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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Prerequisite-infallibility? | 1 Cor 12:27 | Reformer Joe | 12657 | ||
Charis: Before you start lauding Martin Luther as a type of apostle, perhaps you should read some of his commentaries on the Bible and his views on apostleship and whether it exists today. It wasn't even a debated point in the 16th century that the apostles were a first-century phenomenon. It is not until the 20th century (except in the case of the LDS and other "restorationist" cults of the 19th century) in which we see a sudden frenzy to identify "new apostles." He certainly never placed himself in any apostolic category, while the New testament figures did not hesitate to use the terms for themselves (read almost every salutation of Paul's epistles, for example). It is not a question of humility, because in many ways Luther was not a humble man. Rather, it is a recognition that he was in a completely separate category from those identified in the earlist church as apostles. Incidentally, there is a denomination named after Luther, as he did believe in the organized church as God's primary vehicle for glorifying Himself on earth (as did Calvin and all of the other Reformers, not to mention the apostle Peter in 1 Peter 2:1-10). As someone who attends a non-denominational Bible church myself, I will be the first to attest that while there is no central governing body over all "Bible churches," there certainly does exist a great deal of informal control that transcends particular congregations, almost as if a anti-denominational bias binds such congregations together and leads to rejection of cooperative efforts with denominational churches who are very much Christ-centered (such as the PCA or SBC). Such a mentality limits their mission as well to reach the lost for Christ. Almost seems at times as if there is a separate, "non-denominational denomination." --Joe! |
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2 | Prerequisite-infallibility? | 1 Cor 12:27 | glory777 | 12660 | ||
This is not a note per se on apostleship (I already stated what I believe about it) but to say that I think there is a start of a unifying, to some extent with other denominations. Although I can never see a "oneness" taking place, I have seen the start in my area of different church leaders who worship Jesus praying together. I have prayed with some of my Catholic friends, and I know others in my church have also. We pray for each other. So although the biases still remain on BOTH sides, I think there is a realization forming that if Jesus Christ is our center, we are brothers and sisters in His name. Debbie |
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3 | Prerequisite-infallibility? | 1 Cor 12:27 | Reformer Joe | 12662 | ||
Well, we have to remember that unity must be bsed on truth, and not just for unity's sake. While I agree with Catholics on many theological issues (the Trinitarian nature of God, for example), there is still much in Roman Catholicism itself which keeps its most faithful adherents out of the Kingdom of God. Any individual who is relying on God's grace plus their merit (Romans 3:10-18,23 pretty much rules this out), or faith plus works (Ephesians 2:8,9), or Christ plus Mary and their own works (1 Timothy 2:5), and Scripture's authority riding side-saddle with that of the Roman church (2 Timothy 3:16,17) are not getting the gospel right, and therefore are not our brothers and sisters in Christ. The Bible makes this so abundantly clear. I am not part of a denomination myself, but I am more than happy to fellowship with those in this forum and in my "real life" who adhere to the essentials of the gospel but differ with me on questions of baptism, divine election, church order, etc. However, we are not to extend the hand of Chritian fellowship to those who claim to be followers of Christ but who reject the truths of Scripture on what and how we are saved by Whom. I am all for fellowship and cooperation among different denominations, but not all groups claiming to be Christian congregations are truly part of the visible church. Biblical unity is always based on embracing and living out common TRUTHS. --Joe! |
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