Basic Christian Understanding! (conclusion)

In Basic Christianity part 1 we looked at a document called the Didache which was the church teaching by the Apostles Paul and Barnabus before any of St. Paul’s writings were written, they were just setting up the churches and this document was instruction on how to do so.

In part 2 we looked at Holy Scripture that said the same thing only now was in a written form that would be placed into what is called the Bible today. The church must understand these basics, and what I have given you here are just that, the basics. Do not condemn one another who follow these teachings, push away the liars and haters who fight against these truths, seek the truth, knock and never stop knocking.

Another item that I will only mention because it is the subject of a whole other teaching but it concerns the Bible itself. This book of books has been so diluted today that it is ridiculous to call it God’s word anymore. There are many translations that exist and there is one ancient one that is maligned by many but which has been shown by the Dead Sea Scrolls to be true and that is the Septuagint. I have seen it written and I have heard it preached that the Septuagint Bible was a fabrication of the Catholics, or that Origen actually wrote it all himself. All that I am going to say on that now is this; the Septuagint was the Jewish Bible, revered by the Greek speaking Jews and used by the Apostles, stop listening to everyone who speaks based on prejudice and begin researching things on your own. If you stay in your own group and read only what they write and call it research you are only fooling yourself.

Was it the Jewish Bible? Research the Jewish history of the Septuagint for yourself and find out or are you afraid to discover actual truth? This Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures was revered by the Jews for centuries until Christianity. Remember that the Jews were scattered throughout the world, Alexander III of Macedon or Alexander the Great had conquered a large part of the known world and most people including the Jews were speaking Greek and not Hebrew, the Septuagint was highly regarded because the majority of the Jews could not speak Hebrew.

Jesus the Christ and the Apostles quoted from the Septuagint, especially Paul. There is a big issue with the books removed from Scripture with the statement that the Jews had never had them in their Bible and that the Catholics added them. This is in fact a blatant lie, it’s from Satan and people condemn the books and have never even read them to know what they contain. Did you know that there was a treaty between Rome and the Jews signed by a delegation from Judas Maccabeus and the Roman Senate before the Roman occupation? How could I know this? It’s in the book 1 Maccabees; the Maccabees are history books, why does anyone have issue with history books?

How about this quote; While all things were in quiet silence, and the  night was in the midst of her swift course, Thine almighty Word leaped out of  Heaven out of Thy royal throne, as a fierce man of war, into the midst of a land  of destruction. Who could this quote possibly be speaking about? We know who the almighty Word that leaps forth from the royal throne of God is do we not? Would this be Jesus the Christ? Where could we find such a quote regarding Jesus the Christ from the Old Testament? This one is from the book of the Wisdom of Solomon chapter 18 verses 14-15, one of the much despised books removed from Holy Scripture in the 19th century. The question that really needs to be answered by Christians is; why would anyone who calls himself a Christian remove books from Holy Scripture based on some Jewish teaching when it was these very same Jews who reject the Christ to start with? They still reject the Christ and yet many so-called Christians follow this Jewish understanding by screaming against the books that the Jews rejected after the Christians began quoting from them and these same Jews still reject Jesus Christ and the same Christians still follow their understanding and yet claim Jesus Christ. How is this even possible? You should just simply join a Synagogue and become Jewish.

 Another understanding to speak on and that is regarding relics and I will make it brief. 2 Kings 13:21 ²¹ And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet. Do you accept this as the holy word of God? It’s in the Old Testament of every bible that is accepted by the church and the Jews.

The Martyrdom of Polycarp is considered the earliest genuine post-biblical account of a Christian martyrdom, and one of the very few genuine writings of this from the actual age of the persecutions. It also is one of the earliest accounts of the veneration of relics in the early Christian Church as the Martyrdom records that after Polycarp's Roman sacrifice by fire which couldn’t kill him and the subsequent death by stabbing, the faithful piously gathered up his bones as precious treasures. This is not some centuries after the birth of the church.

St Polycarp died just some 60 years after the Apostle St. John who was his teacher, so this was indeed the very beginning of the church. Tables were often erected over the graves of the martyrs and prayers were held asking the deceased to pray for them while they praised God.

So if you believe that the Bible is the holy written word of God and you accept everything in it as gospel which means that you accept the fact that the bones of Elisha brought a dead man back to life why do you attack a church that continues to believe in these things. Why? The scriptures are true or they are not. Simply because another group takes to heart what is in fact true to Holy Scripture and practiced from the beginning of the church and those of you who choose not to believe the book that you call God’s holy word refuse to accept it does not give you leave to attack those who believe God’s word in heart and not just in lip service.

Another concept; Jesus is the Living Word of God, Jeremiah 31:33 says; But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

 Hebrews 8:10 says; This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

In the second chapter of Romans we find this; For there is no respect of persons with God. For whosoever have sinned without the law, shall perish without the law; and whosoever have sinned in the law, shall be judged by the law, for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature those things that are of the law; these having not the law are a law to themselves:  Who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness to them, and their thoughts between themselves accusing, or also defending one another.

