Catholic Church is the sole Ark of Salvation

“It firmly believes, professes and preaches that all those who are outside the catholic church, not only pagans but also Jews or heretics and schismatics, cannot share in eternal life and will go into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels, unless they are joined to the catholic church before the end of their lives;”{Pope Eugene IV, Council of Florence, Cantate Domino, 1441, ex cathedra}

Membership of the Church is necessary for all men for salvation(De fide.)

Saint Irenaeus wrote that:

“In the efficacy of the spirit all those have no part, who do not hasten to the Church; rather they, by their evil teaching and their evil deeds, rob themselves of life. For where the Church is, there is also the spirit of God, and where the spirit of God is, there is the Church and all grace.” (Adv. Haer. III 24,I).

“In view of the stress laid upon the necessity of membership of the Church for salvation it is understandable that the possibility of salvation for those outside the Church is mentioned only hesitantly.” [Fundamental of Catholic Dogma, P.313] “Saint Thomas Aquinas, agreeing with Tradition, teaches the general necessity of the Church for salvation.

A distinction needs to be made here between dogmatic tolerance and civil tolerance. Dogmatic tolerance is rejected by the Church which would legitimately make all religions of the same value, when it comes to justification; also known as indifferentism. Civil tolerance is propagating the commandment of love of neighbor towards all men, even those in error.

A Church Without Dogma

The architects of Vatican II, by their modernist philosophy, created a church without dogma. Reckless use of ambiguity and subtly destroyed the Vatican documents and it was to intentionally destroy the faith in the minds of the faithful. “For, by his Incarnation, he, the son of God, in a certain way united himself with each man.”(John Paul II, Redemptor Hominid) This quote from John Paul II is a definite sign of his

humanistic and modernist views. He also said,”The sin of the killing of Christ on the cross has redeemed us.” Or how about, “Christ is in every man.” On January 11, 1989 he said,”…that the part of the creed talking about Christ descending into hell can be interpreted metaphorically.”

“How does a Catholic sin against faith? A Catholic sins against the faith by apostasy, heresy, indifferentism, and by taking part in non-Catholic worship.”(Catechism of Trent, Catechism of Pope St. Pius X, Baltimore Catechism) Canon Law states: It is not permitted at all for faithful to assist in any active manner or have any part in the worship of non-Catholics.( Canon 1258)

False Ecumenism

All of these ,so called, Popes expressed views that showed their religious indifference. As if all roads lead to heaven. This shows also the influence of Masonic false ecumenism. True Catholic dogma does not teach this.

“It firmly believes, professes and preaches that all those who are outside the catholic church, not only pagans but also Jews or heretics and schismatics, cannot share in eternal life and will go into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels, unless they are joined to the catholic church before the end of their lives;”{Pope Eugene IV, Council of Florence, Cantate Domino, 1441, ex cathedra}

So why do these Popes continue to contradict this clear teaching of the extraordinary magisterium? Let’s look at some examples:

The kissing of the Qur-an (the “holy” books of the false religion of Islam) by Pope John Paul the Second scandalized thousands in the Catholic Church. Add the public dethroning of Christ: the Assisi blasphemy, where the devotees of every false god known to man were invited to stand alongside Peter. Surely we are witnessing the“Diabolical disorientation of the Church, starting at the top,” of which Our Lady forewarned us at Fatima?[Essay by Don McGovern with acknowledgement to by the Remnant]

This is the contradiction I was talking about, Ecumenism and interfaith dialogue always implies or at least encourages the heresy of Indifferentism, according to which it does not matter what religion one professes, as long as one has good will or shares certain beliefs or“values” in common. Until the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, the Catholic Church always opposed the ecumenical movement and offered as her own alternative the conversion of all non-Catholics to the only true Church, which has been instituted by God as the sole means of salvation.

“One must resist the Pope who openly destroys the Church.”(St. Cajetan) These post-councilor Popes are all modernist who, by their own public material heresy, have put themselves outside the Catholic Church.

Defection of the faith is accomplished by public heresy “Ipso facto” without any declaration. From any ecclesiastical office.(Council of Constance) So, even though Vatican I says,”a Pope cannot be judged by anyone.” The Pope is judged by his own actions. Once heresy is public, then that person ceases to be a member of the Church. [Pope Innocent III] Therefore he ceases to be Pope. This is a “de fide” Catholic teaching of the Church according to St. Robert Bellarmine, all the early Church Fathers taught this through the ordinary Magisterium.

St. Robert Bellarmine,( De Romano Pontifice, II, 30:) “For, in the first place, it is proven with arguments from authority and from reason that the manifest heretic is ‘ipso facto’ deposed. The argument from authority is based on St. Paul (Titus 3:10), who orders that the heretic be avoided after two warnings, that is, after showing himself to be manifestly obstinate – which means before any excommunication or judicial sentence. And this is what St. Jerome writes, adding that the other sinners are excluded from the Church by sentence of excommunication, but the heretics exile themselves and separate themselves by their own act from the body of Christ.”

St. Robert Bellarmine, (De Romano Pontifice, II, 30:) “This principle is most certain. The non-Christian cannot in any way be Pope, as Cajetan himself admits (ib. c. 26). The reason for this is that he cannot be head of what he is not a member; now he who is not a Christian is not a member of the Church, and a manifest heretic is not a Christian, as is clearly taught by St. Cyprian (lib. 4, epist. 2), St. Athanasius (Scr. 2 cont. Arian.), St. Augustine (lib. De great. Christ. Cap. 20), St. Jerome (contra Lucifer.) and others; therefore the manifest heretic cannot be Pope.

