Direito à Fé/Right to Faith

“I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist… but I am afraid, lest they should exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast to the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.” The Simplicity of the Gospel We live in an age where celebrity culture is increasingly evident in both society and the church. Billboards featuring singers, artists, bishops, pastors, and religious leaders have become common. When this desire for recognition is only external, it is already concerning; but it becomes far more dangerous when it reaches the heart—when the mind is dominated by the need to be seen, to achieve success, and to be admired by others. In the religious sphere, many leaders compete to prove who works harder, who organizes the most attractive events, who preaches or sings better, who gathers the largest membership, or ultimately, who commands the greatest f...

Gospels Through the Perspective of Grace - Gospel of Matthew Bible Study Recap – Matthew 3 & 4 On August 20th , our group gathered for another Bible study, this time focusing on chapters 3 and 4 of the Gospel of Matthew. The study was led by Rev. Marvel Souza , who began with a short introduction about why Matthew is placed first in the New Testament. He explained that Matthew’s message and purpose show how Jesus fulfills the promises of the Old Testament, making clear the connection between God’s covenant with Israel and the new covenant in Christ. Rev. Marvel also highlighted how some chapters of Matthew mirror the first five books of the Bible (the Torah). For example: Matthew chapter 1 reflects Genesis , since it tells the story of Jesus’ origins. Matthew chapter 2 connects with Exodus , showing Jesus’ time in Egypt, the flight from danger, and the persecution of newborns—reminding us of Moses’ story. These connections help us see that Jesus’ story is not random or i...

 Para leer en español haga clic en el enlace a continuación: https://www.xn--direitof-5ya5g.com/2020/09/genealogia-de-jesus-y-constitucion.html  A Multiforme Graça Divina na Constituição Familiar Introdução O debate sobre o padrão adequado de constituição familiar tem sido tema de estudos sociais, filosóficos, humanistas e teológicos. Tradicionalmente, a família nuclear, composta por homem, mulher e filhos, é apontada por muitos grupos religiosos como modelo ideal, enquanto outras formas são vistas como desvios do padrão “correto”. Entretanto, a Bíblia apresenta diversas formas de constituição familiar, indicando que a graça de Deus transcende definições humanas. Este estudo busca analisar essas diferentes formas à luz das Escrituras, ressaltando a centralidade da vontade divina e do amor como fundamento da família. Desenvolvimento 1. Família Substituta A Bíblia apresenta exemplos de famílias constituídas por adoção ou cuidado substitutivo. Moisés, após ser desmamado, foi adot...

The Table Culture: A Reflection on the Last Supper, Diversity, and the Sacred Space of Inclusion There’s something sacred about sitting at a table. The table is a place of conversation, of nourishment, of vulnerability, and of connection. And when we look at the Last Supper - that defining moment in Jesus’ ministry - we find more than just bread and wine; we find a powerful lens through which to explore diversity, unity, and inclusion. The Last Supper wasn’t just a farewell meal. It was a bold, intentional act of gathering. Jesus chose who would be there - and he chose diversity. Among those seated were a tax collector, a zealot, fishermen, a traitor, and doubters. Different temperaments, different backgrounds, different views of the world. Yet, they all shared bread from the same loaf and drank from the same cup. It was a table of radical inclusion, despite the fractures and flaws in each guest. The Symbols of the Supper Let’s reflect on the items present at that table - not just as h...

We, Pastor Marvel Souza and Pastor Raphael Lira, are committed to mobilizing people of all sexual orientations and gender identities to help transform our communities, our country, and the world into a fuller expression of Christ’s grace, salvation, reconciliation, and inclusive love. We believe that every person is a beloved child of God. We’ve served in Brazil, Argentina, Japan, and the United States, creating safe and sacred spaces for worship, celebrating Holy Communion, officiating same-sex weddings, and preaching the gospel of reconciliation. We don’t fight for the right to have faith—we believe faith is a God-given birthright. Our calling is to help people live it out fully and boldly. marvelsouza@gmail.com