Religion - BBN Community https://www.bbncommunity.com/topics/religion/ Tue, 15 Aug 2023 02:28:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2 https://www.bbncommunity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/cropped-bbn-fb-logo-32x32.jpg Religion - BBN Community https://www.bbncommunity.com/topics/religion/ 32 32 Minister Richmond and the Voodoo Priest: A Spiritual Odyssey https://www.bbncommunity.com/minister-richmond-and-the-voodoo-priest-a-spiritual-odyssey/ Tue, 15 Aug 2023 02:28:41 +0000 https://www.bbncommunity.com/?p=37189 Minister Richmond, an eminent figure hailing from a distinguished lineage, tracing his ancestral roots to the illustrious Richmond Family Shakers, is pioneering the inception of modern Spiritualism and the esteemed Spiritual Baptist traditions of the Caribbean. In the intricate tapestry of his heritage, he has inherited a profound spiritual legacy. His remarkable journey led him […]

The post <strong>Minister Richmond and the Voodoo Priest: A Spiritual Odyssey</strong> appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
Minister Richmond, an eminent figure hailing from a distinguished lineage, tracing his ancestral roots to the illustrious Richmond Family Shakers, is pioneering the inception of modern Spiritualism and the esteemed Spiritual Baptist traditions of the Caribbean. In the intricate tapestry of his heritage, he has inherited a profound spiritual legacy. His remarkable journey led him to establish the enigmatic Voodoo Priest Botanica in 2005, a spiritual haven devoted to empowering troubled souls dwelling within the expansive Caribbean Diaspora. With an eclectic fusion of mystical beliefs and cultural practices, Voodoo Priest Botanica emerges as a profound bastion of faith, bridging ancestral traditions and contemporary spiritual aspirations, all while evoking an evanescent sense of communion with the sacred and the divine. Its significance resonates profoundly within the Caribbean Diaspora, beckoning seekers to the enchanted crossroads where spirituality and culture intertwine, and where the alchemy of human experience is exalted to the realm of the transcendent.

The Spiritual Baptist Prophet

In spiritual ascendancy, Minister Richmond appears as an eminent beacon, assuming the mantle of a revered Spiritual Baptist prophet while bearing an immutable bond to the Richmond Family Shakers. With wisdom flowing like an ancient river, he stands at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, invoking the sacred legacies of his ancestors to guide his devotees toward enlightenment. Embodying the essence of his revered forebears, he embarks on a resolute mission to rekindle the waning embers of the New York Spiritualism movement, breathing new life into its timeworn teachings and practices.

Firmly rooted in the sanctity of his beliefs, Minister Richmond channels the metaphysical realms with unwavering conviction, seeking to unveil the elusive truths that lie concealed within existence. Through his prophetic endeavors, he seeks to illuminate the path of seekers, harmonizing the past with the present and offering glimpses of divine revelation that resonate with the souls of those who seek to ascend the celestial ladder of spiritual awakening.

The Voodoo Priest Botanica

Enthroned amidst spirituality, the Voodoo Priest Botanica emerged into being in the auspicious year of 2005, an ethereal sanctum envisioned by the sagacious Minister Richmond. This mystical haven, with its roots firmly entrenched in the mosaic of Caribbean Diaspora, serves as a sacred conduit between the corporeal and the ethereal, forging an indomitable link with the ancestral spirits that traverse the corridors of time. At its heart, this enigmatic establishment unfurls its iridescent petals to embrace those adrift in the turbulent sea of life, offering solace to troubled souls seeking to reclaim their spiritual moorings.

Guided by the tenets of voodoo, imbued with the wisdom of Haitian and Jamaican Obeah traditions, and enriched by the ethereal resonance of ancient African amulets, the Botanica endeavors to empower individuals fraught with tribulation, imparting a sense of transcendence that unshackles the spirit from the fetters of despair. Under the ardent tutelage of Minister Richmond, this mystical bastion endeavors to harmonize cultural legacies and metaphysical dimensions, manifesting its ethereal radiance as a beacon of hope amid the nebulous shadows of life’s journey within the vast diasporic expanse.

