I have my doubts that Catholicism is Christianity

[Hiddenthings]

@Origen what's sad about your understanding is you missed what was meant by Stephen saying, "receive my Spirit", because it goes on to tell you what the spirit (breath) was...

"Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Ac 7:60.

His last breath was to utter these words and to give them to Christ who was standing at the right hand of the Father on High.

After this, he fell asleep in the Lord and died.

In God’s mercy, he drew his final breath and now rests, awaiting the great trumpet of God that will call him forth from the memorial grave (1 Thess 4:13, 15).

Stephen will awaken to behold with awe the face of the man who once led his persecution. Acts chapter 8 begins, "Saul was consenting unto his death" a phrase that, fittingly, belongs at the conclusion of chapter 7. What unspeakable joy will be Stephen’s when he sees that his prayer and sacrifice were not in vain, and that countless souls (lives) were stirred by his unwavering devotion and faith.

Among those standing with Stephen will be the apostle Paul, himself now a recipient of the "crown of righteousness." In that day, it will be said with full truth that Christ is our peace he who has made both one, and broken down the dividing wall between them (Ephesians 2:14).

You have much learn of the true Gospel of God.

 

[Hiddenthings]

And, then I responded.

Stephen was a human, and humans have a physical body and an immortal spiritual soul within their body.

Wow that didn't take long!

 

[Hiddenthings]

What you fail to see is that Stephen, like his Master, was offering his spirit (Greek pneuma), expressed through a character marked by supreme courage, faith, and wholehearted commitment to God, as a sacrifice on Christ’s altar.

You have twisted this beautiful expression into one of self-interest, which shows the destructive nature of false teaching.

 

[Hiddenthings]

Stephen did display supreme courage, faith, and commitment, but he also had a God-given soul [spirit].

I'm sorry to see that you've been misled by this teaching. From here, your response appears to slip into confirmation bias, and it's disappointing that there's little genuine engagement with the message of Acts 7.

What you're revealing is just how deep this deception runs, it leads people to believe they possess something they do not. Even more concerning, it shifts the burden back onto God, as if he owes salvation to those who believe themselves worthy of it.

You couldn't discern Stephens Spirit
You failed to understand what it means to "fall asleep"
You failed to understand the death state
And much more....

If you ever want to enter the Word to gain insight I'm here for now.

God be with you and your reading

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

Lazarus's soul couldn't have gone to Heaven after he physically died, because Jesus hadn't died and reopened the gates of Heaven yet. So, that means while Lazarus was physically dead, his soul would've been in Limbo, a dwelling place for souls going to Heaven but who couldn't yet enter it.

He was in Abraham's Bosom which is not being in limbo, and of course Abraham's Bosom is no longer there now that people can get born again.

Jesus explains this in His teaching about the rich man and Lazarus

You say that each person isn't given a soul [spirit], and yet it's written "the spirit [soul] shall return to God Who gave it". (Ecc. 12:7)

It's very highly doubtful that someone claiming man has no soul could even be a Christian.

Why would they even bother with getting saved when they believe they'll cease to exist when they die?

That's like buying a firetruck when ya don't believe there is such a thing as fires

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

"Limbo" and "Abraham's Bosom" can be used interchangeably because it's the same place.

Chapter and verse showing where Jesus called "Abraham's Bosom" limbo?

Shouldn't we stick to calling things as Jesus did?

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

You already know the word "Limbo" isn't found in Scripture.

I know I was just bustin your chops!

Point being, others may not know that and get confused, so it's best to just repeat what the Lord says in His Word.

when speaking to people has referred to Abraham's Bosom by the name of "Limbo" as well.

Got any proof of that?

The Lord never talked to me about Abraham's Bosom now being called limbo

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

I actually do thanks to God. If you're genuinely interested, I recommend reading A Summa and Encyclopedia to Maria Valtorta’s Extraordinary Work.

Nah, that's doesn't prove anything.

You'de have to have a video of Jesus sitting next to the Father saying "You know, I think I'll start calling Abraham's Bosom limbo" and then of course any such video would not be able to be authenticated since the Lord does not allow the paparazzi in to the Throne Room

So called visions from Maria Valtorta, the Italian so called "mystic" is definitely no proof at all.
Mysticism does not come from the True Holy Spirit of the Jesus Christ of the Bible.

Lots of catholics fall for this stuff though as they are gullible and easily deceived. They do enjoy extra biblical sources which is par for those not following Truth as Jesus defines Truth. Jesus said only God's Word IS Truth (John 17:17)

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

Only to the unbelieving.

I'll stick with what the Lord Jesus has to say, thank you very much.

He uses the words "Abraham's Bosom" and "Limbo" interchangeably

Only in the imagination of the the mind of some "mystic"

Really called and said God's Word is THE only source of Truth (John 17:17)

Anything He says, whenever He says it, to whomever He says it, is Truth.

Yes and things being said that are different than what He has already said in His Word do not come from Him.

God does not change and He cannot lie so He's not going around saying things differently than what He has already said as this would make Him a liar.

You've obviously been deceived by that lady and her "mysticism" so whatever she claims "god" said is of course what you'll believe

 

[pandaflower]

We are told clearly how the system will be judged. This is no secret!

