Corner is a former pastor and Christian author who, over four decades has preached 1000 or more sermons and has written hundreds of Christian articles and a number of books of vital importance to Christians.
A story on the Vatican News site entitled "Pope at Angelus: St. Stephen teaches us to forgive", detailed a statement made by Pope Francis who prayed the Angelus recently in St. Peter's Square. The article quotes the Pope as saying that St. Stephen was the first person to follow in Jesus’ footsteps through martyrdom. He died like Jesus, "entrusting his life to God and forgiving his persecutors."
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Stephen and venerates Stephen as a saint. Evangelical Outreach ex-Catholic Dan Corner believes this is wrong. He had this to say:
Stephen is a powerful example of what a real, zealous and overcoming Christian is. His faith was firmly built upon scripture, which is apparent as he cited God's written word ten times as he summarized the Old Testament directing his audience to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 7:2-53). Stephen scathingly corrected and rebuked the same religious leaders who opposed and condemned the Lord Jesus to crucifixion. Stephen boldly told them to their face that they betrayed and murdered the Righteous One, which infuriated and incited their wicked hearts to murder him with a false charge of blasphemy.
Because Scripture declares that Stephen was also full of grace (Acts 6:8), the Roman Catholics have a serious problem with their doctrine. We can infer that the Catholic teaching of a sinless Mary originates from their belief that Mary was full of grace. Hence, if being "full of grace" implies that one is sinless, then Stephen was sinless too. Such a conclusion, however, is not true for scripture states "all have sinned" (Rom. 3:23), which includes the martyr Stephen as well as Mary, who acknowledged her savior was God (Lk. 1:47). In truth, the PRECIOUS Lord Jesus Christ was the only sinless one. (Heb. 4:15; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18; etc.) Such can also be inferred by Stephen calling him the "Righteous One" (Acts 7:52). If Mary were sinless too (which she was not), then Jesus could not be the "righteous ONE" for there would be two.
Stephen based his teaching upon God's word alone, which is exactly the way Paul directed Timothy to preach (2 Tim. 4:2) and how he himself reasoned (Acts 17:2 cf. 17:11). Why should Christians preach and reason from God's written word alone? Because scripture is final spiritual authority and to be our standard of truth (2 Tim. 3:16,17). All Christian teachings are to be based upon scripture alone in order to be valid, excluding any and all other sources which conflict with it, even if labeled "sacred tradition".
At the "hour of his death," Stephen prayed to Jesus (Acts 7:59). That point is crucial for multitudes of sincere Catholics who have wrongly been taught that they should call on Mary at the "hour of their death," unlike the Christian way exemplified by the martyr Stephen. The truth is Mary is not a mediatrix between us and God. Jesus alone is the one and only mediator (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24; etc.) and our advocate (1 John 2:1).
Stephen was also a glowing example of fearlessness in the face of ominous death. His mind was locked on God and eternal truth and he did not love his life so much as to shrink from death. As he was being bludgeoned to death with large rocks, he followed the example of his Lord and prayed that God would forgive his killers (Acts 7:60 cf. Lk.23:34). The only time scripture mentions Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father was at the end of Stephen's life (Acts 7:55), perhaps indicating how pleased he was with him.
If Catholics carefully read the New Testament and go by God's written word alone for their beliefs and practices, they will surely be 100% safe. The Christian life begins with a humble heart-felt repentance before God and a commitment of faith to the Lord Jesus Christ to follow him as we put God’s word into practice (2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 20:21; Lk. 8:21; Gal. 3:26; 6:8,9; etc.). False teaching can interfere with and distort what the saving gospel is as well as the genuine Christian life to the place of producing lethal consequences (2 Tim. 2:18; Rev. 2:20; Titus 1:9-11 cf. Titus 2:1).
Please know the sacraments, Mary and being a Catholic have never saved anyone and never will. Jesus is the one and only Savior and the way to the Father (Acts 4:11,12; Jn. 14:6; etc.), who doesn't share his glory with another (Isa. 42:8) and to whom every knee, including Mary’s, will bow and confess as Lord (Phil. 2:10,11). Jesus taught: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Mt. 11:28-30). Catholic friend, will you try to forget these truths or will you wisely change for your soul's sake?
Dan Corner, a former pastor, is the author of a number of books including 'The Believer's Conditional Security: Eternal Security Refuted', 'The Myth of Eternal Security' and 'Is this the Mary of the Bible?'. He also provides a massive amount of information on his websites.
Ex Catholic Dan Corner is available for media interviews, including debates, and can be reached using the information below or by email at eternallifeblog@gmail.com or by phone at 724-632-3210. His books are available at his websites: https://www.evangelicaloutreach.org (EOMIN.org) and AlcanceEvangelistico.org (DBN-MIN.net).
About Dan Corner:
After graduating from college, Dan Corner got saved by reading the Bible. For over four decades, he has diligently served the Lord Jesus. Dan Corner's pastoral, apologetic, counter cult and street evangelism experiences have equipped him to contend for the faith and win souls to Jesus from many backgrounds.
He is an ordained minister and director of Evangelical Outreach who pastored for almost seven years and has authored hundreds of Christian articles, answered thousands of emails and letters and has written several books of vital importance in our day.
Contact:
Dan Corner
eternallifeblog@gmail.com
http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org (EOMIN.org)
http://www.alcanceevangelistico.org (DBN-MIN.net)
EternalLifeBlog.com
724-632-3210
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Pope Francis, In Article On Vatican News, Suggests Christian Martyr Saint Stephen Teaches Us To Forgive - Evangelical Outreach Ex-Catholic Dan Corner Comments Further
Thursday, January 3, 2019
The Solemnity Of Mary The Mother Of God Holy Day Of Obligation Is Out Of Line With Scriptural Truth Says Ex-Catholic Dan Corner, Director Of Evangelical Outreach And Author Of 'Is This The Mary Of The Bible'
Corner is a former pastor and Christian author who, over four decades has preached 1000 or more sermons and has written hundreds of Christian articles and a number of books of vital importance to Christians.
