all Bible<\/em>, except for a few clarifying comments here and there. Subtitles sometimes differ from the published version. They are my own original titles.<\/p>\n*****<\/p>\n
\u201cFATHER\u201d AS A TITLE FOR PRIESTS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nActs 7:2<\/strong> And Stephen said: \u201cBrethren and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, . . .\u201d<\/p>\nRomans 4:12<\/strong>\u00a0. . . the father of the circumcised . . . our father Abraham . . .<\/p>\nRomans 4:16-17<\/strong>\u00a0. . . Abraham, for he is the father of us all, as it is written, \u201cI have made you the father of many nations . . .\u201d<\/p>\nRomans 9:10<\/strong> And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 4:15<\/strong>\u00a0For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.<\/p>\nPhilippians 2:22<\/strong> But Timothy\u2019s worth you know, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.<\/p>\nJames 2:21<\/strong> Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?<\/p>\nIn other words, Jesus\u2019 statement, \u201ccall no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven\u201d (Matthew 23:9) utilized the common Hebrew method of exaggeration or hyperbole (see Mt 19:24; 23:24; Lk 6:42; 14:26) to teach that God the Father is the ultimate source of all authority. Interpreting this absolutely literally would prohibit all<\/em> uses of the word father <\/em>whatsoever; even biological fathers. But Jesus Himself uses the term father<\/em> many times (Mt 15:4-6; 19:5, 19, 29; 21:31; Lk 16:24, 27, 30; Jn 8:56, etc.), and we see other examples above. Thus, the objection to calling Catholic priests father<\/em> must be discarded.<\/p>\nA related issue with some critics of Catholicism, is the address, \u201choly father\u201d as applied to popes (it is claimed that only God could be called that). All that remains, then, is to find \u201choly men\u201d referred to in the Bible. The writer of Hebrews calls the recipients of his epistle \u201choly brethren\u201d Peter refers to a \u201choly priesthood\u201d (1 Pet 2:5) and \u201choly women\u201d such as Sarah (1 Pet 3:5) and \u201choly prophets\u201d (2 Pet 3:2; cf. Acts 3:21 [also Peter]; Zechariah\u2019s prophecy in Luke 1:70). John the Baptist is referred to as a \u201crighteous and holy man\u201d (Mk 6:20). Jesus refers to a \u201crighteous man\u201d in Matthew 10:41. Therefore, men can be called \u201choly\u201d in Scripture, and by extension, since \u201cfather\u201d as an address for priests is perfectly biblical as well, the two could be put together for \u201choly father.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n1 Chronicles 27:33-34 <\/strong>Ahith\u2019ophel was the king\u2019s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king\u2019s friend. Ahith\u2019ophel was succeeded by Jehoi\u2019ada the son of Benai\u2019ah, and Abi\u2019athar. . . .<\/p>\nThis is an example of succession of office in the Old Testament.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>Acts 1:20-26 \u201c<\/strong>For it is written in the book of Psalms, \u2018Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it\u2019; and \u2018His office let another take.\u2019 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us \u2014 one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.\u201d And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsab\u2019bas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthi\u2019as. And they prayed and said, \u201cLord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou hast chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place.\u201d And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthi\u2019as; and he was enrolled with the eleven apostles.<\/p>\nEphesians 2:19-20<\/strong> . . . the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets . . .<\/p>\n1 Timothy 6:20<\/strong> O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you.<\/p>\n2 Timothy 1:6<\/strong> Hence I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands;<\/p>\n2 Timothy 1:13-14 <\/strong>Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.<\/p>\n2 Timothy 2:1-2<\/strong> You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.<\/p>\n2 Timothy 4:1-6<\/strong> I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come.<\/p>\nHebrews 7:5<\/strong> And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brethren, though these also are descended from Abraham.<\/p>\nBISHOPS\u00a0 (EPISKOPOS<\/em>)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nNumbers 4:16 <\/strong>And Elea\u2019zar the son of Aaron the priest shall have charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the continual cereal offering, and the anointing oil, with the oversight of all the tabernacle and all that is in it, of the sanctuary and its vessels.<\/p>\n2 Kings 11:18<\/strong> . . . And the priest posted watchmen over the house of the LORD.<\/p>\n2 Chronicles 34:12, 17<\/strong> And the men did the work faithfully. Over them were set Jahath and Obadi\u2019ah the Levites, of the sons of Merar\u2019i, and Zechari\u2019ah and Meshul\u2019lam, of the sons of the Ko\u2019hathites, to have oversight. . . . They have emptied out the money that was found in the house of the LORD and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers and the workmen.<\/p>\nNehemiah 11:9<\/strong> Jo\u2019el the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassen\u2019u-ah was second over the city.<\/p>\nIsaiah 60:17<\/strong> . . . I will make your overseers peace and your taskmasters righteousness.<\/p>\nAll of the above passages in the Old Testament are examples where the ancient Greek Septuagint translation of the Bible used the word episkopos<\/em>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nActs 1:20<\/strong> For it is written in the book of Psalms, \u2018Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it\u2019;
