The Bible Study Evangelista

Category: A Biblical Walk Through the Sacraments , Sacraments Tag:  Bible reading , holy orders , Old Testament , priesthood , sacraments Institutional priesthood was God’s idea! In the Old Testament, God commanded that “the priest’s office shall be theirs by perpetual statue” (Ex 29:9). “Perpetual” does not mean “until Jesus comes,” but forever. Obviously, God desires there be an institutional priesthood, now, in His New Testament church. Jesus, our true and eternal High Priest, ordained the twelve apostles as bishops. With apostolic authority, they, in turn, ordained others as deacons, priests, and bishops, maintaining the Old Testament hierarchical structure and establishing the apostolic authority that continues today in Catholic and Orthodox Churches. For this reason, the “office” of apostolic priesthood was filled by Matthias when vacated by Judas (Acts 1:20). This was done before the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit fell on all the apo...

Category: A Biblical Walk Through the Sacraments , Sacraments Tag:  Bible reading , confirmation , sacraments “…[T]he apostles, in fulfillment of Christ’s will, imparted to the newly baptized by the laying on of hands the gift of the Spirit that completes the grace of Baptism. For this reason in the Letter to the Hebrews the doctrine concerning Baptism and the laying on of hands is listed among the first elements of Christian instruction. The imposition of hands is rightly recognized by the Catholic tradition as the origin of the sacrament of Confirmation, which in a certain way perpetuates the grace of Pentecost in the Church. “Very early, the better to signify the gift of the Holy Spirit, an anointing with perfumed oil (chrism) was added to the laying on of hands. This anointing highlights the name ‘Christian,’ which means ‘anointed’ and derives from that of Christ himself whom God ‘anointed with the Holy Spirit.’ This rite of anointing has continued ever since, i...

Category: A Biblical Walk Through the Sacraments , Sacraments Tag:  Bible reading , confession , sacraments Where is confession to a priest in the Bible? Everywhere! Throughout the Old Testament and into the New, God demonstrated His desire that we come to him when we fall into sin. Jesus gave the apostles power and authority over unclean spirits, to forgive sins, to heal, and to raise people from the dead, all of which testify to the power and authority in them through Christ. They, in turn, passed that power and authority to those whom they ordained. This power does not come from them, but from God. Confession restores the soul.

Category: A Biblical Walk Through the Sacraments , Sacraments Tag:  baptism , Bible reading , sacraments Part of the beauty of the sacraments is that God cares for and provides for us through them from birth to the last breath. Throughout the series, we are discussing the sacraments in that order: Baptism for new birth, Eucharistic nourishment, Reconciliation as medicine, Confirmation to sustain one’s holy witness, Marriage and Holy Orders for life-giving vocation, and Anointing for healing and the final journey home. There are seven sacraments, for complete preservation and salvation throughout human life. Glorious!