Bishop's Blessing December 15, 2019 Celtic 5th Pentecost

Bishop's blessing: May Almighty God regard you with pleasure and pour forth the gift of His blessing upon you. Amen. And may He Who made the time of the Incarnation of his Only- Begotten Son a solemnity give you protection from the host of adversaries both in the present and future life. Amen. So that you may rejoice with devoted minds at the coming of our Redeemer in the flesh and be enriched with eternal gifts when he comes again in Majesty. Amen. May He Whose Kingdom and Dominion remain without end, be pleased to sustain us unto ages of Ages. Amen. May the blessing of God: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and the piece of the Lord be ever with you. Amen. 

Pagan Days in God’s Creation? Really?

Pagan Days in God’s Creation?

Really?

This is a response to the article; Mystery- Babylon-come- out- of- her- my- people.

So, Christians should not celebrate Christmas or Easter because the world does? The world also worships its own gods, so with this logic should Christians not worship their God? This is a very flawed thinking and is worldly logic. There is a prince of this world, he is called Satan by English speaking Christians, not that this is in fact his actual name because the word Satan actually means adversary. Some call him Lucifer while others are offended that Lucifer is called a prince of darkness when in fact Lucifer is the Latin name for the planet Venus, the bright and morning star, or light bearer.

How do we get things so screwed up? The devil is a master illusionist. So many people who call themselves Christian are held under his sway and do not even know it. They believe that their thoughts are their own when in fact the devil has entered their mind and caused confusion, Jesus gave this warning:

Luke 11:33-35  The Light of the Body

³³ “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a bushel, but on a stand, that those who enter may see the light. ³⁴ Your eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is sound, your whole body is full of light; but when it is not sound, your body is full of darkness. ³⁵ Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.

I have quoted this to Christians who misuse scripture when speaking to me regarding something crazy, the usual response that I have received by all, aside from some attempt at mocking, is that “that makes no sense, where did you get that from, how can the light in you be dark?” Oh well, so much for the bible only scripture quoters, most know enough to disregard truth and love and fall prey to deception. I am not a bible scholar and the older I get the harder it is to recall quotes. How many have ever heard the Christian saying; “the mind is the soul of the soul?”

How easy it is for the modern Christian to forget the great deception, the great deceiver is also a master imitator. This article (Mystery- Babylon-come- out- of- her- my- people) claims that everyone will know when Jesus actually appears and so there is nothing to fear. This is true, everyone will know, the devil himself will know as well as all of his demons, they all will know but what happens in the meantime makes all of the difference regarding what happens on that day. This is also somewhat stated in the aforementioned article.

Christians forget the great imitator; it’s not convenient at times to remember that the devil is the great imitator because it interferes with the philosophy of pride and hate. They swear that there is no pride and are not speaking from hate but from love, and yet their philosophy comes directly from hate and prejudice against Rome and it is so ingrained in them that they cannot even see it themselves. I am not Roman, this is not a defense of Rome nor is it an attack on Rome, it is a defense of truth, God’s truth.

Again, pagans worship gods so based on the thought in this article, Christians should not worship their God because pagans worship. Christians like to call Sunday the Lord’s Day, they totally disregard the fact that Sunday is named after the god of the sun, a pagan day, this makes no difference to them, but to celebrate the light coming into the world and the resurrection of the Lord and Savior, of which both were necessary for the salvation of humanity according to God’s plan which is itself scriptural, is called pagan worship because according to the worldly Christians these are pagan celebrations. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t worship on a pagan day Sunday while refusing to worship on a day that doesn’t suit you by calling it a pagan day. Pagan is pagan; you can or cannot worship on a day that is called pagan. By the way, Sunday is called ‘the First Day and also the Eighth Day’. Sunday is a pagan name. So stay out of church.

I have pages of excuses and scripture quotes from people claiming that God forbids worshipping Him on a pagan holy day. Utter nonsense. There is no such scripture, there is only scripture that is misused and misunderstood based again on; pride, hate, and prejudice. It takes an imagination and lot of allegorical interpretation to think that the scripture says what the people say that it means regarding the worship of Almighty God. What is being taught in these scriptures is that worshipping pagan gods or worshiping Almighty God in a pagan manner is against God, which is what is being taught.  

So back to pagan days, of course the world celebrates Christmas and Easter, the devil is of course the great deceiver, the great imitator, the great liar, the great murderer. Of course the world follows him and celebrates these days in imitation of the true days. The devil, who is coming, is coming in imitation of the light, in imitation of the True Light that is coming back. Of course he wants the celebrations of the True Light to be considered pagan, of course he wants to sow hatred and confusion, this is his job and today’s Christian stands idly by and allows it to happen, they allow the devil to control their worship of the one that they call God, Lord, and Savior.

