What is stigmata and is it biblical?

Question

My last question like this was removed, I guess I worded it wrong?

When was the first reported stigmata? Were there any studies done on it?

Answer 1

Stigmata is Biblical only in the sense that this Greek word appears at Galatians 6:17 where the apostle Paul uses it. Paul wrote to the congregation in Galatia: “I am carrying on my body the brand marks (Greek: stigmata) of Jesus.” By this did he mean that he exhibited the flesh wounds and bled from them as did Christ? Some may think so. But such is not the case. Why?

Well, many physical abuses were administered to Paul’s body because of his Christian service. Consider his report recorded at 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 where he mentions, among other things, having suffered forty strokes less one, having being beaten with rods three times, and having being stoned once. No doubt some of this left him physically scarred; hence physically having marks on his body. But while this testified to the authenticity of his claim that he was a faithful slave of Christ, by no means is it meant to suggest that one must have physical, fleshly indications on one's body in order to show that one is a disciple of Christ.

And the above is as far as any Biblical indication reaches. There is no basis in scripture to suggest that the apostle Paul manifested stigmata in the way that this phenomenon shows up today. Really, what would be the purpose? Galatians 5:22 lists the fruitage of God’s spirit. This is the fruitage all professed Christians would display if these professed Christians belong to Christ. There is nothing here to suggest that some Christians get "more" evidence than others. And, obviously, none of these fruits of the spirit manifest physically.

Moreover, as for the identifying mark of a slave of Christ and of God, Jesus himself told us what it is at John 13:35: “By this all will know you are my disciples, if you have [self-sacrificing] love among yourselves.” Notice, that all people - even non-Christians would be able to identify those belonging to Christ. There is no scriptural basis upon which to suggest that special “markings” would be the evidence of special “favor” from God. That would be a contradiction of God’s own word.

I hope this was of help to you.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 2

The stigmata is bleeding from the places Jesus bled from at His death. It is not "biblical" in the sense that the Bible does not say that it is mandatory that we feel Jesus' wounds to such an extent (actually not in any sense, I don't remember the Bible even mentioning it).

What it is, is a love for Jesus so deeply felt, and an empathy for His wounds so deeply felt, that it manifests (shows) itself in this form. I believe that it is one of the highest forms of praise and worship there can be. I have not had the experience, nor do I believe I ever will have, but I DO respect those that do.

Do not feel bad if you never experience the stigmata, like you don't love God enough or something, we all show our love in different ways, and the Bible does not say we HAVE to have the stigmata, but that is what the stigmata is.

I don't know the first person to ever experience it, but I do know that St. Francis of Assissi had the experience.

Answer 3

The Stigmata is when wounds suddenly appear on your hands/wrists and feet. Occasionally, a mark on the side will also appear. I don't know when the first Stigmata appeared, but I know that many saints are said to have borne the Stigmata. I don't believe any studies were done on it as it was considered to be an act of God.

Answer 4

The stigmata are the visible wounds of Christ on the cross which appear on the bodies of certain faithful Catholics.

There are very few authenticated cases.

The first was St. Francis of Assisi. For the last two years of his life he bore the wounds of our Lord.

The most recent was Padre Pio, a 20th century monk in Italy. His wounds were not only authenticated but photographed repeatedly. He bore them for nearly 40 years. He was examined frequently by a multitude of physicians, including Christians, Jews and atheists.

It is believed to be a signal grace from God and is to be viewed as a sign that this individual is very close to God and one would do well to take that person as a role model. Some stigmatics have all five wounds (head, hands, side, feet, lash marks), some have only the wounds in the hands and feet.

Contemporary accounts of those who personally knew the stigmatics affirm that they were gentle, caring, loving, forgiving and kind persons who tried to follow Christ in every aspect of their lives.

Hope this helped.

Answer 5

It is a really fascinating phenomenon, and no less amazing to me if viewed as simply "mind over matter." When you are talking about a person jacking themselves up so hard on the holy spirit that they can actually open wounds at specifically selected spots on their body then you know they are tapping into some kind of powerful vibration or force. I find it interesting that the majority of cases like this seem to involve Catholics of the sort who are culturally not far removed from outright paganism, and hence much closer to the Universe's true religion than all the pious American BAs and fundies.

Answer 6

Stigmata In The Bible

Answer 7

In the early days of the fledgling christian church it was deemed and still is, that anything which does not reflect their beliefs should be called heretical. Hence all of the hate, bigotry, and discrimination aimed at virtually everyone and everything ever since. They stole our holy days and twisted them to fit their schedules thus creating easter, christmas and even halloween. All to quell the paganistic ways. Wicca is still relatively new and is not well known either. There is nothing wrong with any form of paganism. Being Wiccan is however, a legally accepted form of religion and one cannot legally discriminate against you for your faith whereas other forms of paganism are not covered as of yet. Let me leave you with this quote from a Catholic pope; Pope Leo X. "It has served us well this myth of Christ!" Sharon

Answer 8

The first reported stigmata was St. Paul, reported on in the book of Galatians.

" ... I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." (Galatians 6:17) "Stigmata" is the Greek word used for "marks" in this text.

The first well documented case was St. Francis of Assisi, at La Verna in 1224 AD.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06221a.htm

The most famous example of a stigmatist in recent times was Padre Pio. He was famously required by the church to bind his hands so the marks could not be seen - they did not want this to become a distraction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padre_Pio

Answer 9

Stigmata is bleeding from the same wounds as Christ, I am an athiest so don't quote me.

Answer 10

Padre Pio was a famous Catholic priest who was known to have the stigmata.

I have provided a link with photographs.