go.
Luther is especially known for rescuing from his church of Rome the Gospel of righteousness by faith alone. He stripped it of all men's best efforts and works, as well as of self-righteousness. Martin also leaned heavily on the arm of state politics which according to James 4:4 is a no-no. Luther was also a strong Jew hater (Anti Semitic). Nevertheless, Martin Luther is our Hero of the Protestant Reformation.
Other Protestant Reformers:
John Huss of Prague, in 1401 while at the University studied the writings of Wycliffe. He did not agree with all the religious thoughts of Wycliffe, but the two men's unity of thought regarding the authority of the church as it related itself to the teachings of the Scriptures made them enemies of papal authority.--heroes of the Reformation.1951 ed.,p.11.
Jerome of Prague, born circa 1365, fought against the moral corruption of the priesthood.
Thomas Bilney
was a less known English Reformer, born 1495 in Norwich, attended Trinity College and attained the degree of doctor of laws. Ordained as a priest in 1519. Like Luther, he discovered that good works alone were not saving anyone.
Thomas Cartwright
Leader of the Puritans. The Puritan Party was not content with the existing state of affairs in the Church of England; they were anxious to carry the Protestant Reformation to further lengths. In 1569, he was assigned the Lady Margaret chair of divinity at Cambridge. When the Queen of England was made the head of the Church of England, she standardized the form of worship which allowed only preachers wearing the square cap, the gown, the tippet, or the linen surplice.
In March 1566, the clergy of London were compelled to decide whether they would wear the enforced garb.
Of 110 ministers, 37 refused, thereby leaving many of the parishes vacant; and the laity who disliked worshiping in the presence of what they termed "idolatrous gear," also left the church.
Protestant Fundamentalists started in 1910-1915, emphasizing literal truth of the Bible. After the Scopes monkey trial, protestant fundamentalists became more vocal and distinguished themselves from liberal Christianity.
The 1925 Monkey trial in Dayton,Tenn., at which a school teacher was fined $100 dollars for teaching Darwin's theory of Evolution in violation of state Law.
Protestant Reformer John Calvin's opposed the concept of the 'perseverance of the saints' commonly called "once saved always saved" is not in harmony with the following texts: 1. Sam.10:6,9; 28:6,15; Ezek.18:24; 28:14,15; Matth.24:13; 1.Cor.9:27; Gal.5:4; Hebr.3:12-14; 6:4-6; 2.Peter 2:4,20,21.
It is almost impossible to make an exact head count of who is a Protestant today because daily more and more Protestants are falling for the deceptions of speaking in tongues which is a Roman Catholic spirit of Spiritualism (1.Tim.4:1).
Protestants however are still agreed on the many forgeries the Mother church has made such as pseud-Isidorian Decretals and the Donation of Constantine.
In fact the Bishops of Rome tried to please Emperor Constantine by agreeing to his edict of 321 A.D. to take away Christ's seventh day Sabbath and declaring it Jewish and stopping short of declaring our Creator Jewish as well. They agreed to put in its place a pagan holiday which sounded similar. Both religion celebrated a resurrection. The risen Christ in Christianity and the sun worshippers of the rising sun.
What does it mean when the Protestant goes directly to God and the throne of grace in his or her devotion? The throne of grace is in God's Temple or Sanctuary in heaven called the most holy or holiest of all. Here we find God's mercy seat or throne above the ark of the testament containing the two tables of stone, the Decalogue or Ten Commandments. These point out our sins and there we find forgiveness, mercy and grace by our heavenly great high Priest Jesus Christ and not in a confession box by an earthly counterfeit priest.
We are 'protesting' against those religious leaders who are now trying to undo the Protestant Reformation with Ecumenicalism over the heads of the people and without their consent.
Liberal church leaders are continuing with their spirit of compromise in more ways than one, and we are continuing the 'protest' just as Jesus did against the religious leaders of His day.
Half hearted professors and lukewarm Christians will be spewed out of His mouth (Revel.3:16). "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). "Though the number of the children of (God) Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved" (Romans 9:27). This "Remnant" is seen in Revelation 12:17 and 14:12 fighting a lonely battle for Christ and the Ten Commandments.
"For if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (1.Peter 4:18). Make your calling and election sure. Everybody is being called by the Gospel of our wonderful Lord and Saviour from sin (Matthew 1:21).
As the popular Christian song goes, you must 'bear' a cross before you can 'wear' a crown. Don't be deceived by those who offer you an instant salvation and crown of eternal life! Jesus says: "He that does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me".---Matthew 10:38). Also beware of once saved always saved.! God demands self-denial.