Every day in the world is a pagan day. The world celebrates itself in all of its glory, the glory of the false light, the false god, the liar and deceiver. Of course they have attempted to take over the celebrations of the Light entering the world, the Savior of humanity being born and defeating sin and death, rising from the dead and bringing with Him a new world with the True Light in it. I thank Almighty God that there are still Christians alive that understand this fact. In the world everyday is a pagan day, but Who created the world? Who gave you life? Who brought the True Light into the world? Who is to be celebrated and worshiped in this world and whose job is it to celebrate and be the light of the world to all others. It belonged to the Jews first and the Jews gave it up, just like the Jews after they left Egypt they returned to idol worship and false gods and false understanding in spite of the miracles that they personally had witnessed, and now many of those who call themselves Christian are choosing to return to the Jews who lost the light and are to be guided to the light by Christians, instead just like the Jews, Christians are leaving and returning to the Jews, to the world which is what the Jew who continues to deny the Christ Jesus represents . Now those Christians are denying the worship of the True Light that entered the world and gave them salvation.

What did Jesus say;? John 16:16 “I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away. ² They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. ³ And they will do this because they have not known the Father, nor me. ⁴ But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you of them.

The Work of the Spirit

“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. ⁵ But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ ⁶ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. ⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸ And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: ⁹ concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; ¹⁰ concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; ¹¹ concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

¹² “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Sorrow Will Turn into Joy ¹⁶ “A little while, and you will see me no more; again a little while, and you will see me.” ¹⁷ Some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” ¹⁸ They said, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he means.” ¹⁹ Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him; so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’? ²⁰ Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 

²¹ When a woman is in travail she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world. ²² So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. ²³ In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. ²⁴ Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Peace for the Disciples

²⁵ “I have said this to you in figures; the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in figures but tell you plainly of the Father. ²⁶ In that day you will ask in my name; and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; ²⁷ for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from the Father. ²⁸ I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

²⁹ His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure! ³⁰ Now we know that you know all things, and need none to question you; by this we believe that you came from God.” ³¹ Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? ³² The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. ³³ I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

The prince of this world certainly runs the world. But to whom do you belong? This is God’s world, God created it, God gave us life, and every breath that we take is a gift from God. Did God come in the flesh or is this just a fairy tale? Is God in the flesh the True Light or is this just a fable? Is everyday God’s day? Does the world in fact not belong to Almighty God? Do we celebrate this everyday or do we hide because some days belong to the darkness, do we bring light into the darkness or do we run? Is any day actually a pagan day or is it an illusion of the devil to deceive? Is not everyday God’s day? Does not all belong to Him. The creator of time, does He not own time? There is not a moment of time that is not His.

Decide for yourself what is right or wrong. Just remember, every moment that we have been given by God that we concede to the devil, is a moment that Jesus has also washed His hands of us. Be the light or be the darkness. Be a Christian, or be a Jew or a pagan. Every day and every moment we are given the choice.

Choose wisely.

+William

Christmas! What does it mean to you

SW 5 Priest! by any other name is still a Priest! written part 2

                     

The Priest

By any other name is still a Priest

My friends,

Bishop William here, of St. Michael’s Monastery, member of the Autocephalous Orthodox Catholic Churches of the Americas. St. Michael’s is the home of the New Warrior Ministries, which is an outreach ministry going back some 25 years seeking to bring all who have left the church back to Christ, back to Jesus, for whatever reason that you have left the church, God’s love will still be never ending. For all who are seeking the truth and do not yet know that Jesus is the truth, this is for you as well because Jesus is the truth.

This series is about spiritual warfare. We are currently filming video number 5 which is titled; SW5 The Priest, by any other name is still a Priest.          

This is part 2

          In the Liturgy/Mass two Priesthoods fulfill their purpose in the same act; while the “priesthood of all believers” offer/sacrifice themselves, the New testament Ministerial/Apostolic Priesthood under the New Eternal High Priest offers the New Testament Eternal “Once for all” Sacrifice of Jesus Himself:

“For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast,” Acts 20: 7 “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, (this breaking of the bread was the Eucharist) Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.”  In Luke 24:35 “And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.” 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do you, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

1 Timothy 3:1-2: "This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop (ἐπισκοπή episkopḗ, ep-is-kop-ay), he desires a good work. A bishop ( ἐπίσκοπος (episkopos))  then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach."
          

