A book every Christian needs to read.

[NiceneChristian]

Do you talk to Saint Basil ??

How do you know he hears you?

You could be engaging in consultation with familiar spirits...

..talking to a dead guy. Is that wise?

We don't talk to the Saints, we pray to them. In the ancient Church, the virtue of humility is greatly stressed. We pray to the Saints because they are god-like intercessors before the throne of Christ, and because they have pleased God greatly in their lives (more so than we have), God hears them. This practice is contrary to the Western Church (Protestantism, Roman Catholicism) where pride is stressed because Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit automatically become the believers "buddy" whom they can call upon "in Jesus name" whensoever they desire, like he's a magical sugar daddy in the sky. "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions." (James 4:3). While the Saints, on the contrary, according to Christ, have eradicated their passions and desires so that they are totally free and pure, and so God hears their righteous prayers.

 

[Strangelove]

We don't talk to the Saints, we pray to them..

EVEN WORSE!

ONLY God deserves praise.

How do you know these saints can hear you? How do you know they are not dead?

Do you pray to the repose members of your congregation too?

 

[NiceneChristian]

EVEN WORSE!

ONLY God deserves praise.

How do you know these saints can hear you? How do you know they are not dead?

Do you pray to the repose members of your congregation too?

Prayer to them does give God praise.

You're acting like those Pharisees in the Gospel who said to the God-man Jesus, "Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner." (John 9:42). Open your mind and realize that the Saints have become divine like Jesus Christ is divine. They are godlike because they were transformed by the grace of Christ in their lives. Are you transformed by the Grace of Christ? Are you filled with the Divine Energies of God? Do you have the radiant coal of Divine Grace burrning in your body so that you become God-bearing like the Virgin Mary?

One of the earliest Christian martyrs was named St Ignatius the GOD-BEARER, because he literally became a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said in the Gospel that those who partake of His nature will do greater works than He did, "“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12) And indeed, some of the martyrs and miracle working Christians after Christ did wonders even greater than Christ, because they were only humans while Christ was Divine.


How do we know they're not dead? They're called relics, and they are the incorruptible remains of the Saints who were transformed by the Grace of Christ. Their bodies have been made incorruptible. These relics have great miracle-working powers and some exude a fragrance.

Watch this video

Holy Relics-Orthodox Saints - YouTube

 

[Strangelove]

How do we know they're not dead? They're called relics, and they are the incorruptible remains of the Saints who were transformed by the Grace of Christ. Their bodies have been made incorruptible. These relics have great miracle-working powers and some exude a fragrance.

So you know someone is a saint by the state of their dead flesh after they are reposed ya?

Have you heard of MUMMIFICATION?

Have you heard of AIR FRESHENER?

Is it possible you have been tricked into NECROMANCY?

Is this guys blackened scraggy hands that are falling apart supposed to be INCORRUPTABLE?

 

[NiceneChristian]

So you know someone is a saint by the state of their dead flesh after they are reposed ya?

Have you heard of MUMMIFICATION?

Have you heard of AIR FRESHENER?

Is it possible you have been tricked into NECROMANCY?

Is this guys blackened scraggy hands that are falling apart supposed to be INCORRUPTABLE?

No man composed of flesh and blood has not died and gone in the earth like the rest. Being "incorruptible" means that these men have been so clothed in Christ, that they do not rot like the rest of mankind does. Their bones have the stamp of the Divine Image of Christ resting upon them, and so that is why they do not decompose like other men do. There is no rotten smell emanating from their flesh because of their participation in the incorruptibility that is in the human nature of Christ.

 

[Strangelove]

No man composed of flesh and blood has not died and gone in the earth like the rest. Being "incorruptible" means that these men have been so clothed in Christ, that they do not rot like the rest of mankind does. Their bones have the stamp of the Divine Image of Christ resting upon them, and so that is why they do not decompose like other men do. There is no rotten smell emanating from their flesh because of their participation in the incorruptibility that is in the human nature of Christ.

Have you heard of AIR FRESHENER? It makes things smell nice!

So if theis guy in the picture hasnt decomposed like we see...(he looks pretty bad)...does that mean that Egyption MUMMIES also have the 'stamp of the divine image of Christ' resting on them?