True. It is no secret God alone is judge.

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

We are told clearly how the system will be judged. This is no secret!

Which is a moot point for those falsely claiming man has no immortal soul

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

I'm just pointing out that Jesus is a living being and He continues to speak.

Yes, but He continues to speak based on what He has already said as He does not change and it's impossible for Him to lie.

Anything He says, whenever He says it, to whomever He says it, is Truth.

As long as it's based on what He has already said as He does not change and it's impossible for Him to lie.

He didn't change "Abraham's Bosom" to "Limbo". He uses both interchangeably.

Chapter and verse???

Any knowledge or information coming from any "mystic" is not of the Lord.

Do you truly believe that Jesus is a living being? Living beings, like Him, you, and me, have the freedom to act. Their thoughts, words, and actions aren't limited to any book, just as ours aren't. And, you have to truly trust that God will make known who His true spokespersons are. Don't fear.

There we have it folks - the door is now open to receive the dark saying of the devil

The Lord does not speak thru devils saying things that don't agree with what He has already said.

This is how and why the catholics have so much false doctrine!

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

He uses both interchangeably. That isn't lying...

Jesus does not call Abraham's bosom limbo.

Are these serious arguments you're giving me??

You're trying to con me in to believing what some catholic mystic claims which is not what the Lord says in His Word which IS Truth

I'll pass. No sense in leading that dog around anymore because he won't hunt!

Again, you already know the word "Limbo" isn't found in the Evangelist accounts.

It's not found in God's Word, because Jesus never called Abraham's bosom limbo.

There have been Catholics for over two thousand years, long before the first Protestant.

And that's how long they've been espousing false doctrine too.
(I'm not in agreement with so called reformed theology either as that is heresy just like catholic teachings)

In fact, the Lord warned in His Word that false teachers would be coming from within the church and those folks are how the catholic church came to be

They are not of the Body of Christ as they are just another false religious social club claiming to the the only way unto salvation as they teach in direct opposition to what the Lord teaches in His Word.

Acts 20:27-30
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

2 Peter 2:1-3
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying (contradicting, Not agreeing with) the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
And through covetousness (idolatry) shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.

2 Timothy 4:3,4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (teaching); but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Matthew 24:4,5
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in My Name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

*Many includes those claiming "I am anointed to speak for God" that are deceiving many (the catholic's popes)

1 Timothy 6:3-5 (see Luke 11:23 and 2 Peter 3:2)
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness (holiness); (Doctrine of Christ, aka Doctrine of the Apostles)
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil thoughts… Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

Jesus didn't change "Abraham's Bosom" to "Limbo". He uses both interchangeably. That isn't lying...

Jesus does not call Abraham's bosom limbo.

Not everything Jesus did was written (Jn. 21:25)

Used frequently by fringe cult groups to add to God's Word things God did not say

The Christian (Catholic) Church, guided by the Holy Spirit

thus are the reason you have a copy of The Bible.

Don't flatter yourself. Unto the Jews were committed the oracles of God - Romans 3:2

All biblical writers were Jewish except for Luke so not one catholic contributed anything to scripture.

Catholics were the one famously trying to PREVENT people from having a copy of the Bible.

And they MURDERED people for refusing to agreed with catholic false doctrine just like the reformers had people MURDERED for not agreeing with their false doctrine.

The reformers and the catholics are nothing but a demonic clown show that deceives people in to thinking they are right with the Lord when they actually are not due to following false doctrine.

 

[Hiddenthings]

So you’re relying on a parable where Jesus uses their false teaching to expose their error, to support your teaching? I suppose desperate times call for desperate measures. @Big Boy Johnson @Origen

 

[Hiddenthings]

Lots of catholics fall for this stuff though as they are gullible and easily deceived. They do enjoy extra biblical sources which is par for those not following Truth as Jesus defines Truth. Jesus said only God's Word IS Truth (John 17:17)

It is noteworthy that Luke 16:19-31 mentions neither heaven nor souls

Here what you should be saying "Lots of Christians including myself fall for this stuff though as they are gullible and easily deceived"

Talk about running away with your own preconceived notions!

 

[Hiddenthings]

You say that each person isn't given a soul [spirit], and yet it's written "the spirit [soul] shall return to God Who gave it". (Ecc. 12:7)

Yes, a breath given and a breath received.

So God gave you to you before you even existed? Now you’re claiming to be a preexistent god too?

The things people come up with in the name of Christianity.

 

[Hiddenthings]

A preexistent god? lol. Are you overthinking on purpose to create a "problem" where this is none? A soul is a spirit given to each of us by God and it resides within our physical body.

Quote please

 

[Hiddenthings]

@Origen

It is noteworthy that Luke 16:19-31 mentions neither heaven nor souls

Is this true?

 

[Hiddenthings]

A preexistent god? lol. Are you overthinking on purpose to create a "problem" where this is none? A soul is a spirit given to each of us by God and it resides within our physical body.

The evidence you're being asked to provide is a clear passage of Scripture that teaches the immortality of the soul. I can show you many verses stating that the soul dies, you only need to produce one that plainly says it is immortal.