Communicating with the Deceased

Imbued with a profound conviction that exceeds the boundaries of mortal existence, Minister Richmond gazes unyieldingly into the veiled spirits, wielding voodoo as an arcane conduit to bridge the chasm between the corporeal and the ethereal. In his beliefs, he holds steadfast to the esoteric notion of communicating with the deceased spirit of Mother Ann Lee, an illustrious spiritual enlightenment from the annals of history. Rooted in the spiritual legacy of the Richmond Family Shakers, this profound connection to Mother Ann Lee’s spirit holds profound significance in the context of Christ’s Second Appearing.

For Minister Richmond, this communion with the revered visionary encapsulates the transcendental promise of divine revelation, heralding the possibility of a spiritual awakening that beckons the world toward the advent of Christ’s Second Appearing. As the conduit between the living and the departed, he aspires to weave the sacred threads of the past and the future, envisioning a world suffused with the light of divine truth, where the ethereal embraces the terrestrial in a symphony of celestial harmony.

Shaker Revival Music

Within the ethereal worlds of Shaker Revival music, Minister Richmond orchestrates an enchanting symphony that spears through the boundaries of time and space. Enveloped in the mellifluous harmonies, listeners are drawn into a celestial dance, where the resonant chords resonate as celestial incantations. In these sacred compositions, the divine essence intertwines with the terrestrial, infusing the melodies with an otherworldly luminescence. As the music permeates the very core of being, it kindles the dormant embers of spirituality, awakening a slumbering consciousness and ushering forth the light of Christ’s Second Appearing. With every celestial note, Minister Richmond instills hope and fortitude, illuminating the path toward spiritual awakening and divine revelation. This enchanting symphony serves as an ethereal conduit, channeling the transcendental grace of Christ, and offering seekers a glimpse of the celestial glory that awaits in the realm beyond.

The post <strong>Minister Richmond and the Voodoo Priest: A Spiritual Odyssey</strong> appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
Pastor Anwar Fazal  – Leading Eternal Life Church and running a 24-hour Prayer House in Pakistan https://www.bbncommunity.com/pastor-anwar-fazal-leading-eternal-life-church-and-running-a-24-hour-prayer-house-in-pakistan/ Thu, 06 Apr 2023 17:26:15 +0000 https://www.bbncommunity.com/?p=36989 It might come as a surprise for many that Pakistan is home to over 3.7 million, of which three-quarters live in the state of Punjab. Christianity in Pakistan dates back centuries and has made countless contributions to the country’s military, education, healthcare, and even entertainment sector. Christians in Pakistan celebrate and continue serving their country, […]

The post Pastor Anwar Fazal  – Leading Eternal Life Church and running a 24-hour Prayer House in Pakistan appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
It might come as a surprise for many that Pakistan is home to over 3.7 million, of which three-quarters live in the state of Punjab. Christianity in Pakistan dates back centuries and has made countless contributions to the country’s military, education, healthcare, and even entertainment sector. Christians in Pakistan celebrate and continue serving their country, extending their community spaces to anyone curious to learn and wish to be part of the festivities. Working as a pastor for a 24-hour prayer house in Pakistan, Pastor Anwar Fazal has been able to share the word of God. He has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives across Pakistan. Accompanied by his wife, Nida Anwar, Fazal has held the largest prayer festivals and congregations in the history of the country. 

Through everything he has done and does, he hopes to accomplish the will of God, and he is on a mission to bring revival to the country. With his prayer festivals, Fazal has impacted the lives of millions of people. He dominates the stage and is widely renowned for his spiritual healing gifts. Fazal attempts to connect Pakistani culture and local spiritualities with more enormous global religious ideas. Fazal has become one of Pakistan’s most prominent televangelist preachers, hailing from Jahanian city in the Punjab Province. Fazal has also worked with Upper Room Ministries’ notable pastor and missionary, Christopher Hicks.

The majority of the country’s Christians reside in shantytowns hidden behind whitewashed walls, where they live in shacks constructed directly on top of open sewers. Many residents of the country’s Christian slums work in sanitation, cleaning sewers, and collecting trash. It was during the late 90s when Fazal embarked on his journey as a minister from a shack in Lahore’s Bahar Slum. Prior to devoting his life to spreading the word of God, Fazal did various jobs. 

