Possibility not Doctrine – Does Christ Words in Matthew 19 point to Elect vs Non Elect Salvation by Jonathan. Link for free pdf:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hkvWCIWdpXQEfpLjuuDF1XgfJVx6Sk0f/view?usp=sharing

Note that some images may be missing so please view pdf in link above for those parts, thank you.

We don’t Preach another Gospel but only within what is even considered as possibilities from the Greats of First Christianity on this Topic too.

Christian Doctrine –
Celibacy vs Marriage to
 Tithes vs Charity Doctrine
       and 5 Wise Virgins
– A Survey

by

Jonathan Ramachandran

1.0 Questions to Ponder

Remember: St. Augustine of Hippo (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD) and St. Jerome of the Vulgate (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD) did key Theological Work for the Church as a whole but had terrible sexual sins past and in the Bible the only man called after “God’s Heart” King David also fell and married in adultery but each repented. So anyone can exceed another in righteousness aspect in the race of faith after repentance because obedience which is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22) relies heavily on doctrinal accuracy since even “zeal for God” is “lower or no value if wrong knowledge context” as Romans 10:2 has warned as follows, “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (NKJV). So a person can be more accurate in doctrine for one topic but less accurate in another, right? So which parts contribute more to the final heavenly reward for Christians and all that are not detailed in the Bible so God alone knows how to Judge it. Example “Church Father” quotes on this Topic is [From Page 382 onward of the #DoctrineBook] including St. Irenaeus of Lyons, St. Augustine, St. Athanasius etc. Someone wrote this regarding thoughts of celibacy vs marriage so whether Church Fathers preserved right interpretation on this or modern ones against it and those who both do and teach only become greater in Heaven as Christ Said in Matthew 5:19 and not those who “do only but don’t teach” or those who “teach but don’t do” or “those who don’t do and don’t teach” agreeing to Daniel 12:3’s Prophecy that Wise (insight, more accurate) even in this Doctrine of Celibacy vs Marriage will contribute to higher shining like Heavens vs lower less accurate ones to shine like stars level only in comparison (Bible compares so we must too), thus let God Decide on Accuracy but we present the evidence. This is not a return to “all” Old Testament Laws as some Judaizers err but only which has been Written to obey in New Testament Verses. Additional deeper insights provided by certain Apocrypha books and Church Father quotes are open to debate but as long as some Bible Verses can link to these as presented, it will remain a possibility. Each has to decide their life decision on this topic too willingly (“freewill”) as the phrase “power over his own will” in this direct New Testament (NT) Verse implies, “37Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. 38So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.” (1 Corinthians 7:37 – 38, NKJV) and if no greater heavenly reward, no point in teaching earthly values abstinence, right? NT only teaches things with eternal reward, true?

I repeat: Why all these is important? Doctrinal accuracy shines in higher heavens level compared to lower stars level for converting many as Daniel 12:3 prophesies and Church Fathers taught likewise. So nothing to be worried about since if you turned out more right on more doctrines, then you will shine brighter as a Christian and vice versa, fair, right? Only when we take into account all these we can say that we’re fulfilling the “Great Commission” fully because Christ did not just say “make disciples” (i.e. converts) but also Said in this same Bible Verse “20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;” (Matthew 28:20, NKJV).

Motto: Don’t study and write only when it’s for getting a degree, masters or phD but even if it’s aimed at none of these. Will we study Bible, Church History and related fields if there’s no money nor certificate to be earned? Therefore, this paper is written formally (while my other pdfs written in an informal style in free downloadable books*) to demonstrate personal lifelong learning and promote critical thinking in these areas. The things we do for money are for a living but the things we do for free (Charity Doctrine in Gospel things too) reveals our heart as Christ Said, “33“Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor does a moth destroy. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:33 – 34, NASB). For those who say otherwise, ask them back this, does the Love of God only do things when indirect love offerings, money through paid courses or degrees are to be earned? Which Bible Verse? This is not to brag around but to put forth a point to think about since these words judge me too. Thank you for reading this!

*Free download links can be found in last pages of free pdf below including my music compositions (as of 13 August 2024) of this “Non Elect Salvation Possibility”:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mk5aYTc7pyQKb9f5Pn8NiQpZjfh-O0w5/view?usp=sharing

My #ORCID link: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4669-1077 (more free Gospel related thoughts and research pdfs and their links in “works” section). Note: Regarding font styles, spacings and some other rules, these are all man-made and it’s good to follow when submitting to an institution or journal but are of no big deal when written in a free speech manner like this.

2.0 Table of Contents

Questions to Ponder .……………………………………………………………………. 1     

Christ’s Quote and Important Bible Verses on Celibacy .………….…………….….. 4

Church Fathers quote on Celibacy ……………………………………….…………… 12

Christ’s Doctrine for Eternal Life and an Unsolved Mystery ……………..………… 17

Sexual Sins of King David the Man after God’s Heart & Theologians St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Jerome of the Vulgate but they repented ……………………….…… 20

Appendix I (Church Father & Protestant Founder Quotes on no Sabbath for Gentile believers) ………………………………………………………………………….….…. 25

Appendix II (Sample Major Church Father Quotes on Celibacy) …………………. 35

Appendix III (Major Church Fathers Quotes on Tithes vs Charity Doctrine to its link regarding the Parable of 5 Wise vs 5 Foolish Virgins) ……………………………… 43

3.0 Christ’s Quote and Important Bible Verses on Celibacy

i) Christ Himself also taught that “Celibacy vs Marriage” topic is based on “freewill” choice to marry or not to remain an Eunuch for “Kingdom of Heaven’s Sake” (so reward and gradation context implied since a person in “kingdom of Heaven” recipient context here is saved already, right?)  in His famous phrase below “who is able to accept it, let him accept it” (Matthew 19:12, NKJV)) but He also says “to whom it has been given” (Matthew 19:11, NKJV) implying “God’s Will” influences it. So “freewill” exists under the influence of “God’s Will” in a ‘fair choice’ manner.

“11But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.” (Matthew 19:11 – 12, NKJV)

Christ came to fulfil all Law (Torah) and so in the context of unmarried ones called eunuch too here for kingdom of Heaven context, some of His followers who are able to accept it must be among the famous Church Fathers I have quoted in previous pdfs and those I will quote later too, right? [especially those Church Fathers who have direct quotes alluding to this eunuch for kingdom of heaven concept].

Consider these Bible Verses:

ii) There’s a special bread for those men who kept themselves away from women which can be a type of eunuch distinction and reward within priesthood willingly too as a real Levite priest from the Old Testament reveals to King David.

“And the priest answered David and said, “There is no common bread on hand; but there is holy bread, if the young men have at least kept themselves from women” [1].

Note: Christ Himself referred to this incident above meaning its contents must be true during one of his discourses as follows and points clearly that this bread is only for priests so there seems to be a higher lawful celibate priest concept (for the Old Testament was a type) but New Testament is the actual for such unmarried priests, i.e. those who kept themselves from women? This is seen when we combine both Verses here and notice also Christ did not say that His disciples did not break Sabbath rules but His Disciples are not condemned even if they break Sabbath rules.

“2And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!” 3But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? [2].

This same Verse is quoted by St. Irenaeus of Lyons too to show the same meaning  that not keeping the Sabbath does not condemn any Christian as Apostle St. Paul confirmed this same meaning too [3]. Indeed, even St. Irenaeus of Lyons writes that every Christian is a heavenly priest [4] who are His Bride whom Christ Shares One Flesh (His Divinity) and is Married to [5] as belonging to Elect Salvation regarding those who make it to the Marriage of the Lamb as expounded by Chiliasm Church Father as I showed in earlier pdfs and so this brings up a question as to whether a non-priest among those saved nations on that final earth could be non elect salvation [6] who are mentioned differently. The Bride is in heaven while the saved nations are on earth as described in these Bible Verses which can imply their final abodes.

iii) Apostle St. Paul writes that the unmarried choice is better than married to the same person meaning it’s a “freewill” choice to marry or not. Notice that he did not say, “it’s God’s Will for you to marry someone” nor did he say, “it’s God’s Will for you not to marry some either” or something equivalent to these in New Testament time.

“7For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 8But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; 9but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. … 28But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you. … 32But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. 33But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. … 38So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better. ” [7]

iv) Prophet Isaiah seemed to have prophesied in the context of final reward and salvation that “eunuchs” (mix of virgins + unmarried ones even those “who made themselves eunuch” which can include those who repented later for kingdom of heaven’s sake as Christ pointed out earlier in Matthew 19:11 – 12) to have final “everlasting” (same Hebrew Word Olam describing eternal life vs punishment forever say in Daniel 21:2 [8]) name “that shall not be cut off” in verses next.

“1Thus says the Lord: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come, And My righteousness to be revealed. … 4For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant, 5Even to them I will give in My house And within My walls a place and a name Better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name That shall not be cut off.” [9]

I will show in later chapter how some the context of this Verse can refer to both a better everlasting name for such eunuchs than of sons and daughters for the kingdom of heaven context and also final glorious final dwelling since the word “place” is mentioned too via the writing of some Church Fathers.

v) The 144000 which I believe literally is a special case of unmarried, virgin, Jewish men eunuchs from all human history timeline and not some special tribulation saints because for example they’re called “firsfruits of salvation” (literally means “tithes of salvation”, the holiest saved ones by some measure of gradation) so it cannot be that tribulation saints are the holiest ones only, right? In fact it’s usually pre-tribulation rapture believers who put forth such a theory but in their own standard view itself the tribulation saints are those “left behind” since they were not holy enough to be in “pre-trib rapture” to escape with Christ during His “Secret” coming (as they claim) meaning the tribulation saints are less holy than them, got left behind and had to die as martyrs in the hands of the Antichrist while in comparison, aren’t there many other holier Christians throughout history and so how can they be called “firstfruits or tithes” or holiest lot of salvation then?

“1Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.” [10]

Comment: The Bible Verses above describe that they do “not have any deceit” in their mouth and “without fault” implying incredible doctrinal accuracy and agrees with Daniel 12:3 [11] as those shine as heavens (higher) than stars (lower) for just converting many with lesser accuracy. Also, apart from Chiliasm Church Father St. Melito of Sardis (who was a Jewish bishop, died c. 180 AD), I don’t seem to know of other famous unmarried, Jewish virgin men who converted many in Church history proving again that doctrinal accuracy is more important than converting many. I believe the rest of highest hundredfold reward levels (though not written explicitly in Scripture) will follow these same spiritual guidelines since God has no partiality.

vi) The last set of Bible Verses below do not describe eunuch context directly but indirectly. How? This is a verse about “fasting and prayer” and notice that even in lawful marriage context, something mysterious is stated here (which is not found clearly in Old Testament Scripture either) namely that one must abstain from sexual relations in husband-wife context for a better “fasting and prayer” and this is an option or “concession, not as a commandment”.

So a “eunuch” for life does not have any marriage relations being unmarried and so his “fasting and prayer” will be more acceptable to God in light of these Verses, right? The aim of prayer is mystical union with Christ [12] and not getting earthly prosperity as some thinking err (such as the “Prosperity Gospel”) since God gives His Sun and Rain on both righteous and evil [13] but will judge each man based on what is given where some will be rewarded while others will be beaten and it will be based on “relative measure” since “more is given, more is required” [14] (example: more prosperity, money, support, no. of converts, salary and all that means must be more accurate, right?).

“5Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. 7For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 8But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; 9but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” [15]

Scripture actually allows Bishops to marry one wife [16] but I am not sure whether this will make them only “thirtyfold” reward level as many major Church Fathers claim likewise as I show in Appendix II or that they get lower within “hundredfold” reward levels which can span a big range too (only God knows). So the concept of “unmarried priests or unmarried pastors or unmarried bishops” or equivalent have a good grounding in Scripture here to live a life of uninterrupted prayer since though we don’t understand it yet, the Bible verses here clearly describe that even a lawful husband-wife sexual relationships affects “fasting and prayer” negatively. So such eunuchs who understand such depth of Scripture may dedicate their lives to remain unmarried to attain to a deeper mystical union with Christ through and obeying His other commands too. Notice carefully that Christ Himself pointed out earlier (in John 14:23 – 24) that no one can form any “relationship” with Him and then Father unless they keep His Commandments where in this case, this is an option (not a command for all) so it’s more glorious to be done willingly.

Compare with this quote below which describes that non-Commands done for God merits great reward and glory in God since it is done by “freewill” and it’s quoted in the context of “fasting and prayer” together with “Charity Doctrine” too:

“I said to him, Sir, I do not see the meaning of these similitudes, nor am I able to comprehend them, unless you explain them to me. I will explain them all to you, he said, and whatever I shall mention in the course of our conversations I will show you. [Keep the commandments of the Lord, and you will be approved, and inscribed among the number of those who observe His commands.] And if you do any good beyond what is commanded by God, you will gain for yourself more abundant glory, and will be more honoured by God than you would otherwise be. If, therefore, in keeping the commandments of God, you do, in addition, these services, you will have joy if you observe them according to my command. I said to him, Sir, whatsoever you enjoin upon me I will observe, for I know that you are with me. I will be with you, he replied, because you have such a desire for doing good; and I will be with all those, he added, who have such a desire. This fasting, he continued, is very good, provided the commandments of the Lord be observed. Thus, then, shall you observe the fasting which you intend to keep. First of all, be on your guard against every evil word, and every evil desire, and purify your heart from all the vanities of this world. If you guard against these things, your fasting will be perfect. And you will do also as follows. Having fulfilled what is written, in the day on which you fast you will taste nothing but bread and water; and having reckoned up the price of the dishes of that day which you intended to have eaten, you will give it to a widow, or an orphan, or to some person in want, and thus you will exhibit humility of mind, so that he who has received benefit from your humility may fill his own soul, and pray for you to the Lord. If you observe fasting, as I have commanded you, your sacrifice will be acceptable to God, and this fasting will be written down; and the service thus performed is noble, and sacred, and acceptable to the Lord.” [17]

In fact, even this same “Shepherd of Hermas” (quoted above) supports “eunuch” glory where a man like that took his wife thereafter as a “sister” not having sexual relations with her anymore which can refer to Christ’s Matthew 19:29 [18] context of “left wife” which can mean “unmarried” too since unmarried is greater than having a wife first, enjoying sexually and then leaving her for the same reason of Gospel work or  for “His Sake” to fulfil even Gospel non-commands or option as described in 1 Corinthians 7:5 earlier in New Testament context for a lifetime of deeper union with Christ through such “fasting and prayer” by turning into an “eunuch” first, right?

“But make known these words to all your children, and to your wife, who is to be your sister. For she does not restrain her tongue, with which she commits iniquity; but, on hearing these words, she will control herself, and will obtain mercy.” [19]

Notice that this same “Shepherd of Hermas” (called “Shepherd” in quote next) is considered Scripture in some early Christianity (as I shown in my free pdfs including in the Non Elect Salvation pdf briefly too) and is mentioned in the same place as “Esther” (which today is in 66 books protestant Bibles but back then was not!) or even the “Wisdom of Solomon” writing too which I will quote after that for such mysterious “Eunuch” Verses too. St. Athanasius the Great (Champion of Trinity and Father of Orthodoxy) writes,

“… These are the springs of salvation, in order that he who is thirsty may fully refresh himself with the words contained in them. In them alone is the doctrine of piety proclaimed. Let no one add anything to them or take anything away from them… But for the sake of greater accuracy I add, being constrained to write, that there are also other books besides these, which have not indeed been put in the canon, but have been appointed by the Fathers as reading-matter for those who have just come forward and which to be instructed in the doctrine of piety: the Wisdom of Solomon, the Wisdom of Sirach, Esther, Judith, Tobias, the so-called Teaching [Didache] of the Apostles, and the Shepherd. And although, beloved, the former are in the canon and the latter serve as reading matter, yet mention is nowhere made of the apocrypha; rather they are a fabrication of the heretics, who write them down when it pleases them and generously assign to them an early date of composition in order that they may be able to draw upon them as supposedly ancient writings and have in them occasion to deceive the guileless. …” [20]

Let’s look at the “Wisdom of Solomon” quotes regarding “eunuch” next.

“And blessed is the eunuch, which with his hands hath wrought no iniquity, nor imagined wicked things against God: for unto him shall be given the special gift of faith, and an inheritance in the temple of the Lord more acceptable to his mind.” [21]

And this too:

“1Better it is to have no children, and to have virtue: for the memorial thereof is immortal: because it is known with God, and with men. 2When it is present, men take example at it; and when it is gone, they desire it: it weareth a crown, and triumpheth for ever, having gotten the victory, striving for undefiled rewards.” [22]

Here is an example quote from another Deuterocanonical book from around this time period which promises first place in the Resurrection for those with “Charity Doctrine”

“20Do right to the widow, judge for the fatherless, give to the poor, defend the orphan, clothe the naked, 21Heal the broken and the weak, laugh not a lame man to scorn, defend the maimed, and let the blind man come into the sight of my clearness. 22Keep the old and young within thy walls. 23Wheresoever thou findest the dead, take them and bury them, and I will give thee the first place in my resurrection.” [23]

Comment: Notice that Christ did not say that the Old Testament prophets was until Malachi but until John the Baptist [24] meaning it could include even these Deuterocanonical books such as “Wisdom of Solomon” and even “2 Esdras” which the Roman Catholics and Orthodox consider as Scripture in their Bible since all these happened between the time Malachi to John the Baptist. Here’s another mystery: Christ may have celebrated “Hanukkah” (Feast of Tabernacles) which is not a canonical Old Testament feast but was from “Judas Maccabees” during this same window period where it’s his writing that has the famous “purgatory” quote and “charity doctrine” for its judgments.

My point is if “Maccabees” was a “false prophet” or his “purgatory” belief false, then why Christ celebrated this “Hanukkah Feast due to this same Maccabees” as apostle St. John records? Difficult to say either way so in light of such an evidence, we consider “purgatory” as a possibility too for “Non Elect Salvation”).

Here is that Purgatory quote from Maccabees:

“42Betook themselves unto prayer, and besought him that the sin committed might wholly be put out of remembrance. Besides, that noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forsomuch as they saw before their eyes the things that came to pass for the sins of those that were slain. 43And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver, he sent it to Jerusalem to offer a sin offering, doing therein very well and honestly, in that he was mindful of the resurrection: 44For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead. 45And also in that he perceived that there was great favour laid up for those that died godly, it was an holy and good thought. Whereupon he made a reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin.” [25]

Notice that this is a “prayer for the dead” with Charity Doctrine and not a “prayer to the dead” which is found nowhere in Scripture.

Next, here is Christ potentially celebrating Hannukah (Feast of Tabernacles) due to this action of this same Maccabees who did the Purgatory prayers:

“22Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.” [26]

Here’s a question to ponder:

Why did Christ not correct this writing or comment on it since some of the Jews of his time were practicing this due to Maccabees’ writing, right?

4.0 Church Fathers quote on Celibacy

Since it does not matter which source is quoted (as long as the content is the same), these are well known historical writings quoted and so I will just “cut and paste” for reference purpose here. We do not need to agree to each quote and what I think is more accurate (personal opinion with quotes and Bible Verses) I already describe in earlier chapter above. These quotes reflect that such thoughts on celibacy and links to heavenly rewards has always been present with the early Church.

Source for each quote next is this:

https://practicalapologetics.blogspot.com/2013/07/early-church-fathers-on-celebacy.html

Quotes start below:

Clement of Rome Epistles on Virginity ch 10 (27-97 ad)

But we speak thus in consequence of the evil rumours and reports concerning shameless men, who, under pretext of the fear of God, have their dwelling with maidens, and so expose themselves to danger, and walk with them along the road and in solitary places alone — a course which is full of dangers, and full of stumbling-blocks and snares and pitfalls; nor is it in any respect right for Christians and those who fear God so to conduct themselves. Others, too, eat and drink with them at entertainments allowing themselves in loose behaviour and much uncleanness–such as ought not to be among believers, and especially among those who have chosen for themselves a life of holiness. Others, again, meet together for vain and trifling conversation and merriment, and that they may speak evil of one another; and they hunt up tales against one another, and are idle: persons with whom we do not allow you even to eat bread. Then, others gad about among the houses of virgin brethren or sisters, on pretence of visiting them, or reading the Scriptures to them, or exorcising them. Forasmuch as they are idle and do no work, they pry into those things which ought not to be inquired into, and by means of plausible words make merchandise of the name of Christ.

Clement of Rome Epistles on Virginity ch 3 (27-97 ad)
And if again we chance to come into a place where there is no consecrated brother, but all are married, all those who are there will receive the brother who comes to them

Clement of Rome Epistles on Virginity ch 2 (27-97 ad)
All these things will that consecrated brother, who is in the place in which we tarry, do in his own person.

Justin Martyr Fragments on the resurrection ch 3 (100-165 ad)
And we see men also keeping themselves virgins, some from the first, and some from a certain time; so that by their means, marriage, made lawless through lust, is destroyed.

Cyprian of Carthage epistle 51 par 20 (200-270 ad)
The Church, crowned with so many virgins, flourishes; and chastity and modesty preserve the tenor of their glory.

Cyprian of Carthage Treatise 2 par 4 (200-270 ad)
For that is not an empty carefulness nor a vain fear, which takes counsel for the way of salvation, which guards the commandments of the Lord and of life; so that they who have dedicated themselves to Christ, and who depart from carnal concupiscence, and have vowed themselves to God as well in the flesh as in the spirit, may consummate their work, destined as it is to a great reward, and may not study any longer to be adorned or to please anybody but their Lord, from whom also they expect the reward of virginity; as He Himself says: “All men cannot receive this word, but they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb; and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men; and there are eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.” Again, also by this word of the angel the gift of continency is set forth, and virginity is preached:

Peter of Alexandria Genuine Acts of Peter (260-311ad)
Wonderful was the devotion of the faithful! When it was known that this holy man was shut up in the dungeon of the prison, an incredibly large number ran together, principally a band of monks and of virgins, and with no material arms, but with rivers of tears and the affection of pious minds. surrounded the prison’s circuit.

Aphrahat Demonstrations 6 Of Monks par 20 (280-367 ad)
Therefore read in this whatever I have written unto thee, thou and the brethren, the monks that love virginity.

Methodius Banquet of Ten Virgins Discourse 1 ch 4 (300 ad)
And first let us inquire for what reason it was that no one of the many patriarchs and prophets and righteous men, who taught and did many noble things, either praised or chose the state of virginity. Because it was reserved for the Lord alone to he the first to teach this doctrine, since He alone, coming down to us, taught man to draw near to God; for it was fitting that He who was first and chief of priests, of prophets, and of angels, should also be saluted as first and chief of virgins. For in old times man was not yet perfect, and for this reason was unable to receive perfection, which is virginity.

Cyril of Jerusalem Catechetical Lecture 16 par 22 (315-386 ad)
Consider, I pray, of each nation, Bishops, Presbyters, Deacons, Solitaries, Virgins, and laity besides; and then behold their great Protector, and the Dispenser of their gifts;–how throughout the world He gives to one chastity, to another perpetual virginity, to another almsgiving, to another voluntary poverty, to another power of repelling hostile spirits.

Gregory Nazianzen Oration 40 par 18 (325-389 ad)
We do not dishonour marriage because we give a higher honour to virginity. I will imitate Christ, the pure Grooms-man and Bridegroom, as He both wrought a miracle at a wedding, and honours wedlock with His Presence.

Basil Letter 199 par 18 (329-379 ad)
Since, however, by God’s grace the Church grows mightier as she advances, and the order of virgins is becoming more numerous, it is my judgment that careful heed should be given both to the act as it appears upon consideration, and to the mind of Scripture, which may be discovered from the context.

Ambrose On the Duties of the Clergy Book 1 Ch 50 par 258 (340-397 ad)
But ye know that the ministerial office must be kept pure and unspotted, and must not be defiled by conjugal intercourse; ye know this, I say, who have received the gifts of the sacred ministry, with pure bodies, and unspoilt modesty, and without ever having enjoyed conjugal intercourse. I am mentioning this, because in some out-of-the-way places, when they enter on the ministry, or even when they become priests, they have begotten children. They defend this on the ground of old custom, when, as it happened, the sacrifice was offered up at long intervals. However, even the people had to be purified two or three days beforehand, so as to come clean to the sacrifice, as we read in the Old Testament. They even used to wash their clothes. If such regard was paid in what was only the figure, how much ought it to be shown in the reality ! Learn then, Priest and Levite, what it means to wash thy clothes. Thou must have a pure body wherewith to offer up the sacraments.

Council of Ganga epilogue (343 ad)
We do, assuredly, admire virginity accompanied by humility; and we have regard for continence, accompanied by godliness and gravity; and we praise the leaving of worldly occupations, [when it is made] with lowliness of mind; [but at the same time] we honour the holy companionship of marriage,

Council of Ganga cannon 9-10 (343 ad)
Canon 9. If any one shall remain virgin, or observe continence, abstaining from marriage because he abhors it, and not on account of the beauty and holiness of virginity itself, let him be anathema.
Canon 10. If any one of those who are living a virgin life for the Lord’s sake shall treat arrogantly the married, let him be anathema.

John Chrysostom Homily 19 on First Corinthians (347-407 ad)
“It is good for a man not to touch a woman.” superior course, it is better not to have any connection whatever with a woman: but if you ask what is safe and helpful to thine own infirmity, be connected by marriage.” [R] [+] But since it was likely, as also happens now, that the husband might be willing but the wife not, or perhaps the reverse, mark how he discusses each case. Some indeed say that this discourse was addressed by him to priests. But I, judging from what follows, could not affirm that it was so: since he would not have given his advice in general terms. For if he were writing these things only for the priests, he would have said, “It is good for the teacher not to touch a woman.” But now he has made it of universal application, saying, “It is good for a man;” not for priest only. And again, “Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.” He said not, “You who are a priest and teacher,” but indefinitely. And the whole of his speech goes on entirely in the same tones And in saying, “Because of fornications, let every man have his own wife” by the very cause alleged for the concession he guides men to continence.

Jerome Against Jovinianus book 1 par 26 (347-420 ad)
But we might say concerning Peter, that he had a mother-in-law when he believed, and no longer had a wife

Jerome Letter 22 par 18 (347-420 ad)
For me, virginity is consecrated in the persons of Mary and of Christ.”

Jerome Letter 130 par 11 (347-420 ad)
The same may be said of sanctification and of that chastity without which no man shall see the Lord. Each of these is a step on the upward way, yet none of them by itself will avail to win the virgin’s crown. The gospel teaches us this in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins; the former of whom enter into the bridechamber of the bridegroom, while the latter are shut out from it because not having the oil of good works they allow their lamps to fail.

John Cassian Institutes Book 2 ch 3 (360-435 ad)
For no one is allowed to preside over the assembly of the brethren, or even over himself, before he has not only deprived himself of all his property but has also learnt the fact that he is not his own maker and has no authority over his own actions. For one who renounces the world, whatever property or riches he may possess, must seek the common dwelling of a Coenobium, that he may not flatter himself in any way with what he has forsaken or what he has brought into the monastery.

