It is finished

 

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Turin Shroud

THE TURIN SHROUD IS IT GENUINE? IS IT RELEVANT? A BIBLICAL RESPONSE

Called one of the most venerated relics in the Catholic Church, the Turin Shroud is believed by many to be the burial sheet which wrapped the body of the Lord Jesus. The Shroud measures 14 feet 3 inches long and is 3 feet 7 inches wide. It bears the double image, cast like a shadow, of a powerfully built man with a beard and long hair, laid out in death. It was photographed for the first time in May 1898 and the negative image showed the horrific injuries of a man who died from crucifixion.  Bloodstains appear on the neck, wrist, feet and chest. On the rare occasions when it is displayed some 50,000 people queue each day for short time the Shroud is on display. Often their time of viewing is limited  to a mere two minutes before being required to move on.

 IS IT GENUINE?

Carbon dating dated the Shroud back only to around 1300 AD but experts warned then that fire and water damage suffered by the Shroud could affect the accuracy of the test. Besides carbon dating enjoys a greater press than it really should as it has proved notoriously wrong in the past. One scientist admitted that if carbon dating supported your theory it was quoted in the text of your report, if it was not all that far out, it was relegated to a foot note and if it was distant from what you wanted, you omitted it altogether! We should not let carbon dating influence our thoughts on this matter.  It is interesting that whilst the Catholic Church has not formally made any claims, yet 3 Popes have pontifically sanctioned the cult of the Holy Shroud of Turin. Cardinal Giovanni Saldarini announced that any priest visiting the relic will be able to absolve any woman in the city from the sin of abortion - an act only reserved for the Pope, a local bishop or any one authorised by the bishop. It would therefore appear that the Church accepts the authenticity of the Shroud. Certainly if it is not genuine, being either a genuine mistake or an elaborate hoax, then  we must wonder at the legitimacy of the  various spin-offs associated with it. What, for instance, if this was the burial sheet that covered the body of that unrepentant thief who died cursing Christ? It is highly unlikely that it was, for the bodies of criminals were usually taken down from the cross and burned. But if, somehow, this was his sheet, then what power could it have? Also, when Jerusalem was overthrown in  70 AD , there were so many Jews crucified that they ran out of trees - what if this winding sheet belonged to an unbelieving Jew? Furthermore, even if it is the genuine article, on what basis can it give any man power or authority to forgive sin? “Who can forgive sin, but God only?” (Mark 2:7) But whatever interesting side issues crop up, we have a right to enquire: Is this Shroud the authentic burying sheet of the Lord Jesus?

WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE?

Matthew 27:58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
SUMMARY: Matthew records that there was one clean linen cloth.

Mark 15:44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. 45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
SUMMARY: Mark simply records that Jesus was wrapped in linen. His account is more ambiguous than that of Matthew.

Luke 23:52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
SUMMARY: Luke follows Marks account. Very simply - wrapped in linen.

John 19:38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. 39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

 
John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. 3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. 5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

 
SUMMARY: Out of the four evangelists, John gives us the fullest account. John twice tells us that the body of Jesus was wound in linen clothes - (plural) and also that a napkin or handkerchief was used to bind Christ's head. This handkerchief was separate from the linen clothes and wrapped in a place by itself. It was usual for the Jews to bind the head of the corpse with a napkin. It had been this way with Lazarus of Bethany whom the Lord Jesus raised again from the dead:

John 11: 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Note again the plural in the grave clothes for Lazarus, but especially the face bound with the napkin.

If the gospel writers contradict each other, then the whole gospel is a sham. In such a case of apparent contradictions, we look to see if we can reconcile the passages together. We have already seen how both Mark and Luke are very ambiguous in their account. They do not tell us anything about the number of cloths used - only the material. Matthew states that a linen cloth was used, but importantly, he does not say that only one linen cloth was used. John tells us twice over that Jesus was bound in linen clothes. Where you have two (or more) of something, you must by necessity have one of it also.  Without contradicting any of the others, John gives us the fullest account and says quite clearly that more than one cloth was used to bind the body of the Lord Jesus.

