Post by Stephen M. AdamsPost by Pastor Winter JNAHCPost by Doc Watsonat least we 'PROTEST_ants' are CHRISTIAN.
Actually Merle Elaine Matthews is a false-christian scum who
worships the SAME trinity idol that the pope does.
The protestants worship the same three headed idol from Rome that
the Catholics do. All trinitarians are daughters of the RCC.
No, they are not. A reading of basic history will show this to
be patently false. First off all, there was no "RCC" prior to
the 11th century (at least as it is knownn now). Before then,
there were 5 major churches, centered in Rome, Constantinople,
Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. The "pope" was ONLY the chief
bishop of the church centered in Rome. He held no sway outside
his territory (Western Europe, parts of N. Africa). The other
churches always were, and still are, independent of Rome, and
have NEVER been her "daughters."
St. Peter, Bishop of Alexandria (306-311 A.D.):
Head of the catechetical school in Alexandria, he became bishop around A.D.
300, reigning for about eleven years, and dying a martyr's death.
Peter, set above the Apostles. (Peter of Alexandria, Canon. ix, Galland, iv.
p. 98)
St. Anthony of Egypt (330 A.D.):
Peter, the Prince of the Apostles (Anthony, Epist. xvii. Galland, iv p.
687).
St. Athanasius (362 A.D.):
Rome is called the Apostolic throne. (Athanasius, Hist. Arian, ad Monach. n.
35).
The Chief, Peter. (Athan, In Ps. xv. 8, tom. iii. p. 106, Migne)
St. Macarius of Egypt (371 A.D.):
The Chief, Peter. (Macarius, De Patientia, n. 3, p. 180)
Moses was succeeded by Peter, who had committed to his hands the new Church
of Christ, and the true priesthood. (Macarius, Hom. xxvi. n. 23, p. 101)
St. Cyril of Alexandria (c. 424):
He suffers him no longer to be called Simon, exercising authority and rule
over him already having become His own. By a title suitable to the thing, He
changed his name into Peter, from the word 'petra' (rock); for on him He was
afterwards to found His Church. (Cyril, T. iv. Comm. in Joan., p. 131)
He (Christ) promises to found the Church, assigning immovableness to it, as
He is the Lord of strength, and over this He sets Peter as shepherd. (Cyril,
Comm. on Matt., ad loc.)
Therefore, when the Lord had hinted at the disciple's denial in the words
that He used, 'I have prayed for thee that thy faith not fail,' He at once
introduced a word of consolation, and said (to Peter): 'And do thou, when
once thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.' That is, 'Be thou a
support and a teacher of those who through faith come to me.' Again, marvel
also at the insight of that saying and at the completeness of the Divine
gentleness of spirit. For so that He should not reduce the disciple to
despair at the thought that after his denial he would have to be debarred
from the glorious distinction of being an Apostle, He fills him with good
hope, that he will attain the good things promised. ...O loving kindness!
The sin was not yet committed, and He already extends His pardon and sets
him (Peter) again in his Apostolic office. (Cyril Comm. on Luke's Gospel)
For the wonderous Peter, overcome by uncontrollable fear, denied the Lord
three times. Christ heals the error done, and demands in various ways the
threefold confession ... For although all the holy disciples fled, ...still
Peter's fault in the threefold denial was in addition, special and peculiar
to himself. Therefore, by the threefold confession of blessed Peter, the
fault of the triple denial was done away. Further, by the Lord's saying,
Feed my lambs, we must understand a renewal as it were of the Apostleship
already given to him, washing away the intervening disgrace of his fall, and
the littleness of human infirmity. (Cyril, Comm. on John's Gospel).
They (the Apostles) strove to learn through one, that preeminent one, Peter.
(Cyril, Ib. 1. ix. p. 736).
And even blessed Peter, though set over the holy disciples, says 'Lord, be
it far from Thee, this shall be done to Thee. (Cyril, Ibid. 924).
If Peter himself, that prince of the holy disciples, was, upon an occassion,
scandalized, so as suddenly to exclaim, 'Lord, be it far from Thee,' what
wonder that the tender mind of woman should be carried away? (Cyril, Ibid,
p. 1064)
That the Spirit is God we shall also learn hence. That the prince of the
Apostles, to whom 'flesh and blood,' as the Savior says, 'did not reveal'
the Divine mystery, says to Ananias, 'Why hath satan tempted thy heart, &c.'
