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#1 |
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Join Date: Jan 2008
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The Kingdom of God
Yesterday I posted what Paul calls the Gospel.(1 Cor. 15:1-4) Some catholics objected to that and said that the Gospel is the Good News of the Kingdom of God. And that is true. So my point is that there must be some way for people to KNOW how it enter that Kingdom. Just simply saying there is a Kingdom, with NO instructions or directions on how to find or enter that Kingdom, would do no good at all. One MUST know how to find, and enter that Kingdom. So, catholics would you answer the following:
1. What is this Kingdom? 2. Where is this Kingdom? 3. How does one enter into this Kingdom? 4. How would YOU explain, to someone who did NOT even KNOW there is such a kingdom, the way to find and enter this Kingdom? |
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#2 | |
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#3 | |||
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The reign of Christ. It began with his Incarnation and will come in to it's fullest at his Parousia.
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Peace. |
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#4 |
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The normal way to enter the Kingdom of God is through faith not baptism.
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#5 |
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Faith in Jesus Christ is not a requirement?
Really? Just by getting wet one can enter into heaven.
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"O Lady, since thou art the dispenser of all graces, andsince the grace of salvation can come only through thy hands, our salvation depends on thee." St. Bernardine of Sienna |
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#6 |
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"When a righteous man fled from his brother’s wrath,
she guided him on straight paths; she showed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things; she prospered him in his labours, and increased the fruit of his toil." Wis 10 : 10. Long before the Cross, and its redemption in a blood more precious than Abel's, Wisdom guided righteous souls. The Spirit at work, as Wisdom's presence, gave knowledge of what is holy, or angelic, prospering him. So, the Kingdom needed no written text as its revealing guide, only Wisdom with the Spirit. "When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them on the day when, according to my gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all." Rom 2 : 14-16. The Law, which is a written convenant of God's rule, was a disciplinarian until grace came in Christ. According to Paul's understanding of the gospel the Law was a conviction of guilt to accuse. So when Gentiles did what it required, naturally, it was to judge all secret thoughts. "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matt 6 : 31-33. The Kingdom, therefore, is not being concerned over texts, revealed commands or accusations of conscience - holy, right and good though these are if in God's service. It is learning to strive after God rule, his justice, at work in our lives. In doing this we workout our salvation - in whatever we do, wear, eat or drink - for we do it only to will and work for his good pleasure = his rule in Christ, the Kingdom. "Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure." Phil 2 : 12-13. "He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’" Matt 13 : 31-32. "If your brother is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual edification." Rom 14 : 15-19. |
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#7 |
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Thanks to all who replied so far. The only problem is that it just created many more questions in my mind. You see, there are many things I don't know or understand so here are some of the things that really confuse me:
Who are believers? Believers in what? What is heaven? What is baptism? What is the gospel? Who is Christ? And Who is this Jesus? And where should I follow Him? What in the world is Parousia? Faith. I have faith that: The earth is round. That I am a good person. That the sun will shine tomorrow. I have faith in many things, is that what you mean? Must I stay dry then, and NOT get wet? I don't understand. But I feel that I want to enter into this Kingdom, but I am really confused now! More than ever! Help me understand if you can. I have never heard of these things before. |
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#8 | |
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Colossians 2:9-13. 9 For in him dwells the whole fullness of the deity bodily, 10 and you share in this fullness in him, who is the head of every principality and power. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not administered by hand, by stripping off the carnal body, with the circumcision of Christ. 12 You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And even when you were dead (in) transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; Notice how St. Paul compares Baptism to circumcision. Circumcision was the way one was initiated into the old covenant. Notice also that in this passage St. Paul is discussing who Christ is and that we share in his glory. In discussing this he tells us that our transgressions were stripped away by our Baptism. 1 Peter 3:18-22. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit. 19 In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison, 20 who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water. 21 This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him. Notice here how St. Peter compares the waters of Baptism with the waters of the flood, and notes that Baptism "saves you now." He also notes that Baptism is "an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Thus, for St. Paul Baptism is like circumcision which initiates us into the new covenant. For St. Peter Baptism is the means by which we "appeal to God for a clear conscience." So...while modern Protestant (especially Evangelical) theology seeks to strip Baptism of its meaning, we hold firm to the teaching of the Apostles. That teaching being that Baptism is the normative way of entering into the Kingdom. |
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#9 | |
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#10 |
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I don't know why they refuse to get this. Throughout the NT it tells us we're saved by faith in Christ. What must I do to be saved asked the Philippian jailor. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved replied Paul and Silas. Water baptism is not how anyone enters the kingdom.
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William Tyndale: "I defy the pope and all his laws; and, if God spares me, I will one day make the boy that drives the plow in England to know more of the Scriptures than the pope does!" |
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#11 |
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Evidently they think so.
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William Tyndale: "I defy the pope and all his laws; and, if God spares me, I will one day make the boy that drives the plow in England to know more of the Scriptures than the pope does!" |
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#12 | |
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This is normally how one is brought into the Kingdom. Staying in the Kingdom is another matter. One is always free to walk away if one so chooses. |
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#13 | |
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P S And you hint that STAYING in the Kingdom may be not so easy. Why is that. What must I do to stay in this Kingdom? |
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#14 | |
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1) While book learnin' is undeniably a good thing, we are not saved by our knowledge, so the most important thing to know in the short term, is that if you desire to seek and follow God you have taken the most important step already. 2) Start going to Mass on a regular basis, and set up a meeting with the parish priest as soon as possible. He let you know about the educational opportunities available in the parish where these and other questions can be answered. 3) Get yourself a Bible and a catechism. There are several other good introductory books as well that can assist you in finding these answers. 4) Here's my phone number. Please give me a call and let's go have coffee or a couple of beers or play a round of golf, and I'll introduce you to some other good Christian folks I know. Following Jesus is about community as much as it is about you as an individual, so let's get to know one another. Peace |
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#15 | |
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What is mass and what does it do for me? And a priest of what church? Does it matter which one? So the bible and catechism is necessary? And what do I look for there? And these other good Christian folk will tell me what I need to know? I don't know that I want to do that till I know who started this Kingdom, and what it is for, and who is the King of this Kingdom, and why should I trust the "King" to begin with. I really don't feel I should get too involved till I have some more concrete answers. |
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#16 | |
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2. Wherever God reigns. It no prescribed geographical boundaries. 3. By dying and trusting that God will beget you anew into this Kingdom. 4. I would explain to them that God's reign is spreading into the world. If they want to be a part of that heavenly kingdom, they must first die to this world just like Jesus first died before he rose again to new life. |
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#17 | |
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So all who live, once they die, will be part of the Kingdom of God. |
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May the LORD bless His Word to each and every heart that reads this post.
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30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
John 20:30-31 |
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#19 |
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Oh by the way, just to clarify something, the Literal Kingdom of God will be here on earth.
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30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
John 20:30-31 |
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#20 |
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