The Ark of the New Covenant

I. The Annunciation
A. How Can This Be?
Of all the Gospel writers, Luke gives us by far the most information about Mary. Most of that information is simple and literal: the stories of the Annunciation, the Nativity, and so on. But some of what Luke has to tell us is conveyed in a less obvious way, by means of parallels in words and images.

In the first lesson, we looked at the story of the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel came to Mary to tell her that she would conceive a child who would inherit the throne of David.

Naturally, Mary was surprised. She asked the obvious question: “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” (see Luke 1:34).

Gabriel replied that it would happen by the power of God: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (see Luke 1:35).

B. The Power of the Most High will Overshadow You
The word translated “overshadow” is used nowhere else in the New Testament. In fact, it occurs only one other place in Scripture, if we refer to the Greek translation of the Old Testament that Luke was familiar with.

The book of Exodus tells us how Moses had the Ark of the Covenant placed in the Dwelling, the holy place in great tent that was to serve as the dwelling-place of God among His people. (The word translated “Dwelling” is often translated “Tabernacle.”)

“Then the cloud covered the meeting tent, and the glory of the LORD filled the Dwelling. Moses could not enter the meeting tent, because the cloud settled down upon it and the glory of the LORD filled the Dwelling” (see Exodus 40:34-35).

In the Greek version of the Old Testament, the word translated “settled down upon” (“the cloud settled down upon it”) is the same as Luke’s word “overshadow” (“the power of the Most High will overshadow you”).

Luke is telling us that the power of God will overshadow Mary just as the power of Godovershadowed the Ark of the Covenant in the tent.

II. A History of the Ark
A. God’s Presence among His People
On Mt. Sinai, God gave Moses instructions for building the Ark of the Covenant. The construction is minutely described (see Exodus 25:1-22). The Ark’s most important contents are the tablets of the Law (see Exodus 25:16), God’s covenant with His people. It also contained a sample of the manna that fed the Israelites in the desert (see Exodus 16:14-16) and the rod of Aaron the priest.

The Ark, with its carved cherubim on top (see Exodus 25:18-20), was the visible throne of the invisible God. Once it was built, it went before the Israelites wherever they wandered, signifying God’s presence with them (see, for example, Numbers 10:33).

When the Israelites marched to conquer the Promised Land, the Ark of the Covenant still marched before them (see Joshua 3:3-4). It was the sign that God was with His people.

In the siege of Jericho, for example, Israel’s only military action was to parade the Ark of the Covenant around the city on seven successive days: the walls miraculously fell flat by themselves (see Joshua 6).

B. David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem
Long after most of the Promised Land belonged to Israel, the town of Jerusalem was still an independent enclave of Jebusites (see Joshua 15:63).

When David finally conquered Jerusalem, he made the strategically placed fortress town his capital (see 2 Samuel 5:9). Once the newly expanded city was established as the capital of Israel, David decided to give the Ark of the Covenant a permanent home there.

“And David arose and went with all the people who were with him to Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God” (2 Samuel 6:2, Revised Standard Version; compare the New American Bible translation).

The Ark of the Covenant was placed on a new cart (contrary to the instructions for carrying it given in Exodus 25:13-15, and compare 1 Chronicles 15:15). But the cart was unstable, and one of the attendants reached out to steady the Ark (another clear violation of the Law - see Numbers 4:15). He was struck dead immediately.

David was dismayed, and in awe of the power of God. “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?” he asked (see 2 Samuel 6:9).

The procession turned aside, and the Ark “remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months” (see 2 Samuel 6:11), bringing great blessing to Obed-Edom’s whole household.

Finally, David did bring the Ark into Jerusalem the proper way, amid great festivity and rejoicing. David himself went “leaping and dancing” for joy before the Ark, making such a spectacle of himself that his snobbish wife turned up her nose at him (see 2 Samuel 6:14-16).

C. Lost Forever?
The small empire built up by David and expanded by his son Solomon broke up after Solomon died (see 1 Kings 12). The two small kingdoms of Israel and Judah could not stand up against the great world powers. First Israel fell to Assyria (see 2 Kings 17:1-6); then Judah fell to Babylon (see 2 Kings 25).

