Cyril of Jerusalem, Lecture 18, Part B

Cyril of Jerusalem

Lecture 18, Part B

https://www.swrktec.org/catechism

“The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones.” — Ezekiel 37:1

Summary: St. Cyril continues discussion of the resurrection of human beings from the dead as well as its apologetic.  So far, he has limited himself to natural law and Torah; now he turns to all the Prophets and Apostles for authority.  Completing this topic, he concludes with an overview of the Church and its catholicity.

Preview:  13.  “And whence in the beginning came man into being at all…?  Go [Samaritans] to the first book of the Scripture, which even you receive; And God formed man of the dust of the ground.[i]  Is dust transformed into flesh, and shall not flesh be again restored to flesh?  … whence the heavens … earth, and seas?  … sun, and moon, and stars?  … waters … things which fly and swim?  … earth all its living things?  Were so many myriads brought from nothing into being, and shall we men, who bear God’s image, not be raised up?  Truly this course is full of unbelief, and the unbelievers are much to be condemned; when Abraham addresses the Lord as the Judge of all the earth[ii]….”  14.  “These questions, therefore, are for them, the unbelievers: but the words of the Prophets are for us who believe. But since some who have also used the Prophets believe not what is written, and allege against us that passage, The ungodly shall not rise up in judgment,[iii] and, For if man go down to the grave he shall come up no more,[iv] and, The dead shall not praise You, O Lord[v]  … For if it is said, that the ungodly shall not rise up in judgment, this shows that they shall rise, not in judgment, but in condemnation….  And if it is said, The dead shall not praise You, O Lord, this shows, that since in this life only is the appointed time for repentance and pardon….  Therefore the just then offer praise; but they who have died in sins have no further season for confession.”  15.  “Respecting that passage, If a man go down to the grave, he shall come up no more, observe what follows … He shall come up no more, neither shall he return to his own house.[vi] … since the whole world shall pass away….  But they ought to have heard Job, saying, For there is hope of a tree; for if it be cut down, it will sprout again, and the tender branch thereof will not cease.  For though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the rocky ground; yet from the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth a crop like a new plant. But man when he dies, is gone; and when mortal man falls, is he no more?[vii]  … since a tree falls and revives, shall not man, for whom all trees were made, himself revive?  And that you may not suppose that I am forcing the words, read what follows … For if a man die, he shall live again … I will wait till I be made again; [viii] … Who shall raise up on the earth my skin, which endures these things.[ix]  Esaias … says, The dead men shall rise again, and they that are in the tombs shall awake.[x]  … Ezekiel … says … Behold I will open your graves, and bring you up out of your graves.[xi]  Daniel says, Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall arise, some to everlasting life, and some to everlasting shame.[xii]  16.  “Many Scriptures … testify of the Resurrection of the dead….”  “We will make a passing mention of the raising of Lazarus … and allude … to the widow’s son … [and] mention the ruler of the synagogue’s daughter, and the rending of the rocks, and how there arose many bodies of the saints which slept[xiii]….  But specially be it remembered that Christ has been raised from the dead.[xiv]  … in passing of Elias, and the widow’s son … of Elisseus also, who raised the dead twice; once in his lifetime, and once after his death.  For when alive he wrought the resurrection by means of his own soul.[xv]  … though [the corpse of Elisseus] gave life, yet continued itself among the dead.”  “And let us not foolishly disbelieve, as though this thing had not happened: for if handkerchiefs and aprons, which are from without, touching the bodies of the diseased, raised up the sick, how much more should the very body of the Prophet raise the dead?”  17.  “We might say [moree] … in detail … of each event: but as you have been already wearied both by the … fast … and by [prayer vigils], let … [this] suffice for a while; … words … were sown thinly, that you, … like richest ground, may in bearing fruit increase them.  But be it remembered, that the Apostles also raised the dead … even though the wonders wrought by each have not all been written.”  “Remember … Paul … How are the dead raised, and with what manner of body do they come?[xvi]  … how he says, For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised; how he called them fools, who believed not; … and how he wrote to the Thessalonians, But we would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as the rest which have no hope,[xvii] … that, And the dead in Christ shall rise first.[xviii]”  18.  “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.[xix]”  “… such as we cannot worthily speak of.  Then … shall the righteous shine forth as the sun,[xx] and the moon, and as the brightness of the firmament.[xxi]”  19.  “We shall be raised therefore, all with our bodies eternal [in two companies]”  “God [will] assign this portion to either company; for we do nothing without the body.”  We sin with the body; yet, with the body we also pray, keep chastity, and give alms.  “Since then the body has been our minister in all things, it shall also share with us in the future the fruits of the past.”[xxii]  20.  “Therefore, brethren, let us be careful of our bodies, nor misuse them as though not our own.”[xxiii]  “The past wounds … God heals by Baptism; against future ones let us one and all jointly guard ourselves, that we may keep this vestment of the body pure, and may not … lose the salvation of heaven….”  21.  “Thus much … of the Resurrection of the dead; and now … [continuing] the profession of the faith, and do you with all diligence pronounce it while I speak , and remember it.”  22.  “And in one Baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; and in one Holy Catholic Church; and in the resurrection of the flesh; and in eternal life.”  “Now then let me finish what still remains to be said for the Article, In one Holy Catholic Church….”  23.  “It is called Catholic then because it extends over all the world, from one end of the earth to the other; and because it teaches universally and completely one and all the doctrines which ought to come to men’s knowledge, concerning things both visible and invisible, heavenly and earthly; and because it brings into subjection to godliness the whole race of mankind, governors and governed, learned and unlearned; and because it universally treats and heals the whole class of sins, which are committed by soul or body, and possesses in itself every form of virtue which is named, both in deeds and words, and in every kind of spiritual gifts.”[xxiv]  24.  “And it is rightly named (Ecclesia) because it calls forth and assembles together all men … And make an assembly for all the congregation at the door of the tabernacle of witness.[xxv]  … the word assemble, is used for the first time in [Leviticus] at the time when the Lord puts Aaron into the High-priesthood.”  … the Lord [also] says to Moses, Assemble the people unto Me, and let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me.[xxvi]  And … concerning the Tables, And on them were written all the words which the Lord spoke with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the Assembly[xxvii]….  The Psalmist also says, I will give thanks unto You, O Lord, in the great Congregation; I will praise You among much people.[xxviii]