Since this is so, it is hard to see how the single sheet on display at Turin, bearing the full imprint of a crucified man could be authentic. Of course, there are many questions to which answers would be interesting. Why was the sheet kept in the first place? Does it survival of two major fires mean anything? [The relic was almost destroyed by fire in 1532. The silver casket housing the Shroud melted in the intense heat and burned holes right through the folded cloth. Twenty four patches were required to repair the most damaged areas, but amazingly the image itself was not touched.] All sorts of claims are made concerning the Shroud - but when all is said and done, there is a major obstacle in reconciling its claim to fame with the infallible word of God. Do we seek to silence God because His word stands in the way of popular opinion? Is it not better that popular opinion be dictated to by the word of God. It was the wise course of the Psalmist David to test all things by the word of God:

Psalm 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

SUPPOSE THERE IS AN ANSWER…

What if there is an answer that can reconcile this single sheet in Turin with what God has written in His word  - what then? This leads us on to the second question: IS IT RELEVANT? Let us suppose that the Shroud of Turin really was the very burying sheet. What do we do?

It is at questions like these, that we ought to thank God that He has given us the Book that is for many of us the sole rule of faith and practice. When others are “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine…” (Ephesians 4:14) we have something solid that will survive every storm. Since “there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) the Bible has this situation covered. All that changes are a few local details, but there is nothing new in the people being faced with a relic on display. Please read on…

ANOTHER LOOK AT THE SCRIPTURES…

If you are interested in antiquity, consider that the passage below was written approximately 550 years before the Shroud of Turin  came into existence and speaks of an event  which occurred some 350 years before that again.  I speak of King Hezekiah and the serpent of brass. 2 Kings 18:1-7 reads as follows:

2 Kings 18:1 Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. 2 Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. 3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did. 4 He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. 5 He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. 6 For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. 7 And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.

1) THERE WAS NO DOUBT OF THE AUTHENTICITY OF HEZEKIAH’S RELIC:

The inspired writer makes this clear. It was the brazen serpent which Moses had made (v4) It was not merely based on tradition or legend. The connection with the Shroud of Turin  can be clearly seen, although the case for the serpent is stronger again. However this enables us to argue from the greater to the lesser.

2) HEZEKIAH’S RELIC HAD A MOST GLORIOUS HISTORY:

It’s story is told in Numbers 21:4-9 where (to summarise) it was used by God to heal those who gazed upon it after been bitten by the serpents. The glory of the serpent lay far deeper however than a mere physical healing. It’s relevance is heightened by the fact that the Lord Jesus referred to it in John 3:14-15:

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Hezekiah’s relic had been used as a type of Christ. God had used it to teach the truth that those who look to Christ are saved. Just as Moses lifted it up in the wilderness, so too Christ would be lifted up on a Cross and all who looked in faith to Him would be pardoned and forgiven. They were not to try and save themselves from the serpent’s sting. They were not to look to one another, or even to Moses. They were commanded to look in faith to the serpent on the pole and any man when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.  Likewise the Lord Jesus can say: Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

This is the only way of salvation. We made mention earlier on to one of the thieves who died on the Cross beside Jesus. He was saved at the last moment. That very day, Jesus said, he would be in paradise. How was he saved? By looking to Christ. He was not saved by good works, since his hands were nailed to a Roman Cross and he could do no good work. He was not saved by any church sacrament, for there is no mention of any in the gospel record. With all due respects to the Blessed Virgin, the thief does not seem to notice her at all even although she is standing within earshot. He was saved by simply looking in faith to the Lord Jesus. As it was for him, so too with us. As Isaiah makes clear in the quotation above, this is a message for all men - the ends of the earth. Those who look in simple faith and repentance to Christ are saved for eternity!

The Turin Shroud cannot claim a history like this. If indeed it is the genuine thing, it has a story to tell. It is but another evidence for what we read in the Bible. But the “faith of God's elect” (Titus 1:1) does not stand on the availability of relics.  Perhaps many such relics were in abundance during the days of the apostles.  Yet when Peter gave the grounds by which the gospel was preached, he did not link it to a few relics, but to “the word of the Lord (Bible) which endureth for ever.” (1 Peter 1:24-25) Not a few relics have been found to be false. To put unswerving faith in a relic is to build upon a foundation of sand. But Hezekiah’s relic had a glorious history indeed.

3) DESPITE ALL THESE THINGS, RELIGIOUS REVERENCE OF THIS RELIC WAS NOT CONSIDERED GOOD:

It is worth noting that the people of Hezekiah’s day showed great interest in this relic. It did not suffer the indignity of apathy. Very few said “So what?” People cared greatly Moses had once used this very relic to deliver the people during the wilderness years of the nation. They recognised its great significance.

