I am beginning a new series where I will be quoting the very church fathers, writers, theologians and/or apologists that Calvinists will often reference in order to mislead folks into thinking that these early Christians held to beliefs similar to their own. I will prove that these Calvinists are being inconsistent and/or dishonest in doing so since these very early authorities taught doctrines, which explicitly contradict Calvinistic beliefs.
I begin with the testimony of Cyril of Jerusalem, whom specific Calvinist apologists love to quote-mine. All emphasis will be mine.
COMMUNION AND PRAYERS OF/FOR THE DEAD IN CHRIST
7. Then having sanctified ourselves by these spiritual Hymns, we beseech the merciful God to send forth His Holy Spirit upon the gifts lying before Him; THAT HE MAY MAKE THE BREAD THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND THE WINE THE BLOOD OF CHRIST; for whatsoever the Holy Ghost has touched, is surely sanctified and changed.
8. Then, after the spiritual sacrifice, the bloodless service, is completed, over that sacrifice of propitiation we entreat God for the common peace of the Churches, for the welfare of the world; for kings; for soldiers and allies; for the sick; for the afflicted; and, in a word, for all who stand in need of succour we all pray AND OFFER THIS SACRIFICE.
9. Then we commemorate also THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP BEFORE US, first Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, that AT THEIR PRAYERS AND INTERCESSIONS God would receive our petition. Then on behalf also of the Holy Fathers and Bishops WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP BEFORE US, and in a word of all who in past years have fallen asleep among us, believing that it will be A VERY GREAT BENEFIT TO THE SOULS, FOR WHOM THE SUPPLICATION IS PUT UP, while that holy and most awful sacrifice is set forth…
20. After this ye hear the chanter inviting you with a sacred melody to the communion of the Holy Mysteries, and saying, O taste and see that the Lord is good. Trust not the judgment to your bodily palate no, but to faith unfaltering; for they who taste are bidden to taste, NOT BREAD AND WINE, BUT THE ANTI-TYPICAL BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST. 21. In approaching therefore, come not with your wrists extended, or your fingers spread; but make your left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King. And having hollowed your palm, RECEIVE THE BODY OF CHRIST, saying over it, Amen. So then after having carefully hallowed your eyes by the touch OF THE HOLY BODY, partake of it; giving heed lest you lose any portion thereof ; for whatever you lose, is evidently a loss to you as it were from one of your own members. For tell me, if any one gave you grains of gold, would you not hold them with all carefulness, being on your guard against losing any of them, and suffering loss? Will you not then much more carefully keep watch, THAT NOT A CRUMB FALL FROM YOU of what is more precious than gold and precious stones? (Catechetical Lectures, Lecture 23)
BAPTISMAL REGENERATION
4. For since man is of twofold nature, soul and body, the purification also is twofold, the one incorporeal for the incorporeal part, and the other bodily for the body: the water cleanses the body, and the Spirit seals the soul; that we may draw near unto God, having our heart sprinkled by the Spirit, and our body washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 When going down, therefore, INTO THE WATER, think not of the bare element, but look for salvation by the power of the Holy Ghost: for without both you can not possibly be made perfect. It is not I that say this, BUT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, who has the power in this matter: FOR HE SAYS, UNLESS A MAN BE BORN ANEW (and He adds the words) OF WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:3 Neither does he that is baptized with water, but not found worthy of the Spirit, receive the grace in perfection; nor if a man be virtuous in his deeds, BUT RECEIVE NOT THE SEAL BY WATER, shall he enter into the kingdom of heaven. A bold saying, but not mine, FOR IT IS JESUS WHO HAS DECLARED IT: and here is the proof of the statement from Holy Scripture. Cornelius was a just man, who was honoured with a vision of Angels, and had set up his prayers and almsdeeds as a good memorial before God in heaven. Peter came, and the Spirit was poured out upon them that believed, and they spoke with other tongues, and prophesied: and after the grace of the Spirit the Scripture says that Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ Acts 10:48; in order that, the soul having been born again by faith , THE BODY ALSO MIGHT BY THE WATER PARTAKE OF THE GRACE…
