By our love for one another . This would eliminate some parochialism and minimize differences. It was the good samaritan that exhibited some of this.
Yes, they will know we are Christians by our love. But unity also reveals something important:
20 “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us,
so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17:20–22
Unity is how we will convince the world that Jesus came from the Father. The disunity that exists only fuels the lie that the faith lacks authenticity. It is the evil one’s way of fostering unbelief.
Code:
You don't reach a consensus with the unregenerated.
Unfortunately, this is exactly what is happening with so many mainline congregations caving in to modernism.
Where do you begin context , vs 37 or 42 or 54 ? Why not verse 1? When you limit the text then eisegesis is aided. I feel you miss the entire subject of the chapter.
This is an excellent question. For Catholics, the context is the Church, because the NT was written by, for, and about the Church. This is why we read it through the lens of sacred tradition. It is best understood from the point of view of those who wrote it - their lived experience, which is Catholic.
This is why, when we read John 6, we understand it literally, because that is what those who produced the text believe.
Capital “A” yes, for they were the twelve (Paul replaced Judas in my opinion).
So you believe that Peter missed the mark with his prayers, and made a mistake enrolling Matthias? Basically what you are saying is that Jesus did not keep his promise to guide the Church into “all truth”.
What I find odd is that the account of the selection of a replacement for Judas would be included in Scripture with no indication that it was a mistake, or a sin. Other passages that describe behavior against the will of the Spirit make it clear. Why is that missing?
There were many more than the 12 Apostles, and there were years between the death of Christ and the emergence of Paul.
No the sent ones are with us today, especially since folks must be hearing and getting saved for John also says everyone who believes He came in the flesh and is the Son of God, and has love in his heart, is of God.
Do you think that the first bishops were also in error, that they were meant to succeed the Apostles, and their authority?
Hi benhur: If you read Acts 1:15-26 you will find that Matthias was chosen to replace Judas, not Paul.
I think what he is saying is that Peter just did a dumb thing that was contrary to God’s will.
You see according to Acts peter said that the one chosen to replace Judas had to be one who was of their company while the Lord was alive from the baptism of the Lord Jesus till the day he was taken up. and so be named as witness with them to Jesus’s resurrection. Paul therefore does not fit as an Apostle since he was not of those who were with Jesus when he was alive and witnessed Christ’s resurrection.
I agree with your point, but Paul is clearly an Apostle, though he speaks of himself as one untimely born, he fits nonetheless. He could not qualify as one of the 12, a special group of Apostles.
Yes, thank you . So you think Mathias is one of the twelve mentioned in Revelations as our foundation ? The CC has no definitive answer. No consensus reached, yet. We are still free to believe either way. Cool.
No, Ben, this is false. The CC as well as all the Apostolic Churches (EO and OO) that were founded by Apostles receive Matthias as the replacement for Judas. This is part of the deposit of faith that we are not at liberty to change or dispute with a different “opinion”.
Yes, Matthias is one of the 12, and as such, will participate in the prophesies of Christ, as revealed in the book of Revelation.
Thank you, but who set up the qualifications ? Saul did not know Jesus personally but Paul certainly did. He was also “tutored” for three years by our Lord.
The qualifications were revealed to Peter by the Holy Spirit as he prayed about what to do. The Apostles all then prayed together, and trusted God to reveal who God had already chosen.
You are right, Paul did encounter the risen Christ, and was taught by Christ Himself through visions in Arabia. There is no doubt that Paul was “qualified” by Christ to be an Apostle. he was just not one of the 12. There were other Apostles also that were not of the 12.
2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles. 2 Peter 3:2–3
. 5 I think that I am not in the least inferior to these superlative apostles. 2 Corinthians 11:4–6
7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners; they are men of note among the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.Romans 16:7–8
Acts 13 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly…14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying…Acts 14
And many more whose names are lost forever.