However, they went to the other extreme. They paid it homage. They “did burn incense unto it” Perhaps someone here asks the obvious: Can we not revere something without actually worshipping it? Such distinction often exists only on paper and not in reality. Augustine said:

“No man prays or worships looking on an image without being impressed with the idea that it is listening to him.” (Epistle 49)

Hezekiah saw the danger that this relic was posing. There was plenty of idolatry against which he could have taken his stand. He could have spared the serpent and smashed the rest. Certainly he  would have had he followed the argument that since this relic was encouraging the people to pray then it must be good. After all, could we not say that there was an improvement here? At least, the people were interested in a Biblical item! But Hezekiah did not swallow that one. He had an insight which very few seem to have today. He perceived that the serpent of Moses was the greatest threat to the spiritual well being of the people and therefore most worthy of his attention. He smashed it in pieces!

“That which was at first a type of the Saviour, is now a deadly engine of the enemy.  Hezekiah willingly forgets who made the serpent, when he sees the Israelites make it an idol. It is no less tolerable for God to have a rival of His own making.” (Joseph Hall)

He did not engage in half measures. This relic was not merely withdrawn from public view. Perhaps like the Shroud of Turin , such would only increase its aura and mystique. He did not merely break it in two with an eye to future repairs when the climate would be more suitable. No, he “brake it in pieces” - he reduced it to a pile of rubble. It was final. To “add insult to injury” he gave it a name of reproach. He called it “Nehustan” or “a piece of brass” or in modern language: “Scrap metal!” Supposing you were to go to Turin with insight that the famous Shroud was indeed the very winding sheet of the Lord Jesus. Supposing you were to rip it up into a thousand pieces and call it a “mere cloth” or “an old rag”  - what do you think would happen? Do you think that you be hailed as a hero? Would you not be regarded as an unspeakable villain?

4) GOD'S BLESSING ATTENDED WHEN THIS RELIC WAS DESTROYED:

It is to be noted that Hezekiah is set forth in this short passage as a good man. Read the appraisal of the Holy Spirit upon his life and character. There was no divine judgement upon his head  - only divine praise. It is interesting to read that he kept the law of Moses (v6) even though he destroyed the very relic which Moses, under God, had created.

Should the Shroud of Turin  be destroyed? I am not saying that it ought to be, but I will answer that question with others: What if it was? Would it be a big loss? Furthermore, which would be the greater loss - the shroud which some openly pray to and worship (remember Augustine’s observation above) or the soul’s of those who openly flout the second commandment which clearly forbids the worshipping of any image? Jesus asked two very important questions in Mark 8:36-37:

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Would it not be better to destroy this relic if it kept some benighted soul out of the blackness of darkness forever? Man corrupts everything he puts his hand to. It should be possible to put  something like this on display without someone attributing powers to it. Even if it is the true shroud, what power can it give any priest to forgive (as it has been claimed and indeed promised) a woman who wilfully murders the fruit of her womb? Such teaching is void of any Scripture basis.

IN CONCLUSION:

We have tried to be neither emotive or offensive in our study on this subject. We are not asking you to agree with our opinion, but simply to accept the verdict of the Scripture which, when all is said and done, must be accepted as the sole rule of faith and practice.

 

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Mother of God?

 

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St Augustine refuting the doctrine of Transubstantiation


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patrick

Cuz pointy hats aint my thing...

Postcard English Sermon notes

WILL THE REAL ST. PATRICK PLEASE STAND UP?

READING: PROVERBS 10:1-17 

The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. (v7)

We do not worship saints at all nor do we elevate them beyond the strict boundaries set in the Bible. However, we do honour them and our text gives us a warrant to do so. Patrick was a just man (Romans 5:1) and is worthy of our remembrance. Again: He being dead yet speaketh (Hebrews 11:4) and it for us to hear what he has to say. 

A popular view of Patrick is to have him appear as a rather severe looking statue robed in the full regalia of a Roman bishop, with mitre and bishop's crook.

As we examine Patrick's own writings (final authority in this matter) we find that he was not a Roman Bishop at all. I suggest that mitred headgear wasn't his thing back then either. How does Patrick reveal himself? 4 areas/thought on this matter:

1) PATRICK'S SLAVERY  - PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL:

Assumed (not told) he came from Britain to Ireland. Scotland? Wales? Some venture to say: France. Not vitally important. Thought/born around 390AD  If from Briton, then he is  the only native Briton we know anything about from this era.

A/ Christianity had already come/Britain. His father (Calpurnius) was a deacon/Celtic Church and also a high ranking civil servant under Roman Empire. Patrick: known the old Celtic tongue and also Latin (privileged) Our advantage: his writings in Latin.