Be prepared to dig deeper. Learn the difference between Protestant, Roman Catholic and Spiritualism. What is the 'mark of the Beast and Babylon God is calling you out of???
We are also protesting 'speaking in tongues' as opposed to Acts 2
Protestant Reformers rejected speaking in tongues. It does not belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, Christianity, God or Protestantism.
Spiritualism for these last days is clearly spelled out in 1.Tim.4:1-4
Some Protestants have already fallen for fallen Babylon and joined the counterfeit spirit of tongues (glossolalaia). God is not calling for reforming the fallen, but to come out and be separate and I will receive you saith the Lord.
Rev. W. L. McLeod in "Fellowship with the Fallen" has seen occult powers in Christianity for a long time. All this points to "Babylon is fallen, is fallen."--- Revel.14+18
Cardinal, heaven help them, [Sydney Morning Herald 3.8.02 (2610 words) Stephen Crittenden], pedophilia engulfs Catholicism, millions of worshippers walked away from a church bereft of morality.
Mrs. Billy Graham said long ago, "if God doesn't do something soon, He has to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah". No doubt she spoke of the world. Little did she realize that all to soon it would overtake the Christian church.
To repent from sin means also to forsake sin, this can only be achieved by the power of Jesus Christ who saves men not in, but from sin (Matthew 1:121). He freely forgives, so come to Jesus whose blood cleanses us from all sin.
Disclaimer: Note: we love those who have erred and strayed from the path of righteousness unconditionally. Our only purpose is to show how Babylon the great has fallen morally. Like Mr. Lot and his family, we are vexed daily by those mal-practices (2.Peter 2:7,8). Here is a definition of Vexed: 'tormented, disturbed, made angry, irritated, annoyed'.---Award dictionary.
Lord it pains my heart to see your people still having the veil over their eyes (2.Cor.3) and cannot see your 'glorious' Law of Liberty, the Ten Commandments (James 2:8-12), the Law of your Being and spirit (Romans 7:14,12,7).
Help Your people to see that Your high and holy name is tied up with Your high and holy Law, a reflection of Your character deposited under Your mercy seat. Lord help us not to be Christian in name only. Father forgive us for Jesus sake.
Beholding You dear Jesus, the joy of our new hearts, we are changed from 'Glory' to 'Glory' even by Your holy spirit (2.Cor.3:18). Help us to praise Your wonderful and holy name and pray for more of Your eyesalve, the gold of faith and Your white and spotless robe of holy righteousness put into our hearts (Rom.8:3+4; Hebr.8:9).
Terrible CALAMITIES are now coming upon this world, and only those Christians that are sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in Christianity will be saved.
Protestant America has long been seen as the Beast power in Revelation 13 that looks "lamb like" or "Christ like" but speaks as the dragon. The supreme court has ruled now that the constitution in "God we trust" and "One nation under God", is un-constitutional. They ordered Christian symbols and prayers to be removed from schools as they did also in Germany.
Protestant America right now wants to have the two ton stature of the Ten Commandments removed from a court house in the state of Alabama.
"When a church, a mainline denomination in this country, decides to abandon the Word of God and to lift up a man who is in sin, then I think what we have is a church that's decided to abandon the Word of God," Parshall says.
"What you have then is a social club -- but you don't have a church,
because a church is where God's Word is taught and the name of Jesus Christ is lifted up."
Parshall says the absolute truth is always found in scripture, and should be obeyed.
"The Bible doesn't contain the word of God -- it is the Word of God. And that same book says 'Woe to the shepherds who lead the sheep astray.'"---Agape Press .
The start of Roman Catholicism
Justin Martyr [A.D. 100-167] born at Neapolis at the time the last apostle [John] passed away, and died in Rome. Justin was a pagan Gnostic who wrote hate speeches like "Judaizers" and was instrumental in seeding numerous paganistic beliefs into Christianity. 1.Timothy 4:1-4 calls them doctrines of devils.
The fact that he was called a "Church Father", a term strictly forbidden by GOD in the New Testament [see Matthew 23:9] as a religious title. Justin Martyr travelled in a Philosopher's robe, like catholic Priests wear their graduation gowns.
The apostle Paul had prophesied, that after his departure, men would come and remodel the cause of Christianity [Acts 20:29,30]. This was fulfilled in Justin Martyr who wrote hate speeches in order to promote paganism in Christianity including the celebration of Ishtar to Easter and because it was always done on Saturdays, the Sabbath, to have it transferred to Sunday once a year at first. This was the start of using the day of the sun from sun-worship in Christianity.