A page on the EWTN Global Catholic Network entitled Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God describes that Feast Day, held each year on January 1. In that article Pope Paul VI is quoted as saying, "This celebration, assigned to January 1 in conformity with the ancient liturgy of the city of Rome, is meant to commemorate the part played by Mary in this mystery of salvation. It is meant also to exalt the singular dignity which this mystery brings to the 'holy Mother . . . through whom we were found worthy . . . to receive the Author of life.' Dan Corner, Director of Evangelical Outreach and author of 'Is This The Mary Of The Bible' takes issue with this for a number of reasons. He had this to say:
The New Testament Christians knew nothing about any holy day of obligation – especially one honoring Mary as the "Mother of God." Be assured, the Lord's disciples never specially honored or exalted Mary in scripture, even in the Upper Room (Acts 1). Never is Mary mentioned in any salvation sermon scattered throughout the book of Acts. Such is the eternal record God has provided for mankind to know and draw from. Scripture alone is final spiritual authority and is to be the only source of Christian teachings (2 Tim. 3:16,17).
For Catholics to believe Mary is the Mother of God is also logically impossible since God is eternal and could have no mother. If Mary really was the Mother of God, then Mary preexisted before God, which is impossible. The real Mary of the bible was a mere creature, chosen and blessed to bear the Messiah, but that is where it ends. Her special importance ceased. That is crystal clear, as the Lord Jesus himself openly corrected a Catholic-like woman, who tried to exalt Mary because she bore Jesus and nursed him. "As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, 'Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.' He [Jesus] replied, 'Blessed RATHER are those who hear the word of God and obey it' " (Luke 11:27,28).
The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God holy day of obligation on January 1 is one of the three of six 'holy days of obligation' honoring Mary in the Roman Catholic Church in the USA. "Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2181). That means a "mortal" sin is committed and the seriousness of that is shown here:
1861 "Mortal sin is a radical possibility of human freedom, as is love itself. It results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace. If it is not redeemed by repentance and God's forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christ's kingdom and the eternal death of hell...."
The conclusion to that is: Mary is to be honored by Catholics on holy days of obligation or deliberate offenders commit mortal sin, which will send them to hell unless repented of. Dear Catholics, please know that is a violent and idolatrous contradiction to God's word.
In heaven there are 25 thrones – God's and 24 other thrones occupied by the 24 elders (Rev. 4:4), which are all male, thereby excluding Mary from having any of those 25 thrones. Furthermore, there are 24 names on New Jerusalem: 12 on the foundations with the names of the twelve apostles (Rev. 21:14) and 12 on the gates with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (Rev. 21:12). Again, a mention of Mary is excluded. Over and over, Mary is shown to have no preeminence or exaltation in Paradise. Mary was not the greatest born of woman (Mt. 11:11), nor was she uniquely full of grace (Acts 6:8). She is not even specifically mentioned in heaven and there is no Queen of Heaven. Sincere Catholics have been taught a mythical non-existent Mary, not the real Mary of the bible. To deify Mary is to commit idolatry – a soul-damning sin (Rev. 21:8). That is the real sin that needs to be repented of.
True salvation is obtained by a trusting and submitting faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Acts 10:43; Gal. 3:26; etc.), one which unashamedly follows and obeys Jesus here and now (Heb. 5:9; 1 Jn. 2:3,4; 3:7,8; etc.). That includes repentance (2 Pet. 3:9; 2 Cor. 7:10; etc.). Catholics need to know a saving faith in Jesus excludes Mary as being the object of their faith too. We are also to go to Jesus directly for salvation (Mt. 11:28-30; Jn. 5:40; 6:35; 7:37,38; etc.). The Christian's devotion is focused on the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 7:34,35; 2 Cor. 11:3,4) and never on Mary too. It was Jesus, who alone paid for our redemption (1 Pet. 1:18,19; 2:24; Rev. 5:9,10; etc.). Mary is not co-redemptrix, nor do we go to her to get to Jesus or trust in her in the slightest way for anything, especially our salvation, according to the Lord Jesus Christ and his apostles. If the most sincere Catholic departs from scripture for his beliefs, he will surely be lethally deceived. To draw only from God's written word is be 100% safe in your beliefs and practices (2 Tim. 3:16,17). Take these truths to heart and pass them on to others.
Dan Corner, a former pastor, is the author of a number of books including 'The Believer's Conditional Security: Eternal Security Refuted', 'The Myth of Eternal Security' and 'Is this the Mary of the Bible?'. He also provides a massive amount of information on his websites.
Dan Corner is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at eternallifeblog@gmail.com or by phone at 724-632-3210. His books are available at his websites: https://www.evangelicaloutreach.org (EOMIN.org) and AlcanceEvangelistico.org (DBN-MIN.net).
About Dan Corner:
After graduating from college, Dan Corner got saved by reading the Bible. For over four decades, he has diligently served the Lord Jesus. Dan Corner's pastoral, apologetic, counter cult and street evangelism experiences have equipped him to contend for the faith and win souls to Jesus from many backgrounds.
He is an ordained minister and director of Evangelical Outreach who pastored for almost seven years and has authored hundreds of Christian articles, answered thousands of emails and letters and has written several books of vital importance in our day.
Contact:
Dan Corner
eternallifeblog@gmail.com
http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org (EOMIN.org)
http://www.alcanceevangelistico.org (DBN-MIN.net)
EternalLifeBlog.com
724-632-3210
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