AboutElder Greg Madden Expertise I am available to answer questions concerning most Biblical doctrines, Catholic beliefs, the gifts and fruit of the Spirit, and the history of the Pentecostal movement. Please understand that I will answer any questions you may have from a Biblical perspective, not a Catholic one.
Experience I have studied the Catholic religion for many years, and I have discussed questions and issues conserning this faith with those who are followers of the Catholic religion. I attend an independent Pentecostal church for twenty five years, and have served there as an Elder for fourteen years. I am also the new member’s class coordinator. I have had the privilege of ministering God's Word to churches in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. In those meetings we have seen the Lord save, heal, deliver, and fill people will His Spirit.
Organizations I am ordained through Harvest Church, and with the World Harvest Church Ministerial Fellowship. I also am a licensed minister with the State of Oklahoma.
Education/Credentials I am currantly enrolled with the Ames Bible College.
Question I am Kitalika from Tanzania.My question is; Did Mary the mother of Jesus Christ died? how can you evidence that.
Answer Kitalika,
Thanks you for the opportunity to help. The simple answer is yes, Mary died just as every human being dies. If I am understanding your question, you are refering to the catholic doctrine of "The assumption of Mary". I would be happy to share with you what I have leaned about this subject...
The Assumption of Mary (or the Assumption of the Virgin) is a doctrine which teaches that after the mother of Jesus died, she was resurrected, glorified, and taken bodily to heaven. The word assumption is taken from a Latin word meaning “to take up.” The Assumption of Mary is taught by the Roman Catholic Church and, to a lesser degree, the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The doctrine of the Assumption of Mary had its beginnings in the Byzantine Empire around the 6th Century. An annual feast honoring Mary gradually grew into a commemoration of Mary’s death called the Feast of Dormition (“falling asleep”). As the practice spread to the West, an emphasis was placed on Mary’s resurrection, and the glorification of Mary’s body as well as her soul, and the name of the feast was thereby changed to the Assumption. It is still observed on August 15, as it was in the Middle Ages. The Assumption of Mary was made an official dogma of the Roman Catholic Church in 1950 by Pope Pius XII.
The Bible does record God “assuming” both Enoch and Elijah into Heaven (Genesis 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11). Therefore, it is not impossible that God would have done the same with Mary. It is not wrong to believe that God “assumed” Mary into heaven. The problem is that there is no biblical basis for the Assumption of Mary. The Bible does not record Mary's death or again mention Mary after Acts chapter 1. Rather, the doctrine of the Assumption is the result of lifting Mary to a position comparable to that of her Son. Some Roman Catholics go so far as to teach that Mary was resurrected on the third day, just like Jesus, and that Mary ascended into Heaven, just like Jesus. The New Testament teaches that Jesus was resurrected on the third day (Luke 24:7) and that He ascended bodily into heaven (Acts 1:9). To assume the same thing concerning Mary is to ascribe to her some of the attributes of Christ. While the idea of the Assumption of Mary is not heretical in and of itself; in the Roman Catholic Church, the Assumption of Mary is an important step towards why Mary is venerated, worshipped, adored, and prayed to. To teach the Assumption of Mary is a step toward making her equal to Christ, essentially proclaiming Mary’s deity.(gotquestions.org)
Kitalika, please let me know if this helps or if you have any further questions.