1 Timothy 5:19 "Against a priest (the word here is;  πρεσβύτερος presbýteros, pres-boo'-ter-os or elder) receive not an accusation, but under two or three witnesses."
                    

Titus 1: 5-7 For this cause left I you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders ( πρεσβύτερος presbýteros, pres-boo'-ter-os) in every city, as I had appointed you: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop (ἐπίσκοπος epískopos, ep-is'-kop-os; from and (in the sense of ); a superintendent) must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre.

                    

Titus is commanded to ordain a number of elders in every city, and then the apostle immediately lists the qualities that these bishops must have. Also, we see from 1 Timothy 3 that bishops are given similar and overlapping qualifications. These offices are not separate and distinct from one another, they are the same.

          

1 Peter 5:1-4: "The elders (πρεσβύτερος presbýteros, pres-boo'-ter-os)  who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd (ποιμαίνω poimaínō, poy-mah'-ee-no) [Feed] the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers ( ἐπισκοπέω episkopéō, ep-ee-skop-eh'-o) [taking the oversight], not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd (ἀρχιποίμην archipoimēn ar-khee-poy'-mane) appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."
          

In this scripture we see Peter speaking of elders and calling himself a fellow elder and not distinguishing himself above the appointed elders. He tells them to shepherd the flock serving them as overseers. He speaks of the Chief Shepherd who is coming and who is also called the High Priest in other passages and yet the same person is doing the same job. So here in this passage we have the words used for the same office, and of the same men. Peter, an elder himself, exhorts other elders to carry out their duties as God directs. He tells them to feed, or shepherd, tend or pastor the flock which is among them. They are not to interfere in other flocks, but to deal just with their own. Each church had its own "presbytery" [presbuterion, basically an order of elders ](I Tim. 4:14: Phil. 1:1-2; Acts 14:23; Jas. 5:14).
          

In this feeding the flock the elders serve as overseers, or bishops.

The word "elders" is from the Greek presbuteros, which in turn is from the root presbos, or "old." Thus, elder refers to the spiritual maturity of the men who serve as overseers. They have a wife and children, and are not to be novices (1 Tim. 3:6). They are wise, and mature. To be an Elder is to have the correct character and does not speak to the age of the person. Think of Timothy as when the Apostle Paul wrote to him in 1 Timothy 4:12 ¹² Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

 "Bishop" or "overseer" is from the Greek episkopos. It is the word for superintendent, a manager. (Epi- over, and -skopeo, to look or watch.) It speaks to their responsibility and authority. The verb form of the word is used in 1 Peter 5:2, "exercise oversight." In 1 Timothy 3:1, the word is best rendered "overseership," since no word for "office" is actually present.
        

"Pastor" is from poimen, which as we have seen, is the word used for a shepherd, and so the use of the word as feeding, guiding and tending the flock. The verb form is poimaino. In 1 Peter 5, all of these words and ideas are used of the same men. Peter himself is one of them, as a married man As in Matthew 8:14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.

Peter says that even he is simply a "fellow-elder," and that there is one "Chief Shepherd" or archipoimenos, Jesus Christ Himself.

From St. Justin Martyr 100-165 AD

Executed for his faith

He wrote to the Roman Senate to explain the Christian understanding, knowingly placing his life in a perilous situation

And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president (this could be translated the Presider also (the one who presides or sits in the first place.)) verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons.

Friends, again we have the bread and wine, also another office is given here and that is of the office of the Reader, the reader of the Holy Scripture is actually an office because the words are Holy that are being read. The reader is appointed. Notice that Justin Martyr does not speak of an elder but of a president or presider over the people or congregation and he also includes the office of the deacon in his writings to Rome. The President or Presider is the same as the Elder, or the Shepherd, or the Bishop or the overseer. It is the same office that is appointed as the one who performs the liturgy or mass or worship service. 

Why again is this office appointed? Acts 14:20-23 ²⁰ But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city; and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. ²¹ When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Ico′nium and to Antioch, ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. ²³ And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed.

So now that we should finally understand that Bishops, Priests, Elders, Shepherds, Pastors, Ministers or any other name that one chooses to call them are appointed to the position, we should see in the name the same as in the response of Juliette in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliette; Juliette; 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy; thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, and for that name which is no part of thee take all myself.

The same can be said for the Priest. Whatever name Holy Scripture uses or whatever name one chooses, the position is the same, to offer sacrifice for himself and for the people, how can it be a true spiritual sacrifice might be your question? I will tell you.