The prophet Jeremiah had warned the people of Judah that God’s judgment was coming upon them. But he had also predicted a time when God would build up His people again and make a “new covenant” with them (see Jeremiah 31:27-34).

A story in 2 Maccabees 2:4-8 tells us that Jeremiah prepared for that time by hiding the Ark of the Covenant on Mount Nebo.

“The same document also tells how the prophet [Jeremiah], following a divine revelation, ordered that the tent and the ark should accompany him and how he went off to the mountain which Moses climbed to see God’s inheritance. When Jeremiah arrived there, he found a room in a cave in which he put the tent, the ark, and the altar of incense; then he blocked up the entrance.”

Since that time, the Ark has never been seen on earth again.

“Some of those who followed him came up intending to mark the path, but they could not find it. When Jeremiah heard of this, he reproved them: ‘The place is to remain unknown until God gathers his people together again and shows them mercy. Then the Lord will disclose these things, and the glory of the Lord will be seen in the cloud, just as it appeared in the time of Moses and when Solomon prayed that the Place [that is, the Temple] might be gloriously sanctified.’ “

The Ark would not be seen again until the time when God showed His mercy and gathered His people together again. But when would that be?

III. The Visitation
A. Elizabeth and Mary
The news that she would have a child was astonishing enough for Mary. But the angel Gabriel had more good news for her:

“And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God” (see Luke 1:36-37).

Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah were both very old (see Luke 1:7); her pregnancy was nothing short of a miracle, though not a miracle on the same order as the one Mary was about to be a part of.

After this news, the very next thing we read is that Mary decided to visit her cousin Elizabeth.

We’re going to take a close look at this visit, because Luke will use it to show us a very important truth about Mary.

B. David’s Journey and Mary’s Visit
“In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth” (Luke 1:39-40, Revised Standard Version; compare the New American Bible translation).

We remember how “David arose and went” to a city of Judah to bring out the Ark of the Covenant (2 Samuel 6:2, Revised Standard Version; compare the New American Bibletranslation).

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb” (see Luke 1:41).

In the same way, David “leaped and danced” before the Ark of the Covenant (see 2 Samuel 6:14-16).

When she felt her child leap in her womb, Luke tells us, Elizabeth was “filled with the Holy Spirit” (see Luke 1:41). “And how does this happen to me,” she asked, “that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (see Luke 1:43).

Her words almost repeat what David said about the Ark of the Covenant: “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?” (see 2 Samuel 6:9).

Finally, after her glorious hymn of praise to God (which we know, from its first word in Latin, as the Magnificat; see Luke 1:46-55), “Mary remained with her [Elizabeth] about three months and then returned to her home” (see Luke 1:56).

The Ark of the Covenant “remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months” on its way to Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 6:11).

Luke piles these parallels one on top of another, so that we can’t help noticing the similarity between the Ark of the Covenant’s trip to Jerusalem and Mary’s trip to Zechariah’s house.

To drive the point home even more, Luke makes an interesting word choice in Luke 1:42: he tells us that Elizabeth “cried out in a loud voice” when she expressed her joy at Mary’s arrival.

The word translated “cried out” occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. But it does occur five times in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, and every time it shows up in passages having to do with the Ark of the Covenant, describing the joyful noise God’s people made in celebration of His presence among them.

Elizabeth lifts up her voice in praise of God in the presence of Mary, just as her ancestors (Elizabeth was a Levite and a descendant of Aaron the priest; see Luke 1:5) did in the presence of the Ark of the Covenant.

All these parallels point to one startling truth: Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant.

In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant bore the tablets of God’s covenant, God’s word in stone. In the New Testament, Mary carries God’s Word in flesh, Jesus Christ, who will bring the New Covenant that Jeremiah foresaw so long ago (see Jeremiah 31:27-34)

IV. The Ark in Heaven
A. The Ark Reappears in Heaven
Luke uses parallel language and images to make his point. But John, the author of Revelation, tells us directly that he saw the Ark of the Covenant - the holy object that had been lost since Jeremiah’s time - in a vision.

“Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth” (see Revelation 11:19 and Revelation 12:1-2).

This is a strange string of images, almost overwhelming - like much of the book of Revelation. But certainly the statement that the Ark of the Covenant was visible must have caught the attention of the first people who heard the vision.