So answer me this if you can, what happened to all of the people who died before the Apostles could get the message of salvation through Jesus the Christ to them, are they in hell? Do you know that there are people on earth today that have never heard the name of Jesus? Still today they have never heard His name spoken so are they doomed to hell for not ever hearing his name?

This Bible tells us that God has written His law on our heart. Has the Bible lied? Do you believe it? So if these people having never heard the name of Jesus and yet live according to the law written on their heart by God, do they then know Jesus even without hearing His name? Is Jesus the law? Is He the fulfillment of the law? Is Jesus the law that is written on the heart of all men if He is the law? Do these people have salvation through Jesus the Christ having never heard His name yet live according to the law written on their hearts? You answer that question for yourself. Now I’m not talking about idol worshippers or worshippers of false gods, there is a big difference.

Don’t just give an arbitrary answer according to your current prejudiced belief, research it, pray about it, and if your research is only within your own church understanding then you will get nowhere because you already have an answer based on that teaching, whatever that teaching may be. You must consider things through the Holy Spirit. There is a lot of finger pointing among Christians and condemning one another to hell, who is it that actually has that authority? Think about that.

And while I’m on the subject of hell, tell me just where hell is, exactly. I know what so many have been taught to include myself but I want to challenge you, find it in Holy Scripture, search and find it, I defy you to do this. Search without prejudice and current thinking, pray about the words that you are reading and remember them, while doing this, find the scripture that tells us where heaven and hell is. You won’t find it.

Do we read about the torments and the fire of hell? Do we read about Almighty God as an all consuming fire? Did King David say; where can I go that you are not? If I go to the depths of Sheol you are there. We can go nowhere in God’s universe that He is not there. God is an all consuming fire. Think about this; if there is nowhere that God is not, there is nowhere that is apart from God. Heaven and hell are the same place, before Almighty God, those who love Him while in the flesh and are doers of the law who follow the commandments of Jesus out of love, will spend eternity before God and experience the joy of His fire or the eternal light of His love.

Those who do not love God or Jesus Christ while in the flesh will still stand before God and the all consuming fire but because of their lack of love for good but love for evil, they will experience the fire as torment, same fire. The gulf between those in heaven and hell is a spiritual gulf, they are far apart but it is a metaphor for the great spiritual gulf between them.

Send me your thoughts, I can almost guarantee that I have already had them and had a lot of difficulty with many passages of scripture that seemed to be giving a different understanding. Whatever you send I can assure you that I will be able to explain with a different understanding. Think about this; we say that God is love, we sing; Jesus loves me this I know. We read and repeat; for God so loved the world.

God is love, he created out of love, He sent His Only Begotten Son out of love, His Only Begotten Son willingly gave His life out of love. So what is the key here? Love. That’s the key. We know that the great Apostle, St. John was called the Apostle of love, we know that he was the last apostle to die and we know that he died peacefully. How many know what his last sermons were about? I’ll tell you.

In his very old age and in poor health, Bishops would carry him out while seated on a chair to preach. The bishops and the people would wait eagerly for the last living Elder or Apostle to speak, he gave the same homily or sermon every time; brothers and sisters, remember to love one another. Finally the bishops said to him; sir, we and the people always wait eagerly to hear words of wisdom from you and all you ever say is brothers and sisters remember to love one another, why do you always say the same thing?

The Apostle’s answer was just as simple as his sermon; because if you have perfect love, there is nothing else.

Pliny the Younger (Gaius Plinius Caecelius Secundus, circa 61-113) was a Roman administrator whom the Emperor Trajan had sent to Bithynia, in Asia Minor, to reform the region's finances and court system. Around AD 112 he wrote to Trajan reporting how he had dealt with Christians in his jurisdiction, and requesting the Emperor's further advice.

This was his description of how the Christians worshipped, remember, up until this point he simply put them to death but the number of Christians was growing so rapidly that he wrote to the emperor asking for his advice on how to deal with these people and gave a short description of the worship to the best of his knowledge.

According to these people, "on an appointed day they had been accustomed to meet before daybreak, and to recite a hymn antiphonally (that is to respond alternately back and forth, this is the way of the liturgy we practice today) to Christ, as to a god." Then they would take an oath (Latin sacramentum) "to abstain from theft, robbery, adultery, and breach of faith." After this ceremony they left, but reassembled later on to eat together. The ceremony was secret, a liturgy and then the lord’s supper, the Eucharist, or Holy Communion, these things were done in secret.

Pliny also reported that he was unable to get much more information about the ceremony even after torturing two deaconesses.

Justyn Martyr a Christian wrote to the Roman emperor in defense of the Christian faith and the lies perpetrated against them at the risk of his own life; he wrote this in 155 AD, Justin describes both a post-baptismal Eucharist and a Sunday assembly. The first event follows the baptism, or "washing," of one who has become convinced and confessed Christ. The new Christian is then led to the assembly of "brethren." Only those who accept the Christian faith and have "received the washing" for forgiveness of sins and for rebirth, and who live by Christ's principles, are allowed to partake of the Eucharist.