(Cyril, T. v. Par. 1. Thesaur. p. 340)
Besides all these, let there come forward that leader of the holy disciples,
Peter, who, when the Lord, on a certain occassion, asked him, 'Whom do men
say that the Son of man is?' instantly cried out, 'Thou art the Christ, the
Son of the living God.' (Cyril, T. v. P.2, Hom. viii. De Fest. Pasch. p.
105)
'If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me.' When the Coryphaeus
(Peter) had heard these words, he began to change. (Cyril, Ib. Hom.)
This bold man (Julian), besides all this, cavils at Peter, the chosen one of
the holy Apostles. (Cyril, T. vi.l. ix. Contr. Julian. p. 325).
Eulogius of Alexandria (581 A.D.):
Born in Syria, he became the abbot of the Mother of God monastery at
Antioch. In 579, he was made Patriarch of Alexandria; and became an
associate of St. Gregory the Great while visiting Constantinople. Much of
their subsequent correspondence is still extant.
Neither to John, nor to any other of the disciples, did our Savior say, 'I
will give to thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven,' but only to Peter.
(Eulogius, Lib. ii. Cont. Novatian. ap. Photium, Biblioth, cod. 280)
ANTIOCH
Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus in Syria (450):
A native of Antioch, Theodoret ruled under the Antiochean Patriarch.
The great foundation of the Church was shaken, and confirmed by the Divine
grace. And the Lord commanded him to apply that same care to the brethren.
'And thou,' He says, 'converted, confirm thy brethren.' (Theodoret, Tom. iv.
Haeret. Fab. lib. v.c. 28)
'For as I,' He says, 'did not despise thee when tossed, so be thou a support
to thy brethren in trouble, and the help by which thou was saved do thou
thyself impart to others, and exhort them not while they are tottering, but
raise them up in their peril. For this reason I suffer thee also to slip,
but do not permit thee to fall, thus through thee gaining steadfastness for
those who are tossed.' So this great pillar supported the tossing and
sinking world, and permitted it not to fall entirely and gave it back
stability, having been ordered to feed God's sheep. (Theodoret, Oratio de
Caritate in J. P. Minge, ed., Partrologiae Curses Completus: Series Graeca).
I therefore beseech your holiness to persuade the most holy and blessed
bishop (Pope Leo) to use his Apostolic power, and to order me to hasten to
your Council. For that most holy throne (Rome) has the sovereignty over the
churches throughout the universe on many grounds. (Theodoret, Tom. iv.
Epist. cxvi. Renato, p. 1197).
If Paul, the herald of the truth, the trumpet of the Holy Spirit, hastened
to the great Peter, to convey from him the solution to those in Antioch, who
were at issue about living under the law, how much more do we, poor and
humble, run to the Apostolic Throne (Rome) to receive from you (Pope Leo)
healing for wounds of the the Churches. For it pertains to you to have
primacy in all things; for your throne is adorned with many prerogatives.
(Theodoret Ibid, Epistle Leoni)
CONSTANTINOPLE
St. John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople (c. 387):
Peter himself the Head or Crown of the Apostles, the First in the Church,
the Friend of Christ, who received a revelation, not from man, but from the
Father, as the Lord bears witness to him, saying, 'Blessed art thou, &c.'
This very Peter and when I name Peter I name that unbroken Rock, that firm
Foundation, the Great Apostle, First of the disciples, the First called, and
the First who obeyed he was guilty ...even denying the Lord." (Chrysostom,
T. ii. Hom)
Peter, the Leader of the choir of Apostles, the Mouth of the disciples, the
Pillar of the Church, the Buttress of the faith, the Foundation of the
confession, the Fisherman of the universe. (Chrysostom, T. iii Hom).
Peter, that Leader of the choir, that Mouth of the rest of the Apostles,
that Head of the brotherhood, that one set over the entire universe, that
Foundation of the Church. (Chrys. In illud hoc Scitote)
(Peter), the foundation of the Church, the Coryphaeus of the choir of the
Apostles, the vehement lover of Christ ...he who ran throughout the whole
world, who fished the whole world; this holy Coryphaeus of the blessed
choir; the ardent disciple, who was entrusted with the keys of heaven, who
received the spiritual revelation. Peter, the mouth of all Apostles, the
head of that company, the ruler of the whole world. (De Eleemos, iii. 4;
Hom. de decem mille tal. 3)
In those days Peter rose up in the midst of the disciples (Acts 15), both as
being ardent, and as intrusted by Christ with the flock ...he first acts
with authority in the matter, as having all put into his hands ; for to him
Christ said, 'And thou, being converted, confirm thy brethren. (Chrysostom,
Hom. iii Act Apost. tom. ix.)