“When foulness invades the whole Church we must return to the Church of the past.”(St. Vincent of Lerins) Pope St. Pius X also wrote the famed Oath Against Modernism which was required to be sworn to by clergy and others in the Church,and sought to warn the faithful before it was too late. Much work was done to extinguish modernist trends of thought within the Church thanks to this most venerable and saintly Pope, and to this day, he remains the most important saint to have ever fought against the poisonous infections of the movement.(https://www.catholicgentlem…

While many devout Catholic people reside in the so called Roman Catholic Church, the Novus Ordo rite is a new religion. Not Catholic! I am not relying on my own personal interpretation, but that of the Church. This does notinclude the blasphemous teachings of the post-councilor Popes. I apologize, but “to be silent before error is to be repulsive to God.”

So this is why today dogma is frowned upon in the Church. Christ is just one among many gods! What a shame. The most painful part is the unwillingness for the laity to see the truth that they have been deceived.

“Many persons who call themselves Catholic think that the “Catholic Church” now centered in Rome, in the Vatican, is the Catholic Church. Since 1958 (after the death of Pope Pius XII on October 9, 1958), the holders of offices there, have usurped the name of the Catholic Church from which they of their own free will departed. They left the faith, and therefore they left the Church that was founded by Christ on the apostles with Peter as its head. 

This deception was first made manifest by the bogus Council Vatican II (1962 – 1965) which was held to bring the Catholic Church into the 20th century, and to update the church to the views of the liberal thinkers of the time. It wanted to “modernize” the church, wanted to bring it more in line with “Protestant” thinking. The Vatican II documents altered virtually every single sacrament, every rite and ritual, and did away with specific Catholic teachings that existed from the time of Christ.

In reality, Vatican II did not change the Catholic Church one bit, but rather it invented an entirely new religion which is most commonly referred to today as the “Novus Ordo,” a moniker coming from the “New Order Missal” invented at Vatican II. The fathers of that bogus Council plus their leaders (John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and now Francis I) kept not only the name “Catholic Church,” but they also kept their position in the community that continues to call itself the Catholic Church. When people see a man wearing a white cassock and “ruling” millions of people from the Vatican, they automatically assume him to be the pope. People ofttimes fail to comprehend the underlying heretical doctrine coming from such leaders, heresies which can only mean that such a one is not the pope of the Catholic Church.”(Calefactory.org)

Traditional Catholic Doctrine

Many persons who call themselves Catholic think that the “Catholic Church” now centered in Rome, in the Vatican, is the Catholic Church. Since 1958 (after the death of Pope Pius XII on October 9, 1958), the holders of offices there, have usurped the name of the Catholic Church from which they of their own free will departed. They left the faith, and therefore they left the Church that was founded by Christ on the apostles with Peter as its head. 

This deception was first made manifest by the bogus Council Vatican II (1962 – 1965) which was held to bring the Catholic Church into the 20th century, and to update the church to the views of the liberal thinkers of the time. It wanted to “modernize” the church, wanted to bring it more in line with “Protestant” thinking. The Vatican II documents altered virtually every single sacrament, every rite and ritual, and did away with specific Catholic teachings that existed from the time of Christ.

In reality, Vatican II did not change the Catholic Church one bit, but rather it invented an entirely new religion which is most commonly referred to today as the “Novus Ordo,” a moniker coming from the “New Order Missal” invented at Vatican II. The fathers of that bogus Council plus their leaders (John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and now Francis I) kept not only the name “Catholic Church,” but they also kept their position in the community that continues to call itself the Catholic Church. When people see a man wearing a white cassock and “ruling” millions of people from the Vatican, they automatically assume him to be the pope. People ofttimes fail to comprehend the underlying heretical doctrine coming from such leaders, heresies which can only mean that such a one is not the pope of the Catholic Church.

Being without a pope for a long period of time is nothing new in the world. At the time of the Great Schism, they prayed and waited for their pope for about 40 years. In the early Church of the 4th century, history records the terrible Arian heresy, a denial of the Divinity of Christ, which caused nearly all the bishops to leave the Church by their accepting the Arian heresy. The Catholics who refused to accept the Arian heresy were sad and lonely. To them St. Athanasius addressed some words of encouragement.

So, for those people who have the great desire for the traditional Catholic Church, desire for the sacraments, rites and rituals as they existed prior to 1958, desire for living the Catholic faith according to God’s holy will, and above all else for the hope of salvation, Calefactory.org is your main source of traditional Catholic doctrine and teachings. May God grant you the grace to be Catholic and to always remain Catholic, the only faith which gives the hope of salvation.

