Here are the daily readings at Mass for the week starting July 6, 2008.
Sunday July 6:
First Reading: Zec 9:9-10
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14
Second Reading: Rom 8:9, 11-13
Gospel: Mt 11:25-30
To see the readings in full for this day click here.
Monday July 7
First Reading: Hos 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Gospel: Mt 9:18-26
To see the readings in full for this day click here.
Tuesday July 8:
First Reading: Hos 8:4-7, 11-13
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 115:3-4, 5-6, 7ab-8, 9-10
Gospel: Mt 9:32-38
To see the readings in full for this day click here.
Wednesday July 9:
First Reading: Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Gospel: Mt 10:1-7
To see the readings in full for this day click here.
Thursday July 10:
First Reading: Hos 11:1-4, 8e-9
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16
Gospel: Mt 10:7-15
To see the readings in full for this day click here.
Friday July 11:
First Reading: Hos 14:2-10
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-13, 14 and 17
Gospel: Mt 10:16-23
To see the readings in full for this day click here.
Saturday July 12:
First Reading: Is 6:1-8
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5
Gospel: Mt 10:24-33
in full for this day click here.
Taken out ( lost bible books )
Eusebius, was the first court-appointed Christian theologian in the service of the Emperor Constantine.
Constantine commissioned Eusebius, personally, to produce fifty excellent copies of the sacred scriptures but gave no instruction as to which books Eusebius should include in this new Bible.
He was given sole authority over this project and, therefore, became the first editor of the Bible we have today.
Here are a list of some of the holy books which he threw out, but there are many more.
The Acts of Andrew
The Acts of John
The Acts of Paul,
The Apocalypse of Peter
The Epistle of Barnabas
The Gospel of Hebrews
The Gospel of Matthias
The Gospel of Peter
The Gospel of Thomas
The Shepherd of Hermas
The Teachings of the Apostles
Eusebius decided that, at least, 33% of all the commonly accepted books considered to be “New Testament” by the earlier church, should be taken out.
He said there are only 4 gospels to be used because there were only four pillars of the Earth.
Well do I need to say any more, judge for yourselves do you think there are more Holy Bible books to read?.
EVANGELIST BILLY BOLITHO
http://www.evangelistbillybolitho.blogspot.com
Mr Bolitho,
Your history is shoddy on this subject. It was not Eusebius who made the connection between four gospels and the four pillars. It was Irenaeus of Lyon, who was a bishop in the second century of the Church well before Constantine lived. In his writings refuting the Gnostic heresy, which is the source of most of the writing you reference, he wrote this:
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The Gospels could not possibly be either more or less in number than they are. Since there are four zones of the world in which we live, and four principal winds, while the Church is spread over all the earth, and the pillar and foundation of the Church is the gospel, and the Spirit of life, it fittingly has four pillars, everywhere breathing out incorruption and revivifying men. From this it is clear that the Word, the artificer of all things, being manifested to men gave us the gospel, fourfold in form but held together by one Spirit. As David said, when asking for his coming, ‘O sitter upon the cherubim, show yourself ‘. For the cherubim have four faces, and their faces are images of the activity of the Son of God. For the first living creature, it says, was like a lion, signifying his active and princely and royal character; the second was like an ox, showing his sacrificial and priestly order; the third had the face of a man, indicating very clearly his coming in human guise; and the fourth was like a flying eagle, making plain the giving of the Spirit who broods over the Church. Now the Gospels, in which Christ is enthroned, are like these. (3.11.8)
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This was written between 180 and 199 AD. Bishop Irenaeus was refuting the Gnostic heresy whose adherants were writing their own Gospels to legitimize their perverse theology.
I want to show as further proof of only four gospels being accepted by the Church, a writing by Origen written about 233 AD. This is about a century before Eusebius wrote anything. This is from Origen’s “Homilies on Luke”.
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The Church has four Gospels; but the heretics have many, including one represented as According to Egyptians, an another According to the Twelve Apostles. Even Basilides made bold to write a gospel, and titled it with his own name… I know a certain gospel called According to Thomas, and one according to Mathias. We have read many others too, rather than seem to be ignorant of them, because of those who think they know something when they are aquainted with such things. But among all of these we approve none except those, the four only Gospels, which are received by the Church.
