The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints in Heaven, glorified by God
The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints in Heaven, glorified by God
Manny Pacquiao: There is no religion can save people only our relationship to God, thats a problem for people they think that religion can save them thats why they become more on tradition. And just give me verse that it says pray to Mary and the bible says there is only one mediator between God and man and thats the name of Jesus. Now if you’re praying to Mary your creating another mediator which contradict to the bible. May be you should read the bible brother. Thank you peace be with you.
Franz Luigi Lugena Manny, mere affiliation to a religious denomination will not save a person. A person is saved by following God’s commandments as Christ Himself said in Matthew 19:17-21 and even in Matthew 7:21. That’s not faith alone. It requires a positive act on the part of the individual. That’s faith and good works. And also we have to realize that the task of teaching God’s commandments was entrusted to the disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), basically the one true Church which Christ founded two thousand years ago. (Matthew 16:18) Thus, it follows that if you want to know and obey God’s commandment, you will have to go to that Church and not from any recently founded, man-invented sects or fellowships. 
As to traditions, not all traditions are bad according to the Scriptures. There are traditions that are in fact, good and must be followed:
2 Thessalonian 2:15
So then, brothers, STAND FIRM AND HOLD TO THE TRADITIONS that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
It is very clear that the Church have TRADITIONS. We have to hold to these oral and written TRADITIONS from the Apostles.
Now regarding to your statement asking for verses about praying to Virgin Mary. First, we have to make to it clear that there is no single verse in the bible saying that praying to Virgin Mary is bad. None. In fact, there is no verse in the bible saying that we should only pray to God alone. But there are verses in the bible in which servants of God are being asked for prayers. I will share one:
Acts 8:24
SIMON SAID TO PETER AND JOHN, “PLEASE PRAY TO THE LORD FOR ME, so that none of these things you spoke of will happen to me.”
Apostles Peter and John, both Catholic Saints, were asked by Simon to pray for him. It is very clear in the text that saints can be asked for prayers. If it is ok to ask Sts. Peter and John for prayers, I see no reason why we should prohibit doing the same to Virgin Mary. That’s why the Hail Mary prayer is biblical. 
As to your statement that there is only one mediator between God and man, Christ. (1 Timothy 2:5) I agree. But as Christ is the only one mediator, Christians are not barred to pray and intercede for one another, in fact these acts are encouraged:
1 Timothy 2:1-2 
1 I urge, then, first of all, that PETITIONS, PRAYERS, INTERCESSIONS and thanksgiving BE MADE FOR ALL PEOPLE— 
2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
So Christians, can pray and intercede for others, in effect become mediator for others. But this mediatorship is not separate to the mediatorship of Christ but sharing in it. 
Hebrews 3:14
FOR WE HAVE COME TO SHARE IN CHRIST, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
So we share in Christ. That’s why even the Hail Mary prayer is being done in the name of the Triune God: IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. In other words, WE ARE ASKING THE VIRGIN MARY TO PRAY FOR US SINNERS, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST. That’s sharing in the mediatorship of Christ based on the principles of 1 Timothy 2:1-2 and Hebrews 3:14. That’s not separate mediatorship. 
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it is said:
970 “Mary’s function as mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power. But the Blessed Virgin’s salutary influence on men . . . flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on his mediation, depends entirely on it, and draws all its power from it.” “No creature could ever be counted along with the Incarnate Word and Redeemer; BUT JUST AS THE PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST IS SHARED IN VARIOUS WAYS BOTH BY HIS MINISTERS AND THE FAITHFUL, AND AS THE ONE GOODNESS OF GOD IS RADIATED IN DIFFERENT WAYS AMONG HIS CREATURES, SO ALSO THE UNIQUE MEDIATION OF THE REDEEMER DOES NOT EXCLUDE BUT RATHER GIVE RISE TO A MANIFOLD COOPERATION WHICH IS BUT A SHARING IN THIS ONE SOURCE.” 
Hope you reconsider the Catholic faith, Manny. Peace.