Source: Calefactory.org

The Two Great Commandments

* Q. 188. Besides believing what God has revealed, what else must we do to be saved? A. Besides believing what God has revealed, we must keep His law.  * God has clearly revealed that we must keep His law to attain eternal salvation. The revealed doctrines, which we must believe, give us the reasons for obeying the law. * The law of God is an expression of divine wisdom guiding man to his end and regulating man’s relations to his Creator and to his fellow men. Some actions are good in themselves; others are good because they are commanded. Some actions are evil in themselves; others are evil because they are forbidden. Good actions are in conformity with human nature as created by God; evil actions are contrary to it. The law of God presupposes the divine will and also divine wisdom. Every rational creature must obey the law of God as made known through human reason and divine revelation. * > “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). * > “He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me” (John 14:21). * > “But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17).  * Q. 189. Which are the two great commandments that contain the whole law of God? A. The two great commandments that contain the whole law of God are: first, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength; second, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  * The whole law of God can be reduced to the commandment of love of God, because the proper motive of love of neighbor and love of self is God. * The first three commandments of the Decalogue refer directly to the commandment of love of God; the last seven regard the love of neighbor and imply love of oneself. Every person who has received or is capable of receiving sanctifying grace and eternal happiness is our neighbor. Only the devils and the souls of the damned are excluded from our love. 22 * > “And one of them, a doctor of the Law, putting him to the test, asked him, ‘Master, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ Jesus said to him. ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.’ * > This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like it, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets’ ” (Matthew 22:35-40).  * Q. 190. What must we do to love God, our neighbor, and ourselves? A. To love God, our neighbor, and ourselves we must keep the commandments of God and of the Church, and perform the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.  * Just as the commandments of God determine in detail what we must do in order to love God, our neighbor, and ourselves, so the commandments of the Church and the spiritual and corporal works of mercy show us how to apply practically the commandments of God. * God, through His Divine Son Jesus Christ, empowered and directed the Catholic Church to make necessary and useful laws for its members to help them attain their eternal salvation. We prove our true love for our fellow man by performing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, which should have as their motive the love of God and not merely humanitarian or natural reasons. * > “Give alms out of thy substance, and turn not away thy face from any poor person: for so it shall come to pass that the face of the Lord shall not be turned from thee” (Tobias 4:7). * > “Let love be without pretense. Hate what is evil, hold to what is good. Love one another with fraternal charity, anticipating one another with honor. Be not slothful in zeal; be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope. Be patient in tribulation, persevering in prayer. Share the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Be of one mind towards one another. Do not set your mind on high things but condescend to the lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. To no man render evil for evil but provide good things not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as far as in you lies, be at peace with all men. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord’ ” (Romans 12:9-19). * > “Brethren, even if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual instruct such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2). * > “And we exhort you, brethren, reprove the irregular, comfort the fainthearted, support the weak, and be patient towards all men. See that no one renders evil for evil to any man; but always strive after good towards one another and towards all men” (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15). * > “I urge therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1). * > “Religion pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to give aid to orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself unspotted from this world” (James 1:27). * > “My brethren, if any one of you strays from the truth and someone brings him back, he ought to know that he who causes a sinner to be brought back from his misguided way, will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). * > “My dear children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).23  * Q. 191. Which are the chief corporal works of mercy? A. The chief corporal works of mercy are seven:  * 1. To feed the hungry. * 2. To give drink to the thirsty. * 3. To clothe the naked. * 4. To visit the imprisoned. * 5. To shelter the homeless. * 6. To visit the sick. * 7. To bury the dead.  * Our Lord taught explicitly that one can earn the eternal reward of heaven by performing the corporal works of mercy and that those who deliberately refuse to perform such works will be barred from heaven. One can feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless not only by actually providing the necessities of life but also by working to correct economic abuses which cause unnecessary unemployment and poverty. Those who work to provide comfortable and sanitary housing for the poor perform a corporal work of mercy. * One can visit the sick by paying a social call or by providing the necessary medical care as far as means and circumstances permit. Those who help support hospitals for the poor and home-nursing organizations also perform this work of mercy. Doctors and nurses who attend the sick can gain the reward promised by Our Lord if they perform their duties for the love of God and not merely for money or for humanitarian reasons. * That Almighty God is pleased to reward those who bury the dead is distinctly taught in the book of Tobias. To visit a house of mourning or to attend a funeral is a mark of respect to the dead and a consolation to the relatives of the deceased person. * The Church has forbidden cremation not because it is wrong in itself nor because it is contrary to divine law, but because it is in opposition to the Jewish and Christian tradition and has been advocated by anti-Christians with the express purpose of destroying belief in the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body. The Fathers of the Church defended the custom of burial by reason of the doctrine of the resurrection of the body and the respect due to it as the temple of the Holy Ghost. * During great pestilences when it is impossible to bury the dead in time to prevent the spread of contagion, the Church permits mass cremation because it is neither wrong in itself nor expressly forbidden by the divine law.  * Q. 192. Which are the chief spiritual works of mercy? A. The chief spiritual works of mercy are seven:  * 1. To admonish the sinner. * 2. To instruct the ignorant. * 3. To counsel the doubtful. * 4. To comfort the sorrowful. * 5. To bear wrongs patiently. * 6. To forgive all injuries. * 7. To pray for the living and the dead.  * The spiritual works of mercy by their very nature excel the corporal works. They refer directly to the soul of man and to his eternal welfare. They are aids in healing the soul and in preserving it from spiritual disease; they help to foster the true happiness of mankind and are the most perfect fulfillment of the command to love our neighbor. * We are obliged to admonish the sinner and to try to persuade him to turn from evil and to practice virtue whenever prudence dictates. We are not obliged to do so when, for example, we judge that our words will not be heeded or that greater harm will follow. Persons in authority, for example, parents and teachers, have a greater obligation than others in this regard. Sinners may be admonished not only by kind words but also by good example. * Teachers in Catholic schools, missionaries, catechists, confessors, and Catholic writers perform in an excellent manner the spiritual work of instructing the ignorant. Those who help to support Catholic schools, colleges, and missions, as well as those who teach merely secular subjects, perform this spiritual work of mercy provided the motive of their actions is love of God and neighbor. * Whenever their words are likely to be heeded, Christians must be ready to give helpful advice to those who need it. * To console those who are in sorrow because of the death or sickness of loved ones or because of some other spiritual or temporal affliction is an act of Christian charity. * The true Christian imitates the example of Christ by bearing wrongs patiently and by forgiving all injuries because of love of God. While dying on the cross, Christ prayed to His heavenly Father to forgive His executioners “for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). The true Christian loves all men, even those who reproach and persecute him. * The sublime doctrines of the Communion of Saints and the Mystical Body of Christ should make us pray for all our brothers in Christ.  * Q. 193. Is everyone obliged to perform the works of mercy? A. Everyone is obliged to perform the works of mercy, according to his own ability and the need of his neighbor.  * The obligation to perform the works of mercy varies with one’s vocation and condition of life and the degree of the neighbor’s need.  * Q. 194. Are all the ordinary deeds done every day to relieve the corporal or spiritual needs of others true works of mercy? A. All the ordinary deeds done every day to relieve the corporal or spiritual needs of others are true works of mercy, if done in the name of Christ.  * We can make all the good works done for our neighbor supernatural by doing them in the name of Christ and for the love of God. * > “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward” (Mark 9:40). * > “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or do anything else, do all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).  * Q. 195. Which are the commandments of God? A. The commandments of God are these ten:  * 1. I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt not have strange gods before Me. * 2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. * 3. Remember thou keep holy the Lord’s Day. * 4. Honor thy father and thy mother. * 5. Thou shalt not kill. * 6. Thou shalt not commit adultery. * 7. Thou shalt not steal. * 8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. * 9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife. * 10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.  * These commandments, engraved on two tablets of stone, were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. In giving these commandments God made plain and determined the obligations which arise from man’s very nature. * > And the Lord spoke all these words: * > “I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. * > “Thou shalt not have strange gods before me. * > “Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth. * > “Thou shalt not adore them, nor serve them: I am the Lord thy God, mighty, jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me: * > “And showing mercy unto thousands to them that love me, and keep my commandments. * > “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that shall take the name of the Lord his God in vain. * > “Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. * > “Six days shalt thou labor, and shalt do all thy works. * > “But on the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: thou shalt do no work on it, thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy beast, nor the stranger that is within thy gates. * > “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them, and rested on the seventh day: therefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it. * > “Honor thy father and thy mother, that thou mayest be long-lived upon the land which the Lord thy God will give thee. * > “Thou shalt not kill. * > “Thou shalt not commit adultery. * > “Thou shalt not steal. * > “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. * > “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house: neither shalt thou desire his wife, nor his servant, nor his handmaid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is his” (Exodus 20:1-17). * > “Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall be lost from the Law till all things have been accomplished. Therefore whoever does away with one of these least commandments, and so teaches men, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever carries them out and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-19).  * Q. 196. Should we be satisfied merely to keep the commandments of God? A. We should not be satisfied merely to keep the commandments of God, but should always be ready to do good deeds, even when they are not commanded.  * The commandments of God state the minimum requirements for salvation. They should be kept not merely according to the letter but also according to the spirit, which obliges us to strive for greater perfection. * > “And behold, a certain man came to him and said, ‘Good Master, what good work shall I do to have eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘Why dost thou ask me about what is good? One there is who is good, and he is God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which?’ And Jesus said, * > Thou shalt not kill, * > Thou shalt not commit adultery, * > Thou shalt not steal, * > Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother, and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”‘ * > The young man said to him, ‘All these I have kept; what is yet wanting to me?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he had great possessions’ ” (Matthew 19:16-22).  * Q. 197. What does Our Saviour especially recommend that is not strictly commanded by the law of God? A. Our Saviour especially recommends the observance of the Evangelical Counsels-voluntary poverty, perpetual chastity, and perfect obedience.  * These recommendations are called counsels because, although they extend an invitation to all, the obligation to practice them is assumed voluntarily. They are called evangelical because they are recommended in the Gospel * The Evangelical Counsels are the most perfect of the many counsels recommended in the Gospel; they remove impediments to sanctity and are positive helps to greater holiness. The observance of voluntary poverty enables a person to overcome the inclinations of greed; the observance of perpetual chastity helps in conquering the flesh; the observance of perfect obedience demands the entire subjection of the will. * The obligations of the Evangelical Counsels are assumed by the vows of the religious life, which is called the life of perfection. Those who make these vows do not thereby become perfect but they assume the obligation of tending toward perfection in a special way. * Any Catholic may voluntarily seek admission to the religious life who is free from legal impediments, has the right intention, and is fitted to discharge the duties of the particular institute of his choice. Married persons, and persons under fifteen years of age, as well as those whose parents need their help, are prevented by legal impediments from embracing the religious state. A person who wishes to please God, to save his soul, or to help his neighbor has a right intention in seeking admission to the religious state. The novitiate of the religious life is a period during which a vocation is tested and superiors and subjects are enabled to decide freely on the mutual obligations that are assumed by public profession in the religious state. By profession, members of the religious life publicly assume the obligations of their state through the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. These obligations are assumed for a definite period or for life. * Persons who do not embrace the religious life can tend toward perfection in their particular state by observing the spirit of the Evangelical Counsels. The spirit of poverty will make them freely give up many needless things in order to help the poor. Married persons will strive to govern their lives by marital chastity, realizing that they can place limitation of their family only through virtuous living. The spirit of obedience will make them docile to legitimate superiors, in whom they will see the representatives of God. * > “You therefore are to be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). * > “And Peter * > Poverty-See Scripture, question 196, Matthew 19:16-22. * > Chastity-“He who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please God” (1 Corinthians 7:32). * > Obedience -“For obedience is better than sacrifices” (1 Kings 15:22).  * IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT THE TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS  * “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26), says the apostle, St. James. This same lesson was taught by Our Lord when He said “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father in heaven shall enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21). In other words, we are obliged not only to believe all that God has revealed, but also to obey all that He commands. * Our reason tells us that certain things are good and obligatory, such as worshiping God and obeying our parents, while other things are bad and sinful, such as theft or murder. These obligations and prohibitions make up the natural law. To know this we need no revelation; yet, because human beings through ignorance and malice are apt to go astray even in this law, God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments, which explicitly contain the chief obligations of the natural law, and implicitly contain all the rest. Thus, the fourth commandment explicitly commands children to honor their parents; yet it surely implies other obligations, such as love, respect and obedience, as also the duties of parents toward their children. God also laid down certain other laws for the people of Israel in addition to the natural law, such as the prohibition to eat certain kinds of food (). These constitute what we call the positive law. It is evident that God, Creator and Lord of all mankind, has a right to make any laws He wills, and men have the obligation to obey them. * It should be noted that the enumeration of the Ten Commandments differs in the Catholic Church from that followed by most Protestants. What is the first commandment for Catholics is divided into two commandments by Protestants, while the ninth and tenth commandments of Catholics form only one commandment for Protestants, so that our commandments from the second to the ninth are numbered one higher by Protestants. * Our Lord emphasized the necessity of obeying the natural law. He Himself also added some positive laws for all mankind, such as the obligation to enter His Church. He did away with the ceremonial laws of the Jewish people, such as the laws regarding the types of food that were forbidden and the observance of the Sabbath Day. In His law the prominent feature is love -love for God and love for our fellow men. That is why He said that all the laws of God could be summed up in the two commandments, to love God and to love our neighbor. For this same reason He wills that His followers shall not content themselves with merely obeying laws. He wishes them to do more than what is commanded. In the Christian religion the works of mercy, which are deeds of charity toward one’s neighbor in his bodily or spiritual needs, are recommended to all. And to those who wish to practice Christian virtue in its highest forms our Saviour gave the counsels of perfection: poverty, chastity and obedience. * These counsels are the basis of the religious state. There are hundreds of different orders and congregations, each doing its own particular work for God’s glory, but all leading their members nearer to God by the constant practice of Christian virtue. Some female religious teach, others care for the sick and the aged and orphans, others devote themselves entirely to prayer in the seclusion of their convents. Some male religious are priests; others are brothers. And the Church is ever holding the religious life before Catholic boys and girls as the most perfect way in which one may serve God and our neighbor and the surest way of winning the happiness of heaven. * Sometimes young folks feel a desire for the life of holiness which the religious state offers, but they fear that they have no vocation to this sublime state. It is possible that they entertain a false notion about a vocation. They seem to imagine that those who are called to the religious life receive a clear internal inspiration, inviting them to the monastery or the convent. On this point they are entirely mistaken. The very fact that a person has the requisite qualities of body and of soul to fulfill the duties of the religious life and feels an inclination toward this form of life can be regarded as an indication that he has a vocation and that he may lawfully seek admission to an order or congregation. During the novitiate he will have a sufficient opportunity to judge whether or not he is called to the religious state. * Today there is great need of candidates for the religious life, especially of those who will devote themselves to works of charity, such as the care of the sick and the education of children. The spirit of the age, so eager for material wealth and pleasures and honors, is indeed the very opposite of the religious spirit of poverty and self-denial and humility. But the very fact that there is so great a difference between the world and the cloister reflects great credit and merit on those who enter the religious life. * Young folks who think that they may have a religious vocation should pray fervently for divine guidance, read good books on the religious state, and consult an experienced confessor.  * RESOLUTION:   * Resolve to perform at least once a day a work of corporal or spiritual mercy. * Complete Exercises For Lesson 15   * STUDY HELPS  * A. TRUE OR FALSE.  * (Check each of the following statements as either true or false. The correct answer can be found in the preceding portions of this lesson.)  * The Catholic Church commands us to keep holy the Sabbath day. * We must love every person who has received or is capable of receiving sanctifying grace. * The corporal works of mercy are superior to the spiritual works. * If we perform the works of mercy for humanitarian reasons we are fulfilling our Lord’s commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. * A person can tend to perfection only in the religious life. * A person must be at least sixteen years old before he may enter the novitiate of a religious order. * Our Lord did away with the ceremonial laws of the Jewish people. * We are obliged to follow the counsels as well as obey the commandments. * All male religious are either priests or candidates for the priesthood. * God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai.  * B. PROBLEMS AND EXERCISES.  * (Answer the questions orally or write them as your teacher may direct):  * Before the arrival of the early Catholic missionaries, could the Indians of our country have known anything about any of the Ten Commandments? Explain your answer. * Try to condense the entire Law of God into as few as five words. * In a short paragraph of three or four sentences show that obedience and service are the best expressions of this love. * Restaurants, cafeterias and lunch-rooms feed the hungry. Saloons, soda counters, and tea-rooms give drink to the thirsty. Haberdasheries, dressmakers, and clothiers supply clothing to their customers. Are they performing corporal works of mercy? Explain your answer. * goes to St. Hope’s Hospital to have a chat with his classmate Edward, who is very sick, and at the same time, very discouraged and sad. At the end of his visit, Dan has Eddie in good humor and resigned to God’s will. On the way out of the hospital, Dan drops into the hospital chapel to recite five Our Fathers and five Hail Marys for his friend Eddie. How many works of mercy has he performed? Specify them. * Frances and Genevieve are good friends. Frances has great influence over her friend. She knows that Genevieve has been reading immodest publications and going with questionable companions. What spiritual work of mercy should Frances perform in Genevieve’s regard? * Suppose Frances objects: “I’d prefer to mind my own business!” What answer should be given her? Explain why Frances is perhaps obliged to perform this particular work of mercy. * Nicholas, a Catholic Boy Scout, a very faithful fellow, seldom, if ever, misses his morning and night prayers. He is very charitably inclined, and a very willing helper. Tell him how to make doubly sure of being credited with his many daily good deeds. * In a general way, explain to Jacob, a Jewish lad of your acquaintance, what you have learned about the Ten Commandments, mentioning the points of difference that now exist between Jews and Christians in their regard. * Sophie, now in the graduating class at St. Mamertus’, recently got the idea she would like to become a nun. Up to the present time she has been pretty lazy around the house, doing only those things she is compelled to do. Her constitution is weak. When asked why she wants to become a Sister she replies: “Because I like Sister Alphonsina, and I’m just crazy about the habit she wears!” Do you think Sophie has a vocation? What are the reasons for your answer? * Myles, an altar boy and daily communicant, would like to become a priest. He is in the eighth grade. Raymond, his chum, would like to join an order of teaching brothers. Both have confided their ambitions to each other, but to no one else. In six months they are to graduate. What should they do promptly? * Cite some words of Our Saviour Himself proving that more than faith alone is necessary to work out our salvation. * If a Protestant friend speaks to you about the fifth commandment, to which commandment is he probably referring according to the Catholic enumeration? (https://www.drbo.org/cat/htm/02015.htm)