God speaks to everyone, and He does it in the language of love through dreams, visions, and voices. God speaks through the Church, his people’s love, and the voices of his priests and pastors. Many Christians focus on how God talks to them through preaching his word to people whom he has called and gifted to do so. God expects believers to share the good news of the Gospel with everyone they come into touch with.

God spoke to Fazal to establish Eternal Life Ministry in 2001. In Pakistan, he established the Eternal Life Ministries (ELM). The Ministry was founded on the God-given verse John 3:16, which states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” He set off on this expedition with only four members of his family. Every Sunday, about 16,000 people attend his Church. Millions of individuals have also been saved and delivered after being healed of various diseases.

Pastor Fazal has traveled the world, preaching the word of God in crusades, national and international conferences, churches, radio and television, and other venues. Multiple secular news outlets and television stations have covered Pastor Fazal’s crusades, pulled in by the miracles that followed his Ministry. He is well-known for the powerful anointing that God has given him.

People from all over the world send prayer requests to the Church’s 24-Hour Hallelujah Healing Prayer Center in Lahore, Pakistan. Every Wednesday, Pastor Anwar Fazal hosts a massive Healing Crusade in Lahore, which gathers thousands of people, making it Pakistan’s largest Healing Gathering. Five years later, in 2006, Lord spoke to Fazal again to launch a Christian television channel. Out of his love and fear for God, Fazal made the courageous decision to launch Isaac Television, which became the first Christian Satellite television channel in the history of the country with a tagline as Hope for the Nation, giving hope to Christians and Non-Christians alike. 

Isaac television transmits to about 70 countries in Asia, the Middle East, and many disadvantaged regions. In 2010, the channel went under a transformation to internet broadcasting, expanding its reach beyond the Middle East and South Asia. The station, supported by local and foreign contributions, is headquartered in Lahore and has several satellite offices in Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, and other cities. Isaac TV has a wide range of content targeted toward Fazal’s personality and God’s message.

The post Pastor Anwar Fazal  – Leading Eternal Life Church and running a 24-hour Prayer House in Pakistan appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
How the Teachings of David Taylor, Pastor, Bring Positive Impact to Communities https://www.bbncommunity.com/how-the-teachings-of-david-taylor-pastor-bring-positive-impact-to-communities/ Fri, 24 Mar 2023 08:06:57 +0000 https://www.bbncommunity.com/?p=36974 Loving thy neighbor is intrinsic to the teachings of Jesus Christ. It’s why, as a devout Christian, David E. Taylor, pastor and spiritual leader of Joshua Media Ministries International (JMMI), staunchly believes faith communities are inextricably intertwined with the larger communities of which they are a part. It’s also the reason Pastor Taylor has made […]

The post How the Teachings of David Taylor, Pastor, Bring Positive Impact to Communities appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
Loving thy neighbor is intrinsic to the teachings of Jesus Christ. It’s why, as a devout Christian, David E. Taylor, pastor and spiritual leader of Joshua Media Ministries International (JMMI), staunchly believes faith communities are inextricably intertwined with the larger communities of which they are a part. It’s also the reason Pastor Taylor has made community outreach a cornerstone of his evangelical agenda.

Pursuant to the tenets set forth in Acts 20:35, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive,’” Pastor Taylor explains that the true measure of someone’s faith is how well they understand the concept that when they’re serving those in need, they’re serving the Lord. 

The Historical Role of Community Service and the Church

Churches taking an active role in community service is a long-standing tradition that harks back to the earliest days of Christianity. There are countless historic examples detailing the ways in which local churches and their parishioners helped stricken brethren suffering through times of adversity by supplying them with food, shelter, clothing, and spiritual support.

“The apostolic church considered ‘remembering the poor’ to be among its most basic moral imperatives … Christians continued to take care of human needs over the succeeding centuries,” wrote theological historian Dr. Glenn Sunshine in his June 2012 article “The Church and the Poor: Historical Perspectives.”

The Modern Church/Community Service Connection

No one knows better than David Taylor, pastor, that serving the needs of marginalized and at-risk populations continues to be a challenge in modern times. While there are government programs in the U.S. that address some of these concerns, many such initiatives are limited in scope and too often lack adequate funding to provide even the basic necessities for the people who need them most. 