He passed over his fall, and appointed him first of the Apostles; wherefore
He said: ' 'Simon, Simon,' etc. (in Ps. cxxix. 2). God allowed him to fall,
because He meant to make him ruler over the whole world, that, remembering
his own fall, he might forgive those who should slip in the future. And that
what I have said is no guess, listen to Christ Himself saying: 'Simon,
Simon, etc.' (Chrys, Hom. quod frequenter conveniendum sit 5, cf. Hom 73 in
Joan 5).
And why, then, passing by the others, does He converse with Peter on these
things? (John 21:15). He was the chosen one of the Apostles, and the mouth
of the disciples, and the leader of the choir. On this account, Paul also
went up on a time to see him rather than the others (Galatians 1:18). And
withal, to show him that he must thenceforward have confidence, as the
denial was done away with, He puts into his hands the presidency over the
brethren. And He brings not forward the denial, nor reproches him with what
had past, but says, 'If you love me, preside over the brethren, ...and the
third time He gives him the same injunction, showing what a price He sets
the presidency over His own sheep. And if one should say, 'How then did
James receive the throne of Jerusalem?,' this I would answer that He
appointed this man (Peter) teacher, not of that throne, but of the whole
world. (Chrysostom, In Joan. Hom. 1xxxviii. n. 1, tom. viii)
St. Proclus, Patriarch of Constantinople (434):
A disciple of St. John Chrysostom,...
Peter, the coryphaeus of the disciples, and the one set over (or chief of)
the Apostles. Art not thou he that didst say, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son
of the living God'? Thou Bar-Jonas (son of the dove) hast thou seen so many
miracles, and art thou still but Simon (a hearer)? He appointed thee the
key-bearer of Heaven, and has though not yet layed aside thy fisherman's
clothing? (Proclus, Or. viii In Dom. Transfig. t. ix. Galland)
John Cassian, Monk (c. 430):
That great man, the disciple of disciples, that master among masters, who
wielding the government of the Roman Church possessed the principle
authority in faith and in priesthood. Tell us, therefore, we beg of you,
Peter, prince of Apostles, tell us how the Churches must believe in God
(Cassian, Contra Nestorium, III, 12, CSEL, vol. 17, p. 276).
St. Nilus of Constantinople (448):
A disciple of St. John Chrysostom, ....
Peter, Head of the choir of Apostles. (Nilus, Lib. ii Epistl.)
Peter, who was foremost in the choir of Apostles and always ruled amongst
them. (Nilus, Tract. ad. Magnam.)
Macedonius, Patriarch of Constantinople (466-516)
Macedonius declared, when desired by the Emperor Anastasius to condemn the
Council of Chalcedon, that 'such a step without an Ecumenical Synod presided
over by the Pope of Rome is impossible.' (Macedonius, Patr. Graec. 108: 360a
(Theophan. Chronogr. pp. 234-346 seq.)
Emperor Justinian (520-533)
Writing to the Pope, ...
Yielding honor to the Apostolic See and to Your Holiness, and honoring your
Holiness, as one ought to honor a father, we have hastened to subject all
the priests of the whole Eastern district, and to unite them to the See of
your Holiness, for we do not allow of any point, however manifest and
indisputable it be, which relates to the state of the Churches, not being
brought to the cognizance of your Holiness, since you are the Head of all
the holy Churches. (Justinian Epist. ad. Pap. Joan. ii. Cod. Justin. lib. I.
tit. 1).
Let your Apostleship show that you have worthily succeeded to the Apostle
Peter, since the Lord will work through you, as Surpreme Pastor, the
salvation of all. (Coll. Avell. Ep. 196, July 9th, 520, Justinian to Pope
Hormisdas).
St. Maximus the Confessor (c. 650)
A celebrated theologian and a native of Constantinople, ...
