The Shroud Of Turin To Be Genuine
- From: "Rigo Muniz" <bengaltiger14@xxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2006 02:50:53 GMT
"A Gospel Truth"
A Long Lost Gospel PROVES The Shroud Of Turin To Be Genuine
Here is a most important find as further proof that the Shroud of Turin
IS the actual burial cloth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please
read this text from a long lost Gospel, which places the "linen cloth"
in the hands of Jesus, Himself!
Gospel according to the Hebrews. From St.Jerome (341-420 AD) "De Viris
Illustribus 2", The Gospel called according to the Hebrews which was
recently transcribed by me into Greek and Latin, which Origen
frequently uses, records after the resurrection of the Savior: And when
the Lord had given the linen cloth to the servant of the priest, he
went to James and appeared to him. For James had sworn that he would
not eat bread from that hour in which he had drunk the cup of the Lord
until he should see him risen from among them that sleep. And shortly
thereafter the Lord said: Bring a table and bread! And immediately it
is added: he took the bread, blessed it and brake it and gave it to
James the Just and said to him: My brother, eat your bread, for the Son
of man is risen from among them that sleep.
The Gospel of the Hebrews Extract Taken From Gospel Parallels, Ed.
Burton H. Throckmorton Jr. ISBN 0-8407-5150-8 and The Other Bible, Ed.
Willis Barnstone, ISBN 0-06-250030-904143784.
I cannot begin to describe my elation upon seeing this text for the
first time The words "the linen cloth" leaped out at me. I immediately
contacted my dear Shroud friends and long-time researchers, the
Reverend Albert "Kim" Dreisbach, and Barrie Schwortz (official Shroud
photographer). After a phone call from Barrie, and a detailed email
from Fr. Kim, I was assured that I had, indeed, found a very
significant text, and that it has been known of for some time. It is
with their blessings that I include this on my website ... to share
with all who care to read the Gospel Truth. As a novice in Sindonology
(study of the Shroud of Turin), I humbly express my sincere thanks to
both Fr. Kim, and Barrie for their expertise and insights stemming from
their many years of dedicated research on the Shroud. Their
encouragement has been treasured and invaluable.
I think it was no accident that I happened upon this probable earliest
of gospels, believed to have been the source from which the Gospel of
Matthew was written ... in the original Hebrew. With only a few small
fragments remaining, the only actual text of this scripture in the
Gospel according to the Hebrews or Nazaraeans ("observers") in
existence today are from the writings of St. Jerome, who quoted from it
in his De Viris Illustribus ... concerning James, the brother of the
Lord. The general concensus is that this gospel was written in the
middle of the first century when the traditions of Jesus were first
being compiled. Obviously, it had not been translated from Hebrew into
Greek or Latin until St. Jerome accomplished this in about 392 AD.
These facts make this ancient and earliest of gospel texts "a pearl of
great price" to Bible and Shroud scholars alike. It is also a treasure
for Christians, historians ... and especially for those seeking truth,
proofs, and enrichment of faith.
In the gospel text, the phrase "servant of the priest" did not seem to
make much sense to scholars, until further study found a more accurate
translation. It is now believed that, since the Hebrew consonants for
servant or slave are "ebed"... and "cohen" for priest, they are closely
related to the Hebrew "kepha" for Peter and "yochanan" for John. This
would be in total agreement with what Paul tells us in that, after the
Resurrection, Jesus was first "seen of Cephas" (Peter). It also agrees
with John's Gospel account of Peter and John having found the linen
clothes lying in the empty tomb.
This lost gospel also gives us other equally precious information. It
tells us that the Lord's brother, James, had been in attendance at the
Last Supper. The synoptic gospels make it quite clear, however, that
Jesus' brothers had not been among His followers and believers. Yet, in
this gospel, James, obviously grieved, had a sudden change of heart ...
and belief, after the Resurrection of our Lord. So much so, in fact,
that he went on to become the head of the Church in Jerusalem ... and
to die in martyrdom ... preaching that Jesus was, indeed, the Christ.
