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Dear Catholic Convert Message Board Members, I thank you for your patience in bearing with me as I now respond to some questions and comments. Because of the vast number of responses to my posts, I cannot possibly answer all of them. Also, some were particularly un-Christ-like in tone and spirit, and as such, I will not be responding to those. I would remind you all, that I have not participated in childish name calling, nor will I lower myself to engage in such reprehensible behavior. I will use only Scripture as my guide, comparing its fulfillment with the official teachings of the Church of Rome as my proof. Thus far no one has been able to refute my sources. And how could you? They are the authoritative teachings of your Magisterium. By them you stand and by them you fall. I would like to preface my answers by quoting The Fifth Lateran Council, Session 11, December 19, 1516, section 2, "………nor shall [preachers and teachers] presume to announce or predict in their sermons any fixed time of future evils, the coming of Antichrist, or the day of the last judgment…….." The astute reader will note that this authoritative decree came one year before the advent of Martin Luther's 95 Theses, acknowledged by many as the unofficial start of the Protestant Reformation. A prophetic movement of gigantic proportions had to have reared its head, before Luther came on the scene, to cause the Magisterium's alarm. So loud was this outcry from the people and priesthood that the Papacy and Holy See were forced to enact measures to silence it. For those readers ignorant of Church history, that prophetic movement was composed of both Catholics and non-Catholics alike who preached the Antichrist had come - he is the Bishop of Rome. The list of Catholic groups who opposed the wickedness of the Papacy, calling it Antichrist, may be found in any Catholic Encyclopedia. Of course, their own Savonarola was burned shortly before the enacting of this decree for refusing to give the Pope obeisance, warning the laity that "Babylon is Rome." Pope Alexander VI. is historically acknowledged by all as one of the most lewd and evil Popes ever to hold the 'Holy' Office. He is renown for having said of Savonarola, "even were he a second John the Baptist," he must die! For a view of the infamous Renaissance painting depicting the burning of Savonarola, please go to http://www.iconbusters.com/iconbusters/works/works-photo11.htm For readers interested in reading original rare documents which detail the prophetic teachings of the pre-Reformation Christians, please go to http://www.iconbusters.com/iconbusters/rare.htm The discussion we are now having on the identity of the Antichrist would not have been allowed in 16th century Papal Europe. Nor would a discussion on the interpretation of the Revelation be permitted. RichF, (Richard Foley?), writes, "I always thought the mark of the beast was '666', not the cross of Christ." I respond: The mark of the Beast in Rev. 13:16-17 is differentiated from the name of the Beast, as well as from the number of his name. Please re-read the text. We have not yet broached the subject of the name of the Beast, which I will do in another post, Lord willing. The literal cross of Christ was never viewed as an object of veneration in Scripture. Neither is there one instance in Scripture where an Apostle or Christ signs himself or signs others in the sign of the cross. In the days of the ancient Romans the cross was an infamous object to all, signifying their relentless cruelty and amoral condition. The cross, upon which bodies hung, was a visible means by which the Romans could instill fear, insuring obedience of the people. In similar fashion, the Roman Catholic Church regularly held public burnings of so-called 'heretics,' including innocent Savonarola, and innocent backsliding 'New Christians.' These so-called depraved 'Acts of Faith,' would instill much fear of the Church. The people were compelled to attend as a reminder of what could await those who opposed the 'true Church' and 'true faith.' That Satan has taken a despised instrument of torture and death, the cross, representative of one of the most detested, unjust nations on earth, and turned it into an object of veneration by millions of professing Christians is incredible. Along those same lines I would call the attention of the readers to http://www.iconbusters.com/iconbusters/works/works-photo3.htm Why, in the name of Jesus, is there a pagan phallic idol in the center of St. Peter's Square? What on earth does true Christianity have in common with an ancient Egyptian graven idol which was worshipped by Caligula, arguably one of the most despicable men to ever rule? Would you not be offended if your parish priest placed clay genitalia, made by Charles Manson, on his altar? Why then do you people allow such blasphemy in St. Peter's Square? Jmcrae writes, "Your only hope is if you are NOT baptized - oh, wait, the unbaptized go to Hell ...Damn! I thought maybe there was a way out for you! So sorry!" I respond: Jesus states otherwise. It is not the non-baptized who go to Hell, it is the unbelievers who go to Hell. The unbelievers are included among the baptized and non-baptized. "He who believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16). The thief on the cross is an example of one who was not baptized with water, yet he was with Christ that very day in Paradise. Please show me where Scripture describes the water baptism of the 12 Disciples, or Paul. Why is it the greatest baptizer of them all, St. John the Baptist, emphasized another baptism greater than his water baptism? "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall BAPTIZE you with the Holy Ghost and with FIRE." (Matt. 3:11). According to the infallible testimony of St. John the Baptist, filled with the Holy Ghost since his mother's womb, it is not the MARK, or CHARACTEREM, which Christ gives at His baptism. Rather it is the baptism of the Holy Ghost which is dispensed, not by water, but by FIRE. Unless one is FIRE BAPTIZED in the Holy Ghost, that one is not Christ's. It is that FIRE BAPTISM of the Holy Ghost which is spoken of in Ephesians 4:5: "One Lord [Jesus Christ], one faith [the testimony of Jesus Christ], and one baptism [the FIRE BAPTISM of THE HOLY GHOST by Jesus Christ], which are essential for salvation. All believers receive this supernatural baptism, but all believers do not necessarily receive water baptism unto repentance. The Holy Spirit intentionally bypasses mentioning any water baptism of the Disciples. Instead, He purposely focuses on the FIRE BAPTISM of the Apostles in the Upper Room. "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you………..And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a mighty rushing wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost……….." (Acts 1:8; 2:2-4). Lord willing, I will continue to respond to more questions in my next post.
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