\nand \u2018His office let another take.\u2019<\/p>\nActs 20:28<\/strong> Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son.<\/p>\nPhilippians 1:1<\/strong> Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philip\u2019pi, with the bishops and deacons:<\/p>\n1 Timothy 3:1-5<\/strong> The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God\u2019s church?<\/p>\nTitus 1:5-9<\/strong> This is why I left you in Crete, that you might amend what was defective, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you, if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of being profligate or insubordinate. For a bishop, as God\u2019s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, master of himself, upright, holy, and self-controlled; he must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it.<\/p>\nThe New Testament refers basically to three types of permanent offices in the Church (apostles and prophets were to cease): bishops (episkopos<\/em>), elders (presbuteros<\/em>, from which are derived Presbyterian<\/em> and priest<\/em>), and deacons (diakonos<\/em>). The usual Greek word in Holy Scripture translated as elder<\/em> in English translations, is presbuteros<\/em> and its cognates (Acts 15:2-6; 21:18; 1 Tim 5:1-2, 17, 19; Titus 1:5; Heb 11:2; James 5:14; 1 Pet 5:1, 5; at least 18 times in the book of Acts in KJV). Protestants view these leaders as analogous to current-day pastors, while Catholics regard them as priests. KJV (according to Young\u2019s Concordance<\/em>) translates presbuteros<\/em> as elder<\/em> 62 times, and never as bishop<\/em>. But episkopos<\/em> and related words are never translated as elder<\/em>.<\/p>\nDeacons (often, minister<\/em> in English translations) are mentioned in the same fashion as Christian elders, with similar frequency (e.g., 1 Cor 3:5, Phil 1:1; 1 Thess 3:2; 1 Tim 3:8-13). Some argue that bishops<\/em>, elders<\/em>, and deacons<\/em> are all synonymous biblical terms for the same office: roughly that of today\u2019s conception of a pastor, and that bishops are no higher in rank than these other offices. But in Titus 1:5 the bishop is charged to \u201cappoint\u201d elders \u201cin every town.\u201d\u00a0 This suggests both hierarchy and regional administration or jurisdiction.<\/p>\nBishops and deacons are both mentioned in Philippians 1:1, which would be odd if they were synonymous.\u00a0 1 Timothy 3:1\u20137 also discusses bishops, then goes on to treat deacons separately in 3:8\u201310 (\u201cDeacons likewise\u2026\u201d). We would fully expect some overlapping or variability in function of ministers in the early Church, at the beginning of the development of ecclesiology.\u00a0 Even St. Paul called himself a \u201cminister\u201d or deacon (Greek: diakonos<\/em>) more than once (1 Cor 3:5; 4:1; 2 Cor 3:6; 6:4; 11:23; Eph 3:7; Col 1:23-25), but no one thinks that is all<\/em> he was. Likewise, St. Peter calls himself a fellow elder (1 Pet 5:1).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n1 Peter 2:25<\/strong> For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.<\/p>\nJesus Himself is referred to as episkopos<\/em>, thus demonstrating the analogy of authority and oversight in the Church. God is over all, and human beings also oversee the Church.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nINFALLIBLE CHURCH AND CONCILIAR AUTHORITY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nMatthew 10:20\u00a0 <\/strong>for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.<\/p>\nLuke 10:16<\/strong> He who hears you hears me . . .<\/p>\nLuke 12:12<\/strong> for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.<\/p>\nJohn 14:16-17<\/strong> And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.<\/p>\nJohn 14:26<\/strong> But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.<\/p>\nJohn 15:26<\/strong> But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me;<\/p>\nJohn 16:13<\/strong> When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; . . .<\/p>\nActs 15:1-30<\/strong> But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, \u201cUnless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.\u201d [2] And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. [3] So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoeni\u2019cia and Sama\u2019ria, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren. [4] When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. [5] But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up, and said, \u201cIt is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.\u201d [6] The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. [7] And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, \u201cBrethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. [8] And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us; [9] and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. [10] Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? [11] But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.