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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | has the church preaching remaind faithfu | OT general | ptr | 216639 | ||
Hi Debbie, If you compare our church with the Church of the Pharisees two thousand years ago, you will find that we are no different. With staggering growth of membership, financial stability and social influence, the church of the Pharisees would have been one of the most oustanding organizations in that day. Amidst the pomp and splendour of this and other apostate groups, there was a wayside preacher named John the Baptist. His audience basically was comprised of the lesser and social element of the Jewish society. (Matt 21:32). Unlike the seminary graduates of our day, John the Bapist's sermons were audacious and unapologetic. Ministerial ethics and pulpit manners were not the requirements of his ministry. He was the man God sent (Jn 1:16) to represent "the true church" at that time. During his six months ministry all other religious activities expressed apostasy. John and his followers were the present move of God for that time (2Pet:1:12). If you wanted to be a part of God's work, you had to follow John. Most of the churches today compromise the truth and Godly principles. When we insist on maintaining a standard of biblical truth and Godly hoiness, we are often faced with ridicules. Not only the world but christianity at large is spiritually stunted and asleep. As it was in the days of the early church, even so it is in our time. The church has fallen away from the truth (2Thess 2). Never before has darkness abound so much in "the church world" as today. The distance between us and God is growing steadily in our modern day idolatry, pomp and splendour. The church need to develope a Christ-like spirit, Godly lifestyle and maintain our faith in this present evil age. Jesus commands us to "strive" to enter in at the straight gate (Luke 13:24; Matt 7:13). God bless you. Ptr |
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2 | has the church preaching remaind faithfu | OT general | MJH | 216644 | ||
Ptr, A few thoughts: 1) Your statement about the condition of the Church could have been said by God’s people in nearly anytime during the last 2000 years. The "True Church" is strong and well (Elijah also thought he was the only one left; yet, there were 7000 who did not bow to Baal.) Also, your view of the church is primarily based on your personal experience while the Church universal is advancing all over the globe. You said, “When we insist on maintaining a standard of biblical truth and Godly holiness, we are often faced with ridicules.” This has always been and always will be the case. Get used to it. But don’t let it cause you to become bitter, but rather allow love to rule the day. 2) You are making some erroneous statements about the religious state at the time of John the Baptizer. The Pharisees were not the powerful rich elite. They did not have staggering growth of numbers (they discouraged Gentile converts and grew their faith mostly through child birth.) The Sadducees ruled the day and the money and the Pharisees worked with them only by necessity (Sadducees controlled the Temple and the Sanhedrin.) The Pharisee was much closer to the people of the land, particularly in Galilee where Jesus did most of his teaching, and not all Pharisees are depicted negatively in the Gospels and Acts. 3) Classifying all "seminary graduates of our day" in one category is undeniably wrong. Making a categorical statement reflects anger in your heart towards individuals who may have wronged you; rather than a faceless "group." When we direct our bitterness towards a group, we misappropriate our disgust and furthermore are unable to reconcile adequately; all of which harms us, not the group. 4) I'd suggest living your life with a "Christ-like spirit, Godly lifestyle, and maintain your faith in this age." This will prove your own words to be wrong, because you are a part of the Church, and when you stand strong on what is right, the Church is strengthened. |
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