Results 1 - 7 of 7
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | How many local churches have you tried? | Heb 11:8 | retxar | 29141 | ||
Greetings Brian, Until 2 years ago, I was an active member of the same loving fellowship all my life (I am now 46). I never ever did any "church hopping" or even church shopping. I was real comfortable in my padded pew and it fit my rear-end well! The reason I left was God's call, not satan's push. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman and always leads, never pushes. I gave the Heb 11:8 ref because that is a verse I can relate to. I obeyed God's call by going, but like Abraham, I was not sure where I was going, or what I was getting in to. I was satisfied where I was at. However, God wanted a soldier, not a tourist! He has honored my obedience, not according to my works, but according to His own purpose and grace (2Ti 1:9). He has given me both the desire and the equipping to do what He has called me to do. He has blessed me with an increased desire and knowledge of His Word. He has given me the ability I never had before to teach and preach His Word. This was only possible because God gave me the boldness to be able to step out of my comfort zone. I have always thought that all the church hopping people do is mostly following after the flesh, not the Spirit. I think that a person should stay where they are at unless God leads elsewhere. I once heard that finding a new church we can feel a part of and comfortable in, is kind of like buying a new pair of shoes. You need to give it a little time, and you might have to endure a few blisters! If the church is teaching the Word and their doctrinal statement lines up with your interpretation of the Word, stick it out unless God is giving you a CLEAR call to go somewhere else. Be an ACTIVE member, not a pew warmer (Jam 1:22-25). Conclusion: Follows God’s call, resist satan’s push. Be a soldier, not a tourist! retxar |
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2 | How many local churches have you tried? | Heb 11:8 | Brian.g | 29146 | ||
rextar What does your new church offer to you, which your old did not. How are you able to better serve God at your new church, than you were able to at your old church. Brian |
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3 | How many local churches have you tried? | Heb 11:8 | retxar | 29217 | ||
Well, my old church was more traditional based. My new church is more of a street ministry outreach. I don't think it is so much the differences in the church, as it is the difference in me. There were plenty of areas at my old church where I was asked, lead, and did, step up to serve, but many times it seemed to be human effort based instead of Spirit lead. Our church services are much different, with a time of praise and worship and a time of serious “in the Word” Bible teaching/preaching, in which I lead at times. I would say my new church is more Spirit lead, and less tradition, program, and committee lead. My new church accepts the gifts of the Spirit and there operation and function according to scriptural guidelines. My old church tried to suppress and deny any so-called “sign gifts”. My new church encourages God centered praise and worship. My old church was happy with that “old time religion.” Nothing wrong with that, except for the “that’s good enough for me” attitude that often goes along with it! retxar |
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4 | How many local churches have you tried? | Heb 11:8 | Brian.g | 29228 | ||
Rextar Thank you for you response. Please clarify some items for me: Did you start, and are you the pastor of your new chuch. Can you expand on the "sign gifts" within your new church. How do you mean your new church operates and functions along scriptural guidelines. In your Sunday celebration, what do you do? Thank you for your feedback Brian |
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5 | How many local churches have you tried? | Heb 11:8 | retxar | 29241 | ||
Brian, I did not start the new church, but my family and the pastor’s family were the founding families. I am assistant pastor and teach the Word on occasion. We believe that scripture no where suggest that any of the so called “sign gifts” have ceased (1Co 13:10). However, they must be exercised according to scriptural guidelines. Tongues must be privately between the person speaking and God (1Co 14:28). If anyone is sick, we call the elders of the church (mature believers), and pray over them, anointing them with oil and we believe the prayer of faith will save them, and the Lord will raise them up (Jam 5:14-15). We expect that God will heal them, but we leave it in God's hands, as this is according to God’s sovereign will, not our obedience to the Word. retxar |
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6 | How many local churches have you tried? | Heb 11:8 | Brian.g | 29336 | ||
Retxar How is it that the two families came to start a new church, and am I correct in thinking that this is a non-denominational church? What makes your church unique from all of the other churches already in existence? How do you gain new members? What are the qualfications of the pastoral staff of your church? Thank you for your assistance to me. Brian |
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7 | How many local churches have you tried? | Heb 11:8 | retxar | 29353 | ||
Brian, We started the church, along with others, because we had a common vision to provide a Christian fellowship for those who may not be comfortable in a traditional church atmosphere, and to take the Gospel to the lost instead of trying to get the lost to come to us. We are a Calvary Chapel outreach (www.calvarychapel.com), so we operate under their guidelines and statement of faith. You are correct in that we are not a denominational church as such, but a fellowship of bible believing Christians who have a common desire to know Christ and be conformed to His image by the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe in all the basic doctrines of the historic Christian faith. We do not have a membership and offer nothing for anyone to join. Jesus only has one church, and you can’t join it, you must be born into it! retxar |
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