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I have given you two proofs that what you say is false and that the Church recognized only four Gospels long before Eusebius wrote a word. Please cease trying to mislead Catholics and others. The Church received its authority to recognize scripture from Christ. Your authority and the authority of Gnostic heretics is not from Christ. I have one question… Do you believe in the Gnosis?
I believe in JESUS the JESUS who speaks yesterday, today and forever. Many scriptures have been addedto, and taken away by Catholic’s and Protestents, and so-called Nostics. If is a great sin to throw out God’s Word like the religious establishment has, because of their own hidden agenda’s. Many would like to keep us under their full control like thwe Catholic’s, Protestents, Nostics, and so-called faith movements like we have today. But you and they are unable to do this because Christ Jesus is living and reignibg in our hearts. Jesus said, If the son shall set you free you shall be free indeed. We can read all of God’s word because we have all of God’s word to tell us what to do.
– because we have the Holy Spirit to tell us what i right.
Evidently the Holy Spirit did not lead you to truth in your original post. Your original post was full of factual errors.
Using your theory, how is one to know if the Bible is even the word of God? How do we even know that there is such thing as the Holy Spirit? Your theory has taken any authority away from the Bible. By your theory, we just don’t know which books are part of the Bible. It is every man for themselves!
My Bible says that Jesus Christ founded a Church on Peter the Rock and he gave him the authority to bind and loose. The office that he was given was passed down through apostolic succession. The bishops of the Catholic and Orthodox Churchs are successors to the apostles. The Bishop of Rome is the successor to Peter. Irenaeus vouches for that in the second century. Since you don’t trust the Bible then I suppose this doesn’t account for much.
The Holy Spirit led me to the truth that the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ, so by your theory I must be right believing this.
Which parts of the Bible do you think were added to and taken away from and what evidence do you have?
The Catholic Church guards the Word of God. The Church has the authority to recognize what is and is not scripture…guided by the Holy Spirit! The Church has the authority from Jesus Christ passed down through the apostles to their successors. I would be more than happy to discuss this further.
I do have a question for you! What for you, BILLY BOLITHO, is the pillar and foundation of truth?
JESUS
Mr. Bolitho,
Of course Jesus is truth but that was not the question. The question was what for you is the pillar and foundation of truth.
What does the Bible say? Well it says:
1 Timothy 3:15
in case I am delayed, so that you may know how to behave in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
The Bible clearly says that the Pillar and Foundation of truth is the CHURCH. Truth doesn’t come in 30000 denominations that can’t agree on anything. There is one Church not 30000 plus churches.
God Bless,
Chris
THE truth doesn’t come in 30000 denominations it comes in JESUS, JESUS is the Truth that answers your question.
And Jesus said The Holy Spirit will lead you in to all truth, not any denomination which is control by man.
This is almost laughable. I give you the Bible quote that clearly says the Church is the Pillar and foundation of truth but you avoid the implications.
I agree that truth doesn’t come in 30000 denomination. The truth comes from Jesus and its pillar and foundation is in the Church he founded. That Church had an authority structure that was passed on to others. This is historic Christianity that you ignore.
If Jesus did not mean for a Church to have authority and a structure then he surely did not need apostles who made binding decisions and passed their authority to others.
An example of the truth passed on in the Church from Jesus is the real presense of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. This is truth that has been accepted for 2000 years. This truth is not accepted by all, so I would say that there are many people who are not part of the Church which is the pillar and foundation of truth. I want the whole truth and nothing but the truth and I have re-discovered it in the Church I was born into.
How did the early Church make a decision on circumcision?
Did they leave it up to the individual believer guided by the Holy Spirit? Not on your life! They held the Council of Jerusalem in Acts chapter 15. The leaders of the Church lead by Peter made a binding decision guided by the Holy Spirit to declare that circumcision was not required.
There were individuals who disagreed but the leaders of the Church, who were given the authority to bind and loose(Matthew 18:18), made a binding decision on the practices of the early Church. Sure they were guided by the Holy Spirit but they had authrority that the individual believer did not have. If the individual could discern this there would not have been a need for the council in the first place or for that matter a Bible. The logic just is not there.
