Mother Mary Mother of All believers and Mary in Revelation

The Church Fathers found many foreshadowing or prefigurements of Blessed Mary in the Old Testament. She is the woman who was said in Genesis 3: 15 about the enmity with the serpent and New Eve who will be the mother of all Living in Genesis 3:20.She is also referred as the daughter of Zion in (Psalm 9:14, Isaiah 54:1-10, Zephaniah 3:14, Zechariah 2:10) and the Ark of Covenant in Exodus 40 and Rev 11:9. Mary, the young Jewish virgin becomes a symbol for Israel herself who bore Jesus, the Messiah. By the grace of God, Mary was preserved from the stain of personal sin. She was Chosen by God the Father and the Holy Spirit descended on her. She is the woman described in Revelation 11:19-12:6. She’s is the prime example of a woman of faith where she allowed God to use her and submitted to His will. She is exalted above all the holy angels. And we can see this when Angel Gabriel came to her and said “Hail” in Luke 1:28. (The Greek used for "hail" here is "chairō", which is a title used for a superior). And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Hail, (chairō) Master!" And he kissed him. (Mattthew 26:49). It is a salutation reserved for royalty such as, "Hail Caesar", or "Hail King of the Jews". Here we have the Archangel Gabriel, sent by GOD, with instructions to greet her as royalty. How many women who were ever born were given such an enthusiastic royal greeting by no less than an Archangel sent by GOD? "If GOD is for us, who is against us?" which says in Romans 8:31. So God was with Mother Mary. we also can see Mary was present with the apostles in the upper room praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:14). After recalling the presence of Mary and the other women at the Lord's cross, St John relates: "When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!'. Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!’" (Jn 19:26-27). This establishes a new relationship of love between Blessed Mary and Christians. Jesus entrusted his Mother to John and by extension to all Christians. John 19:25-27, is used as proof that Mary is the Mother of Christians, and see in John as one who takes Mary into his home, as representing all Christians who take Mary as their mother. Thereby Mary is the mother of all Christians. Jesus commits the care of the Virgin Mary to the Apostle John. This would have been unacceptable if she had other children. If the oldest child dies, the care of the mother falls to the next oldest child. If the oldest child is the only child, it is his responsibility to appoint someone to care for his mother in the case that he dies. We can see that Jesus acts as if He is the only child of Mary. As we can see, there is no indication from the Bible that Mary had other children than Jesus.Compare Mt 10:2-4, Mk 15:40, Jn 19:25, and Acts 1:13 and you will find that James, Joseph, and Jude were sons of Cleophas (Alphaeus) and 'the other Mary', not Mary the Mother of GOD. Simon was the 'Canaanite' of Mk 3:18, and the 'Zealot'. Jesus called her 'woman ' to show us the connection between His mother and the 'woman’ foretold in Genesis 3: 15 and later the 'woman' that He would address from the cross (John 19:26-27), and to the 'woman' with the crown of twelve stars in Revelation 12:1. Jesus does refer to Mary by the word women twice. It is not considered as disrespectful. Adoration is due to God alone. Jesus, the Son of God, gave this as one of His principal commandments: "Honor your father and your mother." Do you think that Jesus, who is God, will contradict Himself and not practice what He taught? That is, do you think that He Himself, who gave the command to honor father and mother, will NOT Himself honor His own mother? It was Jesus’ normal, polite way of addressing women. Calling women during Jesus times was most Honorable word. Mary is also foreshadowed as the king’s mother in 1 Kings 2:19; as the “closed Gate” of perpetual virginity in Ezekiel 44:1-2, and as the Virgin Mother of Emmanuel in Isaiah 7:14 in Mt 1:23. In Revelation 12, Mary is the woman clothed with the sun, about to give birth. She is opposed by the dragon who wishes to devour her son. Now at the end of the passage in Rev 12 we see that the devil makes war with those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus. These are all the Christians who bear testimony to Jesus and keep God’s commandments (1 John 2:3-4, Jn. 14:15, 15:10, 1 Cor. 7:19). However, the Christians are the offspring of the woman of Revelation 12. Thus, whoever is the ‘woman’ is the Mother of Christians. Some protestants may say that the women in Revelation 12 is not Mother Mary but Israel. Both New and Old Testament will not find a single reference to Israel either being a ‘woman’, or giving birth to the Messiah. Genesis 37 says absolutely nothing about Israel giving birth to a Messiah. Stephano Manelli gives us some insight of her wearing the Sun, moon and stars as alluded to by the apostle John: Of great importance is the description of the exterior feature of the ‘woman’, rich in a symbolism quite unusual. “Clothed with the sun”, Mary was really flooded by divine grace that consecrated her immaculate from conception and transformed her into the Mother of God. “The moon under her feet” signifies that all things created and passing - symbolized by the moon, which appears and disappears - are under the feet of the Queen of the universe. “on her head a crown of twelve stars” is the symbol of Mary’s reign over the angels (stars), the Chosen People (the “twelve” tribes), over the Church (the “twelve” apostles). Within the body of the Lord Jesus Christ, the fullness of God dwells. (Colossians 2:9) says For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. what comes out of her womb is also God, because God indwells the body of Christ. Thus, it is proper to refer to her as the “God-bearer” or Theotokos, and, as a “Mother of God.” Luke 1:28 says Mary is the woman of Grace and Lord was with her. She had the favour of God in her life which preserved her from sin. As we know God cannot exist with sin. She is the only women who was Holy and chosen by God among all the women of this world to give birth to Messiah as shown in Revelation 12, Isaiah 7, Matthew and Luke. She is exalted in a magnificent way by Angels, God which is no way detracts from the son who rules the nation and who is King of Kings. She was the most faithful of all. She was there with Him at His beginning all the way and at the foot of the cross at His death. She is the role model of Godly Motherhood and humility.