Jesus' appearance to him after the Resurrection was the obvious
catalyst that caused his conversion. Like Jesus, James had long hair,
as probably did John the Baptist, of whom several of Jesus' disciples
were original followers. Therefore, it is feasible that more than a
few, if not most, of the disciples of Jesus had long hair ... which has
been disputed by some. The ancient writer, Hegesippus, who lived close
to the Apostolic age (approximately 180 AD), in his fifth book of
"Commentaries on the Acts of the Church", wrote this description of
James: "He drank no wine or other intoxicating liquor, nor did he eat
flesh; no razor came upon his head..." It was also written of James the
Just that he was so revered by the people that the death of this
brother of Jesus was the spark that ignited the Jewish revolt in 66 AD.
The very mention of "the linen cloth" in this early gospel ... and
after the Resurrection ... validates that the linen cloth was not only
recognized, but was of great significance to our Lord in connection
with the Resurrection. Based upon ancient Jewish tradition, the
touching of any grave clothes was considered defiling. However, the
fact that Jesus, Himself, handed the cloth to Peter suggests something
extremely important and purposeful about the cloth. When John saw the
linen clothes lying in the empty tomb, he "saw and believed". Thus, in
my opinion, began the earliest moments of Christianity ... along with
the appearances of Jesus following His death and Resurrection. The fact
that the linen cloth is not further mentioned in our present gospels
certainly indicates that anything pertaining to the cloth was removed
early on for the purpose of protection and preservation. The omission
in itself places an incredible importance on the burial cloth. In
addition, the "Sudarium Christi"...or Oviedo cloth...the "napkin that
was about his head" presumably when taken down from the cross, is also
accounted for and housed in Oviedo, Spain, since the 6th century. There
were, more than likely, other smaller cloths, bandages or "othonia"
such as strips of linen that were tied around the head to keep the jaw
closed...and, due to rigor mortis, to hold the arms and feet together.
The blank vertical areas on both sides of the facial image certainly do
suggest something tied around the head. Therefore, again, the Shroud is
in complete accordance with ancient Jewish burial customs...and
scripture.
For a very long time, I have prayed and asked our Heavenly Father to
lead us to the truths, based on solid, authenticated historical facts
.... in an effort to lead the mis-led away from the confusion and
deceptions of our time. In case you haven't noticed, though I'm sure
you have, there has been a disturbing trend by some so-called "biblical
scholars", such as the "Jesus Seminar", to demean and discredit the
Divinity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ ... even denying His very
existence in history! You see it in the media and in bookstores, as
well as on the internet. It has even been speculated that the body of
Jesus was devoured by dogs and by birds of prey while on the cross!
That offends my soul! And, I might add, it doesn't do much good for the
souls who made that statement. Woe unto them! Now, with this gospel
treasure, there may be a real "wailing and a gnashing of teeth" ! So be
it! It would be a difficult, if not impossible task for Bible
"scholars" and Shroud "de-bunkers" alike to attempt to disprove this
earliest of gospels... though I'm sure some will try. Do not be
deceived...for the Bible is an absolutely reliable and historical
Source for Truth. I think the words of the Apostle Paul answer them
quite clearly: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are
lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them
which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who
is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2nd Cor. 4:3-4).
For years, Shroud "de-bunkers" would have had us believe that the image
was a painting...which it is not...or that the Man on the Shroud was,
absurdly, that of Leonardo da Vinci, or, worse yet, a last Grand Master
of the Knights Templar! In fact, the Shroud had been traced back
centuries before the very existence of both...in ancient (6th century)
Byzantine icons and paintings...as well as in ancient documents. The
writers of those books didn't tell you that! And now, the Shroud has
finally been traced back to its beginning...the first century AD.
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it
shall be opened unto you." - (Matthew 7:7). The Holy Spirit, following
the deaths of my mother and my sister in 1999, led me directly to the
Shroud of Turin. That, in turn, led me to an in-depth study of the Holy
Bible. There is no greater Truth than the Word of God...and I highly
suggest that everyone read it daily for the understanding that God
wants us to have. Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls." (Matthew 11:29). Suddenly, truths were opening up to me ... and
my life was changed ... and my grief was gone. How wonderous He is!