Spiritual Sacrifice offered by the Priest

From the Didache

So what is this Didache? It is a Christian document written in the 1st century AD, some argue early 2nd century Ad, who really cares? I do not. This was Christian teaching from the first Christian churches on how to build and run a church and who could participate in the Eucharist or Holy Communion or the Body and Blood.

There was no Bible at this time, this is the early Christian church and this document is required reading and understanding for anyone who chooses to become ordained through the Western Rite group of the Autocephalous Orthodox Catholic Churches of the Americas.

Didache

CHAPTER 14

₁EVERY day that you gather together to break bread; give thanks after having confessed your transgressions, so that your sacrifice may be pure. _2. But let no one that is at variance with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned. _3. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations.

CHAPTER 15

_1. APPOINT, therefore, for yourselves, bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men meek, and not lovers of money, and truthful and proved; for they also render to you the service of prophets and teachers. _2. Despise them not therefore, for they are your honored ones, together with the prophets and teachers. _3. And reprove one another, not in anger, but in peace, as you have it in the Gospel; but to everyone that acts amiss against another, let no one speak, nor let him hear anything from you until he repent. _4. But your prayers and alms and all your deeds so do, as you have it in the Gospel of our Lord.

Is our worship a Spiritual Sacrifice?

On this spiritual sense of “sacrifice,” comp. Rom. 12: 1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Phil. 2: 17 Even if I am to be poured as a libation upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.  Heb. 13:15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 1 Pet. 2: 5  and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Is the Eucharist a True Sacrifice?

What is the Eucharist anyway? The Eucharist is a memorial thanksgiving meal that is called a sacrifice in everything that we have read, giving thanks to God through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit for Almighty God’s mercy on us through the giving of His Only Begotten Son to die for our sins, it is a thanksgiving to Jesus Christ for His love, compassion, and mercy on us and giving His life as the final sacrifice for our sins.

We give thanks by offering up our sacrifice to God. In ancient Israel there were several types of sacrifices given, one of the types was a thanksgiving sacrifice of grain, which we heard of this grain and cereal earlier in this video did we not:      Leviticus 2:1-3 

“When any one brings a cereal offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour; he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense on it, ² and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. And he shall take from it a handful of the fine flour and oil, with all of its frankincense; and the priest shall burn this as its memorial portion upon the altar, an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to the Lord. ³ And what is left of the cereal offering shall be for Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the offerings by fire to the Lord.  

This grain offering would be also given with a drink offering of wine; one-quarter hin (about a quart) of wine, which was poured into the fire on the altar. In Numbers 15:4–5 we see the grain offering along with the wine offering and a burnt offering: ⁴ then he who brings his offering shall offer to the Lord a cereal offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour, mixed with a fourth of a hin of oil; ⁵ and wine for the drink offering, a fourth of a hin, you shall prepare with the burnt offering, or for the sacrifice, for each lamb.

In Numbers 10:10 in the Greek we read this: and in the days of your gladness, and in your holidays, and in your new moons, you shall trump with the trumpets at the whole burnt offerings, and at the sacrifice of your deliverance offerings, and it shall be to you for a remembrance before your God. I am the Lord your God.

We are not simply remembering events of the past here, but also through this offering, this sacrifice we bring ourselves and our need for mercy to God. When Jesus the Christ institutes the celebration of the Eucharist, his command to his disciples and apostles is to ‘do this as my remembrance’ (Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 

“This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

In the Eucharist, we offer to God the fruit of our labors, bread and wine, in fulfillment of the offerings of first fruits, of grain offerings and drink offerings. This is in specific imitation of the offering of Melchizedek Genesis 14:18 And Melchiz′edek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. After whose priesthood Christ’s is patterned (Psalm  110:4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest for ever  after the order of Melchiz′edek.”, Hebrews 7:13-17 ¹³ For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

¹⁵ This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchiz′edek, ¹⁶ who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is witnessed of him, 

“You are a priest for ever, after the order of Melchiz′edek.”

With this we see that the new priesthood is not in the line of Aaron, it is a new and different priesthood with the new and different High Priest being the Lord Jesus Himself. Christ offers Himself to us in fulfillment of the law and we in turn offer ourselves and our gifts which we have received not of ourselves but from the Creator of all that is seen and unseen, Almighty God the Father.

The animal sacrificial system is gone, Christ being the final bloody sacrifice. The Eucharist which now forms the center of our worship and our lives is our sacrificial offering back to God through Jesus.  

What we offer now is an un-bloody sacrifice in memory of the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ. Not just in memory of what Jesus did at the Last Supper but also remembering the mercy of Almighty God towards us, and the love of Almighty God towards us. We remember His compassion and patience when we offer ourselves up to him.