B/ Despite His Christian upbringing, Patrick tells us that he rebelled against it all. In his Confession: "Knew not true/God...departed from God and kept not His commandments and disobeyed those who preached to him salvation."  

Try/picture him sitting in simple meetings, ever resisting the claims/invitations of the gospel:
Hearing words like Jn 7:37/Matt 11:28 and saying: Not for me!
When this is the case, you are looking at spiritual slavery. 

Patrick's Bible tells us this:
John 8:34 Whosoever commits sin is the servant i.e. the bondslave of sin.
2 Timothy 2:26 says sinners are led captive by the devil at his will

C/ Such spiritual slavery soon gave way to the physical.
When 16 years old, Irish raiders came and killed some servants and carried away others plus Patrick. A common occurrence. 

Patrick:
Many thousands of persons were carried away/Ireland. 

A very traumatic time. Patrick quotes Bible: The Lord pouring upon him the fury of His anger. So it was no picnic! 

D/ Worth saying here. God was in control/events. Get the big picture. Events just don't happen. They are ordained beforehand.

 Humanly speaking this ought to have driven Ireland ever from Patrick's thoughts and created undying bitterness etc., with memories too painful to conjur up again. 
But it didn't. God makes the wrath of man to priase Him (Psalm 76:10)
Certainly so here. Patrick himself: 
"God kept me...before I knew him and before I had discernment between good/evil, [God] protected/comforted me as a father doth his son."  
And yet he was still unsaved. Still a rebel/God. But God was in control/all things. 
Still the same God today.

2) PATRICK'S CONVERSION BY THE GRACE OF GOD:

A/ Like the Prodigal Son, Patrick: down/dumps in a strange land and most miserable. Began to think about home. Advantage. Though a rebel/God, he was familiar with the gospel/Christ. Flooded back.

B/ Sat among the heathen Irish/great hardship he tells us:
The Lord opened/understanding of my unbelieving heart that I might recall my sins and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God.
Recalling/sins is important: Luke 5:32 Patrick: did a very un-Irish thing!
Did not deny/excuse sin or cover it up.
When enslaved, (Cp Repentant Thief) acknowledged slavery was his just deserts. 

We can see here: Repentance is so necessary/saved (Luke 13:3)

C/ As quoted: He turned/all heart to the Lord His God. (Faith)
Believed God would receive him. Believed He could receive him.
How can God receive the guilty sinner? Patrick's doctrinal part:
Christ overcoming death when interpreted (light/NT) refers:
Cross-work of Jesus Christ. Substitutionary atonement/Christ:
Summed up: Galatians 2:20 i.e. paid price for our sins.

D/ Patrick speaks often re: grace/God. 

Key/salvation: Ephesians 2:8-9
Every word here: important. Not of works, religious/otherwise.

E/ How can we tell Patrick truly converted?
Gave the evidence of a new life.
Before: Unlearned/clownish. Lived as a fool lived. Lived without God in sin/rebellion.
Afterwards: Sober life. Became a praying man - true praying - studied Bible. 

(His writings are saturated/Scripture)
Test of a true Christian: Nothing vague about this.
Bible is very precise/matter: Matthew 7:21/2 Corinthians 13:5
If you have just a vague notion/salvation...you can readily improve it.
Vagueness: Probably linked to mere religious views without any real place give/authority of the Bible.

3) PATRICK'S RETURN TO PREACH THE GOSPEL:

After his conversion/grace of God, Patrick escaped from slavery. Trevalled 200 miles (foot?) and took boat to the mainland and was reunited/family.

A/ His days/slavery had stood him in good stead.
Often alone in communion/God/.
Learned Irish language/customs and had borne testimony to his faith/among the captives. 

Truly: Romans 8:28 All things work together etc.

B/ "A few years later" Patrick had a dream:

"And there verily I saw in the night visions a man whose name was Victoricus coming as it were from Ireland with countless letters. And he gave me one of them, and I read the beginning of the letter, which was entitled, "The Voice of the Irish"; and while I was reading aloud the beginning of the letter, I thought that at that very moment I heard the voice of them who lived beside the wood of Foclut which is nigh unto the western sea. And thus they cried, as with one mouth, "We beseech thee, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more." And I was exceedingly broken in heart, and could read no further. And so I awoke. Thanks be to God that after very many years the Lord granted to them according to their cry."

