1000 of questions...

[Professiondefoi]

Hi
I'm grateful to find people to ask questions that I wonder about but don't dare asking anyone (since I don't know who might know the answers)
I'd really appreciat if somebody can tell me where to find answers in the internet (or write them to me )

1. I receive the communion on my hand, but a friend form Latinamerica told me, that it's "better" if one receives it in the mouth? what is the right way, and why ?
2. When it comes to Mathew we make a cross sign with you thumb on the forehead, lips and chest, why?
3. is it "bad" if one prefers to go to church byhimself and pray silently instead of attending service ( I just don't feel so comfortable at services in my country, since I went to church in the US and there it was such a close comunnity with sharing thoughts etc. and here it isn't at all...)
4. When getting divorced is it possible to marry again if the partner is still alive (under certain circumstances)
5. I heard that Luther let out some parts when translatin the bible where can I read more about which parts and why ?


Thanx for taking your time to read this request

 

[snoochface]

It sounds like the first two are based on a Catholic background.

There's nothing wrong with taking communion in your hand. That's how Jesus and the disciples did it in the dinner that we are remembering with communion.

Making the sign of the cross as you've described is also a Catholic thing. There's no requirement for it, and it seems (to me) to be a ritualistic act. If you want to do it as a sign of respect or something, I guess you can. But there's really no reason for it, and we are supposed to avoid meaningless rituals.

You should try to find a church in your area where you feel comfortable if you can. If that's not possible in your current circumstances, maybe you can find a group of other Christians that you can get together with and fellowship with, pray together, etc., in a more informal way. A lot of people attend home churches, which is fine. The most important thing is that you are fellowshipping with other Christians, worshipping God, and remaining prayerful. How you do that is really flexible.

The only reason for divorce given in the Bible is due to adultery - but there are other circumstances, like abuse, where a lot of people feel it is warranted. If there was adultery in the marriage, getting re-married is not an issue. If not, it is a matter of much debate, and you might want to find a pastor to talk to about it. Personally, I think it's okay, but not everyone agrees.

The Bible is the complete word of God. The only letters and books left out are called the apocrypha, and they are not considered to be scripture or the word of God. You can do a google search to find a lot of information on them. It wasn't Luther who left them out, it was the early church who determined what was scripture and the word of God. Luther was much much later. I don't know of him leaving anything out, but if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will correct me.

 

[DawnTillery]

Hi
I'm grateful to find people to ask questions that I wonder about but don't dare asking anyone (since I don't know who might know the answers)
I'd really appreciat if somebody can tell me where to find answers in the internet (or write them to me )

1. I receive the communion on my hand, but a friend form Latinamerica told me, that it's "better" if one receives it in the mouth? what is the right way, and why ?
2. When it comes to Mathew we make a cross sign with you thumb on the forehead, lips and chest, why?
3. is it "bad" if one prefers to go to church byhimself and pray silently instead of attending service ( I just don't feel so comfortable at services in my country, since I went to church in the US and there it was such a close comunnity with sharing thoughts etc. and here it isn't at all...)
4. When getting divorced is it possible to marry again if the partner is still alive (under certain circumstances)
5. I heard that Luther let out some parts when translatin the bible where can I read more about which parts and why ?


Thanx for taking your time to read this request

As far as the divorced issue, that is between you and God, not you and man.
Man cant hold you responsible or judge you or anyone else for anything.

If you are divorced and considering remarriage, talk to God about it, thats the best way to handle it.
My brother was married for a 3rd time after being saved and he said that has NOTHING to do with him serving God and I know from the change in him that he is serving God. God accepted him just as he was.

 

[Sketcher]

Hi
I'm grateful to find people to ask questions that I wonder about but don't dare asking anyone (since I don't know who might know the answers)
I'd really appreciat if somebody can tell me where to find answers in the internet (or write them to me )

1. I receive the communion on my hand, but a friend form Latinamerica told me, that it's "better" if one receives it in the mouth? what is the right way, and why ?
2. When it comes to Mathew we make a cross sign with you thumb on the forehead, lips and chest, why?
3. is it "bad" if one prefers to go to church byhimself and pray silently instead of attending service ( I just don't feel so comfortable at services in my country, since I went to church in the US and there it was such a close comunnity with sharing thoughts etc. and here it isn't at all...)
4. When getting divorced is it possible to marry again if the partner is still alive (under certain circumstances)
5. I heard that Luther let out some parts when translatin the bible where can I read more about which parts and why ?


