Friday, June 29, 2007

Saint Peter the Apostle


The Apostle Peter, also known as Saint Peter, Shimon "Keipha" Ben-Yonah/Bar-Yonah, Simon Peter, Cephas and Keipha—original name Shimon or Simeon (Acts 15:14)—was one of the Twelve Apostles whom Jesus chose as his original disciples. His life is prominently featured in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles.

According to the New Testament Peter was a Galilean fisherman assigned a leadership role by Jesus (Matthew 16:18; John 21:15–16). Many within the early Church, such as St Clement of Rome (1st Epistle to the Corinthians,1,59:1) and St Irenaeus[1], mention his primacy.

The ancient Christian Churches, Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Anglican Communion, consider Simon Peter a saint and associate him with the foundation of the Church in Rome, even if they differ on the significance of this and of the Pope in present-day Christianity.

Some who recognize his office as Bishop of Antioch and, later, as Bishop of Rome or Pope, hold that his episcopacy held a primacy only of honour, as a first among equals. Some propose that his primacy was not intended to pass to his successors. Still others view Peter as not having held the office of bishop or overseer, on the grounds that this office was a development of later Christianity. Some Protestants do not use the title of "saint" in reference to him.

The Roman Martyrology assigns 29 June as the feast day of both Peter and Paul, without thereby declaring that to be the day of their deaths. St Augustine of Hippo says in his Sermon 295: "One day is assigned for the celebration of the martyrdom of the two apostles. But those two were one. Although their martyrdom occurred on different days, they were one." The Annuario Pontificio gives the year of Peter's death as A.D. 64 or A.D. 67. Some scholars believe that he died on October 13 A.D. 64. It is traditionally believed that the Roman authorities sentenced him to death by crucifixion. According to a tradition recorded or perhaps initiated in the apocryphal Acts of Peter, he was crucified head down. Tradition also locates his burial place where the Basilica of Saint Peter was later built, directly beneath the Basilica's high altar. In art, he is often depicted holding the keys to the kingdom of heaven (the sign of his primacy over the Church), a reference to Matthew 16:19.

The Collect

O ALMIGHTY God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock; Make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle - Acts xii. 1.

ABOUT that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

The Gospel - St. Matthew xvi. 13.

WHEN Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

References and Resources



Thursday, June 28, 2007

Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, Theologian


(pronounced ear-a-NAY-us) was probably born around 125. As a young man in Smyrna (near Ephesus, in what is now western Turkey) he heard the preaching of Polycarp, who as a young man had heard the preaching of the Apostle John. Afterward, probably while still a young man, Polycarp moved west to Lyons in southern France. In 177, Pothinus, the bishop of Lyons, sent him on a mission to Rome. During his absence a severe persecution broke out in Lyons, claiming the lives of the bishop and others. When Irenaeus returned to Lyons, he was made bishop. He died around 202. He is thus an important link between the apostolic church and later times, and also an important link between Eastern and Western Christianity.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, who didst uphold thy servant Irenaeus with strength to maintain the truth against every wind of vain doctrine: We beseech thee to keep us steadfast in thy true religion, that we may walk in constancy and in peace the way that leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle - Malachi 2:5-7.

MY covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

The Gospel - St. Luke 11:33-36.

NO man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
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References and Resources

Monday, June 25, 2007

Muslim Episcopal Priestess

I really don't like to gang-up or make-fun-of the Episcopal Church (TEC), it is like picking-on someone with a disability or personality disorder.

There is so much buzz about this story on the INTERNET that I really don't have to write any background on it, so just follow the links or do a search on Ann Holmes Redding. Maybe she will change her name to Ann Holmes Redding Mohammad Ali?

Don't think that this is an isolated incident, I am sure that there are more TEC "Clergy" that are closet Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Wiccans & Pagans. Probably there are many of those who became Priests, so as to have a pension, benefits and the time for continuing education and could care less as to preaching the Gospel or the worship of the Triune God, or so to say they wanted a steady job.

Maybe TEC should just do what would be logical and right for them, renounce Anglican Christianity and merge with the Unitarian Universalists. TEC has more in common with the UUC than it does with any Christian organization, I just suspect that the 815 crew and their lackeys like the purple shirts, pointy hats and white collars (UUC doesn't have that) oh yeah and all the money left in trusts by people who belonged to the Protestant Episcopal Church of the USA.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003751274_redding17m.html
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/3831/
http://www.kendallharmon.net/t19/index.php/t19/article/3826/
http://mcj.bloghorn.com/3164
http://anglicancleric.blogspot.com/2007/06/mainline-episcopal-priestess-become.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnglicanOnlineFellowship/message/1921

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Teen Girl Banned From School for Chastity Ring Heads to Court

I am sure that if it was a LGBT ring or a condom pendant it would have been a non-issue for the "educators" of that school.

Teen Girl Banned From School for Chastity Ring Heads to Court

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Obama says some have 'hijacked' faith

Someone tell Barack Hussein Obama's handlers that he forgot his moderate disguise again.

How is it that it is always the right that "hijacks" the faith? Oh , yes I forgot, the left doesn't hijack, they subvert. Why do something overt and honest, when it can be done covertly and by deception?

Obama says some have 'hijacked' faith

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

An APB for the The Patristic Anglican

Recently a blog that I was reading went off-line. This blog was full of great information and insight.

If you are he or know of his whereabouts, please contact me.


Thanks to all who answered the call, Death Bredon has been located. He has a new blog called Anglican Orthodoxy.

DB if you happen to read this could you please contact me, I have some questions to ask you.