C/ Despite every fear/dread/nasty memory he might have had: Patrick returned again/Ireland to preach the gospel/Irish. We know that he had to overcome the violent Druids etc. 

He faced great opposition from the High King/Tara and many other dangers etc., but he remained faithful/calling and saw many churches established/island. 

D/ He particularly speaks of people turning from idols.
He tells us again how such a transformation came about:

"I am a debtor exceedingly to God who granted me such great grace that many peoples through me should be regenerated to God [born again]"

Patrick preached (like the Lord Jesus/Apostles) the need of the new birth.
The old heart cannot be patched up...it needs to be made new. "a new heart will I give you..." (Ezekiel 36:26)

4) PATRICK'S GOSPEL - ABLE TO SAVE SINNERS:

Entitled our message: Will the real St Patrick please stand up?#

A/ Patrick preached holiness/life.
On one occasion, he returned the gifts people gave him (caused some offence) but he desired to "keep myself warily in all things" so that he would give no occasion to the unbelievers etc., to defame/disparage him.
Far removed from drunkenness/gross ungodliness associated with this day.

B/ Was St Patrick a Roman Bishop? Was he sent/Ireland by the Pope?
If so, then there is no mention of it.
Seems very strange especially when we are looking at a not inconsiderable amount of his writings.
An argument from silence is no argument at all.
Historical fact: Early Celtic Church was independent from Rome until long after Patrick.
Interesting: No mention in Patrick's writings of any distinctive Roman doctrines.
No mention of of the Blessed Virgin Mary for example.
Writings are thoroughly evangelical in character.

C/ In Patrick's Ireland, there was a Bishop for each Church. 

Goldwin Smith: "There seems to have been a bishop in every village" (Irish History & Irish Character p.33) 

This effectively rules out prelacy. 

Bishop = Teaching Elder.

D/ Whatever we may think of Patrick, here is something far more important:
What do we think of Jesus Christ?
If Patrick was here, Patrick would preach Christ.
He says: "I have devoted myself to the end/my life to Christ my Lord"
Patrick would preach: Acts 4:12/Romans 10:13
At the end of that doctrinal part known as Patrick's Confession, he specifically quotes Psalm 50:15
"Call upon me in the time of trouble and I will deliver thee..."
That's the way/salvation. 

THE END

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protestant18

PROTESTANT HISTORY:

MARTYRDOM OF JOHN HOOPER

I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. (Psalm 78:2-4)

INTRODUCTION: BIBLE PROTESTANTISM HAS A GLORIOUS HISTORY. It is an epic story of a deadly struggle from under the heel of the Roman system to the glorious liberty of the sons of God. In our ecumenical and apostate age, this story needs to be retold that the battle may continue. This is the eighteenth of a number of posts (hence entitled: Protestant18) and is just another shot fired in this great battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. We are deliberately aiming at brevity, leaving it to other works (listed later) to satisfy any hunger for further information. These pages may therefore be viewed as tasty appetisers. May God give us the faith of these old Protestants who loved not their lives unto death and of whom, the world in its sin, was not worthy. 

BISHOP JOHN HOOPER (1495-1555)

Our  friend was a Cistercian monk before he was converted to saving faith in Jesus Christ. He contended earnestly for the faith, confessing: "I believe that the people of God, who are the very true church of God, have a certain doctrine, that never was, is or hereafter shall be, violated by time or man's any man's authority. This doctrine only and solely is comprehended in the sacred and holy Bible." He was condemned to be burned in sight of his Cathedral in Gloucestershire.  Seven thousand witnessed his martyrdom on 8th February 1555 where he "died as quietly as a child in his bed."

* Spurgeon on the martyrdom of 'our Protestant forefathers' (Graphic)

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protestant17

PROTESTANT HISTORY:

MARTYRDOM OF LATIMER AND RIDLEY

I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. (Psalm 78:2-4)

INTRODUCTION: BIBLE PROTESTANTISM HAS A GLORIOUS HISTORY. It is an epic story of a deadly struggle from under the heel of the Roman system to the glorious liberty of the sons of God. In our ecumenical and apostate age, this story needs to be retold that the battle may continue. This is the seventeenth of a number of posts (hence entitled: Protestant17) and is just another shot fired in this great battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. We are deliberately aiming at brevity, leaving it to other works (listed later) to satisfy any hunger for further information. These pages may therefore be viewed as tasty appetisers. May God give us the faith of these old Protestants who loved not their lives unto death and of whom, the world in its sin, was not worthy. 