Thanx for taking your time to read this request

I'm not Catholic, so I can't adequately answer your first two questions. We Protestants are not as particular about how one takes communion. By this I mean that you need to have a right heart before God and you take it with all reverence. But how you physically take the elements doesn't matter, really.

For question 3, I think you're missing out if that's ALL you do. Certainly that is needed, and I don't think it's done enough. But the church is supposed to be about community with other believers. Togetherness.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25, emphasis mine

As for divorce, Scripture is very clear that the ONLY possible way for remarraige to be legit in the sight of God is if she cheated on you.

"I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery." - Matthew 19:9

Flat out, from the One who was known for grace. He set a strict limit here, and it appalls me that people overstep this in the name of grace.

Luther did not consider the Old Testament Apocrypha, otherwise known as the duterocanonical books, to be part of Scripture. In fact, these were the most controversial books even to Jews before Jesus was born. They are not in the Hebrew canons, only in the Greek canons. If I am not mistaken the attitude here is better safe than sorry. A few church fathers had problems with them as well.

 

[LiberatedChick]

1. I receive the communion on my hand, but a friend form Latinamerica told me, that it's "better" if one receives it in the mouth? what is the right way, and why ?

I believe either is fine. What do the rest of the people in your church do? Those in my church all receive it on their hand so I would follow what they do.

2. When it comes to Mathew we make a cross sign with you thumb on the forehead, lips and chest, why?

There's two versions of the sign of the cross. One is a big cross using your right hand and going from head to chest, then left shoulder to right shoulder as we say "In the name of the Father, and of ths Son, and of the Holy Spirit". We do this at the start of a church service, after communion..and there's other times when it's done also.

The other version is the one you describe. Three small crosses made on the forehead, lips and chest. This is done just before the Gospel reading. I believe that there's something which is said along with this though I'm not sure what it is as it's not something done in my church. Though this explains what each small cross means...

The sign on the forehead is to show that we believe the Gospel, the sign on the lips is to show that we respect the Gospel and desire to spread the Good News, and the sign on our breast is to show that we love the Gospel and want it kept in our hearts.

3. is it "bad" if one prefers to go to church byhimself and pray silently instead of attending service ( I just don't feel so comfortable at services in my country, since I went to church in the US and there it was such a close comunnity with sharing thoughts etc. and here it isn't at all...)

I wouldn't say it's bad to prefer doing that...though I would recommend that you do go to services as well.

4. When getting divorced is it possible to marry again if the partner is still alive (under certain circumstances)

This depends on what denomination you are...some allow re-marriage, some don't.

 

[tkoman]

1. I receive the communion on my hand, but a friend form Latinamerica told me, that it's "better" if one receives it in the mouth? what is the right way, and why ?
2. When it comes to Mathew we make a cross sign with you thumb on the forehead, lips and chest, why?
3. is it "bad" if one prefers to go to church byhimself and pray silently instead of attending service ( I just don't feel so comfortable at services in my country, since I went to church in the US and there it was such a close comunnity with sharing thoughts etc. and here it isn't at all...)
4. When getting divorced is it possible to marry again if the partner is still alive (under certain circumstances)
5. I heard that Luther let out some parts when translatin the bible where can I read more about which parts and why ?

Hi - my .02 cents

1. Depends on the church, but it is very rare for someone to claim that it is "better" to do it one way or the other, and there is no "correct" way to do this. THere are issues concerning repsect (for e.g. I wouldn' throw the Eucharist in the air and catch it with my mouth) but splitting hairs like this is not a good idea

2. Answered by a previous poster directly, just know that this is a form of prayer - you may hear that it is a "Catholic thing" but in reality this has been practiced for a long time and is a form of prayer

3. Its not bad, however, it would be good if you found one that you can commune in - life is hard in a vacuum

4. Yes - but search the scriptures for those conditions (as mentioned, adultery is one of them)

5. Google search "The Apocrypha" - they are invaluable to the essence of the bible and they are also a lot diffrent from the other books of the bible. Read them for yourself and look at the history of them - interesting stuff.

Hope we helped