From: "John Fraser" 

Good morning Arah;

"arah"  wrote in message
news:1175230203.644372.13580{at}n59g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> My dear John,
>
> Do you agree with the Pope?

    I acknowledge the Pope as the Head of the Roman Catholic Church.  While
I do not support everything his organization represents, I do not disagree
with everything he says.  An example of this would be like a Muslim saying,
"Allah is great."  I agree, but it doesn't mean I consider
Muhammed to be equal to Jesus.

    Because the Pope claims to be the Head of the New Testament Church
instituted by Christ, I'll respond to your question from that point of view.

>
> POPE PROCLAIMS HELL 'EXISTS AND IS ETERNAL'
> Post Wire Services
>
> March 26, 2007 -- ROME - Hell is a place where sinners burn in an
> eternal fire,
> and not just a religious symbol designed to galvanise the faithful,
> the Pope has
> said.
> God's mercy and love are great, but those who reject him should know
> that hell
> "exists and is eternal, even if nobody talks about it much any more,"
> Pope
> Benedict XVI proclaimed during a weekend visit to a Rome parish.
>
>
> The Pope, who as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was head of Catholic
> doctrine, noted
> that "forgiveness of sins" for those who repent was a cornerstone of
> Christian
> belief. He recalled that Jesus had forgiven the "woman taken in
> adultery" and
> prevented her from being stoned to death, observing: "He that is
> without sin
> among you, let him first cast a stone at her."
>
> So there are few questions araised?
>
> Who does the Pope meant by God's mercy? It is Jesus or the Almighty
> God?

    As a result of Adam and Eve's disobedience to God and He for whatever
reason, declared that their offspring (meaning us) would not be born with
an intimate knowledge of his Spirit.  God imposed a separation, a gulf,
between our spirit and his Spirit.

    Does that mean we're completely cast off?  God, in his mercy, decided
that he would provide a plan of redemption for us.  He would seek us, and
we would be given the opportunity to accept or deny his offer.  Islam is
similar, is it not?  The implementation of Mosaic Law instituted animal
sacrifices to atone for their sins.  An important one in Judaism is the
Passover.

    What about those who reject that offer of redemption?  Those who refuse
to acknowledge Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life, are obviously of
no use to the Kingdom.  Therefore, they become as garbage.  What do we do
with garbage?  We throw it out.  Scripture describes such a place as Hell,
and about the only thing we know for certain is that it is not a pleasant
place. We are told that a lake of fire is reserved for the Devil and the
Antichrist.  And, those whose names are not found in the Book of Life are
also cast into it.  Whether that means forever, or until they are burned
up, is open to debate.  Whatever awaits the unbeliever will not be
pleasant.

    To show his mercy toward us, God sent his Son to become the ultimate
sacrifice to atone for our sins.  In doing so, he made the Gentile equal to
the Jew.  He provided a means to escape the punishment.  The ball is in our
court.

>
> Who does everyone from time of Adam, Noah, Solomon, John the baptish
> pray to ? Jesus or Almighty God?

    The Old Testament did not include Jesus as an element for salvation.
John the Baptism readily acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, who shoes he is
not worthy to lace, the One who will baptize with fire and with power
through the Holy Spirit.

>
> God had given men and women free will to choose whether "spontaneously
> to accept
> salvation...the Christian faith is not imposed on anyone."

    To clarify your statement, God's will is imposed upon those whom He
chooses as leaders.  Otherwise, it's a Take It or Leave It proposition.

>
> What is mean by Christian faith is not impose on anyone? Let check
> what are written in the bible.
>
>
> Kill People Who Don't Listen to Priests
>
>    Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of
> the priest who represents the LORD your God must be put to death.
> Such evil must be purged from Israel.  (Deuteronomy 17:12 NLT)
>
>
> Death to Followers of Other Religions
>
>    Whoever sacrifices to any god, except the Lord alone, shall be
> doomed.  (Exodus 22:19 NAB)
>
>
> Kill Nonbelievers
>
>    They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their
> fathers, with all their heart and soul; and everyone who would not
> seek the Lord, the God of Israel, was to be put to death, whether
> small or great, whether man or woman.  (2 Chronicles 15:12-13 NAB)
>
> So does the Christian followt the Pope or the Bible? You can't believe
> both because it contracdicts.
>
> Is the bible  absolete? Or the Pope is following the Quran, because in
> the Quran we cannot force someone to follow Islam. The truth is very
> clear.
>
> Oh Almighty God, please show us the truth and save us from the hell
> fire.
>
> AMEN

    An Ayotollah declares that all infidels are to be killed.  Your Caliph
disagrees saying the infidels should be give as many opportunities as
possible to convert.  Who would you obey?  If Allah is merciful, is the
Caliph disobedient?

Cheers,
John

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