Augustine On Christian Doctrine Book 3 ch 17 par 25 (354-430 ad)
Again, it often happens that a man who has attained, or thinks he has attained, to a higher grade of spiritual life, thinks that the commands given to those who are still in the lower grades are figurative; for example, if he has embraced a life of celibacy and made himself a eunuch for the kingdom of heaven’s sake, he contends that the commands given in Scripture about loving and ruling a wife are not to be taken literally, but figuratively; and if he has determined to keep his virgin unmarried, he tries to put a figurative interpretation on the passage where it is said, “Marry thy daughter, and so shall thou have performed a weighty matter.” Accordingly, another of our rules for understanding the Scriptures will be as follows,–to recognize that some commands are given to all in common, others to particular classes of persons, that the medicine may act not only upon the state of health as a whole, but also upon the special weakness of each member. For that which cannot be raised to a higher state must be cared for in its own state.

Gregory the Great Letters Book 4 letter 9 (540-604 ad)
But let the nuns themselves, rendering praises to God and confining themselves to their monasteries, no longer suggest any evil suspicion to the minds of the faithful.

Gregory the Great Letters Book 13 letter 9 (540-604 ad)
Accordingly, in accordance with the letters of our most Excellent royal children, Brunichild and her grandson Theoderic, to the monastery of Saint Mary, where there is constituted a congregation of handmaidens of God,

Constantinople/Trullo/Quinisext canon 41 (692 ad)
Those who in town or in villages wish to go away into cloisters, and take heed for themselves apart, before they enter a monastery and practise the anchorite’s life,(1) should for the space of three years in the fear of God submit to the Superior of the house, and fulfil obedience in all things, as is right, thus shewing forth their choice of this life and that they embrace it willingly and with their whole hearts;

5.0 Christ’s Doctrine for Eternal Life and an Unsolved Mystery

St. John Chrysostom (c. 347 AD – c. 407 AD) wrote that “Charity Doctrine hits a higher mark than Virginity” [27] while correcting the error of some who thought that “fasting and prayer” is more important than “Almsgiving” where the opposite is true as he ranks the “choirs of virtue” as Christ does so in Bible Verses next too.

A main point is also what’s the point of being a virgin if one only lives for oneself and say did not live out the Charity Doctrine toward others? as Christ asked this to the potentially virgin rich young man who “kept all the Torah” as follows:

“16… “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” 17So He said to him, “…But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 20The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” 21Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Matthew 19:16 – 22, highlighted some parts, NKJV)

Some comments:

1. Notice that Christ did not ask to keep “all” Torah for “Eternal Life” context.

2. When asked “which Commandments?” Christ did not quote all the 10 Commandments but only the last 6 Commandments which related to men. Is this the gateway for Non-Elect Salvation since the first 4 Commandments relating to God context is not mentioned by Christ? (Not doctrine just an interesting thought). I mean if the first 4 is kept by a person, they’re considered Elect Salvation since these commands relate to God directly but Sabbath does not apply to Gentile believers [28] as even St. Augustine taught and all Protestant founders did not keep Sabbath nor considered Sunday Church service as Sabbath fulfilment as I have shown their own quotes say in [From Page 170 onward of the #DoctrineBook]. See Appendix I.

3. Notice that Christ also included the “love your neighbor as yourself” command [29] which is not a 10 commandment meaning for “eternal life”, a non-10-Commandment is also required by Christ and its context was expanded to include “enemies level” in Christ’s own definition of Parable of Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25 – 37).

4. The rich young ruler said he kept all this Torah commands and asked Christ what he lacked to which Christ replied “Charity Doctrine to Following Him” meaning these are in addition to that and what makes the definition of “Elect Salvation” possibly?

5. Perhaps the Parable of the Good Samaritan [30] by Christ can refer to such non elect salvation hope since Christ Himself Said that Samaritans “do not know God” [31] opening hope for such Samaritans who did Charity Doctrine toward their “enemies-Jews level” which can be analogous to a non-Christian doing Charity Doctrine to a Christian, right?

Perhaps these are the surprised sheep of the nations who seem to not know Christ as they ask back, “When did we see You Lord being hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick and in prison?” but Christ knows them based on their Charity Doctrine deeds done toward “His Brethren” or Christians [32] and being righteous? [33] based on the 6 of the 10 Commandments relating to man as we saw comment 2 here earlier?

6. If this interpretation is true, then it’s not salvation by works for the “Non Elect Salvation” part either but rather that these may get a chance to believe after seeing Christ in the Spirit World (too much details and aspects but I already I explain it in the earlier pdfs).

I am writing this not to confuse you but to honestly present the deeper thoughts which arise when we map these verses to each other. Just like the unlearnt case requires such saved ones to see and believe in Lord Jesus Christ in the Spirit World, such “saved by fire” case ones of 1 Corinthians 3:15 also may refer to this class of “believing after seeing” case of John 6:29, 36, 40 [34] where Christ was only angry with the Jews for not believing Him even after seeing Him and His miracles and other works. The context of seeing the Risen Christ and then given a chance to believe is also evidenced in Apostle St. Thomas’ conversion too [35].

I put these thoughts out fully so that nothing remains hidden and we can contemplate these together.

6.0 Sexual Sins of King David the Man after God’s Heart & Theologians St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Jerome of the Vulgate but they Repented

King David is the only Man called “after God’s Heart” who did all God’s Will for other commands except fell into adultery and committed murder for that even. Verses:

“And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’” [36]

Now isn’t “heart” the greatest value of virtue? There were plenty of holier prophets including virgins and patriarchs of Israel but yet it was King David alone who got this title and often is associated with the “Kingship” and “Messiahship” of Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ Himself in Holy Scripture. Perhaps king David has a great heart and God Knows it.

Here’s a brief description of that fall:

“2Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 3So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 4Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. 5And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, “I am with child.”.” [37]

Here’s a brief description of the Judgment of God part:

“5So David’s anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this [a]shall surely die! 6And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.” 7Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! 9Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon. 10Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’” [38]

St. Jerome of the Vulgate (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD) was a prolific scholar and remember that God ensured that his translation of the Bible to Latin was used to convert the Western World for 1000 years as the only one (c. 500 AD to c. 1500 AD) before the protestant reformation but yet he came from a past of terrible sexual sins.

I am going to cut and paste from this website:

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

“Jerome (/dʒəˈroʊm/; Latin: Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus; Greek: Εὐσέβιος Σωφρόνιος Ἱερώνυμος; c. 342–347 – 30 September 420), also known as Jerome of Stridon, was an early Christian priest, confessor, theologian, translator, and historian; he is commonly known as Saint Jerome.As a student, Jerome engaged in the superficial escapades and sexual experimentation of students in Rome; he indulged himself quite casually but he suffered terrible bouts of guilt afterwards.^[9] To appease his conscience, on Sundays he visited the sepulchers of the martyrs and the Apostles in the catacombs. This experience reminded him of the terrors of Hell:

Often I would find myself entering those crypts, deep dug in the earth, with their walls on either side lined with the bodies of the dead, where everything was so dark that almost it seemed as though the Psalmist’s words were fulfilled, Let them go down quick into Hell.^[10] Here and there the light, not entering in through windows, but filtering down from above through shafts, relieved the horror of the darkness. But again, as soon as you found yourself cautiously moving forward, the black night closed around and there came to my mind the line of Virgil, “Horror ubique animos, simul ipsa silentia terrent”.^[11][b]

St. Jerome in His Study (1480), by Domenico Ghirlandaio

The quotation from Virgil reads, in translation, “On all sides round, horror spread wide; the very silence breathed a terror on my soul”.^[12]

Conversion to Christianity

St Jerome in the Nuremberg Chronicle

Although at first afraid of Christianity, he eventually converted.^[13]

St. Jerome in the Desert, by Giovanni Bellini (1505)

Seized with a desire for a life of ascetic penance, Jerome went for a time to the desert of Chalcis, to the southeast of Antioch, known as the “Syrian Thebaid” from the number of eremites (hermits) inhabiting it. During this period, he seems to have found time for studying and writing. Reception by later Christianity

Jerome is the second-most voluminous writer – after Augustine of Hippo (354–430) – in ancient Latin Christianity. The Catholic Church recognizes him as the patron saint of translators, librarians, and encyclopedists.^[41]

Jerome translated many biblical texts into Latin from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. His translations formed part of the Vulgate; the Vulgate eventually superseded the preceding Latin translations of the Bible (the Vetus Latina). The Council of Trent in 1546 declared the Vulgate authoritative “in public lectures, disputations, sermons, and expositions”.^[42][43]”

St. Augustine of Hippo (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD) is a mega saint for Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox alike.

I am going to quote from this website for this brief history of his sexual sins part:

Augustine’s Sex-Life Change: From Profligate to Celibate

“However, his struggles with sexuality actually began before his arrival at the decadent North African metropolis of Carthage. He later wrote that it was at the age of 16 that “the frenzy gripped me and I surrendered myself entirely to lust.”

Both his parents were aware that he was “floundering in the broiling sea of … fornication,” but each responded differently. His father, who seems to have also been entangled in extramarital affairs, was amused at his son’s budding sexual interests. The prospect of grand children—legitimate or otherwise—appealed to Patricius. Monica, on the other hand, was caught in a dilemma. She did not suggest marriage for quelling the sexual fires, because she feared that a hurried marriage would hinder her gifted son’s career opportunities. At the same time, she earnestly warned him about his lack of sexual restraint, saying, “above all [do] not seduce any man’s wife.”

Top of Form

As an 18-year-old student at Carthage, Augustine reveled in promiscuity. Sex had become an obsession for him. “From a perverted act of will,” he wrote, “desire had grown, and when desire is given satisfaction, habit is forged; and when habit passes unresisted, a compulsive urge sets in.”

After a year of promiscuity in that university city, Augustine settled down with a mistress. Although he never revealed her name, he remained with her for more than a decade. She bore him a son named Adeodatus.

The young scholar had become a professor of rhetoric in Milan when Monica, his ever-persistent mother, persuaded him to send his unnamed mistress away so that he might acquire the hand of a high-society Milanese girl. Part of the arrangement was that Augustine had to remain chaste for two years, that is, until the girl reached marriageable age. But his sexual passions prevented him from keeping his part of the bargain. Not long after sending away the mother of Adeodatus, he took another mistress. “I thought it should be too miserable,” he lamented, “unless folded in female arms.”

As he came to accept the truth of Christ, one great obstacle that deterred him from fully embracing Christianity was his sexual proclivity. Epitomizing this inner turmoil was his confused prayer, “Give me chastity… but not yet.”

To Augustine’s mind, converting to Christianity meant abandoning marriage altogether. As he records his conversion in the Confessions, he describes being torn between marriage and chaste devotion to God. He decided it could be only the latter for him.”

After his conversion, he had much to say about sex and marriage. The fall of Adam, he taught, drastically affected human sexuality. In particular, human nature had fallen under the compulsive power of concupiscence, or lust, which he understood as the passionate, uncontrolled element in sexuality. Augustine believed that all sexual intercourse—even within the bounds of Christian marriage—involved concupiscence.

But Augustine did not altogether disparage matrimony. It is “honorable and permissible,” he said. But to him, celibacy was better. The purpose of sex in marriage is procreation, he said, although it was “pardonable” if married persons enjoyed conjugal union without intending procreation. He even went so far as to recommend sexual abstinence for married couples—if they mutually agreed to it.

Over the years, the bishop of Hippo’s views on sex and marriage became the bases for many of the Roman Church’s teachings on these matters. If we look closely at the writings of Augustine, we can better understand why Roman Catholics believe that the chief end of marriage is procreation, that divorce and birth control are impermissible, and that continence is the ideal for sexual self-discipline.”

Conclusion

In light of King David, St. Jerome and St. Augustine’s stories of sexual falls, God still chose them to be main spiritual leaders and central figures in Christianity. This is to encourage you that your past does not matter anymore if you have repented and you can be used by God in “relative measure” meaning for example the poor widow gave only two coins that hardly fed any compared to the rich’s giving which fed many but Christ still called her giving as highest [39]. So God counts love in percentage and let Him alone do the math since human beings can be easily influenced by envy to misunderstandings so we do the work even if small number of support or even to one individual knowing God knows how to reward each fairly.

7.0 Appendix I (Church Father & Protestant Founder Quotes on no Sabbath for Gentile believers)

[From Page 170 onward of the #DoctrineBook]

Only 9 out of the 10 Commandments applies to us for Fruit of Eternal Life excluding the Sabbath Commandment (or Church Attendance on Sunday either is optional) by                               St. Augustine of Hippo, Martin Luther (First Protestant) & even the AUGSBURG Confession  

1) St. Augustine of Hippo

“…  “Well, now, I should like to be told what there is in these ten commandments, except the observance of the Sabbath, which ought not to be kept by a Christian” (The Spirit and the Letter 24 [A.D. 412]).

 …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, the Third Great Latin Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, The Spirit and the Letter 24 [A.D. 412])

Source: https://www.catholic.com/tract/sabbath-or-sunday

Or in this link in Chapter 23 [XIV.]— How the Decalogue Kills, If Grace Be Not Present

https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1502.htm

2) Martin Luther, First Protestant and Founder of the Lutheran Church

“… As St. Paul also shows in Romans 2:14-15, the Gentiles, who have no law, have the law written in their heart.  But just as the Jews fail, so also do the Gentiles. Therefore it is To honor God, not steal, not commit adultery, not bear false witness, not murder; and what Moses commands is nothing new. For what God has given the Jews from heaven, he has also written in the hearts of all men. Thus I keep the commandments which Moses has given, not because Moses gave the commandment, but because they have been implanted in me by nature, and Moses agrees exactly with nature, etc.  TITHING: But the other commandments of Moses, which are not [implanted in all men] by nature, the Gentiles do not hold. Nor do these pertain to the Gentiles, such as the TITHE and others equally fine which I wish we had too. Now this is the first thing that I ought to see in Moses, namely, the commandments to which I am not bound except insofar as they are [implanted in everyone] by nature [and written in everyone’s heart]. … SABBATH: Again one can prove it from the third commandment that Moses does not pertain to Gentiles and Christians. For Paul [Col. 2:16] and the New Testament [Matt. 12:1-12; John 5:16; 7:22-23; 9:14-16] abolish the Sabbath, to show us that the Sabbath was given to the Jews alone, for whom it is a stern commandment. The prophets referred to it too, that the Sabbath of the Jews would be abolished. For Isaiah says in the last chapter, “When the Savior comes, then such will be the time, one Sabbath after the other, one month after the other,” etc. [Isa. 66:23]. This is as though he were trying to say, “It will be the Sabbath every day, and the people will be such that they make no distinction between days. For in the New Testament the Sabbath is annihilated as regards the crude external observance, for every day is a holy day,” etc.…” – Blessed Martin Luther, The First Champion of the Protestant Faith,  (LUTHER, MARTIN; August 27, 1525, HOW CHRISTIANS SHOULD REGARD MOSES) Example Sources (same content no matter which is quoted):

http://www.tithing-russkelly.com/id78.html

or https://lutherancatechism.com/doc-lib/voelz_j_luthers_use_of_scripture_in_the_small_catechism.pdf

or http://www.wordofhisgrace.org/LutherMoses.htm

3) AUGSBURG Confession by the FIRST PROTESTANT FATHERS

“… They add hereunto testimonies of Scripture. Christ, Matt. 15:3, defends the Apostles who had not observed the usual tradition, which, however, evidently pertains to a matter not unlawful, but indifferent, and to have a certain affinity with the purifications of the Law, and says, Matt. 15:9, In vain do they worship Me with the commandments of men. 23 He, therefore, does not exact an unprofitable service. Shortly after He adds: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man. So also Paul, Rom. 14:17: 24The kingdom of God is not meat and drink. 25 Col. 2:16: Let NO MAN, therefore, JUDGE you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an HOLY-DAY, or of the SABBATH-day; also: If 26ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances: Touch not, taste not, handle not! And Peter says, Acts 15:10: Why 27 tempt ye God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ 28 we shall be saved, even as they. Here Peter forbids to burden the consciences with many rites, 29 either of Moses or of others. And in 1 Tim. 4:1,3 Paul calls the prohibition of meats a doctrine of devils; for it is against the Gospel to institute or to do such works that by them we may merit grace, or as though Christianity could not exist without such service of God. …29 If they have any other power or jurisdiction, in hearing and judging certain cases, as of matrimony or OF TITHES, etc., THEY HAVE IT BY HUMAN RIGHT, in which matters princes are bound, even against their will, when the ordinaries fail, to dispense justice to their subjects for the maintenance of peace. 30 Moreover, it is disputed whether bishops or pastors have the right to introduce ceremonies in the Church, and to make laws concerning meats, holy-days and grades, that is, orders of ministers, etc. …  57 Of this kind is the OBSERVANCE of the LORD’s DAY, Easter, Pentecost, and like holy-days and 58 rites. For THOSE WHO JUDGE THAT BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH THE OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD’s DAY INSTEAD OF SABBATH-DAY WAS ORDAINED AS A THING NECCESARY, 59 DO GREATLY ERR. Scripture has abrogated the Sabbath-day; for it teaches that, since the Gospel has been revealed, all the ceremonies of Moses can be omitted. And 60 yet, because it was necessary to appoint a certain day, that the people might know when they ought to come together, it appears that the Church designated the Lord’s Day for this purpose; and this day seems to have been chosen all the more for this additional reason, that men might have an EXAMPLE OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY, and might know that the keeping neither of the Sabbath NOR OF ANY OTHER DAY IS NECESSARY. … 5 They CONDEMN ALSO OTHERS who are now spreading certain JEWISH OPINIONS, that BEFORE THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD the GODLY SHALL TAKE POSSESSION OF THE KINGDOM OF THIS WORLD, the ungodly being everywhere suppressed. …”  – Lutheran Book of Concord by the FIRST Protestant Fathers (Augsburg Confession, Article XXVI (26, Verses 21 – 29). Article 17, Article XXVIII (28. Of Ecclesiastical Power, Verses 29 – 30, 57 – 60)

Protestant Source: https://bookofconcord.org/augsburg-confession/

4) Other Church Fathers

Note: (keeping Sunday as the Lord’s Day was optional not mandatory for Salvation context but they did NOT forsake the assembling together when they lived together)

“… 44Now all who BELIEVED were together, and had ALL THINGS in COMMON, 45and SOLD their POSSESSIONS and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46So continuing DAILY with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and SIMPLICITY of HEART, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. …” (Acts 2:44 – 47, NKJV)

“… 32Now the multitude of those who BELIEVED were of ONE HEART and ONE SOUL; neither did anyone say that ANY of the THINGS he POSSESSED was HIS OWN, but they had ALL THINGS in COMMON. … 34Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for ALL who were POSSESSORS of LANDS or HOUSES SOLD them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they DISTRIBUTED to each as ANYONE had NEED. 36And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. …” (Acts 4:32, 34 – 37, NKJV)

 “… 24And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. …” (Hebrews 10:24 – 25, NKJV)

Note: Last Verse above clearly implies that the CHURCH GATHERING (People not building as there were no church buildings when the Verse was Written, only about 200 years later) was referring to doing GOOD WORKS of CHARITY DOCTRINE type as Verses in Acts 2 and Acts 4 prior clearly reveal. In short, if the NO point in having any CHURCH GATHERING if there IS NO CHARITY DOCTRINE done by RELATIVE MEASURE according to the CONTEXT in Hebrews 10:24 – 25 here itself. Can you see it “as it is Written”? In regard to the Decalogue and that only 9 out of the 10 Commandments applies to Christians, please consider the following example quotes (content is same no matter which source is quoted):

What the Early Church Believed: Sabbath or Sunday?

Some religious organizations (Seventh-day Adventists, Seventh-Day Baptists, and certain others) claim that Christians must not worship on Sunday but on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. They claim that, at some unnamed time after the apostolic age, the Church “changed” the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday.

However, passages of Scripture such as Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2, Colossians 2:16-17, and Revelation 1:10 indicate that, even during New Testament times, the Sabbath is no longer binding and that Christians are to worship on the Lord’s day, Sunday, instead.

The early Church Fathers compared the observance of the Sabbath to the observance of the rite of circumcision, and from that they demonstrated that if the apostles abolished circumcision (Gal. 5:1-6), so also the observance of the Sabbath must have been abolished.

The following quotations show that the first Christians understood this principle and gathered for worship on Sunday.

The Didache

“But every Lord’s day . . . gather yourselves together and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one that is at variance with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned” (Didache 14 [A.D. 70]).

The Letter of Barnabas

“We keep the eighth day [Sunday] with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose again from the dead” (Letter of Barnabas 15:6–8 [A.D. 74]). ​​​​​​​

Ignatius of Antioch​​​​​​​

“[T]hose who were brought up in the ancient order of things [i.e. Jews] have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord’s day, on which also our life has sprung up again by him and by his death” (Letter to the Magnesians 8 [A.D. 110]).

Justin Martyr​​​​​​​

“But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead” (First Apology 67 [A.D. 155]).

The Didascalia

“The apostles further appointed: On the first day of the week let there be service, and the reading of the holy scriptures, and the oblation [sacrifice of the Mass], because on the first day of the week [i.e., Sunday] our Lord rose from the place of the dead, and on the first day of the week he arose upon the world, and on the first day of the week he ascended up to heaven, and on the first day of the week he will appear at last with the angels of heaven” (Didascalia 2 [A.D. 225]).

Origen

“Hence it is not possible that the [day of] rest after the Sabbath should have come into existence from the seventh [day] of our God. On the contrary, it is our Savior who, after the pattern of his own rest, caused us to be made in the likeness of his death, and hence also of his resurrection” (Commentary on John 2:28 [A.D. 229]).

Victorinus

“The sixth day [Friday] is called parasceve, that is to say, the preparation of the kingdom. . . . On this day also, on account of the passion of the Lord Jesus Christ, we make either a station to God or a fast. On the seventh day he rested from all his works, and blessed it, and sanctified it. On the former day we are accustomed to fast rigorously, that on the Lord’s day we may go forth to our bread with giving of thanks. And let the parasceve become a rigorous fast, lest we should appear to observe any Sabbath with the Jews . . . which Sabbath he [Christ] in his body abolished” (The Creation of the World [A.D. 300]).

Eusebius of Caesarea

“They [the early saints of the Old Testament] did not care about circumcision of the body, neither do we [Christians]. They did not care about observing Sabbaths, nor do we. They did not avoid certain kinds of food, neither did they regard the other distinctions which Moses first delivered to their posterity to be observed as symbols; nor do Christians of the present day do such things” (Church History 1:4:8 [A.D. 312]).

“[T]he day of his [Christ’s] light . . . was the day of his resurrection from the dead, which they say, as being the one and only truly holy day and the Lord’s day, is better than any number of days as we ordinarily understand them, and better than the days set apart by the Mosaic law for feasts, new moons, and Sabbaths, which the apostle [Paul] teaches are the shadow of days and not days in reality” (Proof of the Gospel 4:16:186 [A.D. 319]).

Athanasius

“The Sabbath was the end of the first creation, the Lord’s day was the beginning of the second, in which he renewed and restored the old in the same way as he prescribed that they should formerly observe the Sabbath as a memorial of the end of the first things, so we honor the Lord’s day as being the memorial of the new creation” (On Sabbath and Circumcision 3 [A.D. 345]).

Cyril of Jerusalem

“Fall not away either into the sect of the Samaritans or into Judaism, for Jesus Christ has henceforth ransomed you. Stand aloof from all observance of Sabbaths and from calling any indifferent meats common or unclean” (Catechetical Lectures 4:37 [A.D. 350]).

Council of Laodicea

“Christians should not Judaize and should not be idle on the Sabbath, but should work on that day; they should, however, particularly reverence the Lord’s day and, if possible, not work on it, because they were Christians” (Canon 29 [A.D. 360]).

John Chrysostom

“[W]hen he [God] said, ‘You shall not kill’ . . . he did not add, ‘because murder is a wicked thing.’ The reason was that conscience had taught this beforehand, and he speaks thus, as to those who know and understand the point. Wherefore when he speaks to us of another commandment, not known to us by the dictate of conscience, he not only prohibits, but adds the reason. When, for instance, he gave commandment concerning the Sabbath— ‘On the seventh day you shall do no work’—he subjoined also the reason for this cessation. What was this? ‘Because on the seventh day God rested from all his works which he had begun to make’ [Ex. 20:10-11]. . . . For what purpose then, I ask, did he add a reason respecting the Sabbath, but did no such thing in regard to murder? Because this commandment was not one of the leading ones. It was not one of those which were accurately defined of our conscience, but a kind of partial and temporary one, and for this reason it was abolished afterward. But those which are necessary and uphold our life are the following: ‘You shall not kill. . . . You shall not commit adultery. . . . You shall not steal.’ On this account he adds no reason in this case, nor enters into any instruction on the matter, but is content with the bare prohibition” (Homilies on the Statutes 12:9 [A.D. 387]).

“You have put on Christ, you have become a member of the Lord and been enrolled in the heavenly city, and you still grovel in the law [of Moses]? How is it possible for you to obtain the kingdom? Listen to Paul’s words, that the observance of the law overthrows the gospel, and learn, if you will, how this comes to pass, and tremble, and shun this pitfall. Why do you keep the Sabbath and fast with the Jews?” (Homilies on Galatians 2:17 [A.D. 395]).

“The rite of circumcision was venerable in the Jews’ account, forasmuch as the law itself gave way thereto, and the Sabbath was less esteemed than circumcision. For that circumcision might be performed, the Sabbath was broken; but that the Sabbath might be kept, circumcision was never broken; and mark, I pray, the dispensation of God. This is found to be even more solemn than the Sabbath, as not being omitted at certain times. When then it is done away, much more is the Sabbath” (Homilies on Philippians 10 [A.D. 402]).

The Apostolic Constitutions

“And on the day of our Lord’s resurrection, which is the Lord’s day, meet more diligently, sending praise to God that made the universe by Jesus, and sent him to us, and condescended to let him suffer, and raised him from the dead. Otherwise what apology will he make to God who does not assemble on that day . . . in which is performed the reading of the prophets, the preaching of the gospel, the oblation of the sacrifice, the gift of the holy food” (Apostolic Constitutions 2:7:60 [A.D. 400]).

Augustine

“Well, now, I should like to be told what there is in these ten commandments, except the observance of the Sabbath, which ought not to be kept by a Christian” (The Spirit and the Letter 24 [A.D. 412]).

Note: Even St. Augustine of Hippo (every protestant and roman Catholic’s favourite saint usually) also teaches the same here that only 9 out of 10 commandments applies to us “Gentile Christians”. Can you see it? So I’m not a heretic when I teach the “same”.

