@ReformedToRome Early creeds, including the Nicene Creed, say Jesus was "born of the Virgin Mary," which speaks of birth from her, not merely gestation in her.
@ReformedToRome The Council of Ephesus (431) affirmed Mary as Theotokos ("God-bearer" or "Mother of God"), a title that assumes she was the real mother of Jesus in his humanity.
@ReformedToRome Luke 1:31 and Matthew 1:16–18 present Mary as the mother of Jesus, and the genealogies in Luke 3 are often read as tracing Jesus' human ancestry through Mary's line.
@ReformedToRome Luke 1:35 says the Holy Spirit will "come upon" Mary and the child will be called holy, which describes divine action in the conception, not the removal of Mary's biological role.
@GrZmNkY09@DividonBX@SoWhatAaaand 7. It sounds like you’ve jumped in, but I just want to remind you that you don’t have to go it alone. There are communities, churches, missions, and other options available to you. Just sharing my thoughts. Good night!
@GrZmNkY09@DividonBX@SoWhatAaaand 6 Jesus went to the cross alone in a lot of ways, but never without the Father, Mary, St John, and Mary Magadeline (John 16:32), and never without community: the twelve, the women, the house in Bethany. Following Him means leaving a lot behind, not doing it by yourself.
@GrZmNkY09@DividonBX@SoWhatAaaand 5 “Ask and it will be given” is true, but Jesus also said not to test God (Matt 4:7). Trusting God is not the same as skipping the doctor, the paycheck, or your duty to the people who depend on you.
@GrZmNkY09@DividonBX@SoWhatAaaand 4 Even Jesus and the twelve kept a common purse, and women funded their ministry (Luke 8:1-3). Giving up everything didn’t mean having no provision or no people.
@GrZmNkY09@DividonBX@SoWhatAaaand 3 Paul told the Thessalonians that if anyone won’t work, he shouldn’t eat (2 Thess 3:10). He told Timothy that whoever doesn’t provide for his own household has denied the faith (1 Tim 5:8).
@GrZmNkY09@DividonBX@SoWhatAaaand 2 Peter still had a house in Capernaum (Mark 1:29) and a boat after following Jesus. Paul made tents so he wouldn’t burden anyone (Acts 18:3). “Give up everything” and “work with your hands” both live inside the apostolic life.
@GrZmNkY09@DividonBX@SoWhatAaaand 1 Luke 14:33 is real, and it’s one of the hardest verses in the Gospels. Jesus meant it, and it shouldn’t be watered down into nothing. But the full New Testament shows more than one pattern. Here’s my feedback.
@GrZmNkY09@DividonBX@SoWhatAaaand 3 I’m Catholic. I remember the wheat & the tares (Matt 13:24–30). Tares are no reason to leave. Even the apostles fought infiltrators (Gal 2:4, Jude 4). Stay in the Body of Christ, stand firm, and leave the harvest to Jesus. Don’t isolate. Come back. You’re part of the Bride! ✝️
@GrZmNkY09@DividonBX@SoWhatAaaand Many Judases have infiltrated the churches trying to destroy them: Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican,Methodist, etc “Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” 1 Pet 5:8 He’s clearing the way for the Antichrist.Stay in the fight. I am✝️⛪️☦️
@GrZmNkY09@DividonBX@SoWhatAaaand 1. Appreciate that, brother, and I respect the honesty. Many notice the gap between what they read and what they see practiced, but few say it. That’s a lonely road. I hope God leads you to safe harbor. I hear you and wish you well on it.