Mr. Bolitho you clearly have grasped part of the truth, yet you ignore the fullness of the truth. You have taken an aspect of the truth and interepreted it to fit your beliefs. You ignore the authority that the Church was given and have turned it into an individualistic journey when it is not meant to be that. The Body of Christ is a communion of believers not an island. I pray that you examine this further.
God Bless,
Chris
Dear Chrs
Let me speak to you about The Newness of the Spirit,
In some Christian churches, it is taught that Christians should obey some of the Jewish laws and traditions instead of reading the Bible, and letting the Holy Spirit teach them what they should obey.
The Bible makes it very clear that we should be led by the Spirit. For it is written, “that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter”. {Romans 7 v 6}.
Paul and Barnabus disputed strongly with the Jews in the early church, for the Jews said, “except you will obey the book of Moses you will not be saved”. Paul stood up for the Christians of that time and said, “now therefore, why tempt ye God to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear”. {Acts 15 v 10}.
Paul said to the church of that time, “we must not trouble any person who turns to God”. For Paul knew that Jesus said, “The Holy Ghost will teach them and lead them into all truth”. {John 16 v 13}. Now the Apostles said to the church, that God would call from the peoples of the world a certain number whom He has chosen to be saved, “for known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world”.
Yes, God knows everyone who will be saved through Christ Jesus. Paul said to the new converts, “ have nothing to do with idols, or things that are strangled, or from blood, for life is in the blood, and not to commit fornication”, for the Holy Ghost laid this upon his heart to tell the new converts which were in Christ Jesus. “For it seemed good unto the Holy Ghost and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things”. {Acts 15v 28}.
May we have ears to hear what the Spirit says in these days.
Let us not put a burden on Christians.
Mr. Bolitho,
I believe the spirit has guided me to the truth that the Catholic Church is the Church founded by Jesus Christ. There are about one billion other Catholics that believe the same thing.
How do you know that you have the spirit in you? Simon the Magician in Acts chapter 8 actually became a believer but did not recieve the Holy Spirit. How was the Holy Spirit transmitted? Was it up to each individual believer? No… Acts clearly indicates that the spirit was passed on by the laying on of hands by the Apostles. It was not until the apostles laid hands on the believers that the Spirit was conveyed.
Peter refused to give Simon the gift of the Holy Spirit. You see it wasn’t only up to the individual believer to receive the Spirit, the spirit was passed on by the apostles and in turn by their successors. The laying on of hands was the normative method of receiving the spirit. Man was given the authority to pass on the spirit. The Catholic Church has the successors to the apostles who were given this same authority. You have this fear that man can’t be trusted for when it comes to truth in the Church. The problem is Jesus and the Bible clearly shows that men were given authority to make binding decisions in the Church. Peter refused to give the gift of the Spirit. He was using the authority to bind and loose just as his successors do today.
I agree one hundred percent with the passages that you have quoted, I just dont agree with your fallible interpretation.
You seem to argue that it is possible for the individual believer to be guided to truth by the Holy Spirit but you deny that Bishops(overseers) who were passed their authority through the laying on of hands from the Apostles that same authority. The Catholic Church teaches that the Bishop of Rome guided by the Holy Spirit teaches without error on matters of faith and morals when teaching ex cathedra. You more than likely will disagree with this but in the same breath you will say that the individual believer can be led to all truth by the Holy Spirit. Something does not add up.
( I do like that picture of JESUS above)
Baptised In The Holy Ghost
Have you ever wondered why some Christians do not believe like you believe? Yes, they are good and kind, but when it comes to the things of the Spirit they seem to be on a different wavelength.
They don’t understand when you say that you see visions, and speak in an unknown tongue or hear God speaking to you, and feeling Jesus ever so close in times of great need.
I wonder if the reason could be that they have not received the baptism of the Holy Ghost? Yes, they have received Jesus and are true Christians, but the Holy Ghost is not real to them and the things of the Spirit seem very strange.
Well, we read about Christians in Samaria in the Acts of the Apostles chapter 8, who accepted Jesus but did not receive the Holy Ghost in all His fullness, they were only baptised in the name of Jesus.
So, when Peter and John came down from Jerusalem they prayed that they might receive the Holy Ghost, and when they laid their hands upon the believers they received.
Let us pray for all Christians that they might receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, thus coming to know Jesus in all His fullness.