Blessed Mother Mary is the ark of the New covenant!

Mother Mary is the biggest obstacle and denial for most of Protestants. Protestants have distorted the doctrine, mislead, misinterpreted the scriptures and misunderstood Mother Mary. Protestantism denominations are Bible Twisting cults. They often ignore to understand simple truth that Jesus is God, Mary is the Mother of Jesus and hence Mary is the Mother of God.We know that within the body of the Lord Jesus Christ, the fullness of God dwells. (Colossians 2:9).Hence Mother Mary is a God bearer or Mother of God. In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant, overshadowed by the Spirit of God which was the instrument through which God came to dwell among men and in the New Testament, Mary, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and was the instrument through which God came to dwell among men. Hence Mother Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant. We also know from Genesis 3:15 that God promises to defeat Satan through a woman and her seed. And the woman is no one but Mother Mary and the seed was our Lord Jesus Christ. The woman of Genesis 3:15 is same as the women of Revelation 12. Many Protestants will accuse Catholic Church and label as an exaggeration to exalt Mary. But they are false. 1. In Old Testament we know that David was afraid of the Lord that day, and he said, "How can the ark of the Lord come to me?" (2 Samuel 6:9)can be compared in the New testament when Elizabeth says to Mary: And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Luke 1:43) 2. The Old Ark was the dwelling place of God in the Old Covenant ((Exodus 40:34), so the New Ark, the Virgin Mary, is the dwelling place of God in the New Covenant(Luke 1:35). 3. In the Old Testament the Ark of the Old Covenant was overshadowed by the power and presence of God (Exodus 40:34 -35) and in the New testament, the Virgin Mary was overshadowed by the power and presence of the Most High (Luke 1:35). 3.In the old testament when the Ark of the Covenant is brought before David, he danced when he saw the Ark of the Covenant in (2 Samuel 6:14) and he was wearing linen ephod which is a priestly vestment . So does in the New Testament we know John the Baptist belongs to priestly line of Aaron. John Baptist(Baby) leaped in her womb hearing the Ark of the Covenant(Luke 1:41) . 4.In the Old Testament After David dances before the Ark of the Covenant, the ark remains three months(2 Samuel 6:11) and likewise in New Testament Baby John the Baptist leaped in his mothers womb at hearing Mary, she remains three months(Luke 1:56). 5. In the Old Testament the ark traveled to the house of Obed-edom in the Hill country of Judea(2 Sam.6:1-11) and in the New testament we know that Mary traveled to the house of Elisabeth and Zechariah in the Hill country of Judea( Luke 1:39). 6. In the Old Testament David shouts in the presence of the ark(2 Sam.6:15) and in the New Testament Elizabeth exclaimed with a loud cry in the presence of Mary(Luke 1:42). 7. In the Old Testament, the house of Obed-edom was blessed by the presence of the ark.(2 Sam 6:11) and in the New testament the word is used 3 times and the house is surely blessed by God( Luke 1:39-45). 8. In the Old Testament, the ark returns to its home and ends up in Jerusalem, where Gods presence and glory is revealed in the temple.( 2 sam6:12,1kings8:9-11) and in the New Testament ,Mary returns home and eventually ends up in Jerusalem, where she presents God ,the incarnate in the temple( Luke 1:56,Luke2:21-22). 9. In the Old Testament, The Word was written by God on Tablets of Stone (Ex 25:10) placed inside the Ark (Deut 10:1-4) and In the New Testament the Word of God became Flesh (John 1) conceived inside Mary (Luke 2:38) which means Mary carried the Word of God. 10. In the Old Testament, The Ark of the Old Covenant contained the written word of God (Deut. 10:5) and In the New Testament the Virgin Mary contained the Word of God made flesh, Jesus (John. 1:1). 11. In the Old Testament, The Ark contained the manna from the desert( Hebrews 9:4) and in The New Testament Mary contained the manna from Heaven which is our Lord Jesus( John 6:48-51). Woman in Revelation 12 is not Israel But Virgin Mary: 1. In New Testament Rev 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. Here The woman clothed with the Sun, moon and stars represents Mother Mary, and her child is Christ. There is no indication in Scripture anywhere that the Nation Israel gives birth to the Son who is the messiah. Everything here is individual and reality nothing symbolic. But For Protestants everything is symbols and symbolic meanings and personal opinions. And In Old Testament, in Isaiah 7:14 which says Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Here too clearly says the only person who gives birth to Jesus is Mary not Israel. When we look at the Scriptures, both Old and New Testament we will not find a single reference to Israel either being a woman. 