The Eucharist begins with common prayers for the assembly: for themselves, for the new convert, and for others. Then the worshipers greet one another with a kiss. (Now at the tie, men and women were in separate parts of the congregation, so that this greeting was not done, man to woman) Then bread, wine and water are brought to the president, who offers the Eucharistic prayer. The prayer begins by ascribing glory to the Father in the name of the Son and Spirit, and continues with thanksgiving that worshipers have been judged worthy to receive the bread and wine. At the end, the congregation says the Amen.

Deacons then give to those who are present a portion of the bread, wine and water that have been "eucharistized" (offered thanks over). Justin's account adds, "For we do not receive these things as common bread or common drink; but as Jesus Christ our Savior being incarnate by God's word took flesh and blood for our salvation, so also we have been taught that the food consecrated by the word of prayer which comes from him, from which our flesh and blood are nourished by transformation, is the flesh and blood of the incarnate Jesus." Justin then repeats Jesus' words in delivering the bread and cup at the Last Supper. At the conclusion of the service, the Eucharist is also taken to those members of the Christian community who were absent. Justin continues by adding "then those who have more, come to the aid of those who lack," and God is blessed for his gifts.

Justin describes the Sunday assembly "in one place." He explains that the community gathers on Sunday, or the first day, both because it was the first day of creation and because on it Jesus rose from the dead.

The service begins with readings from the "memoirs of the apostles" which are the Gospels, or the writings of the prophets as long as time allows. Then the president teaches from the Scriptures. The speaker was probably seated while the people stood, as was the custom in ancient times (see Matt. 5:1). Prayers and the celebration of the Eucharist follow, as described above. At the end, those who have prospered voluntarily bring their gifts to the president, who will distribute them to those in need.

The Sunday assembly combines the service of the Word, or reading and teaching from Scripture, with the Eucharist or service of the Lord's table; this was to become the basic way of Christian worship. The description of the post-baptismal Eucharist makes it clear that the unbaptized were not present for the Eucharist. If during the Sunday gathering they were present for the readings and the president's discourse, they would have been dismissed before the prayers.

The Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus

Around AD 200 Hippolytus, a Roman clergyman composed a manual of church order and worship known as the Apostolic Tradition. In this document, Hippolytus describes a Eucharist in two settings: one following the consecration of a bishop, and one following baptism and confirmation.

The Eucharist at the consecration of a bishop begins with the greeting or kiss of peace. Deacons then bring the elements to the bishop, who with other presbyters (elders) lays his hands on them. Introductory responses, still used in many liturgies, are then spoken antiphonally:

The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We have them with the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto the Lord.
It is fitting and right.

The Eucharistic prayer is longer than in the previous examples. It begins with thanksgiving for the coming of Jesus, the incarnate Word. It proceeds through the narrative of Christ's sufferings through which he abolished death, to the words of Jesus' institution of the Lord's Supper and the recalling of Christ's death and resurrection. The prayer concludes with the invocation of the Holy Spirit upon the assembly, and a doxology.

Hippolytus then indicates that if oil is offered as a gift, it is then blessed, symbolic of the anointing of kings, priests and prophets. A doxology concludes the ceremony. If cheese and olives are offered, they are similarly blessed as symbolic of charity and of the free flow from the tree of life, with a concluding doxology.

In Hippolytus' second example, the Eucharist after baptism and confirmation, the ceremony begins with the offering by the deacons of bread, wine, milk, honey and water. During the prayer that follows, which Hippolytus does not quote, the bread is to be eucharistized into the "flesh of Christ" and the cup of wine into his blood. The mixed milk and honey, symbolic of the Promised Land and the nourishment of Christ, is blessed, and also the water, symbolic of cleansing. The bread and cups of water, milk and wine are then distributed by the presbyters. The cups are served to each worshiper three times, with the following dialogue:

In God the Father Almighty. Amen.
And in the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
And in the Holy Spirit in the Holy Church. Amen.

In the Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus, we note that the elements of the Eucharist are viewed as the representation of the flesh and blood of Christ, having taken on this property through the Eucharistic prayer. There is now an invocation of the Holy Spirit (epiklesis), but it is upon the people rather than upon the elements of the Eucharist.

This was the early church during the persecutions, the church will be persecuted again, and wouldn’t it be wise to follow their example in worship?

So, I want you to think about these things, pray about them, talk to God about them and research what I am saying.

 What will you do when you discover that you may be in error? Will you begin to change your understanding and seek the full truth and begin worshipping in the manner of the early church? Or will you ignore it and continue living and preaching what makes you comfortable because to admit that you had been deceived would be embarrassing? I’ve been there, the truth can be hard at times when we are so convinced of one way already but remember this, it is our salvation through Jesus the Christ that is important, it is the honor of His Most Holy Name that we are to uphold. I have given you the basic understanding of Christianity plus some questions to think about, I have had a very small tiny glimpse of what is facing the end of the church, it will be like the beginning. When will this actually happen? I don’t know but it will happen. There will be house to house searches for Bibles and any written material relating to true Christianity, at first the books may simply be confiscated but there will be some who lose their life or the life of loved ones over the books.

