i need to know..

[FASIL]

hello am Fasil from Ethiopia ,
am orthodox ,in our church we learnet that st.Mary is the mother of God and every christian
agree ,but its hard for other christians to accept her as a messanger to get mercy from Jesus,
since she is her mothem he accept her and allow her to do whatever she wants ,cause he choosed
from all women to be his mother.and i need more and more to know about this issue.
thank you and God bless you

[Greg, TheNET Coordinator]

Fasil,

Thanks for your question. It is important to remember that the Bible is our final authority for all we believe. No where in the Bible does it give Mary the title "Mother of God". And we are warned in the Bible, "Do not go beyond what is written" (I Corinthians 4:6). This is a man-made title displeasing to God.

What you are explaining about Mary is the teaching of certain churches but not the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. Please read the following explaination (from http://www.gotquestions.org/virgin-Mary.html) for insight into what the Holy Bible teaches. (The article references the teachings are the Roman Catholic church, but other churches believe this even though there is no reason in the Bible to believe as you say).

Question: "What does the Bible say about the virgin Mary?"

Answer: Mary the mother of Jesus was described by God as “highly favored” (Luke 1:28). The phrase “highly favored” comes from a single Greek word, which essentially means “much grace.” Mary received God’s grace.

Grace is “unmerited favor,” meaning that something we receive despite the fact that we do not deserve it. Mary needed grace from God just as the rest of us do. Mary herself understood this fact, as she declared in Luke 1:47, “. . . and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. . .”

Mary recognized that she needed the Savior. The Bible never says that Mary was anyone but an ordinary human whom God chose to use in an extraordinary way. Yes, Mary was a righteous woman and favored (graced) by God (Luke 1:27-28). At the same time, Mary was a sinful human being who needed Jesus Christ as her Savior, just like everyone else (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 John 1:8).

Mary did not have an “immaculate conception.” The Bible doesn’t suggest Mary’s birth was anything but a normal human birth. Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus (Luke 1:34-38), but the idea of the perpetual virginity of Mary is unbiblical. Matthew 1:25, speaking of Joseph, declares, “But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.”

The word “until” clearly indicates that Joseph and Mary did have sexual union after Jesus was born. Joseph and Mary had several children together after Jesus was born. Jesus had four half-brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (Matthew 13:55). Jesus also had half-sisters, although they are not named or numbered (Matthew 13:55-56). God blessed and graced Mary by giving her several children, which in that culture was the clearest indication of God’s blessing on a woman.

One time when Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd proclaimed, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed” (Luke 11:27). There was never a better opportunity for Jesus to declare that Mary was indeed worthy of praise and adoration. What was Jesus’ response? “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it” (Luke 11:28). To Jesus, obedience to God’s Word was more important than being the woman who gave birth to the Savior.

Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus, or anyone else, direct any praise, glory, or adoration towards Mary. Elizabeth, Mary’s relative, praised Mary in Luke 1:42-44, but her praise is based on the blessing of giving birth to the Messiah. It was not based on any inherent glory in Mary.

Mary was present at the cross when Jesus died (John 19:25). Mary was also with the apostles on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14). However, Mary is never mentioned again after Acts chapter 1. The apostles did not give Mary a prominent role. Mary’s death is not recorded in the Bible. Nothing is said about Mary ascending to heaven or having an exalted role there. As the earthly mother of Jesus, Mary should be respected, but she is not worthy of our worship or adoration.

The Bible nowhere indicates that Mary can hear our prayers or that she can mediate for us with God. Jesus is our only advocate and mediator in heaven (1 Timothy 2:5). If offered worship, adoration, or prayers, Mary would say the same as the angels: “Worship God!” (See Revelation 19:10; 22:9.) Mary herself sets the example for us, directing her worship, adoration, and praise to God alone: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is His name” (Luke 1:46-49).

Recommended Resource: The Gospel According to Rome: Comparing Catholic Tradition and The Word of God by James McCarthy.

[GraHam Spooner]

There are many ways to many gods but my God has a Son His name is Jesus and in John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me"
So I have no idea who or where a person goes to if they go through anyone else other than Jesus. they could end up like the seven sons of Sceva!
If we follow the command from our Father as in Mathew 17:5 mark 9:7 and in Luke 9:35 when Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John up Mt Transfiguration where Moses and Elijah appeared and the Father spoke from a cloud and said "This is My Son whom I love with Him I am well pleased - listen to Him"
Too often we listen to everyone else except Jesus, what then can we expect if we do not obey our Father?
A suggested way to really listen to Jesus is to highlight every word that comes out of the mouth of Jesus whilst reading the word, start in the gospels and go over and over then do the rest of the New Testament then start highlighting all the words of God from Genesis,to Revelations, peak to Him while you are doing this, the more you do this beautiful exercise the more you will know God and what He said.
John 8:31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed on Him, If you continue in My Word, you are My disciples indeed.
John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Become a disciple!!!
Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water to repentance. But He who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire;
Ask Jesus to baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire, He will lead you to all truth and remind you of every word that Jesus spoke.
I wrote a small note on this on my blog if you would like to read it.
Love in Jesus name GraHam Spooner

[Jared Wells]

No man cometh to the Father but by the Son

[Charles Burwell]

Dear Fasil

I have often wondered why people who believe in Mary's 'authority', for lack of a better word, don't want to go directly to Jesus as He has instructed in the gospel of John and the other places such as I timothy 2:5 , as Greg previously mentioned?
Do they believe that Mary would be more merciful or loving towards them than the one who gave His life for us?
Do they believe that Jesus will alter His will to conform to Mary's wishes?

I believe that in Hebrews 4:16 Jesus invites us all to "come boldly to the throne of grace that we may find mercy and grace to help in the time of need." When we are invited to come directly to the throne of grace where Jesus Himself is sitting why would we want to have another take our petitions for us?

Jesus cannot be persuaded to love or care for us anymore deeply than He does , irregardless of who they may be. Mary cannot add a single thing to the love and compassion Christ has for us and so I , personally, don't understand why someone would want to pray to her.

Please don't get me wrong , Mary was the most honored woman to walk this earth due to the blessing of being chosen to bear the Saviour of the world , but even that gives her no more influence with Jesus than any other Christian because we have all been invited directly to the ' throne of grace'.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will help you understand that Jesus can , and should be , approached directly as the Lord Himself instructed us to do. God bless you in your search for a deeper walk with Him and may the Holy Spirit lead us all into His truth.

In His service