It might have been a great opportunity. But in his address to the US Congress, the Pope did not mention “Jesus”, Neither did he use the therm “Christ” nor the Messiah.
If you believe the Pope represent the Messiah, maybe its time to open your eyes to truth. In his speech to the US Congressmen, the head of the Vatican did not mentioned Jesus. Not even once. Neither did he use the term “Christ”, nor the “Messiah”. The “holly see” used the term “God” nine times, and in the end he uttered “God bless America”.
People of all faiths could have put their signature to such a message.
There was basically not much worth reflection on, in the pontiffs address to the political leaders of the USA. Only the Popes defense of massmigration of Muslims from Syria, should be able to upset even religious Roman Catholics.
Under my signature, you find full text of the Popes address:
Written by Ivar
Mr. Speaker,
Honorable Members of Congress,
Dear Friends,
I am most grateful for your invitation to address this Joint Session of Congress in “the land of the free and the home of the brave”. I would like to think that the reason for this is that I too am a son of this great continent, from which we have all received so much and toward which we share a common responsibility.
Each son or daughter of a given country has a mission, a personal and social responsibility. Your own responsibility as members of Congress is to enable this country, by your legislative activity, to grow as a nation.
You are the face of its people, their representatives. You are called to defend and preserve the dignity of your fellow citizens in the tireless and demanding pursuit of the common good, for this is the chief aim of all politics. A political society endures when it seeks, as a vocation, to satisfy common needs by stimulating the growth of all its members, especially those in situations of greater vulnerability or risk. Legislative activity is always based on care for the people. To this you have been invited, called and convened by those who elected you.
Yours is a work which makes me reflect in two ways on the figure of Moses. On the one hand, the patriarch and lawgiver of the people of Israel symbolizes the need of peoples to keep alive their sense of unity by means of just legislation. On the other, the figure of Moses leads us directly to God and thus to the transcendent dignity of the human being. (APPLAUSE)
Moses provides us with a good synthesis of your work: you are asked to protect, by means of the law, the image and likeness fashioned by God on every human face.
Today I would like not only to address you, but through you the entire people of the United States. Here, together with their representatives, I would like to take this opportunity to dialogue with the many thousands of men and women who strive each day to do an honest day’s work, to bring home their daily bread, to save money and –one step at a time – to build a better life for their families. These are men and women who are not concerned simply with paying their taxes, but in their own quiet way sustain the life of society. (APPLAUSE)
They generate solidarity by their actions, and they create organizations which offer a helping hand to those most in need.
I would also like to enter into dialogue with the many elderly persons who are a storehouse of wisdom forged by experience, and who seek in many ways, especially through volunteer work, to share their stories and their insights. I know that many of them are retired, but still active; they keep working to build up this land. I also want to dialogue with all those young people who are working to realize their great and noble aspirations, who are not led astray by facile proposals, and who face difficult situations, often as a result of immaturity on the part of many adults. I wish to dialogue with all of you, and I would like to do so through the historical memory of your people.
My visit takes place at a time when men and women of goodwill are marking the anniversaries of several great Americans. The complexities of history and the reality of human weakness notwithstanding, these men and women, for all their many differences and limitations, were able by hard work and self-sacrifice – some at the cost of their lives – to build a better future. They shaped fundamental values which will endure forever in the spirit of the American people. A people with this spirit can live through many crises, tensions and conflicts, while always finding the resources to move forward, and to do so with dignity. These men and women offer us a way of seeing and interpreting reality. In honoring their memory, we are inspired, even amid conflicts, and in the here and now of each day, to draw upon our deepest cultural reserves.
I would like to mention four of these Americans: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton. (APPLAUSE)
This year marks the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, the guardian of liberty, who labored tirelessly that “this nation, under God, [might] have a new birth of freedom”. Building a future of freedom requires love of the common good and cooperation in a spirit of subsidiarity and solidarity.