For Jesus said, “For John truly baptised with water, but ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost.”
So you see we all need to be baptised in the Holy Ghost just as we all need to be baptised in water.
If you feel that you have not received the baptism of the Holy Ghost when you were saved, (because not everyone receives the baptism automatically), then pray now and ask Jesus, for He will surely give you the Holy Ghost in all its fullness.
Dear Saints, the Lord has laid upon my heart for you this scripture, “Ask, and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you, for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened”. {Matthew 7 v 7 & 8}.
Do make this your prayer today and you will receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Jesus said “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him; but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
{St John 14 v 17}.
Come now, ye sons of men, This message now receive,
The Holy Ghost is given To all who will believe,
Ye too may know His mighty power,
And Speak with tongues this hour.
You are missing the point. God uses men to do his work. The Apostle’s were given the power guided by the Holy Spirit to withhold the laying on of hands. Peter refused. Peter had authority. He made a binding decision.
Ultimately it is the Holy Spirit is guiding him but Jesus gave him the authority that the individual believer does not have.
Not all believers have the same gifts of the spirit.
I would like to start asking some questions now
1.)Would you agree that the Apostles held authority in Biblical times?
2.)Would you agree that they made binding decisions for the Christians during that time?
3.)Do you believe that the “office” that the Apostles held was passed on to others?
1.)Would you agree that the Apostles held authority in Biblical times? - yes
2.)Would you agree that they made binding decisions for the Christians during that time? - yes
3.)Do you believe that the “office” that the Apostles held was passed on to others? - yes
The gift of discernment that Peter used was given by the Holy Ghost. The same gift of discernment can be exercised by any born again believer who has received the Holy Spirit baptism.
We do not need a priest, a pastor or an evangelist for us to be able to discern the gifts of the Spirit. What we do need thou is Jesus Christ living and reigning in our hearts as Lord and Saviour.
Jesus said the Holy Ghost will lead you into all truth, if you believe that Jesus is alive, then you will know that I am speaking the truth.
Mr. Bolitho,
I want to examine a few passages of scripture regarding authority. I disagree with your statement that we do not need priests or pastors to understand the Bible and its truths and perform certain functions.
2 Peter 3:16
16
speaking of these things 12 as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures.
The word for ignorant used here actually means unlearned or untaught. We are told that those untaught will invariably twist scripture to their own destruction. Who were the teachers of scripture. Let us now look at 1 Tim 5:17:
17
3 Presbyters who preside well deserve double honor, especially those who toil in preaching and teaching.
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Here we clearly show that the duties of the presbyters, which is the word priest is derived from, is to preach and teach. Why do they need to do this if your theory is correct. Have you twisted the words of scripture?
Let us now look at James 5:14-15
14
Is anyone among you sick? 6 He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord,
15
and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
Once again we see another role of the presbyters (priest or elders). They have a special role and authority.
Let us look at the office of bishop in Titus 1:5:
2 For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you,
6
on condition that a man be blameless, married only once, with believing children who are not accused of licentiousness or rebellious.
7
For a bishop as God’s steward must be blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for sordid gain,
8
but hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled,
The Bishop was left to appoint presbyters and be a steward of the Church. It is curious also that the Bishop would have authority in multiple cities. My Church operates much like this model…does yours?
I would now like to look at John: 21:15-18.
15
8 9 10 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
16
He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
17
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” (Jesus) said to him, “Feed my sheep.
18
11 Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
Clearly Jesus is commanding Peter to care for his sheep. He is giving Peter pastoral authority over the flock. This care involves preaching, teaching and discipline of the Church. The office that Peter held is foreshadowed in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament the King had a royal steward who had control of the Kingdom while the King was away. This authority was symbolized by the keys that were given to him. Look at Isaiah 22:22
22
6 I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open.
23
I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot, to be a place of honor for his family;
Let us now look at Matthew 16:19
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. 14 Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
This clearly shows that Peter was given authority that was the same authority as the royal steward in the Old Testament Kingdom. Here we have an authority to bind and loose given to a human being.
You agreed that the office of the Apostle were passed on and the Bible clearly supports this and supports that the office the Apostle’s held was the office of Bishop. Acts 1:20
“For it is written in the Book of Psalms:
‘Let his encampment become desolate, and may no one dwell in it.’
