Stigmata

[Guest His_Servant]

Echo hubertdorm's statement concerning the placement of the nails. 

During the Roman era the area of the hand encompassed the entire wrist.  A Roman soldier "shook hands" by grabbing the forearm of the person opposite him in a gesture that basically said, "Let's talk instead of fighting."  A right-arm-to-right-arm grab insured both parties that neither one had the intention of harming the other, as it is extremely hard to draw a wepon when locked in such a position.  If an opponent was untrustoworthy the "handshake" would last the entire conversation!

So, anyway, during the Lord's time the "hand" actually extended from the tip of the middle finger to about halfway up the forearm.  So when the Bible tells us that Jesus was pierced through His hands, it's actually telling the truth!  Jesus was in fact pierced through His hands. We just happen to call them "wrists" nowdays.

I personally believe that stigmata falls into the same category as Marian apparitions: They are of questionable spiritual value and authenticity.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

WOW! I did not know that! I'm not trying to go off topic, so pay no attention to me lol...but that makes me wonder about the mark of the beast too....reminds me of something.

Blessings!

[Guest hubertdorm]

"People fear what they do not understand."

I said before that I see no possible reason for such manifestations. But I have no explanation for many things God has done. I've listened to pastors explain away difficult passages in which their hero steps out of character. I've read commentaries on the nature of God wherein a mortal human claims to have God figured out.

Most Protestants will outright reject stigmata. One reason is because it simply smells Catholic. The other is because it makes no sense, so it seems to demonic. It very well could be!

As far as signs go, I don't think Matthew 24 applies. Jesus purposely came with many signs and wonders so that those that saw them would believe! Miracles aren't a sin. Stigmata may be an illusion of the mind, but my guess is that it is something spiritual.

Whether that "spirit" is of the Spirit remains to be seen. We may never know until the Lord appears in the sky and says, "Now you've got something to talk about!"

[Guest jcsgirl]

i guess my opinion is that whether its of god or the devil, its not something that is part of my life, so why concern myself with it. now my hands & feet suddenly start bleeding, ill concern myself with that. i have just come to the conclusion for myself that i can never know to much about the bible and thats my first lesson for myself. if im gonna study something its gonna be gods word!