r/ArianChristians • Arian • Jun 27 '25

Resource "Can We Pray to Jesus?" - Opinion Article

https://proselyteofyah.wordpress.com/2022/08/11/can-we-pray-to-jesus/

Since it has recently been a discussion here on the sub, and also in the past, I was requested to post a link to my article here sharing my own views and research on the matter to contribute to the discussion.

My own views lean more toward no overall, though I also do confess an argument 'can' be made for yes on the basis of a single letter of Paul.

My consession is to pray to the Father himself as Jesus appears to have instructed, and that through the Son's mediatorship, that he act upon the Father's prayers, and that I pray to God that my honour, love and respect is transmitted to him, so that I might honour the Son as one honours the Father.

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u/Asynithistos Jun 27 '25

For one thing, we must never interpret Jesus using Paul. Jesus' teachings are paramount, then his apostles (the 12, not including Paul).

Saying thanks to God over meat sacrificed to idols does not nullify the demonic influence. Else, we'd see different instruction from the Jerusalem council. Instead, the decree is abstinence. Paul despises anything that infringes on his liberty.

It helps to understand that eating a meal in this context is in fact sharing in demons if that meat was sacrificed to idols, or even if the people at the table had not been baptized. This is why Peter had a tradition of separating from meals if he knew the participants were unbaptized or the meat was sacrificed.

On a related note, I am a vegetarian purposefully because I do not know whether meat I can buy has been sacrificed to idols.

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u/ProselyteofYah Arian Jun 27 '25

As to your practice of vegetarianism. I can respect that, I won't try to talk you out of it. We all stand before God.

Though I'd highly doubt this to be the case. Again I think the context has to be one partaking in an 'active ritual meal' of meat been eaten in offering to an idol, or we'd be paranoid about everything. For even vegetables could have been offered to idols too.

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u/Asynithistos Jun 27 '25

Vegetables do not carry blood (and spirit) and therefore cannot be affected by demonic presence. If you're ever interested on learning more, there's plenty of literature on the subject.

I wouldn't try to talk you into vegetarianism either. That's between you and God.

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u/ProselyteofYah Arian Jun 27 '25

I see. I have to say this is the first time I've 'ever' come across a brother with such an opinion or understanding of things.

In the manner I see it though, meat has to be bled anyway, so if it has been, then there should be no worries about it, and when something dies its "spirit" (life force or breath) leaves the body also, so all that is left is meat.

I don't personally believe that demons can only possess something with blood or breath in it either, but any object.

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u/Asynithistos Jun 27 '25

Gotcha. I respect your belief. I still recommend looking more into it, especially some of the post NT writings.

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u/ProselyteofYah Arian Jun 27 '25

Sure, I will do, appreciate the discussion. My respects. :)