Commemoration of Cyprian of Carthage, Pastor and Martyr
Cyprian (A.D. ca. 200-258) was acclaimed bishop of the North African city of Carthage around 248. During the persecution of the Roman emperor Decius, Cyprian fled Carthage but returned two years later. He was then forced to deal with the problem of Christians who had lapsed from their faith under persecution and now wanted to return to the church. It was decided that these lapsed Christians could be restored but that their restoration could take place only after a period of penance that demonstrated their faithfulness. During the persecution under Emperor Valerian, Cyprian at first went into hiding but later gave himself up to the authorities. He was beheaded for the faith in Carthage in 258. [From "Commemorations Biographies," Lutheran Service Book, LCMS Commission on Worship]
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This morning I am listening to a bible study on 1 Corinthians on my way to work. In the process the subject of sacraments was discussed briefly. Sacraments are means through which God delivers His grace to us. They are the ways that He delivers forgiveness of sins and eternal life. There are at least two sacraments, baptism and the Lord's Supper. In both of these Jesus Christ Himself promised us the forgiveness of sins. There are many references I could present for that idea but I'm on the train and I will present that stuff in a later post. My idea right now is this, that Evangelicals and Pentecostals have created a new sacrament in the idea of "accepting Christ as my Lord and Savior." They tend to say that this is how God's grace comes to us! That without this "sacrament" (that they don't call a sacrament) you cannot be saved! Yet this idea is not found anywhere in the bible! How sad to reject the very promises of God for a path of our own making. Comments anyone?
Cyprian (A.D. ca. 200-258) was acclaimed bishop of the North African city of Carthage around 248. During the persecution of the Roman emperor Decius, Cyprian fled Carthage but returned two years later. He was then forced to deal with the problem of Christians who had lapsed from their faith under persecution and now wanted to return to the church. It was decided that these lapsed Christians could be restored but that their restoration could take place only after a period of penance that demonstrated their faithfulness. During the persecution under Emperor Valerian, Cyprian at first went into hiding but later gave himself up to the authorities. He was beheaded for the faith in Carthage in 258. [From "Commemorations Biographies," Lutheran Service Book, LCMS Commission on Worship]
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This morning I am listening to a bible study on 1 Corinthians on my way to work. In the process the subject of sacraments was discussed briefly. Sacraments are means through which God delivers His grace to us. They are the ways that He delivers forgiveness of sins and eternal life. There are at least two sacraments, baptism and the Lord's Supper. In both of these Jesus Christ Himself promised us the forgiveness of sins. There are many references I could present for that idea but I'm on the train and I will present that stuff in a later post. My idea right now is this, that Evangelicals and Pentecostals have created a new sacrament in the idea of "accepting Christ as my Lord and Savior." They tend to say that this is how God's grace comes to us! That without this "sacrament" (that they don't call a sacrament) you cannot be saved! Yet this idea is not found anywhere in the bible! How sad to reject the very promises of God for a path of our own making. Comments anyone?
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