Later in 321 A.D. after Emperor Constantine helped more of pagan sunworship to be incorporated into Christianity, issued the first law enforcing the venerable day of the sun under the penalty of death. not a single word about being the day of the resurrection. We do not think that he even believed in the resurrection.
Where are these writings of the early Fathers to be found? We have
before us quite a large volume called The Lost Books of the Bible. The
preface says these writings were "not included in the authorized New
Testament." On page 172 of this book (which is filled with all sorts
of follies and fables) I find "The Epistle of Ignatius to the
Magnesians," and it is in this "epistle" that there is a statement
favoring first-day keeping. How few there are who when this statement
is quoted in books and pamphlets written in opposition to the Sabbath
know that it comes from The Lost Books of the Bible! Preachers will
read from this book of fables with the same show of reverence and
respect as though it were the Word of God. Another early writer often
quoted in favor of first-day observance is Barnabas. We find his
writing on page 153 of Lost Books of the Bible. We are ashamed to quote
the things contained in these pages; we shall merely refer the reader
to them, but at the same time I would be far more ashamed lo read from
such a source to prove first-day sacredness! Those ministers who quote
from these sources know there is not one in a thousand who knows
.anything about the "epistle of Barnabas," and they can take advantage
of this ignorance to prove something which they cannot prove by the
Bible!
Justin Martyr is an "authority" that is greatly relied upon to
prove first-day sacredness. On page 297 of Faith of our Fathers
Cardinal Gibbons quotes Martyr to prove that the bread is Jesus
Christ: "The Eucharist is both the flesh and blood of the same
incarnate Jesus." Nobody believes that today except the Roman
Catholics. All these "authorities" prove what Paul meant when he said
that after his "departure," men would arise "speaking perverse
things," and the fact that these writings (supposed to have been done
by these men) are claimed to have been written right after the death
of the apostles shows what Paul meant when he said, "The mystery of
iniquity does already work." Clement of Alexandria is another one of
the early Fathers. We find that he is another one whose writings go to
make up The Lost Books of the Bible. He is supposed to have written
his epistles one hundred years after the death of the last apostle. He
says that by that time the seventh day had "become nothing more than a
working day." Thus do we see that the church to which he belonged was
gradually ceasing to observe the seventh day and leaning more and more
toward the day of the sun. Just how reliable his writings are may be
gathered from the following, which I dare to quote from him:
"There is a certain bird called Phoenix; of this there is never but
one at a time; and that lives 500 years. And when the time of its
dissolution draws near, that it must die, it makes itself a nest of
frankincense, and myrrh, and other spices into which when its time is
fulfilled it enters and dies. But its flesh putrefying, breeds a
certain worm, which being nourished with the juice of the dead bird
brings forth feathers; and when it is grown to a perfect state, it
takes up the nest in which the bones of its parents lie, and carries
it from Arabia into Egypt. And flying in open day in the sight of all
men, lays it upon the altar of the sun, and so returns from whence it
came." Think about being compelled to read from such a source to prove
Sunday had become the Sabbath! Note how he mentions the altar of the
sun, from which comes sun-day and the observance of the first day of
the week. No wonder he had come to recognize the seventh day as no
more than a working day. How natural it was that as he turned from the
true Sabbath, he leaned more and more to Sunday! At the risk of
wearying the reader with further quotations from such writers as we
are examining, I have two more to quote from. I quote from them
because they are read from with confidence in an effort to prove
Sunday sacredness. One of these is Tertullian, and the other is
Eusebius. Tertullian is supposed to have lived shortly after the death
of the apostles. Cardinal Gibbons relies to the utmost on Tertullian
to prove some of the absurd Roman Catholic doctrines.
On page 3 of Faith of Our Fathers, Gibbons says:
"It is also a very ancient and pious practice for the faithful to make
on their person, the sign of the cross saying at the same time: 'In
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.'
Tertullian, who lived in the second century of the Christian era,
says: 'In all our actions, when we come in or go out, when we dress
and when we wash, at our meals, before retiring to sleep, we form on
our foreheads the form of the cross. These practices are not commanded
by a formal law of Scripture; but tradition teaches them, custom
confirms them, faith observes them.' " Roman Catholics practice these
things today. Gibbons quotes Tertullian again: " 'The faithful wife
will pray for the soul of her deceased husband, particularly on the
anniversary day of his falling asleep. And if she fail to do so, she
has repudiated her husband as far as it lies in her.' " You see,
Gibbons was trying to prove prayers for the dead. There is nothing in
the Bible about this, so he goes to Tertullian. This is the same thing
that is done in trying to prove first-day keeping. If this man wrote
what is attributed to him, he was certainly one of the builders of the
Roman Catholic Church.