Cuz they look exactly the same?

So.,,.your explanation please?

 

[NiceneChristian]

Have you heard of AIR FRESHENER? It makes things smell nice!

So if theis guy in the picture hasnt decomposed like we see...(he looks pretty bad)...does that mean that Egyption MUMMIES also have the 'stamp of the divine image of Christ' resting on them?

Cuz they look exactly the same?

So.,,.your explanation please?

Mummies were specially made to be preserved. They had to specially embalm the remains. These however, do not have any embalming done or preparations.

Do not think so carnally when you seen them not in pristine a condition. You must remember that they are still dead people, and the curse of death is still active in the world. Only when Christ comes back will everything be perfect.

 

[Strangelove]

Mummies were specially made to be preserved. They had to specially embalm the remains. These however, do not have any embalming done or preparations.

So it comes down to believing your church who says there was no embalming ya?

Sorry, no dice. What if those relics have been embalmed just like mummies? It means you've been praying to a dead guy. An abomination to God.

Do not think so carnally when you seen them not in pristine a condition. You must remember that they are still dead people, and the curse of death is still active in the world. Only when Christ comes back will everything be perfect.

So they are dead people. And you are praying to them.

(Deuteronomy 18:10) There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

(Deuteronomy 18:11) Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

(Deuteronomy 18:12) For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

 

[NiceneChristian]

So it comes down to believing your church who says there was no embalming ya?

Sorry, no dice. What if those relics have been embalmed just like mummies? It means you've been praying to a dead guy. An abomination to God.



So they are dead people. And you are praying to them.

(Deuteronomy 18:10) There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

(Deuteronomy 18:11) Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

(Deuteronomy 18:12) For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

They are dead, biologically but they are alive to God, doing the will of the Holy Spirit even after death. Some of their remains exude a fragrant myrrh and have miracle working powers. They heal sick people through their holy presence, because the Holy Spirit is in them, in their flesh and bones. It is the deifying grace of Jesus Christ, and Christians can feel its presence because they are baptized.

Also, for you use those verses is not valid because we pray to the Saints who pray TO GOD for us. We do not idolize the Saints. We only glorify them because God has glorified them, as it is written, " for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." (1 Sam 2:23)

"Or do you not know that the Saints will judge the world?" (1 Cor 6:2)


And we are to look at them as nothing but dead people? they will judge the world.


4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; and will exalt the meek with salvation.
5 The saints shall rejoice in glory; and shall exult on their beds.
6 The high praises of God shall be in their throat, and two-edged swords in their hands;
7 to execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments among the peoples;
8 to bind their kings with fetters, and their nobles with manacles of iron;
9 to execute on them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints.
(Psalm*149:4-9*LXX)

 

[NitzWalsh]

Mummies were specially made to be preserved. They had to specially embalm the remains. These however, do not have any embalming done or preparations.

Do not think so carnally when you seen them not in pristine a condition. You must remember that they are still dead people, and the curse of death is still active in the world. Only when Christ comes back will everything be perfect.

Why does God need mummies?

 

[NiceneChristian]

Why does God need mummies?

They are not mummies, they are treasures of God. God doesn't need anything or anyone, these are here in order to glorify Him through Jesus Christ, and they are there in order to be the presence of Jesus Christ on the earth. Christians are supposed to be partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:3). It is because the bodies of these Christians have already experienced a foretaste of the Resurrection in this life that they remain incorruptible after death.

The Orthodox Church is the true Charismatic Church of Christ, we have Saints even now who work miracles, and also of the previous generation and from the earlier centuries. The Sacraments of the Church are the channels of Divine Grace.

Jesus Christ did not die and then resurrect from the dead just so that we can follow some sort of moral code (the Gospels), but He came in order to transform us entirely; we saw this in the Acts of the Apostles, the power of Christ through them; and after them, there were Christians who did the same works... But these things are too high for many of us living in America, spiritually we are very weak.

 

[NitzWalsh]

They are not mummies, they are treasures of God. God doesn't need anything or anyone, these are here in order to glorify Him through Jesus Christ, and they are there in order to be the presence of Jesus Christ on the earth. Christians are supposed to be partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:3). It is because the bodies of these Christians have already experienced a foretaste of the Resurrection in this life that they remain incorruptible after death.