10. If any man receive NOT BAPTISM, HE HAS NOT SALVATION; except only Martyrs, who even without the water receive the kingdom. For when the Saviour, in redeeming the world by His Cross, was pierced in the side, He shed forth blood and water; that men, living in times of peace, might be baptized in water, and, in times of persecution, in their own blood. For martyrdom also the Saviour is wont to call a baptism, saying, Can you drink the cup which I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with Mark 10:38? And the Martyrs confess, by being made a spectacle unto the world, and to Angels, and to men 1 Corinthians 4:9; and you will soon confess:— but it is not yet the time for you to hear of this…
12. For you go down into the water, bearing your sins, but the invocation of grace , having sealed your soul, suffers you not afterwards to be swallowed up by the terrible dragon. Having gone down dead in sins, YOU COME UP QUICKENED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS. For if you have been united with the likeness of the Saviour’s death Romans 6:5, you shall also be deemed worthy of His Resurrection. For as Jesus took upon Him the sins of the world, and died, that by putting sin to death He might rise again in righteousness; so thou by going down into the water, and being in a manner buried in the waters, as He was in the rock, ART RAISED AGAIN WALKING IN NEWNESS OF LIFE. (Ibid., Lecture 3)
6. Let no one then suppose that Baptism is merely the grace of remission of sins, or further, that of adoption; as John’s was a baptism conferring only remission of sins: whereas WE KNOW FULL WELL, THAT AS IT PURGES OUR SINS, AND MINISTERS TO US THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST, so also it is the counterpart of the sufferings of Christ. For this cause PAUL just now cried aloud AND SAID, Or are you ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus, were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into His death. These words he spoke to some who were disposed to think that Baptism ministers to us the remission of sins, and adoption, but has not further the fellowship also, by representation, of Christ’s true sufferings. (Ibid., Lecture 20)
MARY: THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD
19. Many, my beloved, are the true testimonies concerning Christ. The Father bears witness from heaven of His Son: the Holy Ghost bears witness, descending bodily in likeness of a dove: the Archangel Gabriel bears witness, bringing good tidings to Mary: THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD bears witness: the blessed place of the manger bears witness. Egypt bears witness, which received the Lord while yet young in the body: Symeon bears witness, who received Him in his arms, and said, Now, Lord, let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people. Luke 2:29-30 Anna also, the prophetess, a most devout widow, of austere life, bears witness of Him. John the Baptist bears witness, the greatest among the Prophets, and leader of the New Covenant, who in a manner united both Covenants in Himself, the Old and the New. Jordan is His witness among rivers; the sea of Tiberias among seas: blind and lame bear witness, and dead men raised to life, and devils saying, What have we to do with You, Jesus? We know You, who You are, the Holy One of God. Mark 1:24 Winds bear witness, silenced at His bidding: five loaves multiplied into five thousand bear Him witness. The holy wood of the Cross bears witness, seen among us to this day, and from this place now almost filling the whole world, by means of those who in faith take portions from it. The palm-tree on the ravine bears witness, having supplied the palm-branches to the children who then hailed Him. Gethsemane bears witness, still to the thoughtful almost showing Judas. Golgotha , the holy hill standing above us here, bears witness to our sight: the Holy Sepulchre bears witness, and the stone which lies there to this day. The sun now shining is His witness, which then at the time of His saving Passion was eclipsed : the darkness is His witness, which was then from the sixth hour to the ninth: the light bears witness, which shone forth from the ninth hour until evening. The Mount of Olives bears witness, that holy mount from which He ascended to the Father: the rain-bearing clouds are His witnesses, having received their Lord: yea, and the gates of heaven bear witness [having received their Lord ], concerning which the Psalmist said, Lift up your doors, O you Princes, and be lifted up you everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. His former enemies bear witness, of whom the blessed Paul is one, having been a little while His enemy, but for a long time His servant: the Twelve Apostles are His witnesses, having preached the truth not only in words, but also by their own torments and deaths: the shadow of Peter Acts 5:15 bears witness, having healed the sick in the name of Christ. The handkerchiefs and aprons bear witness, as in like manner by Christ’s power they wrought cures of old through Paul. Persians and Goths , and all the Gentile converts bear witness, by dying for His sake, whom they never saw with eyes of flesh: the devils, who to this day are driven out by the faithful, bear witness to Him. (Ibid., Lecture 10)
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