Eusebius, in AD 324, wrote, "We have transferred the duties of the
Sabbath to Sunday." Who are the "we"? Certainly not the apostles. They
could not do so after the testament was ratified by the death of the
Testator on the cross. When Eusebius says, "We have transferred the
duties of the Sabbath to Sunday," it reminds us again of what Paul
foretold about those who, after his death, would speak "perverse
things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20:30.) This last
quotation from these early Fathers is dated AD 324. Just three years
before, in 321, Constantine, half Christian and half pagan, made the
first law to keep the "Venerable day of the sun." Translated from the
Latin, it reads: "Let all the judges and townspeople and the
occupations of all trades rest upon the venerable day of the sun. But
let those who are situated in the country, freely and at full liberty
attend to the business of agriculture. Because it often happens that
no other day is so fit for the sowing of corn or the planting of
vines, lest the critical moment being let slip, men should lose the
commodities of heaven. Given this 7th day of March, Crispus and
Constantine being consuls each of them for the second time."
It will be noted that at that time working on Sunday was the general
rule. It will be noticed that the day was not known by any sacred
Christian title. It was called the venerable day of the sun. Thus do
we see that little by little the true Sabbath was being discarded and
Sunday was coming into recognition.
It is very embarrassing to Roman Catholicism who claim that Peter was the first Pope. Firstly, the title itself, Pope, meaning "Father" or "Papa" is forbidden in the Bible. Secondly, Peter was the apostle to the Jews and not to us Gentiles. It was the apostle Paul that was chosen for the Gentile Church. Peter wrote that CHRIST alone is the "ROCK" and foundation stone of Christianity. Paul also confirms that only CHRIST is the "ROCK" [1.Cor.10:4].
It was both Pagan and Papal Rome, and now a mixture of both, continuing in the form of the Roman Catholic Church, that tried very hard to destroy Christianity. First by false teachings [doctrines] and than by force forbidding the Word of GOD and burning Bible students at the stake. Protestants today are forming an image to this beast and will re- introduce the Sunday law and persecution.
Dominus Iesus:
Salvation Derives Only From the Catholic Church
Is Benedict XVI Really Interested in Ecumenism?
Reaction of Protestant Church Leaders
EVALUATION OF DOMINUS IESUS AND THE RESPONSES
Benedict XVI is Blinded by Tradition
The Belief in Papal Primacy
The Petrine Theory
Peter is the First Building Block
Origin of the Apostolic Succession Theory
Missing Links in the Papal Successions
The Importance of the Eucharist
Conclusion
Mystical Babylon the kingdom of abominations, contains ONLY fallen
churches, not churches that "keep God's commandments and have the
testimony of Jesus". The latter are called the offspring of the woman in Rev. 12.
Let's look at the Biblical examples on how "mother" or "father" is
used in a spiritual sense.
In John 8 8:39 They (the Jews) answered and said unto him
(Jesus), Abraham is our father. Jesus said unto them, If you were
Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
8:41 You do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be
not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father
ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in
the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie,
he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
People show who is their spiritual "father" by whose works we do.
The Jews said their parentage was from above, Jesus said their
parentage was the devil. This is based primarily on whose plan are
they following.
Again:
Matt. 12:48 But He (Jesus) answered and said unto him that told
him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and
said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in
heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Again we see the term "mother" used in connection as to whose will
we follow.
Several hundred years ago now, Protestant groups broke free from the
papal "mother" church, to establish their own churches. They
refused to submit anymore to her authority nor follow her
commands. But in Rev. 17 they are back with their "mother"
accepting her authority and doing her works.
Oh – how the protestants should WAKE UP and stop this last final
step to becoming irrevocably Babylon. Stop this joining of hands
with the papacy and with the world with it's illusive power and
pleasures. 1844 marks the beginning of their treacherous fall,
but it won' t be complete
"But the message of the second angel did not reach its complete
fulfilment in 1844. The churches then experienced a moral fall, in
consequence of their refusal of the light of the Advent message; but
that fall was not complete. As they have continued to reject the
special truths for this time, they have fallen lower and lower. Not
yet, however, can it be said that "Babylon is fallen, . . . because
she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her
fornication." She has not yet made all nations do this. . . . The
work of apostasy has not yet reached its culmination. {FLB 285.2}