BISHOPS HUGH LATIMER (1485?-1555) AND NICHOLAS RIDLEY (1503?-1555)

Both men were burned together at the same stake on the October 16th 1555. Latimer said of  his pre conversion days: "I was as obstinate a Papist as any was in England." He was led to Christ through the faithful witnessing of Bilney who himself was later martyred. Latimer said: "I learned more by his confession than before in many years. From that time forward I began to smell the word of God, and forsook the school doctors and such fooleries."  Ridley came to Christ through the reading of a book on the sacraments and  by personal conversation with Bishop Cranmer and Peter Martyr. Both men contended fervently for the Protestant faith. Ridley leaves the following record: "The See of Rome is the seat of Satan, and the bishop is the same, that maintaineth  the abominations thereof, is Antichrist himself indeed: and for the same causes this See this day is the same that St John calls, in his Revelation, Babylon, or the whore of Babylon, and spiritual Sodom and Egypt, the mother of fornications and abominations on earth." At the stake, Latimer spoke the following words to his fellow martyr: "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out." Both men then sealed their testimony with their blood.

* Spurgeon on the martyrdom of 'our Protestant forefathers' (Graphic)

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protestant16

PROTESTANT HISTORY: 

BLOODY MARY'S PERSECUTIONS

I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. (Psalm 78:2-4)

INTRODUCTION: BIBLE PROTESTANTISM HAS A GLORIOUS HISTORY. It is an epic story of a deadly struggle from under the heel of the Roman system to the glorious liberty of the sons of God. In our ecumenical and apostate age, this story needs to be retold that the battle may continue. This is the sixteeth of a number of posts (hence entitled: Protestant16) and is just another shot fired in this great battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. We are deliberately aiming at brevity, leaving it to other works (listed later) to satisfy any hunger for further information. These pages may therefore be viewed as tasty appetisers. May God give us the faith of these old Protestants who loved not their lives unto death and of whom, the world in its sin, was not worthy. 

 
MARTYRDOM OF THE BISHOPS UNDER BLOODY MARY

Bloody Mary

If all things truly do work together for good to them who love God (Romans 8:28) then… IT WAS A GOOD DAY when the Church of England bishops were burnt at the stake during the reign of Bloody Mary.  Mary was a bigoted Roman Catholic who sought to strangle the new Reformation faith in England. During the last four years of Mary's reign, no less than two hundred and eighty eight Protestants were burned for refusing to embrace the heresies of Rome. No less than five of these martyrs were Bishops. However, as always, the blood of the martyrs proved to be the seed of the church.

* Spurgeon on the martyrdom of 'our Protestant forefathers' (Graphic)


Appropriate pages to explain how God can justly make the wrath of man to praise Him without incurring any guilt:  Calvinism vehemently denying that God is the author of sin



INDEXES:

* CALVINIST INDEX
* PROTESTANT INDEX
* CH SPURGEON INDEX
* EVANGELISM INDEX
* HERE AND THERE INDEX

praytosaints

YES...THE CHURCH OF ROME DOES OFFICIALLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PRAY TO MARY AND THE SAINTS

Not merely praying "with Mary" (as in Acts 1:14) or merely "through Mary" as some Roman Catholics, obviously embarrassed by the charge, try to argue. We know whereof we speak here. Below is not merely evidence but sustainable proof.  

FIRST PROOF:Visits (for the purpose of Protestant evangelism) to the Knock RC Shrine to Mary (Co. Mayo, Republic of Ireland) produced the following gem which is openly for sale in the shrine bookshop for the little sum of 25 cents (Euro) The great importance of the Knock Shrine is seen in the following information from the official web site:

"The Story of Knock began on the 21st August 1879 when Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. The apparition was witnessed by fifteen people, young and old. From this miraculous Apparition Knock has grown to the status of an internationally recognised Marian Shrine. 

The personal pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II in 1979, commemorating the centenary of the apparition, inspired an even greater devotion to the Shrine and endorsed the indelible seal of Vatican approval. Mother Teresa of Calcutta visited the Shrine in June of 1993. One and a half million pilgrims visit the Shrine annually." (Emphasis mine) 

OBJECTION: Not everything  that is sold in the Shrine bookshop can be fully endorsed seeing they also sell some Evangelical Protestant books. Nor does the card carry any imprimatuer etc., of the RC Church. 