Joseph Guzman Franz no were in the bible that says we are to go to Catholic church Jesus accepts anyone and everyone no matter what church u go to. As long as we have Jesus in our hart god is there. Then Jesus came to them and said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me Matthew 28:18. And their is no were in the bible praying to the virgin Mary is bad because God isnt focused on mary hes focused on Jesus. So when we ask for prayer from our brothers and sisters the ownly one thats going hear them is Jesus Christ not the virgin Mary

[Joseph Guzman: Franz no were in the bible that says we are to go to Catholic church]
If you will read Matthew 28:19-20, it is very clear that Christ’s instruction to make disciples of all nations was given to the apostles and not to any fellowship groups or sects at that time. This tells us that there is a congregation of individuals recognized and authorized by Christ to preach the Gospel. This is the Church. Now if you are wondering what Church it is, then look at the thousand “churches” today and find the one that can trace its origin to St. Peter and Christ, the one that existed 2,000 years ago, that is widespread to all nations, universal or catholic in scope, thereby, confirming what Christ said in Mark 11:17 “My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.” History and scriptures tell us that it is the Catholic Church! 
[Joseph Guzman: Jesus accepts anyone and everyone no matter what church u go to.]
Very unlikely. There are thousands of protestant churches today, each with their different set of beliefs and doctrines.There are arminians, calvinists, pentecostals, baptists, reformed baptists, mormons, jehovah witnesses, etc. They are dividing even as we speak. How can Christ accepts all of them and overlook their core doctrinal differences? Truth is exclusive. If one teaches OSAS, and another says we can lose our salvation, both can’t be right. What makes you think Christ or the Holy Spirit will approve both? The scriptures says “ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM,” (Ephesians 4:5) How can there be one faith if you have contrary doctrines and beliefs? There is only one faith. In Matthew 16:18, Christ said “That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH;” My Church, Not my churches. Singular, meaning only one. Christ’s Church is only one. It really existed therefore can be verified through history. It is the one that we should seek if we want to know and obey the commandments and teachings of Christ. 
[Joseph Guzman: As long as we have Jesus in our hart god is there.]
You say that Christ is in your heart. With all due respect, brother. That’s just a unilateral claim. It remains to be seen. It must be tested. We must undergo trials to determine the genuineness of our faith. (1 Peter 1:6-7) That’s why Christ Himself said “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Mat 24:13) 
[Joseph Guzman: Then Jesus came to them and said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me Matthew 28:18.]
I agree. But Christ, in turn, authorized his disciples, a congregation of individuals, to spread his teachings to all nations. (Mat 28:19-20) In other words, He authorized His Church to propagate the faith. There is a clear delegation of authority to teach. “He that heareth you heareth me;” (Luke 10:16) as Christ said in another instance. Christ is speaking through his Church. This kind of authority is not given to any protestant sects or cell groups. It was only given to His Church, the Church that existed way back 2,000 years ago, a house of prayer for all nations, universal/catholic in scope. [Mark 11:17; Romans 1:5-7]
[Joseph Guzman: And their is no were in the bible praying to the virgin Mary is bad because God isnt focused on mary hes focused on Jesus.]
Thank you for admitting that there is no verse in the bible that says praying to the Virgin Mary is bad. Because there is indeed, none. Saints are alive in heaven, their spirits are made perfect. (Heb 12:23) Thus, not subject to the limitations of time and space. They know what’s happening here on Earth. (Luke 16:19-31; Rev 19:1-3) And their prayers have powerful effect. (James 5:16) So why proscribe asking Virgin Mary for prayers?
As to your statements that God’s focus is on Christ and not Virgin Mary, with all due respect, your premise is loaded by a fallacious “either or” scenario, wherein one must choose between Christ or the Virgin Mary. Wrong. Scriptures tell us that Virgin Mary is “full of grace” (Luke 1:28), “blessed among women” (Luke 1:41-42), and “Mother of God” (Luke 1:43).