So let’s take one last look at the priesthood of all believers; Today we are not currently climbing on crosses and dying as a sacrifice. Although there were many martyrs who did this along with being stoned, burned, and fed to wild beasts rather than to deny the Lord Jesus Christ. We are still called to be a personal sacrifice to others, helping others, doing what we should do in the name of Jesus, not counting the cost. It can be frustrating, nagging, it can create anger, and cause disruption, this is why it is a sacrifice, we do it anyway in His Holy Name.

Luke 9:23 “And Jesus said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Colossians 1:24 “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:”
        

This is a priest, offering sacrifice, the elected priest at the altar offers the un-bloody sacrifice for himself and all others, the priesthood of all believers which in fact does include the elected priest, is to offer themselves as a sacrifice to all others in the name of Jesus Christ, to glorify God, so let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

This is not a game called life where you roll the dice and make a move according to chance and the winner takes all. This is the very salvation of all of humanity. Partaking of the Body and Blood of Jesus the Christ is a holy event. Do not make light of it. Was it Albert Einstein who said; “Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” ? Seek Wisdom. Seek the Lord Jesus Christ, your very life depends on it.

Continue to praise and worship Jesus the Christ and the Father through Him. Never cease to pray and live according to the gospel. Allow the Holy Ghost to guide you. Love God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind, and with all of your strength; love your neighbor as yourself. You never know whose life you will change because of this love of God in you.

The light has entered the world and the times are changing, the war rages ever stronger. If one does not have love for the soul of mankind and the desire that all come to the truth than one does not have Christ in them fully.

Little children, love one another; because this is our Lord’s command and if you fulfill this, nothing else is needed. Through love and because of love we will follow all of the commandments that we have been given. They are written on our hearts by the hand of Almighty God. We simply need to see them within us and follow.

Remember; if we confess our sins and repent, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.

May the peace of our Lord Jesus the Christ be with you throughout this day and the rest of your life. May the Holy Spirit fill us all to overflowing so that everyone in whose path we cross may receive a blessing from our Lord Jesus the Christ.

Be blessed and be a blessing, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In Christ.

+William   

Member of the Autocephalous Orthodox Catholic Churches of the Americas

St. Michael’s Monastery and the New Warrior Ministries Videos:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW8XyPtkmtu6a1vVg6MEiNg

Many Blessings!

+William

SW 5 Priest under any other name video part 2

The Priest
By any other name is still a Priest

My friends,

Bishop William here, of St. Michael’s Monastery, member of the Autocephalous Orthodox Catholic Churches of the Americas. St. Michael’s is the home of the New Warrior Ministries, which is an outreach ministry going back some 25 years seeking to bring all who have left the church back to Christ, back to Jesus, for whatever reason that you have left the church, God’s love will still be never ending. For all who are seeking the truth and do not yet know that Jesus is the truth, this is for you as well because Jesus is the truth.

This series is about spiritual warfare. We are currently filming video number 5 which is titled; SW5 The Priest, by any other name is still a Priest.

So, Oh boy, Priest, right? Today it appears, if you pay even a little bit of attention to news and the many tweets on the subject, that, priest is a dirty word to many people. This is sad, I am not saying that there are not many people who have a right to be greatly offended at some particular priest, but the issue and frustration should be kept to that particular priest and anyone who may be associated with that priest who was a participant with or knew of some transgression and remained silent and should not be related to all priests in general. Now of course there are those who just simply do not like priests and insist that in our time of Christianity that priests are against the B-i-b-l-e.

While it may seem like it is a large number of priests that are involved in some sort of scandal it is actually few in number compared to the number of Christian priests that have existed. So, let’s discuss this idea of Priest.

There seems to be at least three thoughts regarding the priest that are legal: 1. priest, ugh, good God ya’ll, what are they good for? Absolutely nothing, say it again.
2. Another has an opposite thought of a priest: you are my special angel, sent from up above. I’ll have my special angel here to watch over me.
3. Then of course there are those who could actually care less about a priest good or bad one way or another: hey yo, get away ya’ll, can you feel me? I don’t want to know yo. Don’t send me no news I don’t care yo, don’t cry me no blues I don’t care yo. Get outta my face I don’t care.

So just what is a priest? Here is a definition; Priest The Hebrew Word is kohen; (kō′ən), the Greek word is hierus; hee-er-yooce', the Latin word is sacerdos; sac-er-dos, it always denotes one who offers sacrifices. That is the basic function of a priest, to offer sacrifice.

