The Side Effects of Dating (YouTube)

TOPIC: EUCHARIST DAY 1

A) Simple Question:  What is the difference between the Catholic and the Protestant belief about communion? 

Simple Answer 
• Catholics believe that communion is the literally Body and Blood of Christ.
• Virtually all of (the over 30,000) Protestant denominations believe that Eucharist is only a symbol. 
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B) Simple Questions: How can you defend that? Where is that in the Bible? 

Simple Answer 
1) In John 6  (which Catholics call the Bread of Life Discourse)
Christ says it is His Real Body and Blood over 5X

2) This is NOT the language of symbolism

3) Many walked away because it "was too hard"

Jesus did not tell those who walked away to come back.
He did not tell them they misunderstood and it was just a symbol (c.s.*)

4) He turned to his 12 Apostles and asked if they wanted to go, too . . . . .

Peter said, “Master, to whom shall we go. You have the words of Eternal Life.

LAGNIAPPE:  You could add:

the chapter and verse: John 6:66 to “Many walked away b/c it was too hard.”

(c.s.* = common sense)

Hand symbol hints:
1) hold up six fingers
2) Cut sign at throat (NOT the language of . . . )
3) two fingers walking away
4) use hand to turn your own head @ chin

sources:
• Bible
• CCC 
• Beginner Apologetics 1
How to Explain and Defend the Catholic Faith pgs 7,8
authors: Father Frank Chacon and Jim Burnham



LAGNIAPPE: 

1 Corinthians  Chapter 11 
St. Paul said:
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord.
28 A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. 
29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.

Papacy I (Primacy of Peter/Apostolic Succession)

Points to remember:

Scripture Specifics (source *1)

• In the Old Testament when God established His Covenant with the nation of Israel, He provided for a living, continuing authority in the Mosaic priesthood (2 Chronicles 19:11 and Mal 2:7) This authority did not end when the OT Scripture was written; rather, it continued as the safeguard and authentic interpreter of Sacred Scripture.
• When Christ established His Church, The New Israel, he set up a living, continuing authority to teach, govern, and sanctify His name. . . this same apostolic authority determined the canon of the Bible, and will preserve the teachings of Jesus Christ in all their fullness and uncorrupted from error, until the end of time.
• Among the twelve Apostles. St, Peter is clearly the head. Know Matthew 16:13-19 well!
• Jesus changes Simon's name to Peter, which means rock. Our Lord says this rock will be God's way of preserving the Church from corruption until the end of time. Our Lord knew St. Peter would be dead by 70A.D. Therefore, Christ must have intended the office of St. Peter to last until the end of time.
• Although all the Apostles as a group were given the power to "bind and to loose," in Matthew 18:18, St. Peter is given this power at the time he was given the "keys." St. Peter is given the "keys to the kingdom." The keys are the symbol of the authority of the chief official - the Prime Minister - of the Kingdom of David. This office implies dynastic succession.

Verses to highlight in your Bible:

The Primacy of Peter

Isaiah 22:15-25 - Prophecy of the Catholic Papacy foretold in the Old Testament
Matthew 16:18 - Upon this rock (Peter) I will build my Church. And the gates of Hell can never overpower it

Note: Our Protestant brethren will say to understand Matthew 16:18, we have to get behind the English to the Greek. They will go on to say in Greek, the word for rock is petra, which means a large, massive stone. The word used for Simon’s new name is different; it’s Petros, which means a little stone, a pebble. The Catholic reply is to understand Matthew 16:18, we have to get behind the Greek to the Aramaic.
Although we don't know if the original Biblical manuscripts were in Aramaic or not, many scholars believe Our Lord probably spoke Aramaic because it was the native tongue for Jesus' immediate disciples.
In Aramaic there is only one word for "rock": Kepha. So he would have said:

"Blessed are you Simon bar Jonah, for flesh and blood have not revealed this to you but my Heavenly Father. So I say to you thou are "Kepha" and upon this "Kepha" I will build my Church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it."

The only manuscripts we have of Matthew are written in Greek but Greek scholars—even non-Catholic ones—admit, the words petros and petra were synonyms in first century Greek. They meant "small stone" and "large rock" in some ancient Greek poetry, centuries before the time of Christ, but that distinction had disappeared from the language by the time Matthew’s Gospel was rendered in Greek. The difference in meaning can only be found in Attic Greek, but the New Testament was written in Koine Greek—an entirely different dialect. In Koine Greek, both petros and petra simply meant "rock." If Jesus had wanted to call Simon a small stone, the Greek lithos would have been used.