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[i] Genesis 2:7

[ii] Genesis 18:25

[iii] Psalms 1:5

[iv] Job 7:9

[v] Psalms 6:5; 115:17; Isaiah 38:18

[vi] Job 7:9-10

[vii] Job 14:7-10

[viii] Job 14:14 Septuagint

[ix] Job 19:23-27 Septuagint

[x] Isaiah 26:19 Septuagint

[xi] Ezekiel 37:12

[xii] Daniel 12:2

[xiii] Matthew 27:52

[xiv] 1 Corinthians 15:20

[xv] 2 Kings 4:34; 2 Kings 13:21

[xvi] 1 Corinthians 15:35; also 1 Corinthians 15:1-58

[xvii] 1 Thessalonians 4:13

[xviii] 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18

[xix] 1 Corinthians 15:53

[xx] Matthew 13:43

[xxi] Daniel 12:2-3

[xxii] St. Cyril, here seems to deviate from his own rule, to say nothing without proof from Scripture; so, part or all of this section may have been tampered with by others: the voice of speculative theology putting words in St. Cyril’s mouth: words that he may never have said.  The beauty and glory of St. Cyril, thus far, is that he has assiduously avoided speculative theology.  It is strange that 1 Corinthians 3:6-15 was not discussed here to alleviate any confusion.  As far as any assurance of the realities of heaven and hell, St. Cyril has thoroughly discussed these elsewhere.  Whether the just and the reprobate are raised with different kinds of sensate bodies remains unknown: Scripture appears to be silent on the matter.