When secular resources are exhausted, churches are often the first to step in to fill the gap. Pastor Taylor explains that church-sponsored community outreach can take many forms. However, whether it’s a food drive, a community cleanup day, providing medical screenings, senior facility visits, or a music/arts/educational program, when performed in the name of the Lord, every opportunity to serve others enriches the lives of both those who give and those who receive.

Pastor Taylor routinely reminds his flock that uplifting the underserved is just one facet of God’s larger plan to help those in need. Anyone — rich, poor, or in between — can lose everything in the blink of an eye, so it follows that when natural disaster strikes, Christian volunteers often form the front lines of community relief efforts. (JMMI’s Convoy of Miracles was on the scene offering vital aid for the victims of Hurricane Ian and survivors of the deadly tornadoes that devastated Kentucky in 2021.)

Pastor David E. Taylor Takes Up the Community Challenge

In his capacity as a preacher, Pastor David E. Taylor leads prayer services for a worldwide flock. During his sermons, Taylor’s face-to-face, one-on-one connection with Jesus works as a powerful conduit connecting the Holy Spirit to the corporeal world. Through his visionary exchanges, David Taylor, pastor and spiritual leader, has come to know that more than a duty, serving those in need is a true expression of God’s love on Earth. 

As the head of JMMI, Pastor Taylor views strong leadership as the key to ensuring the members of his congregation have the most profound impact in their own communities. To that end, Taylor routinely encourages his followers to participate in neighborhood initiatives as a demonstration of faith and their commitment to living a life in Christ.

According to David Taylor, pastor, humanitarian, and visionary, investing in the welfare of one’s community as directed by Christ and His apostles is a sacred privilege. However, while the Word of God is unequivocal, David E. Taylor knows that for humans, sometimes actions speak louder than words. Good works and good deeds, he posits, are a language everyone understands. 

For as it says in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone, it is the same God at work.”

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.”

The post How the Teachings of David Taylor, Pastor, Bring Positive Impact to Communities appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
Gifts of Grace – The Author’s Journey of Faith https://www.bbncommunity.com/gifts-of-grace-the-authors-journey-of-faith/ Tue, 17 Jan 2023 14:50:18 +0000 https://www.bbncommunity.com/?p=36591 Magnificent, Majestic, Angelic, and Graceful, all these attributes belong to God. God is always there for His people in times of adversity and boon. Every soul is dearest to God, whether a sinner or a saint. While living in this mortal world, humans have been through many tragic incidents and extraordinary events which turn their […]

The post Gifts of Grace – The Author’s Journey of Faith appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
Magnificent, Majestic, Angelic, and Graceful, all these attributes belong to God. God is always there for His people in times of adversity and boon. Every soul is dearest to God, whether a sinner or a saint. While living in this mortal world, humans have been through many tragic incidents and extraordinary events which turn their attention towards God. They start remembering all the little events which they ignored when they were falling off a cliff, and God holds them with honor. God never leaves His creatures helpless; amid the chaos, there’s always a helping hand from God, which bridges the solution with the problems. God never judges people based on their appearances, routines, status, caste, color, or creed. His support is unconditional, and His love is steadfast. His Graciousness never depends upon the severity or uncertainty of the complications; He does miracles in every situation. 

His Grace leads one from the darkest moments of their life to the ignite ones. God secretly guides His people through thick and thin and makes them believe in the beauty of life once again. Every scene from Nature represents the Graciousness of God and praises His act of Graciousness. God’s miracles can do wonders and take people out of all the hardships that seem impossible to resolve. There are thousands of people who almost lost their hopes to live, but with the Grace of God, they found another opportunity to rebuild their lives. One prominent example comes from a book named Gifts of Grace, in which the author, Lizabeth Cuenya, has expressed her personal experience of how “Gifts of Grace” helped her bounce back from turmoil.

Gifts of Grace is a powerful and moving book written by author Lizabeth Cuenya that shares her personal experiences of the grace of God in her life. Throughout the book, the author shares her struggles and challenges and how she found strength, hope, and healing through the grace of God.

The book opens with the author’s difficult times and life-threatening diseases. Despite this, Cuenya always had a deep faith in God, but it wasn’t until a series of personal hardships that she truly began to understand the profound and transformative power of grace in her life.