If the Ark had been seen, then the time Jeremiah spoke of must have come: the time when “God gathers his people together again and shows them mercy,” the time when “the glory of the Lord will be seen in the cloud, just as it appeared in the time of Moses” (see 2 Maccabees 7-

And indeed the sights and sounds are the same as in the time of Moses - storm and earthquake:

“There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm” (see Revelation 11:19).

“On the morning of the third day there were peals of thunder and lightning, and a heavy cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled . . . Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke, for the LORD came down upon it in fire. The smoke rose from it as though from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently” (see Exodus 19:16, 18)

Naturally, we want to hear more about the rediscovered Ark of the Covenant. And John goes on to describe what he sees: “a woman clothed with the sun” (see Revelation 12:1).

In our modern Bibles, there is a chapter division between the appearance of the Ark of the Covenant and the description of the “woman clothed with the sun.” But chapter divisions were added in the Middle Ages to make the books of the Bible easier to refer to. John did not make any divisions: he wrote straight through from Revelation 11:19 to Revelation 12:1without a break.

In the dream-like but deeply significant logic of John’s vision, the Ark of the Covenant is “a woman clothed with the sun.”

B. The Woman Clothed With the Sun
And who is this woman?

“She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth ” (see Revelation 12:2).

“She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne” (see Revelation 12:5).

The one destined to rule the nations with an iron rod (a shepherd’s rod) is the Lord’s Anointed, the Messiah or Christ (see Psalm 2). The “woman clothed with the sun,” whom John sees when he looks at the Ark of the Covenant, is the Mother of the Christ.

C. What Makes Mary the Ark of the New Covenant?
The Ark of the Covenant was the sign of God’s real presence among His people. In Jesus Christ, born of Mary, God was really present among his people in an even more direct way.

The Ark held the Word of God written in stone. Mary bore the Word of God in flesh

The Ark held the bread from heaven, a foreshadowing of the Eucharist (see 1 Corinthians 10:1-4). Mary bore the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ (see John 6:48-50).

The Ark contained the rod of Aaron, symbol of his priesthood. Mary bore Jesus Christ, our High Priest (see Hebrews 3:1).

If the Ark of the Covenant was holy, then by the same standards Mary is even holier. As Mother of God, she is the Ark of the New Covenant, bearing Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the Bread of Life, our great High Priest. That is not a re-interpretation of the Gospel: it is a truth made clear by the New Testament writers themselves.

https://stpaulcenter.com/studies/lesson/lesson-three-the-ark-of-the-new-covenant

In short, Mary is the ancient of days... These Roman Catholics enh

donnie:
In short, Mary is the ancient of days... These Roman Catholics enh

Not ancient of days. Ark of the new covenant. Cant you see the difference in the spelling?

italo:


Not ancient of days. Ark of the new covenant. Cant you see the difference in the spelling?

Wetin remain na... in short. she is part of the trinity/ godhead. Is that not what will satisfy this your craving for falsehood?

Dan Brown has nothing on you I swear

That woman clothed with the sun is Israel aka Zion.

Twelve stars representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

Those who came up with the "Mary lie" did not bother to search the scriptures first. Now they want to force scripture to support their lie.

donnie:


Werin remain.na... in short. she is part of the trinity/ godhead. Is that not what will satisfy this your craving for falsehood?

Dont attack me and Catholics. The article is full of bible references. Attack them.

Mynd44:
Dan Brown has nothing on you I swear

What is "Dan Brown?"

italo:


Dont attack me and Catholics. The article is full of bible references. Attack them.

So because you sprinkled the article with scriptures quoted out of context, you think it should be swallowed?

Isn't maccabees one of those wayo books which dubious Roman catholic church leaders sneaked in?

italo:


What is "Dan Brown?"

He's a world renowned author, his books includes The Da Vinci Code, Angels and demons and Inferno..

donnie:
That woman clothed with the sun is Israel aka Zion.

Twelve stars representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

Those who came up with the "Mary lie" did not bother to search the scriptures first. Now they want to force scripture to support their lie.

I see...

So the twelve tribes of Israel are the Ark of the new covenant?

[b]“In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth” (Luke 1:39-40, Revised Standard Version; compare the New American Bible translation).