For some there will be no prison terms for the owning of the books only death, have you noticed that in this series there was no Bible needed? Did you catch that? Sure I used scripture to make points but the understanding is there, the knowledge is there without the written word on paper. When the church began teaching and then began to be persecuted, they had no Bible, the message was simple and still is simple, I have presented it all to you in these simple videos. The word is written in your heart, the understanding is written in your heart, if you can memorize whole books of scripture then that is good but you will not memorize all of scripture. It is not necessary, remember the teachings. Read your bibles while you can, teach your children to read their bibles but remember, the word is written on your heart.

What did the Apostle Paul say; So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

Also he said; Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.

All things are not written, salvation need not be written in a book, it is written on the heart, it’s simple, all you need to do is live it and pass it on. There will come a time when this will be the only way, the written word will not freely be read and taught but the words of truth, the understanding cannot be unwritten from your heart, it can only be ignored or proclaimed, there is no other choice.

May you be blessed with the heart and determination to find the truth.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! Amen.

In Christ,

Monk Michael

Rev. Fr. Michael Valentine

 

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 In Christ,

Monk Michael

Basic Christian Understanding

In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! Amen!

Welcome to Monk Michael’s Corner

I want to continue with this idea of Christianity unity. Today it is becoming increasingly more important for Christianity to stop the hate and quarreling and recognize one another, we are under an attack that is growing and becoming more evident in every society around the world. Governments seem to be increasingly anti Christian and laws are being written to subdue and silence Christian teaching. How is it that the church in many areas and groups does not recognize this?

There are many of course who work diligently for understanding but there are many who work just as diligently against this. Why? To be honest, in my opinion much of it is pride in denominational teaching and the fact that many who have railed against this will not admit that they are wrong if it is proven to them so they will not hear it, they want to save face and keep the dollars coming in. So I want to speak about what the basic concept of Christianity is and the basic beliefs that make up Christianity;

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name. Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

And of his fullness we all have received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

These words are the basic understanding of Christianity, the Word of God became man, born in the flesh, lived, taught, suffered, died, and rose again defeating sin and death and is now seated at the right hand of God. This is our belief. So what did the early church teach regarding how to live and worship this Jesus the Christ, the living Word of God, before there was ever even the thought of a written New Testament?

I am going to read directly from a document that precedes the New Testament; it’s called the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles or the Didache. This was the instruction given by the Apostles Paul and Barnabus in their teachings before Paul had ever written or conceived of writing his first letter, let’s start;

The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles,

Commonly Called the Didache

THE TEXT

The Lord's Teaching to the Heathen by the Twelve Apostles:

1 There are two ways, one of life and one of death; and between the two ways there is a great difference.  ²Now, this is the way of life: "First, you must love God who made you, and second, your neighbor as yourself." And whatever you want people to refrain from doing to you, you must not do to them. ³What these maxims teach is this: "Bless those who curse you," and "pray for your enemies." Moreover, fast "for those who persecute you." For "what credit is it to you if you love those who love you? Is that not the way the heathen act?" But "you must love those who hate you," and then you will make no enemies.  ⁴"Abstain from carnal passions." If someone strikes you "on the right cheek, turn to him the other too, and you will be perfect." If someone "forces you to go one mile with him, go along with him for two"; if someone robs you "of your overcoat, give him your suit as well." If someone deprives you of "your property, do not ask for it back." (You could not get it back anyway!)  ⁵"Give to everybody who begs from you, and ask for no return." For the Father wants his own gifts to be universally shared. Happy is the man who gives as the commandment bids him, for he is guiltless! But alas for the man who receives! If he receives because he is in need, he will be guiltless. But if he is not in need he will have to stand trial why he received and for what purpose. He will be thrown into prison and have his action investigated; and "he will not get out until he has paid back the last cent."  ⁶ Indeed, there is a further saying that relates to this: "Let your donation sweat in your hands until you know to whom to give it."

2 The second commandment of the Teaching:  ²"Do not murder; do not commit adultery"; do not corrupt boys; do not fornicate; "do not steal"; do not practice magic; do not go in for sorcery; do not murder a child by abortion or kill a new-born infant. "Do not covet your neighbor's property;  ³do not commit perjury; do not bear false witness";do not slander; do not bear grudges.  ⁴Do not be double-minded or double-tongued, for a double tongue is "a deadly snare."  ⁵Your words shall not be dishonest or hollow, but substantiated by action.  ⁶ Do not be greedy or extortionate or hypocritical or malicious or arrogant. Do not plot against your neighbor.  ⁷ Do not hate anybody; but reprove some, pray for others, and still others love more than your own life.

3 My child, flee from all wickedness and from everything of that sort.  ²Do not be irritable, for anger leads to murder. Do not be jealous or contentious or impetuous, for all this breeds murder. ³My child, do not be lustful, for lust leads to fornication. Do not use foul language or leer, for all this breeds adultery.

⁴My child, do not be a diviner, for that leads to idolatry. Do not be an enchanter or an astrologer or a magician. Moreover, have no wish to observe or heed such practices, for all this breeds idolatry.  ⁵My child, do not be a liar, for lying leads to theft. Do not be avaricious or vain, for all this breeds thievery.