[xxiii] 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

[xxiv] We quote St. Cyril’s definition of catholicity in its entirety because it seems unlike any definition we should form today.  It is we who have deviated from truth; it is unlikely to be St. Cyril’s error.

[xxv] Leviticus 8:3; Numbers 8:9

[xxvi] Deuteronomy 4:10

[xxvii] Deuteronomy 5:22; 9:10; 10:4

[xxviii] Psalms 18:49; 22:22, 25; 35:18; 57:9; 108:3

Cyril of Jerusalem, Lecture 4, Part A, revised

Cyril of Jerusalem

Lecture 4, Part A

https://www.swrktec.org/catechism

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world….” — Colossians 2:8

Summary: Baptism begins a living relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Spirit; Which are together One God, equally possessing One Godhood or nature.  Be armed with the Creed against deception.

Preview: 1.  “Vice mimics virtue”; tares strive to be like wheat; Satan appears as an angel of light; wolves dress in sheep’s clothing; yet, claws and teeth are not disguised; grace and sobriety are needed to avoid eating tares, becoming prey to the wolf, being devoured by the Devil.  2.  Godliness consists of pious doctrine, and virtuous practice; doctrine is not acceptable apart from good works; acceptable works are perfected by pious doctrine; doctrine is not profitable for corrupt behavior; philosophy and vain deceit make spoil of souls: the Greeks by smooth tongues, the Jews by twisted Scripture.  “Take heed lest any man mislead you.”  This is the reason for the teaching of the Creed and for expositions upon it.[i]  3.  Introduces “a short summary of necessary doctrines.”

Ⅰ.  Of God.

4.  God is One: not begotten, beginning, changing; He is good and Just; undivided; One Creator, One Father, One Son.[ii]  5.  He is without boundary, limit, or superior; He foreknows all, is mightier than all, and does as He will; He is not subject to sequences of events, nativity, chance, or fate; He possesses every virtue in absolute perfection, neither decreasing nor increasing.  6.  Seeing that many have gone astray on various detours; lay a foundation of God’s unity in your hearts and souls by faith.

Ⅱ.  Of Christ.[iii]

7.  Believe also in the Son, “Who is in all things like to Him that begot”; for He received His crown by Being, not by doing, by eternal generation, “being God and Wisdom and Power”; “lacking nothing in the dignity of the Godhead[iv]”; equal in knowledge with the Father.  8.  The Son is neither to be separated from nor confused with the Father; of One God, there is [also] God the Word the Son who hears the Father; not being impersonal.

Ⅲ.  Concerning His Birth of the Virgin.

9.  This Only-begotten Son of God descended from heaven to earth; took upon Himself a human nature; begotten by the Holy Ghost and the Virgin Mary; not by show, but in truth; made man, made flesh; thus, Christ was of two natures: visible man; yet, invisible God; as man — eating, dying, asleep in the ship; as God — feeding multitudes by miracles, resurrecting [Lazarus], walking on water.

Ⅳ.  Of the Cross.

10.  Crucified for our sins, witnessed by Golgotha, the Cross, the Creation, the sun.

Ⅴ.  Of His Burial.

11.  Truly buried in rock; yet, rocks were rent; descended into [hell], to redeem the righteous [dead]; freeing Adam, Esaias, David, Samuel, the Prophets, John, and all such as these.

Ⅵ.  Of the Resurrection.

12.  He Who descended into [Hell], Who was buried, raised on the third day; if the Jews contest this, remind them of Jonah, and Elisha; seen by the twelve; are you still incredulous?

Ⅶ.  Concerning the Ascension.

13.  Jesus finished His Course; ascended with angels, Apostles watching; the power of kings is extinguished in death; but, the world worships and devils tremble before the crucified Christ.  14.  Be not ashamed of the cross of Christ; seal it on your forehead; make this sign eating, drinking, sitting, lying, standing, speaking, walking, at every act: for the Crucified is in heaven, where He sits at the Father’s right hand.