1.Isaiah 66:7 Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. 3.Rev 12:3-9. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. We see here this "red dragon" Is Satan which is individual. those who are fighting against the dragon are Michael and the angels they are too individuals and real. John speaks also of a dragon who is seeks to destroy the child, and goes to war against the angels of God (Rev 3-4 and Rev 7-9). Again clearly here the child is Jesus, and the Woman is Mother Mary and Michael is real angel and the angels and as the Devil is real Satan. There are no symbols. Still Its reality. 4. Gen. 3is parallel to Rev. 12. The devil is at war both with the woman of Genesis 3:15, and the woman in Revelation 12 who bore a Son. The seed of the woman in Genesis 3:15 as Jesus. And the woman is Mother Mary who will be at war with the Devil. This fits perfectly again the Revelation 12 where the woman is at war with the devil. The Woman of Genesis 3 is not Israel but Mother Mary. Paul spoke of the seed born of a woman (Gal. 4:4), and John told of the woman clothed with the sun who brought forth the manchild (Rev 12:1). Both depict the birth of Christ not Israel. The woman is battling with the dragon, or Satan, she has some offspring who are at war with the devil. Revelation 12 indicates that those Christians, who bear testimony to Jesus, also are Marys offspring. Those who bear testimony to Jesus are christianswho have Mary as their Mother. That is clear Biblical truth.

Catholics are Born Again Christians

We Catholics are Born Again Christian because we genuinely repent from our sins and are baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Catholics are born again Christian because we believe in Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and are baptized to get saved. We Catholics are born again because through Baptism we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We Catholics are Born again Christian because we believe in the death of Jesus Christ on cross for our sins, his burial and his bodily resurrection. We Catholics are born again Christian because we forsake sins and obey Gods word by working out our own salvation with fear and trembling. We Catholics are born again Christian because we delight in the law of God and seek God above all things. We Catholics are born again Christian because of the Power of Christ worked in us for the transformation of heart and mind. We Catholics are born again Christian because our heart is renewed by the Holy Spirit. We Catholics are born again Christian because we enjoy reading the Word of God and worshipping God through mass in Church. We Catholics are born again Christian because we were buried with Christ in baptism, in which we were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. We Catholics are born again Christian because we are born of the spirit of God and a new creation of God We Catholics are born again because we seek to please the Lord through our good deeds with a humble servants heart. We Catholics love God with all our Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength and love one another as Jesus loved us. We Catholics are born again Christians because we believe Jesus Christ is truly God, the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son, and the Eternal Word, who was with the Father and through Holy Spirit is always with us. We Catholics are born again Christian because we believe that Jesus was a word, the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us. We Catholics are born again Christian because we believe Jesus Christ came to free us from sin and showed us the way to Heaven and everlasting life with God. We Catholics are born again Christian because we will cloth ourselves and our family with humility, pure, righteous and holy. We Catholics are born again Christian because we trust in Jesus Christ in the midst of our storms and difficulties in our life. We Catholics are born again Christian because we believe that Jesus is the Christ is born of God and Savior of the world. We Catholics are born again Christian because we are partakers of Communion and communion with saints and belonging to the Body of Christ. We Catholics are born again Christian because we have received the gift of righteousness through Christ and we can do all things through Christ Jesus. We Catholics are born again Christian because we also believe that we are joint-heir with Christ and over comer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. We Catholics are born again Christian because we too are partaker of His divine nature and an ambassador for Jesus Christ. We Catholics are Born again Christian because we are baptized into Christ have clothed ourselves with Christ. We Catholics are born again Christian because we have personal relationship with Christ through his word through is visible church, through the holy sacraments and through prayer, supplication and thanksgiving our requests are made known unto God.