Clearly, Virgin Mary is no ordinary woman. God gave special attention, or focus if you will, to the Blessed Virgin Mary. But this focus is in light of her role in the history of salvation. She will serve as a vessel in bringing Christ to the world. Christ could have entered directly into this world without human participation. But God used Virgin Mary. We cannot just ignore this important truth. If God didn’t ignore Virgin Mary, who are we to do so? We must learn from the ways of God. (Ephesians 5:1) Whatever focus, respect and love we give to the Virgin Mary, that is because of her close relationship with Christ, our Lord. Virgin Mary leads us to Christ, just like the way the wisemen found Christ with the Virgin Mary. (Mat 2:11) 
[Joseph Guzman: So when we ask for prayer from our brothers and sisters the ownly one thats going hear them is Jesus Christ not the virgin Mary]
Your argument is that there is only one mediator, Christ. You put emphasis on the sole mediatorship of Christ – It is impossible to have another mediator. But don’t you know that every time you pray for your brothers and sisters, you are doing a mediating/intercessory act on their behalf. So using your argument, you are, in effect, another mediator. How can you explain that?
Joseph Guzman When god says all nations he means all individuals it is not the name of the church that makes the church it is the people that have jesus in their hart that make the church no matter where u stand of any typ of church the nation which means individuals which are people respect your neighbor whatever church they folow as long as they folow Jesus. the people that accept jesus as their savior that makes any church that nations folow not just at church but where ever we go. We shouldn’t follow groups of people that dont folow Jesus and also when i pray for my brothers and sisters i am praying for everyone because we are all God’s children. No matter what is said about the virgin Mary she is ordinary just like the rest of us she died just like anybody else did. Jesus died and defeated his grave in three days he came back to life. So jesus is the ownly way to pray to our father god nobody else can do that not even mary. Franz i will pray for anyone that needs it no matter what church they go to. I will pray to Jesus that he may pray to our father god amen

[Joseph Guzman: When god says all nations he means all individuals it is not the name of the church that makes the church]
Be it “all nations” or “all individuals,” the point is God intends his Church to be universal or catholic. That’s why Christ before ascending to heaven gave instruction to HIS FOLLOWERS and no one else “to make disciples of all nations” (Mat 28:19), in earlier instance Christ said “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’ (Mark 11:17). The Church is for all nations, therefore it is catholic, it is universal. 
In Revelation, we can see God’s people composed of men from different nations, they are so many the scriptures say it is impossible to count them. This shows that the Church is catholic/universal. 
Revelation 7:9
After this I looked, and behold, A GREAT MULTITUDE WHICH NO MAN COULD NUMBER, FROM EVERY NATION, FROM ALL TRIBES AND PEOPLES AND TONGUES, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
According to the text, God’s people come FROM EVERY NATION, FROM ALL TRIBES AND PEOPLES AND TONGUES. They are Catholic. And I’m sure that these people are indeed Catholics because they have palms (palaspas). Protestants don’t use palms. Only Catholics have palms, particularly during Palm Sunday during the start of the Holy Week.
[Joseph Guzman: it is the people that have jesus in their hart that make the church no matter where u stand of any typ of church the nation which means individuals which are people respect your neighbor whatever church they folow as long as they folow Jesus.]
It is impossible to readily know whether Jesus is indeed in the heart of a person. That is something that must be seen and tested. (1 Peter 1:6-7) And only those who endured until the end will be saved. (Mat 24:13) You can’t just make a unilateral claim on your part that Jesus is in your heart. Furthermore, your statement, in effect, says that anyone can be part of God’s Church, no matter what their doctrinal beliefs are, so long as “they have Christ in their hearts.” Aside from the questionable claim, this is problematic. Scriptures say there is only one faith (Eph 4:5). How can this be true if its members have conflicting fundamental beliefs? If one teaches OSAS, and another says we can lose our salvation, both can’t be right. We can’t say that both are following Christ’s teachings. Same goes with rapture, faith alone, predestination, role of free will in salvation, and other theological issues that become points of contention among Protestants. Truth is exclusive. Truth can’t contradict itself. The point is, Christ authorized his disciples, a congregation of individuals, to spread his teachings and commandments to all nations 2,000 years ago. This is the Church that Christ Himself founded. (Mat 16:18) If we want to know and obey Christ’s teachings, we have to go to this Church and not from man made, newly invented sects and fellowships.
