Mastara posted:

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Ive also read up on the epic of gilgamesh and the rumors of who John the Baptist was. However while some believed him to be the messiah he said himself that he was unworthy to untie the sandals of the one who came after him. And John the Baptist never rose from the dead, nor did he do miracles with witnesses, he merely preached and baptized people. He preached repent for the kingdom of god is near. Not I am the messiah who takes away the sin of the world.

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Mastara posted:

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1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

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Mastara posted:

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Christianity isn't a cult. Although you would love to think so, it isn't. If you do not believe that Jesus is the only way you have a false belief system, a cult. If someone tells you there are more than 1 way or other ways to heaven, its a cult. Its the hard truth. But Jesus was not inclusive. He said " I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the father but by me." And if person commits heinous acts like murdering people and what not they weren't true Christians. They merely used the title for personal gain.

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Mastara posted:

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Christianity isn't a cult. Although you would love to think so, it isn't. If you do not believe that Jesus is the only way you have a false belief system, a cult. If someone tells you there are more than 1 way or other ways to heaven, its a cult. Its the hard truth. But Jesus was not inclusive. He said " I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the father but by me." And if person commits heinous acts like murdering people and what not they weren't true Christians. They merely used the title for personal gain.

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dictionary posted:

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cult (klt)
n.
1.
a. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
b. The followers of such a religion or sect.
2. A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
3. The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
4. A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.
5.
a. Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
b. The object of such devotion.
6. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.

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