Through the author’s honest storytelling, the reader is taken on a journey of self-discovery and healing as Cuenya shares her struggles and how she found peace and healing through the grace of God. She emphasizes the importance of living in grace and how it can bring about positive change in one’s life, helping one overcome fears and doubts and find hope, joy, and healing.

Cuenya’s writing is personal, relatable, and easy to connect with, allowing the reader to relate to the author’s experiences and to be inspired by her journey of faith. The book serves as a powerful reminder that no matter what one’s circumstances are, the grace of God is always available and that through faith and trust in God, one can find strength and healing.

The post Gifts of Grace – The Author’s Journey of Faith appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
Understanding Southern Baptist Beliefs And Teachings https://www.bbncommunity.com/understanding-southern-baptist-beliefs-and-teachings/ Wed, 01 Jun 2022 04:20:56 +0000 https://www.bbncommunity.com/?p=35375 Southern Baptists came to life in 1608 in England as a result of the John Smyth and the Separatist Movement. The movement focused on adult baptism. Southern Baptists are now some of the largest Baptist and protestant denominations across the United States, with over 15 million members. What Makes Southern Baptists Different From other Traditional […]

The post Understanding Southern Baptist Beliefs And Teachings appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
Understanding Southern Baptist Beliefs And Teachings

Southern Baptists came to life in 1608 in England as a result of the John Smyth and the Separatist Movement. The movement focused on adult baptism. Southern Baptists are now some of the largest Baptist and protestant denominations across the United States, with over 15 million members.

What Makes Southern Baptists Different From other Traditional Protestant Denominations?

If you want to pursue Southern Baptist theology, you’ll realize that the denomination embraces Christian fundamentalist teachings of God and the Bible. It imparts the followers with beliefs that differentiate them from other denominations. These include:

Equality

Southern Baptists view all people as equal in God’s eyes. However, a man or husband has authority in the household and should protect the family. They also believe in male-only leadership. While women can play active roles in the Southern Baptist churches, they cannot serve as ministers. Instead, they can serve on boards and mission teams.

Evangelical

Southern Baptists adhere to the belief that although humanity is fallen, Christ paid the penalty for sin on the cross. With the penalty fully paid, God offers forgiveness and new life as a gift. They believe that every individual who receives Christ as Lord gets the gift of a new life. That’s why evangelism and missions are a vital aspect of the Southern Baptists’ lives.

Baptism by Immersion

Southern Baptists only use immersion as their mode of baptism. It was the method used by early Christian in the New Testament, so they believe it was an ordinance symbolizing Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. It’s also a believer’s commitment to follow Jesus. Other traditional denominations sprinkle or pour water as a form of baptism.

Heaven and Hell

Southern Baptists believe in heaven and hell. They believe that saved individuals will live eternally in the presence of God in heaven, while those who die in sin will go to hell. With such teachings, they call on people to repent their sins and live according to the Lord’s teaching.

Believer’s Baptism

Other Protestant denominations practice infant baptism, which is not the case with Southern Baptists. They practice believer’s baptism, whereby an individual must be able to learn the Lord’s teachings and accept Him as their savior. They are then baptized by immersion to wash away their sins.

Biblical Literalism

Liberal Protestant denominations consider some Biblical stories symbolic. However, Southern Baptists believe that the Bible is the word of God and has no errors. They embrace the literal interpretation of all biblical stories and consider it the sole rule of faith. For instance, they are firm believers in the Second Coming of Christ. God will judge and divide the saved and lost while rewarding them for their acts while living on earth.

Perseverance of the Saints

Southern Baptist theology teaches that true believers cannot lose their salvation. They may stumble, but they cannot quit the faith. 

The Bottom Line

 Southern Baptists influence how most Christians view and interpret the Bible’s teachings. It focuses on the return of the New Testament through purity and accountability.

The post Understanding Southern Baptist Beliefs And Teachings appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
Why Did Jesus Choose 12 Disciples https://www.bbncommunity.com/why-did-jesus-choose-12-disciples/ Tue, 05 Apr 2022 11:21:41 +0000 https://www.bbncommunity.com/?p=35048 There were numerous religious, philosophical, and political leaders in the first-century Roman world, each with a devoted following. Dedicated apprentices followed a rabbi in Judaism. Jesus of Nazareth formed a special teacher-student relationship with twelve men among the many who followed Him. Although the Jews were used to having teachers or rabbis who taught the […]

The post Why Did Jesus Choose 12 Disciples appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
Jesus

There were numerous religious, philosophical, and political leaders in the first-century Roman world, each with a devoted following. Dedicated apprentices followed a rabbi in Judaism. Jesus of Nazareth formed a special teacher-student relationship with twelve men among the many who followed Him.