Ⅷ.  Of Judgement to Come.

15.  He will come again from heaven; appearing brighter than light, attended by angels, to judge both living and dead; reigning over the endless and eternal heavenly kingdom.

Ⅸ.  Of the Holy Ghost.

16.  Believe in the Holy Ghost as same as the Father and the Son; One, indivisible, powerful; Who searches all things, descended in the form of a dove, wrought in Law an Prophets; seals your soul at baptism; for Whose blaspheme there is no forgiveness; Who as the Father and the Son together, is honored with Godhood as One God.[v]

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[i] Note that at least part of Catechesis is teaching the Creed.

[ii] One has to work deviously to derive any form of Arianism or Semi-Arianism from this sort of statement.

[iii] We added all the Roman numerals after Ⅰ, in order to clarify the outline.

[iv] Godhood or God’s essence in more modern English.

[v] The true meaning of Godhead is Godhood or essence of God.

Symbol of Nicaea

†Blessed is our God always, as it is now, was in the beginning, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.  ... in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen.  Through the prayers of our holy Fathers and Mothers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.  Amen.  Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, You are everywhere and fill all things, Treasury of blessings, and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us (three times).

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it is now, was in the beginning, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

Σύμβολον τῆς Νίκαιας

Symbol of Nicaea

The Father

Πιστεύομεν εἰς ἕνα Θεὸν: Πατέρα, Παντοκράτορα, Ποιητὴν; οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς; ὁρατῶν τε πάντων καὶ ἀοράτων.

We believe in one God: Pre-primordial Patriarch, Prime Mover, Prime Maker; of heaven and earth; of all things both visible and invisible.[1]

The Son

Πιστεύομεν καὶ εἰς ἕνα Κύριον: Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ, τὸν Μονογενῆ, τὸν ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς γεννηθέντα πρὸ πάντων τῶν αἰώνων, φῶς ἐκ φωτός, Θεὸν ἀληθινὸν ἐκ Θεοῦ ἀληθινοῦ, γεννηθέντα – οὐ ποιηθέντα – ὁμοούσιον τῷ Πατρί, δι’ οὗ τὰ πάντα ἐγένετο, τὸν δι’ ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, καὶ διὰ τὴν ἡμετέραν σωτηρίαν, κατελθόντα ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν, καὶ σαρκωθέντα ἐκ Πνεύματος Ἁγίου καὶ Μαρίας, τῆς παρθένου, καὶ ἐνανθρωπήσαντα.

We believe also, in one Lord: Jesus Christ,

†       the Son of God,

†       the Only-begotten,

†       the One begotten of the Father before all the ages, light of light, true God of true God, begotten – not made – of the same essence as the Father, for whom all things were made,

†       the One Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, was made flesh of [the Holy Ghost] and Mary, the Virgin, and was made man.[2]

His Works

Σταυρωθέντα τε ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἐπὶ Ποντίου Πιλάτου, καὶ παθόντα, καὶ ταφέντα, καὶ ἀναστάντα τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρα, κατὰ τὰς γραφάς, καὶ ἀνελθόντα εἰς τοὺς οὐρανούς, καὶ καθεζόμενον ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Πατρός, καὶ πάλιν ἐρχόμενον μετὰ δόξης κρῖναι ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς; οὗ τῆς βασιλείας οὐκ ἔσται τέλος.

He was crucified on our behalf by Pontius Pilate:

†       He suffered,

†       He was buried,

†       He raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

†       He ascended into the heavens,

†       He was seated at the right hand of the Father,

†       He is also coming again with Glory to judge [the] living and [the] dead; Whose kingdom shall not end.[3]

The Spirit

Πιστεύομεν καὶ εἰς τὸ Πνεῦμα: τὸ Ἅγιον, τὸ Κύριον, τὸ Ζῳοποιόν, τὸ ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐκπορευόμενον, τὸ σὺν Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ συμπροσκυνούμενον καὶ συνδοξαζόμενον, τὸ λαλῆσαν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν.