The Orthodox Church is the true Charismatic Church of Christ, we have Saints even now who work miracles, and also of the previous generation and from the earlier centuries. The Sacraments of the Church are the channels of Divine Grace.

Jesus Christ did not die and then resurrect from the dead just so that we can follow some sort of moral code (the Gospels), but He came in order to transform us entirely; we saw this in the Acts of the Apostles, the power of Christ through them; and after them, there were Christians who did the same works... But these things are too high for many of us living in America, spiritually we are very weak.

I don't see how they aren't mummies, or how they can be a treasure of God. Looks a lot like ancestor worship though... You know those cultures that put their dead ancestors on display so people can come venerate them?

 

[NiceneChristian]

I don't see how they aren't mummies, or how they can be a treasure of God. Looks a lot like ancestor worship though... You know those cultures that put their dead ancestors on display so people can come venerate them?

It is the power of Christ's dispensation for Orthodox Christian Saints.

Read this story of a saint who is called the Holy Great Martyr and Healer St. Panteleimon. He was a healing miracle worker in his life and then he got martyred because of some jealous physicians.


Here's his icon:

]Holy Great Martyr and Healer St. Panteleimon
27 July / 9 August

The Great Martyr and Healer St. Panteleimon was born in the city of Nicomedia into the family of Eustorgios, an illustrious pagan, and was given the name Pantoleon. His mother Euvula was a Christian. She wanted to raise her son in the Christian faith, but she died when the future great martyr was but a youth. Pantoleon’s father entered him into a pagan elementary school; after his graduation, the youth began to study medicine with Euphrosynos, a physician well known in Nicomedia ; Emperor Maximian (284-305) heard of him, and wanted to see him at the palace.

At that time, the Hieromartyr priests Hermolaus, Hermippos and Hermokrates, who had survived the burning of 20,000 Christians in the Church of Nicomedia in the year 303, were living in secret in Nicomedia . More than once, St. Hermolaus saw Pantoleon going past his place of refuge. Once, the presbyter called the youth to come into his home, and told him of the Christian Faith. After that, Pantoleon visited Hieromartyr Hermolaus every day.

The youth once happened to see on the street a child that had been bitten by a great snake that was still nearby. Pantoleon began to pray to our Lord Jesus Christ that the dead child be resurrected and that the poisonous reptile might die. He firmly resolved that should his prayers be answered, he would become a follower of Christ and would accept Holy Baptism. Pantoleon saw the child come back to life, and the great viper burst into pieces.

Following this miracle, Pantoleon was baptized by St. Hermolaus with the name Panteleimon (all-merciful). In discussions with Eustorgius, St. Panteleimon prepared him for conversion to Christianity; when his father saw his son heal a blind man by invoking the Name of Jesus Christ, he came to believe on Christ, and was baptized, along with the man who had regained his sight.

After his father’s death, St. Panteleimon dedicated his life to the suffering, sick, needy and indigent. Everyone who came to him, he treated pro bono, healing them by invoking Jesus Christ. He would visit those in prison, especially Christians, whose numbers filled all of the prisons, and healed their wounds.

Soon, word of the merciful physician spread throughout the entire city. Forsaking other physicians, the people of the city turned only to St. Panteleimon for medical care.

Out of jealousy, physicians told the emperor that St. Panteleimon was treating Christian prisoners. Maximian attempted to persuade the Saint to rebut the reports and to offer sacrifice to the idols, but St. Panteleimon confessed himself to be a Christian, and in the presence of the emperor, healed a paralytic by calling on the Name of Jesus Christ. Enraged to hear the healed paralytic praising Christ, Maximian had him executed, and he had Panteleimon submitted to the cruelest of tortures.

The Lord appeared to the Saint and strengthened him before his trials. Great Martyr Panteleimon was suspended from a tree, was raked with iron claws, burned with torches, stretched on a wheel, thrown into boiling oil, and then cast into the sea with a heavy stone around his neck. Throughout all of the trials, the Great Martyr remained unharmed, and courageously rebuked the Emperor.