Having Perfect Contrition

Q. 399. When is our contrition perfect?
A. Our contrition is perfect when we are sorry for our sins because sin offends God, whom we love above all things for His own sake.

 * We love God because He is the supreme Good. Sin is the greatest evil because it is an offense against God, the supreme Good. Our sorrow for sin is perfect, therefore, when we detest sin because it offends God, whom we love above all things.

 * See Scripture, question 390, .

Q. 390. When is sorrow for sin true contrition?
A. Sorrow for sin is true contrition when it is interior, supernatural, supreme, and universal.

 * > David’s sorrow for sin as expressed in is true contrition:

 * > It is interior: “My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (v. 19).

 * > It is supernatural: “Create a pure heart for me, O God, and renew in me a steadfast spirit” (v. 12).

 * > It is supreme: The entire conveys David’s hatred of sin and his willingness to endure anything rather than sin again.

 * > It is universal: “Turn thy face away from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities” (v. 11).

IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT CONTRITION

 * If we insult a friend, it is our duty to ask his pardon, to tell him we are sorry, to promise that we shall not repeat the offense. We must do the same toward God when we offend Him by sin. We cannot expect Him to forgive us unless we turn to Him with true sorrow of soul, or contrition. On the other hand, if we turn to Him with the necessary contrition, He will forgive us. In this, His mercy is greater than that of creatures. Sometimes we ask a human being to pardon the wrong we have done, but he refuses. But God is always ready to forgive the sinner, however wicked he has been, if he returns to his heavenly Father with true sorrow of heart. Naturally, this sorrow must be based on motives of faith, not on merely natural motives. It must extend to all mortal sins, it must include a firm purpose of not sinning, at least mortally, in future; it must contain the will to endure any suffering rather than offend God by grievous sin in the time to come. Such an act of contrition is not difficult for anyone who knows from the principles of the Catholic faith how terrible an evil is sin. One must remember also that God is always ready to give the grace to make an act of contrition to anyone who sincerely begs His assistance.

 * When we say that God will not forgive any sin without contrition, we are speaking only of actual sin, not of original sin. We cannot have contrition for original sin since we did not contract it by our own free will; hence, infants who have only original sin are cleansed of that sin by Baptism, without making any act of contrition.

 * In the sacrament of Penance, contrition based on any supernatural motive suffices, even though it arises merely from the fear of God’s punishments, of which He has spoken to us frequently in revelation. It is true, contrition based on fear alone is not very noble. Indeed, it might be called selfish. Yet, Our Lord proposed this as a good motive of contrition when He said: “Be afraid of him who, after He was killed, has power to cast into hell” ( 5). Other reasons for contrition, sufficient to obtain the forgiveness of sins in the sacrament of Penance, are the realization of the ingratitude to God that every sin contains, the hatefulness of sin as opposed to the supernatural virtues, the injustice to our Creator included in every transgression of His law.

 * The noblest type of contrition is that which arises from the love of God for His own sake, or because of His own goodness. This is called perfect contrition, and it has the power to procure the forgiveness of all mortal sins that may be on the soul of the person who detests his sins from this motive. It was of this contrition that Our Lord spoke when He said, pointing to the repentant sinner, Mary Magdalene, “Her sins, many as they are, shall be forgiven her, because she has loved much” ( 47). It is indeed unfortunate that Catholics are often unaware of the wonderful power of perfect contrition. Some think it remits sin only when one is in danger of death and cannot get to confession. The truth is that an act of perfect contrition will always take away mortal sin; one has only to have the intention of going to confession when he is next obliged to do so-that is, within the year or when in danger of death-and telling the mortal sins which have been remitted by perfect contrition. One who has had his sins forgiven by perfect contrition may not go to Communion until he has been to confession; nevertheless he can enjoy the advantages of being in the state of grace and of gaining merit for his good works.

 * A person can have at the same time both perfect and imperfect contrition for his sins. One does not exclude the other. For this reason we say in our act of contrition: “I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments” thus expressing imperfect contrition, and then we add our expression of perfect contrition, when we say: “But most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love.”(https://www.drbo.org/cat/htm/02030.htm)

All Nations of the Earth Will Be Against Israel

“On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it.”(Zechariah 12:3)

Zechariah 12:3 is a prophetic verse that speaks of a future time when Jerusalem will become a “heavy stone” for all nations. This means that any attempt to harm or conquer Jerusalem will result in harm to those nations instead. The verse emphasizes God’s protection over Jerusalem and the futility of opposing His chosen city.

• Jerusalem as a “heavy stone”: This imagery suggests that Jerusalem is a significant obstacle that cannot be easily overcome. Any nation that tries to harm Jerusalem will face divine judgment and suffer consequences.
• Divine protection: The verse highlights God’s unwavering protection over Jerusalem. Despite the opposition it may face, Jerusalem will remain safe and secure under God’s care.
• Ultimate triumph: The prophecy points to a future time when all nations will recognize the futility of opposing Jerusalem and acknowledge God’s sovereignty.

This verse offers hope and assurance to believers that God will ultimately protect His people and fulfill His promises. It also serves as a warning to those who would seek to harm God’s chosen city.

The Bible contains numerous prophecies that Christians believe predict the coming of Jesus Christ. These prophecies, often referred to as Messianic prophecies, are found throughout the Old Testament.

• Virgin Birth: Isaiah 7:14 prophesies that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a son named Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Christians believe this prophecy was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 describes a suffering servant who would be rejected, beaten, and crucified. Christians interpret this prophecy as a description of Jesus’ suffering and death.
• Triumphant Return: Daniel 7:13-14 describes a figure called the “Son of Man” who would come with the clouds of heaven and be given eternal dominion. Christians believe this prophecy points to Jesus’ second coming.