And:
‘May another take his office.’
(This is taken from another post of mine)
The word that is translated as office or bisphoric is ἐπισκοπὴν. This is the Greek word episkopēn which means office of bishop. This definition comes from here.(this is not a Catholic source) The Bible clearly states that the Apostles held the office of bishop or overseer as early as Acts 1:20. While public revelation stopped with the death of the Apostle John, the authority of the Bishops continued and was passed down to this day in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The authority of the Bishop of Rome comes from the special authority that was passed down through Peter the Prince of the Apostles.
I think that I have clearly established that Jesus and the Bible mandate that there are those who have authority to preach and teach his flock. This is in the Bible and the bishops, priests and deacons of the Church have been given this authority. I agree that they are lead by the Holy Spirit but their is a heirarchy who have special authority given from God.
One quick comment. The Catholic Church does not teach that only a priest can administer the sacrament of Baptism.
You clearly misunderstand the teachings of Jesus, the simplicity of the gospel with many words and many quotes from the Bible which you clearly confuse the new converts of today.
It is Christ that begins a work in a new believers heart and it is Christ who will finish it. The Apostles taught this and also God’s people today , the message that we preach is Christ Jesus, who said” The Holy Ghost will lead you into all truth”. If a new convert lived alone on an island tha Holy Ghost would teach him all that he needed to know.
I think it is you who clearly misunderstand the teachings. I am not the one ignoring half of the New Testament.
I believe that the Holy Spirit does lead the Church to the truth. I disagree with you on how it is accomplished. God uses people. He could have sent the Bible down bound and written but he chose to work through people instead.
Jesus has a kingdom. The Church is that kingdom. The whole thing comes from Jesus. It is all because of Jesus, but he uses people to fulfill his mission. You are attacking my Church without understanding what it truly is. With that said, I do believe that those outside the Catholic Church proper can be saved.
Why do you think Jesus Christ gave the great commision to preach the gospel to all nations?
I believe that the whole truth includes that Jesus founded a Church that the Holy Spirit works in. That Church has a structure of bishops, priests(presbyters) and deacons. It is all in the Bible. You choose to ignore the time tested teachings of the Church and go with your personal understanding.
Do you believe you have an infallible interpretation of the Bible?
I now want to conclude with a quote from the Letter of Clement to the Corinthians. The Letter of Clement was considered scripture by some of the early Church. Since you inititally brought up books outside of the Bible I thought we should look at how the early Church operated. Clement was the Bishop of Rome(Pope) in the first century. He wrote a letter to the Corinthians telling them to reinstate their clergy. This is the earliest example of the authority of the Bishop of Rome.
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Our apostles also knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and there would be strife on account of the office of the episcopate. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed those [ministers] already mentioned, and afterwards gave instructions, that when these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry. We are of opinion, therefore, that those appointed by them, or afterwards by other eminent men, with the consent of the whole Church, and who have blame-lessly served the flock of Christ in a humble, peaceable, and disinterested spirit, and have for a long time possessed the good opinion of all, cannot be justly dismissed from the ministry. For our sin will not be small, if we eject from the episcopate those who have blamelessly and holily fulfilled its duties. Blessed are those presbyters who, having finished their course before now, have obtained a fruitful and perfect departure [from this world]; for they have no fear lest any one deprive them of the place now appointed them. But we see that you have removed some men of excellent behaviour from the ministry, which they fulfilled blamelessly and with honour.
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This was written in the first century while at least one of the Apostles was probably alive.
I understand completely that Jesus is responsible for salvation but I also understand that he uses people to fulfill specific roles in His Church. I think you found a big part of the truth in Jesus but you ignore his Church.
God bless
Some people say that the Apostles teachings, you know the letters of Paul, Peter, James, John etc are not important because Jesus did not say it, so they try to ignore the very fact that God has written the names of the twelve Apostles, on the very foundation stones of the new Jerusalem. Jesus said to Peter His Apostle endorsing him by saying, “I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” {Matthew 16 v 18}. Paul said, “Let Him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you, are the commandments of the Lord,” {1 Corinthians 14 v 37}.