Pope Gregory I

“It has come to my ears that certain men of perverse spirit have sown among you some things that are wrong and opposed to the holy faith, so as to forbid any work being done on the Sabbath day. What else can I call these [men] but preachers of Antichrist, who when he comes will cause the Sabbath day as well as the Lord’s day to be kept free from all work. For because he [the Antichrist] pretends to die and rise again, he wishes the Lord’s day to be held in reverence; and because he compels the people to Judaize that he may bring back the outward rite of the law, and subject the perfidy of the Jews to himself, he wishes the Sabbath to be observed. For this which is said by the prophet, ‘You shall bring in no burden through your gates on the Sabbath day’ [Jer. 17:24] could be held to as long as it was lawful for the law to be observed according to the letter. But after that the grace of almighty God, our Lord Jesus Christ, has appeared, the commandments of the law which were spoken figuratively cannot be kept according to the letter. For if anyone says that this about the Sabbath is to be kept, he must needs say that carnal sacrifices are to be offered. He must say too that the commandment about the circumcision of the body is still to be retained. But let him hear the apostle Paul saying in opposition to him: ‘If you be circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing’ [Gal. 5:2]” (Letters 13:1 [A.D. 597]).

Source: https://www.catholic.com/tract/sabbath-or-sunday

Do you know that you CANNOT be JUDGED for NOT keeping the SABBATH(S) according to BIBLE VERSE below:

Comment: If Apostle St. Paul is saying here to “keep the Sabbath” as some err, then the phrase “let no one judge you in food” must then mean we cannot eat pork either? Can you see it? I mean if the phrase “let no one judge you in food means Christians can eat pork, then the same phrase here let no one judge you in Sabbath must mean Christians need not keep Sabbath either, right? Because the Old Testament required the “opposite” namely cannot eat pork and must keep sabbath. If Paul wanted to institute Sabbath keeping for Gentiles, he would have just wrote “keep the Sabbath” which he did not).

5) Blessed St. Justin Martyr

St. Justin Martyr confirms that the LORD’s DAY SUNDAY GATHERING included the CHARITY DOCTRINE part to as follows:

“… And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration.  …” –  Blessed St. Justin Martyr, a Great Early Christian Apologist who is a Foremost Exponent of the Divine Word, who Influenced Virtually all of subsequent Christian philosophy and Catholic theology, Martyr for Christ, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church (c. 100AD – c. 160 AD, The First Apology, Chapter 67 ) Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm

Note: Can one be a Christian without attending Church?

Yes as long as you are in fellowship with other Christians in some way as the Verses in the Bible Speak of living together DAILY in CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE at the heart of “Sunday gathering practice” and NOT on Sunday only which St. Justin Martyr is describing above meaning for those Christians who have practiced living together, every day is a Sunday!

It is an option that if you do NOT observe Sunday gathering either, as long as you do it for the Lord, it is justified (but those who observe it for the Lord also can) as these Bible Verses allow this clearly in regard to the SACRED DAY CONTEXT:

“… 4Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.  5One person esteems one day above another; ANOTHER ESTEEMS EVERY DAY ALIKE. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; [a]and he who does NOT OBSERVE THE DAY, TO THE LORD he DOES NOT OBSERVE IT. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. …” (Romans 14:4 – 6, NKJV) Source: https://biblehub.com/nkjv/romans/14.htm

Here is a First Christianity Giant of Faith allowing a TYPE OF FAITH where if you do NOT agree with CHURCH DOCTRINE near you in some way, YOU CAN KEEP AWAY from CHURCH for that reason as personally, I have shown that I stand with many of these First Christianity Giants of Faith especially St. Irenaeous of Lyons and so I choose to refrain from local Churches here which practice differently and only fellowship in overlapping areas (if they are willing as it’s by free choice & relative measure) say in “CHARITY DOCTRINE” and if not, we practice it by relative measure personally and this is allowed by Bible Verses quoted as well as this quote as well which PROPHESIES that mainstream Church may be wrong:

“… Who then among you is NOBLE-MINDED? who compassionate? who FULL OF LOVE? Let him declare, “IF ON MY ACCOUNT SEDITION and DISAGREEMENT AND SCHISMS HAVE ARISEN, I WILL DEPART, I WILL GO AWAY whithersoever you desire, and I WILL DO WHATEVER THE MAJORITY COMMANDS; only let the flock of Christ live on terms of peace with the presbyters set over it.” HE THAT ACTS THUS SHALL PROCURE TO HIMSELF GREAT GLORY IN THE LORD; and EVERY PLACE WILL WELCOME HIM. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.” These things they WHO LIVE A GODLY LIFE, that is NEVER TO BE REPENTED OF, BOTH HAVE DONE AND ALWAYS WILL DO. … ” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c.35 AD – c. 99 AD, 1 Clement Chapter 54)

Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1010.htm

Notice that the “PERSON who LEAVES CHURCH” is NOT said to NEED to CHANGE his ways (if he FOLLOWS say St. Irenaeous or other greats) as it is  NEVER  to be repented of and in fact is PROMISED “GREAT GLORY” in the LORD (whatever GREAT REWARD that means). Please notice that if the Roman Catholics wished to “change” this writing, I think they would have forced that person to agree with their church and must stay as they & other schisms (denominations) all preach likewise, right? So this is clear internal evidence that this quote must have been preserved as it is and it’s so mature and professional & notice also that GREAT REWARD can be GOTTEN WITHOUT BEING INVOLVED in CHURCH. Can you see it?

8.0 Appendix II (Sample Major Church Father Quotes on Celibacy)

[From Page 382 onward of the #DoctrineBook]

I do not think these were manipulated by anyone but were preserved as a fulfilment of Isaiah 56:5, Matthew 19:12 and 1 Corinthians 7:38 by CHRIST Working through those ones.

We have quotes from the GREAT DOCTORS of the CHURCH to CHURCH FATHERS, example:

“… And brings forth some an hundredfold, &c. “We must observe,” says S. Jerome, “that like as in the bad ground there were three different sorts—namely, by the wayside, the rocky, and the thorny places—so in the good ground there is a threefold diversity. And in the one as well as in the other, it is not the substance which is changed, but the will; and so it is the heart of the unbelieving as well as of the believing which receives the seed.” Moreover, the greatest fruit of God’s Word, as it were the greatest fruit of seed is a hundredfold, as if from a single grain a harvest of a hundred grains were gathered, as was Isaac’s case (Gen. xxvi. 12). The medium fruit is called sixtyfold; the lowest thirtyfold. A definite number is put for an indefinite; otherwise He might have added, brings forth some fortyfold, some twenty fold, and so on. Whence, in opposition to Jovinian and Calvin, the inequality of merit and consequently of the reward, of good works in Heaven is rightly proved. So S. Chrysostom (Hom. 45), S. Augustine (de S. Virgin. c. 46), Nazianzen (Orat. 28), and others. For the Fathers, however Calvin may deride and exclaim, apply these words especially to diverse states. 1. S. Jerome, on this passage (lib. 1, contra Jovin), and S. Athanasius (Epist. ad Ammon.), and others assign the hundredfold fruit to virgins; the sixtyfold to widows; the thirtyfold to those who live in honest and holy wedlock. 2. S. Cyprian (l. de Hab. Virg.) and S. Augustine (l. 1, de quest. Evang. quest. 9, tom 4) assign the hundredfold to martyrs, the sixty to virgins, the thirtyfold to those who are married. Hear what S. Augustine says: “I assert that the hundredfold belongs to martyrs, on account of their holiness of life, or contempt of death; the sixty fold to virgins, on account of interior quiet, because they do not need to fight against fleshly habits—for rest is wont to be granted to soldiers who are past sixty years of age; the thirtyfold to the married, because thirty is the age of warriors—for those have a sharper conflict, that they may not be overcome of lust.”3. Euthymius and Theophylact assign the thirtyfold to beginners, the sixty to those who have made some progress, the hundredfold to the perfect. So also Nazianzen (Orat. 28.) When a man proceeds, saith he, from thirty to sixty, he finishes with a hundred, as Isaac did (Gen. xxvi.) And he sings the Psalms of Degrees, going from strength to strength, and placing the Ascensions in his heart (Ps. 84.)…”  – Cornelius Bible Commentary

 Source:  http://www.corneliusbiblecommentary.faithweb.com/13matth.htm

Way of KINGS is to acknowledge MEN MORE RIGHTEOUS than US (such as the BLESSED FATHERS of the CHURCH) as per the Principle and Warning in this Verse:

“… So the LORD will return his blood on his head, because he struck down two men MORE RIGHTEOUS and BETTER THAN HE, and killed them with the sword …” (1 Kings 2:32, NKJV)

[From Page 612 or 613 onward of the #SafeRouteScripturallyBook]

“… THREE HARVESTS IN THE GOSPEL, THIRTYFOLD, SIXTYFOLD, AN HUNDREDFOLD, — CHASTE MARRIAGE DWELLING IN THE GROUND FLOOR, CHASTE WIDOWHOOD IN THE UPPER, AND CHASTE VIRGINITY IN THE TOP STOREY. Or any better interpretation may be given, so long as the reference to this city is maintained…” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, the Third Great Latin Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, Book XV (15), ‘City of God’, Chapter 26)

Roman Catholic Source:  https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120115.htm

[Please understand that St. Augustine of Hippo was a “NOT a VIRGIN”, so if he is manipulating, why need to write this even as It doesn’t approve him for highest rewards?]

“… For there are TWO WAYS IN LIFE, as touching these matters. The one the more moderate and ordinary, I mean MARRIAGE; THE OTHER ANGELIC AND UNSURPASSED, NAMELY VIRGINITY. Now if a man choose the way of the world, namely marriage, he is not indeed to blame; yet HE WILL NOT RECEIVE SUCH GREAT GIFTS AS THE OTHER. For he will receive, since he too BRINGS FORTH FRUIT, NAMELY THIRTYFOLD. But if a man embrace the holy and unearthly way, even though, as compared with the former, it be rugged and hard to accomplish, yet it has the more wonderful gifts: for IT GROWS THE PERFECT FRUIT, NAMELY AN HUNDREDFOLD…”  – Blessed St. Athanasius the Great, the First Great Greek Doctor of the Church, the Father of Orthodoxy, Patriarch of Alexandria and Champion of Trinity and Confessor, Coptic Pope, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church   (c. 296 AD – c. 373 AD) whom God Used to bring the Doctrine of Trinity Back to Life in Christianity via his famous book titled  ‘On the Incarnation’ where this short, dark-skinned Egyptian bishop had plenty of enemies and was exiled five times by four Roman emperors, spending 17 of the 45 years he served as bishop of Alexandria in exile too all for LORD JESUS CHRIST. Now, what a Faith for Christ!,, Letter XLVIII.—Letter to Amun4583. Written before 354 AD via Prof. Philip Schaff) Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2806048.htm

[For the record, St. Athanasius the Great was a VIRGIN]

I think one of the most honest Father and Doctor of the Church was St. Jerome. He often got criticized for his blunt honesty by modern scholars who quote him to show that he is “unstable” but actually all he was doing was pouring out his thoughts honestly. I mean these same “scholars” may be “more unstable within them” but it’s just that they are “not” revealing everything out in their minds like he did. Honesty is about the rarest gift.

Just like St. Augustine of Hippo earlier, St. Jerome of the Vulgate too was NOT A VIRGIN either and lived a MORE WILD LIFE before becoming a PRIEST later. While reading this please remember that ST. JEROME’s VULGATE LATIN TRANSLATION of the BIBLE was the ONLY BIBLE TRANSLATION used to CONVERT the WESTERN WORLD for 1000 years! (meaning despite his past, GOD STILL CHOSE HIS TRANSLATION to be DOMINANT for EVANGELISM). Personally, I think St. Jerome’s quotes below reflect the idea that he hoped to JOIN BACK the VIRGINITY HUNDREDFOLD REWARD level by SHARING THIS KNOWLEDGE though he may never actually attain it (Let God Decide but a NOBLE EFFORT indeed):

[From Pages 118/109 onward ofthe #DialoguesBook]

“… I will say it boldly, though God can do all things He cannot raise up a virgin when once she has fallen. He may indeed relieve one who is defiled from the penalty of her sin, but He will not give her a crown … My seed shall produce fruit a hundredfold – the reward of virginity is hundredfold; of widowhood, sixtyfold, and of married life, thirtyfold. “All cannot receive the Word of God but only they to whom it is given” (Mt 19:11). Let others be eunuchs of necessity, but I [am chaste] of my own will. … Let them sew robes who have previously lost the unsown robe…” ….” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, Second Great Latin Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD, Epistula 22.5 [CSEL 54.150], Letter 22 To Eustochium, Points 15 & 19)

Roman Catholic Sources: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001022.htm

https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001022.htm

Here’s an interesting view regarding why St. Jerome of the Vulgate thought that CHRIST LOVED JOHN the APOSTLE more than all the “OTHER APOSTLES” too, to quote:

“… John the disciple: Adv. Iov. I.26: Jerome argued that John’s virginity was the cause of (1) the special love that Christ had for him; (2) the fact that he was both an Apostle (because he wrote to the Churches as a master) and an Evangelist (because he composed the Gospel of John) and a Prophet (because he saw on the island of Patmos, to which he had been banished by the Emperor Domitian as a martyr for the Lord, an Apocalypse containing the boundless mysteries of the future); (3) his ability to expound more mysteries as a writer than a married writer (like Peter) could; (4) him being able (according to Tertullian) to emerge fresher and more active from a jar of boiling oil into which he had been plunged and (5) that the Virgin Mother was entrusted by the Virgin Lord to him as the Virgin disciple at the crucifixion scene (Jn 19:26, 27). The apostle Peter, who was married (Mt 8:14, 15; Lk 4:38, 39) and therefore does not compare favourably (in Jerome’s opinion) to John (Adv. Iov. I.26), was nevertheless acknowledged elsewhere (Epistula 15.2) by Jerome as the rock on which the church is built (Mt 16:18). …”

Source (re-stated):

http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0259-94222019000100049

“…20Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” 22Jesus said to him, “If I [h]will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” 23Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”  …” (John 21:20 – 23, NKJV)

Monastic Christianity – What did St. Irenaeous of Lyons write about it?

 St. Irenaeous of Lyons is an important witness especially since his writings with CHILIASM quotes are not believed by all the Catholics nor Orthodox but they preserved it as it is in this same book titled AGAINST HERESIES which might reveal more accuracy on this topic.

1) St. Irenaeous of Lyons says this VIRGINITY CONTEST of FAITH is for the NEW TESTAMENT and NOT to be confused NOR compared with the OLD TESTAMENT MARRYING WAY

[From Page 495 onward of the #ChiliasmBook]

“… But why say I these things concerning the Old Testament? For in the New also are the apostles found doing this very thing, on the ground which has been mentioned, Paul plainly declaring, But these things I say, not the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:12 And again: But this I speak by permission, not by commandment. 1 Corinthians 7:6 And again: Now, as concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give my judgment, as one that has obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. 1 Corinthians 7:25 But further, in another place he says: That Satan tempt you not for your incontinence. 1 Corinthians 7:5 If, therefore, even in the New Testament, the apostles are found granting certain precepts in consideration of human infirmity, because of the incontinence of some, lest such persons, having grown obdurate, and despairing altogether of their salvation, should become apostates from God — it ought not to be wondered at, if also in the Old Testament the same God permitted similar indulgences for the benefit of His people, drawing them on by means of the ordinances already mentioned, so that they might obtain the gift of salvation through them, while they obeyed the Decalogue, and being restrained by Him, should not revert to idolatry, nor apostatize from God, but learn to love Him with the whole heart. And if certain persons, because of the disobedient and ruined Israelites, do assert that the giver (doctor) of the law was limited in power, they will find in our dispensation, that many are called, but few chosen; Matthew 20:16 and that there are those who inwardly are wolves, yet wear sheep’s clothing in the eyes of the world (foris); and that God has always preserved freedom, and the power of self-government in man, while at the same time He issued His own exhortations, in order that those who do not obey Him should be righteously judged (condemned) because they have not obeyed Him; and that those who have obeyed and believed on Him should be honoured with immortality. …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church, First Doctor of the Church in order of time, Father of Catholic Theology,  (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD,  ‘Against Heresies’, (Book 4 (IV), Chapter 15), Point 2)

Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103415.htm

2) St. Irenaeous of Lyons points that the First Man Adam also practiced continence in the context of marriage itself (approving the First Christianity view of completely abstaining from it is best as the correct CONTEXT and EXPLANATION for 1 Corinthians 7:38 and Isaiah 56:1 – 5 for even the New Testament meaning we cannot wrongly quoted married Godly men examples of the past as some even had more than 1 wife etc. but now the New Testament is open for higher rewards for those called to fulfil continence in these aspects):

[From Page 496 onward of the #ChiliasmBook]

“… 5. The case of Adam, however, had no analogy with this, but was altogether different. For, having been beguiled by another under the pretext of immortality, he is immediately seized with terror, and hides himself; not as if he were able to escape from God; but, in a state of confusion at having transgressed His command, he feels unworthy to appear before and to hold converse with God. Now, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10 the sense of sin leads to repentance, and God bestows His compassion upon those who are penitent. For [Adam] showed his repentance by his conduct, through means of the girdle [which he used], covering himself with fig-leaves, while there were many other leaves, which would have irritated his body in a less degree. He, however, adopted a dress conformable to his disobedience, being awed by the fear of God; and resisting the erring, the lustful propensity of his flesh (since he had lost his natural disposition and child-like mind, and had come to the knowledge of evil things), he girded a bridle of continence upon himself and his wife, fearing God, and waiting for His coming, and indicating, as it were, some such thing [as follows]: Inasmuch as, he says, I have by disobedience lost that robe of sanctity which I had from the Spirit, I do now also acknowledge that I am deserving of a covering of this nature, which affords no gratification, but which gnaws and frets the body. And he would no doubt have retained this clothing for ever, thus humbling himself, if God, who is merciful, had not clothed them with tunics of skins instead of fig-leaves. …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church, First Doctor of the Church in order of time, Father of Catholic Theology (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD,  ‘Against Heresies’, (Book 3 (III), Chapter 23), Point 5)  Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103323.htm

Monastic Christianity – did Christ come to fulfil that part of Prophecy by Prophet Isaiah too?

“… For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves EUNUCHS FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN’S SAKE. He who is ABLE TO ACCEPT IT, LET HIM ACCEPT IT.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:12, NKJV)

“…  7For I WISH THAT ALL MEN WERE EVEN as I MYSELF. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 8But I say to the UNMARRIED AND TO THE WIDOWS: IT IS GOOD FOR THEM IF THEY REMAIN EVEN AS I AM; 9but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. … 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have TROUBLE IN THE FLESH, but I WOULD SPARE YOU. … 32But I want you to be without care. He who is UNMARRIED CARES FOR THE THINGS OF THE LORD—how he may PLEASE THE LORD. 33But HE WHO IS MARRIED CARES about the THINGS OF THE WORLD—how he may PLEASE HIS WIFE. … 38So then he who GIVES HER IN MARRIAGE DOES WELL, but he WHO DOES NOT GIVE HER IN MARRIAGE DOES BETTER. …” (1 Corinthians 7:7 – 9, 28, 32 – 33, 38, NKJV)

“… 1Thus SAYS THE LORD: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, For MY SALVATION IS ABOUT TO COME, And My RIGHTEOUSNESS TO BE REVEALED. 2Blessed is the man who does this, And the son of man who lays hold on it; Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And keeps his hand from doing any evil.” 3Do not let the son of the foreigner Who has joined himself to the Lord Speak, saying, “The Lord has utterly separated me from His people”; NOR LET THE EUNUCH SAY, “Here I am, a dry tree.”4For THUS SAYS THE LORD: “TO THE EUNUCHS who keep my sabbaths, And CHOOSE WHAT PLEASES ME, And hold fast My covenant, 5Even to them I WILL GIVE IN MY HOUSE And WITHIN MY WALLS A PLACE AND A NAME BETTER THAN THAT OF SONS AND DAUGHTERS; I will give [a]them AN EVERLASTING NAME That SHALL NOT BE CUT OFF. …” (Isaiah 56:1 – 5, NKJV)

PRAYER is best within MARRIAGE too ONLY during TIMES WHEN LAWFUL PHYSICAL CONTACT is NOT there even, Verse [to quote from Page 590 of the #MysteryoftheKingdomofHeavenBook [or From Pages 630 onward ofthe #DialoguesBook]]:

“… 5Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6But I say THIS AS A CONCESSION, NOT AS A COMMANDMENT. 7FOR I WISH THAT ALL MEN WERE EVEN AS I MYSELF. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 8But I say to the UNMARRIED AND WIDOWS: IT IS GOOD FOR THEM IF THEY REMAIN EVEN AS I AM; 9but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. …” (1 Corinthians 7:5 – 9, NKJV) Source: https://biblehub.com/nkjv/1_corinthians/7.htm

Comments: Even in the Context of Lawful Pure Marriage, the ‘fasting and prayer’ is not as strong except when done during a time when the married-couple is abstaining physically from each other as Verse 5 above clearly Reveals. Apart from that Verse 6 Says this is NOT a COMMANDMENT but an Option together with the Unmarried and Widows to remain SINGLE likewise agreeing to the Shepherd of Hermas quote earlier too. Interesting

3) St. Irenaeous of Lyons quote if combined with other CHURCH FATHERS quotes as we have seen may reflect on the FINAL REWARD where any Christian maybe can visit across it:

i) Virgins (Eunuchs) = Hundredfold Heavenly Reward (Heavens Dwelling)

ii) Widow = Sixtyfold Heavenly Reward (Paradise Dwelling)

iii) Marriage = Thirtyfold Heavenly Reward (Final New Jerusalem City Dwelling)

This claim is further strengthened by the fact that St. Irenaeous refers to “Heaven” as divided into three layers namely “New Jerusalem City (lowest heaven connecting to final new earth) and above that “Paradise” and above that the “heavens”” and here he mentions that the translated Enoch and Elijah therefore remain in “Paradise” earlier, quotes [From Page 879 onward of the #ChiliasmBook]:

“… And as the presbyters* say, Then those who are deemed worthy of an abode in heaven shall go there, others shall enjoy the delights of paradise, and others shall possess the splendour of the city; for everywhere the Saviour shall be seen according as they who see Him shall be worthy. [They say, moreover], that there is this distinction between the habitation of those who produce an hundred–fold, and that of those who produce sixty-fold, and that of those who produce thirty-fold: for the first will be taken up into the heavens, the second will dwell in paradise, the last will inhabit the city; and that was on this account the Lord declared, “In My Father’s house are many mansions.” For all things belong to God, who supplies all with a suitable dwelling-place; even as His Word says, that a share is allotted to all by the Father, according as each person is or shall be worthy. And this is the couch on which the guests shall recline, having been invited to the WEDDING. The presbyters, the disciples of the apostles, affirm that this is the gradation and arrangement of those who are saved, and that they advance through steps of this nature… For in the TIMES of the KINGDOM, the righteous man who is upon the earth shall then forget to die. … John, therefore, did distinctly foresee the FIRST “RESURRECTION of the JUST,” and the inheritance in the kingdom of the earth; and what the prophets have prophesied concerning it harmonize. For the Lord also taught these things, when He promised that He would have the mixed cup new with His disciples in the kingdom. …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church, First Doctor of the Church in order of time, Father of Catholic Theology (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 5, Chapter XXXVI, Points 1 – 2, 3-partial)

Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103536.htm

[Please notice the word WEDDING which indicates that the MARRIAGE of the LAMB with HIS CHURCH happens during CHRIST’S SECOND  COMING followed by the MILLENNIAL REIGN called the “TIMES of the KINGDOM” in his writing]

9.0  Appendix III (Major Church Fathers Quotes on Tithes vs Charity Doctrine to its link regarding the Parable of 5 Wise vs 5 Foolish Virgins)

[From Page 42 onward of the #DoctrineBook]

Doctrinal Discussion 3: Tithes

[Discussion Details in Text for this Post if keen]
Did you know that NONE of Protestant Founders NOR Church Fathers ever taught “tithes” including Martin Luther and Calvin?

POSSIBLE DANGER: Assemblies of God Prophetess Choo Thomas (Choo Nam) speaks in tongues and claims to have met Jesus & is approved by the No. 1 biggest Church in earth and head of AOG globally Pastor David Cho Yonggi but teaches DIFFERENTLY that Christians who do NOT TITHE go to ETERNAL HELL? So is the “Jesus” of the Assemblies of God (AOG) Church the same as the “Lord Jesus” who chose all Protestant Founders and Church Fathers? If the No. 1 Pastor of AOG World David Yonggi Cho made a mistake here, then is any of them reliable for claiming to hear from the HOLY SPIRIT Directly and could do the UNFORGIVABLE SIN (Matthew 12:30 – 32) by SPEAKING AGAINST HIM even in this TITHES Topic? We need NOT Judge either way but I present this evidence so that we can stay NEUTRAL and BE SAFE SCRIPTURALLY (Proof of claims in post)  Peace to you

[From Page 1983 onward of the #SafeRouteScripturallyBook]

She says that whoever does not tithe will go to Hell please notice the phrases “… Christian who doesn‟t tithe …” and “… never see My kingdom. You already know where they will be at the end.  …”; She writes:

“… Many Christians are poor and have many problems in their lives because their hearts are not right with Me and they don‟t tithe. Any Christian who doesn‟t tithe will not be blessed because they love money more than My Word. Those who love money more than My Word will never see My kingdom. You already know where they will be at the end. …” – Choo Thomas (Page 74) Source:

https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/c21a6153/files/uploaded/heaven-is-so-real-ChooThomas.pdf

0) Assemblies of God Prophetess Choo Thomas (Choo Nam)

Firstly I am not against giving money for ministry or charity or church etc. but I believe the Bible only teaches giving by free choice giving instead of a tithe rule where if wrong, it can mean legalism and being cut off from Christ (if we are not careful), Verse:

“…You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.  …” (Galatians 5:4, NKJV)

Assemblies of God Prophetess Choo Thomas (Choo Nam) is approved by AOG World Head Pastor David Yonggi Cho and so if their No. 1 approved, translated her book and allowed her (and probably his denomination to sell and make money-profit for prosperity lifestyle as reward as her own words will prove next), then the claim must be 100% correct or if wrong, they can be just forgiven is it?

[From Page 1982 onward of the #SafeRouteScripturallyBook]

v. She says that while she is alive, Jesus would make her a millionaire and would give her a huge house and a red luxurious automobile.

She writes:

“… The entrance to the yard was a huge gate. A bright, shiny red car was parked on the left side of the garage. It was a luxurious automobile. The vision evaporated and the Lord spoke to me: “Did you like what you saw?” “It was beautiful, Lord.” “It will be yours. …” (Page 79)

Also she says that the more money you give in tithes, the more you will be blessed financially in this life by God:

“… For a long time Roger and I had been tithing from our incomes and giving offerings to various ministries. When I could, I would help every ministry, but I had never expected such results from our obedience. God was so wonderful. Truly, I was unable to contain the blessings He poured upon us. “Daughter, are you worried that I will not come soon–because I am giving you this house and car? …” (Page 79)

Source for both quotes:

https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/c21a6153/files/uploaded/heaven-is-so-real-ChooThomas.pdf

vi. She claims that when she is a millionaire, she will end hunger in the world (even though she died).  She writes:

” … I told the Lord that when He makes me rich, like He has promised that I will be, there will be no hungry children in this world. …” (Page 124) 

Source:

https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/c21a6153/files/uploaded/heaven-is-so-real-ChooThomas.pdf

Someone remarked, ‘No doubt it is a lie, because there are still hungry children, and she is dead’ (on 13 April 2013).

vii. She says that whoever does not tithe will go to Hell and also that those who do not give it, will not receive any blessing from God. (It´s like saying: The more money you give, the more God’s blessings you will receive)

She writes:

“… Many Christians are poor and have many problems in their lives because their hearts are not right with Me and they don‟t tithe. Any Christian who doesn‟t tithe will not be blessed because they love money more than My Word. Those who love money more than My Word will never see My kingdom. You already know where they will be at the end. …” – Choo Thomas (Page 74) Source:

https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/c21a6153/files/uploaded/heaven-is-so-real-ChooThomas.pdf

Comment: Now if Assemblies of God Churches or AOG is right in this, then is Martin Luther the First Protestant to John Calvin (Founder of the Reformed Churches & Calvinism) to “Church Fathers” all in HELL for NOT teaching it NOR practicing TITHES DOCTRINE? (because CHOO THOMAS/CHOO NAM Claims Jesus told her this, can you see it? And can there be a different rule for those before us but not Christ Says differently?)