Who was the first biblically recorded person to be called a priest in regards to our God? That was Melchizedek, correct? The Priest/King, Priest in Salem (Jerusalem) of the God Most High. Do you remember him? He met Abram after Abram had freed his nephew Lot who had been taken captive. Then after Melchizedek of course, as far as our biblical reference is concerned we have Aaron the brother of Moses, the first kohen gadol (high priest) of Israel, and his family who were appointed priests by God to serve at the altar, this became the Israelite Priesthood, from the tribe of Levi, Aaron, again, was the brother of Moses. This is not an in-depth study of the Israelite priesthood or an in-depth history lesson. We’re just barely skimming the highlights here.

This priesthood performed the animal sacrifices to the Lord God for Israel eventually in the Temple which was called Solomon’s Temple built approximately in the years 970 BC to 931 BC in Jerusalem until the time that it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II after the Siege of Jerusalem of 587/586 BC and then it was replaced with the Second Temple which was completed around the year 515 BC which the Romans eventually destroyed in 70 AD approximately 37 years after the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.

Jesus was born, He lived, He taught, He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hades or the grave and preached to and released the prisoners that were there. He arose on the third day and ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God. He opened the gates of heaven, until then the gates were closed. He appointed Apostles to carry on His message, so what happened next?

The Apostles of course began to spread the Gospel or the Good news of salvation through Jesus who is the Christ or Messiah and who is called Jesus Christ in the English language. Again, since this is not an in-depth history lesson and we are only discussing priests, we will begin here with the New Testament preaching of the Gospel and the manner chosen to establish houses of worship and build, lead, and grow congregations of followers of The Way, or Christianity.
The question then is this; is there a Priesthood in the New Testament? The answer is yes there is a Priesthood shown in the New Testament. There is only one High Priest, Jesus Christ, and where there is a High Priest you would expect to find lesser priests. Again what does a priest do? He offers sacrifice.

Remember that Jesus said; do not think that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy but to fulfill. Jesus fulfilled the law of the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament with the Sacrifice of himself on the Cross. Along with this fulfillment of the Law and being the final sacrifice, the Old Testament priesthood was abolished as far as Christianity was concerned. In the Epistle of 1 Peter chapter 2 verses 5-9 we find this passage regarding priesthood; 5:"You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood (ἱεράτευμα, hierateuma, hee-er-at'-yoo-mah), to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ …then up to
verse 9: But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood (same Greek word as above), a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light".

“The priesthood of all believers” is born; it is taught in many Christian groups today that there is no longer a need for priests because of this “priesthood of all believers’ idea. But yet all who make the claim still have Pastors and Ministers or elders, so what is the difference? If everyone is a priest why do we need shepherds? Notice that the Apostle Peter in these chapters is saying that we are living stones, building up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices… that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His Marvelous light.
So what is the meaning of being ‘living stones’ and building up a ‘spiritual house’? Well I will tell you. We are to sacrifice ourselves for God and for others; we are living sacrifices, a light to the world for Jesus.

Take a look at King David in the Psalms: Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice! This verse is also used in liturgies. Psalm 116:17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. Psalm 4:5
Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

Now remember King David was not a priest but his personal worship to God was considered as spiritual incense and sacrifice. This is the Spiritual priesthood of all believers. In the letter to the Romans the Apostle Paul says: Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

In his letter to the Hebrews Paul says; Hebrews 13: 15-16 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
How many people who declare this “priesthood of all believers” actually live a life of sacrifice for others? I personally know many that do not.

Gambling, adultery, homosexuality, pedophilia, foul speech, lewdness, hatred of others, pride; so much pride in everything that we own, in the secular work that we do, in our self proclaimed Christian perfection within our special groups that are better than everyone else’s.

These are things that I see in very many groups out there who are calling themselves Christian, not many are living sacrifices glorifying the name of Jesus in the world. I see a lot of materialism and selfishness, not a lot of giving and forgiving. I say these things not as a judge but as an observer, I am one who lives in this world also and have sinned just as much as anyone else. In Revelations/Apocalypse 1:5-6 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. This is a spiritual kingdom and priesthood, we are all not literally kings wearing crowns and running kingdoms and in the same manner we are not all priests serving at the altar.

Compare I Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. With Exodus 19:5-6 5 Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”… So let me ask you this; did Israel have priests in the line of Aaron who served at the altar at the same time that the people who were God’s possession were told that they shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation? In the same manner the priests in the line of Melchizedek serve at the altar while the chosen people are also a kingdom of priests.

