In this sense it was not simply a conversion, a maturing of his "I," rather, it was death and resurrection for himself: a life of his died and a new one was born with the Risen Christ.
This is a great statement. I just wonder what the original text has for the word translated as "conversion" here -- since "conversion" might actually be considered the correct term for the death and rebirth. At least, this is how the Greek is translated into English at Matthew 18:3 and Acts 3:19.
I know, I love how he emphasizes how conversion, true conversion, isn't just a matter of us figuring things out. In fact, it's the other way around. We can't even begin to figure things out until we've experienced conversion, through the death of the old self and the birth of the new one. then, and only then, can we receive the light of Truth and begin to "figure things out."
Do you mean the original biblical text or the original text of the pope's speech? I can definitely find the former, and I can almost certainly find the latter...
A lot of solid statements in there. I like this pope. :)
One of the things that impresses me about the conversion of Paul is how the Lord's word to him during the experience shaped his future ministry concerning the mystery of Christ and the church (Eph. 5:32).
Only in Paul's letters is the church described as the "Body of Christ." And he does not merely say that Christ is the Head of the body and we the members; he goes so far as to state that Christ is the whole Body including all of the members (1 Cor. 12:12). Where did he get such a realization?
It must have first dawned on him upon hearing the Lord's first words: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (Acts 9:4-5). Saul had thought he was persecuting Jesus-followers like Stephen on earth; he had no idea that there was One seated in the heavens named Jesus who would tell him that to persecute these ones was to persecute Him personally. Just as my physical body is me, and if you attacked any member of my body I would ask "why are you trying to hurt me?", so is Christ all the
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It goes to show how to truly see the Risen Christ or "the Christ, the Son of the living God" as He desires to be seen is to be infused with His desire for the church as His kingdom, Body, dwelling place and bride. :)
When Saul turned Paul "saw" the Lord for the first time, He was impressed that there is a corporate "Me" in this universe, a Body that is composed of Jesus in the heavens with all the believers.
When Simon Barjona turned Peter "saw" from the Father that the Lord is "the Christ, the Son of the living God," the Lord told him, "And I also say to you that you are Peter [Stone], and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (cf. Matt. 16:13-20).
This became the basis on which Peter declared that the Lord is the living stone, the precious corner stone (and the stone of stumbling, and rock of offense to those who disbelieve), and that the believers are also "living stones" being joined, built together and fitly framed into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood (1 Pet. 2:4-8
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This is a great statement. I just wonder what the original text has for the word translated as "conversion" here -- since "conversion" might actually be considered the correct term for the death and rebirth. At least, this is how the Greek is translated into English at Matthew 18:3 and Acts 3:19.
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Do you mean the original biblical text or the original text of the pope's speech? I can definitely find the former, and I can almost certainly find the latter...
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One of the things that impresses me about the conversion of Paul is how the Lord's word to him during the experience shaped his future ministry concerning the mystery of Christ and the church (Eph. 5:32).
Only in Paul's letters is the church described as the "Body of Christ." And he does not merely say that Christ is the Head of the body and we the members; he goes so far as to state that Christ is the whole Body including all of the members (1 Cor. 12:12). Where did he get such a realization?
It must have first dawned on him upon hearing the Lord's first words: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (Acts 9:4-5). Saul had thought he was persecuting Jesus-followers like Stephen on earth; he had no idea that there was One seated in the heavens named Jesus who would tell him that to persecute these ones was to persecute Him personally. Just as my physical body is me, and if you attacked any member of my body I would ask "why are you trying to hurt me?", so is Christ all the ( ... )
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When Saul turned Paul "saw" the Lord for the first time, He was impressed that there is a corporate "Me" in this universe, a Body that is composed of Jesus in the heavens with all the believers.
When Simon Barjona turned Peter "saw" from the Father that the Lord is "the Christ, the Son of the living God," the Lord told him, "And I also say to you that you are Peter [Stone], and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (cf. Matt. 16:13-20).
This became the basis on which Peter declared that the Lord is the living stone, the precious corner stone (and the stone of stumbling, and rock of offense to those who disbelieve), and that the believers are also "living stones" being joined, built together and fitly framed into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood (1 Pet. 2:4-8 ( ... )
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