Expert: Paul Walker - 5/27/2005

Question
Hello Paul
my name is mike and i'm a christain and i'd never really taken an interest in my religion untill now. i have been reading the bible and other religious text and there are a few words im unsure about could you please tell me the meaning of these words because im not sure if im on the right track.
they are:
Vocation –
Work –
Employment –
Recreation –
Restorative rest –
Redemption –
Salvation –
Human dignity –
Lay vocation or laity –
Priesthood (bishop, priest, Deacon) –
Consecrated religious (Brothers, sisters) –
Vows of religious consecration –
Apostolates –
Christian lifestyles –
Freedom of conscience –
Social justice –
Common good –
Spirit of service –
Solidarity –
Stewardship –
Economic rationalism –
Universal destination of goods –
hope to hear from you soon
mike

Answer

Dear Mike,

I did the best I could without getting into any debates. If you want to grow in understanding and knowledge of God's word, I suggest you get a King James Bible (1611) and just read it for a while.

Vocation –       The particular occupation for which you are trained

Work –          Activity directed toward making or doing something

           1 Corinthians 15:58
           Therefore, my beloved brethren,
           be ye stedfast, unmoveable,
           ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD,
           forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Employment –       The act of using

Recreation –       An activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
           (Save it for Heaven, work now)

Restorative rest –   Tending to impart new life and vigor to

Redemption –       Purchasing back something previously sold

           Romans 7:14
           For we know that the law is spiritual:
           but I am carnal, SOLD UNDER SIN.
           
           1 Corinthians 7:23
           YE ARE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE; be not ye the servants of men.
           
           1 Peter 1:18-19
           Forasmuch as ye know that
           YE WERE NOT REDEEMED WITH CORRUPTIBLE THINGS,
           as silver and gold,
           from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
           (19) But with THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST,
           as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Salvation –       The state of being saved or preserved from harm

           Romans 10:9
           That if thou shalt CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH the Lord Jesus,
           and shalt BELIEVE IN THINE HEART that God hath raised him from the dead,
           THOU SHALT BE SAVED.
           
           Ephesians 2:8-9
           For by grace are ye saved through faith;
           and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
           (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Human dignity –    The quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

Lay vocation or laity –    Everyone except the clergy
              (This is a corrupt teaching as far as the Bible goes,
              There is no distinction, Christians are a universal
              priesthood of believers)

Priesthood  –          1 Peter 2:5
              Ye also, as lively stones,
              are built up a spiritual house,
              AN HOLY PRIESTHOOD, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
              acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

              1 Peter 2:5
              Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,
              AN HOLY PRIESTHOOD,
              to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
              acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

(bishop, Deacon)-      Administrative offices within the organization
              of a local Church

Consecrated religious (Brothers, sisters) – (Corrupt non-biblical teachings)
Vows of religious consecration –
Apostolates –

Christian lifestyles –    Titus 2:11-12
              For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
              hath appeared to all men,
              (12) Teaching us that,
              denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
              we should live soberly, righteously,
              and godly, in this present world;


Freedom of conscience –    http://www.unb.ca/democracy/English/Ideas/Freedoms/Conscience/Conscience.html

Social justice –       Social and economic equality
              (Not going to happen, but will be one deception to
              bring in the one world government of the anti-christ)

Common good –

The common good, then, consists primarily of having the social systems, institutions, and environments on which we all depend work in a manner that benefits all people. Examples of particular common goods or parts of the common good include an accessible and affordable public health care system, and effective system of public safety and security, peace among the nations of the world, a just legal and political system, and unpolluted natural environment, and a flourishing economic system. Because such systems, institutions, and environments have such a powerful impact on the well-being of members of a society, it is no surprise that virtually every social problem in one way or another is linked to how well these systems and institutions are functioning.


Spirit of service –    Biblically, to put on the mind of a servant and
              serve
              
              Colossians 3:24
              Knowing that of the Lord
              ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance:
              FOR YE SERVE THE LORD CHRIST.


Solidarity –          A union of interests or purposes or sympathies
              among members of a group

Stewardship –          Someone who manages property or other affairs
              for someone else

              1 Corinthians 4:2
              Moreover it is required in stewards,
              that a man be found faithful.
           
              1 Peter 4:10
              As every man hath received the gift,
              even so minister the same one to another,
              as good STEWARDS OF THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD.

Economic rationalism – http://www.abc.net.au/money/currency/features/feat11.htm

Universal destination of goods – http://www.acton.org/publicat/randl/article.php?id=332

Hope this helps.

Your Serv't in Christ Jesus,
Paul Walker
www.aficj.org