At the same time, the Priests Hermolaus, Hermippos and Hermokrates were brought before the pagan court. All three resolutely confessed their faith in the Savior, and were beheaded.

At the emperor’s order, Great Martyr Panteleimon was thrown to the wild beasts in the circus to be torn asunder. However, the wild animals licked his feet and crowded to touch the Saint’s hands. The audience rose up from their seats and began to shout “Great is the Christian God!” Enraged, Maximian ordered his soldiers to cut down with their swords anyone who praised the Name of Christ, and to behead Panteleimon.

They brought the Saint to the place of execution, and tied him to an olive tree. While the Great Martyr was praying, one of the soldiers struck him with a sword, but the sword turned soft as wax, and caused him no harm. When the Saint had finished his prayers, a voice could be heard, calling the Passion-bearer by name, and summoning him to the Heavenly Kingdom . On hearing the voice from Heaven, the soldiers fell to their knees before the Holy Martyr and begged his forgiveness. The executioners refused to go on with the execution, but Great Martyr St. Panteleimon ordered that they obey the emperor’s orders, and said that otherwise they would have no share with him in the life to come. In tears, and kissing the Saint, the soldiers bade him farewell.

When the Martyr was beheaded, milk flowed from his wounds. At the moment of his death, the olive tree to which he had been tied burst forth with fruit. Many who witnessed the execution came to believe on Christ. The Saint’s body, thrown onto a bonfire, remained unharmed by the flames, and was given a Christian burial (†305). Great Martyr St. Panteleimon’s servants Laurence, Vassos, and Provian witnessed his execution and heard the voice from Heaven. They recorded the story of the Holy Great Martyr’s life, sufferings, and martyric death.

Particles of Great Martyr St. Panteleimon’s holy relics were distributed throughout the entire Christian world. His most-honorable head is now in the Russian Monastery of Great Martyr St. Panteleimon on > Mt. Athos . In our church, a relic is housed in the right cuff in a large icon of the Great Martyr, next to the ancient “Not Made by Hands” Icon of the Savior in the lower “assembled” row of the Icon Screen.

In the Orthodox Church, Great Martyr St. Panteleimon is revered as an awesome and powerful saint, patron of soldiers. His original name, Pantoleon, which means “in all ways like unto a lion”, explains that aspect of his veneration. His name at Baptism, Panteleimon, i.e. “all merciful,” refers to his veneration as a healer. Among Western Christians, he is considered to be the patron saint of physicians. One can see a connection between the two aspects of his veneration, for soldiers, more often than others, sustain wounds, and are thus most in need of a physician-healer. This is why Christians, who wage spiritual battle, likewise run to this Saint with a plea to be healed of spiritual wounds.

The name of Holy Great Martyr St. Panteleimon is invoked during the Mystery of Holy Unction, during the Blessing of the Waters, and in prayers for the sick.

 

[NitzWalsh]

It is the power of Christ's dispensation for Orthodox Christian Saints.

Read this story of a saint who is called the Holy Great Martyr and Healer St. Panteleimon. He was a healing miracle worker in his life and then he got martyred because of some jealous physicians.


Here's his icon:

]Holy Great Martyr and Healer St. Panteleimon
27 July / 9 August

The Great Martyr and Healer St. Panteleimon was born in the city of Nicomedia into the family of Eustorgios, an illustrious pagan, and was given the name Pantoleon. His mother Euvula was a Christian. She wanted to raise her son in the Christian faith, but she died when the future great martyr was but a youth. Pantoleon’s father entered him into a pagan elementary school; after his graduation, the youth began to study medicine with Euphrosynos, a physician well known in Nicomedia ; Emperor Maximian (284-305) heard of him, and wanted to see him at the palace.

At that time, the Hieromartyr priests Hermolaus, Hermippos and Hermokrates, who had survived the burning of 20,000 Christians in the Church of Nicomedia in the year 303, were living in secret in Nicomedia . More than once, St. Hermolaus saw Pantoleon going past his place of refuge. Once, the presbyter called the youth to come into his home, and told him of the Christian Faith. After that, Pantoleon visited Hieromartyr Hermolaus every day.