\u201d [12] And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. [13] After they finished speaking, James replied, \u201cBrethren, listen to me. [14] Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. [15] And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written, [16] \u2018After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up, [17] that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, [18] says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.\u2019 [19] Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, [20] but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood. [21] For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues.\u2019 [22] Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsab\u2019bas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, [23] with the following letter: \u201cThe brethren, both the apostles and the elders, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cili\u2019cia, greeting. [24] Since we have heard that some persons from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, [25] it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, [26] men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. [27] We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. [28] For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: [29] that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.\u201d [30]\u00a0 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.<\/p>\nActs 16:4<\/strong> As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.<\/p>\nEphesians 3:10<\/strong> . . . through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.<\/p>\n\u201cEXCOMMUNICATION\u201d AND ANATHEMAS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nMatthew 16:19 . . . <\/strong>whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven . . . [St. Peter individually]<\/p>\nMatthew 18:15-17<\/strong> If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.<\/p>\nMatthew 18:18<\/strong> . . . whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven . . . [the disciples]<\/p>\nJohn 20:23<\/strong> . . . if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.<\/p>\nRomans 16:17<\/strong> I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them.<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 5:1-5 <\/strong>It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father\u2019s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body I am present in spirit, and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 16:22<\/strong> If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!<\/p>\n2 Corinthians 2:5-11<\/strong> But if any one has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure \u2013not to put it too severely \u2014 to you all. For such a one this punishment by the majority is enough; so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.\u00a0 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. Any one whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, to keep Satan from gaining the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his designs.<\/p>\nGalatians 1:8-9<\/strong> But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.<\/p>\n2 Thessalonians 3:6<\/strong> Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.<\/p>\n1 Timothy 1:19-20<\/strong> . . . By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made shipwreck of their faith, among them Hymenae\u2019us and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.<\/p>\n1 Timothy 5:20<\/strong> As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.<\/p>\n2 Timothy 2:16-18<\/strong> Avoid such godless chatter, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will eat its way like gangrene. Among them are Hymenae\u2019us and Phile\u2019tus, who have swerved from the truth by holding that the resurrection is past already. They are upsetting the faith of some.<\/p>\n2 Timothy 4:14-15<\/strong> Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will requite him for his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.<\/p>\nTitus 1:10-11 <\/strong>For there are many insubordinate men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially the circumcision party; they must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for base gain what they have no right to teach.<\/p>\nTitus 3:10<\/strong> As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him,<\/p>\nEXORCISM<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nMatthew 10:8<\/strong> Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. . . .<\/p>\nMark 3:14-15<\/strong> And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach and have authority to cast out demons:<\/p>\nMark 6:12-13<\/strong> So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.<\/p>\nMark 9:38-40<\/strong> John said to him, \u201cTeacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us.\u201d But Jesus said, \u201cDo not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is for us.\u201d<\/p>\nMark 16:17<\/strong> And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;<\/p>\nLuke 9:1<\/strong> And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,<\/p>\nLuke 10:17<\/strong> The seventy returned with joy, saying, \u201cLord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!\u201d<\/p>\nActs 19:12<\/strong> so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.