ANSWER TO OBJECTION: This might be so, but the fact that they see absolutely no wrong in the wording of these cards promoting prayers TO Mary simply cannot be overlooked. What is totally abominable to Bible believing eyes is seen to be effectively harmless by those looking at these things through the lens of the Church of Rome. Note: These cards are not being sold in one of the many seedy little shops that have sprung up around the shrine, but in the official bookshop. All documentation below. 

 

(Incidentally, there are a number of prayer publications for sale in the Knock Shrine bookshop which include prayers TO Mary and/or the various saints.) 

SECOND PROOF:

The page below recording a prayer TO your Guardian Angel is taken from a Redemptorist booklet (page 59) entitled: "Handbook For Today's Catholic" subtitled "Belief's - Practices - Prayers - A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication" by Ligouri Publications. It carries the Imprimi Potest of one Edmund T. Langton, C.SS.R. and the Imprimatur of +John N. Wurm who was the Vicar general of St. Louis.  ISBN 0-89243-076-1 published in 1978.

OBJECTION: It is unacceptable to quote from such documents as they do not constitute the official teaching of the RC Church.

OBJECTION ANSWERED: Such an answer cheapens the worth of the Imprimatur - indeed practical denies it to be of any value anywhere. This teaching has been passed on in good faith (no pun intended) by the Redemptorist Fathers as a representation of the RC faith. It will have been read and used by thousands to explain and defend the RC faith.  Praying TO any one other than God is rank idolatry and if the verbal niceties of praying THROUGH rather than TO the saints are not observed where it matters i.e. in the home or in the pew, then all the subtle arguments of Ivory tower theologians will mean absolutely nothing. This objection therefore must be over ruled as useless.

THIRD PROOF:

Go to the following website of Catholic's Online (www.catholic.org) which is a leading Roman Catholic website. It claims the following:  

 It exists to "inform, inspire and ignite."  and claims:"Catholic Online reaches a highly targeted audience of over to 100 thousand Catholic users per day and up to 1 million page impressions per day. Visitors come from over 120 countries around the world."

So, just as the Apostle Paul could say that Tarsus was "no mean city" - we must conclude that this Catholic site is no mean site. 

If we go to this site, wondering whether Roman Catholics pray TO or pray THROUGH the departed saints, then what are we to make of the following list in the list under prayers? When you follow through all the references, then you end up with prayers TO the following:


* Prayer TO St Anthony ("the Wonder Worker")
* Prayer TO Saint Joseph
* Prayer TO our Lady of Perpetual Help
* Prayer TO Saint John Bosco
* Prayer TO Saint Therese
* Prayer TO St Michael
* Prayer TO St Dympha etc.

If I had the time, and you had the patience, I could further divide all these prayers into specific requests (e.g. to the Blessed Virgin for "a happy death") and from specific groups ("Pope Pius XII prays TO Our Lady of Lourdes" - "A child's prayer TO Mary"  - "A Farmer's Prayer to St. Joseph"etc.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE, WHICH IS THE SOLE RULE OF FAITH AND PRACTICE SAY?

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 

(1 Timothy 2:5)

  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (1 John 2:1)

 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  (John 14:6)
 
 And He said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven... (Luke 11:2) 
 

THE END

INDEXES:

* CALVINIST INDEX
* PROTESTANT INDEX
* CH SPURGEON INDEX
* EVANGELISM INDEX
* HERE AND THERE INDEX

 

protestant7

PROTESTANT HISTORY

MARTIN LUTHER'S 95 THESES

I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. (Psalm 78:2-4)

 

INTRODUCTION: BIBLE PROTESTANTISM HAS A GLORIOUS HISTORY. It is an epic story of a deadly struggle from under the heel of the Roman system to the glorious liberty of the sons of God. In our ecumenical and apostate age, this story needs to be retold that the battle may continue. This is the SEVENTH of a number of posts (hence entitled: Protestant7) and is just another shot fired in this great battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. We are deliberately aiming at brevity, leaving it to other works (listed later) to satisfy any hunger for further information. These pages may therefore be viewed as tasty appetisers. May God give us the faith of these old Protestants who loved not their lives unto death and of whom, the world in its sin, was not worthy. 

MARTIN LUTHER - NAILING  HIS 95 THESES TO THE CATHEDRAL DOOR

Chalenging the Pope!