The strange thing about her vision here itself is that when compared against actual New Testament Words by CHRIST DIRECTLY, He did NOT praise TITHES & even considered it as NOT fulfilling JUSTICE and LOVE of GOD which is ONLY FULFILLED with ALMS/CHARITY (and if CHRIST compares and teaches it, we ought to also, right?)

[From Page 19/44/ onward of the #DoctrineBook]

[From Page 585 & 3 onward of the #ChiliasmBook]

“… [39Then the Lord said to him,] “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP and DISH CLEAN, but YOUR INWARD PART is full of [k]GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40FOOLISH ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS of [l]SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS ARE CLEAN TO YOU. 42“But woe to you Pharisees! For YOU TITHE mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and PASS BY JUSTICE and the LOVE of GOD These you OUGHT TO HAVE DONE, WITHOUT LEAVING THE OTHERS UNDONE. 43Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the [m]best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. 44Woe to you, [n]scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.” …” – The GREATEST ONE, The ONLY KING, GOD in FLESH, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 45, NKJV)

viii. She says that her visions as recorded in the Book is true to the last word because Christ Himself told to record ‘each word’

“… Every word in this book is true. The words of Jesus have been transcribed exactly as He said them to me. …” – Choo Thomas (Page 88) Source:

https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/c21a6153/files/uploaded/heaven-is-so-real-ChooThomas.pdf

ix. Choo Thomas argues that the alleged Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church would happen in 2009, as she claimed on her website.

She writes:

“… I was certain the rapture would happen in 2009 but it did not and I was very, very disappointed. During the first week of 2010 the Lord explained to me that the rapture was supposed to have happened in 2009 but He had delayed it for only a twinkling of an eye. …”  Source: http://choothomasfalseprophet.blogspot.com/2013/10/choo-thomas-false-prophet_26.html

This same failed rapture prophecy of 2009 and the bogus explanation given by her as she claims ‘from the Lord’ is also discussed in link below:

https://victoria-s-end-time-news-corner.webnode.com/news/the-judgment-seat-of-christ

As usual I stand neutral but I certainly will NOT consider her theology or words to be SAFE.

Please remember that those who are WRONG CONVERT MANY but CHRIST SAYS “I NEVER KNEW YOU” due to “LAWLESSNESS” and that’s why “number of conversions” is NOT a safe zone and whether AOG is true or has a forgivable or unforgivable error if wrong, let God Decide but it’s SAFER following PROTESTANT FOUNDERS and CHURCH FATHERS without quoting the HOLY SPIRIT DIRECTLY and BEING WRONG, can you see it?

“… 14Because narrow is the gate and DIFFICULT is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. … 21“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. 22MANY will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we NOT PROPHESIED in Your name, CAST OUT DEMONS in Your name, and DONE MANY WONDERS in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’ … 24“Therefore WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN who BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: …” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:14, 21 – 23, 24, NKJV)

Please watch these “evidences” presented by Pastor John MacArthur (a top ace in the world for the Reformed Churches founded originally by Blessed John Calvin) who basically presents the famous claim that “if you are sick or die sick, it’s because you don’t have enough faith” but when THE SAME SICKNESS OR DEATH HAPPENS to the No. 1 PROSPERITY PREACHERS in the WORLD today WHO PREACHED it, it’s IGNORED. Can you SEE it? (Never follow a person who cannot do what they claim; better to be sick and glorify God with character to endure it than mock people with sickness and when sick themselves, they can’t heal themselves with their own faith even).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAHFM6z0e-M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAHFM6z0e-M

More related links in comments from original post below:

https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/pfbid0zv9d8SxawMFfxjmYh25SqSSRKz9oRG9Xn3A8KvaLHij2dg9BT6rL71oLddKZADK4l
Peace to you

Example Source Link that Mr. Charles Parham (Father of Pentecostal Christianity) himself gave this image:
https://www.apostolicarchives.com/articles/article/8801925/173163.htm

Peace to you

1) Martin Luther (First Protestant)

Please remember that Martin Luther (First Protestant) also taught 9 out of 10 commandments (skipping Sabbath) but keeps the other 9 due to held by nature reason and also did NOT believe NOR practised TITHES, example quote:

“… As St. Paul also shows in Romans 2:14-15, the Gentiles, who have no law, have the law written in their heart.  But just as the Jews fail, so also do the Gentiles. Therefore it is To honor God, not steal, not commit adultery, not bear false witness, not murder; and what Moses commands is nothing new. For what God has given the Jews from heaven, he has also written in the hearts of all men. Thus I keep the commandments which Moses has given, not because Moses gave the commandment, but because they have been implanted in me by nature, and Moses agrees exactly with nature, etc.  TITHING: But the other commandments of Moses, which are not [implanted in all men] by nature, the Gentiles do not hold. Nor do these pertain to the Gentiles, such as the TITHE and others equally fine which I wish we had too. Now this is the first thing that I ought to see in Moses, namely, the commandments to which I am not bound except insofar as they are [implanted in everyone] by nature [and written in everyone’s heart]. … SABBATH: Again one can prove it from the third commandment that Moses does not pertain to Gentiles and Christians. For Paul [Col. 2:16] and the New Testament [Matt. 12:1-12; John 5:16; 7:22-23; 9:14-16] abolish the Sabbath, to show us that the Sabbath was given to the Jews alone, for whom it is a stern commandment. The prophets referred to it too, that the Sabbath of the Jews would be abolished. For Isaiah says in the last chapter, “When the Savior comes, then such will be the time, one Sabbath after the other, one month after the other,” etc. [Isa. 66:23]. This is as though he were trying to say, “It will be the Sabbath every day, and the people will be such that they make no distinction between days. For in the New Testament the Sabbath is annihilated as regards the crude external observance, for every day is a holy day,” etc.…” – Blessed Martin Luther, The First Champion of the Protestant Faith,  (LUTHER, MARTIN; August 27, 1525, HOW CHRISTIANS SHOULD REGARD MOSES) Example Sources (same content no matter which is quoted):

http://www.tithing-russkelly.com/id78.html

or

https://lutherancatechism.com/doc-lib/voelz_j_luthers_use_of_scripture_in_the_small_catechism.pdf

or

http://www.wordofhisgrace.org/LutherMoses.htm

or 

http://gotoheavennow.com/the-history-of-tithing-in-evangelicalism/

Important comment: Martin Luther (First Protestant) can err in any doctrine which does NOT affect salvation but gradation only but if Assemblies of God Prophetess Choo Thomas (Choo Nam) who is approved by No. 1 AOG World Head Pastor David Yonggi Cho & even translated her book “Heaven is so real” containing the claim earlier that “the Jesus she met said the Christians who do not tithe go to eternal hell”, then how can Martin Luther (First Protestant) be SPIRIT LED by the SAME LORD JESUS and TEACH DIFFERENTLY if an ERROR here in regards to TITHING can LEAD ONE TO ETERNAL HELL?
Please read this AGAIN.                               

2) John Calvin (Founder of Calvinism and the Reformed Churches)

“… 42. But woe to you, Pharisees! for you pay tithe of mint, and rue, and every kind of herb, and pass by judgment and the love of God. The latter you ought to have done, and not to have omitted the former. (A little after.) 44. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are as tombs which do not appear, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.

Christ charges the scribes with a fault which is found in all hypocrites, that they are exceedingly diligent and careful in small matters, but disregard the principal points of the Law. This disease has prevailed in almost all ages, and among all nations; so that men have, in most cases, endeavored to please God by observing with exactness some trivial matters. Finding that they cannot entirely release themselves from all obedience to God, they have recourse to this second remedy of expiating any heinous offenses by satisfactions which are of no value. Thus we see that the Papists, while they transgress the chief commandments of God, are extremely zealous in the performance of trifling ceremonies. Hypocrisy of the same kind is now reproved by God in the scribes, who, while they were very diligent and careful in paying tithes, cared little about the principal points of the Law. To expose more fully to ridicule their offensive ostentation, he does not say generally that they paid tithes, but tithes of mint, and anise, and (as Luke has it) of every kind of herb, so as to make a display of extraordinary zeal for piety at the least possible expense.

But as Christ makes the chief righteousness of the Law to consist in mercy, judgment, and faith, we must first, see what he means by these words; and, secondly, why he left out the commandments of the first table, which strictly relate to the worship of God, as if godliness were of less value than the duties of charity. Judgment is taken for equity, or uprightness, the effect of which is, that we render to every man what belongs to him, and that no man deceives or injures others. Mercy proceeds farther, and leads a man to endeavor to assist his brethren with his property, to relieve the wretched by advice or by money, to protect those who are unjustly oppressed, and to employ liberally for the common good the means which God has put into his hands. Faith is nothing else than strict integrity; not to attempt any thing by cunning, or malice, or deceit, but to cultivate towards all that mutual sincerity which every man wishes to be pursued towards himself. The sum of the Law, therefore, relates to charity.

The word faith, I am aware, is interpreted by some persons differently, as including, by synecdoche, the whole worship of God; but Christ, according to his custom, here brings the true test of holiness to brotherly love, and therefore does not refer to the first table. Nor is it inconsistent with this view that, instead of faith, Luke uses the expression, the love of God; for the design of Christ was, to show what it is that the Lord chiefly requires of us in his Law. It is well known that the Law was divided into two tables, so as to point out, first, what we owe to God, and next, what we owe to men. Luke expresses both parts as if Christ had said, that the chief design of the Law is, that we should love God, and that we should be just and merciful towards our neighbors. Matthew satisfies himself with one part; and there is no absurdity in calling the duties of charity the principal points of the Law, since charity itself is pronounced by Paul to be the perfection of the Law; as he also says, that the Law is fulfilled if toe love our neighbors, And Christ, when formerly interrogated as to the commandments of the Law quoted none but those which belonged to the second table.

If it be objected, that in this way men are preferred to God, because charity, which is performed towards them, is reckoned more valuable than religion, the answer is easy. Christ does not here contrast the second table of the Law with the first, but, on the contrary, draws from the manner in which the second table is kept the proof whether or not God is truly and sincerely worshipped. As piety lies within the heart, and as God does not dwell amongst us in order to make trial of our love towards Him, and does not even need our services, it is easy for hypocrites to lie, and falsely to pretend to love God. But the duties of brotherly love fall under the senses, and are placed before the eyes of all, and therefore in them the impudence of hypocrites is better ascertained. Christ, therefore, did not intend to enter into subtle inquiries about the particular parts of righteousness, or their order, but, so far as the ordinary capacity of men allowed, intended simply to show that the Law is kept only when men are just, and kind, and true, towards each other; for thus they testify that they love and fear God, and give proper and sufficient evidence of sincere piety. Not that it is enough to discharge our duties towards men, if we do not first render to God what we owe to him, but because he who regulates his life according to God’s commandment must be a sincere worshipper of God.

And yet the question is not fully answered; for tithes, which Christ places inferior to judgment and mercy, were a part of divine worship, and some part of them was usually bestowed on the poor, so that tithes contained a double sacrifice. I:reply: Tithes are not simply compared to alms, and faith, and judgment, but the pretended holiness of the scribes is compared with the sincere and pure feeling of charity. Why were they so ready and willing to pay tithes, but in order to pacify God a, the least expense and trouble? For they did not regard the principal point; and therefore those light matters, by which they attempted to deceive God and men, ought not to be reckoned along the duties of charity.

 …” – Blessed John Calvin, Protestant Reformer Theologian (Creator of the Five Point Calvinism or Tulips Doctrine for Protestantism, Commentary on Matthew 23)
Source: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/calvin/matthew/23.htm

Comment:

Many scholars confuse you in saying that John Calvin teaches tithes and opposes it at the same time. This “drama” (or if they really didn’t understand it’s okay) is explained by Blessed John Calvin here in the context that “if tithes is used for charity & sincere then it’s okay” but “if TITHES is only used for pastor’s living (as Pharisees) did & not sincerely in charity, then it is NOT okay” meaning the CONTEXT is SINCERE CHARITY DOCTRINE to LOVE and WORSHIP GOD even via TITHES for if NOT, all other RELIGIOUS activity including WORSHIP etc. has NO VALUE. Think I’m lying? Please allow me to quote BLESSED JOHN CALVIN himself here within his own writing for each claim here next for clarity:

i) Blessed John Calvin teaches the context that “if tithes is used for charity & sincere then it’s okay”

“… 42. But woe to you, Pharisees! for you pay tithe of mint, and rue, and every kind of herb, and pass by judgment and the love of God. …  for you are as tombs which do not appear, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them. … reproved by God in the scribes, who, while they were very diligent and careful in paying tithes, cared little about the principal points of the Law. … But as Christ makes the chief righteousness of the Law to consist in mercy, judgment, and faith, … Mercy proceeds farther, and leads a man to endeavor to assist his brethren with his property, to relieve the wretched by advice or by money, to protect those who are unjustly oppressed, and to employ liberally for the common good the means which God has put into his hands. Faith is nothing else than strict integrity; not to attempt any thing by cunning, or malice, or deceit, but to cultivate towards all that mutual sincerity which every man wishes to be pursued towards himself. The sum of the Law, therefore, relates to charity. The word faith, I am aware, is interpreted by some persons differently, as including, by synecdoche, the whole worship of God; but Christ, according to his custom, here brings the true test of holiness to brotherly love, and therefore does not refer to the first table. Nor is it inconsistent with this view that, instead of faith, Luke uses the expression, the love of God  …” – Blessed John Calvin, Protestant Reformer Theologian (Creator of the Five Point Calvinism or Tulips Doctrine for Protestantism, Commentary on Matthew 23)

Notice that the word CHARITY used by JOHN CALVIN here is NOT the “old English word for love” but means ALMS = CHARITY DOCTRINE because in the above the “word LOVE is also used in the above meaning it’s modern English here”. Requoted below for focus basically where he is saying there is NO FAITH NOR HOLINESS where there is NO PROPER CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE – implied, can you see it?:

“… FAITH is nothing else than strict integrity; … The SUM of the LAW, therefore, relates to CHARITY. …the whole WORSHIP of God; but Christ, according to his custom, here brings the true test of HOLINESS to brotherly LOVE, … that, instead of FAITH, Luke uses the expression, the LOVE of God  …” – Blessed John Calvin, Protestant Reformer Theologian (Creator of the Five Point Calvinism or Tulips Doctrine for Protestantism, Commentary on Matthew 23)

Please notice carefully the DIFFERENT WORDS (translated in modern English) used here to understand what actually Blessed John  Calvin taught so clearly even here carefully such as FAITH, SUM of the LAW, therefore, relates to CHARITY, the whole WORSHIP of God, Christ, according to his custom true test of HOLINESS to brotherly LOVE, the LOVE of God . I repeat again the WORDS “CHARITY” and “LOVE” are different here meaning CHARITY is CHARITY DOCTRINE is the FOCUS of CHRIST. Can you really see it now?

ii) Blessed John Calvin teaches the context that “if TITHES is only used for pastor’s living (as Pharisees) did & not sincerely in charity, then it is NOT okay”

[Note: This is where the “Prosperity Gospel” type of “collecting love offerings and living nicely with God’s Money” can be damnable, let God Decide]

“… Luke expresses both parts as if Christ had said, that the chief design of the Law is, that we should love God, and that we should be just and merciful towards our neighbors. … If it be objected, that in this way men are preferred to God, because charity, which is performed towards them, is reckoned more valuable than religion, the answer is easy. Christ …  draws from the manner in which the second table is kept the proof whether or not God is truly and sincerely worshipped. … it is easy for hypocrites to lie, and falsely to pretend to love God. But the duties of brotherly love fall under the senses, … but, so far as the ordinary capacity of men allowed, intended simply to show that the Law is kept only when men are just, and kind, and true, towards each other; for thus they testify that they love and fear God, …” – Blessed John Calvin, Protestant Reformer Theologian (Creator of the Five Point Calvinism or Tulips Doctrine for Protestantism, Commentary on Matthew 23)

iii) Blessed John Calvin teaches the CONTEXT is SINCERE CHARITY DOCTRINE to LOVE and WORSHIP GOD even via TITHES for if NOT, all other RELIGIOUS activity including WORSHIP etc. has NO VALUE.

“… And yet the question is not fully answered; for tithes, which Christ places inferior to judgment and mercy, were a part of divine worship, and some part of them was usually bestowed on the poor, so that tithes contained a double sacrifice. I:reply: Tithes are not simply compared to alms, and faith, and judgment, but the pretended holiness of the scribes is compared with the sincere and pure feeling of charity …” – Blessed John Calvin, Protestant Reformer Theologian (Creator of the Five Point Calvinism or Tulips Doctrine for Protestantism, Commentary on Matthew 23)

Important Note: Please notice that Blessed John Calvin NEVER practised TITHING in his own personal life which proves that this is the meaning he intended is that TITHES is NOT mandatory but if it’s done with RIGHT CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE intent, it may be allowed as he is “not so sure” either but what he is sure of is CHARITY DOCTRINE.

3) John Wesley (Co-Founder of Methodism)

Blessed John Wesley himself clearly says also that CHARITY DOCTRINE/ALMS will be PROOF of REAL HOLINESS beyond “OUTWARD HOLINESS or ABSTINENE from SIN” which can be HYPOCRITICAL if the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE is NOT present in his own words below:

“…39: Now ye Pharisees – Probably many of them were present at the Pharisee’s house.(Mt 23:25). 41: Give what is in them – The vessels which ye clean, in ALMS, and all things are clean to you. As if he had said, By acts directly contrary to rapine and wickedness, show that your hearts are cleansed, and these outward washings are needless. 42: Wo to you – That is, miserable are you. In the same manner is the phrase to be understood throughout the chapter.  …” – Blessed John Wesley (Co-Founder of Methodism, Wesley’s Notes on the Bible, on Luke 11:39, 41, 42)

Source: http://bible.christiansunite.com/wes.cgi?b=Lu&c=11

Note: Blessed John Wesley clearly reveals that CHRIST is TEACHING to GIVE WHAT IS INSIDE those EXPENSIVE VESSELS as ALMS = CHARITY as PROOF of CLEANSED HEARTS.

Related: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/john-wesley-on-giving

4) Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo

Let’s look at an example “other side of the coin claim”:

In summary, the following Church Fathers all advocated tithing and none were found in this time period that argued against tithing: Hilary of Poitiers (366), Basil of Caesarea (370), Ambrose (374), John Chrysostom (375), Jerome (385), and Augustine (400).

References and Resources:

Joseph Bingham, The Works of Joseph Bingham, ed. R. Bingham, 10 vols. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1855), 2:179–82.

Powers, “Historical Study of the Tithe,” 39, 49.

Lyman Coleman, Ancient Christianity Exemplified in the Private, Domestic, Social, and Civil Life of the Primitive Christians, and in the Original Institutions, Offices, Ordinances, and Rites of the Church (Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Company, 1852), 229.

Hilary, Commentary on Matthew 23 (cited by Powers, “Historical Study of the Tithe,” 42; Lansdell, Sacred Tenth, 192–93).

Jerome, Letter to Nepotian (NPNF2 1:91). Jerome also commends Christians to tithe in his Commentary on Matthew 2.22 (cited by Murray, Beyond Tithing, 117).

Sharp, “Tithes,” 2:1964.

John Chrysostom, Homily IV: Homilies on Ephesians (NPNF1 13:69). For some incidental references to tithing see Chrysostom, Homilies on Genesis 35, 54 (cited by Murray, Beyond Tithing, 112, n. 28) and Chrysostom, Homilies on Hebrews 12 (NPNF1 14:423–26). Chrysostom, The Gospel of Matthew 64.4 (NPNF1 10:395–96).

Lansdell, Sacred Tenth, 187.

Augustine, On the Psalms: Pslam 147 13 (NPNF1 8:668). Augustine, Sermon 35 (NPNF1 6:367–68); Sermon 56 (NPNF1 6:435–36).

Source:
http://slaveoftheword.blogspot.com/2006/03/six-advocates-of-tithing-between-366.html

Comments:

Then how come we see the complete opposite claim in top Christian websites like this?

D. TITHING IS NOT MENTIONED IN ANY WRITINGS OF THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS.

By itself this is not decisive, but it lends weight to the biblical arguments. If the early church practiced tithing, then the concept should surface somewhere in the writings of the church fathers of the second and third centuries. But it does not, even though giving was an important part of early Christian worship (see Hawthorne, pp. 854-855).

Source: https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-4-why-you-should-not-tithe-selected-scriptures

Please allow me to quote EVERY Church Father quote listed above for this analysis below:

Just like the other Church Fathers when quoted for “tithing”, St. Augustine of Hippo uses “tithes” to be collected as an analogy for “giving beyond 10% and also for the sake of CHARITY DOCTRINE” and NOT tithes collected for “prosperity living for pastors”. Please read this again and look at the actual quotes of his below (which is completely opposite to AOG prophetess Choo Thomas/Choo Nam or such who advocate pastors to take tithe not for Charity but prosperity – can you “really” see it? Please don’t be deceived):

“…  13. …Just now has been read, Give to every one that asks of you; Luke 6:30 and in another place Scripture* says, Let ALMS [CHARITY] sweat in your hand, till you find a righteous man to whom to give it. One there is who seeks you, another you ought to seek. Leave not indeed him who seeks you empty, for, give to every one that asks of you; yet still there is another whom you ought to seek; find a righteous man to whom to give it. You will never do this, unless you have somewhat set aside from your substance, each what pleases him according to the needs of his family, as a sort of debt to be paid to the treasury. If Christ have not a state of His own, neither has He a treasury.. ..Cut off then and prune off some fixed sum either from your yearly profits or your daily gains, else you seem as it were to give of your capital, and your hand must needs hesitate, when you put it forth to that which you have not vowed. Cut off some part of your income; a tenth if you choose, though that is but little. For it is said that the Pharisees gave a tenth; I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. Luke 18:12 And what says the Lord? Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20 He whose righteousness you ought to exceed, gives a tenth: you give not even a thousandth. How will you surpass him whom you match not? Who prepares rain for the earth.…” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, the Third Great Latin Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, Exposition on Psalm 147, Point 13)

Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1801147.htm

*Please notice that St. Augustine of Hippo (not a heretic) calls the Didache possibly Scripture earlier which in this context mentions even the POSSIBLE NON ELECT SALVATION part of “… shall NOT ESCAPE from THERE until he PAYS back the LAST PENNY …”, compare:

“… Happy is he who gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. WOE to HIM WHO RECEIVES; for if one receives who has need, he is guiltless; but he who RECEIVES NOT having NEED shall PAY the PENALTY, why he received and for what. And coming into CONFINEMENT, he shall be EXAMINED concerning the THINGS which he HAS DONE, and he shall NOT ESCAPE from THERE until he PAYS back the LAST PENNY. And also concerning this, it has been said, Let YOUR ALMS sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give...” – The Didache, The Lord’s Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations. (1st Century, Chapter 1. The Two Ways and the First Commandment)

Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0714.htm

Please notice that just like the quote above, Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo is NOT teaching “tithes in the prosperity Gospel way for pastors’ personal use” but rather is teaching CHARITY DOCTRINE to be GIVEN more than that in ANALOGY with TITHES and BEYOND TITHES:

“…5. Must they then lose all they have? He said, Let them communicate, not Let them give the whole. Let them keep for themselves as much as is sufficient for them, let them keep more than is sufficient. Let us give a certain portion of it. What portion? A tenth? The Scribes and Pharisees gave tithes for whom Christ had not yet shed His Blood. The Scribes and Pharisees gave tithes; lest haply you should think you are doing any great thing in breaking your bread to the poor; and this is scarcely a thousandth part of your means. And yet I am not finding fault with this; do even this. So hungry and thirsty am I, that I am glad even of these crumbs. But yet I cannot keep back what He who died for us said while He was alive. Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. He does not deal softly with us; for He is a physician, He cuts to the quick. Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. The Scribes and Pharisees gave the tenth. How is it with you? Ask yourselves. Consider what you do, and with what means you do it; how much you give, how much you leave for yourselves; what you spend on mercy, what you reserve for luxury. So then, Let them distribute easily, let them communicate, let them lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may hold on eternal life. 6. I have admonished the rich; now hear, you poor. You rich, lay out your money; ye poor, refrain from plundering. You rich, distribute your means; ye poor, bridle your desires. Hear, you poor, this same Apostle; Godliness with sufficiency is a great getting. Getting is the acquiring of gain. The world is yours in common with the rich; you have not a house in common with the rich, but you have the heaven in common, the light in common. Seek only for a sufficiency, seek for what is enough, and do not wish for more. All the rest is a weight, rather than a help; a burden, rather than an honour. Godliness with sufficiency is great gain. First is Godliness. Godliness is the worship of God. Godliness with sufficiency. For we brought nothing into this world. Did you bring anything hither? Nay, not even did ye rich bring anything. You found all here, you were born naked as the poor. In both alike is the same bodily infirmity; the same infant crying, the witness of our misery. For we brought nothing into this world (he is speaking to the poor), neither can we carry anything out. And having food and covering, let us be therewith content. For they who wish to be rich. Who wish to be, not who are. For they who are so, well and good. They have heard their lesson, that they be rich in good works, that they distribute easily, that they communicate.  …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, the Third Great Latin Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, Sermon 35 on the New Testament, Points 5 & 6-partial)

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/160335.htm

Please also notice that St. Augustine of Hippo (not a heretic) clearly reveals that the CONTEXT of  “Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Is clearly referring to the LEVEL of CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE lived here in regards to financial context because money will reveal who we are as Christ Taught likewise say in “… 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an UNFAILING TREASURE IN HEAVEN, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO. …” (Luke 12:33 – 34, NASB) and the SAME CHRIST CANNOT be telling AOG Prophetess Choo Thomas to LIVE LUXURIOUSLY and give tit bits in “relative measure” (Luke 21:1 – 3) to “charity”, right?

