Biff the unclean

Well the first ecumenical council was the Council of Nicea in 325 and they came up with a rule against the self-castration of clergy. That they needed such a rule might tell you something about the early Christians who came before them.

Chili

All 20 centuries. The early Christians were those who walked away when Jesus first broke bread in Jn.6:66 and have been denying the body of Christ ever since. "From that time on many of his disciples broke away and would not remain in his company any longer."

jakejonesiv

Maybe he's talking about the cult of Kyrios Christos. Antiochus IV had introduced the worship of pagan gods into Judaism. 2 Macc, 6:7.
There are certain similarities, and arguably direct influence, of the mystery cults on Christian origins. In the pagan initition rites as well as the Christian initiation rites (e.g. baptism), the initiate was assured of the power of the God whose mysteries he entered. Christians merely shared in the power of the Kyrios Christos Iesous.

Jake Jones IV

Faithful

They walked away because they couldn't face up to The Truth. Jesus' ministry certainly didn't have a cultish spirit. A cult becomes very isolated. Jesus reached to anyone and everyone who would listen.

A cult takes over your mind with such control that it is almost impossible to break away from its grip. Notice in John 6:67 Jesus gives them freedom of choice whether to go or whether to stay.

John 6:66,67 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you going to leave, too?"

Chili

Very good and those that broke away became the Christians while those who stayed became known as Catholics still celebrating the transubstantiation of bread and wine today. Christians call it 'consubstantiation' for that reason.

The evidence of mind control is very obvious if you read some of the deconversion stories on the BB.

Chris Weimer

Jake,

Where is Dionysius known as Christos?

Chris

nolongerlost

>A cult takes over your mind with such control that it is almost impossible to break away from its grip. Notice in John 6:67 Jesus gives them freedom of choice whether to go or whether to stay.<

Wow, if that doesn't define Christianity as a cult, I don't know what does. I think Christianity controls the mind stronger than a traditional cult, as belief is mainstream and there isn't overt control, although there is in fundie circles (if you start talking about leaving). It is only once you've broken from it's grip (Christianity) you can understand how strong the pull is.

Chili

They are very insecure and never relaxed in their faith. They have been touched, they say, but wounded is more like it if daily bibles passages must serve as an ointment to sooth their pain.

Faithful

I like to call it submission to God's wisdom. It certainly has kept me out of trouble lots of times.

John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

That's it in a nutshell folks. I am free from the bondage of legalism :rolling:

jakejonesiv

I give up. Where? Why would Dionysus be known as "The Greasy?"

Now, if you to asked about Chrestos (the Good or benificiant), we might find something.


According to Contra Celsus, Book IV, CHAP. XVII, the Greeks had a story that

"...Dionysus was deceived by the Titans, and expelled from the throne of Jupiter, and torn in pieces by them, and his remains being afterwards put together again, he returned as it were once more to life, and ascended to heaven"

It is written in On Christ and Antichrist, 49 (Hippolytus)

..Antiochus Epiphanes the king of Syria, the descendant of Alexander of Macedon, devise measures against the Jews. He, too, in the exaltation of his heart, issued a decree in those times, that "all should set up shrines before their doors, and sacrifice, and that they should march in procession to the honour of Dionysus, waving chaplets of ivy;" and that those who refused obedience should be put to death by strangulation and torture. But he also met his due recompense at the hand of the Lord, the righteous Judge and all-searching God; for he died eaten up of worms. And if one desires to inquire into that more accurately, he will find it recorded in the books of the Maccabees.

Jake Jones IV