In our Old Testament we read that the people, the kingdom of priests became a demanding people and spoke against Moses and Aaron claiming that all of the people were holy and therefore served the same as Moses, Aaron and all of the priests. What happened to these people who suddenly decided that the priesthood did not matter? Numbers 15:32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men that belonged to Korah and all their goods. Again in 2Peter 2:1 we read: But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. There are those who do not like blessings form a priest, I would think that when one gets blessed that one would be appreciative but there are many who are not because they insist that blessings come from God, which of course they do but are we not the instruments of God? Did not the elder Simeon bless the Virgin Mary and Joseph her husband? Matthew 5:44 Does our Lord say; love your enemies, bless those who curse you? Does holy scripture say: Romans 12:14 bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse?

Let’s take a look at the word used for the “priesthood” in the “priesthood of all believers”. The New Testament was written in Greek and the word used for priesthood in this verse of 1 Peter is hierateuma (hee-er-at’-yoo-mah) or basically a priestly fraternity or priesthood.

Since using the Greek in the New Testament we will also use the Greek in the Old Testament Septuagint. The word used there when speaking of the priesthood of Aaron is; hierateuo (hee-er-em-ee’-as) which is to be a priest or to perform the functions of the priest as did Aaron, his sons and all priests who followed in that line. Also we read in the book of Numbers 3:10; But you shall appoint Aaron and his sons over the service of priesthood (hiereus, hee-er-yooce). The stranger that approaches to minister, shall be put to death. So no one else who was not appointed could perform the service of the priest. A slight variation on the word priest in these examples from the old and the New Testament. However both uses are from the same Greek word; hiereus (hee-er-yooce), a priest or high priest.

I cannot make anyone hear or understand what I am attempting to bring forth here, I can only break it down to the simplest understanding that I can, which can take some time for explanation, it isn’t up to me to convince you, just to make the understanding as easy as possible, it’s up to those who choose to listen, to actually listen, meditate on and speak to Almighty God Himself about these things, because all hate and prejudice must cease. Don’t we read in I Thessalonians to test all things and to hold fast to what is good? Seek wisdom. Listen, like it or not, we will be chastened for everything that we neglect. If you want to stay comfy in your world of Christianity where you hate others and claim that they do things that are not in the Bible and yet you actually never investigate these things, we will be corrected for this and anything that we have neglected, whatever we do not know will be shown to us. I don’t know what else to say to you.

I will say this regarding myself; I despised the things that I now teach. I’ve said this before but it is worth repeating. Many years ago I was full of pride in my knowledge of Jesus and how those others just didn’t understand, I sat down and told God himself that I was ready to preach the Gospel, to preach the truth because I had been taught by the church and the books of education that I had studied and learned. I said to Almighty God Himself; test me, prove me, show me where I am wrong, and then send me out. Friends, make sure that you know what you are asking for when you speak to Almighty God, make sure that it is what you want when you ask for truth and wisdom. Make sure that there is no pride in your attitude when standing before Almighty God.

I have been dragged to the gates of hell and back, I have stood at the abyss staring into the darkness and begging Almighty God for the soul of the one that He had sent me to see in agony, I have been in a fight with the demons for the souls of others, I have been sent, in spirit, hundreds of miles away from where I was at, to anoint ones who were coming near death and had not been baptized. You can believe what you choose to believe but I tell you that this change in me did not come easily, I was dragged kicking and screaming at times, and at other times I found myself in places where I had no clue what I was doing there and why I was even there, the Holy Spirit showed me the task at hand. I am a sinner; I was full of pride and prejudice. Almighty God knocked the stuffing out of me and I am no longer the same person that I was then, and yet I still have a long way to go to reach perfection, like everyone else I will be standing in the fire.

If you want the truth, you have to ask, it will take a lot of perseverance and a lot of correction and a great change of heart. If you are not willing now to know, then do not ask but I can only say this again; we will be chastised for not seeking and we will be taught in spirit and corrected where needed before we can enter into heaven. We will all stand in the fire and be tested and tried, we will be purified, and no one enters Paradise without being purified, the more that we do now, the less painful it will be later. What does this mean? Should we become PhD’s in Christ? No, the more baggage that we get rid of now; hate, prejudice, pride, lying, stealing, envy, jealously etc. and the more we learn discernment, love for God and others, the closer that we become to our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ here and now in the flesh, the less heat in the fire later.

In the Epistle to the Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15 we see that Jesus is called in the Greek language; archiereus (ar-khee-er-yuce’) or Chief Priest or High Priest. Also in chapter 5 of Hebrews verses 1-6 we see; For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4 And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten You”; 6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest for ever, after the order of Melchiz′edek.”

