[Greek] διαφέρω (diapherō), [Latin] melior, [Latin] transferre, [Latin] disseminare, [Latin] supervenire, [Latin] differtus, [French] transporter, [French] reporter, [French] transcrire, [French] agresser: to transmit, to divide, to distinguish, to spread, to carry through, to differ, to bear apart, to be better; 16 scriptures
Pope Agatho, the 79th Pope leading the Church (678-681 AD) also warns us about novel (different) human doctrines.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to carry through, to navigate, to excel, to stand out, to pass, to bear, to surpass, to be important, and to differ.
Plato’s Apology 35a: “To be superior in wisdom or courage.”
Demosthenes Erotic Essay 61.46: “He admirably and considerably spread his record of his achievements.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 4.138: “Histiaeus opposed the plan [voted differently]”
Euripides’ Orestis 251: “Then you be different from that evil brood.”
Old Testament: This term means to transmit, to change, to take away, to scatter, to divide, to differ, to be distinguished, and to be superior, to being alienated, being changed, and doing something different.
New Testament: This term means to spread (carry through), to become more valuable, to differ, to be important, and to drive about.
Scripture:
Mt.6:26: “Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more important than they?” (Jesus refers to dependence on God. Although Jesus does not deny the reality of human needs, He warns each of us not to be a “slave” to these worries.)
Mk.11:16: “Jesus did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area.” (The buying and selling were being done in the court of the Gentiles, the outermost court of the temple area. Of course, the Jews would place these buyers and sellers in this area, designated for the Gentiles. Jesus was angry in that it curtailed His efforts to reach the Gentiles.)
Mt.12:12: “How much more valuable a person is than a sheep. So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.” (The Jews had already had provisions for saving the life of man and animals on the sabbath. But this was not a case of man’s life being in danger. The Jews, hoping to find something to accuse Jesus with, asked Him if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus points out that man is much more valuable.
Acts 13:49: “The word of the Lord continued to spread throughout the whole region.”
- Paul stated that it was necessary that word was to be spoken to the Jews. But the Jews rejected it.
- Paul was then called to spread (carry through) the word to the Gentiles.
- The word continued to spread from Antioch to other provinces in Turkey.
- Antioch is where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. (Acts 11:26)
- The Jews incited opposition against the Christians and persecuted Paul and Barnabas.
Rom.2:18: “And know His will and are able to discern what is important since you are instructed from the law.” (The Jews were instructed by the law. God did not initially address its revelation to the Gentiles. Rather, God made it possible for Gentiles to know instinctively [in their hearts] the difference between right and wrong.)
Gal.4:1: “I mean that as long a the heir is not of age, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything.” (The child was no different than the slave under the authority of the guardian. God sent His Son that we might receive adoptions as sons and daughters of God. This adoption also frees from being enslaved to the elemental powers of the world.)
Php.1:9-10: “[Paul]: this is my prayer: that you increase every more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” (Paul calls each of us to properly distinguish between right and wrong and good and bad. One must be both intelligent and discriminating (making good choices.)
ARE THERE REALLY MUCH DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE NICOLATIANS AND CURRENT GENERATIONS OF CATHOLICS (CHRISTIANS)? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Who were the Nicolaitans? They were an early Christian sect who resided in Ephesus and Pergamum (Rev.2:17). Their beliefs consisted of a doctrine of TOLERANCE, COMPROMISE, PAGANISM, and SIN. The Nicolaitans’ teachings and deeds ultimately conquered and subdued the people. Jesus hated the Nicolaitans’ deeds because they failed to live a life of separation from the world’s values.
Why did Christ HATE the deeds of the Nicolaitans?
- They advocated for a watered-down form of Christianity where sin is ignored and repentance is disregarded. (Change Church teachings to accommodate the world.)
- This was a doctrine of tolerance, inclusion, and compromise. (Sound familiar?)
- The Nicolaitans were luke-warm in faith and paganistic. (Having nothing substantial to believe in. Believing in idols.)
- The Nicolaitans made a mockery of their faith. (Ignoring, normalizing, and blessing sin.)
- Holy living and separation from the world was not encouraged. (Removing the distinction between clergy and laity. Democratizing the Church.)
- These “Christians” sought a truth in the world. (Adapting the Church to the world’s values. Sounds like lived experiences taking precedence over Church teachings [like an IDOL]. Sound familiar?)
- Absolute truth, doctrinal truth, and biblical truth were minimized. (Adjust the truth to the culture.)
- No exclusionary belief that Christ alone is the way to heaven. (Dismissing the idea that Christ is only way to achieve salvation.)
- They do not believe that Christ alone is the way to heaven. (Engaging in questionable ecumenism with other faiths.)
WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT US?
Scriptural references about the Nicolaitans:
Acts 20:29: Savage wolves will come among you
Acts 20:30: Some will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away
Acts 20:33: I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold (pagan worship of Artemis)
Jud.1:8: These dreamers nevertheless defile the flesh, scorn lordship, and revile glorious beings.
Rev.2:7: “But you have this in your favor; you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
Etymology:
- The Greek verb diaphero means to carry (-phero) through (-dia). The act of carrying through signifies carrying something distinct or different.
- The Latin noun melior means better.
- The Latin verb transferre means to transform, to bring across, and to translate.
- The Latin verb diseminare means to scatter or to sow.
- The Latin verb supervenire means to surpass, to come up, and to surprise.
What are some fundamental differences between Catholicism and Protestantism?
- Catholic worship is a communal participation in the divine. Protestantism may be a personal experience, musical service, or an entertainment event.
- Catholicism has a long historical tradition. Protestantism can vary according to one church or denomination.
- Catholicism offers consistent and constant beliefs. Protestant beliefs vary according to the denomination.
- Catholicism traces its beginnings to Jesus with the Eucharist. Protestantism appears much later in history.
What are some fundamental differences between Sacred Heart of Jesus and Pride Month?
- The Sacred Heart Devotion is a religious practice rooted in Catholic tradition. Pride Month is secular celebration of a social and political movement.
- Devotion to the Sacred Heart is based on humility and self-giving love. Pride Month centers on embracing and celebrating one’s identity.
- The Sacred Heart Devotion focuses on Jesus’ love for humanity. Pride Month celebrates the experiences of the LGBTQ community.
Conclusion:
Differ, difference, ameliorate, transfer, transport, transmit, report, transcribe, disseminate, propagate, supervene, aggressive, aggressor, seminary
Paul’s warning for one to know what is right and wrong is all the more important for today.
Update: Pope Agatho WARNS US ABOUT INTRODUCING NOVEL DOCTRINES: “We must have a new way of being Church” ==> a Synodal Church walking with the world.
Pope Leo XIV does not support same sex marriage, gay unions, and adoption by gay couples. He says that the homosexual lifestyle is at odds with the gospel.
Many of us often can become easily trapped in our fears. We all should have more trust in God (although it can quite often be easier said than done!)
Pope Leo XIV just recently contradicted Pope Francis’ claim that cohabitation can attain the same grace (blessings) of marriage Pope Leo XIV stresses the importance of marriage.
Pope Leo XIV states that marriage is not an ideal but the measure of true love between a man and a woman.
Pope Leo XIII prophetically identified the heresy of those disobedient “cafeteria” Catholics who like to pick and choose what they want to believe. This heresy is called Americanism.
Heresy of indifferentism: the belief that the differences of religious belief are minimized (become not important). Pope Francis has repeatedly made some troublesome and heretical statements.
We all must be reminded that Jesus can get angry. Let’s also not yet forgot that Jesus HATES the beliefs (actions) of those who have a luke-warm faith.
Jesus was being very provocative in healing on the Sabbath. In today’s times, someone saying: “Jesus said: “sin no more” can be also seen as very provocative and triggering in this current age. Are you surprised?
Clergy’s responsibility: to be intolerant to sin and to state what is sinful. One’s eternal mortal soul could be at state. Ultimately, the Church’s mission: is to bring souls into heaven.
The older generations generally seek to continue Vatican II and Synodality, while the younger generations are seeking Tradition.
Dutch Bishop Johannes Hendricks:
“The younger ones are going in the opposite direction again: to the roots of our faith. It is the older ones who are coming up with themes of the Pastoral Council of that time [comparable to the heretical Synodal Way in Germany.” (While many of the older generation are still demanding heterodox “reforms” along the lines of the German Synodal Way, young Catholics are returning to Tradition. These differences seem to be a generational nature.)
Pope Leo XIV:
“We must be careful not to make the Church a mirror of the world. She [the Church] is called to be a sign of contradiction.” (This sentiment is in contrast to efforts to make the Church look more like the world [Synodality].)
Mother Angelica:
“You are either a he or a she, no matter what they call you, that’s how God made you.” (This “old fashioned” traditional view is in stark contrast to the modern views of gender).
GK Chesterton:
“We do not want a Church that will move with the world. We want a Church that will move the world.” (GK Chesterton had already had foreseen the dangers of the Church adapting to the world.
Asst. Bishop Athanasius Schneider (at Chartres)
“There is only one Church of God, and that is the Catholic Church.” (This is a reminder that Jesus intended to establish one Church. Yet now there exists over 45,000 churches and denominations.)