We believe also, in the Spirit:

†       the Holy,

†       the Lord,

†       the Life-giver,

†       the One Who proceeds from the Father,

†       the One Who with Father and Son is worshiped together, and Glorified together,

†       the One Who was speaking through the prophets.[4]

The Church

  

Πιστεύομεν καὶ εἰς μίαν, ἁγίαν, καθολικὴν καὶ ἀποστολικὴν ἐκκλησίαν.  ὁμολογοῦμεν ἓν βάπτισμα εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν.  προσδοκοῦμεν ἀνάστασιν νεκρῶν, καὶ ζωὴν τοῦ μέλλοντος αἰῶνος.  Ἀμήν.

We believe also, in one, holy, catholic and Apostolic Church.  We confess one baptism for the remission of sins.  We look for the resurrection of the dead, and [the] life of the coming age.  Amen.

Our fourth article of faith outlines The Church and her work. The only definition for The Church, to which definition we must look is:

“You have come to mount Sion, to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, which speaks greater things than [the blood] of Abel.

“See that you do not refuse Him Who speaks: for if they did not escape who refused [Moses] who spoke on earth, much more, we shall not escape, if we turn away from Him Who speaks from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, ‘Yet once more I will not only the shake earth, but also heaven.’  This word, ‘Yet once more’, signifies the utter transformation of those things being shaken, as the mere institutions or inventions they are, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain (Which speaks of the final fulfillment of Daniel 2).

“Wherefore, since we are receiving an unshakeable kingdom, let us have grace, by which we may worship God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire.” — Hebrews 12:22-29

We realize that several earthy organizations have apparently legitimate claims as heirs of this, The Church, yet none of these earthy organizations holds such a claim exclusively.  God is the decider of all such things.

Her Oneness

As far as the matter of oneness is concerned, on this point we must disagree with a few statements made by Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones in his booklet, “Authority” (IVP, Chicago, 1958: 94 pages).  Dr. Jones asserts that oneness is unimportant.  We disagree.  Here is why.

“Now I am no longer in the world, yet these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep these whom You have given Me through Your own name, so that they may be one, as we [are one].” — John 17:11

“That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in me, and I am in You, so that they also may be one in Us: so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.  The glory, which You gave Me, I have given to them: so that they may be one, even as We are one. — I in them, and You in Me: so that they may be made perfect in one: so that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them, as You have loved Me.” — John 17:21-22

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” — Acts 1:14

“And when the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all with one accord in one place.” — Acts 2:1

“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,” — Acts 2:46

“And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, ‘Lord, You are God, Who have made heaven, earth, the sea, and all that is in them:’ ” — Acts 4:24

“And the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that anything they possessed was their own; they had all things common.” — Acts 4:32

“And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were performed among the people; they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.” — Acts 5:12

“And the people with one accord gave heed to these things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.” — Acts 8:6

“It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,” — Acts 15:25

“For since we have many members in one body, all members do not have the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members of one another.” — Romans 12:4-5

“Be of the same mind toward one another.  Do not mind high things, but condescend to men of low estate.  Be not wise in your own conceits.” — Romans 12:16

“Now may the God of patience and consolation grant that you will be likeminded toward one another according to Christ Jesus: so that with one mind and one mouth you may glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” — Romans 15:5-7

“Now I beg you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, so that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” — 1 Corinthians 1:10

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?  The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” — 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

“For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ: for by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, whether we are bond or free; we have all been made to drink of one Spirit: for the body is not one member, but many.” — 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

“And if they were all one member, where were the body?  Yet now they are many members, yet only one body.  The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” — 1 Corinthians 12:19-21

“There should be no schism in the body; so that the members should have the same care for one another.  If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.  Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” — 1 Corinthians 12:25-27

“Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell.  Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” — 2 Corinthians 13:11