We see the duties of the priest as offering sacrifice for the people and for himself and that this High Priest who has offered Himself as the sacrifice and stands before God as our Great High Priest and only mediator and advocate is none other than Jesus the Christ. Since Jesus Christ is not beset with weakness and has no need to offer sacrifice for Himself we can see that the scripture is speaking of Jesus as High Priest before God on our behalf, and then the men who are appointed to stand before the altar and offer the sacrifice for himself and others.

However, Jesus is not a High Priest in the line of Aaron (animal sacrifice), Heb 7:17 (cf Heb 5, 6, 7) He is “a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Melchizedek Priests offer the same sacrifice as Melchizedek did: Gen 14:18. “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth Bread and Wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.” Jesus used bread and wine: Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. 20 And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Prophecy concerning the priests; Isaiah 66:19-21 19 and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Put, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations. 20 And they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their cereal offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD. 21 And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the LORD.

Also Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts. Also Isaiah 19:19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. Also an instruction regarding the altar from Jesus Himself; Matthew 5:24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. The apostle Paul also said this about a Christian altar; **Hebrews 13:10 we have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.

So the Apostle is saying that those who serve the law, or actually anyone who is not serving Jesus has no right to eat at His Christian altar. When Isaiah in his prophecy above speaks about an altar in the midst of Egypt what can he mean? The Jewish law forbids any altar anywhere in the world outside of Jerusalem so it cannot be that type of altar, since we are speaking of the Christian God this altar cannot be any type of pagan altar, it can only be an altar to Almighty God through Jesus the Christ.
So what else besides a sacrifice happens at an altar? Nothing at all, absolutely nothing. So this is a Christian sacrifice being offered by a Christian priest.

What are the names or titles of the ones who stand at the altar in our New Testament scripture? 1 Timothy 3: 1-2 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer (episcope, ep-is-kop-ay, bishop), he desires a noble task. 2. Therefore an overseer (episkopos, ep-is-kop-os, bishop) must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

1 Timothy 5:17 "The elders (presbuteros, pres-boo’-ter-os) who direct the affairs of the church well, are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (episkopos, ep-is-kop-os). Be shepherds (poimaino, poy-mane, tend to or feed) of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood… We see in these few verses overseers and shepherds, doing the same job, different name or expression but the same position.

Back to the bread and wine

Let’s look back in the Old Testament again real quick. 2 Sam 6:19 “He [David] distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of Bread and a measure of Wine.” At the Last Supper, with these words “this do you, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me”, Jesus Ordained His Priests to offer a twofold Sacrifice (Bread & Wine which are His Body and Blood).

We are ending part 1 here, we’ll see you back for part 2.

Be blessed and be a blessing, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Continue to praise and worship Jesus the Christ and the Father through Him. Never cease to pray and live according to the gospel. Allow the Holy Ghost to guide you. Love God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind, and with all of your strength; love your neighbor as yourself. You never know whose life you will change because of this love of God in you.

The light has entered the world and the times are changing, the war rages ever stronger. If one does not have love for the soul of mankind and the desire that all come to the truth than one does not have Christ in them fully.

Little children, love one another; because this is our Lord’s command and if you fulfill this, nothing else is needed. Through love and because of love we will follow all of the commandments that we have been given. They are written on our hearts by the hand of Almighty God. We simply need to see them within us and follow.

Remember; if we confess our sins and repent, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.

May the peace of our Lord Jesus the Christ be with you throughout this day and the rest of your life. May the Holy Spirit fill us all to overflowing so that everyone in whose path we cross may receive a blessing from our Lord Jesus the Christ.

Be blessed and be a blessing, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In Christ,

+William

Member of the Autocephalous Orthodox Catholic Churches of the Americas

St. Michael’s Monastery and the New Warrior Ministries Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW8XyPtkmtu6a1vVg6MEiNg

Many Blessings!

+William

Bishop's Blessing! 10-20-19

May almighty God exclude universal adversity from you, and be pleased to pour forth the gift of His blessings upon you. Amen. May He make your heart attentive to the holy doctrine that you are able to be filled with eternal benefits. Amen. So understanding with perseverance and persisting with intelligence, and entering among the adversity of the world without scorn, you may be made  co-inheritors with the blessed spirits. Amen. May He whose Kingdom and Dominion remain without end, be pleased to sustain us unto ages of Ages. Amen. May the blessing of God: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and the piece of the Lord be ever with you. Amen.

+William