The first commandment

[Clare73]

The followers of Jesus, including the messengers of God, the Apostles , never partook of unclean food even to the end of their lives.

Precisely. . .because "no food is unclean." (Ro 14:14)

Jesus never authorized that , nor changed it.

Are you serious?

"What goes into a man's mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean." . . whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body. But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean (Mt 15:11, 16, Ac 10:14-15).

The food laws were ceremonial laws for the OT only, to show the meaning of sin as spiritual defilement.

And those who are weak in faith ? -

Yes, their faith is weak because they do not believe Jesus in Mt 15:11, 16, nor Paul in Ro 14:14.

Weak faith is not the standard for Christians.

 

[Clare73]

The first use of the word "Christian" is detailed in the Bible--it was used by the pagans--a pagan name.

Are they less followers of Christ; i.e., Christians, because pagans gave them the name?

If not, what does it matter?

 

[RandyPNW]

The design of the lid was received instruction (Ex 35:30-36:2), it was not their own doing, nor was it available to the people to view, it being in the Holy of Holies.

It appears that Solomon did take liberties when he had the Temple built. He had received the okay to build it, and had some basic instructions. But clearly, to transform from a Tent to a Permanent Building required some imagination--not just an oracle!

Was there some artistic license? I believe so. Why on earth would God prohibit art outside of keeping His specific instructions?

But I get your point. When we go beyond God's Word we need to be careful in how we represent God. We should not "use God's name in a misrepresentative, or "vain," way!

More importantly, we should not venerate images to the degree we "idolize them." What does it mean to "idolize?" To "idolize" something can be a somewhat neutral term, and does not always have a negative connotation.

It can mean to venerate people or things in a manner of respecting them or using them as models. We may simple adore certain role models. I see nothing wrong with this. Paul used himself as a model for us to follow after.

But it can more corruptly refer to elevating things or people above what they really are, and using them to transfer our own responsibilities to them. Our "worship" may appear to make us faithful worshippers, but in reality, it isn't genuine worship at all, but just an escape mechanism. True worship is to aid widows and orphans, and to demonstrate God's love in front of all.

 

[CoreyD]

Catholics employ imagery but do not deem it mandatory. Historically, Catholics have not practiced iconoclasm, thus they do not harbor a fear of images. Unlike Muslims, Catholics do not avoid the use of images in art or within their church edifices.

How do you know that God approves any image made and used in worship?

God didn't give architectural instructions on how to build houses of worship. Does this mean that every brick and mortar church is an idol of mankind?

I'm glad you asked.
In the verses, previous to the one I referenced, Jesus said, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. ... But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him." John 4:21, 23

So, worship was not required to be in any particular location, building, or beach.
The apostles, met in houses.

There was no reason for Jesus to give his people who understood that worshipping God in spirit, should be free of idols and images, instructions on architecture. Exodus 20:4, 5
They already knew how God felt about making images for worship, and bowing down to these.

I do not know of any Israelite that bowed to images at God's command.
They did bow down to a calf, they made for worshipping God. Exodus 32:8
How did God feel about that? Was he not angry? Exodus 32:10

Can you please tell me the difference between bowing down before a calf, and bowing down before a cross.

They both look the same.

 

[Grip Docility]

1 Corinthians 1:23

 

[Clare73]

It appears that Solomon did take liberties when he had the Temple built.

Did God give specific instructions for building the Temple, with which Solomon took liberties?

 

[CoreyD]

Are they less followers of Christ; i.e., Christians, because pagans gave them the name?

If not, what does it matter?

I have heard persons say that the name "Christian" was given by pagans.
However, the Greek word used at Acts 11:26, which is translated in some versions, as "called", does not support such a view.

Strong's Greek: 5537. χρηματίζω (chrématizó) -- to warn, to instruct, to reveal, to be called

 

[CoreyD]

1 Corinthians 1:23

If this is in response to my request, it is not a coherent response to the query, and says nothing about bowing down to, or before a cross... or golden calf.

 

[Clare73]

I have heard persons say that the name "Christian" was given by pagans.
However, the Greek word used at Acts 11:26, which is translated in some versions, as "called", does not support such a view.

Strong's Greek: 5537. χρηματίζω (chrématizó) -- to warn, to instruct, to reveal, to be called

Could it have been by the citizens of Antioch, who were not Christians, but pagans?

 

[Grip Docility]

If this is in response to my request, it is not a coherent response to the query, and says nothing about bowing down to, or before a cross... or golden calf.

The Cross is a symbol of the most incomprehensible act of humility ever conceived. The cross symbolizes the Glory of our precious Incarnation.

Kneeling at the foot of the cross is a symbol of kneeling before our King. God knows the heart of mankind that kneels where ever or however they kneel.

Mankind will forever judge the flesh.

This is my opinion.

 

[CoreyD]

Could it have been by the citizens of Antioch, who were not Christians, but pagans?

Not according to the Greek term. It is of divine origin, or, of God.
In other words, it was by holy spirit, as was the case at Acts 15:28

I provided the link, so that you can see for yourself.