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” — Galatians 3:28

“That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:” — Ephesians 1:10

“For He is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; to make in Himself one new man from two, so making peace: so that He might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain the hostility by it:” — Ephesians 2:14-16

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  Yet to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” — Ephesians 4:4-7

“Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members of one another.” — Ephesians 4:25

“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ: so that, whether I come and see you, or whether I am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” — Philippians 1:27

“Fulfil my joy, be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” — Philippians 2:2

“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, for which you are also called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” — Colossians 3:15-17

“For both He that sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,” — Hebrews 2:11

“Finally, be all of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers and sisters, show pity, be courteous:” — 1 Peter 3:8

“This is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment.” — 1 John 3:23

“I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” — Revelation 21:2

From these many verses, we see the essential failure of earthly churches in the modern world.  Trusting a pseudo-spiritual unity, ignoring true unity, we fall short of real obedience.  Desperately needing each other in the spiritual battle we will have limited success at best, until we face the reality that there is only one holy city, only one bride.

Her Accord in the Spirit

There is only “one, holy, catholic and Apostolic Church,” which, as we saw in Hebrews 12:22-29, is headquartered in heaven under the supreme command of the Son of God, Jesus, Who is also called Christ.  From Acts 1:8 we also learn that the Holy Spirit is The Vicar of Christ on Earth.

“You shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be My witnesses, both in Jerusalem, in all Judaea, in Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The rest of Acts provides an ample sample record of this powerful working of the Holy Spirit.  This record speaks repeatedly about the oneness of The Church, which was born on Pentecost, 33 AD.  We have quoted many such verses about the oneness of The Church; yet, these are only a few of the many more passages that could be found.  Among these verses, several speak specifically about one accord, the perfect agreement that existed in The Church in its first days.

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” — Acts 1:14

“And when the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all with one accord in one place.” — Acts 2:1

“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,” — Acts 2:46

“And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, ‘Lord, You are God, Who have made heaven, earth, the sea, and all that is in them:’ ” — Acts 4:24

“And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were performed among the people; they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.” — Acts 5:12

“And the people with one accord gave heed to these things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.” — Acts 8:6

“It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,” — Acts 15:25

“Now may the God of patience and consolation grant that you will be likeminded toward one another according to Christ Jesus: so that with one mind and one mouth you may glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” — Romans 15:5-7

“Fulfil my joy, be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” — Philippians 2:2

Her Enemies

The enemies of The Church also gather with one accord.

“Then they cried out with a loud voice, and shut their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,” — Acts 7:57

“Herod was highly displeased with the people from Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, their friend, desired peace; because their country was supplied by the king’s country.” — Acts 12:20

“When Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,” — Acts 18:12

“The whole city was filled with confusion: and having arrested Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s traveling companions, they rushed into the theatre with one accord.” — Acts 19:29

Her Battle Lines

We see then that The Church is set in array at prayer against the enemies of God, who are equally arrayed, and frequently more unified.  We do well to ask, where the dividing line might be drawn between these great armies: for the tares are sown throughout the wheat field (Matthew 13:25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 36, 38, 40).  We read:

“He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.” — Matthew 12:30

“Whoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; the Son of Man shall also be ashamed of him, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” — Mark 8:38

“For he that is not against us is for us.” — Mark 9:40

“He has showed strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.” — Luke 1:51

“Jesus said to [John], ‘Do not forbid him: for he who is not against us is for us.’ ” — Luke 9:50

“He who is not with Me is against Me: and he that does not gather with Me scatters.” — Luke 11:23

“He who is an hireling, not the shepherd, the sheep are not his own, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees: so the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep.” — John 10:12

“Truly, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, against Your holy child Jesus, Whom You have anointed.” — Acts 4:27

“[When] Saul was consenting to [Stephen’s] death.  At that time there was a great persecution against the church at Jerusalem; they were all scattered abroad throughout Judaea and Samaria, except for the apostles.” — Acts 8:1