If you notice carefully, the “tithes teaching professor’s link does NOT even give one of the quote in his write-up as we did here” because he knows if he quoted it in full, it’s actually teaching CHARITY DOCTRINE or CHARITY DOCTRINE TYPE of TITHES and NOT the “prosperity Gospel type” as even this only other quote from Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo confirms yet again this “TRUTH”:

“… 3. When He had spoken thus, doubtless they thought that they did give alms. And how did they give them? They tithed all they had, they took away a tenth of all their produce, and gave it. It is no easy matter to find a Christian who does as much. See what the Jews did. Not wheat only, but wine, and oil; nor this only, but even the most trifling things, cummin, rue, mint, and anise, in obedience to God’s precept, they tithed all; put aside, that is, a tenth part, and gave alms of it. I suppose then that they recalled this to mind, and thought that the Lord Christ was speaking to no purpose, as if to those who did not give alms; whereas they knew their own doings, how that they tithed, and gave alms of the minutest and most trifling of their produce. They mocked Him within themselves as He spoke thus, as if to men who did not give alms. The Lord knowing this, immediately subjoined, But woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, who tithe mint, and cummin, and rue, and all herbs. That ye may know, I am aware of your alms. Doubtless these tithes are your alms; yea even the minutest and most trifling of your fruits do ye tithe; Yet ye leave the weightier matters of the law, judgment and charity. Mark. You have left judgment and charity, and you tithe herbs. This is not to do alms. These, says He, ought ye to do, and not to leave the other undone. Do what? Judgment and charity, justice and mercy; and not to leave the other undone. Do these; but give the preference to the others. 4. If this be so, why did He say to them, Do alms, and behold all things are clean unto you? What is, Do alms? Do mercy. What is, Do mercy? If you understand, begin with your own self. For how should you be merciful to another, if you are cruel to yourself? Give alms, and all things are clean unto you. Do true alms. What is alms? Mercy. Hear the Scripture; Have mercy on your own soul, pleasing God. Do alms, Have mercy on your own soul, pleasing God. Your own soul is a beggar before you, return to your conscience. Whosoever you are, who art living in wickedness or unbelief, return to your conscience; and there you find your soul in beggary, you find it needy, you find it poor, you find it in sorrow, nay perhaps you do not find it in need, but dumb through its neediness. For if it beg, it hungers after righteousness. Now when you find your soul in such a state (all this is within, in your heart), first do alms, give it bread. What bread? If the Pharisee had asked this question, the Lord would have said to him, Give alms to your own soul. For this He did say to him; but he did not understand it, when He enumerated to them the alms which they were used to do, and which they thought were unknown to Christ; and He says to them, I know that you do this, ‘ye tithe mint and anise, cummin and rue;’ but I am speaking of other alms; ye despise ‘judgment and charity.’ In judgment and charity give alms to your own soul. What is in judgment? Look back, and discover yourself; mislike yourself, pronounce a judgment against yourself. And what is charity? Love the Lord God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind; love your neighbour as yourself: and you have done alms first to your own soul, within your conscience. Whereas if you neglect this alms, give what you will, give how much you will; reserve of your goods not a tenth, but a half; give nine parts, and leave but one for your own self: you do nothing, when you do not alms to your own soul, and art poor in yourself. Let your soul have its food, that it perish not by famine. Give her bread. What bread, you will say? He speaks with you Himself. If you would hear, and understand, and believe the Lord, He would say to you Himself, I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven. Would you not first give this Bread to your own soul, and do alms unto it? If then you believe, you ought so to do, that you may first feed your own soul. Believe in Christ, and the things which are within shall be cleansed; and what is without shall be clean also. Let us turn to the Lord, etc.…” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, the Third Great Latin Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, Sermon 56 on the New Testament, Points 3 and 4) Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/160356.htm

Here’s a thought to ponder: If the Roman Catholics wanted to change St. Augustine’s writing, naturally it should reflect give “more” to “church” than “charity” but actually it states GIVE TO CHARITY is the REASON even GIVING TO CHURCH after the needs are taken of as you can see in these quotes (and likewise other Church Father quotes as well). So, “internal evidence” itself shows that these quotes are preserved as it is and it points clearly to CHARITY DOCTRINE as FRUIT of ETERNAL LIFE again and again as SCRIPTURES quoted does as well.

5) Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate

It’s an irony that the professor supporting tithing practice quotes St. Jerome’s perspective on tithing below which clearly reveals that TITHES CAN ONLY BE USED BY PASTORS (PRIESTS) for NEEDS & in RELATIVE POVERTY (meaning that TITHES MONEY CANNOT BE USED FOR ANY LUXURY LIVING but if you work on your own money for “secular work”, that’s allowed though not encouraged as the example of soldier vs “clergy” is done here in this context):

“…  5. A clergyman, then, as he serves Christ’s church, must first understand what his name means; and then, when he realizes this, must endeavor to be that which he is called. For since the Greek word κλῆρος means lot, or inheritance, the clergy are so called either because they are the lot of the Lord, or else because the Lord Himself is their lot and portion. Now, he who in his own person is the Lord’s portion, or has the Lord for his portion, must so bear himself as to possess the Lord and to be possessed by Him. He who possesses the Lord, and who says with the prophet, The Lord is my portion, can hold to nothing beside the Lord. For if he hold to something beside the Lord, the Lord will not be his portion. Suppose, for instance, that he holds to gold or silver, or possessions or inlaid furniture; with such portions as these the Lord will not deign to be his portion. I, if I am the portion of the Lord, and the line of His heritage, receive no portion among the remaining tribes; but, like the Priest and the Levite, I live on the tithe, Numbers 18:24 and serving the altar, am supported by its offerings. 1 Corinthians 9:13 Having food and raiment, I shall be content with these, 1 Timothy 6:8 and as a disciple of the Cross shall share its poverty. I beseech you, therefore, and  Again and yet again admonish you;  do not look to your military experience for a standard of clerical obligation. Under Christ’s banner seek for no worldly gain, lest having more than when you first became a clergyman, you hear men say, to your shame, Their portion shall not profit them. Welcome poor men and strangers to your homely board, that with them Christ may be your . A clergyman who engages in business, and who rises from poverty to wealth, and from obscurity to a high position, avoid as you would the plague. For evil communications corrupt good manners. 1 Corinthians 15:33 You despise gold; he loves it. You spurn wealth; he eagerly pursues it. You love silence, meekness, privacy; he takes delight in talking and effrontery, in squares, and streets, and apothecaries’ shops. What unity of feeling can there be where there is so wide a divergency of manners?…”– Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, the Second Great Latin Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD, Letter 52To Nepotian, Point 5)

Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001052.htm

Please notice that the RULES ABOVE ONLY APPLIES to  PRIEST/LEVITE LIVING ON TITHES meaning if you NEVER took TITHES, you are NOT judged to live that way. Can you see it?

St. Jerome’s only other quote which that professor refers to as well teaches the “same meaning” we have been teaching namely the TITHES MUST BE USED FOR CHARITY DOCTRINE of the POOR, WIDOW and ORPHAN meaning this is HOW IT IS TO BE USED in the NEW TESTAMENT too instead of PASTOR’s PROSPERITY as the PHARISEES ERRED:

“… 23.23. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy, and faithfulness; it was necessary to do these things and not to omit those things.” There are many precepts in the Law that hold forth types of future things. Some are clear, according to the Psalmist, who says: “The command of the Lord is lucid, illuminating the eyes.”30 Some call for works at once, for instance: “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not speak false testimony,” etc.31 Now the Lord had given a precept for the support of priests and Levites whose portion was the Lord,32 namely, a tithe of all things offered in the Temple33 (for the moment we should forego the mystical interpretation of this precept). But the Pharisees were zealous for this one precept, namely, the  accumulation of what had been commanded. Other things that were of greater importance mattered little to them. They did not care whether anyone did them or not. And so, he accuses them of greed on this point, that they zealously exact a tithe even of common herbs, yet they neglect justice in business disputes, and mercy toward poor orphans and widows, and faithfulness to God, which are great matters. 23.24. “Blind guides, straining out a gnat, but swallowing a camel!” In this context and in view of the importance of the precepts, I think that the camel refers to justice, mercy, and faith…”– Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, the Second Great Latin Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD, Commentary on Matthew 23:23 – 24)

Roman Catholic Source (Page 263 or 280 in below book four (22.41–28.20)):

https://isidore.co/CalibreLibrary/Jerome,%20St_/Commentary%20on%20Matthew%20(7526)/Commentary%20on%20Matthew%20-%20Jerome,%20St_.pdf

6) Blessed Ambrosiaster

– Blessed Ambrosiaster does not seem to have any quote on tithes. If you find one, please let me know.

7) Blessed St. Justin Martyr

Blessed St. Justin Martyr too does not seem to have any quote on tithes. If you find one, please let me know. There are a some who simply claim the opposite where the quote does NOT EVEN HAVE THE WORD TITHE (can you SEE it?) and also emphasizes the CHARITY DOCTRINE, example from link below in a few CHURCH FATHERS (NONE teaching TITHE in the PROSPERITY GOSPEL WAY but for CHARITY DOCTRINE only if mentioned), compare:

Justin Martyr (c. 100-165 AD)

“We who valued above all things the acquisition of wealth and possessions now bring what we have into a common stock and share with everyone in need.”

Tertullian (c. 155-240 AD)

“We would ask God for material goods if we considered them to be of use; without a doubt, He to whom the whole belongs would be able to concede us a portion. But we prefer to hold possessions in contempt than to hoard them: it is rather innocence that is our aspiration, it is rather patience that is our entreaty; our preference is goodness, not extravagance.”

Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215 AD)

“The tithes of the fruits and of the flocks taught both piety towards the Deity and not to covetously grasp everything. Instead, one should share gifts of kindness with one’s neighbors. For it was from these, I reckon, and from the firstfruits that the priests were maintained.”

Cyprian (c. 210–258 AD)

“Each one was intent on adding to his inheritance. Forgetting what the faithful used to do under the Apostles and what they should always be doing, each one with insatiable greed was absorbed in adding to his wealth. Gone was the devotion of bishops to the service of God, gone was the clergy’s faithful integrity, gone the generous compassion for the needy, gone all discipline in our behavior.
“Too many bishops, instead of giving encouragement and example to others, made no account of the ministration which God had entrusted to them, and took up the administration of secular business: they left their sees, abandoned their people, and toured the markets in other territories on the look-out for profitable deals.”

John Chrysostom (c. 349–407 AD)

“Woe to him, it is said, who doeth not alms; and if this was the case under the Old Covenant, much more is it under the New. If, where the getting of wealth was allowed and the enjoyment of it, and the care of it, there was such provision made for the succoring of the poor, how much more in that Dispensation, where we are commanded to surrender all we have? For what did not they of old do?
“They gave tithes, and tithes again upon tithes for orphans, widows, and strangers, whereas someone was saying to me in astonishment at another, ‘Why, such an one givest tithes.’ What a load of disgrace does this expression imply, since what was not a matter of wonder with the Jews has come to be so in the case of the Christians? If there was danger then in omitting tithes, think how great it must be now.”

Protestant Source: https://pushpay.com/blog/6-quotes-on-tithing-in-the-early-church/

Better Source for each quote above and more:

https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/church-fathers-on-money

8) Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons

Even St. Irenaeous of Lyons confirms that there is NO TITHING Rule in the NEW TESTAMENT but ONLY a CHARITY DOCTRINE RULE where one GIVES as MUCH AS WE CAN to COUNTER COVETEOUSNESS/AVARICE by GIVING (GOOD WORKS), in his quotes below:

“… 3. And for this reason did the Lord, instead of that [commandment], “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” forbid even concupiscence; and instead of that which runs thus, “Thou shalt not kill,” He prohibited anger; and instead of the law enjoining the giving of TITHES, [He told us] to share ALL our possessions with the POOR; and not to love our neighbours only, but even our enemies; and not merely to be liberal givers and bestowers, but even that we should present a gratuitous gift to those who take away our goods. For “to him that taketh away thy coat,” He says, “give to him thy cloak also; and from him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again; and as ye would that men should do unto you, do ye unto them: ” so that we may not grieve as those who are unwilling to be defrauded, but may rejoice as those who have given willingly, and as rather conferring a favour upon our neighbours than yielding to necessity.…” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church, First Doctor of the Church in order of time, Father of Catholic Theology,  (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, Against Heresies (Book IV, Chapter 13, Point 3))

Roman Catholic Source:  https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103413.htm

“… which has been proved vain, and incapable of being believed in; nor that fable invented by the other heretics. But He taught that they should obey the commandments which God enjoined from the beginning, and do away with their former covetousness by good works, and follow after Christ. But that possessions distributed to the poor do annul former covetousness, Zaccheus made evident, when he said, “Behold, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one, I restore fourfold.” …”  – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church, First Doctor of the Church in order of time, Father of Catholic Theology,    (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, Against Heresies (Book IV, Chapter 12)) 

Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103412.htm

[From Page 886 onward of the #ChiliasmBook]

Those who are racist, full of nepotism and also do not practice justice (apart from holiness doctrine) especially in the CONTEXT of CHARITY DOCTRINE in regard to GIVING MONEY to the POOR/NEIGHBOURS for their BENEFIT by RELATIVE MEASURE where PERFECTION is GIVING ALL (like the Blessed Apostles & Church Fathers did FOLLOWING AFTER CHRIST’s OWN COMMAND for PERFECTION*) will NOT become ELECT SALVATION for HEAVEN according to St. Irenaeous of Lyons (not me) in his quote below:

“… And the prophet declares, Circumcise the hardness of your heart. But the Sabbaths taught that we should continue day by day in God’s service. For we have been counted, says the Apostle Paul, all the day long as sheep for the slaughter; Romans 8:36 that is, consecrated [to God], and ministering continually to our faith, and persevering in it, and abstaining from all avarice, and not acquiring or possessing treasures upon earth. Matthew 6:19 Moreover, the Sabbath of God (requietio Dei), that is, the kingdom, was, as it were, indicated by created things; in which [kingdom], the man who shall have persevered in serving God (Deo assistere) shall, in a state of rest, partake of God’s table. …Moreover, all the rest of the multitude of those righteous men who lived before Abraham, and of those patriarchs who preceded Moses, were justified independently of the things above mentioned, and without the law of Moses. As also Moses himself says to the people in Deuteronomy: The Lord your God formed a covenant in Horeb. The Lord formed not this covenant with your fathers, but for you. Deuteronomy 5:2 … as also Moses says in Deuteronomy: And fed you with manna, which your fathers did not know, that you might know that man does not live by bread alone; but by every word of God proceeding out of His mouth does man live. Deuteronomy 8:3 And it enjoined love to God, and taught just dealing towards our neighbour, that we should neither be unjust nor unworthy of God, who prepares man for His friendship through the medium of the Decalogue, and likewise for agreement with his neighbour — matters which did certainly profit man himself; God, however, standing in no need of anything from man.  …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church, First Doctor of the Church in order of time, Father of Catholic Theology,  (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, Against Heresies (Book 4(IV), Chapter 16, Points 1,2,3 – highlighted))

Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103416.htm

Highlight that keeping the 10 Commandments (except the Sabbath which does NOT apply to us Gentile believers), i.e. keeping the Decalogue alone is NOT enough for Elect Salvation as some Protestantism errs but we also need to have WORTHY DEALINGS with OUR NEIGHBOUR meaning NO RACISM, NO NEPOTISM etc. for example, do you pay your own race more salary or keep quiet when you receive more salary than another due to racial factors (all other skill level of a person of equal calibre held constant)? I put this simple “salary example” to show how WIDESPREAD and FAKE people are and NO ONE CAN PARTAKE of CHRISTIAN ELECT SALVATION with this as St. Irenaeous’ quote reveals here too. [More details and proof quotes in pages from the #ChiliasmBook quoted] Peace to you

Here are additional support quotes [From Pages 53 and 54 onward of the #DoctrineBook] that the remaining Church Fathers earlier who are  quoted for “tithes” actually are teaching “Tithes for Charity Doctrine” or “Charity Doctrine directly” as “God’s Will for Finance” in every Christian’s life by ”relative measure” in the most important Parable of CHRIST for ELECT SALVATION namely how to become one of the 5 WISE VIRGINS which clearly is POINTED AS CHARITY DOCTRINE and NOT PROSPERITY TITHES in each Church Father quoted (I mean if they got the “wrong meaning” for this parable and all of them, then they themselves could be UNSAVED FOOLISH VIRGINS, right? Can you “see” it?):

[ Page 128 – 129 of the #SafeRouteScripturallyBook, more in Pages 2581 to 2587 or Pages  2387 – 2396 earlier of this #SafeRouteScripturallyBook ] or [From Page 154 onward ofthe #BibleandChurchFathersQuoteBook]

i) St. Hilary of Poitiers

“… The “oil” is the fruit of good works, the “vessels” are the human bodies in whose inward parts the treasure of a good conscience is to be laid up. …  At the trumpet signal they go forth to meet the bridegroom alone, for then shall the two be one, that is, the flesh and God, when the lowliness of the flesh shall be transformed into spiritual glory. … Or, the trimming their lamps is the return of their souls into their bodies, and their light is the consciousness of good works that shines forth, which is contained in the vessels of the body. … THEY THAT SELL ARE THE POOR, who, NEEDING THE ALMS OF THE FAITHFUL, made them that recompense which they desire, SELLING in return for the relief afforded to their wants, a consciousness of good works. This is the abundant fuel of an UNDYING LIGHT WHICH MAY BE BOUGHT AND STORED UP for the FRUITS OF MERCY. … “The marriage” is the putting on of immortality, and the joining together corruption and incorruption in a new union. … Yet though the season of repentance is now past, the foolish virgins come and beg that entrance may be granted to them. …” …” – Blessed St. Hilary of Poictiers, the “Athanasius of the West”, Doctor of the Church, The Champion of Trinity in the West, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 310 AD – c. 368 AD, Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in Catena Aurea) Roman Catholic Source: https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/matthew-commentary/catena-aurea-on-matthew/chapter-1/chapter-2/chapter-3/chapter-4/chapter-5/chapter-6/chapter-7/chapter-8/chapter-9/chapter-10/chapter-11/chapter-12/chapter-13/chapter-14/chapter-15/chapter-16/chapter-17/chapter-18/chapter-19/chapter-20/chapter-21/chapter-22/chapter-23/chapter-24/chapter-25   

ii) St. Basil the Great

“… I know many who fast, pray, sigh, and demonstrate every manner of piety, so long as it costs them nothing, yet would not part with a penny to help those in distress. … When I go into the house of one of these tasteless newly rich individuals, and see it bedecked with every imaginable hue, I know that this person possesses nothing more valuable than what is on display; such people decorate inanimate objects, but fail to beautify the soul. … Care for the needy requires the expenditure of wealth: when all share alike, disbursing their possessions among themselves, they each receive a small portion for their individual needs. Thus, those who love their neighbor as themselves possess nothing more than their neighbor; yet surely, you seem to have great possessions! How else can this be, but that you have preferred your own enjoyment to the consolation of the many? For the more you abound in wealth, the more you lack in love. … For if we all took only what was necessary to satisfy our own needs, giving the rest to those who lack, no one would be rich, no one would be poor, and no one would be in need. … After they have squandered their wealth among so many pursuits, if there is any left over, they hide it in the ground and guard it deep within the earth. “For the future,” they say, “is always uncertain; therefore let us take care, lest some unforeseen need should arise.” Yet while it is uncertain whether you will have need of this buried gold, the losses you incur from your inhuman behavior are not at all uncertain … Had you clothed the naked, had you given your bread to the hungry, had your door been open to every stranger, had you been a parent to the orphan, had you made the suffering of every helpless person your own, what money would you have left, the loss of which to grieve? … What then will you answer the Judge? You gorgeously array your walls, but do not clothe your fellow human being; you adorn horses, but turn away from the shameful plight of your brother or sister; you allow grain to rot in your barns, but do not feed those who are starving; you hide gold in the earth, but ignore the oppressed! … You showed no mercy; it will not be shown to you. You opened not your house; you will be expelled from the Kingdom. You gave not your bread; you will not receive eternal life. …”  –  Blessed St. Basil the Great, the Third Great Greek Doctor of the Church was the bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He was an influential theologian who supported the Nicene Creed and opposed the heresies of the early Christian church, fighting against both Arianism and the followers of Apollinaris of Laodicea. In addition to his work as a theologian, Basil was known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. Basil established guidelines for monastic life which focus on community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labor. Together with Pachomius, he is remembered as a father of communal monasticism in Eastern Christianity, Titles: one of the Three Holy Hierarchs / Great Hierarch, Doctor of the Church, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 329 AD – c. 379 AD, “Sermon to the Rich”, please see comments next)

Orthodox Source:  http://stjohngoc.org/st-basil-the-greats-sermon-to-the-rich/

Or this: https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/7393703-on-social-justice-st-basil-the-great  Comment: St. Basil the Great’s Sermon to the Rich August 21, 2015 by Deacon Innocent Duchow-Pressley Note: The following “Sermon To the Rich” was probably delivered in the year 368, when most of Asia Minor was struck by a severe drought which caused great hardship, intensified by the greed of some who held back grain to inflate prices. At this time, St. Basil was a priest in the diocese of Caesarea, overseeing a very active ministry to the poor and ill; St. Gregory the Theologian describes Basil’s hospital at the gates of Caesarea as a virtual “city” (or. 43.63). The Greek text of Basil’s sermon is found in J.P. Migne’s Patrologia Graeca, vol. 31, cols. 277C-304C.

iii) St. Ambrose of Milan

“… day of the future judgment or by his own death, lose the reward of his management. It was addressed to all, in the form of a general precept; but the theme of the following comparison seems to be proposed to the bishops … we are inflamed with the desire to acquire God, saying, “I have come to set fire to the earth,” not certainly the fire that consumes the goods, but the one that produces the good will, which makes the vases of and from the house of the Lord, consuming the hay and the straw (I Cor. Iii. 12ff., 1 Corinthians 3:11 – 15), devouring all the gangue of the age, amassed by worldly pleasure, the work of the flesh that is to perish;…  They have thus taught with evidentness what is the action of this fire, which enlightens the intimate of the heart. For this reason perhaps the Lord will come into the fire (see Is., LXVI, 15; 16): to consume all the vices at the moment of the resurrection, to fill by his presence the desires of each one, and to project the light on merits and mysteries…. “It will be the same at the end of time: the angels will come to separate the wicked from the righteous, and throw them into the blazing furnace. Weeping and gnashing of teeth “(Matt, XIII, 49ffq). It remains to be seen now what the figure of the obole means. And it seems that the name of this familiar object expresses the mystery of a spiritual sense. Indeed, as one pays his debt by returning the money, and as the title to the interest is extinguished only when the whole amount of the capital is paid until the last denier, whatever the mode of payment, of it is by the compensation of charity and other works, or by some satisfaction, that the penalty of sin is extinguished. Nor is it without reason that he did not mention in this place, as elsewhere, two pieces of copper (Lc, XXI, 2), an ace (Matt., X, 29), nor a denier (Ib., XX, 2), but an obole; for the transfer of an obole29 is a kind of exchange, where one puts one thing in sign of the acquittal of another. Likewise here: either the wrong is redeemed at the price of charity, or the punishment diminished according to the appreciation of the wrong. Now it is the custom, as we remember, to give a bath to the baths: by presenting it, everyone obtains the faculty of bathing there; so, here, to be purified, because the sin of each is purified by the kind of transaction described above. On the other hand, the guilty person is tortured and tortured as long as he has not served the sentence of the error committed …” – Blessed Archbishop St. Ambrose of Milan, the First Great Latin Doctor of the Church, Converter, Baptizer & Teacher of St. Augustine of Hippo, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 340 AD – c. 397 AD, Commentary on Luke XII, Verses Luke 12:49 – 50 with Commentary on Luke XII, Verses Luke 12:58 – 59) Roman Catholic Source: https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/luke-commentary/ambrose-on-luke-12

iv) St. John Chrysostom

“… FOR THE FOOLISGH VIRGINS HAD OIL, BUT NOT ENOUGH. … And He employs the character virgins in this parable to shew, that though virginity be a great thing, yet if it be not accompanied by works of mercy, it shall be cast out with the adulterers. … Or, The “OIL” DENOTES CHARITY, ALMS, and EVERY AID RENDERED TO THE NEEDY; the lamps denote the gifts of virginity; and He calls them “foolish,” because after having gone through the greater toil, they lost all for the sake of a less; for it is greater labour to overcome the desires of the flesh than of money. …  You see then how great merchants the poor are to us; but THE POOR ARE NOT THERE, but here, and THEREFORE WE MUST STORE UP OIL HERE, that we may have it to use there when occasion shall require. … That, “WHILE THEY WENT TO BUY,” shews that even, IF WE SHOULD BECOME MERCIFUL AFTER DEATH, IT WILL AVAIL US NOTHING to escape punishment, as it was no profit to the rich man, that he became merciful and careful about those who belonged to him. …” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, the Fourth Great Greek Doctor of the Church, Archbishop of Constantinople, one of the Three Holy Hierarchs / Great Hierarch, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church   (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD, Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in Catena Aurea) Roman Catholic Source:

https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/matthew-commentary/catena-aurea-on-matthew/chapter-1/chapter-2/chapter-3/chapter-4/chapter-5/chapter-6/chapter-7/chapter-8/chapter-9/chapter-10/chapter-11/chapter-12/chapter-13/chapter-14/chapter-15/chapter-16/chapter-17/chapter-18/chapter-19/chapter-20/chapter-21/chapter-22/chapter-23/chapter-24/chapter-25

v) St. Jerome of the Vulgate

“…  This parable of the ten foolish and the ten wise virgins, some interpret literally of virgins, of whom there are according to the Apostle [marg. Note: 1 Cor 7] some who are virgins both in body and in thought, others who have preserved indeed their bodies virgin, but have not the other deeds of virgins, or have only been preserved by the guardianship of parents, but have wedded in their hearts. But from what has gone before, I think the meaning to be different, and that the parable has reference not to virgins only, but to the whole human race. … Or, These virgins who complain that their lamps are gone out, shew that they are partially alight, yet have they not an unfailing light, nor enduring works. Whoso then has a virgin soul, and is a lover of chastity, ought not to rest content with such virtues as quickly fade, and are withered away when the heat comes upon them, but should follow after perfect virtues, that he may have an enduring light. … For these wise virgins do not answer thus out of covetousness, [p. 849] but out of fear. Wherefore, each man shall receive the recompense of his own works, and the virtues of one cannot atone for the vices of another in the day of judgment. The wise admonish them not to go to meet the bridegroom without oil, “Go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” … And this oil is sold, and at a high cost, nor is it to be got without much toil; so that we understand it not of alms only, but of all virtues and counsels of the teachers. … But because the [p. 850] season for buying was now past, and the day of judgment was coming on, so that there was no room for penitence, they must not now lay up new works, but give an account of the old. … After the day of judgment, there is no more opportunity for good works, or for righteousness, and therefore it follows, “And the door was shut.” … Their worthy confession calling Him, “Lord, Lord,” is a mark of faith. But what avails it to confess with the mouth Him whom you deny with your works? …  For “the Lord knoweth them that are his,” [2 Tim 2:19] and he that knoweth not shall not be known, and though they be virgins in purity of body, or in confession of the true faith, yet forasmuch as they have no oil, they are unknown by the bridegroom. When He adds, “Watch therefore, because ye know not the day nor the hour,” He means that all that has been said points to this, namely, that seeing we know not the day of judgment, we should be careful in providing the light of good works. …” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, the Second Great Latin Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD,  Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in catena Aurea) Roman Catholic Source:

https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/matthew-commentary/catena-aurea-on-matthew/chapter-1/chapter-2/chapter-3/chapter-4/chapter-5/chapter-6/chapter-7/chapter-8/chapter-9/chapter-10/chapter-11/chapter-12/chapter-13/chapter-14/chapter-15/chapter-16/chapter-17/chapter-18/chapter-19/chapter-20/chapter-21/chapter-22/chapter-23/chapter-24/chapter-25

vi) St. Augustine of Hippo

“… Lib. 83 Quaest, Q59: Or, “The lamps” which they carry in their hands are their works, of which it was said above, “Let your works shine before men.” [Matt 5:16] … Or, by the five virgins, is denoted a five-fold continence from the allurements of the flesh; for our appetite must be held from gratification of the eyes, ears, smell, taste, and touch. And as this continence may be done before God, to please Him in inward joy of the conscience, or before men only to gain applause of men, five are called wise, and five foolish. Both are virgins, because both these men exercise continence, though from different motives. … Or, The “oil” denotes joy, according to that, “God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.” [Ps 45:7] He then whose joy springs not from this that he is inwardly pleasing to God, has no oil with him; for they have no gladness in their continent lives, [p. 846] save in the praises of men. “But the wise took oil with their lamps,” that is, the gladness of good works, “in their vessels,” that is, they stored it in their heart and conscience, as the Apostle speaks, “Let every man prove himself, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself, and not in another.” [Gal 6:4] … For there die of both kinds of men in this interval of time before the resurrection of the dead, and the Lord’s coming shall be. … They “trimmed their lamps,” that is, prepared to give an account of their deeds. … From habit, the mind seeks that which uses to give it pleasure. And these now seek from men, who see not the heart, witness to God, who sees the heart. But their lamps go out, because those, whose good works rest upon the testimony of others, when that is withdrawn, sink into nothing. … Or we may suppose it not meant as advice what they should do, but as an indirect allusion to their fault. For flatterers sell oil, who by praising things false, and things unknown, lead souls astray, recommending to them, as foolish, empty joys, and receiving in return some temporal benefit. … Go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves,” i.e. Let us now see what they can profit you who have used to sell you their praise. “Lest there be not enough for us and you,” because no man is profited in God’s sight by the testimony of others, because God sees the heart, and each man is scarce able to give testimony concerning his own conscience. … When they have been taken in who have been changed into angelic being, all entrance into the kingdom of heaven is closed; after the judgment, there is no more place for prayers or merit. [marg. Note: 1 Cor 15:51] …  It is not said that they bought any oil, and therefore we must suppose that all their delight in the praise of men being gone, they return in distress and affliction to implore God. But His severity, after judgment, is as great as His mercy was unspeakable before. “But He answered [p. 851] and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not;” by that rule, namely, that the art of God, that is, His wisdom, does not admit that those should enter into His joy who have sought to do in any thing according to His commandments, not as before God, but that they may please men. … “ – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, the Third Great Latin Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD,  Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in Catena Aurea) Roman Catholic Source:

https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/matthew-commentary/catena-aurea-on-matthew/chapter-1/chapter-2/chapter-3/chapter-4/chapter-5/chapter-6/chapter-7/chapter-8/chapter-9/chapter-10/chapter-11/chapter-12/chapter-13/chapter-14/chapter-15/chapter-16/chapter-17/chapter-18/chapter-19/chapter-20/chapter-21/chapter-22/chapter-23/chapter-24/chapter-25

