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continuing development - more to follow
The '''[[Christianity|Christian]] Mysteries''' refers to the sacred teachings and [[sacrament]]al rituals of [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] and [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] Christianity. This terminology is heard today in the beginning of the Catholic [[Eucharist]] when the presiding celebrant of the [[liturgy]] says, "Brothers let us celebrate the Sacred Mysteries", followed by the opening prayer or invocation, after which comes the reading of the scriptures.
The '''[[Christianity|Christian]] Mysteries''' refers to the sacred teachings and [[sacrament]]al rituals of [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] and [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] Christianity. This terminology is heard today in the beginning of the Catholic [[Eucharist]] when the presiding celebrant of the [[liturgy]] says, "Brothers let us celebrate the Sacred Mysteries", followed by the opening prayer or invocation, after which comes the reading of the scriptures.
Originally, in the early centuries of the Faith, the most profound essential doctrines and initiations were revealed only after the ''catechumens''—those who had been fully [[Catechesis|''catechised'']] (instructed and taught) about Jesus as Savior and Lord sent by the one true God, and their moral obligations as candidates and later as Christians—had been initiated by [[Baptism]] into Christ. Knowledge of the sacred doctrines was kept from outsiders to avoid any possibility of [[blasphemy]] and [[sacrilege]]. This policy of protecting and defending what is sacred and not to be defiled bears a superficial resemblance to the practice of secrecy of the ancient [[Mystery religion]]s of the Greek Hellenistic and Roman worlds of the Mediterranean and Middle East. However, the Christian practice of compassion, forgiveness and generous giving to the poor and defenseless was public, together with preaching the name of Jesus as the Savior and Redeemer of all men everywhere (Acts 17:30).
==Initiation==
Originally, in the early centuries of the Faith, those who had attained the age of reason, who had been fully [[Catechesis|''catechised'']] (instructed and taught) about Jesus as the one Savior and Lord sent by the one true God, and had been taught about their moral obligations as candidates and later as Christians—the ''catechumens''—after being attested by mature Christian catechists as their sponsors as being candidates fully prepared and ready for acceptance, were initiated by [[Baptism]] into Christ.
==The ''Divinum Arcanum''==
==The ''Divinum Arcanum'': The "Divine Mystery"==
The "Discipline of the Secret" was the obligation of Christian believers to keep sacred their knowledge of the doctrines of God, what Paul called "meat" (1 Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:12–6:6; 1 Peter 2:2).
The most profound essential doctrines and sacramental initiations were revealed only gradually after the catechumens had been initiated by [[Baptism]] into Christ. In conformity with the usage of the inspired writers of the New Testament scriptures, [[theologian]]s designate with the word "mystery" and "mysteries" the divinely reveal truths that surpass the powers of natural reason to fully understand<ref>See Matthew 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10; Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:7; 4:11; 13:2; 15:51; Ephesians 3:3-6, 9-10; 5:32; 6:19; Colossians 1:26-28; 2:2-3; 4:3; 1 Timothy 3:9, 16; Revelation 10:7. Various forms of the word μυστέριον ''mysterion'' appear 27 times in the New Testament, mysteries of righteousness, of knowledge both good and evil, and of wickedness (2 Thessalonians 2:7; Revelation 17:5-7).</ref>, but which are not against intelligent reason<ref>There are many things in nature that science does not understand, mysteries, such as the nature of [[gravity]], and the aerodynamics of how a bee is able to fly. See [[Philosophical naturalism]].</ref>.
Knowledge of the sacred doctrines was kept from outsiders to avoid any possibility of [[blasphemy]] and [[sacrilege]] by those being instructed, but who not yet any had commitment, and ridicule by pagan outsiders. This was according to the word of Jesus in Matthew 7:6{{cquote|Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you. (''turn to attack you'')}}
==The Discipline of the Secret==
The "Discipline of the Secret" was the obligation of Christian believers to keep sacred their knowledge of the more profound doctrines of God, their advancing in what Paul called the maturity of "meat" as beyond the initial nourishment of "milk" (1 Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:12–6:6; 1 Peter 2:2). These doctrines are summarized in the [[Apostles' Creed]], and later developed in the [[Nicene Creed]] and the [[Athanasian Creed]].
*The One True God
*God as the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit of God
*God in Jesus Christ: The Incarnation of the Word of God
*The Virgin Birth of Jesus from Mary
*Jesus Christ as Dead and Risen and Ascended
*The Church as the Body of Christ
*The Sacraments of the Christian Religion
*The Gentiles as equal heirs of salvation with the Jews
*The [[Fruits of the Holy Spirit]]
*The [[Corporal and spiritual works of mercy]]
The Christian policy of protecting and defending what is sacred and not to be defiled bears a superficial resemblance to the practice of secrecy of the ancient [[Mystery religion]]s of the Greek Hellenistic and Roman worlds of the Mediterranean and Middle East. However, the Christian practice of compassion, forgiveness and generous giving to the poor and defenseless was public, together with preaching the name of Jesus as the Savior and Redeemer of "all men everywhere" (Acts 17:30).
==See also==
==See also==
[[Orthodox Mysteries]]
[[Orthodox Mysteries]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
==External links==
[http://crc-internet.org/our-doctrine/catholic-renaissance/sacraments/christian-mysteries/ The Christian Mysteries (crc-internet.org)]
[http://crc-internet.org/our-doctrine/catholic-renaissance/sacraments/christian-mysteries/ The Christian Mysteries (crc-internet.org)]
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_mysteries Sacred mysteries - Wikipedia]
[http://w2.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_03091965_mysterium.html ''Mysterium Fidei'': Encyclical of Pope Paul VI on the Holy Eucharist, September 3, 1965 (w2.vatican.va)]