Breathe of Holy Spirit Healing

The word of God creates heaven and earth. Speaking of “the heavens ... and all their host ...” as well as “the earth ... and all the inhabitants of the world,” the psalm says, “He spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood forth.” In other words, by speaking a command, God created everything. His command contained the understanding of what he wanted to happen, which came from his wisdom or reason. His breath or spirit contained the force or power that brought it into existence. The Spirit with which he breathes his word is creative power itself. Jesus breathed his last breath on the cross as he died for the sins of the world. Then, when he burst forth with resurrection power, he breathed the life of newness. In John 20:22 he breathed on the disciples. And the Bible says he breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples. Literally, the resurrected son breathed on them, which is the spirit of Christ. the resurrected body was made alive by God with his breath. Adam was basically a sand castle made from the dust of the ground until God breathed into his nostrils. All life is from God. God breathed into Adam and gave life. Jesus breathed into his followers and gave them new life. John 20:22, “And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” So the first Adam was made alive by the breath of God, and the last Adam makes his followers alive by the breath of God. Genesis 2:7 says, “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” . Adam didn’t have life until he received the breath of God. We don’t have life until we receive the breath of God. The moment, though, Jesus breathes on us is the moment we live forever. We receive the Holy Spirit, the resurrected Christ. When Jesus breathed his last and then breathed his first in the resurrection, he passed from death to life. And because of him, we pass from death to life. we’re alive in Christ. Once we allow God to breathe life into us, we breathe in God and we breathe out God. Prayer is like our spiritual breath. We listen to God, to his word, we speak to God, and then we speak for God. The breath of life. In Job 32:8 says, “But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.” In Job 33:4, “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” So we breathe in God. That’s the moment we become Christ followers. But also notice, we breathe out God. God calls us to speak for him. We are designed to talk about God. We’re to have God breath, to speak words of life, blessing, and healing over others. John 7:38, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” We need to say God things to people. Also, said God things about yourself. Don’t waste your breath! John 20:19-23, “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”” Jesus breathed on the disciples. He exhaled the resurrection power. And this earthly action intended to convey a grander and larger message. He was breathing on them to create an effect. He was breathing the life-giving, spirit-empowering breath of God. The Spirit of God is the breath of God. And God’s spirit brings us to life. He empowers us for our purpose and he points us to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is given to us so that God can fulfill His purposes through us. The Scriptures tell us that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit who gave Him power to resist Satan, preach God's Word, heal the sick and be obedient to death on the cross. The power of the Holy Spirit isn't given to us for our own self interests of self fulfillment. The Holy Spirit is given to us for : Power to declare our faith in Jesus, Power to help the poor and suffering, caring for their physical and spiritual needs, Power to release captives from spiritual darkness, guilt, and worldliness, Power to stand out and stand up for those who can't Power to bring healing through prayer. Breathing a prayer to God is a simple way of using your body to engage your mind on the Word of God. Whispering the words of Scripture as you are breathing in and out, slowly and deeply, over and over, can help you to “abide” in Christ (John 15:4,5,9). This is a special way to Abide in Prayer. Breathing a prayer is simply a bodily expression of worship that assists us in engaging our whole self in prayer and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). It’s in our bodies and with our bodies that we pray and fellowship with God. Another way to do a Breath Prayer is to develop your own personalized prayer that helps you to connect deeply with God in whatever way you need it the most at that time.

When I see Crucifix!

When I see Crucifix ◾It reminds me that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us So that we could behold God's glory. ◾I remember Jesus Died on the Cross for my Sins and sins of others. ◾It represents the symbol of Death of Jesus Christ and hope for resurrection. ◾It reminds me that Jesus Christ took away the sins of the world. ◾I am reminded that that salvation is the result of a willing sacrifice by the very Son of God. Crucifix is the visual reminder that Jesus suffered and died for us. It is the visual reminder that Jesus received blasphemous false accusations from the world. Crucifix is the visual reminder that He was denied, abandoned, mocked, was arrested and bound. I am reminded that He was rejected by his own hometown and was asked deceitful questions. When I see Crucifix I am reminded that He was ridiculed by his own family members, he was blindfolded, beaten. When I see Crucifix I remember that Jesus was Struck with blows, was arrested, wounded, bruised unaccompanied by his accusers. I am reminded that He was falsely charged, chastised, endured stripes, oppressed, led to the slaughter. Jesus was Cut off from the land of the living, he was abused by the roman soldiers. I am reminded that He was scourged, put on a crown of thorns on his head, a reed in His right hand, Struck Him on the head with the reed. When I see Crucifix, it reminds me that the soldiers striped him and divided His garments, nailed him on the cross. I remember that He bore his own cross and was crucified for the sake of us. When I see Crucifix, it reminds me that the chief priests with the scribes mocked and sneered at him. Crucifix remind us of the terror and pain of Christ's suffering and death and a reminder of our union with Christ. It is the reminder of the greatest sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the altar of the cross. Jesus Christ is my comforter, my faithful Companion till the end. It proves unconditional Love of Jesus Christ for me and for others. Jesus proved his love for me through his death, burial, and resurrection. I am reminded that He redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. It reminds me His boundless, matchless love for the lost world. It reminds me the Physical, emotional, spiritual torture Jesus underwent speaks more of the hatred and cruelty of humanity. Jesus came to serve And willingly paid the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world with His Own Blood. Crucifix is a beautiful reminder that our sins are forgiven and we are justified through His blood. Crucifix is the reminder that We have eternal life, communion and fellowship with God through Christ. It reminds me that Jesus is the way, the truth, the light and the resurrection and the life. It reminds me that Jesus is the Alpha, Omega, the beginning and the end. Crucifix reminds me that Jesus is our High Priest, our example, our Perfect Advocate To motivate us for striving for love, holy, blameless, perfect and righteousness. And to rescue us from final judgment and from the eternal Fire. Crucifix reminds me that the chains of sins are broken, Satan and hell is defeated. It reminds me that He bore our sickness and carried our sorrows and pains and was bruised for our iniquities. Crucifix reminds me that He was led as a lamb to the slaughter but opened not His mouth And he died on the cross to reconcile us to God. Christ lived, He died for our sins, He rose again, ascended into heaven and He is coming again! Jesus Christ is my Lord, and Savior, and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Amen (For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18)

Is Mary, Mother of Jesus a Virgin? Does Jesus have brothers?