Now we must never forget that Jesus dedicated all His authority to His twelve disciples, He said to them, “Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosen in heaven,” {Matthew 18 v 18}. For He told them “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”, yes teach all people to obey His commandments. So you see, when we read the letters of the Apostles we must believe that Christ himself
is speaking through them to us today. Let us not demean any of the Holy Scriptures but accept all the teachings of the Holy Bible from Genesis to Revelation as the very voice of Almighty God for which it is.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,”
{2 Timothy 3 v 16}.
This what I believe.
Also I believe that
St Clement was murdered by Rome the same people who removed His Letters from the bible
He also was great diciple of Chrit JESUS
Mr Bolitho,
I believe every passage that you have referenced here… one hundred percent! I do not agree with your interpretation of the passages. I agree that when we read the Bible we read the word of God. I believe that scripture is profitable for all the things listed. But I do not believe that the Bible says only scripture is profitable for the things listed.
Your crediblity is quite lacking in your claim that St. Clement was murdered by the same people who removed his letters from the Bible for these reasons:
1.)His letter was never universally accepted as scripture.
2.) Your false claim that Eusebius was the one who removed books of scripture even refutes your belief you just stated. Eusebius lived hundreds of years after Clement did.
3.) Just because Clement was martyred by pagan Rome does not in anyway make a connection to the Church of Rome. This is clearly a faulty syllogism even if your claims about Eusibius are true, which they are not.
Since you have made many false accusations and claims I am highly concerned that you may be in danger of leading many into error. I pray that you reflect on this.
God Bless,
Chris
St. Clement letter was accepted as scripture by Paul, Peter, James, John. You said that yourself. this make it universally accepted as Holy scripture.
I am highly concerned that you may be in danger of leading many into error.
I have not made false accusations and claims I am just trying to inform you of the truth
Mr. Bolitho
You said:
St. Clement letter was accepted as scripture by Paul, Peter, James, John. You said that yourself. this make it universally accepted as Holy scripture.
I am highly concerned that you may be in danger of leading many into error.
I have not made false accusations and claims I am just trying to inform you of the truth
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My Reply is :
Scholars indicate that Peter and Paul were martyred in 64 or 67 A.D during the reign of Nero.
James died around 62 AD
The First Letter of Clement to the Corinthians, the only legitimate writing of Clement, was not written until at the earliest 80 A.D.
How on earth could James, Peter and Paul have accepted the First letter of Clement as scripture? With all due respect, you are grasping at straws and loosing credibility with each post.
The only Apostle that was alive at the time the letter was written was John and there is no evidence one way or another if he accepted the letter as scripture. Have you even read the letter?
This letter is commonly cited by Catholics, such as myself, as the earliest example of the primacy of the Roman Church in the first century.
Do you believe that you should submit to a priest/presbyter? Clement did!
You, therefore, who laid a foundation of the rebellion, submit to the presbyters and be chastened to repentance, bending your knees in the spirit of humility. (1 Clement 57:1)
Would you heed the directions of the Bishop of Rome if he commanded you to submit to priest/presbyters? Clement was the Bishop of Rome. The Pope is the Bishop of Rome.
Do you have priests/presbyters that offer sacrifices. Clement wrote that the Church during his time did. This is the sacrifice of the Mass! The Catholic Church offers sacrifice. Very Catholic!
“Our sin will not be small if we eject from the episcopate those who blamelessly and holily have offered its sacrifices. Blessed are those presbyters who have already finished their course, and who have obtained a fruitful and perfect release” (Letter to the Corinthians 44:4–5 [A.D. 80]).
I hope that you reflect on this. The Letter of Clement was not universally accepted as scripture. The Church has the authority to discern what is inspired scripture, what does not qualify as inspired scripture and what writings are spurious. Of course the Church is guided by the Holy Spirit.
Since you consider The First Letter of Clement to the Corinthians as scripture, I would suggest you follow its directives and submit to the Bishop and Priests/Presbyters in the diocese you live in.
