Results 241 - 260 of 1459
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Results from: Notes Author: John Reformed Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
241 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97943 | ||
I thought you went to bed! I once had to carry an old Castro- Convertable bed up to a 3rd floor apartment. I can guarantee that the upper room did not come with an altar! Although, that could explain why the 12 were lying on the floor.........Hmmmmm Maybe I should go to bed! J. |
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242 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97942 | ||
Would you agree that knowing God is the most important goal for which a christian might strive? If so, he must follow the truth of God; His Word. Jesus told thw woman at the well that God was neither male nor female but spirit. In it's highest form art reflects truth. Therefore the dipiction of God the Father as a man is not only untrue but a lie and bad art to boot! No I have never seen God the Father or Jesus depicted in any presbyterian literature either juvenile or adult. I can vouch only for the PCA, not the liberal branch from which we seperated (PCUSA) Members of my family are unlikely candidates for diefication, so I don't burn their pictures :-) Just kidding! But you are now stretching for an absurdity. The command is against idolotrous images not pics of the grand-kids. Perhaps your getting dizzy! John |
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243 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97932 | ||
One thing for sure...There was no altar in the UPPER room! John |
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244 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97931 | ||
It seems that it is not general knowledge among the Laity, despite RC theologians. Perhaps Rome should simply dispose of it's graven images of God. I can't imagine why people would pray to a statue and kiss it's feet, unless they were ignorant of the Bible. On the domed roof of Holy Redeemer RC church above the altar was a depiction of God the Father seated on His throne and looking quite a bit like Jupiter; long beard, flowing robes and a body like a weight lifter. That image is as clear in my mind today as it was over 50 years ago. Nobody, neither priest or nun or lay teacher explained that the term "art" made the commandment null and void. I can't fooled with spin. I've heard it all and I'm not buying any of it. John |
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245 | When did Christians start to use altars? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97911 | ||
The sacrifice was offered upon an altar. Are you saying it was eaten at the altar also? If so, I am unaware that that was the practice. Christ himself instituded the sacrament of communion, not on an altar but at a table. We refer to the Lord's table in protestantism. Rom 8:3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, Jesus was not offered up as a sacrifice by man but by God the Father. The cross was a symbol of the altar. When we look at the cross we should think of the Lamb being slain and offered unto God as a propitiation for our sins. When Jesus cried "It is finished" that statement meant the end to all other sacrifices. No sacrifices...no altar. Just the cross and the finished work of Christ are all the sacrifice we will ever need. What other churches say about what their alters mean to them, will not convince me of their necessity or justication. Men have been tinkering with worship since the Fall. I for one do not wish to impose my ideas on true worship. Let God be the judge. John |
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246 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97902 | ||
Dear CDBJ, It seems we are both in one accord. Thanks for the information. I was beggining to feel like the Lone Ranger! John |
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247 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97896 | ||
Was Davids dance choreographed and practiced? Was it a performance for the congregation? I hate to admit but...I wonder if choirs can be a distraction from worship rather than a means to focus the worshippers on God Himself. Hmmm... I'm not attempting to lay down the law for anyone, but merely expressing my concern that Christ be worshipped in spirit and truth. I do believe that our guide to that truth is God's Word rightly divided. I do rejoice with you over your daughter's return. Whether gathered around an altar, cross, or anything else, the main thing is that where two or more are gathered together, Christ is in the midst. May God bless you and yours Tim. John |
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248 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97891 | ||
Dear Gene, The altar should never be built in a NT church. We have the cross as the only symbol which we need. I'm concerned that the modern altar detracts from Christ's cross-work by symbolizing sacrifices beyond what our Lord has already accomplished on our behalf. John |
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249 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97884 | ||
First let me say it is good to hear from you again! Our worship and the elements involved, should all be directed to God and be filled with praise and glory for who He is and for what He has done. The problem, as I see it, is losing focus on God and turning His worship into entertainment for the congregation. Dancing in itself is not forbidden, but neither is it mentioned as a part of christian worship. When a church incorporates dance as a part of it's worship, it is doing so without scriptural warrent. Especially when it is presented as a performance. Dear Meridith...I, as well as you, desire to see the people of God joyously worshipping Our God and Savior. I just don't want our services to become "shows" that distract the flock from true worship. I've been there. It's not pretty! John |
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250 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97872 | ||
Dear Jeff, You said "The altar at a church is a place where we can give to God that which we desire to be rid of." The altar is the place where sacrifices were made. Things that people cherished and couted as valuable were laid on the altar and set afire as an offering to God. "the altar is a symbol much like water baptism, of a place where we can offer up that which holds us down." Again Jeff, I must disagree. Tht which holds us down is our sins and John said that we should confess our sins to God in prayer, not by placing them on an altar expecting that God will accept them as a sacrifce. The sacrificial system was a shadow of what Christ would do when He became the Lamb of God. After He had offered Himself a "sacrifice for many", it (The sacricial system) was over. "I do not believe that believers go to an altar in a church to make a sacrifice to God. It is a place where we partake of the sacrifice God has given for us." The early christians did not set up altars. They understood that having recieved the benefit of the cross, that no other sacrifice remained. They saw themselves as being "in Christ", united with Him for eternity. John |
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251 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97867 | ||