The youth once happened to see on the street a child that had been bitten by a great snake that was still nearby. Pantoleon began to pray to our Lord Jesus Christ that the dead child be resurrected and that the poisonous reptile might die. He firmly resolved that should his prayers be answered, he would become a follower of Christ and would accept Holy Baptism. Pantoleon saw the child come back to life, and the great viper burst into pieces.

Following this miracle, Pantoleon was baptized by St. Hermolaus with the name Panteleimon (all-merciful). In discussions with Eustorgius, St. Panteleimon prepared him for conversion to Christianity; when his father saw his son heal a blind man by invoking the Name of Jesus Christ, he came to believe on Christ, and was baptized, along with the man who had regained his sight.

After his father’s death, St. Panteleimon dedicated his life to the suffering, sick, needy and indigent. Everyone who came to him, he treated pro bono, healing them by invoking Jesus Christ. He would visit those in prison, especially Christians, whose numbers filled all of the prisons, and healed their wounds.

Soon, word of the merciful physician spread throughout the entire city. Forsaking other physicians, the people of the city turned only to St. Panteleimon for medical care.

Out of jealousy, physicians told the emperor that St. Panteleimon was treating Christian prisoners. Maximian attempted to persuade the Saint to rebut the reports and to offer sacrifice to the idols, but St. Panteleimon confessed himself to be a Christian, and in the presence of the emperor, healed a paralytic by calling on the Name of Jesus Christ. Enraged to hear the healed paralytic praising Christ, Maximian had him executed, and he had Panteleimon submitted to the cruelest of tortures.

The Lord appeared to the Saint and strengthened him before his trials. Great Martyr Panteleimon was suspended from a tree, was raked with iron claws, burned with torches, stretched on a wheel, thrown into boiling oil, and then cast into the sea with a heavy stone around his neck. Throughout all of the trials, the Great Martyr remained unharmed, and courageously rebuked the Emperor.

At the same time, the Priests Hermolaus, Hermippos and Hermokrates were brought before the pagan court. All three resolutely confessed their faith in the Savior, and were beheaded.

At the emperor’s order, Great Martyr Panteleimon was thrown to the wild beasts in the circus to be torn asunder. However, the wild animals licked his feet and crowded to touch the Saint’s hands. The audience rose up from their seats and began to shout “Great is the Christian God!” Enraged, Maximian ordered his soldiers to cut down with their swords anyone who praised the Name of Christ, and to behead Panteleimon.

They brought the Saint to the place of execution, and tied him to an olive tree. While the Great Martyr was praying, one of the soldiers struck him with a sword, but the sword turned soft as wax, and caused him no harm. When the Saint had finished his prayers, a voice could be heard, calling the Passion-bearer by name, and summoning him to the Heavenly Kingdom . On hearing the voice from Heaven, the soldiers fell to their knees before the Holy Martyr and begged his forgiveness. The executioners refused to go on with the execution, but Great Martyr St. Panteleimon ordered that they obey the emperor’s orders, and said that otherwise they would have no share with him in the life to come. In tears, and kissing the Saint, the soldiers bade him farewell.

When the Martyr was beheaded, milk flowed from his wounds. At the moment of his death, the olive tree to which he had been tied burst forth with fruit. Many who witnessed the execution came to believe on Christ. The Saint’s body, thrown onto a bonfire, remained unharmed by the flames, and was given a Christian burial (†305). Great Martyr St. Panteleimon’s servants Laurence, Vassos, and Provian witnessed his execution and heard the voice from Heaven. They recorded the story of the Holy Great Martyr’s life, sufferings, and martyric death.

Particles of Great Martyr St. Panteleimon’s holy relics were distributed throughout the entire Christian world. His most-honorable head is now in the Russian Monastery of Great Martyr St. Panteleimon on > Mt. Athos . In our church, a relic is housed in the right cuff in a large icon of the Great Martyr, next to the ancient “Not Made by Hands” Icon of the Savior in the lower “assembled” row of the Icon Screen.