By Shaila Touchton Virgin birth was a wonderful and miraculous demonstration of God' power (Luke1:31).Mary did not bore other children besides Jesus Christ. She was vowed to a life of virginity. 1.Isaiah 7:14 which says "therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel". Sin did not have dominion over her because she was not under the law but under grace.( Romans 6:14). Mary was "full of grace" (Luke 1:28) and "blessed" (Luke 1:42). Mary is the Mother of God. She was chosen out of all the women in the world that ever existed. Mary is the mother of Jesus, and because Jesus is God, Mary is the Mother of God. Mary was full of grace (Luke 1:28, Luke 1:34), without sin, Jesus can not be born of sinful women. She has been virgin, Pure, Godly conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18-25). Mary was saved from all sin because she bore our Lord Jesus Christ(Gal 4:4).Hence she has to be sinless to give birth to Christ because Jesus can not exist by original sin of Adam. Mother Mary is the one who nursed, fed, taught Jesus Christ, she was made a pure vessel for the Word of the Lord. Consider the following verse: "Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut." (Ezekiel 44:2). This has always been interpreted by the Fathers of the Church to be a typological reference to the Virgin Mary. Many Christians are so defensive of sin because they have not been able to stop sinning in their own strength and effort. They fabricate arguments and quote "no one can be perfect" or "no one can really live without sin anyway" or 'There is none righteous, no, not one". Many often forget Jesus said, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt 5:48). Many people pick and choose the bible verse to defend themselves that suits their life style but ignore rest of the verses. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good" (Titus 2:11-14). God says that saints are made free from sin and have became slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:18). Adam, Abel, Joseph the Earthly Father of Jesus Christ ,Enoch, Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Rahab, Ruth, Debrorah, John Baptist, Zacharias and Elisabeth, the parents of John the Baptist ,Miraim ,Mary Mother of Jesus(Judith 13:18, Luke 1:48) and many others were all found righteous before the Lord. 2.Luke 1:47: And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Mary can be viewed as a parallel to the Tabernacle of the Lord, as constructed by Moses In Exodus 40:34-35 and in Luke 1:35. We know Gods word says that through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.( Proverbs 16:6).The word of God keeps from sinning (Psalms 17:4, Psalms 119:11). God's word says that No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God (1 John 3:9). Mother Mary has submitted herself to God, resisted the devil (James 4:7).Even though she was capable of sinning but she did not choose to sin. The grace of God taught her no to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:11-12). By the Grace she was saved and it was Gods gift on Mother Mary.( Ephesians 2:8-9). Lord Jesus commits His Mother into the care of John rather than her husband Joseph, at the crucifixion. In a Jewish tradition care of a mother would fall to the second born if the firstborn died Since she was without other children, her Son Jesus gives her into the care of his disciple John. She was chosen by the Father to bear His Only-Begotten Son, gave birth to the Savior of the world, and was the first person in history to receive Christ as her Savior. Consequently, she is our model of obedience and submission; of purity and holiness; of humility and royalty. Mary is called the mother of Jesus (Matt. 1: 18; 13:55; Mark 3:31; 32; 6:3; Luke 2:33; 43:48; John 2:1; 19:26; Acts 1:14). 3.Luke 8:21 - And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. Here BRETHREN is a plural word for 'brother' in our modern dictionaries. There is no word in Bible that means the "brethren of the Lord "are called "children" or "sons of Mary". Mary remained a virgin with the birth of Christ (Matt. 1:23, Luke 1:27, 23:53), hence she is called Virgin.Brtethren means His "brothers" and "sisters" of His extended family. To accuse Virgin Mary after she had Jesus was not virgin is to deny this belief, is in essence to deny that Jesus Christ is God's Son. 4."Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his BRETHREN, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his SISTERS, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?" Matthew 13:55-56 Does it ever say that these other children are the children of Mary? No, it says that they are the "brothers of Jesus". According to Matthew, the women, who followed Jesus, were "Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee." [Matt. 27:56) .Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome,... and also many other women." [Mark 15:4). According to both verses James and Joseph (or Joses) are the sons of Mary. But this Mary is not referred to as the mother of Jesus. Mary the mother of James and Joseph is distinct from the mother of the sons of Zebedee who is referred to as Mary Salome, and the other references to mother of James refer to Mary of James. 