Was Constantine right? (moral, gospel, disciples, preach, church)

[Ceridwen018]

Mankind is not 'hell-bent on destruction'. The proper idea would be that all living things have a beginning and an end, and so it is inevitable that someday our planet will expire. This is nothing but a natural process, however, and should not be confused with the work of 'satan'.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by Ronald

The Way was a sect of the Jews, Jewish except they believed in the Messiah/I am the Way.

And your evidence for the existence of this sect is what precisely?

[Ronald]

Originally Posted by Ceridwen018

Mankind is not 'hell-bent on destruction'. The proper idea would be that all living things have a beginning and an end, and so it is inevitable that someday our planet will expire. This is nothing but a natural process, however, and should not be confused with the work of 'satan'.

You do not share the view of M.A.D/mutual assured destruction, an atomic destruction?

We will just run out of every thing, the sun will go out and it will be over.

How sad! Where is hope in such a life, why bother to live at all?
You are welcome to keep all of that world you can grab, cheat and rob puny people of, I don't choose to be a part of your world.

[Lightkeeper]

If you study the universe, you will see that stars burn out. This will happen to our sun. You ask where is the hope in that? There are no guarantees on any given day in life. I enjoy life while I have it. I believe our space exploration will lead us to other places to live before the sun burns out. The hope is in the opportunity to learn and make a difference. If you study the human race from the beginning of time we find explorers and builders. To recoin and old phrase, "if life is inevitable, relax and enjoy it."

[Ronald]

Originally Posted by Deut. 32.8

And your evidence for the existence of this sect is what precisely?

With a handle of a book of the Torah, I am rather amazed you not reading in the second book attributed to Dr. Luke, where-in a certain Pharisee Rabbi Saul from Tarsus with a warrant issued by the Sanhedrin to arrest everyone of the Way, to bring them to Jerusalem to be flogged and tried for heresy! Then as he made his way to Damascus, he encountered a ressurrected being!

Is this the proof you needed for this Way? A sect of the Jews.
You would do well to read the whole book of Acts of the Apostles, but if you are strapped for time Acts 9:1-31.

If this does not suffice, come back and I will show you more proof.

[Mr Spinkles]

Originally Posted by Deut. 32.8

And your evidence for the existence of this sect is what precisely?

Actually, Deut. I think Ronald is correct on this--the earliest Christians were called "followers of the Way" before they were called "Christians" and were considered a Jewish sect. We learned this in theology class, though I am having a hard time finging reference for this on the internet.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by Ronald

With a handle of a book of the Torah, I am rather amazed you not reading in the second book attributed to Dr. Luke, where-in a certain Pharisee Rabbi Saul from Tarsus with a warrant issued by the Sanhedrin to arrest everyone of the Way, to bring them to Jerusalem to be flogged and tried for heresy!

And I am rather amazed at your childishly arrogant tone and pretentious verbiage. But, if fact, my question was far too vague, for which I apologize. Let me try again: Do you have any extra-biblical evidence relevant to this specific Jewish sect?

I see absolutely no reason why references to the "Way" cannot be taken as references to a broad and variegated eschatological movement that characterized the latter days of the Second Temple period. Furthermore, I see absolutely no reason to take 'Luke' at face value. This is particularly true with respect to a Damascus narrative which stains credulity. In fact, while you're supplying your extra-biblical references, perhaps you could also supply any evidence suggesting that the Sanhedrin had legal jurisdiction beyond the eleven Toparchies of Judea, in the absence of which Paul's warrant would serve only as a preposterous affront to the Roman polity.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by Mr_Spinkles

Actually, Deut. I think Ronald is correct on this--the earliest Christians were called "followers of the Way" before they were called "Christians" and were considered a Jewish sect.

I'm sure you believe this to be true. You may find, however, that there is very little to tie the Jewish sect (or sects) to the stories of Paul and Luke. So, for example, did this Way include the Qumran community? The Essens? What about the Baptists. What about the Sicarii and Zealots? People who deign to instruct others on these movements should actually break down and read something beyond Acts.

[Ronald]

Originally Posted by Deut. 32.8

And I am rather amazed at your childishly arrogant tone and pretentious verbiage. But, if fact, my question was far too vague, for which I apologize. Let me try again: Do you have any extra-biblical evidence relevant to this specific Jewish sect?

I see absolutely no reason why references to the "Way" cannot be taken as references to a broad and variegated eschatological movement that characterized the latter days of the Second Temple period. Furthermore, I see absolutely no reason to take 'Luke' at face value. This is particularly true with respect to a Damascus narrative which stains credulity. In fact, while you're supplying your extra-biblical references, perhaps you could also supply any evidence suggesting that the Sanhedrin had legal jurisdiction beyond the eleven Toparchies of Judea, in the absence of which Paul's warrant would serve only as a preposterous affront to the Roman polity.

It is my oppinion, I am sorry you took it as childishly arrogant. Your question was abrupt and as if you were unaware of The Way.
Had you asked for proof other than the book of Acts, My resopnse would have been much slower and much different.

All the outside books point back to the book of Acts. I have no sources but the Bible. This Bible I rely on as Truth. I have no reason to disbelieve, so I accept it as Truth.