[From Page 153 onward ofthe #BibleandChurchFathersQuoteBook]

Unseen Danger in the Popular Protestant claim that the “Oil” refers to the “Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God”

The Real Danger is this: If you are going to quote that the “Oil” is the Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God, you better be 100% correct because it is Written that ‘any Word Spoken against Him is Unforgiven’, Verse:

“… 31“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:31 – 32, NKJV)

In contrast, without Quoting the Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God but stating it as our own opinion/oracle is “not” damnable as God Himself showed Mercy by His Unchanging Principle as discussed in post in link below or in Page 2177 earlier:

https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10161461938352784

Now, please consider the Actual Bible Verses below which describe that the “Oil” is to be obtained by “some earthly transaction”:

“… 7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise, ‘GIVE US SOME OF YOUR OIL, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But THE WISE ANSWERED, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but GO RATHER TO THOSE WHO SELL, and BUY FOR YOURSELVES.’ 10And WHILE THEY WENT TO BUY, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I DO NOT KNOW YOU.’ …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:7 – 12, NKJV)

Comments:

0. Please notice that the same phrase “… I DO NOT KNOW YOU …” (Matthew 25:12) is found in “… 22MANY will say to Me IN THAT DAY, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not PROPHESIED IN YOUR NAME, CAST OUT DEMONS IN YOUR NAME, and DONE MANY WONDERS IN YOUR NAME?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU;  …” (Matthew 7:22 – 23) and the context in these “quoted for tithes Church Fathers” itself is only CHARITY DOCTRINE (can you really see it?)

“… 21“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. 22MANY will say to Me IN THAT DAY, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not PROPHESIED IN YOUR NAME, CAST OUT DEMONS IN YOUR NAME, and DONE MANY WONDERS IN YOUR NAME?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’ 24“Therefore WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:21 – 24, NKJV)

1. “… 8And the foolish said to the wise, ‘GIVE US SOME OF YOUR OIL, for our lamps are going out. …GO RATHER TO THOSE WHO SELL, and BUY FOR YOURSELVES.’ …” = The “Oil” is a obtained via THOSE WHO SELL (who are on the earth even at that time), as the FOOLISH understood it as an earthly transaction and went to buy

2. If the “Oil” was the “Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God”, then the dialogue would have been entirely different, right? I mean “no” earthly buying and selling can buy the Holy Spirit of God! It sounds like a Blasphemy to claim so (risky).

3. If the “OIL” cannot be obtained via an earthly transaction or it’s done for, then the WISE VIRGINS would have answered differently, right? That is, they would have said it cannot be obtained. So the fact that the foolish virgins returned later (obtaining the oil) refers to they tried or did perform some earthly transaction but the time was too late.

4. The “OIL” cannot refer to a Church Gathering simply because the “Wise” are already going away at that time and a gathering of the foolish or with ‘those who sell’ that remain on earth doesn’t seem logical.

5. The “OIL” cannot refer to “Pre-Trib Rapture belief” because the “foolish ones were not left behind” but woke up also (i.e. Resurrected) meaning they were part of it & even spoke to the “Wise ones” (i.e. Pre-Trib raptured ones by assumption) but yet were “not saved”.

6. “… 10And WHILE THEY WENT TO BUY,  …” = The meaning is clear that an earthly transaction is implied and FIRST CHRISTIANITY TAUGHT WIDELY that this REFERS to the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE by RELATIVE MEASURE.

Also did you know that each of these remaining Church Fathers earlier who are  quoted for “tithes” [From Pages 53 and 54 onward of the #DoctrineBook] also taught POSSIBLE NON ELECT SALVATION quotes? So do the “PROSPERITY TITHING PASTORS also BELIEVE IN that at least as a POSSIBILITY”? If NOT, then why believe that their TITHING quotes are reliable? (where we saw even TITHES is ONLY QUOTED in CHARITY DOCTRINE CONTEXT in them) So at least, we are NOT picking and CHOOSING but are MORE HONEST; so let’s take a look at POSSIBLE NON ELECT SALVATION quotes the from each of these remaining Church Fathers quoted. Example Quotes for this can be seen in [From Page 332 onward of the #ChiliasmBook]. So I did NOT manipulate NOR half-quote anything but just presented the EVIDENCE as it is. Can you SEE it?

i) St. Hilary of Poitiers

St. Jerome believed in Christ Centered Universalism at first and quotes the legendary Blessed St. Hilary of Poictiers, the “Athanasius of the West” (because St. Hilary was used by God single-handedly to Defend & Revive the Doctrine of Trinity into the Western Churches) who also is honoured as a  “Doctor of the Church” proving that “Universalism is not a condemnable heresy” while we consider it as a “possibility” only likewise. Can you see it?

[From Page 890 onward of the #SafeRouteScripturallyBook]

“… Your third and last question relates to the passage in the same epistle where the apostle in discussing the resurrection, comes to the words: “for he must reign, till he hath put all things under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him that God may be all in all.” [1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28] I am surprised that you have resolved to question me about this passage when that reverend man, Hilary, bishop of Poictiers, has occupied the eleventh book of his treatise against the Arians with a full examination and explanation of it. Yet I may at least say a few words. The chief stumbling-block in the passage is that the Son is said to be subject to the Father. Now which is the more shameful and humiliating, to be subject to the Father (often a mark of loving devotion as in the psalm “truly my soul is subject unto God”) or to be crucified and made the curse of the cross? For “cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.” If Christ then for our sakes was made a curse that He might deliver us from the curse of the law, are you surprised that lie is also for our sakes subject to the Father to make us too subject to Him as He says in the gospel: “No man cometh unto the Father but by me,” and “I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will DRAW ALL men UNTO ME.” [John 12:32] Christ then is subject to the Father in the faithful; for ALL BELIEVERS, NAY the WHOLE HUMAN RACE, are accounted MEMBERS of HIS BODY. But in UNBELIEVERS, that is in JEWS, HEATHENS, and HERETICS, He is said to be NOT SUBJECT; for these members of His body are NOT SUBJECT to the FAITH. But in the END of the world when ALL HIS MEMBERS shall SEE CHRIST, that is their own body, reigning, THEY ALSO shall be MADE SUBJECT to Christ, that is to their own body, that the whole of Christ’s body may be subject unto God and the Father, and that God may be ALL in ALL [1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28]. He does not say “that the Father may be all in all” but that “God” may be, a title which properly belongs to the Trinity and may be referred not only to the Father but also to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. His meaning therefore is “that HUMANITY may be SUBJECT to the GODHEAD.” By HUMANITY we here intend not that gentleness and kindness which the Greeks call philanthropy but the WHOLE HUMAN RACE Moreover when he says “that God may be all in all,” it is to be taken in this sense. At present our Lord and Saviour is not all in all, but only a part in each of us. For instance He is wisdom in Solomon, generosity in David, patience in Job, knowledge of things to come in Daniel faith in Peter, zeal in Phinehas and Paul, virginity in John, and other virtues in others. But when the end of all things shall come, then shall He be all in all, for then the saints shall severally possess all the virtues and all will possess Christ in His entirety….” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, the Second Great Latin Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD,, Letter LV TO AMANDUS, Point 5, Written about the year 394 A. D.)

Source: http://www.annussacerdotalis.org/clerus/dati/2001-02/17-999999/Lett.html   

Note: Though St. Jerome of the Vulgate began to lean toward Eternal-Hell theology of St. Augustine from 395 AD onward, he clearly reveals in the letter above circa 394 AD, “honestly” (a content which probably is “lost” quoting from St. Hilary of Poictiers’ 11th Book regarding the Mystery of Christ Centered Universalism). Please note also that St. Hilary has been dead for almost “30 plus years” at the time St. Jerome writes this letter proving that St. Hilary is certainly a Christ Centered Universalism believer.

No wonder St. Jerome’s quote earlier shows that he believed in some Universalism too as per St. Hilary where the difference could be St. Jerome may not see “all to be saved” as opposed to St. Hilary whom St. Jerome himself considers as greater than him whose quote is similar and can be compared as follows [From Page 1862/889 onward of the #SafeRouteScripturallyBook]

“… [Hence a prevalent tone of hopefulness about the future state of the baptized]; ; EVEN SODOM and GOMORRAH, THEIR PUNISHMENT in history having satisfied the righteousness of God [Jude 1:7], shall ULTIMATELY BE SAVED 359. Yet God has a perfect, immutable goodness of which human goodness, though real, falls infinitely short, because He is steadfast and we are driven by varying impulses . This DIVINE GOODNESS is the STANDARD and the HOPE set before us. It can only be attained by GRACE, and GRACE is FREELY OFFERED. But just as the SOUL, being free, advances to meet sin, so it MUST ADVANCE to MEET GRACE…” – Blessed St. Hilary of Poictiers, the “Athanasius of the West”, Doctor of the Church, The Champion of Trinity in the West, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 310 AD – c. 368 AD, ‘The Theology of Hilary of Poictiers*,Page 122)       

Source ( in the Book ‘Ante-Nicene Fathers Volume 01 The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus To Ante Nicene Fathers Volume 10 Bibliographic Synopsis General Index’ by Protestant Historian Mr. Schaff, Philip (1819-1893)):

https://archive.org/stream/AnteNiceneFathersVolume10BibliographicSynopsisGeneralIndex/NicenePostNiceneFathersSeries2Volume09HilaryofPotiersJohnofDamascus_djvu.txt

ii) St. Basil the Great

“…: “O Christ our God…(who) on this all-perfect and saving Feast, art graciously pleased to accept propitiatory prayers for those who are imprisoned in hades, promising unto us who are held in bondage great hope of release from the uthors that doth hinder us and did hinder them … send down Thy consolation… and establish their souls in the mansions of the Just; and graciously vouchsafe unto them peace and pardon; for not the dead shall praise thee, O Lord, neither shall they who are in Hell make bold to offer unto thee confession. But we who are living will bless thee, and will pray, and offer unto thee propitiatory prayers and sacrifices for their souls. …” –  Blessed St. Basil the Great, the Third Great Greek Doctor of the Church was the bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He was an influential theologian who supported the Nicene Creed and opposed the heresies of the early Christian church, fighting against both Arianism and the followers of Apollinaris of Laodicea. In addition to his work as a theologian, Basil was known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. Basil established guidelines for monastic life which focus on community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labor. Together with Pachomius, he is remembered as a father of communal monasticism in Eastern Christianity, Titles: one of the Three Holy Hierarchs / Great Hierarch, Doctor of the Church, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 329 AD – c. 379 AD, Source [Saint Basil the Great (379 AD), writes in his Third Kneeling Prayer at Pentecost]: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_for_the_dead

[St. Basil’s quote above sometimes is said to refer to “fallen Christians only” but if this is available for fallen Christians, then the Bible Verse below by LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF seem to extend the “SAME PORTION” toward “UNBELIEVERS” too meaning the ‘same portion with UNBELIEVERS’ phrase in Verses below can indicate that these could be also some type of NON Elect Salvation Possibility for UNBELIEVERS likewise, if interpolated]:

“… 45But IF THAT SERVANT SAYS in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, 46the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and WILL CUT HIM IN TWO AND APPOINT HIM HIS PORTION WITH THE UNBELIEVERS. 47And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, FROM HIM MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED; and TO WHOM MUCH HAS BEEN COMMITTED, OF HIM THEY WILL ASK THE MORE.  …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:45 – 48, NKJV)

So we can ask but let God Decide.

Next quote below seem to imply that he believed that CHRIST’s RANSOM is available for EVERY HUMAN BEING though whether he believed it applies to all humans is questionable but nevertheless the point is this in light of the “Prayer for the Dead” part earlier: That is, if Christ’s Ransom is available for EVERY HUMAN BEING  then, such a Prayer can be Requested but Let God Decide beyond that:

“… after the witness of Gabriel, after her secret knowledge of the divine conception, after the great exhibition of miracles, she shall feel about her soul a mighty tempest. The Lord was bound to taste of death for every man — to become a propitiation for the world and to justify all men by His own blood. Even thou thyself, who hast been taught from on high the things concerning the Lord, shalt be reached by some doubt. This is the sword. “That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” …” –  Blessed St. Basil the Great, the Third Great Greek Doctor of the Church was the bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He was an influential theologian who supported the Nicene Creed and opposed the heresies of the early Christian church, fighting against both Arianism and the followers of Apollinaris of Laodicea. In addition to his work as a theologian, Basil was known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. Basil established guidelines for monastic life which focus on community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labor. Together with Pachomius, he is remembered as a father of communal monasticism in Eastern Christianity, Titles: one of the Three Holy Hierarchs / Great Hierarch, Doctor of the Church, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 329 AD – c. 379 AD, Letter 260/Letter CCLX, Point 671 – Point 672)

Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3202260.htm

Or this source:

https://archive.org/stream/St.BasilLettersAndSelectedWorks/St_basil_lettersAndSelected_works_djvu.txt

iii) St. Ambrose of Milan

“… 182. Let us then shortly sum up our conclusion on the whole matter. A unity of power puts aside all idea of a degrading subjection. His giving up of power, and His victory as conqueror won over death, have not lessened His power. Obedience works out subjection. Christ has taken obedience upon Himself, obedience even to taking on Him our flesh, the cross even to gaining our salvation. Thus where the work lies, there too is the Author of the work. When therefore, all things have become subject to Christ, through Christ’s obedience, so that all bend their knees in His name, then He Himself will be all in all. For now, since all do not believe, all do not seem to be in subjection. But when all have believed and done the will of God, then Christ will be all and in all. And when Christ is all and in all, then will God be all and in all; for the Father abides ever in the Son. How, then, is He shown to be weak, Who redeemed the weak? 183. And lest you should by chance attribute to the weakness of the Son, that it is written, that God has put all things in subjection under Him; learn that He has Himself brought all things into subjection to Himself, for it is written: Our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus, Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like His glorious body according to the working, whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself. Philippians 3:20-21 You have learned, therefore, that He can subdue all things unto Himself according to the working of His Godhead. …” – Blessed Archbishop St. Ambrose of Milan, the First Great Latin Doctor of the Church, Converter, Baptizer & Teacher of St. Augustine of Hippo, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 340 AD – c. 397 AD)

Source (  Exposition of the Christian Faith, Book V, Chapter 15 ):

https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/34045.htm

“Quotes” by St. Ambrose of Milan which seem to point more toward “Universalism after Judgment”. As quoted in Page 1232, St. Ambrose of Milan’s quote is so important that it has even affected Roman Catholicism more toward Universalism actually, example quote:

“… In spite of his great status as a Doctor of the Church, however, the theology of Ambrose has at least two unique features that have basically been unacceptable to church dogma for many centuries but which are attracting more attention today. First, it teaches universal salvation. Ambrose was a Christian universalist; he believed that all people would eventually achieve salvation: “For now, since all do not believe, all do not seem to be in subjection. But when all have believed and done the will of God, then Christ will be all and in all.”[5] Perhaps because he was able to read Greek, Ambrose’s theology was significantly influenced by that of Origen (c.185-c.254) and Didymus the Blind (c.313-c.398), two other early Christian universalists. Needless to say, universal salvation is more acceptable to the Catholic Church today, as its new, post-Vatican II Catechism says: “In hope, the Church prays for ‘all men to be saved’.”[6] …”

Source: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ambrose

If he believed in Eternal Hell for some, then perhaps he also likewise believed in the POSSIBLE NON ELECT SALVATION from the LAKE of FIRE not for all but some as long as they “believe after seeing” as his quotes “combined” may mean this. An example is described below in  that THOSE of FIRST RESURRECTION (CHRISTIANS ONLY) COME TO GRACE (Salvation) WITHOUT JUDGMENT (neither “Hades” nor Lake of ‘’Fire”) [Emphasis Mine in Brackets below for clarity]:

‘… “OUR SAVIOUR has appointed TWO KINDS of RESURRECTION [Chiliasm Timeline Position as Context is “Bodily Resurrection”] in the APOCALYPSE. ‘Blessed is he that hath part in the FIRST RESURRECTION,’ for such COME TO GRACE WITHOUT JUDGMENT [Bodily Resurrection ELECT SALVATION]. As FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT COME TO THE FIRST, but are reserved unto the SECOND RESURRECTION, THESE SHALL BE DISCIPLINED UNTIL THEIR APPOINTED TIMES, BETWEEN THE FIRST AND THE SECOND RESURRECTION [NON ELECT SALVATION, saved  During Millennial Reign]; or, if they should not have fulfilled them then, they shall remain still longer in punishment [NON ELECT SALVATION if saved post-Judgment Day Timeline] … ‘ – Blessed Archbishop St. Ambrose of Milan, the First Great Latin Doctor of the Church, Converter, Baptizer & Teacher of St. Augustine of Hippo, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 340 AD – c. 397 AD) Source: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ambrose

iv) St. John Chrysostom

[Emphasis Mine for Clarity regarding Elect Salvation vs NON Elect Salvation]:

“…  more sins he has to answer for, the greater need has he of alms, not only for this reason, but because the alms has not the. Same virtue now, but far less: for it is not all one to have done it himself, and to have another do it for him; therefore, the virtue being less, let us by quantity make it the greatest. Let us not busy ourselves about monuments, not about memorials. This is the greatest memorial: set widows to stand around him. Tell them his name: bid them all make for him their prayers, their supplications: this will overcome God: though it have not been done by the man himself, yet because of him another is the author of the almsgiving. Even this pertains to the mercy of God: “widows standing around and weeping” know how to rescue, not indeed from the present death, but from that which is to come. Many have profited even by the alms done by others on their behalf: for even if they have not got perfect (deliverance)[Elect Salvation], at least they have found some comfort thence )[NON–Elect Salvation]. If it be not so, how are children saved? And yet there, the children themselves contribute nothing, but their parents do all: and often have women had their children given them, though the children themselves contributed nothing. Many are the ways God gives us to be saved, only let us not be negligent. …” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, the Fourth Great Greek Doctor of the Church, Archbishop of Constantinople, one of the Three Holy Hierarchs / Great Hierarch, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church   (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD, Homily 21 on the Acts of the Apostles, Acts IX. 26, 27) Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210121.htm

v) St. Jerome of the Vulgate

[From Page 347 onward of the #ChiliasmBook]

“… God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you have become like a furnace taken from the fire, and you have not returned to me, says the Lord … it is an extreme medicine, and ten tribes, and heretics, and all sinners, as after he sent death in the ways of Egypt, … so let all these men of Sodom, losing their riches, escape naked, according to what we read in the apostle: if his work remains that which he has built up, he will receive a reward; but if his work burns, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, even so as though by fire [1 Corinthians 3:15]. He therefore who is saved by fire is snatched away as if by a burning torch. … ? therefore both Israel and all the heretics because they had the works of Sodom and Gomorrah, they are overthrown like Sodom and Gomorrah, that they may be delivered from the fire as though they had been snatched away from the fire. and this is what we read in the prophet: Sodom shall be restored to its former state, so that he who is a Sodomite by his own will, after the works of Sodom have burned in him, shall be restored to his former state. …” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, the Second Great Latin Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD, St. Jerome on Amos- Latin, Commentary of St. Jerome on Prophet Amos, Chapter 4, highlighted parts)

Roman Catholic Source (note you can use Google Translate to English to see these parts): https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/amos/st-jerome-on-amos–latin

Compare:

[From Page 383 onward of the #ChiliasmBook]

“… Let THESE MEN then IF THEY WILL, FOLLOW OUR WAY, WHICH IS CHRIST’S WAY; but IF THEY WILL NOT, LET THEM GO THEIR OWN. PERHAPS IN IT THEY WILL BE BAPTIZED WITH FIRE, IN THAT LAST BAPTISM WHICH IS MORE PAINFUL AND LONGER, which devours wood like grass, 1 Corinthians 3:12-19 and CONSUMES the STUBBLE OF EVERY EVIL. …” – Blessed St. Gregory Nazianzus, the Second Great Greek Doctor of the Church, (c. 329 AD – c. 390 AD)  Roman Catholic Source [ Oration 39, Chapter XIX, Oration on the Holy Lights.]:  http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310239.htm  

Yes, St. Jerome may have believed in some NON ELECT SALVATION POSSIBILITY likewise as per his quote from [From Page 343 onward of the #ChiliasmBook]:

“… Also, by this which this servant dared to say, “Thou reapest where thou sowedst not,” [Matthew 25:26] we understand that the Lord accepts the good life of the Gentiles and of the Philosophers. …” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, the Second Great Latin Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD) Roman Catholic Source [ Patristic Bible Commentary, Catena Aurea, Matthew 25:14 – 30, P. 853 ]:

https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/matthew-commentary/catena-aurea-on-matthew/chapter-1/chapter-2/chapter-3/chapter-4/chapter-5/chapter-6/chapter-7/chapter-8/chapter-9/chapter-10/chapter-11/chapter-12/chapter-13/chapter-14/chapter-15/chapter-16/chapter-17/chapter-18/chapter-19/chapter-20/chapter-21/chapter-22/chapter-23/chapter-24/chapter-25

vi) St. Augustine of Hippo

St. Augustine of Hippo’s opinion is important because no other Christian outside the Bible has influenced all of Christianity (be it Protestants or Roman Catholics or Orthodox alike) who all agree “he is saved regardless” even if he believed that the CHARITY DOCTRINE as a MUST FOR REPENTANCE and ALSO FOR JUDGMENT of SINS to be REMOVED in his most famous and widely read book “Faith, Hope, Love, (and not some debated obscure source):

“… 67. There are SOME, indeed, WHO BELIEVE THAT THOSE WHO DO NOT ABANDON the NAME OF CHRIST, and WHO ARE BAPTIZED in his laver in the Church, who are NOT CUT OFF FROM IT BY SCHISM or HERESY, WHO MAY THEN LIVE IN SINS HOWEVER GREAT, NOT WASHING THEM AWAY BY REPENTANCE, NOR REDEEMING THEM BY ALMS –and WHO OBTINATELY PERSEVERE IN THEM TO LIFE’S LAST DAY – EVEN THESE WILL STILL BE SAVED, “THOUGH AS BY FIRE.” [1 Corinthians 3:15] THEY BELIEVE THAT SUCH PEOPLE WILL BE PUNISHED BY FIRE, PROLONGED IN PROPORTION TO THEIR SINS, BUT STILL NOT ETERNAL. BUT THOSE WHO BELIEVE THUS, and are STILL CATHOLICS, ARE DECEIVED, as it seems to me, by a kind of merely human benevolence. For the divine Scripture, when consulted, answers differently. …  the faith that saves is the faith that the apostle Paul adequately describes when he says, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but the faith which works through love.”143 But if faith works evil and not good, then without doubt, according to the apostle James “it is dead in itself.”144 He then goes on to say, “If a man says he has faith, yet has not works, can his faith be enough to save him? …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, the Third Great Latin Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD,, Point 67, “Faith and Works”, Enchiridion) Source: http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/augustine_enchiridion_02_trans.htm   

I do NOT think that these saved ‘wicked/sinners’ SAVED FROM PURGATORY (if true) get same inheritance as “Christians/Righteous” hence this distinction must be NON ELECT and St. Augustine must have known that some are saved after judgment only in the spirit world but as opposed to his teacher St. Ambrose of Milan earlier (who seem to believe this to happen even in the Lake of Fire/Judgment Day Context and to “all” with “Chiliasm timeline”), St. Augustine with anti-Chiliasm-timeline, he limits it to “Hades now only” and to “fallen Roman Catholics only” in contrast and this is further proven to be true when compared with St. Jerome’s quote (his contemporary too) where St. Jerome applies this NON ELECT SALVATION POSSIBILITY for “Rejected Israel’s ten tribes (fallen Christians), heretics, and all sinners” too. St. Augustine is most likely modifying here since both St. Ambrose & St. Jerome are both earlier in time and agree more in this NON ELECT SALVATION POSSIBILITY. My labels of “first, second, third, fourth” Great Latin/Greek Doctor is based on Timeline they existed (their birthdates) as per the “Rule of Possibility” that which saint is earlier is more likely to be true or more accurate. Let God Decide.