“The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” — Galatians 5:17

“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” — Ephesians 6:12

“Consider Him Who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest you be weary and faint in your minds.” — Hebrews 12:3

“Your gold and silver have been corroded away; and their corrosion shall be a witness against you, which will eat your flesh as if it were fire.  You have heaped wealth together for the end of days.” — James 5:3

“The eyes of the Lord watch over the righteous, and his ears hear their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” — 1 Peter 3:12

“When I come, I will remember his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words: and not even content with these, he himself does not receive the brothers and sisters, yet he forbids those who would receive them, and casts them out of the church.” — 3 John 10

“I have a few things against you, because you have those who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to set a trap for the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.” — Revelation 2:14

“I have a few things against you, because you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.” — Revelation 2:20

We see then, that this battle line of spiritual warfare extends to the utmost extremities of the Universe; to the heights of leadership among both angels and men; to the castles and mansions of the wealthiest; it penetrates and pervades everything, even the hallowed halls of churches, and the inner sanctums of the human heart.  In such a spiritual warfare we do best to err on the side of mercy; as well as to cling to the Holy Spirit.

Our Obedience

“He shall have judgment without mercy, who shows no mercy: mercy trumps judgment.” — James 2:13

“The wisdom, which is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily approachable, full of mercy with good fruit, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” — James 3:17

“All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven men.” — Matthew 12:31

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.’ ” — Acts 2:38

“Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?  And they said to him, ‘We have not so much as heard whether there is any Holy Spirit.’ ” — Acts 19:2

“Don’t you know that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” — Romans 6:3

“Is Christ divided?  Was Paul crucified for you?  Were you baptized in the name of Paul?” — 1 Corinthians 1:13

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” — Galatians 3:27

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[1] We could use your help here.  We tried to capture the punch (pardon the pun) of these three Greek names for God, all of which begin with the letter P: Patera = Father, Pantokratora = Almighty or All ruling, Poiêthên = Creator or Maker.  We think you can come up with a better way to capture this idea of three words beginning with the same letter.  Please help make the punch of the P’s pop.

The main concept is that the three P’s hang together in Greek.  In English we try to make the sentence read “Creator of heaven and earth.” Still, God is just as much the Father of heaven and earth; just as much the Ruler of heaven and earth, as He is Creator of all these things.

So there is a kind of triple three dimensionality to the prayer.  We see the three names of God which we do not understand.  We see the heaven and earth which are also beyond our grasp.  Finally, we compare the sensate world with one that cannot be measured by the five senses or by science, and now we have lost all hope of understanding.  The glory, immensity, and wonder of God, are reflected in the overwhelming vastness of the universe, and the infinitesimal nature of mater is exemplified by the Higgs particles.  Finally, such glory insists that beyond the majesty of nature, over and above everything around us, that another order of creation, a spirit world exists, which cannot even be felt by ordinary human means.

To what does this prayer declaration of the immensity of God call us?  In 325 it called 318 pastors together to try to unify The Church against several growing heresies: they fell short of perfection, but to their credit many disputes were resolved, they did a better job than anyone since.  Today, more than ever, The Christian Church needs to stand together.  What prevents us from standing together with these 318 pastors to pray this prayer with them?  If we could do that, we might see God change our world.

[2] This is all about who Jesus is as a person.

Maybe we get all hung up over the words, same essence, or sometimes the translation, same substance.  The problem with same substance is that it seems to imply that God has material substance, which is untrue.

The real problem here is that in 325, no Greek words could be found to adequately name the unknowable internal nature of God, His being.  At least two words were found, synonyms, these were pressed into service in spite of the difficulties, and given new technical meaning.

The trouble with this solution was that different parties preferred different words.  The above solution satisfied about 2/3 of all parties concerned, which was better than none.  Still, we are left with ongoing divisions today.  Does Jesus have one nature or two (one Divine and one human)?  Does Jesus have one will or two (one Divine and one human)?