All of us are quite aware of, and deeply worried by, the disturbing social and political situation of the world today. Our world is increasingly a place of violent conflict, hatred and brutal atrocities, committed even in the name of God and of religion. We know that no religion is immune from forms of individual delusion or ideological extremism. This means that we must be especially attentive to every type of fundamentalism, whether religious or of any other kind. A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellectual freedom and individual freedoms. (APPLAUSE)
But there is another temptation which we must especially guard against: the simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil; or, if you will, the righteous and sinners. The contemporary world, with its open wounds which affect so many of our brothers and sisters, demands that we confront every form of polarization which would divide it into these two camps. We know that in the attempt to be freed of the enemy without, we can be tempted to feed the enemy within. To imitate the hatred and violence of tyrants and murderers is the best way to take their place. That is something which you, as a people, reject. (APPLAUSE)
Our response must instead be one of hope and healing, of peace and justice. We are asked to summon the courage and the intelligence to resolve today’s many geopolitical and economic crises. Even in the developed world, the effects of unjust structures and actions are all too apparent. Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the well-being of individuals and of peoples. We must move forward together, as one, in a renewed spirit of fraternity and solidarity, cooperating generously for the common good. (APPLAUSE)
The challenges facing us today call for a renewal of that spirit of cooperation, which has accomplished so much good throughout the history of the United States. The complexity, the gravity and the urgency of these challenges demand that we pool our resources and talents, and resolve to support one another, with respect for our differences and our convictions of conscience.
In this land, the various religious denominations have greatly contributed to building and strengthening society. It is important that today, as in the past, the voice of faith continue to be heard, for it is a voice of fraternity and love, which tries to bring out the best in each person and in each society. Such cooperation is a powerful resource in the battle to eliminate new global forms of slavery, born of grave injustices which can be overcome only through new policies and new forms of social consensus.
Politics is, instead, an expression of our compelling need to live as one, in order to build as one the greatest common good: that of a community which sacrifices particular interests in order to share, in justice and peace, its goods, its interests, its social life. I do not underestimate the difficulty that this involves, but I encourage you in this effort. (APPLAUSE)
Here too I think of the march which Martin Luther King led from Selma to Montgomery fifty years ago as part of the campaign to fulfill his “dream” of full civil and political rights for African Americans.(APPLAUSE)
That dream continues to inspire us all. I am happy that America continues to be, for many, a land of “dreams”. (APPLAUSE)
Dreams which lead to action, to participation, to commitment. Dreams which awaken what is deepest and truest in the life of a people.
In recent centuries, millions of people came to this land to pursue their dream of building a future in freedom. We, the people of this continent, are not fearful of foreigners, because most of us were once foreigners. (APPLAUSE)
I say this to you as the son of immigrants, knowing that so many of you are also descended from immigrants. (APPLAUSE)
Tragically, the rights of those who were here long before us were not always respected. For those peoples and their nations, from the heart of American democracy, I wish to reaffirm my highest esteem and appreciation. Those first contacts were often turbulent and violent, but we know it is very difficult to judge the past by the criteria of the present.
(APPLAUSE)
Nonetheless, when the stranger in our midst appeals to us, we must not repeat the sins and the errors of the past.
(APPLAUSE)
We must resolve now to live as nobly and as justly as possible, as we educate new generations not to turn their back on our “neighbors” and everything around us. Building a nation calls us to recognize that we must constantly relate to others, rejecting a mindset of hostility in order to adopt one of reciprocal subsidiarity, in a constant effort to do our best. I am confident that we can do this.
Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War. This presents us with great challenges and many hard decisions. On this continent, too, thousands of persons are led to travel north in search of a better life for themselves and for their loved ones, in search of greater opportunities. Is this not what we want for our own children? (APPLAUSE)
We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation. To respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal. We need to avoid a common temptation nowadays: to discard whatever proves troublesome. Let us remember the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you (APPLAUSE) would have them do unto you” (Mt 7:12).