Matthew 16:19 - I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven: whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven
Luke 22:32 - Peter's faith will strengthen his brethren. (Note: The word "you" {I have prayed for "you"} in Greek is in the personal tense, not the plural "you" like 'all you apostles' tense.)
John 21:17 - Given Christ's flock as chief shepherd
Mark 6:7 - angel sent to announce the Resurrection to Peter
Luke 24:34 - Risen Jesus first appeared to Peter
Acts 1:13-26 - Peter headed meeting which elected Matthias to replace Judas
Acts 2:14 - Peter lead Apostles in preaching on Pentecost
Acts 2:41 - Peter received the first converts
Acts 3:6-7 - Peter performed the first miracle after Pentecost
Acts 5:1-11 - Peter inflicted the first punishment: Ananias and Saphira
Acts 8:21 - Peter excommunicated the first heretic, Simon Magnus
Acts 10:44-46 - Peter received a revelation to admit the Gentles into the Church
Acts 15 - Peter lead the first Catholic council in Jerusalem
Acts 15:7-12 - Peter spoke saying: "My brothers, he said, .... But we believe that we are saved in the same way as they are: through the grace of the Lord Jesus." The entire assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had worked through them among the gentiles." (pronounces the first dogmatic decision)
Galatians 1:18 - after his conversion, Paul visits the chief Apostle
Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, Acts 1:13 - Peter's name always heads the list of Apostles
Luke 9:32, Luke 8:46, Mark 16:7 - Peter and his companions
Matthew 18:21, Mark 8:29, Luke 12:41, John 6:69 - Peter spoke for the Apostles

Peter is mentioned 191 times in the New Testament. All the other apostles names combined are mentioned only 130 times. And the most commonly referenced apostle apart from Peter is John, whose name appears 48 times.

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Apostolic Succession

2 Chronicles 19:11 - high priest is over you in everything of the Lord's
Malachi 2:7 - seek instruction from a priest, he is God's messenger
Acts 1:25-26 - Matthias takes Judas' apostolic ministry
Acts 1:20-22 - Let someone else take over his office. Out of the men who have been with us the whole time that the Lord Jesus was living with us, from the time when John was baptizing until the day when he was taken up from us, one must be appointed to serve with us as a witness to his resurrection.
Acts 14:23 - they appointed presbyters in each church
1 Corinthians 12:28-29 - God designated in the Church, apostles, prophets, teachers
Ephesians 2:20 - Church is built on the foundation of apostles and prophets
Ephesians 4:11 - God gave some as apostles, some as prophets ...
1 Timothy 3:1, 8; 1 Timothy 5:17 - qualifications for bishops, priests and deacons
1 Timothy 4:14 - gift conferred with the laying on of hands
1 Timothy 5:22 - do not lay hands too readily on anyone
2 Timothy 2:2 - what you heard from me, entrust to faithful teachers
Titus 1:5 - appoint presbyters in each town, as I directed

 Sources:
*1) Beginning Apologetics
      Catholic Apologetics Notebook (Peggy Cortez - private on-line library)
      AskaCatholic.com - Bible Verses

Beginning Prayers

Our Father

Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass 

against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen. 

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace.
Our Lord is with the.
Blessed are thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of 

thy womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen. 

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,

 is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end. Amen.
 

Fatima Prayer

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins,

save us from the fires of hell, 

and lead all souls to heaven, 

especially those in most need of

 Thy mercy.

The St. Michael Prayer

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness 

and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
cast into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Come Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, 
fill the hearts of your faithful.
And enkindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your spirit and they shall be created. 
And you will renew the face of the earth.
Lord by the light of your Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. 
In that same spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in His consolation. 
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen

  

St. Gertrude Prayer 

Eternal Father, 

I offer Thee the most precious blood of Thy Divine Son,

 Jesus, 

in union with the masses said throughout the world today 

for all the holy souls in purgatory,

 for sinners everywhere, 

for sinners in the universal church, 

those in my own home, and within my family. 

Amen. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."

 

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Rules

1.Thou shalt participate.

2.Thou shalt not throw food or play with food.

3.Thou shalt not interrupt.

4.Thou shalt demonstrate good manners.

5.Thou shalt stay on topic.

6.Thou shalt start with prayer.

7.Thou shalt be on time.

8.Thou shalt respect other people's property.

9.Thou shalt not gossip.

10.Thou shalt not get rowdy.

11.Thou shalt obey the Ten Commandments

Infraction of any law results in a 5 push-up penalty or point reduction.