Dear Tim, God is seeking a people who will worship Him in spirit and truth John 4:24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." The patterns of worship are given us in Scripture. The OT supplys us with ample justification for music as well as psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. The fact that David danced before the Lord is a poor arguement for incorporating dance, per se, into our worship services. David's dance was a spontaneous expression of his joy in God. Dancing it self was not a prescribed element of worship. Let's face the fact's Tim. To an alaraming degree, churches today are seeking to entice people to come on Sunday to experience "christian " entertainment! And it is working. In my community the biggest churches are the ones that encourage people to come on Sunday to discover just how much FUN God really is! But is this the gospel? Could it be that well meaning churches are inadvertantly planting weeds among the wheat by promising people that christianity is a cure-all for their problems here on earth? I find it distressing. Whats next, the erection of poles that the congregation can dance and frolic around? God forbid. John |
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252 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97778 | ||
Dear Makarios, From an overview of scripture, we have seen that the Bible consistently teaches (1.) that the Lord God alone is to be worshipped; (2.) that he is to be worshipped only through the means appointed in his word; and (3.) that it is sinful to employ man-made additions or alterations to the worship of God. We should ponder some ramifications of these truths. Corrupt worship is a widespread evil in our own society. Americans often feel that their culture has advanced beyond primitive societies which worship false deities. The truth is, however, that contemporary society is cluttered with polluted worship, even among professing Christians. Man-made innovations in worship are prevalent, especially within "conservative" and "evangelical" churches. If biblical principles of worship were upheld, there would be little fascination with liturgical superstitions, sacred dance and drama, musical performances, multimedia spectacles, and puppet shows in worship services. We need to grasp the truth that deviant forms of worship are evil. The basic principles of worship are embedded in the decalogue; transgression of the commandments is blatant immorality. In our modern pluralistic age, professing Christians have lost a sense of the immorality of false worship. Variant forms of worship should not be treated as the subjects for mere academic debates and theoretical speculations. What is at stake is the proper worship of God, who has declared that he will not give his glory to another nor his praise to graven images (Isa. 42:8). Individually, we must examine our hearts and practices. Are our hearts prepared to seek the Lord God? Have we repented of our own sins including our sins of corrupt worship? Will we reform our practices in worship (privately and in our families) to conform to the scriptural law of worship? Corporately, churches need to purge their services of all elements of worship which lack clear biblical warrant. Congregations should carefully examine all practices of worship which are urged upon them. Disputed matters must be settled on the basis of a scriptural evaluation alone. From Kings and Chronicles, we have seen that public worship is an outward indicator of the true spiritual condition of a nation. This truth should drive us to repentance and prayer, as we survey the current pollutions of worship in our land. Moreover, corporate worship is a significant indicator of the true spiritual condition of a congregation (or denomination). Christians should refuse to affiliate with any church which openly embraces corrupt worship. "What agreement hath the temple of God with idols? ...Where fore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you...." (2 Cor. 6:15-18). Finally, we should work to restore the proper elements of worship given in the scriptures: prayer; the reading, preaching, and hearing of God's word; singing of psalms; and the right administration of the sacraments as well as occasional appointments of fasting and thanksgiving. The Lord has not left us groping in darkness, guessing at the proper means of worship. He has provided a sufficient manual of worship in the scriptures. His word needs no supplements of human origin. Let us stir our souls in adoration for the living God, who has appointed all sacred means of worship. (www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/BibW_ch3.htm) The above article reflects my concern about the introduction of elements to worship that lack a Scritural mandate. John |
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253 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97753 | ||
Dear Makarios, I wonder if the keeping of altars sends a mixed message to the church. Afterall, repeated sacrifices were part of the jewish system, as was the temple itself. The sacrifice which christians rely on occurred 2,000 years ago. It was the sacrifice of the perfect Lamb of God and is sufficent for anyone, past, present or future. Could the presence of an altar in a christian church send the message that additional sacrifices are necessary if God is to be pleased? John |
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254 | were angels saved by works? | 2 Pet 2:4 | John Reformed | 97658 | ||
Why do you say that evil is a created thing? Afterall, evil has no body or spirit. It does not take up space; It has no will of it's own and it can't suffer or rejoice. Evil is not a thing. It is a word! A word that describes an action. We may say, "He did an evil deed.", for instance. Look at it this way a moment...When a runner wins a foot race he said to be "fast". Does that mean that God created "fast"? Of course not. Now, He did give things which He created the ability to be "fast" or to be slow; The same is true of evil. He gave man the ability to do evil or to do good. Do you see my meaning? John |
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255 | were angels saved by works? | 2 Pet 2:4 | John Reformed | 97632 | ||
Gen 2:9 Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. I take it that you do not believe that Adam and Eve were the first man and woman, but that, there was a pre-adamic race. Is that right? John |
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256 | Is the UPC a Christian Church? | Matt 24:11 | John Reformed | 97571 | ||
We are not expected to understand the mystery of the Trinity but we are to know what it is and how we are to worship our triune God. John |
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257 | were angels saved by works? | 2 Pet 2:4 | John Reformed | 97569 | ||
Dl, the tree was not evil in itself. What was evil was breaking the command not to eat of it. Why do you think evil was present when God said it was all good? Reymond is a professor at Knox theological seminary. John |
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258 | Is the UPC a Christian Church? | Matt 24:11 | John Reformed | 97563 | ||
see www.ccel.org/a/athanasius/athanasius-EB.html John |
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259 | Is the UPC a Christian Church? | Matt 24:11 | John Reformed | 97561 | ||
Neither do I. John |
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260 | Is the UPC a Christian Church? | Matt 24:11 | John Reformed | 97536 | ||
I wonder why God bothered to give the gift of teaching to certain individuals? What strikes me as being ironic is your posts are filled with doctrines which you yourself have formulated. 1. You look at a fundemental Christian doctrine in any church other than the Bible. I will promise you this it is Fallable. 2. The Baptist Creed, pentecostal creed, My own creed, and others are not cannon of scripture nor should they ever be. 3. A doctrine sould never be a salvation Doctrine. The work on the cross should never ever be down graded to a doctrine. All true doctrines derive from the Cross. 4. Christ Himself embodied or established every doctrine that is essential to genuine Christianity. And all that in one post! :-) John |
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