This Rule points us in a clear direction. Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated. Let us seek for others the same possibilities which we seek for ourselves. Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped ourselves. In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us. (APPLAUSE)
The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development. (APPLAUSE)
This conviction has led me, from the beginning of my ministry, to advocate at different levels for the global abolition of the death penalty. (APPLAUSE)
I am convinced that this way is the best, since every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with an inalienable dignity, and society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes. Recently my brother bishops here in the United States renewed their call for the abolition of the death penalty. Not only do I support them, but I also offer encouragement to all those who are convinced that a just and necessary punishment must never exclude the dimension of hope and the goal of rehabilitation. (APPLAUSE)
In these times when social concerns are so important, I cannot fail to mention the Servant of God Dorothy Day, who founded the Catholic Worker Movement. Her social activism, her passion for justice and for the cause of the oppressed, were inspired by the Gospel, her faith, and the example of the saints.
How much progress has been made in this area in so many parts of the world! How much has been done in these first years of the third millennium to raise people out of extreme poverty! I know that you share my conviction that much more still needs to be done, and that in times of crisis and economic hardship a spirit of global solidarity must not be lost. At the same time I would encourage you to keep in mind all those people around us who are trapped in a cycle of poverty. They too need to be given hope. The fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts, especially in its causes. I know that many Americans today, as in the past, are working to deal with this problem.
It goes without saying that part of this great effort is the creation and distribution of wealth. The right use of natural resources, the proper application of technology and the harnessing of the spirit of enterprise are essential elements of an economy which seeks to be modern, inclusive and sustainable. “Business is a noble vocation, directed to producing wealth and improving the world. It can be a fruitful source of prosperity for the area in which it operates, especially if it sees the creation of jobs as an essential part of its service to the common good” (Laudato Si’, 129). (APPLAUSE)
This common good also includes the earth, a central theme of the encyclical which I recently wrote in order to “enter into dialogue with all people about our common home” (ibid., 3). “We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all” (ibid., 14).
In Laudato Si’, I call for a courageous and responsible effort to “redirect our steps” (ibid., 61), and to avert the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by human activity. I am convinced that we can make a difference, I am sure. (APPLAUSE)
And I have no doubt that the United States – and this Congress – have an important role to play. Now is the time for courageous actions and strategies, aimed at implementing a “culture of care” (ibid., 231) and “an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature” (ibid., 139). (APPLAUSE)
“We have the freedom needed to limit and direct technology” (ibid., 112); “to devise intelligent ways of… developing and limiting our power” (ibid., 78); and to put technology “at the service of another type of progress, one which is healthier, more human, more social, more integral” (ibid., 112). In this regard, I am confident that America’s outstanding academic and research institutions can make a vital contribution in the years ahead.
(APPLAUSE)
A century ago, at the beginning of the Great War, which Pope Benedict XV termed a “pointless slaughter”, another notable American was born: the Cistercian monk Thomas Merton. He remains a source of spiritual inspiration and a guide for many people. In his autobiography he wrote: “I came into the world. Free by nature, in the image of God, I was nevertheless the prisoner of my own violence and my own selfishness, in the image of the world into which I was born. That world was the picture of Hell, full of men like myself, loving God, and yet hating him; born to love him, living instead in fear of hopeless self-contradictory hungers”. Merton was above all a man of prayer, a thinker who challenged the certitudes of his time and opened new horizons for souls and for the Church. He was also a man of dialogue, a promoter of peace between peoples and religions.
From this perspective of dialogue, I would like to recognize the efforts made in recent months to help overcome historic differences linked to painful episodes of the past. It is my duty to build bridges and to help all men and women, in any way possible, to do the same. When countries which have been at odds resume the path of dialogue – a dialogue which may have been interrupted for the most legitimate of reasons – new opportunities open up for all. This has required, and requires, courage and daring, which is not the same as irresponsibility. A good political leader is one who, with the interests of all in mind, seizes the moment in a spirit of openness and pragmatism. A good political leader always opts to initiate processes rather than possessing spaces (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 222-223). (APPLAUSE)
Being at the service of dialogue and peace also means being truly determined to minimize and, in the long term, to end the many armed conflicts throughout our world. (APPLAUSE)
Here we have to ask ourselves: Why are deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood. In the face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the problem and to stop the arms trade. (APPLAUSE)
Three sons and a daughter of this land, four individuals and four dreams: Lincoln, liberty; Martin Luther King, liberty in plurality and non-exclusion; Dorothy Day, social justice and the rights of persons; and Thomas Merton, the capacity for dialogue and openness to God.