In the Orthodox Church, Great Martyr St. Panteleimon is revered as an awesome and powerful saint, patron of soldiers. His original name, Pantoleon, which means “in all ways like unto a lion”, explains that aspect of his veneration. His name at Baptism, Panteleimon, i.e. “all merciful,” refers to his veneration as a healer. Among Western Christians, he is considered to be the patron saint of physicians. One can see a connection between the two aspects of his veneration, for soldiers, more often than others, sustain wounds, and are thus most in need of a physician-healer. This is why Christians, who wage spiritual battle, likewise run to this Saint with a plea to be healed of spiritual wounds.

The name of Holy Great Martyr St. Panteleimon is invoked during the Mystery of Holy Unction, during the Blessing of the Waters, and in prayers for the sick.

Are icons like trading cards? Because I have an autographed Pavel Bure rookie card.

You can find healers and miracle workers of some sort or another in many traditions around the world, doesn't mean they're all from God. I've seen Mormons heal people in the name of Jesus Christ even, so your example doesn't really mean much.

 

[Fencepost]

I have no idea why we argue so much with ourselves. I have known about God my whole life. I didn't think about him 24/7 but I knew He was there watching. When I was 22 years old I was staying with my mom and her boyfriend. Was working on his ranch and staying in one of his sons rooms who was away living with his ex-wive or the sons mother if you will. And believe it or not there was a ouji or weedji board in the closet. I had never missed with anything like that before in my life so i was curious. The little plastic thing really moved and i was talkin to something not me.

Whatever was moving the board spelled out that it wanted me to rape and kill. And my mama raised me right I immediatly said OMG that's evil. And I became very scarred. Then it spelled out that it was gonna kill me that night. I was freaking out. I was scarred outta my mind, I knew if i went and told my mom what i was experienceing back to the mental hospital. I hated those places all the drugs made me feel like a zombie half the time.

So for the first time in my life I cryed out to God, I cryed out to Jesus asking for help because I did not wanna die. A peace came over me I had never felt. I knew I would be ok, I immediatly put the board back in the closet. The next day I had such a craving to read the bible OMG I wanted to know God and I knew the bible had that information. Of course there was not a single bible to be found in the whole house. We was like 20 miles or so from town and I had no license or car. Well a few days later I told my mom what had happened and she immediatly made her boyfriend burn the thing with fire telling him under no reason would she stay in a house with a weedgie board. We then went to town and she took me to a second hand store in town and I searched the store for a bible. I found an old NRSV bible tattered and torn and I broke down in tears and was so happy.

Went back to the ranch worked and read the bible at the dinner table and everywhere I went I could not put the bible down I read and read and read. Then one sunday I asked my mom if I could goto church and she gave me a ride and dropped me off at a Carpenter's non-denominational church. Was a female preacher/pastor and she was talking about the prodigal son. Then asked if anyone wanted to be saved I immediatly said yes and accepted Christ into my heart. Praise God!

I say these things because you must be Born again to enter the kingdom of heaven. I would like to warn you of the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelations. For there is two doctrines that Jesus Himself says here that he hates.

The doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitians. If you do not know what these are then how do you know that you have not been taught them. Revelation Chapter 2 verses 12-17 now you will have to study these things yourselves. Perhaps you should look up Balaam and the Nicolaitans.

In my Scofield Study bible the notes say this. the "teaching of Balaam" (see 2 Peter 2:15 and Judges chapter 11, notes) was his teaching Balak to corupt the people who could not be cursed. (Numbers 31:15-16; 22:5; 23:8) by tempting them to marry women of Moab, defile their seperation, and abandon their pilgrim character. It is this union of the world and the church which is spiritual unchastity (James 4:4). Pergamum had lost the pilgrim character and was living where satan's throne was (Revelations 2:13), that is, in the world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Now Jesus himself in all his Divine Glory told John that He hated these doctrines so perhaps we should actually take heed as He says " He that hath ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

 

[NiceneChristian]

The doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitians. If you do not know what these are then how do you know that you have not been taught them. Revelation Chapter 2 verses 12-17 now you will have to study these things yourselves. Perhaps you should look up Balaam and the Nicolaitans.

