- Mar 4, 2005
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Then why are there all these many interpretations about who Jesus is, what he meant by what he said, and so on?
I would say that either people have their own agendas - like cult leaders - or they read, and explain, the Bible differently.
For example, Jesus was God in the flesh; absolutely. But how do we explain that God died?
It's almost impossible - so some people come up with theories; e.g that Jesus stopped being divine before he was taken to the cross. The Trinity is not at all eay to understand; so again, some people come up with different explanations. And then there are those who read the Bible literally, see that Jesus was God's Son and say "well a Father is superior to a son", so they demote Jesus to an angel, or something similar.
I don't see anywhere in Scripture where Jesus had any women among his apostles.
The term "Apostles" is most commonly used of the 12, but not only them.
Apollos, Timothy, Barnabas etc etc were Apostles. The word means "sent". Anyone who has been sent by God is an apostle - there is one verse where this word is used to refer to all believers.
And none of the 12 were Gentiles either - what does that tell you?
But no leadership, and by that, I mean hierarchy.
Jesus had no "hierarchy"; none of the 12 were leaders when they were with him.
When they quarrelled amongst themselves about who was the greatest, Jesus said that if anyone wanted to be first, they must be last and the least of all, Mark 9:33-35.
When James and John tried to lobby him for the highest places in heaven, he said that was not for him to grant, and if they wanted to be great among them, they must serve everyone else, Mark 10:42-44.
If you were going to make a case for anyone being great, it would be Mary Magdalene - specifically chosen to be the first witness to the risen Christ and to tell others (the men) who were hiding in fear.
If you believe everything Jesus said and did, you would believe he meant what he said and said what he meant.
I do.
I don't accept your interpretation of it.
He prayed that His Church might be One, as the Father and He are one.
Practically speaking, we are not one at all; there is much division. And I'm not just thinking of my earlier example.
Anglicans do not recognise Methodist local preachers when I re-joined the church a few years back, I would have had to train all over again if I'd wanted to be accepted as an Anglican lay reader, (and the church didn't need any more preachers, so they wouldn't let me. So I went back to the church that did recognise and respect my calling.) Methodists, in turn, don't recognise anyone who has not followed the Methodist training - and heaven help any worship leader who tries to speak on a Bible passage or to bring God's word, and who hasn't been trained to do so. Some evangelicals (not on here) have said that whoever does not speak in tongues is not a Christian. Some have condemned those who do not tithe, keep the laws etc etc. There is far too much in-fighting in all sections of the church - and people wonder why non Christians aren't falling over themselves to join us.
BUT, there is only one Gospel. And I am certain that if we were facing persecution and the question was "are you are Christian/do you worship Jesus; yes or no?" there would be dead Christians of ALL denominations. In that sense; we are one.
He told his followers that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood in order to have eternal life.
And we all do. What's the problem; we don't do it the Catholic way?
He also told his apostles that he must rise into heaven, and that when he did that, he would send the Paraclete to guide them into all Truth.
Yes, and we can, and many have, received the Spirit who guides us into all truth.
We, Catholics, at least faithful ones, believe that everything Jesus said is true, how he meant them.
Implying that no Catholics don't?
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