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Thursday, January 21, 2016

INTERCESSION?   By Steve Finnell


Question. Can dead Christians intercede for Christians who are living? Is it possible for deceased Popes, the Virgin Mary, and other dead saints to hear prayers and intercede for men who are alive?

THE  FOLLOWING QUOTE IS FROM THE "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA" NEW ADVENT. SEE: Intercession. 

 Prayer is offered to a person in two ways: one as though to be granted by himself, another as to be obtained through him. In the first way we prayto God alone, because all our prayers ought to be directed to obtaining grace and glory which God alone gives, according to those words of thePsalm (lxxxiii, 12): 'The Lord will give grace and glory.' But in the second way we pray to the holy angels and to men not that God may learn ourpetition through them, but that by their prayers and merits our prayers may be efficacious. Wherefore it is said in the Apocalypse (viii, 4): 'And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel' (Summ. Theol., II-II, Q. lxxxiii, a. 4).
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There are no Scriptures that instruct men to pray to men, dead or alive. Where in Bible does it say pray to angels? There is no verse in the Bible that would indicate that dead Christians can hear our prayers. Even if they could hear our prayers there is no Scripture that states they could intercede between us and God. There is no Scripture that says dead men can be an advocate for us to  God the Father.


THE HOLY SPIRIT

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (NKJV)

JESUS THE CHRIST

Romans 8:34 Who is he condemns? It is Christ who died, and futhermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercessions for us. (NKJV)

Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit make intercessions for Christians.

Can Christians who are alive pray for other living Christians, of course they can and should. Praying, for, is not the same as praying to someone.

Christians should not pray "to" other Christians. That would be worship. Men are to worship Jehovah God alone.

Praying to dead Popes, the Virgin Mary and other dead saints is worship. God is a jealous God.    

  

2 comments:

  1. Along these lines, would you say the scripture supports or is silent that churches have prayer groups, pray together, etc.?

    It seems that this line of reasoning would demand Christians only pray in solitude.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Praying for someone is not praying "to" someone.

    ReplyDelete

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