Four representatives of the American people.
I will end my visit to your country in Philadelphia, where I will take part in the World Meeting of Families. It is my wish that throughout my visit the family should be a recurrent theme. How essential the family has been to the building of this country! (APPLAUSE)
And how worthy it remains of our support and encouragement! Yet I cannot hide my concern for the family, which is threatened, perhaps as never before, from within and without. Fundamental relationships are being called into question, as is the very basis of marriage and the family. I can only reiterate the importance and, above all, the richness and the beauty of family life. (APPLAUSE)
In particular, I would like to call attention to those family members who are the most vulnerable, the young. For many of them, a future filled with countless possibilities beckons, yet so many others seem disoriented and aimless, trapped in a hopeless maze of violence, abuse and despair. Their problems are our problems. (APPLAUSE)
We cannot avoid them. We need to face them together, to talk about them and to seek effective solutions rather than getting bogged down in discussions. At the risk of oversimplifying, we might say that we live in a culture which pressures young people not to start a family, because they lack possibilities for the future.
Yet this same culture presents others with so many options that they too are dissuaded from starting a family. A nation can be considered great when it defends liberty as Lincoln did, when it fosters a culture which enables people to “dream” of full rights for all their brothers and sisters, as Martin Luther King sought to do; when it strives for justice and the cause of the oppressed, as Dorothy Day did by her tireless work, the fruit of a faith which becomes dialogue and sows peace in the contemplative style of Thomas Merton.
In these remarks I have sought to present some of the richness of your cultural heritage, of the spirit of the American people. It is my desire that this spirit continue to develop and grow, so that as many young people as possible can inherit and dwell in a land which has inspired so many people to dream.
God bless America! (APPLAUSE)
News that matters 
As a native Virginian and supporter of our Constitutional Republic I am highly offended that this wolf would address a joint session of Congress. He is no friend of America, freedom or liberty, he is a servant of satan.
Sickning speech by the pope. He honored Lincoln a known deist, others claimed he was baptized before death into the Roman Catholic Church, M. Luther King Jr. a closet catholic (there are photos of him with the pope in his day) and he was ecumenical, some claim a Jesuit. He was a social activist. Dorothy Day was a social activist, socialist (communist), Catholic convert and believed in the redistribution of wealth among other communist ideas. Thomas Merton the most frightening of them all, as the world’s churches are into mystics, monks and contemplative prayer big time! He was a Catholic writer and mystic (would that not be called witchcraft?). A social activist and believed in social justice just like Obama. The worse thing ever that is well known is the connection of Hitler and the pope of his time (who cares what their names are). “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13 and “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prundent (clever) in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink. Which justify THE WICKED FOR REWARD, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!” Isaiah 5:20-23 Most of Christiandom has no clue!!
nannette!;, “Most of Christendom has no clue!!” AMEIN!!!
Dear Nannette
Shalom and love in Jesus.
It was interesting, that the Pope honored Thomas Merton. He was a Catholic who belived in unity with Buddhists. He died in 1968 during an affair with an interfaith conference in Bangkok, being electrocuted by a fan, that came in touch with water in his bathroom.
This is the proof Pope is Satan’s agent. he is against God. and also a anti Christmas. .
Pope is the False Prophet mentioned in Rev 13:11..watch till the end.
