quotes

A Quote by Cyprian: The Church

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“He cannot have God as his Father who does not have the church for his Mother.”
-Cyprian

Church membership is a topic my church (Crosspoint Baptist Church) has been studying for the past few weeks. I think this quote applies well. Basically, Cyprian says, one who does not want to partake in the Church and become a member in the Church ought not to consider themselves Christians. To say “I am a Christian, yet I do not take part in the Christian Church” is an inherent contradiction. We see that in Acts 2:42 that those who were converted on the day of Pentecost ALL “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer”, which are specific functions held by the Church alone. Christianity is not just a religion, it is a family. One who doesn’t want to be in the family shouldn’t be part of the religion. Instead, they should seek membership, Baptism, and profession of faith at a local church.

Evening Prayer by Martin Luther

/ lucas kelly / Leave a comment

“In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.”

-Martin Luther

Martin Luther on Music

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“Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.”
-Martin Luther

 

Music is truly a gift of God. It can alter moods and talk to you. When I hear songs that I listened to regularly during a sad time of my life, they make me sad. When I hear songs that I listened to regularly during a happy time of my life, they make me happy. Such a wonderful quote by one of my favorite theologians, Martin Luther.

God is Unspeakable

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“God is unspeakable… And so God is not even to be called “unspeakable,” because to say even this is to speak of Him. Thus there arises a curious contradiction of words, because if the unspeakable is that cannot be spoken of, it is not unspeakable if it can be called unspeakable. And this opposition of word is rather to be avoided by silence than than to be explained away by speech. And yet God, although nothing worthy of his greatness can be said of Him, has condescended to accept the worship of men’s mouths, and has desired us through the medium of our own words to rejoice in his praise.” – St. Augustine, De Doctrina Christiana (On Christian Doctrine), i.vi

Faith Seeking Understanding

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“Lord, I am not trying to make my way to your height, for my understanding is no way equal to that, but I do desire to understand a little of your truth which my heart already believes and loves. I do not seek to understand so that I may believe, but I believe so that I may understand; and what is more, I believe that unless I do believe I shall not understand.”

-Anselm of Canterbury