5.Galatians 1:19:But other of the apostles saw I none, save James THE LORD'S BROTHER." In Mark 15:40, we read, "There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome." It is clear from this verse that Mary, the mother of James and Joses was not Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Bible makes reference to more than one Mary. 'If Mary would have had other children, the prophecy regarding the virginity of Mary, Mother of Jesus would not have been fulfilled in Mt. 1:22-23 which says 'Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they shall name him Emmanuel,' which means, 'God is with us. Mary the wife of Clopas, who is Mary's sister, is the mother of James and Joses, etc. there are six different women named as Mary in the New Testament: Mary, mother of Jesus; Mary Magdalene; Mary of Bethany; Mary mother of James the younger; Mary mother of John Mark; and Mary of Rome. From John 19:26 we know that When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Here we know that Jesus commits the care of the Virgin Mary to the Apostle John Which was unacceptable if she had other children. If the oldest child dies, the care of the mother falls to the next oldest child. If the oldest child is the only child, it is his responsibility to appoint someone to care for his mother in the case that he dies. We can see that Jesus acts as if He is the only child of Mary. Mary was a virgin who was to conceive by being overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God. 6.Matthew 1:25 "And he knew her not till she had brought forth her FIRSTBORN son: and he called his name JESUS." Here again the Protestants misinterpret as first born means that Mother Mary had other childrens. This is false accusations.First Born doesn't necessarily mean the first of several children (Ex. 13:2). God commanded that all "firstborns" must be redeemed from Him (Ex. 13:2-15; 34:19; Ps. 78:51). Paul refers to Jesus spiritually as the "firstborn" of all Christians since He opened the gates of Heaven. [Rom. 8:29]. Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:15-19, Hebrews 11:28 and Hebrews 12:23, and Revelation 1:5, the first born is applied here as Jesus being a l Heir of the Kingdom, attesting that He is truly "first in all things." Jesus Himself indicated that He was the heir of all creation.( Colossians 2:9-10,Hebrews 1:2, Revelation 3:14. The correct interpretation is Colossians 1:15-21 "And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities -- all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." Jesus is the only-begotten Son of God. Jesus is the only-begotten son of Mary. 7. Psalm 69:8: I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons. Here First lets read the verses Psalm 69:4-9 4: More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies. What I did not steal must I now restore? 5: O God, thou knowest my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from thee. 6: Let not those who hope in thee be put to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek thee be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel. 7: For it is for thy sake that I have borne reproach, that shame has covered my face. 8: I have become a stranger to my brethren, an alien to my mother's sons. 9: For zeal for thy house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult thee have fallen on me. The verse Psalm 69:8 is same as John 15:25:25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason. Psalms 69:8 doesn't saying nothing about blood brothers or sisters of Jesus Christ. David is the youngest of eight sons in 1 Samuel17:12-14. David wrote most of the Psalms and he is saying most about himself and also the promise of foreshadowing the Messiah who was to come. David's older brothers were not accepted by God to be king and when they witnessed their youngest brother being anointed ((1 Samuel 16:3 -13). The whole paragraph from Psalm 69:4-9 is partly messianic and many parts of it does not apply for Jesus Christ. Because the verse Psalm 69:5 is talking about David himself not Jesus Christ because David was a sinner and he was a Coveter, Adulterer and a Murder.( 2 Samuel 11). The passage applies only to David and he is talking about his brothers in Psalm 69 and not Jesus Christ .Jesus Can not sin (1 Peter 2:22, Hebrews 4:15, 1 John 3:5) as it says in Psalm 69: 5. 39,000 different Protestant denominations today are interpreting Scripture on their personal individual opinions taking Holy Scripture out of context Causing errors. 8. Matthew 1:24 :And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. Protestants say after the birth of Jesus Christ Mary and Joseph did not refrain from marital relations UNTIL baby Jesus was born. Protestants often misinterpret the scripture and often neglect Isaiah 55:8-9 which says "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" . Bible repeatedly warns us about those who spread error. 