FOR EXAMPLE: 

Thou shalt do 10 push-ups if caught going "off-topic."
(It must be "called" in an adequate amount of time and final decision is at the discretion of the group. The leader of the group is the deciding authority in cases of a tie)

Template for an Apologetics Speech - Meaning & Significance Question

For future reference . . . . .

INTRO -- SKIP THIS until you get to the last step
                 This is in place to "hook" the audience's interest
                 It will include your sentence opener, which could be:

• Scripture
• Story or
• Quote

INTRODUCE YOURSELF:

• Hello, my name us Pablo Cortez and I would like to discuss the meaning and significance of __________________   OR
• Hello, my name us Pablo Cortez and I have drawn the question, "What is the meaning and significance of __________________ ?" 

POINT 1) MEANING: define
      ________________ means / is defined as / is understood to mean / _________________________.
      Quote your source if applicable

POINT 2) SIGNIFICANCE:

• Why is this? 
• What is important about this? 
• What would happen if we did not believe this? (Christians / Catholics / people -- decide which and proceed accordingly)

Use Quotes, Scripture, etc.

3) APPLICATION:

• What should I do with this? (consider your audience or not -- decide and proceed accordingly)
• What should we do?
• Tie back to INTRO
• Because _____________________ we should ______________________.

4) RE-CAP:

We looked at the meaning of ____________________

We (have) looked at its significance (____________________)

And we (have) looked at what this means to (for) us as Believers /Christians / Catholics / a Nation / Brothers and Sisters in Christ / Children of God / a people /

END WITH a Scripture or Quote (or repeat a major one / a powerful one / a completely logical one, etc.)

Use Scripture (Gospels)

100 Questions NCFCA

NCFCA APOLOGETICS TOPICS 

Category 1: EXISTENCE AND NATURE OF GOD    
Definitions  
General Questions 
Statement Analysis
Category 2: SCRIPTURES
Definitions  
General Questions 
Statement Analysis
Category 3: THE NATURE PURPOSE AND DESTINY OF MAN
Definitions  
General Questions 
Statement Analysis
Category 4: SALVATION or HOW TO KNOW GOD
Definitions  
General Questions 
Statement Analysis
Category 5: THE PERSON OF CHRIST
Definitions  
General Questions 
Statement Analysis
  

Category 1: EXISTENCE AND NATURE OF GOD

Definitions

1. Explain the meaning and significance of the trinity.

2. Explain the meaning and significance of the omniscience of God.

3. Explain the meaning and significance of the omnipotence of God.

4. Explain the meaning and significance of the omnipresence of God

5. Explain the meaning and significance of the transcendence of God

6. Explain the meaning and significance of the immanence of God.

7. Explain the meaning and significance of the eternality of God.

8. Explain the meaning and significance of the immutability of God.

9. Explain the meaning and significance of the infinite nature of God.

10. Explain the meaning and significance of the holiness of God.

11. Explain the meaning and significance of the righteousness of God.

12. Explain the meaning and significance of the justice of God.

13. Explain the meaning and significance of the sovereignty of God.

14. Explain the meaning and significance of the mercy of God.

15. Explain the meaning and significance of the grace of God.

General Questions

1. In what ways has God revealed Himself to man?

2. If God is real, why can’t people see or touch Him?

3. If God is holy, why did He allow sin in the world?

4. How can God be both merciful and just?

5. How can God be one and yet three (unity versus trinity)?

6. Open theology states that God is constantly changing and growing with His creation.
Respond to this Biblically.

7. Open theology states that God is constantly growing and changing with His creation.
Respond to this logically and pragmatically.

8. Why is the unchanging nature of God critical to who He is?

Statement Analysis
Analyze and respond to the following statement:

1. “The existence of God and of a future life is everywhere recognized in Africa.”  ~~David Livingstone

2.  “The Old Testament God is a God of hate while the New Testament God is a God of love.”

3.  “Gods are fragile things. They may be killed by a whiff of science or a dose of common sense.” ~~Chapman Cohen

4. “If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him.”  ~~Voltaire

5.  “What we believe about God is the most important thing about us.”  ~~A.W. Tozer

6. “God is merely an impersonal force in the universe. He is untouchable and unapproachable.”

7.  “God set the universe in motion but He has no interest in it.”

8. “If God understands my humanity and sin nature better than I do, why does He still hold me accountable for what I cannot help doing?”