⁶My child, do not be a grumbler, for grumbling leads to blasphemy. Do not be stubborn or evil-minded, for all this breeds blasphemy. ⁷But be humble since "the humble will inherit the earth." ⁸ Be patient, merciful, harmless, quiet, and good; and always "have respect for the teaching "you have been given. Do not put on airs or give yourself up to presumptuousness. Do not associate with the high and mighty; but be with the upright and humble. Accept whatever happens to you as good, in the realization that nothing occurs apart from God.

4 My child, day and night "you should remember him who preaches God's word to you," and honor him as you would the Lord. For where the Lord's nature is discussed, there the Lord is.  ²Every day you should seek the company of saints to enjoy their refreshing conversation.  ³You must not start a schism, but reconcile those at strife. "Your judgments must be fair." You must not play favorites when reproving transgressions.  ⁴You must not be of two minds about your decision.

⁵Do not be one who holds his hand out to take, but shuts it when it comes to giving.  ⁶If your labor has brought you earnings, pay a ransom for your sins.  ⁷Do not hesitate to give and do not give with a bad grace; for you will discover who He is that pays you back a reward with a good grace.  ⁸Do not turn your back on the needy, but share everything with your brother and call nothing your own. For if you have what is eternal in common, how much more should you have what is transient!

⁹Do not neglect your responsibility" to your son or your daughter, but from their youth you shall teach them to revere God.  ¹⁰Do not be harsh in giving orders to your slaves and slave girls. They hope in the same God as you, and the result may be that they cease to revere the God over you both. For when he comes to call us, he will not respect our station, but will call those whom the Spirit has made ready.  ¹¹You slaves, for your part, must obey your masters with reverence and fear, as if they represented God.

¹²You must hate all hypocrisy and everything which fails to please the Lord.  ¹³You must not forsake "the Lord's commandments," but "observe" the ones you have been given, "neither adding nor subtracting anything."  ¹⁴At the church meeting you must confess your sins, and not approach prayer with a bad conscience. That is the way of life.

5 But the way of death is this: First of all, it is wicked and thoroughly blasphemous: murders, adulteries, lusts, fornications, thefts, idolatries, magic arts, sorceries, robberies, false witness, hypocrisies, duplicity, deceit, arrogance, malice, stubbornness, greediness, filthy talk, jealousy, audacity, haughtiness, boastfulness.  ²Those who persecute good people, who hate truth, who love lies, who are ignorant of the reward of uprightness, who do not "abide by goodness" or justice, and are on the alert not for goodness but for evil: gentleness and patience are remote from them. "They love vanity," "look for profit," have no pity for the poor, do not exert themselves for the oppressed, ignore their Maker, "murder children,"  corrupt God's image, turn their backs on the needy, oppress the afflicted, defend the rich, unjustly condemn the poor, and are thoroughly wicked. My children, may you be saved from all this!

6 See "that no one leads you astray" from this way of the teaching, since such a one's teaching is godless.  ²If you can bear the Lord's full yoke, you will be perfect. But if you cannot, then do what you can. ³Now about food: undertake what you can. But keep strictly away from what is offered to idols, for that implies worshiping dead gods.

7 Now about baptism: this is how to baptize. Give public instruction on all these points, and then "baptize" in running water, "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."  ²If you do not have running water, baptize in some other.  ³If you cannot in cold, then in warm. If you have neither, then pour water on the head three times "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."  ⁴Before the baptism, moreover, the one who baptizes and the one being baptized must fast, and any others who can. And you must tell the one being baptized to fast for one or two days beforehand.

8 Your fasts must not be identical with those of the hypocrites. They fast on Mondays and Thursdays; but you should fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.

²You must not pray like the hypocrites, but "pray as follows" as the Lord bid us in his gospel: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your Kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us today our bread for the morrow; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but save us from the evil one, for yours is the power and the glory forever." ³You should pray in this way three times a day.

9 Now about the Eucharist: This is how to give thanks:  ²First in connection with the cup:  "We thank you, our Father, for the holy vine of David, your child, which you have revealed through Jesus, your child. To you be glory forever."

³Then in connection with the piece "We thank you, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you have revealed through Jesus, your child. To you be glory forever.  ⁴"As this piece [of bread] was scattered over the hills and then was brought together and made one, so let your Church be brought together from the ends of the earth into your Kingdom. For yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever."

⁵You must not let anyone eat or drink of your Eucharist except those baptized in the Lord's name. For in reference to this the Lord said, "Do not give what is sacred to dogs."

10 After you have finished your meal, say grace in this way:

²"We thank you, Holy Father, for your sacred name which you have lodged. in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality which you have revealed through Jesus, your child. To you be glory forever.

³"Almighty Master, 'you have created everything' for the sake of your name, and have given men food and drink to enjoy that they may thank you. But to us you have given spiritual food and drink and eternal life through Jesus, your child.

⁴"Above all, we thank you that you are mighty. To you be glory forever.

⁵"Remember, Lord, your Church, to save it from all evil and to make it perfect by your love. Make it holy, 'and gather' it 'together from the four winds' into your Kingdom which you have made ready for it. For yours is the power and the glory forever."  ⁶"Let Grace come and let this world pass away."  "Hosanna to the God of David!"  "If anyone is holy, let him come. If not, let him repent."  "Our Lord, come!""Amen."