The extremities of the earth, and everyone in every part of it who purely
and rightly confess the Lord, look directly towards the Most Holy Roman
Church and her confession and faith, as to a sun of unfailing light awaiting
from her the brilliant radiance of the sacred dogmas of our Fathers,
according to that which the inspired and holy Councils have stainlessly and
piously decreed. For, from the descent of the Incarnate Word amongst us, all
the churches in every part of the world have held the greatest Church alone
to be their base and foundation, seeing that, according to the promise of
Christ Our Savior, the gates of hell will never pre ail against her, that
she has the keys of the orthodox confession and right faith in Him, that she
opens the true and exclusive religion to such men as approach with piety,
and she shuts up and locks every heretical mouth which speaks against the
Most High. (Maximus, Opuscula theologica et polemica, Migne, Patr. Graec.
vol. 90)
How much more in the case of the clergy and Church of the Romans, which from
old until now presides over all the churches which are under the sun? Having
surely received this canonically, as well as from councils and the apostles,
as from the princes of the latter (Peter & Paul), and being numbered in
their company, she is subject to no writings or issues in synodical
documents, on account of the eminence of her pontificate .....even as in all
these things all are equally subject to her (the Church of Rome) according
to sacerodotal law. And so when, without fear, but with all holy and
becoming confidence, those ministers (the popes) are of the truly firm and
immovable rock, that is of the most great and Apostolic Church of Rome.
(Maximus, in J.B. Mansi, ed. Amplissima Collectio Conciliorum, vol. 10)
If the Roman See recognizes Pyrrhus to be not only a reprobate but a
heretic, it is certainly plain that everyone who anathematizes those who
have rejected Pyrrhus also anathematizes the See of Rome, that is, he
anathematizes the Catholic Church. I need hardly add that he excommunicates
himself also, if indeed he is in communion with the Roman See and the
Catholic Church of God ...Let him hasten before all things to satisfy the
Roman See, for if it is satisfied, all will agree in calling him pious and
orthodox. For he only speaks in vain who thinks he ought to pursuade or
entrap persons like myself, and does not satisfy and implore the blessed
Pope of the most holy Catholic Church of the Romans, that is, the Apostolic
See, which is from the incarnate of the Son of God Himself, and also all the
holy synods, accodring to the holy canons and definitions has received
universal and surpreme dominion, authority, and power of binding and loosing
over all the holy churches of God throughout the whole world. (Maximus,
Letter to Peter, in Mansi x, 692).
John VI, Patriarch of Constantinople (715):
The Pope of Rome, the head of the Christian priesthood, whom in Peter, the
Lord commanded to confirm his brethren. (John VI, Epist. ad Constantin. Pap.
ad. Combefis, Auctuar. Bibl. P.P. Graec.tom. ii. p. 211, seq.)
St. Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople (758-828):
Without whom (the Romans presiding in the seventh Council) a doctrine
brought forward in the Church could not, even though confirmed by canonical
decrees and by ecclesiastical usuage, ever obtain full approval or currency.
For it is they (the Popes of Rome) who have had assigned to them the rule in
sacred things, and who have received into their hands the dignity of
headship among the Apostles. (Nicephorus, Niceph. Cpl. pro. s. imag. c 25
[Mai N. Bibl. pp. ii. 30]).
St. Theodore the Studite of Constantinople (759-826):
Writing to Pope Leo III ....
Since to great Peter Christ our Lord gave the office of Chief Shepherd after
entrusting him with the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, to Peter or his
successor must of necessity every novelty in the Catholic Church be
referred. [Therefore], save us, oh most divine Head of Heads, Chief Shepherd
of the Church of Heaven. (Theodore, Bk. I. Ep. 23)
Writing to Pope Paschal, ...
Hear, O Apostolic Head, divinely-appointed Shepherd of Christ's sheep,
keybearer of the Kingdom of Heaven, Rock of the Faith upon whom the Catholic
Church is built. For Peter art thou, who adornest and governest the Chair of
Peter. Hither, then, from the West, imitator of Christ, arise and repel not
for ever (Ps. xliii. 23). To thee spake Christ our Lord: 'And thou being one
day converted, shalt strengthen thy brethren.' Behold the hour and the
place. Help us, thou that art set by God for this. Stretch forth thy hand so
far as thou canst. Thou hast strength with God, through being the first of
all. (Letter of St. Theodore and four other Abbots to Pope Paschal, Bk. ii
Ep. 12, Patr. Graec. 99, 1152-3)
Writing to Emperor Michael, ...