God Bless,
Chris
[...] August 8, 2008 by cd Recently I have had a long discussion with the Cornish Evangelist, Billy Bolitho. Mr. Bolitho has a unique perspective on scripture and the authority of the Church. He believes that I am leading the readers of this blog into error. I just want to give the latest round of comments from Mr. Bolitho and my response. Mr. Bolitho lead himself into trouble with his last round of comments that make very suspect everything he has said. I will grant that he has found an element of truth in what he says but he goes on his own with his sometimes bizarre misinterpretations of the Bible. Some of the things he says are true but he stretches the context to the limit. If you want to see the whole conversation click this link. [...]
I want to clarify something about the letter of Clement. I was just reading Mass of the Early Christians by Mike Aquilina and he indicates that some scholars, including those who are Catholic, believe that the letter of Clement may have been written before 70 AD. Even if this is true the letter itself does indicate that Peter and Paul were already martyred. Here is an excerpt from the letter.
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CHAPTER 5 — NO LESS EVILS HAVE ARISEN FROM THE SAME SOURCE IN THE MOST RECENT TIMES. THE MARTYRDOM OF PETER AND PAUL.
But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the most recent spiritual heroes. Let us take the noble examples furnished in our own generation. Through envy and jealousy, the greatest and most righteous pillars [of the Church] have been persecuted and put to death. Let us set before our eyes the illustrious apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours, and when he had finally suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of glory due to him. Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, compelled to flee, and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west, and suffered martyrdom under the prefects. Thus was he removed from the world, and went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking example of patience.
I to want to clarify something about the letters of Clement.
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF
CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS.
CHAPTER 25 — THE PHOENIX AN EMBLEM OF OUR RESURRECTION.
Let us consider that wonderful sign [of the resurrection] which takes place in Eastern lands, that is, in Arabia and the countries round about. There is a certain bird which is called a phoenix.
This is the only one of its kind, and lives five hundred years. And when the time of its dissolution draws near that it must die, it builds itself a nest of frankincense, and myrrh, and other spices, into which, when the time is fulfilled, it enters and dies.
But as the flesh decays a certain kind of worm is produced, which, being nourished by the juices of the dead bird, brings forth feathers.
Then, when it has acquired strength, it takes up that nest in which are the bones of its parent, and bearing these it passes from the land of Arabia into Egypt, to the city called Heliopolis.
And, in open day, flying in the sight of all men, it places them on the altar of the sun, and having done this, hastens back to its former abode.
The priests then inspect the registers of the dates, and find that it has returned exactly as the five hundredth year was completed.
(Clement was a disciple of Peter, and afterwards Bishop of Rome.
Clemens Alexandrinus calls him an apostle. Jerome says he was an apostolic man, and Rafinus that he was almost an apostle.
Eusebius calls this the wonderful Epistle of St. Clement, and says that it was publicly read in the assemblies of the primitive church. It is included in one of the ancient collections of the Canon Scripture.
(All these photos were taken in English Anglican churches. I still think that these birds in churches look very strange).
go to my blog read more. http://www.evangelistbillybolitho.blogspot.com
Clement was imprisoned under the Emperor Trajan and led a miraculous ministry among fellow prisoners. He was then executed by being tied to an anchor and thrown into the sea.
St. Clement’s Anchor
St. Clement was the Bishop of Rome from about 85-96 AD. After a life of steadfast witness to the Truth of the Gospel, much of which is included in his first Epistle to the Corinthians, St. Clement was arrested and exiled by the government in 95AD.
Even in the prison camp, he continued his ministry has a Christian, resulting in his martyrdom. He was tied to an anchor, and thrown into the Black Sea. His victorious death is celebrated every November 23rd, “St. Clement’s Day”.
Mr. Bolitho,
There reason there are some that think that it may have been written before I said it was written is because, Clement seems to indicate that the Jewish Temple was still having sacrifices offered at it. The Jewish Temple was destroyed around 70 A.D.
The Letter of Clement is a wonderful early Christian writing and is an early example of the Primacy of the Church of Rome. St. Clement was a Martyr of the Church and was martyred by Pagan Rome.
The letter was held in high esteem by many in the early Church but that does not mean that it is inspired scripture.
Myself and Catholices do not disagree that it was considered scripture by some. The problem is that when there is a disagreement over what is and what is not scripture the Church has the authority to decide what is scripture. St. Clement would agree if you take into account his view on the role of the Bishop and the church heirarchy.
If you believe that Clement is inspired scripture, would it not make sense to follow his directives and submit to the Church heirarchy.