 ⁷In the case of prophets, however, you should let them give thanks in their own way.

11 Now, you should welcome anyone who comes your way and teaches you all we have been saying. ² But if the teacher proves himself a renegade and by teaching otherwise contradicts all this, pay no attention to him. But if his teaching furthers the Lord's righteousness and knowledge, welcome him as the Lord.

³Now about the apostles and prophets: Act in line with the gospel precept. ⁴Welcome every apostle on arriving, as if he were the Lord. ⁵But he must not stay beyond one day. In case of necessity, however, the next day too. If he stays three days, he is a false prophet.  ⁶On departing, an apostle must not accept anything save sufficient food to carry him till his next lodging. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.

⁷While a prophet is making ecstatic utterances, you must not test or examine him. For "every sin will be forgiven," but this sin "will not be forgiven.” However, not everybody making ecstatic utterances is a prophet, but only if he behaves like the Lord. It is by their conduct that the false prophet and the [true] prophet can be distinguished.  ⁹For instance, if a prophet marks out a table in the Spirit, he must not eat from it. If he does, he is a false prophet.  ¹⁰Again, every prophet who teaches the truth but fails to practice what he preaches is a false prophet.  ¹¹But every attested and genuine prophet who acts with a view to symbolizing the mystery of the Church, and does not teach you to do all he does, must not be judged by you. His judgment rests with God. For the ancient prophets too acted in this way.  ¹²But if someone says in the Spirit, "Give me money, or something else," you must not heed him. However, if he tells you to give for others in need, no one must condemn him.

12 Everyone "who comes" to you "in the name of the Lord" must be welcomed. Afterward, when you have tested him, you will find out about him, for you have insight into right and wrong.  ²If it is a traveler who arrives, help him all you can. But he must not stay with you more than two days, or, if necessary, three.  ³If he wants to settle with you and is an artisan, he must work for his living.  ⁴If, however, he has no trade, use your judgment in taking steps for him to live with you as a Christian without being idle.  ⁵If he refuses to do this, he is trading on Christ. You must be on your guard against such people.

13 Every genuine prophet who wants to settle with you "has a right to his support."  ²Similarly, a genuine teacher himself, just like a "workman, has a right to his support." ³Hence take all the first fruits of vintage and harvest, and of cattle and sheep, and give these first fruits to the prophets. For they are your high priests.  ⁴If, however, you have no prophet, give them to the poor.  ⁵If you make bread, take the first fruits and give in accordance with the precept. ⁶Similarly, when you open a jar of wine or oil, take the first fruits and give them to the prophets.  ⁷Indeed, of money, clothes, and of all your possessions, take such first fruits as you think right, and give in accordance with the precept.

14 On every Lord's Day—his special day come together and break bread and give thanks, first confessing your sins so that your sacrifice may be pure. ²Anyone at variance with his neighbor must not join you, until they are reconciled, lest your sacrifice be defiled.  ³For it was of this sacrifice that the Lord said, "Always and everywhere offer me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is marveled at by the nations."

15 You must, then, elect for yourselves bishops and deacons who are a credit to the Lord, men who are gentle, generous, faithful, and well tried. For their ministry to you is identical with that of the prophets and teachers.  ²You must not, therefore, despise them, for along with the prophets and teachers they enjoy a place of honor among you.

³Furthermore, do not reprove each other angrily, but quietly, as you find it in the gospel. Moreover, if anyone has wronged his neighbor, nobody must speak to him, and he must not hear a word from you, until he repents.  ⁴Say your prayers, give your charity, and do everything just as you find it in the gospel of our Lord.

16 "Watch" over your life: do not let "your lamps" go out, and do not keep "your loins ungirded"; but "be ready," for "you do not know the hour when our Lord is coming."  ²Meet together frequently in your search for what is good for your souls, since "a lifetime of faith will be of no advantage" to you unless you prove perfect at the very last.  ³For in the final days multitudes of false prophets and seducers will appear.  ⁴Sheep will turn into wolves, and love into hatred. For with the increase of iniquity men will hate, persecute, and betray each other. And then the world deceiver will appear in the guise of God's Son. He will work "signs and wonders" and the earth will fall into his hands and he will commit outrages such as have never occurred before.  ⁵Then mankind will come to the fiery trial "and many will fall away" and perish, "but those who persevere" in their faith "will be saved" by the Curse himself.  ⁶Then "there will appear the signs" of the Truth: first the sign of stretched-out [hands] in heaven, then the sign of "a trumpet's blast," and thirdly the resurrection of the dead, though not of all the dead,  ⁷but as it has been said: "The Lord will come and all his saints with him. Then the world will see the Lord coming on the clouds of the sky."

Thus is the teaching of the Twelve.

So let’s continue on, the teachings mentioned baptism and how to go about it, now let’s read what the scriptures tell us and see how this teaching continued.

	Acts 2:38 But Peter said to them: Do penance, (some translations say: repent) and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
	Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, invoking his name. Acts 10:48

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them some days.

So it should be pretty clear that we are to confess, repent and be baptized to wash away our sins and to receive the Holy Spirit, this is scripture or it isn’t, I believe that it’s pretty clear.