We remember how “David arose and went” to a city of Judah to bring out the Ark of the Covenant (2 Samuel 6:2, Revised Standard Version; compare the New American Bibletranslation).

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb” (see Luke 1:41).

In the same way, David “leaped and danced” before the Ark of the Covenant (see 2 Samuel 6:14-16).

When she felt her child leap in her womb, Luke tells us, Elizabeth was “filled with the Holy Spirit” (see Luke 1:41). “And how does this happen to me,” she asked, “that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (see Luke 1:43).

Her words almost repeat what David said about the Ark of the Covenant: “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?” (see 2 Samuel 6:9).

Finally, after her glorious hymn of praise to God (which we know, from its first word in Latin, as the Magnificat; see Luke 1:46-55), “Mary remained with her [Elizabeth] about three months and then returned to her home” (see Luke 1:56).

The Ark of the Covenant “remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months” on its way to Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 6:11).

Luke piles these parallels one on top of another, so that we can’t help noticing the similarity between the Ark of the Covenant’s trip to Jerusalem and Mary’s trip to Zechariah’s house.

To drive the point home even more, Luke makes an interesting word choice in Luke 1:42: he tells us that Elizabeth “cried out in a loud voice” when she expressed her joy at Mary’s arrival.

The word translated “cried out” occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. But it does occur five times in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, and every time it shows up in passages having to do with the Ark of the Covenant, describing the joyful noise God’s people made in celebration of His presence among them.

Elizabeth lifts up her voice in praise of God in the presence of Mary, just as her ancestors (Elizabeth was a Levite and a descendant of Aaron the priest; see Luke 1:5) did in the presence of the Ark of the Covenant.

All these parallels point to one startling truth: Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant.

In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant bore the tablets of God’s covenant, God’s word in stone. In the New Testament, Mary carries God’s Word in flesh, Jesus Christ, who will bring the New Covenant that Jeremiah foresaw so long ago (see Jeremiah 31:27-34)[/b]


All those verses too were talking about the twelve tribes of Israel, not Mary abi?

donnie:


So because you sprinkled the article with scriptures quoted out of context, you think it should be swallowed?

How are the scriptures out of context?

donnie:

Isn't maccabees one of those wayo books which dubious Roman catholic church leaders sneaked in?

No. It is one of the books of the Bible which Martin Luther sneaked out in the 16th century. Please read to educate yourself. You talk so much for one who knows so little.

italo:


I see...

So the twelve tribes of Israel are the Ark of the new covenant?

[b]“In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth” (Luke 1:39-40, Revised Standard Version; compare the New American Bible translation).

We remember how “David arose and went” to a city of Judah to bring out the Ark of the Covenant (2 Samuel 6:2, Revised Standard Version; compare the New American Bibletranslation).

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb” (see Luke 1:41).

In the same way, David “leaped and danced” before the Ark of the Covenant (see 2 Samuel 6:14-16).

When she felt her child leap in her womb, Luke tells us, Elizabeth was “filled with the Holy Spirit” (see Luke 1:41). “And how does this happen to me,” she asked, “that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (see Luke 1:43).

Her words almost repeat what David said about the Ark of the Covenant: “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?” (see 2 Samuel 6:9).

Finally, after her glorious hymn of praise to God (which we know, from its first word in Latin, as the Magnificat; see Luke 1:46-55), “Mary remained with her [Elizabeth] about three months and then returned to her home” (see Luke 1:56).

The Ark of the Covenant “remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months” on its way to Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 6:11).

Luke piles these parallels one on top of another, so that we can’t help noticing the similarity between the Ark of the Covenant’s trip to Jerusalem and Mary’s trip to Zechariah’s house.

To drive the point home even more, Luke makes an interesting word choice in Luke 1:42: he tells us that Elizabeth “cried out in a loud voice” when she expressed her joy at Mary’s arrival.

The word translated “cried out” occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. But it does occur five times in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, and every time it shows up in passages having to do with the Ark of the Covenant, describing the joyful noise God’s people made in celebration of His presence among them.

Elizabeth lifts up her voice in praise of God in the presence of Mary, just as her ancestors (Elizabeth was a Levite and a descendant of Aaron the priest; see Luke 1:5) did in the presence of the Ark of the Covenant.

All these parallels point to one startling truth: Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant.