It’s important to note that interpretations of these prophecies vary among different religious groups. Some people argue that these prophecies were not fulfilled by Jesus or that they were misinterpreted. However, for many Christians, these prophecies are a fundamental part of their belief in Jesus as the Messiah.

Pray for Peace

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”(Matthew 5:9, ESV)We are called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem in Psalm 122:6. But why are the dispensational pre-tribulation rapture Christians seemingly hoping for a war in the Middle East? Not unlike their Muslim counterparts who are looking forward to their end times Madi, these Christians are hoping for the soon return of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Scripture also teaches us that “no man knows the day or the hour” of his second coming. So, we should show patience and determination to finish well for the Lord when he comes: “but he who endures to the end will be saved.”(Matt. 24:13)

The Thousand Years

“20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. ² He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. ³ He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

⁴ I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They^[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. ⁵ (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. ⁶ Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”(Revelation 20:1-6, NIV)

Amillennialists- those who hold a non-literal view of the millennium, see this thousand years as the present church age. No futuristic view of a millennium is held before Christ’s return. When he does return for the final judgment, he will judge the living and the dead. “And if anyone’s name was not found in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”(Rev. 20:15, ESV)

Then comes the New Heaven and the New Earth: this will be a renewal of the entire created order; the new Jerusalem which is the bride of Christ will be adorned as a bride(including Jew and Gentile in Christ).” God’s ultimate purpose in redemption history is to create a people to dwell in his presence, glorifying him through numerous varied activities and enjoying him forever.

So let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and the conversion of all peoples to the knowledge of the truth; that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen!

The Story of God

October 02, 2024

Story of God

Striving to understand the universe by looking up to the heavens, looking outward to creation, looking inward to our deceitfully wicked hearts; we find ourselves in darkness and wretchedness beyond comprehension.  The only singular truth we can discern from nature is that there is a God, and I am not him.  The heavens do truly declare his glory, but it is not until we are exposed to his written Word that we come to a more complete understanding of who God is and what he has done.

“From its very beginning, the Christian church has always accepted Holy Scripture as the Word of God, beginning with the Old Testament. In Israel, from the most ancient times on the authority of YHWH’s commandments and statutes, i.e., of the Torah and of the prophets, it is established. In Israel, Moses and the prophets have always been men of divine authority, and their writings were immediately recognized as authoritative. Over time, however, that authority was undermined by a gradually emerging reliance on oral tradition that was also believed to have been passed down from Moses. Jesus and the early church shared the Jewish honoring of the Old Testament, though they did not accept the broader claims of Jewish rabbinic tradition. The church, therefore, was never without a Bible, even at Pentecost. The church fathers say little about the dogma of Scripture; for them its authority was a given. This was understood to mean an infallible Bible and the image of “dictation by the Holy Spirit” is even used. God is the author of Holy Scripture and its [human] writers were simply the hands of the Holy Spirit. The Scripture is “a letter of an omnipotent God to his creature.”[7] Scripture’s authority is plenary; nothing is indifferent and superfluous, but everything is full of divine wisdom; “for nothing is without meaning or without the seal that belongs to God.”[8] Origen in particular beat this drum and stated that there was nothing in Scripture “which did not come down from the fullness of the divine majesty.” Similarly, Jerome said: “Each and every speech, all syllables, marks and periods in the divine scriptures are full of meanings and breathe heavenly sacraments.” Hence Holy Scripture was without any defect or error, even in chronological, historical matters.[9] Augustine, in his letter to Jerome, writes that he firmly believed that none of the canonical writers “erred in anything they wrote.” Hence when there is mistake, “one is not allowed to say: the author of this book did not hold to the truth but either the copy of a book is faulty, or the interpreter erred, or you do not understand it.”[Herman Bavink, Reformed Dogmatics]

God reveals himself to Adam and Eve by direct communication-he speaks to them directly.  Also in the story of Cain and Able we see dialogue between God and Cain.  Abraham seems to have direct communication with God, and also Moses; who is to be an intermediary between God and the people of Israel.   The writing of the Ten Commandments and the Law of Moses are a precursor to a more perfect relationship with our Creator that begins in the pages of the New Testament.

“ Hebrews 1:1-4 ESV – Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

“ Hebrews 9:15 ESV – Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.⁠”

“Romans 15:4 ESV

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” These Scriptures (the O.T.) was written for our understanding and by perseverance and encouragement of the Incarnate Word( Jesus Christ) we who believe in Him may have hope.  God gave us the inspired Word as a special revelation to all of humanity, “ John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Therefore, let us believe on his name that we may be saved from the wrath to come, that is coming upon the earth and those who reject this offer; “ Jude 1:12-13 RSV – These are blemishes on your love feasts, as they boldly carouse together, looking after themselves; waterless clouds, carried along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars for whom the nether gloom of darkness has been reserved for ever.” Proverbs 16:4 RSV – “The LORD has made everything for its purpose,

even the wicked for the day of trouble.”

For we ,as the Church, are the New Israel of God( which includes Jews and gentiles alike), the elect.  But some are not elect; reprobates who are past over by God.  This is by God’s design and cannot be questioned by man.  For even Paul said, “ Romans 9:14-16 RSV – Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So it depends not upon man’s will or exertion, but upon God’s mercy.

Romans 9:20-22 RSV – But who are you, a man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me thus?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for beauty and another for menial use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the vessels of wrath made for destruction”

So then, God’s sovereignty is proved true!  By God’s own Word, the Bible— it is proved true. Our free will is limited by our fallen state, and cannot be overcome but by God’s grace. For “we were dead in our trespasses and sins…”(Ephesians 2:1) This is a mystery, a paradox to hold this truth in humility but never forgetting, “but for the grace of God, there go I.”