The Greek words selected were ousia and hypostasis.  Arbitrarily, the word ousia was chosen to represent God as the Trinitarian Whole.  Thus Jesus is of the same identical ousia as the Father and the Spirit.  The word hypostasis was chosen to represent the three distinct, yet inseparable, persons.  So there is only One ousia in three hypostases.  Jesus’ hypostasis is different in that He adds to Himself a perfect human nature: He is God-man, Theanthropos, or Theandros.

It is not as though the words ousia and hypostasis have some real human meaning: they were chosen to name that which was not, and still is not understood: they have technical meaning.  Any reality that they express is their heavenly reality, which is still beyond our grasp.

One might hope that after what is now approaching two thousand years, we might have got this word mix-up sorted out.  Alas, such is not the case.  What is wrong with us that after 1,691 years, we still haven’t got this sorted out?  This is just a root of bitterness.  We have no good excuse for not coming together as the 318 pastors tried to come together in 325.  For them there were communication barriers: it took years to get letters around the empire.  Today, such communication takes place in seconds.  What is wrong with us that we cannot stand together with the 318 pastors over the issue of who Jesus is?

[3] This is all about what Jesus, the God-man did.

The term, “by Pontius Pilate,” does not harp on Pilate’s personal sins, which were no more terrible than Paul’s.  “By” indicates the governing authority under which the crucifixion was authorized: it was under Pilate, an authorized Roman representative (fifth prefect of the Roman province of Judaea).  The crucifixion of Jesus was a legal act under Roman law.  The term, “by Pontius Pilate,” also fixes the date of the crucifixion to the prefecture of Pilate (26-36).

The phrase, “He descended into hell,” from the Apostles Creed, is not found here.  This is not a big issue.  This phrase might easily have been added, it was certainly believed, and a page or two of supporting Scripture is not difficult to find.

What is contained in these phrases that does not come directly from Scripture?  What is found in these phrases about which we may still disagree?  What is wrong with us that we cannot stand together with the 318 pastors over the issue of what Jesus did?

[4] By 381 AD most or all of the original 318 pastors had fallen asleep.  The Nicaean statement of faith had made its way throughout most or all of Christendom, had been ratified by the churches, and returned with suggested amendments.  Constantinople had changed too, and was now the dedicated capital city of the Roman Empire.  So 150 pastors met in Constantinople at 381 AD, a few miles away from Nicaea.

The main amendment was this addition describing the person and work of the Spirit.  In a secondary amendment, the word, “we believe”, was not repeated in each paragraph: in Greek, the word, “and”, is sufficient to carry the force and meaning of the opening word, “we believe”; since this is not true in English we added the original word, “we believe”, back in again, in order to make the meaning very clear.  This is a statement of faith, a prayer, from beginning to end: it has four main paragraphs concerning Christian faith, each beginning with, “we believe”.  The details of these and other amendments are found in this link.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicene_Creed

After the late 6th century, the Filioque controversy arose over this one Latin word, “filioque”.  While there are many theories about the source of this word, we believe it is best understood as a scribal copying error: a fatigued scribe simply inserted the words, “and Son” into the previous phrase by mistake.  Some insist that such an error can only happen in the forward direction.  However, we have over five years (over 5,000 hours, over 10,000 – 8-1/2 x 11 pages, all hand lettered) experience in scribal work, and assure you that this sort of error was committed many times, both backward and forward.  Those who wish to assign blame, or insert profound theologies concerning these two Greek words are not serving the peace of The Church.  Because these two words have no historic basis in early manuscripts, serve no biblical necessity, and are offensive to many: we simply left them out in the interests of peace.

What remains with which we cannot all agree?  Why do we continue to grieve and quench the Spirit by our divisiveness?

[5] If you have been blessed or helped by any of these meditations, please repost, share, or use any of them as you wish.  No rights are reserved.  They are designed and intended for your free participation.  They were freely received, and are freely given.  No other permission is required for their use.