<\/p>\nCHRISTIAN UNITY \/ CONDEMNATION OF SECTARIANISM, DENOMINATIONALISM, AND DIVISIVENESS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nMatthew 12:25 <\/strong>Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand<\/p>\nJohn 10:16\u00a0 . . .\u00a0 <\/strong>So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.<\/p>\nJohn 17:20-23 <\/strong>I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, 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.\u00a0 The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me.<\/p>\nActs 4:32<\/strong> Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, . . .<\/p>\nRomans 2:8<\/strong> but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury.<\/p>\nRomans 16:17<\/strong> I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them. (cf. 13:13)<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 1:10-13<\/strong> I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chlo\u2019e\u2019s people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. What I mean is that each one of you says, \u201cI belong to Paul,\u201d or \u201cI belong to Apol\u2019los,\u201d or \u201cI belong to Cephas,\u201d or \u201cI belong to Christ.\u201d Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 3:3-4<\/strong> . . . For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving like ordinary men? For when one says, \u201cI belong to Paul,\u201d and another, \u201cI belong to Apol\u2019los,\u201d are you not merely men?<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 10:17<\/strong> Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 11:16-19<\/strong> If any one is disposed to be contentious, we recognize no other practice, nor do the churches of God. But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.\u00a0 For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it,
\nfor there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 12:20-21<\/strong> As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, \u201cI have no need of you,\u201d nor again the head to the feet, \u201cI have no need of you.\u201d<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 12:25<\/strong> that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.<\/p>\n2 Corinthians 12:20<\/strong> For I fear that perhaps I may come and find you not what I wish, and that you may find me not what you wish; that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.<\/p>\nGalatians 5:19-20<\/strong> Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit,<\/p>\nEphesians 4:1-5<\/strong> I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism,<\/p>\nPhilippians 1:27<\/strong> Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,<\/p>\nPhilippians 2:2<\/strong> complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.<\/p>\n1 Timothy 6:3-5 <\/strong>If any one teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching which accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit, he knows nothing; he has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, and wrangling among men who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.<\/p>\n2 Timothy 2:23<\/strong> Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.<\/p>\nTitus 3:9-11<\/strong> But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.<\/p>\nJames 3:16<\/strong> For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.<\/p>\n2 Peter 2:1-2<\/strong> But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their licentiousness, and because of them the way of truth will be reviled.<\/p>\nSINNERS ARE PART OF THE CHURCH IN AN IMPERFECT FASHION<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nMatthew 13:24-30<\/strong> Another parable he put before them, saying, \u201cThe kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
\nSo when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the householder came and said to him, \u2018Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?\u2019 He said to them, \u2018An enemy has done this.\u2019 The servants said to him, \u2018Then do you want us to go and gather them?\u2019 But he said, \u2018No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.\u2019\u201d (cf. 3:12)<\/p>\nMatthew 13:47-50<\/strong> Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind;\u00a0 when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. (cf. 25:1-30)<\/p>\nJesus chose Judas as His disciple, even though He knew the future, and he was truly an apostle (Mt 10:1, 4; Mk 3:14; Jn 6:70-71; Acts 1:17).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Matthew 22:2, 10<\/strong> The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, . . . And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.<\/p>\nMatthew 23:2-3<\/strong> The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses\u2019 seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice.<\/p>\nLuke 22:31-34<\/strong> \u201cSimon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren.\u201d And he said to him, \u201cLord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.\u201d He said, \u201cI tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you three times deny that you know me.\u201d<\/p>\nActs 20:29-30<\/strong> I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 3:3<\/strong> for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving like ordinary men?<\/p>\n1 Corinthians 5:1<\/strong> It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father\u2019s wife.<\/p>\n
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