Although the Jews were used to having teachers or rabbis who taught the brightest students about the complexities of the Jewish faith, they had never seen Jesus gather a group of students or disciples around Him.

It was customary to approach a rabbi and request to be taught by him, but Jesus did the opposite by choosing the men He desired and calling them to follow Him. And He chose a diverse group of people who were not from the Jewish religious establishment. Instead, He chose twelve men from various professions and walks of life.

Because they were fishermen, Jesus came across Peter and his brother Andrew casting nets into the sea. He also saw the brothers James and John fishing with their father. When they heard the rabbi Jesus’ call, all four men eagerly dropped their nets to become His mathetai, His talmidim. They would no longer be traditional fishermen. Rather, under the tutelage of Jesus, they would become men who “Fishing for people” (Matthew 4:18–22).

The amazing thing we read in the Gospel accounts is that when Jesus called these men, they dropped what they were doing and followed Him. According to the Synoptic gospels, the 12 apostles were called.

The selection process according to the disciples 

This is the account of the selection process from the perspective of the disciples as told in the Holy Bible

Luke claims that:

On one of those days, Jesus went to a mountainside to pray, spending the entire night in prayer to God. When morning came, he summoned his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Matthew claims that:

Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority to cast out demons and heal all diseases and illnesses. The names of the twelve apostles are as follows: first, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew; second, James son of Zebedee and his brother John; third, Philip and Bartholomew; fourth, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; fifth, James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; sixth, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Mark claims that:

Jesus ascended a mountain and summoned those he desired, and they came to him. He chose twelve men to be with him and to be sent out to preach and cast out demons. He appointed the following twelve: Simon (whom he named Peter), James son of Zebedee, and his brother John (whom he named Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

The Twelve Disciples

After a night of prayer on a mountain, Jesus gathered His disciples and formally selected twelve of them to serve as apostles:

When morning came, he summoned his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas son of James (also known as Thaddaeus, the name used in Matthew and Mark), and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

(See Luke 6:13–16.) The accounts of the disciples’ calling can also be found in Mark 1:16–20, Luke 5:2–11, and John 1:40–42).

It was no coincidence that He chose the number twelve.

The Israelites, God’s chosen people, were divided into twelve tribes. And as Jesus calls out new people for Himself, He begins with twelve men who will serve as the foundation of a new Israel.

God’s power was clearly at work in calling these men, but it’s doubtful that they realized the full extent of what they were signing up for when they became Jesus’ disciples. They knew they needed to leave their current jobs and the security they provided. But it wasn’t until Jesus was nearing the end of His earthly life that He revealed the true cost of discipleship to them.

Finally, Jesus demanded that His followers be willing to give up everything for Him. He stated emphatically that anyone who wishes to follow Him must take up his cross (Luke 9:23) and follow Him. In other words, they had to be willing to die for Him. Some people were killed because of their devotion to Christ. And yet, what Jesus asked of His disciples was nothing more than what He was willing to do Himself, as He demonstrated by freely giving His own life on the cross as a once-for-all sacrifice for human sin.

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus “graduated” His disciples, as was the rabbi’s custom. He told them to go and proclaim the good news of the kingdom, and He also promised that they would be able to do everything He had taught them (Matthew 28:19–20). The book of Acts and subsequent Church history reveals that Jesus’ disciples did exactly that. The disciples, who are also known as “apostles” (that is, “sent ones”), fearlessly preached the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, preceded the arrival of a new way of life, and performed mighty miracles to back up their claims through their witness and work. They spread the gospel to the ends of the earth as instructed.

With His initial selection of the Twelve, Christ established the pattern for all of His disciples. Not everyone who calls Jesus “Savior” can be counted as a disciple, as Jesus made clear throughout the Gospels and as His apostles made clear throughout their New Testament writings. Following Jesus means the same thing it has always meant. A disciple must devote his or her entire life to following the Lord, studying His Word, and training as His student. Eventually, the disciple will be able to perform all of the tasks assigned to him by his Master (Philippians 4:13). And, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus promises to be with His disciples “until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20).