Thus began my journey.
I now understand why the Shroud of Turin was made such an important
passion in my life ... and the journey it caused me to embark upon.
Even greater, is the destination it has brought me to ... this ancient
and lost gospel proving the beginnings of the Holy Shroud...as well as
the historical Resurrection of our Lord. Though the Shroud is not to be
worshipped in itself, it is important that it be recognized as a
significant part of the Resurrection. ..and as a validation of Jesus'
life, His suffering and death for us...and that it finally be
appreciated as such. It is time that we all stop saying to the
crucified Man on the Shroud, "Prove yourself"!...because THAT He has!
Are we, like Peter, with the Lord's Face before us, that Jesus would
say to us: "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
Many consider the Shroud of Turin to be the Fifth Gospel, and I must
agree...as it is a visual record of the instant the Lord's Light caused
His body to change "in the twinkling of an eye" into His spiritual
body. "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me
should not abide in darkness." (John 12:46). Is it any wonder that He
also departed this world...in light? And is it also any wonder that
modern day scientists, with all their technology, cannot explain how
the image was created on the Shroud...except for possible radiation
light? Could this be why the ancients described it as "not made with
hands"? Could it be that the ways of God cannot be comprehended by man?
This linen burial cloth...called the Shroud of Turin...is the Gospel of
Jesus...left for us...in a most personal and profound way. At any rate,
the writer of this Hebrew gospel in the first century...probably the
Apostle Matthew, certainly did not mention the "linen cloth" for the
sole purpose of solving a puzzle two thousand years hence... concerning
a cloth called the Shroud of Turin! Yet, he has done just that. On
second thought, perhaps it was Divinely intended that the missing piece
to the puzzle be given to us in this generation.
Perhaps we prefer not to be reminded of the brutal battering the body
of our Lord endured...or of the precious blood He shed for us that day
2000 years ago. But, it appears that Jesus wanted us to see the
evidence of His love for us. Here it is...left by Him, as a reminder of
the most supernatural and miraculous event in history...a record baring
witness to every detail...and more...from His scourging and crowning
with thorns...to His Crucifixion and Resurrection. As we weep for His
suffering, let us also rejoice in His victory...the victory over death
that He won for us...and our redemption from sin.
Profoundly, this beautiful and sacred linen cloth that enshrouded the
body of our Lord, Jesus Christ, has brought me to a new height of
understanding ... and a new beginning in my own life ... without fear
and without grief. For what the Holy Spirit was telling me in such a
personal way is the very answer I was seeking concerning my mother and
sister. Through the death and Resurrection of our Savior, we, too, have
resurrection and eternal life. I believe this was Jesus' gift to us in
this generation...His "appearance" to us."But as touching the
resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto
you by God, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and
the God of Jacob'? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living".
- (Matthew 22:31-32). And lastly, I join Martha at the death of her
brother Lazarus to whom Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the
life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest
thou this?" -( John 11:25-26). I say with Martha, "Yea, Lord: I
believe" ...
For all skeptics and doubters, I believe it can now be safely and
honestly said that the Shroud of Turin IS the actual linen cloth that
wrapped the crucified body of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It IS
the actual burial Shroud through which His body passed at the instant
of His Resurrection. It was the only earthly, yet quiet witness to that
most Holy event. But, now it is speaking ... and telling us volumes
about our Lord's Passion. It is with certainty we can be assured that
by gazing at the majestic Face on the Shroud of Turin we are, indeed,
looking into ... the Face of God. Let not Jesus say to us now, "Have I
been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he
that hath seen me hath seen the Father"... - (John 14:9).
"For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined
in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ." (2nd Cor. 4:6).
And so, my journey to...and with Jesus...continues. May His love,
truth, and peace be with you always. Amen.
Rigoberto Muniz
http://home.earthlink.net/~muniz1/
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