I believe the pope is the antichrist..he is soon signing with the PLO to devide Jerusalem , deviding G-d land. the catholic put Islam into business. they helped Hitler and his buddies escape. He stood looking down from the vatican knowing the Jews were being killed. He has the OTHER JESUS that G-d warned of in Co. HE does not have the gospel of Christ the L-rd. HE wants to agree with hell that global warming is true, which will make more hunger and hell on the earth. Genesis tells us G-d’s harvests and season will never change. IT was depresing to see him in the US…Only G-d’s Word is truth..so we stay in the word, HE IS THE WORD and pray without ceasing and lets help more to Get the Jews home where G-d will protect them. we know Iran, Syria, US , and any place in the world does Not have the last word..Shalom
I agree with you “mama bear,” that he is an anti christ. And I thank G-d, Adoni, Jesus took me out of Catholicism. But there has been some prophecy out there by Christians, that he is the “False Prophet,” and will lead many (Probably Catholics) directly to the antichrist. I believe the antichrist is a muslim from the middle east. Although, I also believe he will step foot on American soil.
Golda, what you put on this website is FALSE TEACHING. Have some discernment please. What did Jesus say? And Jesus answered and said unto them, “Take heed that no man deceive you, many shall come in My Name, saying, I Am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Matt. 24:4&5 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. For there shall arise false Christ’s, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matt. 24:11&24. I’m speaking here of the Blood Moon craziness that is all over the internet. The 3 men that started this are: Johnathan Cahn (into the Kabbala), Mark Blitz (El Shaddai Ministries is into the Hebrew roots movement, and where is the GOSPEL? The Hebrew Roots movement is NO different that Seventh Day Adventism-which has been proclaimed a cult for many years), and John Haggee (teaches Jews don’t need the gospel). All of these men are false teachers!
Shalom Nannette,
I hope you understand that there is a difference between Hebraic Perspective ministries and Hebrew Roots ministries and that not all Hebrew Roots ministries are that similar to the SDA. The Hebraic Perspective does teach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and believes the Torah is valid for the believer today, and will be in full mode when Messiah reigns for the 1,000 years before the new heaven and earth come. There are a number of good Hebraic Perspective ministries on the web today, one I am familiar with is http://seedofabraham.net and would recommend that one for those interested in knowing more about it.
Kalev Efayim, What I said still stands, they are all false prophets! Listen carefully. I’m a gentile and what did the apostles say? “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught that brethren, except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved, When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension (argument) and disputation (debate) with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, thy passes through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. And they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, that it was needful to circumcise them, and to command to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together to consider the matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the world of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us. And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” Acts 15:1-10. James continues and says, “Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God. But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled and from blood.” Acts 15:19&20. Show me Kalev in the New Testament that we are to keep the Sabbath. Show me Kalev that we are to become circumcised, to obey the Torah, the laws, wear prayer shawls, and kippas. Paul and Peter had a big falling out about this very thing. “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles. But when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles TO LIVE AS DO THE JEWS? . Galatians 2:11&12. Are you separating from other believer’s like Peter did? I would recommend reading all of Galatians. Blessings
Why did you leave out verse 21 of Acts 15? “For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” Moses received the Torah from God and wrote it down, so that it could be taught every Sabbath, that is what James was referring to in this verse. Going back to verse 20, “…that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication…” This comes from Torah, Leviticus 18:6-23. And “…and from what is strangled and from blood.” again Torah, Leviticus 17:14.
Matthew 19:14-30 (HNV), “Behold, one came to him and said, ‘Good Rabbi, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?’ Yeshua said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ Yeshua said, ‘You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not offer false testimony. Honor your father and mother. And, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?’ Yeshua said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions. Yeshua said to his disciples, ‘Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Looking at them, Yeshua said, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ Then Peter answered, ‘Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?’ Yeshua said to them, ‘Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life. But many will be last who are first; and first who are last.’”
Mark 12:28-31, “28 One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” 29 Jesus answered, ‘The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; 30 AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ (Deut 6:4-5) 31 The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ (Lev 19:18) There is no other commandment greater than these.’”
John 5:39-47, 39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. 41 “I do not receive glory from men; 42 but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. 43 “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? 45 “Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. 46 “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. 47 “But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
So we see Jesus teaching from the Torah!
James 2:14-24, 14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one you do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” (Genesis 15:6) and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
1 Peter 2:9 & 10, “9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE (Deut. 10:15), A royal PRIESTHOOD (Isa. 61:6), A HOLY NATION (Ex. 19:6; Deut .7:6), A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION (Ex. 19:5), so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (Isa. 9:2; 42:6); 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. (Hosea 1:10; 2:23)”
Looks like James and Peter also teaching from the Torah, with Peter including the Prophets!