The post Why Did Jesus Choose 12 Disciples appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
Buddhist Funerals https://www.bbncommunity.com/buddhist-funerals/ https://www.bbncommunity.com/buddhist-funerals/#respond Fri, 13 Sep 2019 12:34:09 +0000 https://www.bbncommunity.com/?p=17962 Birth and death is a cycle. Some of the scriptures and the religion believe in this cycle whereas others do not. In Buddhism, the thought of deem in birth and death, the end of life is believed in a much different way. There are believes that the loved ones are still much more important, thus, […]

The post Buddhist Funerals appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
Birth and death is a cycle. Some of the scriptures and the religion believe in this cycle whereas others do not. In Buddhism, the thought of deem in birth and death, the end of life is believed in a much different way. There are believes that the loved ones are still much more important, thus, it is marked in a much separate and specific Buddhist funeral rites. 

 In a world full of a cultural and religious difference there are different ways of practising Buddhism. Death is wisely and widely accepted by Buddhist practitioners.  They say that the repeated cycle of life is called ‘Samsara’, which is the reincarnation form. Thus, according to this cycle, it is the Buddhists actions that the current life will determine in which way the reincarnation will take place. 

Buddha himself was cremated, but if you do little research in many of the Buddhist funerals have involved the cremation process other than the burial process. The major information is found in the guide to burials and through the guide to cremations.  The traditional Buddhist cremation; in Hinduism have an open eye pyre. This sort of practice was not common in the United Kingdom. 

In some of the Buddhist cultures, the bereaved family wishes to witness the cremation live. These create a lot of issues to the people who witness it. In some of the Buddhist burial, it is preferred to be buried. There is a reflection of the cycle of life as described by the Samsara.  The practice of sharing gifts on burial is very much observed. Like among all Nippangift Funeral Gift is one of the most demanded and desired gifts to offer to the lost loved one. 

Who are the ones to participate in Buddhist funerals?

 Majority of the practitioners who have a Buddhist funeral will be actively involved in a community once they join it. In these instances, the responsible members of these communities can chiefly be advised for the most appropriate Buddhist funeral rites which are required of the tradition.  Anyone can request for the service of the same. There are few hospitals and hospices who have Buddhist chaplains and a part of the Buddhist society can offer much advice on the Theravada, Tibetan and even on the Zen funerals. 

What happens in a Buddhist Funeral?

 As there are so many and diverse types of Buddhist practices across the globe. There is a not prescribed and procedure for funeral processes. What is different is the way of service. It is a majorly simple and dignified occasion at the monastery that takes place, where the family members and there are some other traditional and ritual to the followed thereafter.  The services may sometimes occur before or after the cremation of the burial procedure, there are many open coffins at the funeral services available as well. Nothing to be scared of these is just the process of funeral and it’s very auspiciously followed. 

The venues are generally decorated with the image of the person who has died, full of flowers, incense, candles and fruits to grace the person. The mourners keep silence for hours. They are often present to bereaved with the flowers to place alongside the image placed of the person who has died. Once the individual mourners have personally prayed and shown respect to the person; the monks take over for the other ritual prayers and Goodreads using flowers alongside the loved ones or the decorated altar.

The monks read sermons loud and deliver eulogies of the soul to rest in peach and reincarnated in the next birth.  The chanting of the monks is a very regular feature of the monasteries and one of the most soulful activities after death.  Even there are records of chanting that is played for the entire day. Apart from the non –religious elements, there are some acceptable and offered services which are not included in the conflict ideas of the Buddhist practitioners.

Entering the venue wearing a simple yet light-coloured dress to participate in the chanting is beautiful.  Even after the funeral is over there is a small reception in his/her memory. Thus, traditionally, the Buddhists behold the third, seventh, 49th and the 100th day after the death of a loved one.

