Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Baptized before serving in choir | 1 Cor 12:13 | justme | 183317 | ||
Jeff: In Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you: and lo I am with you always even to the end of the age." NASB Baptism is not optinal, it is a command of Jesus Christ, who Christians are to follow His example. The Church members should be an example of following Christ leadership. The choir should be made up of believers that are following Jesus Christ and His Commands. Therefore when a local body of believers say unless you have been born again and baptized, this requirement is totally Biblical. Scripture tells us to test what we hear and see, against what the WORD says. I believe that the Church, meaning the bride of Christ is growing, and reaching out as never before. I do not believe "the church in general today has been filled with corruption and false teaching in a way never before seen." I do see that and failing in the church or it's members are brought to the attention of an audience that is far greater than ever before. This is due to the vastly improved way we communicate with TV internet, and many other ways of instant reporting. Having served as Pastor in the Souther Baptist, Conserative Baptist, and the American Baptist Churches USA, I can say there is no perfect church or denomination. I can say I have seen souls being transformed by Jesus Christ, as never before. Yes, there are false teachers and those who preach out of selfish motives, but it was that way in New Testament times as well. I am sorry you feel the church is missing the mark today because of lazy and unterested believers. I personally feel it is up to each believer to be respondsible for their own personal growth in Christ. I can do my best to become a believer who studies the Word, and developes a living active love relationship with Jesus Christ. I can show and demonstrate how to become a follower of Christ, but that is up to each person to be accountable to the Holy Father. I believe I have presented the Scriptual support you asked for. If you find a church that is unscriptual in the preaching, teaching or the requirements they have set, then it is your responsibility to find a church which is Scriptual in all the areas you listed. I too am very concerned that the statements I make in this Study Bible Forum are Scriptual, respectful, kind, and open for anyone to question. I believe it is the respondsibility and part of growing as Christians to ask, just as you have done, when something seems to need further explimation. Thank you for asking and I hope his has cleared up any questions you had. I am very optomistic in the Power of the Holy Spirit to convict sinners of their need for Jesus Christ. The Church is growing every minuet. I have seen the lives of changed people after receieving Jesus Christ as Lord. The Bride of Christ awaits the Bride Groom, and until He comes, the command is to GO make disciples. Blessings to you Jeff. Justme |
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2 | Baptized before serving in choir | 1 Cor 12:13 | jlhetrick | 183342 | ||
Justme, We are certainly in agreement that a church choir should consist only of believers, but that was not the essence of Azure's question as I understood it. She specifically referred to baptism as I understood her question. Baptism certainly doesn't make a believer as we both know. Nor does the lack of baptism negate the power and work of the Holy Spirit that He has begun in any person. In any case, I believe that what you are responding to has more to do with my disagreeing with your guidance suggesting that Azure, or perhaps believers in general, should follow church imposed guidelines with a safe assumption that because it's the churches rule it is biblical. I felt and feel like a statement with such a potential for misguidance must be addressed. As for my comments about the stray nature of today's church, your response leads me to believe that I now have the responsibility to further clarify my statements. The Lord Jesus Christ is in charge and total control of His Church and no harm comes to It that He does not allow. I believe we will agree on that. For the sake of clarification let me acknowledge that I do not have researched evidence that the church is at a degraded state in these times nor did my earlier statements intend to qualify such an argument as you possibly believe they did. I will say, however, that the position is absolutely biblical. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (ESV) 4:1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. Many so-called Christian denominations today are very clearly rising to new levels of anti-biblical, antichrist teachings and practices such as accepting, approving of and even ordaining homosexuals for example. Let's not for a moment ignore the obvious. God's word says it will happen and it is happening whether we agree on it or not. We can at least be thankful for the new technologies in media that are able to clearly point it out. I hope this response helped to clarify as well as reiterate my concern. God bless you brother, Jeff |
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3 | What do we focus on? | 1 Cor 12:13 | justme | 183425 | ||
Jeff: Denominations are made up of believers, or at least they say they are believers. Just as there are no perfect Christians, churches, or denominations, everything falls short of what God would expect. I have heard much criticism of denominations for many years. Rarely have I heard how a denomination has done so much in the name of Jesus and there is praise for the denominations. But, the denominations I have been involved with have done much to show genuine Christian love and reach out to the unloveable, feed the poor and clothe, shelter, and provide for those in need. In times of national crisis, be it fire, storms, war. or whatever the need there are those denominations that have been there in the name of Jesus. The Souther Baptis have made more meals in the USA in the last two years than any organization. In Bolivia in 1982 when the country was in a general strike when some independant missionaries has no way to get food or fuel. The Canada Missions board sent supplies to help the coworkers in Christ. Ther have been times when independant missionaries had no money for a return flight home that other brethern in Christ belonging to denominations stepped in and brought them home. I have nothing against nondenominational churches or misssion work. But, I am very supportive of at least the denominations I have belonged to. Yes Jeff, there are tares of many kinds. I personally focus on the good that is been done and being done, and not on the negative. I see the end where Christ and His bride are together for eternity, not the evil one that overcomes us. I may well see the glass half full. I don't spend much effort on the empty side of the glass. Blessings Jeff. justme |
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4 | What do we focus on? | 1 Cor 12:13 | TheCurtMan000 | 183433 | ||
Wonderful point of view. Personally I believe if the entire body of Christ had that perspective we'd make for a much better witness. For me, however; I tend to try and focus on the entire glass, it helps to keep me balanced. However; there are times when I spend too much time focusing on the negative, and visea-versa. Would you say being unbalanced in either direction a good thing or bad thing? | ||||||