“ We believe that the same God, after he had created all things, did not forsake them, or give them up to fortune or chance, but that he rules and governs them according to his holy will, so that nothing happens in this world without his appointment: nevertheless, God neither is the author of, nor can be charged with, the sins which are committed. For his power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible, that he orders and executes his work in the most excellent and just manner, even then, when devils and wicked men act unjustly. And, as to what he doth surpassing human understanding, we will not curiously inquire into, farther than our capacity will admit of; but with the greatest humility and reverence adore the righteous judgments of God, which are hid from us, contenting ourselves that we are disciples of Christ, to learn only those things which he has revealed to us in his Word, without transgressing these limits. This doctrine affords us unspeakable consolation, since we are taught thereby that nothing can befall us by chance, but by the direction of our most gracious and heavenly Father; who watches over us with a paternal care, keeping all creatures so under his power, that not a hair of our head (for they are all numbered), nor a sparrow, can fall to the ground, without the will of our Father, in whom we do entirely trust; being persuaded, that he so restrains the devil and all our enemies, that without his will and permission, they cannot hurt us. And therefore we reject that damnable error of the Epicureans, who say that God regards nothing, but leaves all things to chance.”(Belgic Confession, Article 13)

“ God’s Eternal Decrees

1. From all eternity and by the completely wise and holy purpose of his own will, God has freely and unchangeably ordained whatever happens.1 This ordainment does not mean, however, that God is the author of sin (he is not), 2 that he represses the will of his created beings, or that he takes away the freedom or contingency of secondary causes. Rather, the will of created beings and the freedom and contingency of secondary causes are established by him.3

1. Eph 1.11, Rom 11.33, Heb 6.17, Rom 9.15,18, Acts 4.27-28, Mt 10.29-30, Eph 2.10, Is 45.6-7.

2. Jas 1.13-14, 17, 1 Jn 1.5, Eccl 7.29, Ps 5.4.

3. Acts 2.23, Mt 17.12, Acts 4.27-28, Jn 19.11, Prv 16.33, Acts 27.23-24, 34, 44.

2. Although God knows whatever may or can happen under all possible circumstances, 4 he has not ordered anything because he foresaw it in the future as something which would happen under such circumstances.5

4. Acts 15.18, 1 Sm 23.11-12, Mt 11.21,23, Ps 139.1-4, Prv 16.33.

5. Rom 9.11,13, 15-16, 18, 2 Tm 1.9, Eph 1.4-5.

3. In order to manifest his glory God has ordered that some men and angels should be predestined to everlasting life6 and that others should be foreordained to everlasting death.7

6. 1 Tm 5.21, Mt 25.31,41, Acts 13.48, Rom 8.29-30, Jn 10.27-29, Mk 8.38, Jude 6.

7. Rom 9.22-23, Eph 1.5-6, Prv 16.4, Mt 25.41, Jude 4.

4. This predestination and foreordination of angels and men are precise and unchangeable. The number and identity of angels and men in each group are certain, definite, and unalterable.8

8. 2 Tm 2.19, Jn 13.18, 10.14-16,27-29, 6.37-39, Acts 13.48, Jn 17.2,6,9-12.

5. Before the creation of the world, 9 according to his eternal, unchangeable plan10 and the hidden purpose and good pleasure of his will, 11 God has chosen in Christ12 those of mankind who are predestined to life and to everlasting glory.13 He has done this solely out of his own mercy and love and completely to the praise of his wonderful grace.14 This choice was completely independent of his foreknowledge of how his created beings would be or act. Neither their faith nor good works nor perseverance had any part in influencing his selection.15

9. Eph 1.4.

10. Eph 1.11.

11. Eph 1.9.

12. 2 Tm 1.9.

13. Rom 8.30, 1 Thes 5.9, 1 Pt 5.10.

14. Eph 1.5-6, 12.

15. Rom 9.11, 13, 15-16, Eph 1.4,6,9, 2 Tm 1.9, Eph 2.8-9.

6. Just as God has determined that the elect shall be glorified, so, too, in the eternal and completely free purpose of his will he has foreordained all the means by which that election is accomplished.16 And so, those who are chosen, having fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ.17 They are effectually called to faith in Christ by his Spirit working in them at the right time,18 and they are justified,19 adopted,20 sanctified,21 and kept by his power through faith unto salvation.22 Only the elect, and no others, are redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved.23

16. 1 Pt 1.2, Eph 1.4-5, 2.10, 2 Thes 2.13.

17. 1 Thes 5.9-10, Ti 2.14, Rom 5.19.

18. Rom 9.11, 2 Thes 2.13-14, 1 Cor 1.9.

19. Rom 8.30.

20. Eph 1.5.

21. 2 Thes 2.13, Eph 1.4, 1 Thes 4.3.

22. 1 Pt 1.5, Jn 10.28.

23. Jn 17.9, Rom 8.28-39, Jn 6.64-65, 8.47, 10.26, 1 Jn 2.19, Acts 13.48.

7. According to the hidden purpose of his own will, by which he offers or withholds mercy at his pleasure, and for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, it pleased God not to call the rest of mankind24 and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin25 to the praise of his glorious justice.26

24. Mt 11.25-26, 1 Pt 2.8.

25. Rom 9.14-22, Jude 4, Rom 2.8-9, 2 Thes 2.10-12.

26. 2 Tm 2.19-20, Rv 15.3-4.

8. This important and mysterious doctrine of predestination must be treated with special discretion and care, so that, paying attention to and obeying the will of God revealed in his word, men may be assured that they have been eternally chosen from the certainty of their effectual calling. In this way the doctrine of predestination will elicit not only our praise, reverence, and admiration for God, but also a humble and diligent life, fully supporting everyone who sincerely obeys the gospel.27

27. Rom 9.20, 11.33, Dt 29.29, 2 Pt 1.10, Eph 1.6, Rom 11.5-6, 20, 8.33, Lk 10.20, see General Note.”(Westminster Confession of Faith, ch. 3, God’s eternal decrees)