2 Timothy 4:3 reminds us that "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear". Jesus was both divine and human and the life of Jesus and Gods plan to His birth can not be compared merely on human wisdom or carnal nature. God's standards for holiness are high when compared to human beings. We humans think in carnal mind. The Bible does not teach contradictory doctrines. These preachers hold the Bible up and say, "We preach the Bible". That is what we do they say but they have forgotten that they are sowing seeds of hatred in the minds of their followers and are DIVIDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 1Corinthians 1:10 says I plead with you brothers, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be "no divisions" among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. Protestants love to quote scripture Romans 3:23" For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" if this is true then Able, Noah and Enoch declares them PERFECT in their generation. Bible CLEARLY States in numerous passages that Children are born innocent with no knowledge of right or wrong. (Rom9:11, Ecc7:29, Duet1:39). We have freedom in Christ (Gal. 5:1) but this freedom is not to indulge the sinful nature (Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet 2:16). Many places through the Scriptures, wherever God resided was deemed a sacred place. Whether we are talking about Jacob's ladder to heaven, Moses and the burning bush, Mount Sinai, the Ark of the Covenant, or the Holy of Holies in the temple, those places were treated with respect, and became sacred, that is, sanctified and dedicated to the sole use of God's purpose, and not human. Marys womb was the temple of God. God lived in the womb of Mary, its unthinkable to think that Joseph would dare to defile the temple of God . The word "until" implies that an action did not take place up to a certain point. It says nothing of what happened after that point. Lets consider few examples , 2 Sam 6:23 says, "Michal the daughter of Saul had no children until [heõs] the day of her death." This can not mean that she had children after her death. Genesis 8:7, "He sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, 'until' the waters were dried up off the earth." This doesn't mean that the raven stopped flying after? Deut 34:6 , Moses died, "...and no one knows his grave 'until' this day." Have we found Moses' grave? 1 Macc 5:54, "...not one of them was slain 'until' they had returned in peace." Were they slain afterward? Luke 1:80, John the Baptist "...was in the deserts 'until' the day of his manifestation to Israel." Did he stay in the desert? (Matt 3:1; Mark 1:3-4; Luke 3:2-4) Rom 8:22, "For we know that all creation groans and travails in pain 'until' now." Does it still groan? 1 Tim 4:13, "'Until' I come, be diligent in reading, in exhortation and in teaching." When Paul has come is there no more reading, no more exhorting, and no more teaching? 1 Tim 6:14, "....that you keep the commandment without stain, blameless 'until' the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" When Jesus comes back, do we still obey the commandment? Rev 2:25-26, "But that which you have hold fast 'til' I come. And to him who overcomes, and who keeps My works 'until' the end, I will give authority over the nations." Should we stop holding fast and stop keeping His works when He returns? Lk 1:34, "Then said Mary unto the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" This shows Mary had no relations with a man before and was virgin. 2Sam 6:23, "...the daughter of Saul had no child 'until' the day of her death." Did she have a child after she died? Jesus' brethren (Matt 13:55; Mark 3:31; Luke 8:19; John 2:12, 7:3; Acts 1:14; Gal 1:9). In short we can read as Zebedee & Salome begat - James and John (Mt 4:21,Mk 1:19, Mk 3:17, Mt 27:56, Mk 15:40) Cleophas (Alphaeus) & Mary (the other Mary) begat - James (the less), Joseph (Joses), and Jude (Mt 10:2-3, Jn 19:25, Acts 1:13, Mt 27:56,61, 28:1, Jn 19:25) THE HOLY SPIRIT (Lk 1:35-38) - begat Jesus Christ the son of God through the Virgin Mary (Lk 1:30-38) We can read one more example , Jesus stretched out his hand towards his disciples he pointed out his mother and disciples.( (Matt 12:49-50) If one interprets brothers as siblings one has to interpret 500 brothers as same interpretation which is impossible in 1Cor 15:6. Conclusion: In Hebrew and in Aramaic there is no word of cousin and they most are often called as brethren. Jesus' "Brothers" (adelphoi)) = Cousins or Kinsmen in Hebrew. Luke 1:36 - Elizabeth is Mary's kinswoman. Some Bibles translate kinswoman as "cousin," but this is an improper translation because in Hebrew and Aramaic, there is no word for "cousin." In Luke 22:32 Jesus tells Peter to strengthen his "brethren." We can clearly see that Jesus used brethren to apostles not to his biological brothers. Acts 1:12-15,Acts 7:26; 11:1; 13:15,38; 15:3,23,32; 28:17,21 - these are some of many other examples where "brethren" does not mean blood relations. Rom. 9:3 - Paul uses "brethren" and "kinsmen" interchangeably. "Brothers" of Jesus does not prove Mary had other children. Gen. 11:26-28 - Lot is Abraham's nephew ("anepsios") / Gen. 13:8; 14:14,16 - Lot is still called Abraham's brother (adelphos") . This proves that, although a Greek word for cousin is "anepsios," Scripture also uses "adelphos" to describe a cousin. Gen. 29:15 - Laban calls Jacob is "brother" even though Jacob is his nephew. Again, this proves that brother means kinsmen or cousin. Deut. 23:7; 1 Chron. 