The post Buddhist Funerals appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
https://www.bbncommunity.com/buddhist-funerals/feed/ 0
Is Buddhism a Good Religion for People who Don’t Like Religion? https://www.bbncommunity.com/buddhism-good-religion-people-dont-like-religion/ https://www.bbncommunity.com/buddhism-good-religion-people-dont-like-religion/#respond Tue, 21 Nov 2017 11:19:20 +0000 http://www.bbncommunity.com/?p=15182 The number of people who don’t practice an organized religion is growing. For almost all of human history, leaving the religion of your parents was unheard of. You could be born into a religion and stay in that religion your entire life, never even thinking about changing or exploring. This is still true for the […]

The post Is Buddhism a Good Religion for People who Don’t Like Religion? appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
The number of people who don’t practice an organized religion is growing.

For almost all of human history, leaving the religion of your parents was unheard of. You could be born into a religion and stay in that religion your entire life, never even thinking about changing or exploring.

This is still true for the vast majority of people.

But those who are not content to stay in the religion they were raised is growing. Some people are leaving the sect of their parents, but staying in the same general religion. Some people are joining other religions. A growing minority is leaving behind religion entirely.

Then there are those who declare that they are “spiritual but not religious.” Those who don’t want to cling to a religion but at the same time do think there is some spiritual aspect to life. At least that’s what I think it means. I suspect that if you interviewed people who viewed themselves as spiritual but not religious, you could get many different answers.

This is considered the fastest growing demographic in the United States—people that walked away from religion but don’t want to identify as atheists.

Buddhist practice can be suited to those who are turned off by religion but still want some degree of spirituality in their lives. One caveat I have to make is this: Buddhism is more open to change than we usually think of religions as being. Because of this, some of the different sects of Buddhism view it very differently than others.

That being said, this article will only focus on core Buddhist teachings and I will avoid sectarian ones.

Here are some reasons why Buddhism can be a good fit for those who are spiritual but not religious.

1) It’s a contemplative system.

The Buddha attained enlightenment through meditation. So, meditation is central to the Buddhist path. Other religions contain contemplative ideas, but generally don’t have contemplative practice at the center. It’s about this practice, not about institutions or authority figures.

2) There is no Buddhist God.

Some people don’t like the idea of an all powerful creator. Buddhism doesn’t have one of those. Part of the point of the Buddha’s path is that he was a normal human. Any of us has the power to follow the path to awakening that he discovered. That is an empowering thought. That said, one could believe in gods and be a Buddhist. I know several people that do. But the point is that the Buddha was a human being like us, so we can do what he did.

3) Buddhism is about living life in the right way.

It isn’t about being saved or going to some other world. Buddhism teaches that deep down we are pure and enlightened already, we just have to realize this by clearing away delusion. There are different ways to go about trying to achieve this. My favorite is the cultivation of the six perfections: generosity, virtue, patience, diligence, wisdom, and concentration. We just have to cultivate these, nurture these in our hearts and expand them.

4) The path is easy to understand.

The problem is that life is unsatisfactory. This is caused by ignorance and delusion. The solution is waking up. How do we wake up? The Buddha taught that our suffering starts with our false belief that we are separate from everything else. We spend our lives identifying with this little “self” and really it’s just a convenient fiction. We are one with the world around us. And we can come to understand that through the cultivation of morality, wisdom, and concentration.

5) The truth is inside you.

We are trying to wake up. And the way to do that is within us. We are working with our minds to live more mindfully. Meditation is our tool. Because we are working with our minds, it can be said that the real truths of Buddhism all come from within us, not from some outside force. So, Buddhism doesn’t expect us to take things on faith, because we are seeing things for ourselves by working with our minds.

6) You can do it.

The Buddha was just a man, as I said. As human beings we have all the resources we need. We have Buddha nature within us, which means we have the potential for enlightenment.

And there are many teachers, those who can offer us instruction and inspiration. Those who prove to us it can be done. Although our experiences prove that to us as well. And there are fellow practitioners all over who can support us on our path too, like workout buddies.

Buddhist teachings offer us a path with a clear set of instructions and predictable results.

Author: Daniel Scharpenburg | Editor:  Cat Beekmans

This article was republished from elephantjournal.com. You can find the original post here.

The post Is Buddhism a Good Religion for People who Don’t Like Religion? appeared first on BBN Community.

]]>
https://www.bbncommunity.com/buddhism-good-religion-people-dont-like-religion/feed/ 0