Similarly, please notice that St. Augustine of Hippo clearly believed also in “Purgatory” (Temporary Hell) for “Christians without much of the Charity Doctrine or those who love the Prosperity Gospel type” as I have shown in Page 12 or his converter himself St. Ambrose of Milan in Pages 182 to 186 ofthis #BibleandChurchFathersQuoteBook earlier.  The difference is we can be neutral (and consider it as a “possibility of doctrine”) and still Preach and Teach the CHARITY DOCTRINE regardless to be “Safe Scripturally” in light of all these “Bible Verses” and “Orthodox First Christianity Quotes even” because the CHARITY DOCTRINE is part of CHRIST’s NEW TESTAMENT COMMAND regardless if we understand it in full or not. Here is another St. Augustine of Hippo’s full quote regarding “Purgatory” (Temporary Hell) for “Christians without much of the Charity Doctrine or those who love the Prosperity Gospel type” in “full” from this same famous and widely read book “Faith, Hope, Love, Enchiridion Book” [from Page 1933 of the #SafeRouteScripturallyBook]:

“… Chapter 69. It is Not Impossible that Some Believers May Pass Through a Purgatorial Fire in the Future Life. … And it is not impossible that something of the same kind may take place even after this life. It is a matter that may be inquired into, and either ascertained or left doubtful, whether SOME BELIEVERS SHALL PASS through a KIND OF PURGATORIAL FIRE, and in PROPORTION AS THEY HAVE LOVED WITH MORE or LESS DEVOTION THE GOODS THAT PERISH, BE LESS OR MORE QUICKLY DELIVERED FROM IT. This cannot, however, be the case of any of those of whom it is said, that they shall not inherit the kingdom of God, unless after SUITABLE REPENTANCE THEIR SINS be FORGIVEN THEM. WHEN I SAY SUITABLE, I mean that THEY ARE NOT TO BE UNFRUITFUL in ALMSGIVING; for HOLY SCRIPTURE LAYS SO MUCH STRESS ON THIS VIRTUE, THAT our LORD TELLS US BEFOREHAND, that HE WILL ASCRIBE NO MERIT to THOSE ON HIS RIGHT HAND but THAT THEY ABOUND IN IT, and no defect to those on His left hand but their want of it, when He shall say to the former, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom, and to the latter, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire. “ … Chapter 70. Almsgiving Will Not Atone for Sin Unless the Life Be Changed. …We must beware, however, lest any one should suppose that gross sins, such as are committed by those who shall not inherit the kingdom of God, may be daily perpetrated, and daily atoned for by almsgiving. The life must be changed for the better; and almsgiving must be used to propitiate God for past sins, not to purchase impunity for the commission of such sins in the future. For He has given no man license to sin, although in His mercy He may blot out sins that are already committed, if we do not neglect to make proper satisfaction.  …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, the Third Great Latin Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, [63]  Enchiridion on Faith, Hope and Love (St. Augustine) Translated by J.F. Shaw. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 3. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1887.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight.”) Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1302.htm

Highlight for this claim: “Purgatory” (Temporary Hell) for “… Christians without much of the Charity Doctrine or those who love the Prosperity Gospel type …” = “… SOME BELIEVERS SHALL PASS through a KIND OF PURGATORIAL FIRE, and in PROPORTION AS THEY HAVE LOVED WITH MORE or LESS DEVOTION THE GOODS THAT PERISH, BE LESS OR MORE QUICKLY DELIVERED FROM IT … unless after SUITABLE REPENTANCE THEIR SINS be FORGIVEN THEM. WHEN I SAY SUITABLE, I mean that THEY ARE NOT TO BE UNFRUITFUL in ALMSGIVING; …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo

Also the “Opinion of St. Augustine” is very important indeed simply because even Blessed John Calvin (Founder of the Reformed Church Protestants) himself learnt his theology from St. Augustine’s Writings. Example quote:

“…  Augustine is so wholly within me, that if I wished to write a confession of my faith, I could do so with all fullness and satisfaction to myself out of his writings  …” – Blessed John Calvin, Protestant Reformer Theologian (Creator of the Five Point Calvinism or Tulips Doctrine for Protestanism)

 Source: Calvin, John. A Treatise on the Eternal Predestination of God. In Calvin, John (1987). Calvin’s Calvinism. Translated by Henry Cole. Grandville, MI: Reformed Free Publishing Association. P. 38  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustinian_Calvinism

Let God Decide who is right and reward that and also have Mercy on our Theological Errors (either way).

“… But temporary punishments are suffered by some in this life only, by others after death, by others both now and then; but all of them before that last and strictest judgment. But of those who suffer temporary punishments after death, all are not doomed to those everlasting pains which are to follow that judgment; for to some, as we have already said, what is not remitted in this world is remitted in the next, that is, they are not punished with the eternal punishment of the world to come. …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, the Third Great Latin Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, The City of God (Book XXI), Chapter 13) Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/120121.htm

Or evidence that St. Augustine may be modifying some pre-existent CHRISTIAN Teaching which predates him regarding NON ELECT SALVATION POSSIBILITY for “some” or perhaps even “Christ Centered Universalism” among MANY in FIRST CHRISTIANITY below:

 “… 112. It is quite in vain, then, that some—indeed very many–yield to merely human feelings and deplore the notion of the eternal punishment of the damned and their interminable and perpetual misery. They do not believe that such things will be. Not that they would go counter to divine Scripture–but, yielding to their own human feelings, they soften what seems harsh and give a milder emphasis to statements they believe are meant more to terrify than to express the literal truth. “God will not forget,” they say, “to show mercy, nor in his anger will he shut up his mercy.” This is, in fact, the text of a holy psalm.237 But there is no doubt that it is to be interpreted to refer to those who are called “vessels of mercy,”238 those who are freed from misery not by their own merits but through God’s mercy. Even so, if they suppose that the text applies to all men, there is no ground for them further to suppose that there can be an end for those of whom it is said, “Thus these shall go into everlasting punishment.”239 Otherwise, it can as well be thought that there will also be an end to the happiness of those of whom the antithesis was said: “But the righteous into life eternal.”But let them suppose, if it pleases them, that, for certain intervals of time, the punishments of the damned are somewhat mitigated. Even so, the wrath of God must be understood as still resting on them. And this is damnation–for this anger, which is not a violent passion in the divine mind, is called “wrath” in God. Yet even in his wrath–his wrath resting on them–he does not “shut up his mercy.” This is not to put an end to their eternal afflictions, but rather to apply or interpose some little respite in their torments. For the psalm does not say, “To put an end to his wrath,” or, “After his wrath,” but, “In his wrath.” Yet even in his wrath–his wrath resting on them–he does not “shut up his mercy.”… Now, if this wrath were all there is in man’s damnation, and even if it were present only in the slightest degree conceivable–still, to be lost out of the Kingdom of God, to be an exile from the City of God, to be estranged from the life of God, to suffer loss of the great abundance of God’s blessings which he has hidden for those who fear him and prepared for those who hope in him240 —this would be a punishment so great that, if it be eternal, no torments that we know could be compared to it, no matter how many ages they continued. …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, the Third Great Latin Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, Points 112 – 113, CHAPTER XXIX. “The Last Things”, Enchiridion).

Roman Catholic Source: http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/augustine_enchiridion_02_trans.htm

Peace to you

Detailed Sources for each quote in image

–  Blessed St. Justin Martyr, a Great Early Christian Apologist who is a Foremost Exponent of the Divine Word, who Influenced Virtually all of subsequent Christian philosophy and Catholic theology, Martyr for Christ, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church (c. 100AD – c. 160 AD, The First Apology, Chapter 14) Roman Catholic Source:
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm

– Blessed Tertullian, Father of Latin Christianity, Founder of Western Theological Scholarship, c. 155 AD – c. 240 AD, Octavius the Pagan, Chapter 36):

https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0410.htm

Translation here reads as follows:

“… But that many of us are called poor, this is not our disgrace, but our glory; for as our mind is relaxed by luxury, so it is strengthened by frugality. And yet who can be poor if he does not want, if he does not crave for the possessions of others, if he is rich towards God? He rather is poor, who, although he has much, desires more. Yet I will speak according as I feel. No one can be so poor as he is born. Birds live without any patrimony, and day by day the cattle are fed; and yet these creatures are born for us — all of which things, if we do not lust after, we possess. Therefore, as he who treads a road is the happier the lighter he walks, so happier is he in this journey of life who lifts himself along in poverty, and does not breathe heavily under the burden of riches. And yet even if we thought wealth useful to us, we should ask it of God. Assuredly He might be able to indulge us in some measure, whose is the whole; but we would rather despise riches than possess them: we desire rather innocency, we rather entreat for patience, we prefer being good to being prodigal; and that we feel and suffer the human mischiefs of the body is not punishment — it is warfare. For fortitude is strengthened by infirmities, and calamity is very often the discipline of virtue; in addition, strength both of mind and of body grows torpid without the exercise of labour.  …” Octavius (Minucius Felix via Tertullian?, Chapter 36) Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0410.htm  Or Roman Catholic Source (because it’s in Latin and one of the oldest documents where Tertullian agrees and quotes Minucius Felix another Church Father):

https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/church-fathers-on-money

 “…   Besides, the tithes of the fruits and of the flocks taught both piety towards the Deity, and not covetously to grasp everything, but to communicate gifts of kindness to one’s neighbours. For it was from these, I reckon, and from the first-fruits that the priests were maintained. We now therefore understand that we are instructed in piety, and in liberality, and in justice, and in humanity by the law. For does it not command the land to be left fallow in the seventh year, and bids the poor fearlessly use the fruits that grow by divine agency, nature cultivating the ground for behoof of all and sundry? Exodus 33:10-11; Leviticus 25:2-7 How, then, can it be maintained that the law is not humane, and the teacher of righteousness? Again, in the fiftieth year, it ordered the same things to be performed as in the seventh; besides restoring to each one his own land, if from any circumstance he had parted with it in the meantime; setting bounds to the desires of those who covet possession, by measuring the period of enjoyment, and choosing that those who have paid the penalty of protracted penury should not suffer a life-long punishment. But alms and acts of faith are royal guards, and blessing is on the head of him who bestows; and he who pities the poor shall be blessed. For he shows love to one like himself, because of his love to the Creator of the human race. T…” – Blessed St. Clement of Alexandria, Head of the First Oldest Bible School in all of Christianity, the Cathecathical School At Alexandria, Teacher of Origen  (c. 150 AD – c. 215 AD, The Stromata or Miscellaneous, Book 2, CHAPTER 17): Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/02102.htm
or this Protestant Source  via Professor Philip Schaff (The Stromata, Book II, CHAPTER XVIII,  Page 601 or 119):
 http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/03d/0150-0207,_Clemens_Alexandrinus,_Stromata_[Schaff],_EN.pdf

“… 6. Each one was desirous of increasing his estate; and forgetful of what believers had either done before in the times of the apostles, or always ought to do, they, with the insatiable ardour of covetousness, devoted themselves to the increase of their property. Among the priests there was no devotedness of religion; among the ministers there was no sound faith: in their works there was no mercy; in their manners there was no discipline. In men, their beards were defaced; in women, their complexion was dyed: the eyes were falsified from what God’s hand had made them; their hair was stained with a falsehood. Crafty frauds were used to deceive the hearts of the simple, subtle meanings for circumventing the brethren. They united in the bond of marriage with unbelievers; they prostituted the members of Christ to the Gentiles. They would swear not only rashly, but even more, would swear falsely; would despise those set over them with haughty swelling, would speak evil of one another with envenomed tongue, would quarrel with one another with obstinate hatred. Not a few bishops who ought to furnish both exhortation and example to others, despising their divine charge, became agents in secular business, forsook their throne, deserted their people, wandered about over foreign provinces, hunted the markets for gainful merchandise, while brethren were starving in the Church. They sought to possess money in hoards, they seized estates by crafty deceits, they increased their gains by multiplying usuries. What do not such as we deserve to suffer for sins of this kind, when even already the divine rebuke has forewarned us, and said, If they shall forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; if they shall profane my statutes, and shall not observe my precepts, I will visit their offenses with a rod, and their sins with scourges?  …”– Blessed St. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, a pre-eminent Latin writer of Western Christianity until Jerome and Augustine, Martyr for Christ, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church    (c. 200 AD – c. 258 AD, (Treatise 3 on the lapsed, Point 6,)

Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/050703.htm

“… Now then, why, it may be said, does He threaten them who have not done works of mercy, that they shall depart into the fire, and not simply into the fire, but into that which is prepared for the devil and his angels? Matthew 25:41 Why and wherefore is this? Because nothing so provokes God to wrath. He puts this before all terrible things; for if it is our duty to love our enemies, of what punishment shall not he be worthy, who turns away even from them that love him, and is in this respect worse than the heathen? So that in this case the greatness of the sin will make such an one go away with the devil. Woe to him, it is said, who does not alms; and if this was the case under the Old Covenant, much more is it under the New. If, where the getting of wealth was allowed, and the enjoyment of it, and the care of it, there was such provision made for the succoring the poor, how much more in that Dispensation, where we are commanded to surrender all we have? For what did not they of old do? They gave tithes, and tithes again upon tithes for orphans, widows, and strangers; whereas some one was saying to me in astonishment at another, Why, such an one gives tithes. What a load of disgrace does this expression imply, since what was not a matter of wonder with the Jews has come to be so in the case of the Christians? If there was danger then in omitting tithes, think how great it must be now. ….” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, the Fourth Great Greek Doctor of the Church, Archbishop of Constantinople, one of the Three Holy Hierarchs / Great Hierarch, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church   (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD, Homily 4 on Ephesians, Verse 10)

Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/230104.htm

Or more example quotes from another source next:

Didache

The Didache, or “The Teaching of the Twelve,” dates back to the second century. It is thus, apart from the New Testament, one of the earliest church documents extant. It was probably composed by a scribe in Alexandria, incorporating some material from other church documents of the time.

Do not be one who holds his hand out to take, but shuts it when it comes to giving. If your labor has brought you earnings, pay a ransom for your sins. Do not hesitate to give and do not give with a bad grace, for you will discover who He is that pays you back a reward with a good grace. Do not turn your back on the needy, but share everything with your brother and call nothing your own. For if you have what is eternal in common, how much more should you have what is transient!…

Now about the apostles and prophets: Act in line with the gospel precept. Welcome every apostle on arriving, as if he were the Lord. But he must not stay beyond one day. In case of necessity, however, the next day too. If he stays three days, he is a false prophet. On departing, an apostle must not accept anything save sufficient food to carry him till his next lodging. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet….

Everyone who comes to you “in the name of the Lord” must be welcomed. Afterward, when you have tested him, you will find out about him, for you have insight into right and wrong. If it is a traveler who arrives, help him all you can. But he must not stay with you more than two days, or, if necessary three. If he wants to settle with you and is an artisan, he must work for his living. If, however, he has no trade, use your judgment in taking steps for him to live with you as a Christian without being idle. If he refuses to do this, he is trading on Christ. You must be on your guard against such people.

 

Even the  “Desire to be rich” is NOT from God according to this Verse:

Irenaeus (130-202)

Bishop of Lyons, Irenaeus served the church when it was battling both persecution and heresies. He is one of the first church fathers to freely quote the New Testament, in his masterwork, Against Heresies. That book, from which the following is quoted, was written about 185 and aimed primarily at the Gnostics.

Therefore the offering of the Church, which the Lord directed to be offered in the whole world, is accounted a pure sacrifice with God, and is acceptable to Him, not that He needs a sacrifice from us, but because he who offers is himself honoured in his offering if his gift be accepted. By his offering, both honour and affection is shown to the King. And our Lord taught us to offer this in all simplicity and innocence (Matt. 5:23, 24). Therefore we must offer to God the firstfruits of His creation, as Moses said. Offerings are no longer offered by bondsmen, but by free men…. They [O.T. saints] offered their tithes; but those who have received liberty set apart everything they have for the Lord’s use, cheerfully and freely giving them (2 Cor. 9:7), not as small things in the hope of greater, but like that poor widow, who put her whole livelihood into the treasury of God (Luke 21:4).

Basil (329-379)

Basil the Great was bishop of the church at Caesarea and archbishop of all Cappadocia. He personally ministered to lepers even after he became a bishop. Basil was probably the first in Christian history to found a hospital. From a commentary on Luke 12:18:

“Whom do I injure,” [the rich person] says, “when I retain and conserve my own?” Which things, tell me, are yours? Whence have you brought them into being? You are like one occupying a place in a theatre, who should prohibit others from entering, treating that as one’s own which was designed for the common use of all.

Such are the rich. Because they were first to occupy common goods, they take these goods as their own. If each one would take that which is sufficient for one’s needs, leaving what is in excess to those in distress, no one would be rich, no one poor.

Did you not come naked from the womb? Will you not return naked into the earth? (Job 1:21). Whence then did you have your present possessions? If you say, “By chance,” you are godless, because you do not acknowledge the Creator, nor give thanks to the Giver. If you admit they are from God, tell us why you have received them.

Is God unjust to distribute the necessaries of life to us unequally? Why are you rich, why is that one poor? Is it not that you may receive the reward of beneficence and faithful distribution…?

Ambrose (340-397)

Ambrose, the son of a high ranking official in the Roman Empire, also entered public life, becoming a civil governor in Milan. When he tried to settle a dispute between Arians and Catholics at the church in Milan, he himself was nominated as bishop, though he was not yet baptized. He took on these duties humbly and seriously, studying the Bible and theology, and teaching it almost as soon as he learned it. He served for 23 years as Bishop of Milan, during which time Augustine was converted through his preaching. Orthodox in doctrine, a foe of Arianism, Ambrose was also known as a composer of hymns.

From De Nabuthe Jezraelite, his exposition of 1 Kings 21: The earth was made in common for all…. Why do you arrogate to yourselves, ye rich, exclusive right to the soil? Nature, which begets all poor, does not know the rich. For we are neither born with raiment nor are we begotten with gold and silver. Naked it brings people into the light, wanting food, clothing, and drink; naked the earth receives whom it has brought forth; it knows not how to include the boundaries of an estate in tomb…. Nature, therefore, knows not how to discriminate when we are born, it knows not how when we die….

The poor man seeks money and has it not; a man asks for bread, and your horse champs gold under his teeth. And precious ornaments delight you, although others do not have grain…. The people are starving, and you close your barns; the people weep bitterly, and you toy with jewelled ring…. The jewel in your ring could preserve the lives of the whole people….

A possession ought to belong to the possessor, not the possessor to the possession. Whosoever, therefore, does not use his patrimony as a possession, who does not know how to give and distribute to the poor, he is the servant of his wealth, not its master; because like a servant he watches over the wealth of another and not like a master does he use it of his own. Hence, in a disposition of this kind we say that the man belongs to his riches, not the riches to the man.

Augustine (354-430)

Augustine is probably the best-known of the later church fathers. His most renowned works are his Confessions and The City of God.

From his commentary on Psalm 131:

Those who wish to make room for the Lord must find pleasure not in private, but in common property…. Redouble your charity. For, on account of the things which each one of us possesses singly, wars exist, hatreds, discords, strifes among human beings, tumults, dissensions, scandals, sins, injustices, and murders. On what account? On account of those things which each of us possesses singly. Do we fight over the things we possess in common? We inhale this air in common with others, we all see the sun in common. Blessed therefore are those who make room for the Lord, so as not to take pleasure in private property. Let us therefore abstain from the possessions of private property—or from the love of it, if we cannot abstain from possession—and let us make room for the Lord.

From a sermon to the rich:

That bread which you keep, belongs to the hungry; that coat which you preserve in your wardrobe, to the naked; those shoes which are rotting in your possession, to the shoeless; that gold which you have hidden in the ground, to the needy. Wherefore, as often as you were able to help others, and refused, so often did you do them wrong.

Source for each quote in image and more: https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/church-fathers-on-money

Source:  https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14520c.htm

Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0301.htm

2) CHURCH FATHERS

Sovereignty of God Logic: GOD would NOT have allowed all the CHURCH FATHERS quoted here to ERR in the MEANING of the PARABLE of  5 Wise and 5 Foolish Virgins which confirms what we claim above that the FOOLISH VIRGINS either did NOT HAVE ENOUGH HOLINESS NOR ENOUGH CHARITY DOCTRINE or BOTH. Also, if ALL OF THEM have the meaning of CHARITY DOCTRINE when discussing this Parable from MATTHEW 25:1 – 13 and NONE of them referring it to “Pre-trib rapture NOR Church Gathering NOR Speaking in tongues” as the meaning, then HOW CAN THEY be WRONG? The ERROR can only be made by latter ones who made new meaning to it because “…NO PROPHECY of SCRIPTURE is of ANY PRIVATE INTERPRETATION, …” (2 Peter 1:20, NKJV) meaning it MUST BE SAME MEANING from the START. In comparison to NON ELECT SALVATION POSSIBILITY, the case is different because NOT all of them listed here believed in it and so that remains a “POSSIBILITY only and NOT DOCTRINE” but for this PARABLE ALL OF THEM SAID THE SAME MEANING and so MUST BE CORRECT I believe as the #SafeRouteScripturally since NONE of them is GOING to HELL for it, right?

Who claimed the MEANING of WISE VIRGIN must INCLUDE HOLINESS + CHARITY DOCTRINE by RELATIVE MEASURE? St. Polycarp, St. Irenaeous of Lyons, St. Hilary of Poitiers, St. Basil the Great, St. Ambrose of Milan, St. John Chrysostom, St. Jerome of the Vulgate, St. Augustine of Hippo, Martin Luther (First Protestant), John Calvin (Founder of Calvinism and the Reformed Churches), John Wesley (Co-Founder of Methodism).

Important note: In some quotes below, they do NOT reference Matthew 25:1 – 13 directly but the CONCEPT of ATTAINING to ETERNAL LIFE and FRUIT of WORK of RIGHTEOUSNESS needed are specified to include CHARITY DOCTRINE/ALMS:

“… 6. Still further did He also make it manifest, that we ought, after our calling, to be also adorned with WORKS of RIGHTEOUSNESS, so that the SPIRIT OF GOD MAY REST UPON US; for this is the WEDDING GARMENT, of which also the apostle speaks, “Not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up by immortality.” But those who have indeed been called to God’s supper, yet have not received the Holy Spirit, Ie of their wicked conduct “shall be,” He declares, “cast into outer darkness.” He thus clearly shows that the very same King who gathered from all quarters theulfilll to the marriage of His Son, and who grants them the incorruptible banquet, [also] orders that man to be cast into outer darkness who has not on a wedding garment, that is, one who despises it. For as in the former covenant, “with many of them was He not well pleased; “ so also is it the case here, that “many are called, but few chosen. “… 2. And for this reason the Lord declared, When you make a dinner or a supper, do not call your friends, nor your neighbours, nor your kinsfolk, lest they ask you in return, and so repay you. But call the lame, the blind, and the poor, and you shall be blessed, since they cannot recompense you, but a recompense shall be made you at the resurrection of the just. Luke 14:12-13 And again He says, Whosoever shall have left lands, or houses, or parents, or brethren, or children because of Me, he shall receive in this world an hundred-fold, and in that to come he shall inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:29; Luke 18:29-30 For what are the hundred-fold [rewards] in this word, the entertainments given to the poor, and the suppers for which a return is made? These are [to take place] in the times of the kingdom, that is, upon the seventh day, which has been sanctified, in which God rested from all the works which He created, which is the true Sabbath of the righteous, which they shall not be engaged in any earthly occupation; but shall have a table at hand prepared for them by God, supplying them with all sorts of dishes. …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church, First Doctor of the Church in order of time, Father of Catholic Theology,  (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, Against Heresies (Book IV, Chapter 36), Book 5, Chapter XXXIII (33), Points 2-highlight)  Roman Catholic Sources: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103436.htm

https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103533.htm

[From Pages 641 onward ofthe #DialoguesBook]

Interestingly St. Polycarp’s quote below when he quotes TOBIT’s ALMS DELIEVERS FROM DEATH Verse he was quoting to STAND FAST and FOLLOW THE LORD in THIS CHARITY DOCTRINE concept as he was quoting a REAL LIFE CASE of PROSPERITY GOSPEL PASTOR VALENS and his wife who have FALLEN FROM ELECT SALVATION due to NOT doing it as NO OTHER SIN of PASTOR VALENS and HIS WIFE is mentioned by St. Polycarp below:

“… STAND FAST, therefore, in these things, and FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF THE LORD, being firm and UNCHANGEABLE IN THE FAITH, loving the brotherhood, and being attached to one another, joined together in the truth, exhibiting the meekness of the Lord in your intercourse with one another, and despising no one. When YOU CAN DO GOOD, DEFER IT NOT, because “ALMS DELIVERS FROM DEATH.” [Tobit 12:9]” Be all of you subject one to another? having your conduct blameless among the Gentiles,” that YE MAY BOTH RECEIVE PRAISE FOR YOUR GOOD WORKS, and the Lord may not be blasphemed through you. But WOE TO HIM by whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed! Teach, therefore, sobriety to all, and manifest it also in your own conduct. I am greatly grieved for Valens, who was once a presbyter among you, because he so little understands the place that was given him [in the Church]. I exhort you, therefore, that ye abstain from covetousness, and that ye be chaste and truthful. “Abstain from every form of evil.” For if a man cannot govern himself in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others ? If a man does not keep himself from covetousness, he shall be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as one of the heathen. But who of us are ignorant of the judgment of the Lord ? “Do we not know that the saints shall judge the world ?” as Paul teaches …” – Blessed St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smryna, an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of the Blessed St. John the Apostle who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 69 AD – c. 155 AD, CHAPTER X.–EXHORTATION TO THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUE, THE EPISTLE OF POLYCARP TO THE PHILIPPIANS)

Roman Catholic Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0136.htm

Here are the others listed at the start:

[From Page 68 onward of the #DoctrineBook]

i) St. Hilary of Poitiers

“… The “oil” is the fruit of good works, the “vessels” are the human bodies in whose inward parts the treasure of a good conscience is to be laid up. …  At the trumpet signal they go forth to meet the bridegroom alone, for then shall the two be one, that is, the flesh and God, when the lowliness of the flesh shall be transformed into spiritual glory. … Or, the trimming their lamps is the return of their souls into their bodies, and their light is the consciousness of good works that shines forth, which is contained in the vessels of the body. … THEY THAT SELL ARE THE POOR, who, NEEDING THE ALMS OF THE FAITHFUL, made them that recompense which they desire, SELLING in return for the relief afforded to their wants, a consciousness of good works. This is the abundant fuel of an UNDYING LIGHT WHICH MAY BE BOUGHT AND STORED UP for the FRUITS OF MERCY. … “The marriage” is the putting on of immortality, and the joining together corruption and incorruption in a new union. … Yet though the season of repentance is now past, the foolish virgins come and beg that entrance may be granted to them. …” …” – Blessed St. Hilary of Poictiers, the “Athanasius of the West”, Doctor of the Church, The Champion of Trinity in the West, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 310 AD – c. 368 AD, Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in Catena Aurea) Roman Catholic Source: https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/matthew-commentary/catena-aurea-on-matthew/chapter-1/chapter-2/chapter-3/chapter-4/chapter-5/chapter-6/chapter-7/chapter-8/chapter-9/chapter-10/chapter-11/chapter-12/chapter-13/chapter-14/chapter-15/chapter-16/chapter-17/chapter-18/chapter-19/chapter-20/chapter-21/chapter-22/chapter-23/chapter-24/chapter-25   

ii) St. Basil the Great

“… I know many who fast, pray, sigh, and demonstrate every manner of piety, so long as it costs them nothing, yet would not part with a penny to help those in distress. … When I go into the house of one of these tasteless newly rich individuals, and see it bedecked with every imaginable hue, I know that this person possesses nothing more valuable than what is on display; such people decorate inanimate objects, but fail to beautify the soul. … Care for the needy requires the expenditure of wealth: when all share alike, disbursing their possessions among themselves, they each receive a small portion for their individual needs. Thus, those who love their neighbor as themselves possess nothing more than their neighbor; yet surely, you seem to have great possessions! How else can this be, but that you have preferred your own enjoyment to the consolation of the many? For the more you abound in wealth, the more you lack in love. … For if we all took only what was necessary to satisfy our own needs, giving the rest to those who lack, no one would be rich, no one would be poor, and no one would be in need. … After they have squandered their wealth among so many pursuits, if there is any left over, they hide it in the ground and guard it deep within the earth. “For the future,” they say, “is always uncertain; therefore let us take care, lest some unforeseen need should arise.” Yet while it is uncertain whether you will have need of this buried gold, the losses you incur from your inhuman behavior are not at all uncertain … Had you clothed the naked, had you given your bread to the hungry, had your door been open to every stranger, had you been a parent to the orphan, had you made the suffering of every helpless person your own, what money would you have left, the loss of which to grieve? … What then will you answer the Judge? You gorgeously array your walls, but do not clothe your fellow human being; you adorn horses, but turn away from the shameful plight of your brother or sister; you allow grain to rot in your barns, but do not feed those who are starving; you hide gold in the earth, but ignore the oppressed! … You showed no mercy; it will not be shown to you. You opened not your house; you will be expelled from the Kingdom. You gave not your bread; you will not receive eternal life. …”  –  Blessed St. Basil the Great, the Third Great Greek Doctor of the Church was the bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He was an influential theologian who supported the Nicene Creed and opposed the heresies of the early Christian church, fighting against both Arianism and the followers of Apollinaris of Laodicea. In addition to his work as a theologian, Basil was known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. Basil established guidelines for monastic life which focus on community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labor. Together with Pachomius, he is remembered as a father of communal monasticism in Eastern Christianity, Titles: one of the Three Holy Hierarchs / Great Hierarch, Doctor of the Church, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 329 AD – c. 379 AD, “Sermon to the Rich”, please see comments next)

Orthodox Source:  http://stjohngoc.org/st-basil-the-greats-sermon-to-the-rich/

Or this: https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/7393703-on-social-justice-st-basil-the-great 

Comment: St. Basil the Great’s Sermon to the Rich August 21, 2015 by Deacon Innocent Duchow-Pressley Note: The following “Sermon To the Rich” was probably delivered in the year 368, when most of Asia Minor was struck by a severe drought which caused great hardship, intensified by the greed of some who held back grain to inflate prices. At this time, St. Basil was a priest in the diocese of Caesarea, overseeing a very active ministry to the poor and ill; St. Gregory the Theologian describes Basil’s hospital at the gates of Caesarea as a virtual “city” (or. 43.63). The Greek text of Basil’s sermon is found in J.P. Migne’s Patrologia Graeca, vol. 31, cols. 277C-304C.

iii) St. Ambrose of Milan

“… day of the future judgment or by his own death, lose the reward of his management. It was addressed to all, in the form of a general precept; but the theme of the following comparison seems to be proposed to the bishops … we are inflamed with the desire to acquire God, saying, “I have come to set fire to the earth,” not certainly the fire that consumes the goods, but the one that produces the good will, which makes the vases of and from the house of the Lord, consuming the hay and the straw (I Cor. Iii. 12ff., 1 Corinthians 3:11 – 15), devouring all the gangue of the age, amassed by worldly pleasure, the work of the flesh that is to perish;…  They have thus taught with evidentness what is the action of this fire, which enlightens the intimate of the heart. For this reason perhaps the Lord will come into the fire (see Is., LXVI, 15; 16): to consume all the vices at the moment of the resurrection, to fill by his presence the desires of each one, and to project the light on merits and mysteries…. “It will be the same at the end of time: the angels will come to separate the wicked from the righteous, and throw them into the blazing furnace. Weeping and gnashing of teeth “(Matt, XIII, 49ffq). It remains to be seen now what the figure of the obole means. And it seems that the name of this familiar object expresses the mystery of a spiritual sense. Indeed, as one pays his debt by returning the money, and as the title to the interest is extinguished only when the whole amount of the capital is paid until the last denier, whatever the mode of payment, of it is by the compensation of charity and other works, or by some satisfaction, that the penalty of sin is extinguished. Nor is it without reason that he did not mention in this place, as elsewhere, two pieces of copper (Lc, XXI, 2), an ace (Matt., X, 29), nor a denier (Ib., XX, 2), but an obole; for the transfer of an obole29 is a kind of exchange, where one puts one thing in sign of the acquittal of another. Likewise here: either the wrong is redeemed at the price of charity, or the punishment diminished according to the appreciation of the wrong. Now it is the custom, as we remember, to give a bath to the baths: by presenting it, everyone obtains the faculty of bathing there; so, here, to be purified, because the sin of each is purified by the kind of transaction described above. On the other hand, the guilty person is tortured and tortured as long as he has not served the sentence of the error committed …” – Blessed Archbishop St. Ambrose of Milan, the First Great Latin Doctor of the Church, Converter, Baptizer & Teacher of St. Augustine of Hippo, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church  (c. 340 AD – c. 397 AD, Commentary on Luke XII, Verses Luke 12:49 – 50 with Commentary on Luke XII, Verses Luke 12:58 – 59) Roman Catholic Source: https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/luke-commentary/ambrose-on-luke-12

iv) St. John Chrysostom

“… FOR THE FOOLISGH VIRGINS HAD OIL, BUT NOT ENOUGH. … And He employs the character virgins in this parable to shew, that though virginity be a great thing, yet if it be not accompanied by works of mercy, it shall be cast out with the adulterers. … Or, The “OIL” DENOTES CHARITY, ALMS, and EVERY AID RENDERED TO THE NEEDY; the lamps denote the gifts of virginity; and He calls them “foolish,” because after having gone through the greater toil, they lost all for the sake of a less; for it is greater labour to overcome the desires of the flesh than of money. …  You see then how great merchants the poor are to us; but THE POOR ARE NOT THERE, but here, and THEREFORE WE MUST STORE UP OIL HERE, that we may have it to use there when occasion shall require. … That, “WHILE THEY WENT TO BUY,” shews that even, IF WE SHOULD BECOME MERCIFUL AFTER DEATH, IT WILL AVAIL US NOTHING to escape punishment, as it was no profit to the rich man, that he became merciful and careful about those who belonged to him. …” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, the Fourth Great Greek Doctor of the Church, Archbishop of Constantinople, one of the Three Holy Hierarchs / Great Hierarch, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church   (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD, Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in Catena Aurea) Roman Catholic Source:

https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/matthew-commentary/catena-aurea-on-matthew/chapter-1/chapter-2/chapter-3/chapter-4/chapter-5/chapter-6/chapter-7/chapter-8/chapter-9/chapter-10/chapter-11/chapter-12/chapter-13/chapter-14/chapter-15/chapter-16/chapter-17/chapter-18/chapter-19/chapter-20/chapter-21/chapter-22/chapter-23/chapter-24/chapter-25

v) St. Jerome of the Vulgate

“…  This parable of the ten foolish and the ten wise virgins, some interpret literally of virgins, of whom there are according to the Apostle [marg. Note: 1 Cor 7] some who are virgins both in body and in thought, others who have preserved indeed their bodies virgin, but have not the other deeds of virgins, or have only been preserved by the guardianship of parents, but have wedded in their hearts. But from what has gone before, I think the meaning to be different, and that the parable has reference not to virgins only, but to the whole human race. … Or, These virgins who complain that their lamps are gone out, shew that they are partially alight, yet have they not an unfailing light, nor enduring works. Whoso then has a virgin soul, and is a lover of chastity, ought not to rest content with such virtues as quickly fade, and are withered away when the heat comes upon them, but should follow after perfect virtues, that he may have an enduring light. … For these wise virgins do not answer thus out of covetousness, [p. 849] but out of fear. Wherefore, each man shall receive the recompense of his own works, and the virtues of one cannot atone for the vices of another in the day of judgment. The wise admonish them not to go to meet the bridegroom without oil, “Go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” … And this oil is sold, and at a high cost, nor is it to be got without much toil; so that we understand it not of alms only, but of all virtues and counsels of the teachers. … But because the [p. 850] season for buying was now past, and the day of judgment was coming on, so that there was no room for penitence, they must not now lay up new works, but give an account of the old. … After the day of judgment, there is no more opportunity for good works, or for righteousness, and therefore it follows, “And the door was shut.” … Their worthy confession calling Him, “Lord, Lord,” is a mark of faith. But what avails it to confess with the mouth Him whom you deny with your works? …  For “the Lord knoweth them that are his,” [2 Tim 2:19] and he that knoweth not shall not be known, and though they be virgins in purity of body, or in confession of the true faith, yet forasmuch as they have no oil, they are unknown by the bridegroom. When He adds, “Watch therefore, because ye know not the day nor the hour,” He means that all that has been said points to this, namely, that seeing we know not the day of judgment, we should be careful in providing the light of good works. …” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, the Second Great Latin Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD,  Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in catena Aurea) Roman Catholic Source:

https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/matthew-commentary/catena-aurea-on-matthew/chapter-1/chapter-2/chapter-3/chapter-4/chapter-5/chapter-6/chapter-7/chapter-8/chapter-9/chapter-10/chapter-11/chapter-12/chapter-13/chapter-14/chapter-15/chapter-16/chapter-17/chapter-18/chapter-19/chapter-20/chapter-21/chapter-22/chapter-23/chapter-24/chapter-25

vi) St. Augustine of Hippo

“… Lib. 83 Quaest, Q59: Or, “The lamps” which they carry in their hands are their works, of which it was said above, “Let your works shine before men.” [Matt 5:16] … Or, by the five virgins, is denoted a five-fold continence from the allurements of the flesh; for our appetite must be held from gratification of the eyes, ears, smell, taste, and touch. And as this continence may be done before God, to please Him in inward joy of the conscience, or before men only to gain applause of men, five are called wise, and five foolish. Both are virgins, because both these men exercise continence, though from different motives. … Or, The “oil” denotes joy, according to that, “God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.” [Ps 45:7] He then whose joy springs not from this that he is inwardly pleasing to God, has no oil with him; for they have no gladness in their continent lives, [p. 846] save in the praises of men. “But the wise took oil with their lamps,” that is, the gladness of good works, “in their vessels,” that is, they stored it in their heart and conscience, as the Apostle speaks, “Let every man prove himself, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself, and not in another.” [Gal 6:4] … For there die of both kinds of men in this interval of time before the resurrection of the dead, and the Lord’s coming shall be. … They “trimmed their lamps,” that is, prepared to give an account of their deeds. … From habit, the mind seeks that which uses to give it pleasure. And these now seek from men, who see not the heart, witness to God, who sees the heart. But their lamps go out, because those, whose good works rest upon the testimony of others, when that is withdrawn, sink into nothing. … Or we may suppose it not meant as advice what they should do, but as an indirect allusion to their fault. For flatterers sell oil, who by praising things false, and things unknown, lead souls astray, recommending to them, as foolish, empty joys, and receiving in return some temporal benefit. … Go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves,” i.e. Let us now see what they can profit you who have used to sell you their praise. “Lest there be not enough for us and you,” because no man is profited in God’s sight by the testimony of others, because God sees the heart, and each man is scarce able to give testimony concerning his own conscience. … When they have been taken in who have been changed into angelic being, all entrance into the kingdom of heaven is closed; after the judgment, there is no more place for prayers or merit. [marg. Note: 1 Cor 15:51] …  It is not said that they bought any oil, and therefore we must suppose that all their delight in the praise of men being gone, they return in distress and affliction to implore God. But His severity, after judgment, is as great as His mercy was unspeakable before. “But He answered [p. 851] and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not;” by that rule, namely, that the art of God, that is, His wisdom, does not admit that those should enter into His joy who have sought to do in any thing according to His commandments, not as before God, but that they may please men. … “ – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, the Third Great Latin Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD,  Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in Catena Aurea) Roman Catholic Source:

https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/matthew-commentary/catena-aurea-on-matthew/chapter-1/chapter-2/chapter-3/chapter-4/chapter-5/chapter-6/chapter-7/chapter-8/chapter-9/chapter-10/chapter-11/chapter-12/chapter-13/chapter-14/chapter-15/chapter-16/chapter-17/chapter-18/chapter-19/chapter-20/chapter-21/chapter-22/chapter-23/chapter-24/chapter-25

[From Page 27 onward of the #DoctrineBook]

1) Martin Luther (First Protestant)

“… Therefore, let each one see to it that he has these two together: the OIL, which is TRUE FAITH and trust in Christ; and the LAMPS, the VESSEL, which is the OUTWARD SERVICE TOWARD YOUR NEIGHBOR. The WHOLE CHRISTIAN LIFE CONSISTS in THESE TWO THINGS things: BELIEVE GOD. HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR. The WHOLE GOSPEL TEACHES this. PARENTS should TELL IT TO THEIR CHILDREN at HOME and EVERYWHERE. Children, too, should CONSTANTLY FOSTER THIS WORD AMONG THEMSELVES. I should really say something about the sleep of the virgins and about the setting out of the Bridegroom for the wedding. But the hour is late. Another time. May God be gracious to us! Amen. …”- The First Champion of the Protestant Faith, Blessed Martin Luther’s Sermon which was translated in 2013 by the Rev. Paul A. Rydecki, On Faith and Good Works, Preached in Erfurt at St. Michaeliskirche on the Day of the 11,000 Virgins (October 21^st), 1522

Source: http://www.godwithuslc.org/luther-sermon-for-trinity-27/   

2) John Calvin (Founder of Calvinism and the Reformed Churches)

Note: John Calvin also mentions that “wise virgins” give “mutual aid by relative measure” (please notice these words carefully in his own words below) whilst “receiving faith” as the meaning of “oil and lamp” collectively where I believe God ensured he did not err in this either for if so, even John Calvin would be a false prophet for wrong interpretation of this prophecy then (he never said it’s pre-tribe rapture or tithes or church gathering etc.) but rather only the administering of God’s Gifts for “mutual aid by relative measure” which is the CHARITY DOCTRINE as “paid work” that he compares as “earthly occupation” below is not counted as that’s wages based and NOT “aid” (for “free”) :

“… 5. And while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. Some interpret this slumbering in a bad sense, as if believers, along with others, abandoned themselves to sloth, and were asleep amidst the vanities of the world; but this is altogether inconsistent with the intention of Christ, and with the structure of the parable. There would be greater probability in explaining it to denote death, which overtakes believers before the coming of Christ; for it is not at that time only that we must look for salvation, but also when we have left the world and are sleeping in Christ. But I take it more simply as denoting earthly occupations, in which believers must be engaged, so long as they dwell in the body; and, though forgetfulness of the kingdom of God ought never to steal upon them, yet the distracting influence of the occupations of this world is not inappropriately compared to sleep. For they cannot be so constantly occupied with the thought of meeting Christ, as not to be distracted, or retarded, or entangled by a variety of cares, in consequence of which, while they watch, they are partly asleep. … 9. Lest there be not enough for you and us. We know that the Lord distributes his gifts so variously to each, according to his measure, in order that they may give mutual aid to each other, and may employ for the general advantage what has been entrusted to each individual; and that in this way is preserved the sacred connection which exists among the members of the Church. But Christ here points out the time when he shall summon all men to his tribunal, each carrying his bundle, that he may bring with him according as he has done in his body. That portion of grace received, which every man has laid up for himself, is, therefore, justly compared to a stock of provisions for a journey, which would not be enough for a greater number of persons.

But rather go to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. These words immediately follow, and are not intended as an admonition, but a reproof; and the meaning is: “There once was a time for buying, which you ought not to have neglected; for oil was at that time offered for sale, but the means of obtaining it are now withdrawn.” And yet it is foolish in the Papists to infer from this, that by our own virtues or industry we obtain the gift of perseverance. For the word buy does not at all imply that a price has been given; as appears clearly from the passage in Isaiah, (55:1) where the Lord, while he invites us to buy, demands no price, but informs us, that he has wine and milk in abundance, to be gratuitously bestowed. There is no other way of obtaining it, therefore, but to receive by faith what is offered to us. …” – Blessed John Calvin, Protestant Reformer Theologian (Creator of the Five Point Calvinism or Tulips Doctrine for Protestantism, Founder of the Reformed Churches, Commentary on Matthew 25’s Parable of 5 Wise & Foolish Virgins)
Source: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/calvin/matthew/25.htm

3) John Wesley (Co-Founder of Methodism)

“… This chapter contains the last public discourse which our Lord uttered before he was offered up. He had before frequently declared what would be the portion of all the workers of iniquity. But what will become of those who do no harm? Honest, inoffensive, good sort of people? We have here a clear and full answer to this important question.

1: Then shall the kingdom of heaven – That is, the candidates for it, be like ten virgins – The bridemaids on the wedding night were wont to go to the house where the bride was, with burning lamps or torches in their hands, to wait for the bride groom’s coming. When he drew near, they went to meet him with their lamps, and to conduct him to the bride.

3: The foolish took no oil with them – No more than kept them burning just for the present. None to supply their future want, to recruit their lamp’s decay. The lamp is faith. A lamp and oil with it, is faith working by love. 4: The wise took oil in their vessels – Love in their hearts. And they daily sought a fresh supply of spiritual strength, till their faith was made perfect …”– Blessed John Wesley (Co-Founder of Methodism, Wesley’s Notes on the Bible, on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Wise and Foolish Virgins)

Source:  http://bible.christiansunite.com/wes.cgi?b=Mt&c=25

Note:In the above, John Wesley views the “faith and lamp” as “Faith Working through Love” which includes the Charity Doctrine as the God’s Love (Agape) in Action  Bible Verse below points to literal SHARING of THIS WORLD’s GOODS for NEEDS which is CHARITY DOCTRINE CONTEXT:

“… 16By this WE KNOW LOVE [AGAPE], because He laid down His life for us. And we also OUGHT TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR THE BRETHREN. 17But WHOEVER HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and SEES HIS BROTHER IN NEED, AND SHUTS UP HIS HEART FROM HIM, HOW DOES THE LOVE OF GOD ABIDE IN HIM? 18My little children, let us NOT LOVE IN WORD or IN TONGUE, BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH …” (1 John 3:16 – 18, NKJV)

Note: In Verses above, the “Charity Doctrine” Acts of “Giving & Sharing for FREE these World’s Good be it earthly or spiritual ones” is possibly hinted as ‘equal to Martyrdom’ as the phrase ‘lay down our lives’ is tied up to it here. You CANNOT LOVE GOD without LOVING your NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF like the GOOD SAMARITAN (Luke 10:25 – 37) despite IMPERFECT THEOLOGY doesn’t matter as much as CHRIST Taught (Can you see it?)

GREATEST is the LOVE of CHRIST in ACTION (NOT Words) and GOD USED the CHARITY DOCTRINE ANALOGY for us to FOLLOW to DEMONSTRATE HIS LOVE ON THE CROSS here.

This Charity Doctrine Context claim is strong especially since John Wesley himself “Prophesied” that an “end time Christianity” which does not do it by “relative measure” of more is given, more charity doctrine required may go to “nethermost hell” in his own words next [From Page 2586 onward of the #SafeRouteScripturallyBook]:

“… How then is it possible that Methodism, that is, the religion of the heart, though it flourishes now as a green bay tree, should continue in this state? For the Methodists in every place grow diligent and frugal; consequently they increase in goods. Hence, they proportionably increase in pride, in the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride of life. So, although the FORM OF RELIGION REMAINS, THE SPIRIT IS SWIFTLY VANISHING AWAY (2 Timothy 3:5). Is there no way to prevent this? This continual declension of pure in effect, to grow rich! What way then, I ask again, can we take that OUR MONEY may NOT SINK US to the NETHERMOST HELL? There is one way, and there is no other under heaven. If those who gain all they can, and save all they can, will likewise GIVE ALL THEY CAN, then the more they gain, the more they will GROW IN GRACE , and the more treasure they will lay up in heaven,”. …”  – Blessed John Wesley, Co-Founder of Methodism

Source:

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/the-pastor-and-the-community-mark-dever

So, are all these false teachers? NO.

Can you quote these many MOST ANCIENT CHURCH FATHERS and MOST IMPORTANT No. 1’s to prove “your interpretation”? I guess NOT, right? Even if MANY believe it today. Well, it’s Written in Matthew 24:11 that MANY will be DECEIVED in the CONTEXT of PROPHECY (“FALSE PROPHETS”) and also that MANY will be DENIED despite CONVERTING MANY in the END TIMES despite CASTING OUT DEMONS, PROPHESYING in HIS NAME and DOING MIRACLES due to LAWLESSNESS in Matthew 7:20 – 23 meaning END time CHRISTIANITY Number and how many people believe it is NOT safe. Also, each one from your own church must agree that every name I listed earlier (here it is again below) must be saved regardless and so I preach the same as them in this topic also and thus cannot be a false prophet:

St. Polycarp, St. Irenaeous of Lyons, St. Hilary of Poitiers, St. Basil the Great, St. Ambrose of Milan, St. John Chrysostom, St. Jerome of the Vulgate, St. Augustine of Hippo, Martin Luther (First Protestant), John Calvin (Founder of Calvinism and the Reformed Churches), John Wesley (Co-Founder of Methodism).  Peace to you

End

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[1] 1 Samuel 21:4 (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/21-4.htm (30 August 2024).

[2] Matthew 12:2 – 5 (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/matthew/12-4.htm (30 August 2024).

[3] Colossians 2:16 reads, “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths” (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/colossians/2-16.htm (30 August 2024).

[4] St. Irenaeus of Lyons writes, “Now, in the preceding book I have shown that all the disciples of the Lord are Levites and priests, they who used in the temple to profane the Sabbath, but are blameless.” (Against Heresies, Book 5, Chapter 34), available online: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103534.htm (30 August 2024).

[5] Revelation 21:9 reads partly, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife” (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/nkjv/revelation/21.htm (30 August 2024).

[6] Revelation 21:24, 27 reads, “24And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.  27But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (NKJV). Online Source: https://biblehub.com/nkjv/revelation/21.htm (30 August 2024).

[7] 1 Corinthians 7:7 – 9, 28, 32 – 33, 38 (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/nkjv/1_corinthians/7.htm  (30 August 2024).

[8] Daniel 12:2 reads, “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt” (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/daniel/12-2.htm  (30 August 2024).

[9] Isaiah 56:1, 4 – 5 (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/nkjv/isaiah/56.htm (30 August 2024).

[10] Revelation 14:1 – 5 (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/nkjv/revelation/14.htm (30 August 2024).

[11] Daniel 12:3 reads, “And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (NASB).

[12] John 14:23 – 24 reads, “23Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me” (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/nkjv/john/14.htm (30 August 2024).

[13] Matthew 5:45 reads, “for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/matthew/5-45.htm (30 August 2024).

[14] Luke 12:46 – 48 reads, “46the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/nkjv/luke/12.htm (30 August 2024).

[15] 1 Corinthians 7:5 – 9 (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/nkjv/1_corinthians/7.htm (30 August 2024).

[16] 1 Timothy 3:2 reads, “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,” (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/1_timothy/3-2.htm (30 August 2024).

[17] Shepherd of Hermas. Book 3, Similitude 5, chapter 3. Online source:  https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/02013.htm  (30 August 2024).

[18] Matthew 19:29  – 30 reads, “29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and the last first” (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/nkjv/matthew/19.htm (30 August 2024).

[19] Shepherd of Hermas. Book 1, Vision 2, chapter 2. Online source:  https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/02011.htm (30 August 2024).

[20] St. Athanasius the Great’s 39th Festal Letter. Online source: http://www.ntcanon.org/Athanasius.shtml (30 August 2024).

[21] Wisdom of Solomon 3:14 (KJV). Online source: https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Wisdom-of-Solomon-Chapter-3/ (30 August 2024).

[22] Wisdom of Solomon 4:1 – 2 (KJV). Online source https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Wisdom-of-Solomon-Chapter-4/ (30 August 2024).

[23] 2 Esdras Chapter 2:20 – 23 (KJV). Online source: https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/2-Esdras-Chapter-2/ (30 August 2024).

[24] Luke 16:16 reads, “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/luke/16-16.htm (30 August 2024).

[25] 2 Maccabees 12:42 – 45 (KJV). Online source: https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/2-Maccabees-Chapter-12/ (30 August 2024).

[26] John 10:22 – 23 (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/nkjv/john/10.htm (30 August 2024).

[27] St. John Chrysostom writes, “And all this I say, not to depreciate fasting, God forbid, but rather highly to commend it. But I grieve when other duties being neglected, you think it enough for salvation, having but the last place in the choir of virtue. For the greatest thing is charity, and moderation, and almsgiving; which hits a higher mark even than virginity. Wherefore, if you desire to become equal to the apostles, there is nothing to hinder you. For to have arrived at this virtue only suffices for your not at all falling short of them. Let no one therefore wait for miracles.” (Homily 46 on Matthew, Point 4). Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/200146.htm (30 August 2024).

[28] Colossians 2:16 reads, “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths” (NKJV).

[29] Luke 19:18, reads, “18You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. … 34The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (NKJV).

[30] Luke 10:25, 27, 30, 33 – 37 reads, “25And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 27So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 30Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? 37And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’ ” (NKJV).

[31] John 4:22 reads, “22You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews” (NKJV).

[32] Matthew 12:50.

[33] Matthew 25:31 – 46.

[34] John 6:29, 36, 40, “29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” 36But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 40And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (NKJV).

[35] John 20:29, “Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (NKJV).

[36] Acts 13:22 (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/acts/13-22.htm (30 August 2024).

[37] 2 Samuel 11:2 – 5 (NKJV). Online source:  https://biblehub.com/nkjv/2_samuel/11.htm (30 August 2024).

[38] 2 Samuel 12:5 – 10 (NKJV). Online source: https://biblehub.com/nkjv/2_samuel/12.htm (30 August 2024).

[39] Luke 21:1 – 4 reads, “1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3So He said, ‘Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had’ ” (NKJV).

End.