15:5-18; Jer. 34:9; Neh. 5:7 -"brethren" means kinsmen. Hebrew and Aramaic have no word for "cousin." 2 Sam. 1:26; 1 Kings 9:13, 20:32 - here we see that "brethren" can even be one who is unrelated (no bloodline), such as a friend. 2 Kings 10:13-14 - King Ahaziah's 42 "brethren" were really his kinsmen. 1 Chron. 23:21-22 - Eleazar's daughters married their "brethren" who were really their cousins. Neh. 4:14; 5:1,5,8,10,14 - these are more examples of "brothers" meaning "cousins" or "kinsmen." Tobit 5:11 - Tobit asks Azarias to identify himself and his people, but still calls him "brother." Amos 1: 9 - brotherhood can also mean an ally where there is no bloodline. So throughout in the Old Testament and in New Testament mother of Jesus is called Virgin Mary. Because she indeed is a virgin. google-site-verification: google750ed417e48c90c4.html

Catholic Church has unbroken line of Apostolic Succession from Popes back to Peter!

By Shaila Touchton Catholic Church traces its origins back to Jesus Christ himself. Jesus Christ established a church nearly two thousand years ago. (1 Timothy 3:15) He said he will build one church not multiple churches. He said “Upon this Rock I will build My church." (Matthew 16:18) and "There shall be one fold and one shepherd." (John 10:16).The Holy Spirit will guide the church.( John 16:13) through Apostles(Acts 4:8). Jesus Christ is the truth, then the Church which He founded and guides has all truth (John 14:6).If all denominations claiming to bible based churches all those 38,000 denominations teach and preach differently for what they believe it to be right ,taking part of the scriptures not harmonizing with scriptures from genesis to revelation. Jesus gave authority to the Apostles. John 20:21 says “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." Simon Peter, also known as Cephas (John 1:42), was one of the first followers of Jesus Christ. one of Jesus' closest friends, an apostle(Matthew 10:2, 1 Peter 1:1), and a “pillar” of the church (Galatians 2:9).Jesus said to him” Thou art Peter; and upon this Rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:16-18). In John 1:42, Jesus changes the Apostle Simon’s name to Cephas, or Peter, a name which means “Rock”. Jesus himself made Peter his earthly successor as the leader of His newly created Church and gave authority to apostles to rule and teach in the church( Matthew 28:20). In Acts 15:7, Peter said, "Brethren, you know that in early days GOD made choice among us, that through 'MY MOUTH' the Gentiles should hear the word of the Gospel and believe." Ephesians 2:18-22 says 18 Through Christ we both come to the Father by the power of one Holy Spirit. 19 So you are no longer strangers and outsiders. You are citizens together with God's people. You are members of God's family. 20 You are a building that is built on the apostles and prophets. They are the foundation. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in the building. 21 The whole building is held together by him. It rises to become a holy temple because it belongs to the Lord. 22 And because you belong to him, you too are being built together. You are being made into a house where God lives through his Spirit. Catholic Church has its roots in history, its origins with Jesus and the apostles. While the first Protestant church was established less than 500 years ago in Germany by Martin Luther in 1520.And there after many new denominations gave birth till today. The one true Church established by Christ is the Catholic Church. Many churches which claim to be Christian have broken away from the one true Church established by Jesus Christ. These churches were founded by men who had no authority from God to found a church. Jesus tells peter 3 times to feed his lambs(John 21:15-18) and was told to “strengthen brethren” (Lk 22:32) and that He would make fishers of men(Matthew 4:19). The authority of Peter has been passed down for 2000 years by means of the papacy. In (Matthew 28:20 )Jesus promised to be with His Church until the end of the world and He promised that He would not leave us orphans( John 14:18) The catholic church is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is fitted together and grows into a temple holy in the Lord.( Ephesians 2:20-21). Conclusion :Anti-Catholic churches(Protestant churches)are missing too many things, they are missing seven books(Sirach, Tobit, Wisdom, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, and Baruch, as well as longer versions of Daniel and Esther that are found in the Old Testament used by Catholics, but are not in the Old Testament used by Protestants),they do not have true Apostolic Tradition which can be tracked back to Jesus Christ, missing five of the seven Sacraments, missing all of the Saints and their wonderful works., Missing blessed Communion every week, their worship is not holy and they have Human founder.