In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant bore the tablets of God’s covenant, God’s word in stone. In the New Testament, Mary carries God’s Word in flesh, Jesus Christ, who will bring the New Covenant that Jeremiah foresaw so long ago (see Jeremiah 31:27-34)[/b]


All those verses too were talking about the twelve tribes of Israel, not Mary abi?

I spoke concerning the particular verse in Rev 12.

Actually, the heart of every believer in whom Christ resides is the ark of God. We called on His name and we were saved and filled with the Spirit.

If you disagree and would rather attribute special adoration to Mary who was like every other human, you are committing idolatry.

Oh, so this is it; the reason for bowing to the idol of 'a' Mary?

Ahem! You guys should simply tell our babalawos and dibias to remodel Ifa and Amadioha, so that they too can join Mary in her shrine, and receive their due 'honor'.

Splinz

A senior friend of mine who is also a traditionalist, journalist, writer, and staunch Catholic, ITA AKUKU, with books to his credit, argued that the early missionaries only succeeded in replacing our culture and tradition with their own tradition.

In his words...

"they said the ancestors we call on were devils, yet they invoke their own ancestors (dead saints).

They say our shrines and carvings were demonic yet they built their own shrines and sculptures which they call holy sites"

No matter how strong the OP's argument is, if the pope should decide to stick with scripture, OP will have no choice than to discard all their lies and follow suit.

So OP, quit trying to make the bible say what it never said. It was never your only authority afterall.

donnie:


I spoke concerning the particular verse in Rev 12.

Actually, the heart of every believer in whom Christ resides is the ark of God. We called on His name and we were saved and filled with the Spirit.

I see what is eating you up. You are jealous that I didn't say "donnie is the ark of the new covenant." That's why you are throwing a tantrum. Well, if you will die of jealousy, die. Mary is the ark of the new covenant. The only one who carried the word made flesh in her womb. The only one that was called "the mother of my Lord" by a spirit-filled Elizabeth. No wonder the Angel, on behalf of God greeted her "Hail, full of grace."

donnie:

If you disagree and would rather attribute special adoration to Mary who was like every other human, you are committing idolatry.

So if i say Mary is special because she alone carried God in her womb, that is idolatry? But if i say donnie carries God in him, that is okay? Jealousy go kill you...and after that, Mary will remain Mother of God.

Splinz:
Oh, so this is it; the reason for bowing to the idol of 'a' Mary?

Ahem! You guys should simply tell our babalawos and dibias to remodel Ifa and Amadioha, so that they too can join Mary in her shrine, and receive their due 'honor'.

Another ignoramus incapable of engaging the article and all the scriptural references in it...

Rather making up his own positions and mocking them.

Splendid scriptural expose'. Now she is in glory with her son in accordance to Psalm 132:8

"Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength"

italo:


I see what is eating you up. You are jealous that I didn't say "donnie is the ark of the new covenant." That's why you are throwing a tantrum. Well, if you will die of jealousy, die. Mary is the ark of the new covenant. The only one who carried the word made flesh in her womb. The only one that was called "the mother of my Lord" by a spirit-filled Elizabeth. No wonder the Angel, on behalf of God greeted her "Hail, full of grace."


So if i say Mary is special because she alone carried God in her womb, that is idolatry? But if i say donnie carries God in him, that is okay? Jealousy go kill you...and after that, Mary will remain Mother of God.

Ok Mary is God... Shikina. May we all bow and worship mother Mary at the nearest shrine.

donnie:
A senior friend of mine who is also a traditionalist, journalist, writer, and staunch Catholic, ITA AKUKU, with books to his credit, argued that the early missionaries only succeeded in replacing our culture and tradition with their own tradition.

In his words...

"they said the ancestors we call on were devils, yet they invoke their own ancestors (dead saints).

They say our shrines and carvings were demonic yet they built their own shrines and sculptures which they call holy sites"

No matter how strong your argument, if the pope should decide to stick with scripture, you will have no choice than to discard all your lies and follow suit. So quit trying to make the bible say what it never said. It was never your only authority afterall.

After you tried to discredit the scriptural references by claiming it was sneaked in by the Catholic Church, only to find out, it was in the Bible all along, rather sneaked out by Martin Luther... Your next tactic is:

Dodging the topic.

