"it is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (John 6:63-64). So, if "the flesh is of no avail," why would we have to eat Jesus’ flesh in order to have eternal life? It does not make sense, until Jesus tells us that the words He speaks are "spirit." Jesus is saying that this is not a literal teaching, but a spiritual one.
The dating of the Sub Tuum Praesidium is genuinely debated, and Catholics often present the earliest possible date (around AD 250) as if it were universally accepted. The reality is more complicated.
Some scholars date the papyrus to AD 250–280. Other scholars have argued for dates such as; late third century, fourth century, even fifth century.
Even granting the earliest proposed date, the prayer proves only that some Christians in Egypt were praying to Mary by the mid-third century. It does not prove that Peter, Paul, John, or the apostolic churches practiced or taught prayer to Mary.
Some of the earliest Christian documents we possess are:
• the New Testament,
• 1 Clement,
• Ignatius,
• Polycarp,
• the Didache,
• the Epistle of Barnabas,
• the Shepherd of Hermas.
None contain prayers directed to Mary.
In the early church, even while the apostles were still alive, churches were falling into error and requiring correction. Many of the New Testament epistles were written specifically to address false teachings, doctrinal confusion, sinful practices, and spiritual compromise. We see the same pattern in Revelation 2–3, where Christ rebukes several churches for tolerating error and calls them to repentance.
Therefore, the mere existence of professing Christians engaging in a particular practice does not make that practice biblical or apostolic. The question is not, "Were some Christians doing it?" The question is, "Did God authorize it?"
This is precisely why God gave us the inspired Scriptures—to test every teaching and practice against His already revealed writtenWord (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). Christian truth is not determined by what some believers practiced, but by what God has spoken.
@Xtopher_Uzo But you used the bread verse to say he was a wafer that is infused with Jesus that a priest called down from heaven. So if the RC says he's bread then he must also be a literal door.
What Indians don't realize is that they didn't fall from the sky and land in America.
They migrated here just like Whites, the only difference is Whites created a country while they were too busy being savages.
Cope.
Btw, Why are you speaking in the White man's language and wearing our clothes?
If you're really about it speak your own language and go live in a teepee. 🤡
Forget it, Governor. In California this stuff about percentages is a dog and pony show. The media are a part of the charade, of course. It is a 100% certainty that a Democrat will win every major office. Every single time. There is no contest. It is just pure cheating every time.
Oh hey, when the police were called, did they then handcuff the Sikh woman for being raped? Did they laugh at her and tell her “Don’t think you were luv”?
Oh, and I see that this man was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. So considerably more justice done on behalf of the Sikh woman than was done on behalf of all those young white girls in Rotherham.
@SenThomTillis@SenatorCollins Senator Tillis,
34,000 dead voters are on the voter rolls in North Carolina.
What will it take for you to support the SAVE America Act to secure our elections?
Indianapolis Police chief is Tanya Terry. She was celebrated as the first gay woman to hold the position. Her prior experience includes being a member of the DEI Dept. The Indianapolis Police Dept posted this pride month message just 3 days ago