Gather 'Round Peter

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I was baptized an infant into the Roman Catholic Church in 1944. When old
enough, my mom put me into Catechism where, in time. I managed to
complete First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Our church attendance on
Sunday was fairly regular. We didn't always make it, but most of the time
did.

The liturgy incorporated homilies based upon the apostle Peter's epistles;
which I sort of let go in one ear and out the other. It wasn't till years later
when I caught on that Peter spoke for Christ, and that non compliance with
Peter's instructions is all the same as non compliance with Christ's; it's a
domino effect all the way to the top.

● Luke 10:16 . .Whoever listens to you; listens to me. Whoever rejects you;
rejects me. And whoever rejects me; rejects the one who sent me.

Paul's epistles have much to say about one's personal conduct, and Peter's
do too; in point of fact: quite much. I've included a few of his instructions in
this post which, if complied with, will make any Christian on either side of
aisle better people; whether Catholic or non Catholic makes no difference.

First: say hello to the apostle Peter.

● 2Pet 1:2 . . Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the
knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Now please; listen to some of Peter's knowledge of God and of Jesus our
Lord.

● 1Pet 1:14-16. . As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former
lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called
you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written: You
shall be holy, for I am holy.

● 1Pet 1:17-18 . . And if you address as "Father" the one who impartially
judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in reverential fear
during the time of your stay upon earth

● 1Pet 2:21-24 . . For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered
for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps . . who, when
He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not
threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously

● 1Pet 1:22b . . See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently

● 1Pet 2:1-3 . .Lay aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil
speaking;

● 1Pet 2:17a . . Honor all men.

● 1Pet 3:8b-9 . . Having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be
pitiful, be courteous; not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but
contrariwise blessing.

● 1Pet 3:10-11 . . Let him who means to love life and see good days refrain
his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile. And let him turn away
from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

● 2Pet 1:5-7 . . Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to
goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control,
perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly
kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

I should think it goes without saying that Peter's knowledge of God and of
Jesus our Lord is quite useless for the purpose of obtaining grace and peace
in abundance unless it's put into practice.

● Jas 1:22-25 . . Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive
yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do
what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking
at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

. . . But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,
and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he
will be blessed in what he does. (cf. Matt 7:24-27)
_

Acts 4:19
But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.

The head of the Church is Jesus Christ, not Peter.

As the head of the Church, only Jesus Christ has preeminence and supreme authority in the Church.

Colossians 1:18
And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Colossians 2:10
and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

The Church submits to Christ as it's Lord, not the pope.

Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Hebrews 4:14
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

When men claim to follow Christ but really follow their own personal notions or traditions and man-made rules and forms of worship, they are not holding the Head.

Colossians 2:18-19
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Peter never told us he is our apostle, as compared to Paul, who told us at least 14 times in his letters.

Why follow Peter?

If your following a man, your lost.

John, Chapter 14, vs. 6:
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Follow Christ!

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According to the apostle Peter, God does not practice favoritism.

● 1Pet 1:17 . . The Father, who judges each man's work impartially,

If Peter knew what he was talking about when he wrote that verse, then
Catholics are not God's special pets, no; they are in just as much, if not
more, danger of ending up in hell as all the rest of the world.

According to Luke 10:16, the apostle Peter's words are Christ's. Therefore,
failure to comply with Peter's epistles is all the same as failure to comply
with Christ's words, and Bible-trained Catholics are likely to be aware of
what he said about that.

● Matt 7:26-27 . . And everyone who hears these words of mine, and does
not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the
sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and
burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall.

The word "everyone" in that passage allows for neither exemptions nor
exceptions; so I do not recommend relying upon the Catholic label for
protection.

● John 3:36 . . He who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the
wrath of God abides on him.
_

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● 1Pet 2:1 . .Lay aside all malice

The Greek word for "malice" is kakia (kak-ee'-ah) which basically refers to
badness, i.e. depravity, malignity, and trouble.

Malignity commonly describes aggressive cancers, which tend to spread and
produce death or deterioration, viz: malignant people are toxic, viz:
poisonous.

There are at least seven types of toxic people out there.

1_The Conversational Narcissist

Have you ever been talking to someone who keeps interrupting you? Maybe
I should revise that sentence: have you ever been trying to talk to someone
who won't let you get a word in? Conversational narcissists LOVE to talk
about themselves-- or just hear themselves talk. They don’'t ask you any
questions, they don't wait for your responses and they won't shut up. In a
relationship, these people will end up being completely self-centered and
never be attentive to your needs.

2_The Straight Jacket

The straight jacket is someone who wants to control everything and
everyone around them. They want to be in charge of what you do, what you
say, and even what you think. You know the person I am talking about--
they freak out when you disagree with them and won't stop trying to
convince you that they are right and you should do what they say. In a
relationship, this person will give you no breathing room and constantly will
nag you until you are in complete alignment with them. Be careful, these
people will go after your emotional, conversational and mental freedom until
you have nothing left.