Order that the declaration from old Rome be received, as was the custom by
Tradition of our Fathers from of old and from the beginning. For this, O
Emperor, is the highests of the Churches of God, in which first Peter held
the Chair, to whom the Lord said: Thou art Peter ...and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it. (Theodore, Bk. II. Ep. 86)
I witness now before God and men, they have torn themselves away from the
Body of Christ, from the Surpreme See (Rome), in which Christ placed the
keys of the Faith, against which the gates of hell (I mean the mouth of
heretics) have not prevailed, and never will until the Consummation,
according to the promise of Him Who cannot lie. Let the blessed and
Apostolic Paschal (Pope St. Paschal I) rejoice therefore, for he has
fulfilled the work of Peter. (Theodore Bk. II. Ep. 63).
In truth we have seen that a manifest successor of the prince of the
Apostles presides over the Roman Church. We truly believe that Christ has
not deserted the Church here (Constantinople), for assistance from you has
been our one and only aid from of old and from the beginning by the
providence of God in the critical times. You are, indeed the untroubled and
pure fount of orthodoxy from the beginning, you the calm harbor of the whole
Church, far removed from the waves of heresy, you the God-chosen city of
refuge. (Letter of St. Theodor & Four Abbots to Pope Paschal).
Let him (Patriarch Nicephorus of Constantinople) assemble a synod of those
with whom he has been at variance, if it is impossible that representatives
of the other Patriarchs should be present, a thing which might certainly be
if the Emperor should wish the Western Patriarch (the Roman Pope) to be
present, to whom is given authority over an ecumenical synod; but let him
make peace and union by sending his synodical letters to the prelate of the
First See. (Theodore the Studite, Patr. Graec. 99, 1420)
JERUSALEM
St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Patriarch (363):
Our Lord Jesus Christ then became a man, but by the many He was not known.
But wishing to teach that which was not known, having assembled the
disciples, He asked, 'Whom do men say that the Son of man is?' ...And all
being silent (for it was beyond man to learn) Peter, the Foremost of the
Apostles, the Chief Herald of the Church, not using the language of his own
finding, nor persuaded by human reasoning, but having his mind enlightened
by the Father, says to Him, 'Thou art the Christ,' not simply that, but 'the
Son of the living God.' (Cyril, Catech. xi. n. 3)
For Peter was there, who carrieth the keys of heaven. (Cyril, Catechetical
Lectures A.D. 350).
Peter, the chief and foremost leader of the Apostles, before a little maid
thrice denied the Lord, but moved to penitence, he wept bitterly. (Cyril,
Catech ii. n. 15)
In the power of the same Holy Spirit, Peter, also the foremost of the
Apostles and the key-bearer of the Kingdom of Heaven, healed Aeneas the
paralytic in the name of Christ. (Cyril, Catech. xviii. n. 27)
St. Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem (c. 638):
Teaching us all orthodoxy and destroying all heresy and driving it away from
the God-protected halls of our holy Catholic Church. And together with these
inspired syllables and characters, I accept all his (the pope's) letters and
teachings as proceeding from the mouth of Peter the Coryphaeus, and I kiss
them and salute them and embrace them with all my soul ... I recognize the
latter as definitions of Peter and the former as those of Mark, and besides,
all the heaven-taught teachings of all the chosen mystagogues of our
Catholic Church. (Sophronius, Mansi, xi. 461)
Transverse quickly all the world from one end to the other until you come to
the Apostolic See (Rome), where are the foundations of the orthodox
doctrine. Make clearly known to the most holy personages of that throne the
questions agitated among us. Cease not to pray and to beg them until their
apostolic and Divine wisdom shall have pronounced the victorious judgement
and destroyed from the foundation ...the new heresy. (Sophronius,[quoted by
Bishop Stephen of Dora to Pope Martin I at the Lateran Council], Mansi, x.,
893)
Stephen, Bishop of Dora in Palestine (645):
And for this cause, sometimes we ask for water to our head and to our eyes a
fountain of tears, sometimes the wings of a dove, according to holy David,
that we might fly away and announce these things to the Chair (the Chair of
Peter at Rome) which rules and presides over all, I mean to yours, the head
and highest, for the healing of the whole wound. For this it has been
accustomed to do from old and from the beginning with power by its canonical
or apostolic authority, because the truly great Peter, head of the Apostles,
was clearly thought worthy not only to be trusted with the keys of heaven,
alone apart from the rest, to open it worthily to believers, or to close it
justly to those who disbelieve the Gospel of grace, but because he was also
commissioned to feed the sheep of the whole Catholic Church; for 'Peter,'
saith He, 'lovest thou Me? Feed My sheep.' And again, because he had in a
manner peculiar and special, a faith in the Lord stronger than all and
unchangeable, to be converted and to confirm his fellows and spiritual
brethren when tossed about, as having been adorned by God Himself incarnate
for us with power and sacerdotal authority .....And Sophronius of blessed
memory, who was Patriarch of the holy city of Christ our God, and under whom
I was bishop, conferring not with flesh and blood, but caring only for the
things of Christ with respect to your Holiness, hastened to send my
nothingness without delay about this matter alone to this Apostolic see,
where are the foundations of holy doctrine.