Strong's Greek: 5537. χρηματίζω (chrématizó) -- to warn, to instruct, to reveal, to be called

Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 2:12 V-APP-NMP
GRK: καὶ χρηματισθέντες κατ' ὄναρ
NAS: And having been warned [by God] in a dream
KJV: And being warned of God in a dream
INT: And having been divinely warned in a dream
Matthew 2:22 V-APP-NMS
GRK: ἐκεῖ ἀπελθεῖν χρηματισθεὶς δὲ κατ'
NAS: Then after being warned [by God] in a dream,
KJV: notwithstanding, being warned of God in
INT: there to go having been divinely warned moreover in

Luke 2:26 V-RPM/P-NNS
GRK: ἦν αὐτῷ κεχρηματισμένον ὑπὸ τοῦ
NAS: And it had been revealed to him by the Holy
KJV: And it was revealed unto him by
INT: it was to him divinely revealed by the

Acts 10:22 V-AIP-3S
GRK: τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἐχρηματίσθη ὑπὸ ἀγγέλου
NAS: of the Jews, was [divinely] directed by a holy
KJV: of the Jews, was warned from God by
INT: of the Jews was divinely instructed by angel

Acts 11:26 V-ANA
GRK: ὄχλον ἱκανόν χρηματίσαι τε πρώτως
NAS: were first called Christians
KJV: the disciples were called Christians
INT: a crowd large were called moreover first

Romans 7:3 V-FIA-3S
GRK: ἀνδρὸς μοιχαλὶς χρηματίσει ἐὰν γένηται
NAS: man, she shall be called an adulteress;
KJV: man, she shall be called an adulteress:
INT: husband an adulteress she will be called if she be

Hebrews 8:5 V-RIM/P-3S
GRK: ἐπουρανίων καθὼς κεχρημάτισται Μωυσῆς μέλλων
NAS: as Moses was warned [by God] when he was about
KJV: Moses was admonished of God when he was about
INT: heavenly places as was divinely instructed Moses being about

Hebrews 11:7 V-APP-NMS
GRK: Πίστει χρηματισθεὶς Νῶε περὶ
NAS: Noah, being warned [by God] about
KJV: Noah, being warned of God of
INT: By faith having been divinely instructed Noah concerning

Hebrews 12:25 V-PPA-AMS
GRK: παραιτησάμενοι τὸν χρηματίζοντα πολὺ μᾶλλον
NAS: when they refused him who warned [them] on earth,
KJV: who refused him that spake on
INT: having refused him who divinely instructed [them] much less

 

[Aaron112]

In Scripture , the word(s) translated "all" , have various meanings, and rarely or only part of the time actually refers to "every individual" .
As in "All the threads and posts on forums are misleading" is mostly accurate, but not 100% so, unless understood that the system in place on the internet is very very unreliable and shaky like quicksand ......

 

[CoreyD]

The Cross is a symbol of the most incomprehensible act of humility ever conceived. The cross symbolizes the Glory of our precious Incarnation.

Kneeling at the foot of the cross is a symbol of kneeling before our King. God knows the heart of mankind that kneels where ever or however they kneel.

Mankind will forever judge the flesh.

This is my opinion.

Thank you for your opinion. It is not true.
The Bible does not support such an opinion.

I suppose the statue of Mary is also the same to you.

There is no difference between bowing before an image or idol, and bowing before any relic.
This guy is...

Kneeling to "Queen of heaven"​

Says the caption.

 

[Grip Docility]

Thank you for your opinion. It is not true.
The Bible does not support such an opinion.

I suppose the statue of Mary is also the same to you.

There is no difference between bowing before an image or idol, and bowing before any relic.
This guy is...

Kneeling to "Queen of heaven"​

Says the caption.

Actually, out of Protestant hostility towards Catholics, the guy that posted this picture ripped this scene from context and wrote the following underneath this internet hit that you found; “Hail Holy Queen, Kneeling to "Queen of heaven" idol worship”.

Do you know the man’s heart that is kneeling in the picture? The person that posted the picture claims to.

I see some random guy getting his flesh judged, by accusers of the brethren for the sake of condemning siblings in Jesus.

That is my opinion.

 

[Aaron112]

For so-called siblings who want to follow Jesus, do not practice idolatry in any group.

Else Jesus Says "Why call Me Lord, but do not do as I tell you?"

 

[Clare73]

I provided the link, so that you can see for yourself.
Strong's Greek: 5537. χρηματίζω (chrématizó) -- to transact business, to make answer

They "were called" Christians because Christianity was their chief business?

 

[Grip Docility]

For so-called siblings who want to follow Jesus, do not practice idolatry in any group.

Else Jesus Says "Why call Me Lord, but do not do as I tell you?"

So-called? Practice idolatry?

Is this accusation the Love that reveals us to be His disciples?

 

[Aaron112]

I posted previously only to those who want to follow Jesus.

Not an accusation against those who do not.

Siblings may be siblings and yet not follow Jesus.
Some might, while others do not.
Watch them and see. Ask them , they might answer.

 

[Valletta]

How do you know that God approves any image made and used in worship?


I'm glad you asked.
In the verses, previous to the one I referenced, Jesus said, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. ... But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him." John 4:21, 23

So, worship was not required to be in any particular location, building, or beach.
The apostles, met in houses.

he two cherubims of gold on the mercy seat and the crosses that so many Christian denominations put atop of or in front of their churches are acceptable and pleasing to God. As to places to meet, Christianity was persecuted in the Roman Empire until the time of Constantine, so Christians met for mass on Sunday in secret. Once freedom of religion was allowed, after some thought, Christians built their church buildings to be quite ornate on the inside. Catholics don't just use images, if you read Revelation you will find other things, like incense, used in the mass.

 

[CoreyD]

Actually, out of Protestant hostility towards Catholics, the guy that posted this picture ripped this scene from context and wrote the following underneath this internet hit that you found; “Hail Holy Queen, Kneeling to "Queen of heaven" idol worship”.

Do you know the man’s heart that is kneeling in the picture? The person that posted the picture claims to.

I see some random guy getting his flesh judged, by accusers of the brethren for the sake of condemning siblings in Jesus.

That is my opinion.

Well there are thousands of images of persons bowing to and kneeling to a statue of Mary.
I though the caption was fitting, since you can't tell me the difference between one bowing to an idol of Kali, the Queen of Heavens, or Mary.
I did not want to ask again, since a blank fills in nothing.