I wonder if Silas/Silvanus could be Paul's nickname for his own alter ego, the "Saul" of his prior persecuting life, his shadow side, his human side, his "sinful" side, prior to perhaps taking a "new name" of Paul after his conversion experience.
Tag: identity
Christians are Made Christs by Anointing
The ritual practice of anointing makes the person that is anointed an "Anointed One," which is what the word Christ literally means, and by derivation is what being a Christian means. Cyril of Jerusalem in the fourth century noted of those who had been baptized and anointed, "You have been made Christs, by receiving the anti-type [symbol] of the Holy Spirit [the oil]" (Catecheses 21.1). Receiving the chrism they are ritualistically made Christs, being clothed in that Name and Identity, taking it upon themselves in actual fact as their own Eternal Identity, their True Name/Self.
Colossians 1:25-28 BHT, the Great Mystery
Regarding the Mystery of the Gospel since the beginning.
Our True Identity
We've been surrounded by Christianity for many centuries, Mormonism for 200 years, yet it seems Christ consciousness hasn't penetrated most Western people, even those in Utah. Most don't know that Christ lives in them (Galatians 2:20).
What is the "Natural Man"?
There is a term that the scriptures use to refer to something in us that separates us from God. It is called the "natural man," or at times the "carnal mind." What is this? And how can a correct understanding of it help us commune with and become one with God?
I Am Not My…
I am not my body.
I am not my thoughts.
I am not my mind.
I am not my brain...