3_The Emotional Moocher

An emotional moocher also is known as a spiritual vampire because they
tend to suction the positivity out of you or bleed you emotionally dry. These
are the kinds of people who always have something sad, negative or
pessimistic to say. In conversations and relationships, they never can see
the positive and tend to bring everyone down with them; they only have bad
things to say. (These folk tend to be perpetual fault-finders, i.e. they have a
natural talent for tearing people down instead of building them up.)

4_The Drama Magnet

Some toxic people are magnets for drama. Something always is wrong.
Always. And, of course, once a problem is solved, another one emerges. And
they only want your empathy, sympathy and support-- but not your advice!
You offer help and solutions, but they never seem to want to fix anything.
Instead, they complain and complain. In a relationship, drama magnets are
victims and thrive in a crisis because it makes them feel important. If
someone is a beacon for adversity, watch out, you might one day become
part of the drama.

5_The JJ

A JJ is a jealous/judgmental person. Jealous people are incredibly toxic
because they have so much internal self-hate that they can't be happy for
anyone around them. And typically, their jealousy comes out as judgment,
criticism or gossip. According to them, everyone else is awful, uncool or
lacking in some way.

6_The Fibber

Liars, fibbers, exaggerators…: it's exhausting to have a toxic deceiver in
your life. Whether they tell little falsehoods or major lies, it's impossible to
trust a liar in a relationship. Dishonesty drains us because we constantly are
doubting their words.

7_The Tank

Tanks are intolerant. They crush everything in their path. A tank is always
right, doesn't take anyone else's feelings or ideas into account, and
constantly puts themselves first. In a relationship, tanks are incredibly
arrogant and see their personal opinions as facts. This is because they often
think they are the smartest person in the room. So, they see every
conversation and person as a challenge that must be won over. They rarely
see others as equals.

Thanx To: https://www.scienceofpeople.com/toxic-people/

NOTE: Peter's instructions don't say to avoid malice, they say lay malice
aside, i.e. get rid of it; viz: malicious Christians are under orders to reform.
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Knowledge coming from God not seen, the eternal . . not that seen Peter, the temporal .

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.


Now please; listen to some of Peter's knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord from his own perspective .

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, (not seen the eternal) but those that be of men. (that seen the temporal )Mathew 16: 22-23

Can't serve tow teaching master the things seen and those not seen (the law of faith ) and the law of the father seen .Of Men. . or God?

Peter the serial denier was forgiven of his Blasphemy against the son of man, Jesus. Today that would not be possible .Blasphemy against God the Holy Spirit not seen is not forgivable

This is barely understandable. PLEASE take a class in basic English!

That is not true. Scripture puts no time limit on forgiveness for blasphemy against the Son... or any other sin.

Elaborate

We must keep in mind if we are to rightly didive and seek the approval of God not seen the interpretation presecription for seeing beyond the horizon

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Not against the Son of man seen. But no forgiveness against the Son of God the Holy Spirt not seen

Its more how we are forgiven . If we reject the one way we can by the faith of God the unseen that would never change

Matthew 12:31-32 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost (the eternal not seen) shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, (the temporal seen) it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Why do you think forgiveness against the Son of man( the temporal seen) is forgivable but not against the Son pf God represented by the Holy Spirit?

Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Hebrew 7:3

Thanks, I can try

I would offer again no person can serve two teaching masters.(impossible) love one, hate the other or the other way around.

The temporal, men seen. And the eternal the Holy Spirit, not seen.

An example is shown in Revelation2 when speaking to the churches .There he is rebuking one of the denominations named after it founder, Nicolaus.

Note . . (purple in parenthesis) my added suggestion

Revelation 2:1-7 King James Version (KJV)Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (the hearing of faith causes us in believing a God not seen giving us ears . the faith principle)

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen(putting the trust that belongs to the unseen in respect to what the eyes see the temporal "Nicolaus")., and repent, and do the first works; (beleiving God who works in us to both will and do His good pleasure.) or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

The orthodox view is that the Holy Spirit is not the Son, and the Son is not the Holy Spirit. In other words, your comments are heretical.

Your opinion or personal heresy as a private interpretation (commentary) is welcome. But we must compare it to the word of God as the law of God.

Who is the Son as one continually without beginning of days or end of Spirit life?

Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually .Hebrews 7:

The verse is talking about likeness to the eternality of the priesthood of Jesus, not Him being the Holy Spirit.

My opinion is rooted in historical orthodox belief. Yours is the personal heresy.