IT WAS A GOOD DAY on 31st October, 1517 when Luther nailed his ninety five theses to the Cathedral door of Wittenberg. Most of these are evangelical in content and they caused a great stir in Germany and ultimately (when translated) all over Europe. Pope Leo X initially dismissed the matter as the ranting of a "drunken German" but soon had to change his tune when a great debate started among the common people. Luther gained much respect for his boldness, reminding us of Daniel's words: The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits (Daniel 11:32)

END OF THIS POST, BUT SEE (WHERE APPLICABLE) THE PREVIOUS OR NEXT POST IN THE SERIES

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protestant6

PROTESTANT HISTORY

MARTIN LUTHER'S PROTEST AGAINST INDULGENCES

I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. (Psalm 78:2-4)

INTRODUCTION: BIBLE PROTESTANTISM HAS A GLORIOUS HISTORY. It is an epic story of a deadly struggle from under the heel of the Roman system to the glorious liberty of the sons of God. In our ecumenical and apostate age, this story needs to be retold that the battle may continue. This is the SIXTH of a number of posts (hence entitled: Protestant6) and is just another shot fired in this great battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. We are deliberately aiming at brevity, leaving it to other works (listed later) to satisfy any hunger for further information. These pages may therefore be viewed as tasty appetisers. May God give us the faith of these old Protestants who loved not their lives unto death and of whom, the world in its sin, was not worthy. 

MARTIN LUTHER - HIS PROTEST AGAINST INDULGENCES:

Silver and gold have I none... #Irony

IT WAS A GOOD DAY when Luther raised his voice in angry protest against the sale of indulgences. The Pope badly needed money to build Saint Peter's in Rome and so authorised the sale of these indulgences. The Pope's agent in Saxony was Tetzel who confidently proclaimed that once the money tinkled in his box, the soul thus paid for would spring out of purgatory. The immoral effect of these "sin dockets" (as the Reformers later called them) can only be imagined. Luther was enraged with a holy rage and characteristically said that he would burst a hole in Tetzel's drum.

END OF THIS POST, BUT SEE (WHERE APPLICABLE) THE PREVIOUS OR NEXT POST IN THE SERIES

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difference

JOHN CALVIN POINTS OUT THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BIBLE PROTESTANTISM AND ROMAN CATHOLICISM

THE DIFFERENCE AFFIRMED:
"Here then is the difference. They place the authority of the Church without the word of God; we annex it to the word, and allow it not to be separated from it."

 

THE DIFFERENCE DEFENDED:
"And is it strange if the spouse and pupil of Christ is so subject to her lord and master as to hang carefully and constantly on his lips? In every well-ordered house the wife obeys the command of her husband, in every well-regulated school the doctrine of the master only is listened to."

 

THE DIFFERENCE PERPETUATED:
"Wherefore, let not the Church be wise in herself, nor think any thing of herself, but let her consider her wisdom terminated when he ceases to speak. In this way she will distrust all the inventions of her own reason; and when she leans on the word of God, will not waver in diffidence or hesitation but rest in full assurance and unwavering constancy.

 

THE DIFFERENCE ENCOURAGED:
Trusting to the liberal promises which she has received, she will have the means of nobly maintaining her faith, never doubting that the Holy Spirit is always present with her to be the perfect guide of her path. At the same time, she will remember the use which God wishes to be derived from his Spirit. “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). How? “He shall bring to your remembrance all things whatsoever I have said unto you.” He declares, therefore, that nothing more is to be expected of his Spirit than to enlighten our minds to perceive the truth of his doctrine."

 Full quote:

"Here then is the difference. They place the authority of the Church without the word of God; we annex it to the word, and allow it not to be separated from it. And is it strange if the spouse and pupil of Christ is so subject to her lord and master as to hang carefully and constantly on his lips? In every well-ordered house the wife obeys the command of her husband, in every well-regulated school the doctrine of the master only is listened to. Wherefore, let not the Church be wise in herself, nor think any thing of herself, but let her consider her wisdom terminated when he ceases to speak. In this way she will distrust all the inventions of her own reason; and when she leans on the word of God, will not waver in diffidence or hesitation but rest in full assurance and unwavering constancy. Trusting to the liberal promises which she has received, she will have the means of nobly maintaining her faith, never doubting that the Holy Spirit is always present with her to be the perfect guide of her path. At the same time, she will remember the use which God wishes to be derived from his Spirit. “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). How? “He shall bring to your remembrance all things whatsoever I have said unto you.” He declares, therefore, that nothing more is to be expected of his Spirit than to enlighten our minds to perceive the truth of his doctrine. " (John Calvin Institutes of the Christian Religion 4:8:13)

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