Clearly circumcision is not required! As for wearing prayer shawl and kippas, that is strictly Rabbinic Judaism, totally unrelated to faith in Jesus as Rabbinic Judaism totally rejects Jesus as the Messiah.
Christians must be careful to properly consider whether or not to the Law of Moses has been done away. Those who claim the Ten Commandments are still in force dismiss the fourth commandment — the seventh day Sabbath — without giving it any thought whatsoever. Why is that? Consider, for a moment, the following:
1.) Jesus stated emphatically that He didn’t come to do away with the law. (Mat.5:17)
2.) The Sabbath commandment carries the death penalty. “Thou shalt not steal” doesn’t carry the death penalty; “thou shalt not bear false witness” doesn’t carry the death penalty; “thou shalt not covet” doesn’t carry the death penalty (unless it leads to adultery). Why are these commandments still in effect if keeping the seventh day Sabbath isn’t?
3.) Jesus said having faith and doing good works of numerous kinds wasn’t enough! (Mat. 7:22-23) We must also obey.
4.) Why did Paul tell the Colossians to ignore the local aesthetics who were criticizing them for enjoying the weekly Sabbath and other holydays of God?
Kalev Efayim, I did check out your website and Avram Yehoshua went to Oral Roberts University. He was a prosperity gospel teacher who pioneered tv evangelism, and also was a false prophet. Read this article for understanding. https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.thebereancall.org/content/how-oral-roberts-changed-religion&sa=U&ved=0CAUQFjAAahUKEwj16b3MsJPIAhVMpYgKHSBfCE0&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNHSlSRS_TZ_Gbm79_2e8NGAalnY7A
Yes, Elder Avram did attend ORU and left there too, rejecting his false gospel, if you read all of Avram’s article on that aspect of his past. I have researched Oral Robert’s theology and I believe he is a false teacher and prophet, but he will have to answer to God for his actions and deeds one day.
Ivar
You probably will not publish the homily of Pope Francis at Madison Square where the name of Jesus was mentioned nine (9) times and during mass seventeen (17) times Jesus Christ is mentioned.
That is a total of twenty six (26) times.
I guess your followers will be able to Google this very good homily.
Dear armorrcc
Shalom, and love in Jesus.
You jump the topic, to debate a different event. This is typical for religious people.
You are werey well aware that I write about Catholic masses. That I call it an abomination and blaspehemy against the living God. The “Jesus” of the Roman Catholic mass is not Jesus of the Bible.
The concerned article is about the Popes speech to the US Congress.
Yes it was a speech and not a sermon or homily – big difference.
The Pope however did touch on very important Christian values and morals such as abortion and family unity.
His goal was to guide Congress to make moral and ethical decisions based on the Truth as it is found in the Catholic Church.
As a matter of interest, you will be happy to know that Pope Francis at his final speech on his way back to Rome mentioned the name of Jesus five (5) times.
The pope is an antichrist.
Dear †disciple†
Shalom, and love in Jesus.
You wrote:
The pope is an antichrist.
My reply:
So what about all “Christians” who brand the Pope as a Christian leader?
Peace to you Ivar.
I am surprised you feel the need to ask this question
So what about all “Christians” who brand the Pope as a Christian leader?
because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
I believe many people who consider themselves Christians are deceived because of a lack of knowledge. The papacy has compromised to the point of no turning back. God Bless You. I apologize for taking so long to get back to you.
Der disciple
Shalom, and love in Jesus.
1 Corinthians 8:9-11
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling-block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.
(end of scriptures).
The weak brother, have litle knowledge. He watch CNN, read newspapers, and scroll and play on his smartphone for hours.
The weak brother most likely knows the basic that Jesus has died on the cross, and is risen from the grave. But he hardly open His bible, to eat the “bread of life”. When trouble and deceptions comes his way, he falls away. And eventually perish because of his lack of knowledge.