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I started this thread because many of the Catholics I encounter online are
quick to mount a defense of Peter's supremacy while failing to pay suitable
attention to his knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Consequently, their
forum behavior is too often militant and unpleasant

Peter's Christianity is a very practical religion. It not only brings sinners into
a right relationship with their creator, but it also makes them better people;
viz: makes them more civil and humane.

● 1Pet 2:1-3 . .Lay aside all deceit (a.k.a. guile, cunning, and duplicity)

The Greek word for "deceit" is dolos (dol'-os) which basically refers to a
decoy, which Webster's defines as someone or something used to lure or
lead another into a trap.

Decoys can also be used as diversions, e.g. red herrings.

Dolos also refers to trickery; defined by Webster's as the practice of crafty
underhanded ingenuity to deceive or cheat, for example Gen 3:1.

A very common form of deceit is something called dissembling; which
basically means to conceal one's true feelings with pretense. I think it's
pretty safe to say that everybody at one time or another practices
dissembling; it's pretty much a natural propensity.

Peter's instructions don't say to avoid deceit, they say to lay it aside; viz:
stop it.
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The seven examples of malice listed in post No.6 are pretty good, but I
would certainly include spite were it my list. Webster's defines it as petty ill
will or hatred with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart; i.e. just plain
meanness.

A companion to spite is persecution; from the Greek word dioko (dee-o'-ko)
which means to pursue; i.e. to hound, to harass. In other words; a
persecuting personality is one whose mission in life is to ruin somebody's
day at every opportunity; and they are pretty good at finding ways to do it.

Heaven is described in the Bible as a place of peace. I think it goes without
saying that malicious people cannot be allowed to go there because they
would soon turn heaven into a hellish world like they've made the Earth.
_

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● 1Pet 2:1-3 . . Lay aside all hypocrisy

The Greek word for "hypocrisy" is hupokrisis (hoop-ok'-ree-sis) which is a
mite ambiguous. It basically refers to acting under a feigned part.

Not all hypocrisy is bad; quite a few people earn an honest living by
accepting parts in movies and plays. That we can live with.

But hypocrisy in religion is insufferable; for example Mark 12:13-15, which
reads like this:

"Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him
in his words. They came to him and said: Teacher, we know you are a man
of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who
they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it
right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we? But
Jesus knew their hypocrisy."

Their inquiry was sensible and practical; but it was based upon a hidden
agenda. They didn't care one whit about the taxes; they were only looking
for a legitimate excuse to have Jesus arrested and put away where he could
no longer influence public opinion.

Hypocrisy is also exemplified in double standards, for example Luke 6:41-42
and Matt 23:2-4

"And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not
notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother:
Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye, when you yourself do
not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out
of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in
your brother's eye."

"The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of
Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do
according to their deeds; for they say things, and do not do them. And they
tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves
are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger."
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and yet Paul said follow me as I follow the Lord and many verses testify to us being examples for others to emulate.....

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● 1Pet 2:1-3 . . Lay aside all envy

Webster's defines envy as painful or resentful awareness of an advantage
enjoyed by another, coupled with a desire to possess the same advantage

There are musicians that I greatly admire for their talent and their creativity.
But I don't hate them for it; no, I truly love their work, i.e. I'm a fan rather
than a rival. For example; famed sessions musician Carol Kaye can lay down
smooth jazz lines with an electric bass using nothing more than a flat guitar
pick. I wish I could do what Carol does, and I would sincerely like for her to
continue playing and teaching forever.

But when admiration is mixed with pain and resentment, it can become ugly
and extremely dangerous.

For example, it was envy that motivated Cain to murder his kid brother, and
it was envy that motivated Joseph's brothers to sell him into slavery, and it
was envy that motivated Jesus' opponents to have him arrested and put to
death.

People prone to envy share a very common denominator: they simply must
be either equal to, or better than, others. It's that simple. And if they cannot
be equal to, or better than others, then nothing would make them happier
than to see those others failed, maimed, silenced, disfigured, dishonored,
disgraced, humiliated, handicapped for life and/or deceased.
_

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● 1Pet 2:1-3 . . Lay aside all evil speaking

The Greek word for "evil speaking" is katalalia (kat-al-al-ee'-ah) which
basically means defamation; defined by Webster's as the act of
communicating false statements about a person that injures their reputation.

Talking about someone behind their back counts as defamation only when
the statements are untrue; especially if the statements are deliberately
untrue and calculated to assassinate someone's character and/or question
their good name.

● 1Pet 2:2 . . As newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, that you
may grow thereby.

When Christians neglect to study Peter's epistles to learn what is, and what
is not, appropriate behavior for Christ's followers, they are certain to end up
stunting their spiritual growth; and quite naturally retain and practice all five
of the ugly behaviors listed above; viz: malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and
evil speaking.
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