What about the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper? What did Jesus specifically say?

John 6:52

If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world.

John 6 54 and continuing:

Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.

For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever. These things he said, teaching in the synagogue, in Capharnaum.

Many therefore of his disciples, hearing it, said: This saying is hard, and who can hear it? But Jesus, knowing in himself, that his disciples murmured at this, said to them: Doth this scandalize you? If then you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I have spoken to you, are spirit and life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe, and who he was, that would betray him.

Aren’t these words pretty clear and easy to understand? Why is it that so many ignore them? Also many preach that Jesus the Christ never drank alcoholic wine, how is that?

What do we learn from the wedding in Cana? John 2:9 And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, And saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now.

So how is it that when men have well drunk then the worse wine comes out if it is not alcoholic? Why do people insist on making up their own understanding? When you change the meal from bread and wine you lose the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior, this is from Satan.

What else is written about the body and blood? 1 Corinthians 10:16 and continuing; The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord? For we, being many, are one bread, one body, all that partake of one bread.

1 Corinthians 11:23 and continuing;  For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread and giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me. In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me.

For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you, and many sleep.

So how in the name of Jesus the Christ can we be guilty of the Body and Blood when we partake of this Eucharist unworthily if in fact the Body and Blood of our Lord is not spiritually present just as He Himself said it was in the wine and bread? We must all understand this.

What about the schisms that we are not supposed to have but are prevalent in the so called Christian church? Again, remaining in the letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians chapter 1

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no schisms among you; but that you be perfect in the same mind, and in the same judgment.

For it hath been signified unto me, my brethren, of you, by them that are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith: I indeed am of Paul; and I am of Apollo; and I am of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul then crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I give God thanks that I baptized none of you but Crispus and Caius; lest any should say that you were baptized in my name.

What did Jesus the Christ Himself say about divisions and unity?

John 17:11

And now I am not in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom thou has given me; that they may be one, as we also are.

So what are we learning from these verses? Can you guess the theme? Well that would be unity in the church. No schisms, that we all speak the same thing, that we may be one, again the words should be pretty simple and easy to understand don’t you think?

To speak against the church being one in spirit is speaking against the One whom we call Lord and Savior; there is no getting around this no matter how hard you try. All of Christianity, all true Christians need to have the same basic understanding of the Christian church in things that matter so that there can be unity in spirit.

There are other things; what about the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord and Savior, the One that we call God. How are we to respect her?

There are several ideas regarding this woman, the Blessed Virgin. Some say that she was born immaculate and from her conception she had no original sin attached to her and that she remained sinless throughout her life in order to bear and bring forth the Only Begotten Son of God, and to raise him. Some say that her conception was no different than anyone else’s, that the sin we are born with is not the guilt of Adam and that she was kept free from personal sin throughout her life for the bearing of the Christ Child. Others denigrate her as if she were a dog. So let’s examine this.

Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother, that you may have long life upon the land which the Lord thy God will give thee. Have you ever heard these words before? Isn’t this the fourth commandment in what is called the Ten Commandments?

What did Jesus Say about this?

Mark 7:10

For Moses said: Honour thy father and thy mother; and He that shall curse father or mother, dying let him die.

What else do the scriptures say?

Ephesians 6:2
Honour thy father and thy mother, which is the first commandment with a promise:

Jesus also said; For God commanded saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and he who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, 'Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God'--then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophecy about you, saying: 'The people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines of God the commandments of men" (Mat 15:3-9).

So we are to honor our mother and our father but the mother of the one that we call the savior of the world deserves no respect no reverence, talked about like a dog at times? I’ve heard it and I’ve seen it in writing. If you become angry if someone verbally abuses your mother how angry do you think Jesus the Christ is when His mother is verbally abused? Or maybe that’s the problem; no one cares for their mother or father any more, all have become a bunch of Pharisees, knowing everything and twisting the law to suit ourselves.

So let’s take a look at this original sin for a moment because this is the basic root of the issue;

All Christians agree that Adam and Eve sinned and that we suffer for their sin, what is not agreed on is how we suffer. Some say that we are born guilty of Adams personal sin; we have the same guilt put on us as he had on him as if we ourselves had performed this sin.

Others say that we are not guilty of Adams personal sin but because of Adams sin man fell from grace with God and death entered into the body along with corruption and the surrendering to temptation so that we fall easily to this temptation which then we have personal sin on us as well as death through Adams sin.

So the question came up centuries ago regarding the birth of Jesus the Christ due to heretical teaching by some. Question; how could the Christ be born as God and man in the flesh if the flesh is corrupt, the scriptures require a spotless, unblemished sacrifice, how could one born in the flesh be spotless if we carry original sin? Therefore Jesus was not truly flesh or He was not truly God until He led a perfect life and God the Father adopted Him.

And so you thought some Catholic Pope simply decided to make up some Immaculate Conception story to worship Mary because he had some mother fetish didn’t you? Believe it or not, forty years ago those very words came out of my mouth and there are many others who think this, I have been and am now trying to correct this statement that I made so many years ago. This problem of conception was not answered easily or quickly, the debate went on for centuries, I have already given you the two scenarios of original sin after the fall and the guilt or no guilt idea. This heresy and the questions surrounding it were fought about for centuries.