What have saints and shrines and popes got to do with the topic of Mary being the Ark of the new covenant?

italo:


Another ignoramus incapable of engaging the article and all the scriptural references in it...

Rather making up his own positions and mocking them.

Your article is simply for the trash can. It ain't worth an engagement at all. At best, it is such a fantastic work of fiction to entertain your fellow band of travelers.

Splinz:


Your article is simply for the trash can. It ain't worth an engagement at all. At best, it is such a fantastic work of fiction to entertain your fellow band of travelers.

Explain how?

Why is it eating you up that Mary is the ark of the new covenant? Are you competing with her for positions?

donnie:


Ok Mary is God... Shikina. May we all bow and worship mother Mary at the nearest shrine.

That is your opinion.

We say she is the Mother of God, the Ark of the new covenant. And the bible backs it up.

italo:


After you tried to discredit the scriptural references by claiming it was sneaked in by the Catholic Church, only to find out, it was in the Bible all along, rather sneaked out by Martin Luther... Your next tactic is:

Dodging the topic.

What have saints and shrines and popes got to do with the topic of Mary being the Ark of the new covenant?

Rubbish. You think that's the first time I'm hearing that?

Martin Luther's only crime was insisting that "the just shall live by Faith," rather than by dictates from the pope. He dared to search the scriptures for himself.

He knew there was something more, something that will satisfy the longing of the soul. The assurance of salvation by Faith. That was unknown in the church of his day where people could pay for "indulgences" in order to reduce their days in purgatory

Don't let me go into the corruption of those dark ages.

italo:


Explain how?

Oga, I am not under obligation to offer you any explanation. I mean, this is not the first time I've offered such. I'm not saying you shouldn't worship Mary, your new covenant.

donnie:
Splin.z

A senior friend of mine who is also a traditionalist, journalist, writer, and staunch Catholic, ITA AKUKU, with books to his credit, argued that the early missionaries only succeeded in replacing our culture and tradition with their own tradition.

In his words...

"they said the ancestors we call on were devils, yet they invoke their own ancestors (dead saints).

They say our shrines and carvings were demonic yet they built their own shrines and sculptures which they call holy sites"

No matter how strong the OP's argument is, if the pope should decide to stick with scripture, he will have no choice than to discard all their lies and follow suit.

So OP, quit trying to make the bible say what it never said. It was never your only authority afterall.

Exactly bro, your friend is right. This is particularly true of the Catholics. I tell you, there's absolutely no difference between Mary's shrine and that of Ifa and his allies.

Splinz:


Oga, I am not under obligation to offer you any explanation. I mean, this is not the first time I've offered such. I'm not saying you shouldn't worship Mary, your new covenant.

I never said you were under any obligation?
I never mentioned "worship."
I never said mary was the new covenant.

Release the poison in your heart...then reason.

donnie:


Rubbish. You think that's the first time I'm hearing that?

Martin Luther's only crime was insisting that "the just shall live my Faith," rather than by dictates from the pope. He dared to search the scriptures for himself.

He knew there was something more, something that will satisfy the longing of the soul. The assurance of salvation by Faith. That was unknown in the church of his day where people could pay for "indulgences" in order to reduce their days in purgatory

Don't let me go into the corruption of those dark ages.

Trying so hard to dodge the topic...

because it is true.

Syncan:
Splendid scriptural expose'. Now she is in glory with her son in accordance to Psalm 132:8

"Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength"

Bros, e be like say i go come meet you for bible study o...

italo:

I never mentioned "worship."

Lets assume you said "venerate". Worship is simply one of its synonyms.

italo:

I never said mary was the new covenant.

The Ark of the Old Testament was the Old Covenant. What are your claims here? That "Mary Is The Ark Of The New Covenant". I'm not surprise about your sudden confusions. Actually, I'm expecting more.

Splinz:


Lets assume you said "venerate". Worship is simply one of its synonyms.



The Ark of the Old Testament was the Old Covenant. What are your claims here? That "Mary Is The Ark Of The New Covenant". I'm not surprise about your sudden confusions. Actually, I'm expecting more.

Bros, I neither mentioned "venerate" nor "worship." Hatred is driving you mad. May God realease you from this bondage.