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(Acts 15:1-2,22-29;\xa0\xa0 Ps.67:2-6,8;\xa0\xa0 Rv.21:10-14,22-23;\xa0\xa0 Jn.14:23-29)\xa0 \u201cThe wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.\u201d And so is \u201cthe holy city Jerusalem\u201d protected; and so are its boundaries defined.\xa0 And so we come to the apostles to find the true teaching of Christ. When \u201cthere arose no little dissension and debate\u201d between Paul and Barnabas and certain brothers from Judea who were insisting the Gentile converts must be \u201ccircumcised according to the Mosaic practice,\u201d what was the recourse needed to settle this most crucial of questions \u2013 the first great question of the Church?\xa0 \u201cIt was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders.\u201d\xa0 There the debate would be settled.\xa0 There authority is found \u2013 in the apostles and those they appoint.\xa0 There is nowhere else on earth any could turn to secure the truth, to find genuine guidance of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus has promised \u201cwill teach [the disciples] everything,\u201d who will be with the Church as its Advocate till the end of time.\xa0 And so the apostles and elders speak in truth when they write to the waiting souls of the Gentiles: \u201cIt is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden,\u201d for indeed they speak of the Holy Spirit and for and by the Holy Spirit \u2013 indeed they speak the truth. Brothers and sisters, is not the reason the Church is fractured into hundreds if not thousands or even millions of pieces (each soul following his own way without regard for the teaching of the Church), is not the reason some advocate for abortion, or euthanasia, or female or homosexual priests, or a thousand other indiscretions and blasphemies \u2013 is not the cause of the great turmoil within the walls of the temple as well as, inevitably, outside it in the world\u2026 is it not fundamentally a lack of obedience to the teachings of Christ, to the teachings of His apostles?\xa0 And though it is so that upon all His baptized is placed the seal of the Spirit, and so all may know the truth, yet it is just as so that without the confirmation of the apostles \u2013 as even Paul realized \u2013 one cannot be sure of his thoughts, and certainly has no right to teach!\xa0 Surely the Jews thought they were right in insisting the Gentiles be circumcised.\xa0 Let none be presumptuous of the Spirit\u2019s word. In the heavenly city there is \u201cno temple,\u201d there is \u201cno need of sun or moon\u201d \u2013 \u201cthe glory of God [gives] it light, and its lamp [is] the Lamb.\u201d\xa0 But we do not dwell in the fullness of Jerusalem here; this I can assure you.\xa0 On earth we have unquestionable need for a Church.\xa0 And that Church is now founded in Rome with the Pope. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Solid Rock Unshakable Foundation" from The Innocent Heart, first album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, let the light and peace of your Son be with us this day as we gather in your holy NAME. YHWH, let us enter your Temple, here on earth and in Heaven.\xa0 With you and with your Son let us dwell.\xa0 Your Church, the New Jerusalem, be our home. O LORD, to your holy City let all peoples come \u2013 make your face shine upon all souls.\xa0 To your heavenly glory Jesus calls us, and so, let us indeed keep His Word, His commandment of love, and with us you will come to dwell. But how shall we know if we are keeping your commandments except by the authority you place upon the twelve apostles?\xa0 How can we be certain we are following the path to the kingdom apart from the declaration of Peter?\xa0 If we are not obedient to the ones you send, we shall not be obedient to you, and so will be without the light of the Holy Spirit to guide us.\xa0 O let us be one with you as is your Son, as is your Church on earth!\xa0 O LORD, let us glory in your presence forever.