Dear brother Hagop (Jakub in Armenian)
,
I agree with you that this passage from the Breath of God has far reaching implications not only for this thread but for many discussions involving the importance and status of our Patriarchs.
I think this passage and the one before it (in 1 Cor. chp. 1) attest to Christ's desire for us to have allegiance to Him before any Patriarch. Its also a reminder that His Church is one. No matter which successor to the Apostles we happen to have full Communion with, we have to remember that it is Jesus Christ who gives us His Body and Blood in Holy Communion thereby uniting us all in the one Body of Christ. Thank you very much for reminding me of this passage:
Brothers, I urge you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, not to have factions among yourselves but all to be in agreement in what you profess; so that you are perfectly united in your beliefs and judgements. From what Chloe's people have been telling me about you, brothers, it is clear that there are serious differences among you. What I mean is this: every one of you is declaring, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Has Christ been split up? Was it Paul that was crucified for you, or was it in Paul's name that you were baptised?
-St. Paul's 1st to the Church of Corinth
Trusting in Christ's Light,
Ghazar
. I try very hard not to limit myself.