Category 2: SCRIPTURES

Definitions

1. Explain the meaning and significance of inerrancy.

2. Explain the meaning and significance of verbal, plenary inspiration of Scripture.

3. Explain the meaning and significance of divine inspiration.

4. Explain the meaning and significance of Biblical canon.

5. Explain the meaning and significance of higher criticism and lower criticism.

General Questions

1. Jesus clearly demonstrated His belief in the authority of Scriptures.
Defend this statement with evidence.

2. If the Bible was written by men, how could it also be written by God?

3. How did The Church decide what should be included in the canon of Scripture?

4. How can the Bible be trustworthy when it has been translated so many times?

5. What is the foundation for accurate Bible translation?

6. Provide evidence for the historical accuracy of the Bible.

Statement Analysis
Analyze and respond to the following statement:

1. "No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says; he is always convinced that it says what he means.”  ~~~George Barnard Shaw

2.  “The Bible is no different than any other holy book.”

3. “The Bible is simply the work of a great conspiracy, where people sought to create a religion of their own.”

4.  “The Old Testament is merely a set of myths made up by the Jewish people to establish a national identity and give themselves a feeling of superiority.”


Category 3: THE NATURE PURPOSE & DESTINY OF MAN

Definitions

1. Explain the meaning and significance of the image of God.

2. Explain the meaning and significance of the depravity of man.

3. Explain the meaning and significance of original sin.

4. Explain the meaning and significance of the sin nature.

5. Explain the meaning and significance of sanctification.

6. Explain the meaning and significance of repentance.

7. Explain the meaning and significance of regeneration.

General Questions

1. Do all men have a longing for God?

2. Do all men have a conscience?

3. If God is invisible, (1 Timothy 1:17) how can man be made in the image of God?

4. If man is inherently sinful, why do most men lead relatively good lives?

5. What is the purpose of man?

6. What is the destiny of man?

7. Why would a loving God create hell?
http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=716437 

8. What is the essential duty of man?

9. What is meant by the "fall of man"?

Statement Analysis
Evaluate and respond to the following statement:

1.  “All men were born with ten fingers and toes but no one was born with the knowledge of God.” ~~Voltaire

2.  “…whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.”  ~~Galatians 6:7

3.  “Heaven is only a state of mind.”

4.  “He’s only human.” (as a justification for sin and the need for leniency).

5.  “When man dies, he simply ceases to exist. There is no immortality or eternal life.”


Category 4: SALVATION or HOW TO KNOW GOD

Definitions

1. Explain the meaning and significance of justification.

2. Explain the meaning and significance of atonement.

3. Explain the meaning and significance of propitiation.

4. Explain the meaning and significance of redemption.

General Questions

1. How can a man know God?

2. Can a man become right with God by keeping the Ten Commandments?

3. Isn't it narrow minded to believe there is only one way to heaven?

4. Why does man need salvation?

Statement Analysis   
Analyze and respond to the following statement:

1.  “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere.”

2.  “There are many roads to God.”

3.  “Every charitable act is a stepping stone to heaven.”   ~~Henry Ward Beecher

4.  “I commune best with God when I am out in nature. I don’t need organized religion or a list of do’s and don’ts.”

5.  “I know that all of the good vibes he sent out will return to carry him off to a better place.”   ~~Comment made after to death of Bob Hope

6. “Christianity is the opiate of the masses.”  ~~Karl Marx

7. “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except though me.’”


Category 5: THE PERSON OF CHRIST

Definitions

1. What is the meaning and significance of the deity of Christ?

2. What is the meaning and significance of the virgin birth?

3. What is the meaning and significance of the Incarnation?

4. What is the meaning and significance of Jesus’ claim that He is “the Son of Man?”

5. What is the meaning and significance of Jesus’ claim that He is “the Son of God?”

6. What is the meaning and significance of Jesus as the Mediator?

7. What is the meaning and significance of Jesus as the Messiah?

8. What is the meaning and significance of Jesus as the Word if God?

9. What is the meaning and significance of Jesus as the Lamb of God?

General Questions

1. Why is the resurrection essential to the Christian faith?

2. If God is infinite, how could He limit Himself in the person of Christ?

3. How could Jesus be both God and man?

4. Why did Jesus have to die to provide salvation for men?

5. What evidence is there for the historical existence of Jesus?

6. What evidence is there for the resurrection of Jesus?

7. Did Jesus attain deity by His sacrificial death or was He God from the beginning?

Statement Analysis 
Analyze and respond to the following statement:

1.  “Jesus’ life and death are merely examples to us that we should all live sacrificial lives.”
 

2.  “Jesus was a good man and a good teacher but certainly not the Son of God.”

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