In my Scofield Study bible the notes say this. the "teaching of Balaam" (see 2 Peter 2:15 and Judges chapter 11, notes) was his teaching Balak to corupt the people who could not be cursed. (Numbers 31:15-16; 22:5; 23:8) by tempting them to marry women of Moab, defile their seperation, and abandon their pilgrim character. It is this union of the world and the church which is spiritual unchastity (James 4:4). Pergamum had lost the pilgrim character and was living where satan's throne was (Revelations 2:13), that is, in the world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Now Jesus himself in all his Divine Glory told John that He hated these doctrines so perhaps we should actually take heed as He says " He that hath ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

I don't understand how you could judge the Church so readily. We are living in the world, the world was created good and very good (Gen 1:31). When St James was talking about in 4:4 about people being "friends of the world", he was meaning the PASSIONS of and FOR the world, not the world itself. You are very wrong if you teach that the world itself is evil, the creation is not evil, what is evil is the misuse of and alienation of the world from God. More especially, don't judge the Orthodox Church if you don't know what it is. The Orthodox Church is holy, and it given to mankind as the jewel of the creation.Through the Saints and the Mysteries of the Church, it is revealed just what exactly the revelation of Jesus Christ really is.

I am very aware of Rev 2:13 and the teaching of of the 7 churches. We, even as the Church of Christ, are not all perfect and there will be members of the Church who succumb to the teaching of Balaam and the rebukes of Christ. But as it is, the Church is almost 2000 years old and has been through much suffering and persecution, both from demons and men. It is a miracle that it is so old, it has to be the Church of Christ.

 

[NiceneChristian]

Are icons like trading cards? Because I have an autographed Pavel Bure rookie card.

You can find healers and miracle workers of some sort or another in many traditions around the world, doesn't mean they're all from God. I've seen Mormons heal people in the name of Jesus Christ even, so your example doesn't really mean much.

Wow, trading cards? You're got to be joking. No not like trading cards. Like holy reminders of "God who is wondrous in his Saints".

 

[NitzWalsh]

Wow, trading cards? You're got to be joking. No not like trading cards. Like holy reminders of "God who is wondrous in his Saints".

Could be to you, but to me it makes me think of my Hockey card collection.

 

[NiceneChristian]

I have no idea why we argue so much with ourselves. I have known about God my whole life. I didn't think about him 24/7 but I knew He was there watching. When I was 22 years old I was staying with my mom and her boyfriend. Was working on his ranch and staying in one of his sons rooms who was away living with his ex-wive or the sons mother if you will. And believe it or not there was a ouji or weedji board in the closet. I had never missed with anything like that before in my life so i was curious. The little plastic thing really moved and i was talkin to something not me.

Whatever was moving the board spelled out that it wanted me to rape and kill. And my mama raised me right I immediatly said OMG that's evil. And I became very scarred. Then it spelled out that it was gonna kill me that night. I was freaking out. I was scarred outta my mind, I knew if i went and told my mom what i was experienceing back to the mental hospital. I hated those places all the drugs made me feel like a zombie half the time.

So for the first time in my life I cryed out to God, I cryed out to Jesus asking for help because I did not wanna die. A peace came over me I had never felt. I knew I would be ok, I immediatly put the board back in the closet. The next day I had such a craving to read the bible OMG I wanted to know God and I knew the bible had that information. Of course there was not a single bible to be found in the whole house. We was like 20 miles or so from town and I had no license or car. Well a few days later I told my mom what had happened and she immediatly made her boyfriend burn the thing with fire telling him under no reason would she stay in a house with a weedgie board. We then went to town and she took me to a second hand store in town and I searched the store for a bible. I found an old NRSV bible tattered and torn and I broke down in tears and was so happy.

Went back to the ranch worked and read the bible at the dinner table and everywhere I went I could not put the bible down I read and read and read. Then one sunday I asked my mom if I could goto church and she gave me a ride and dropped me off at a Carpenter's non-denominational church. Was a female preacher/pastor and she was talking about the prodigal son. Then asked if anyone wanted to be saved I immediatly said yes and accepted Christ into my heart. Praise God!

Very interesting story though. Good for you. I went through a crazy situation like that to be converted, probably even more insane than yours, I tried to murder myself I was so scarred out of my mind.

 

[Strangelove]

They are dead, biologically but they are alive to God, doing the will of the Holy Spirit even after death.

moved my response to the relevant thread:

LINK: Eastern Orthodoxy is not Talmud Pharisaism (Mishnaism).