[Joseph Guzman: the people that accept jesus as their savior that makes any church that nations folow not just at church but where ever we go. ]
But Christ Himself said:
Luke 6:46
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
Meaning, it is not enough to recognize Christ as Lord, you have to follow Christ’s commandments. And we know based on Matthew 28:19-20 that these commandments were entrusted to His disciples, a congregation of individuals comprising the Church. Thus, in order to know and obey Christ’s commandments, you have to go to His Church.
[Joseph Guzman: We shouldn’t follow groups of people that dont folow Jesus]
I agree. That’s why I can’t accept your statement that practically anyone can be part of the community of believers, no matter what is their belief (whether they are Arminians, Calvinists, Baptists, Reformed Baptists, Pentecostals, Anglicans, Lutherans, etc.) so long as they have Christ in their heart. Surely not all of these branches of Protestantism follow the commandments of Christ. Most if not all of them are gravely mistaken. So how can they still be part of God’s community?
[Joseph Guzman: and also when i pray for my brothers and sisters I am praying for everyone because we are all God’s children.]
That’s fine. But the point is, when you pray for another person, you are doing an intercessory or mediating act on behalf of that person. Using your line of argument, you are another mediator, aside from Christ. This is a problematic issue on your part. 
[Joseph Guzman: No matter what is said about the virgin Mary she is ordinary just like the rest of us she died just like anybody else did.]
What verse in the bible that says the Virgin Mary is ordinary? Where? The bible is very explicit in saying that Virgin Mary is “full of grace” (Luke 1:28), “blessed among women” (Luke 1:41-42), and “Mother of God” (Luke 1:43). These are words of Angel Gabriel, God’s Messenger, in effect, Words of God. So between your statement that Virgin Mary is “ordinary” and the aforementioned testimonies of God about the Blessed Mother, I believe the latter because God’s testimony is greater than any man. (1 Jn 5:9)
[Joseph Guzman: Jesus died and defeated his grave in three days he came back to life. So jesus is the ownly way to pray to our father god nobody else can do that not even mary. Franz i will pray for anyone that needs it no matter what church they go to. I will pray to Jesus that he may pray to our father god amen]
No question about the resurrection. But your argument of pitting Virgin Mary against Christ is wrong. Virgin Mary is not competing against Christ but works with Him. Every time we pray the Hail Mary, we ask Virgin Mary to pray for us to God through Christ. This is the reason why we begin and end our prayers in the name of the Triune God: In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Prayer to Virgin Mary is not a separate line to God but a line towards Christ and to God.
Venz Vercede Luke 11:27 As * he said these things, a woman in the crowd spoke out * to him, “Blessed is the womb * that bore you and the breasts at which you nursed!” * 
But he replied, * “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey * it!”
[Venz Vercede: Luke 11:27 As * he said these things, a woman in the crowd spoke out * to him, “Blessed is the womb * that bore you and the breasts at which you nursed!” * 
But he replied, * “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey * it!”]
But the Virgin Mary was among the first to hear the word of God and obeyed it. When she heard of God’s plan through Angel Gabriel that she will conceive the Savior, she believed and obeyed. She said:
Luke 1:38
And Mary said: BEHOLD THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD: BE IT DONE TO ME ACCORDING TO THY WORD. And the angel departed from her.
Virgin Mary heard the Word of God and obeyed. That’s why the Virgin Mary is “Blessed”:
Luke 1:48
Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: FOR BEHOLD FROM HENCEFORTH ALL GENERATIONS SHALL CALL ME BLESSED. 
Virgin Mary is Blessed. We Catholics called her Blessed. Protestants don’t. That alone should make you wonder.
SOURCE:
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