CYPRUS
St. Epiphanius, Archbishop of Salamis (385):
Holy men are therefore called the temple of God, because the Holy Spirit
dwells in them; as that Chief of the Apostles testifies, he that was found
to be blessed by the Lord, because the Father had revealed unto him. To him
then did the Father reveal His true Son; and the same (Peter) furthermore
reveals the Holy Spirit. This was befitting in the First of the Apostles,
that firm Rock upon which the Church of God is built, and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it. The gates of hell are heretics and
heresiarchs. For in every way was the faith confirmed in him who received
the keys of heaven; who looses on earth and binds in heaven. For in him are
found all subtle questions of faith. He was aided by the Father so as to be
(or lay) the Foundation of the security (firmness) of the faith. He (Peter)
heard from the same God, 'feed my lambs'; to him He entrusted the flock; he
leads the way admirably in the power of his own Master. (Epiphanius, T. ii.
in Anchor).
Sergius, Metropolitain of Cyprus (649 A.D.)
He writes to Pope Theodore, ....
O Holy Head, Christ our God hath destined thy Apostolic See to be an
immovable foundation and a pillar of the Faith. For thou art, as the Divine
Word truly saith, Peter, and on thee as a foundation-stone have the pillars
of the Church been fixed. (Sergius Ep. ad Theod. lecta in Sess. ii. Concil.
Lat. anno 649)
http://web.globalserve.net/~bumblebee/ecclesia/patriarchs.htm
You were saying........
Post by Stephen M. AdamsEven if one were to try to trace the "RCC" to Constantine the Great
(which is frankly false, since he was in Constantinple, not Rome),
the problem remains. The doctrine of the Trinity shows up in the
earliest writings (not the mention the Scriptures), albeit not in
a fully Nicene formulation.
Post by Pastor Winter JNAHCThe false church is following a manmade Romish teaching. They
have to go to "denominal opinions of men" that originated in the
2nd and 3rd century to explain and discuss their beliefs.
While it may well be that some do this, the opinions of THOSE men
from the 2nd and 3rd century are based on THE SCRIPTURES, just as
the doctrine of the Trinity developed at Nicea is. For despite
Steve Winter's claims, the Trinity is a *biblical* concept. He
just refuses to believe it, preferring, like Arius, to beleive his
own teachings rather than the full witness of the Scriptures.
Post by Pastor Winter JNAHCIt is
also interesting that the same bunch at Rome that dreamed up the
trinity, also ushered in the dark ages by killing people for
possessing Bibles.
Nobody in Rome "dreamed up the Trinity" - in fact, there were only
a small handful of western Bishops at the Nicea conference. The vast
majority of Bishops were from Asia Minor, the Middle East and Egypt.
The pope had very little to do with this council.
<snip>
Post by Pastor Winter JNAHCNEW INTERNATIONAL ENCYCLOPEDIA, Vol. 22 Page 477, "The term
"trinity" was originated by Tertullain, Roman Catholic Church
father."
False on its face. The first use of the word "trinity" with reference
to the Christian God was Theopholis, who wrote in "To Autolycus"
(Book II, Chapt 15), stating that the three days in the tomb was a
type (ie symbolic reference to) the Trinity. He wrote this while he
was Bishop of Antioch (AD168 to AD181).
Are your other references equally inaccurate?
But that's not even the first clear reference! Ignatius, another
bishop of Antioch (who died no later than AD107), wrote about the
Trinity quite clearly, and quite clearly denies Mr. Winter's views.
Citation available on request.
-Stephen
--
Space Age Cybernomad Stephen Adams
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.538 / Virus Database: 333 - Release Date: 11/11/03