One ultimately came to the conclusion that man is born guilty of Adams sin and in order for the Christ to be born as true man in the flesh then His mother must have been purified in some way, they determined that from the womb itself she was protected from sin so that she could carry the Christ and so that he would have flesh without sin.

The other determined that man is only stained, we do not carry the guilty verdict of Adams sin but we carry the punishment which is death and separation from God and that we are born into a corruptible world and easily tempted and so we sin and are guilty of our own personal sin only. So the Virgin did not have to be born in any special way but that she did have to be protected from personal sin in order to be capable of bearing one that was sinless in the flesh.

I have only given the very basic understanding of two sides of the issue that was fighting against a serious heresy; you can go as deep into the study as you want. The question is; which one can be proven from scripture? Surprisingly neither one can be proven; either way could be right or wrong. Neither is committing some sin because they believe one way or the other since no direction is given.

So I’m going to throw some more of the issue at you; if Adam and Eve were created in God’s image and had no original sin to be guilty of, if they were a perfect creation then why did they surrender into temptation? How is it that without the stain of sin they sinned anyway even knowing their Creator in the way that they did?

Obviously temptation from the deceiver is very powerful, if they, who knew no sin, sinned, what chance does anyone else have? Out of all of the women throughout all of time, to include today, why was this particular virgin chosen?

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, (some translate this as; thou who are highly favored) the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.

Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

So, how many people in all of scripture do we read of an angel of the Lord coming down and giving them a title such as ‘full of grace?’ Or if you choose to say thou who are highly favored, who else had this greeting? Who else was chosen to carry the Only Begotten Son of God who is the Savior of all of mankind? Are we not told to honor our mother and father? Are we any less to honor the mother of the one who is God? You have got to be insane or very deceived not to honor the mother of our God.

It makes no difference how the virgin was conceived or at what point she was made able to bear the Christ child. It matters nothing whether she sinned before or after, she found grace with Almighty God, what part of this for those who choose to speak against her honor do you not understand? Do you become angry if someone trashes your mother? Think about the Savior of mankind, it is your salvation that you seek through Him and you do not respect His mother? The woman honored by Almighty God Himself? I pray for you. Our own Bible tells us; because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Everyone claims the Bible as the written Word of God and yet so many ignore what is written because it doesn’t suit them.

Did Mary have other children? Did Jesus have actual brothers and sisters? Think first before you answer. If Mary had other children, and I am not saying that she did or did not because it is not relevant to the point that I am going to make. If Mary had other children, why did Jesus assign the care of His mother to a disciple?

When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.

Didn’t Jesus condemn the Pharisees for not caring for their parents in the pretense of giving money to the temple? If Mary had other children why then did Jesus give her to a disciple? Why did he charge the disciple with the care of His mother? It doesn’t matter if she had other children, Jesus gave her to the church and told the church that she was the mother, Jesus entrusted the church and His mother together, Mary became the mother of the church and the church is also responsible for her and she for the church, behold thy mother, aren’t these the words spoken?

If you cannot comprehend that because you simply refuse to then I will continue praying for you. If she had other children it was their responsibility and duty to care for her so this makes the giving of Mary to the church by giving her to a disciple even more dramatic don’t you think?

These are the beliefs that make up basic Christianity, you cannot change any of it and still call it Christianity, it would be a false and diluted Christianity. All need to understand this because the days are growing dark very fast and if God does not have mercy on the church then we will suffer greatly, we are destined to suffer, do you want to add to the suffering by being hateful towards one another who truly love Jesus the Christ and live according to what I have written here that I have done nothing but speak about what has been written from the beginning?

Do not fear the words or fear living them, you are not listening to or following me, I am no one but a messenger and the message is over 2,000 years old, I did not create it I am merely spreading it during these very troubling times. The church must understand the basics, and what I have given you here are just that, the basics. Do not condemn one another who follow the teachings, push away the liars and haters who fight against these truths, seek the truth, knock and never stop knocking.

One more item that I will only mention because it is the subject of a whole other teaching but it concerns the Bible itself. I have seen it written and I have heard it preached that the Septuagint bible was a fabrication of the Catholics, or that Origen wrote it himself, this is regarding the six books that were removed after the reformation. All that I am going to say now is that; the Septuagint was the Jewish Bible, stop researching things through your own particular body or groups writings, there is much that has been written through prejudice and hate.

Was it the Jewish Bible? Research the Jewish history of the Septuagint for yourself and find out or are you afraid to discover actual truth? What will you do when you find out that you have been lied to regarding this? Will you begin to change your understanding and seek the full truth? Will you ignore it and continue living and preaching what makes you comfortable because to admit that you had been deceived would be embarrassing? I’ve been there, the truth can be hard at times when we are so convinced of one way already but remember this, it is our salvation through Jesus the Christ that is important, it is the honor of His Most Holy Name that we are to uphold and then we begin to teach others this truth but we first have to have it in our own heart.

May you be blessed with the heart and determination to find the truth.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! Amen.

In Christ,

Monk Michael