Results 61 - 80 of 645
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Results from: Notes Author: JCrichton Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
61 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149226 | ||
Hi, Doc! The reason I asked is because I've come across a similar idea... I better understand your perspective, and as I said that my query was not being critical, I thank you for your patience and your generosity. God Bless! Angel |
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62 | Filled with the holy spirit? | Mark 1:10 | JCrichton | 149223 | ||
Hi, Ray! There was no oversight... I could also understand how you see indweling of the Holy Spirit and being filled with the holy spirit as something that is determined by an action not who is doing the act... We can never contain God in our limited being... but when we read Genesis we find that man was created in the image and likeness of God, and that, as no other being, God gave life to man by an influx of His Spirit... We also learned from Scripture that Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to the Eleven prior to Pentecost... but that it was at the meeting during Pentecost that all of the gathered disciples received the Holy Spirit in a visible measure to let the world know that the prophecy in Joel was being fulfilled! ...each time, we are but simple vessels that cannot contain God... it is through His mercy that we receive, according to His design, an influx or indwelling of His Spirit! God Bless! Angel |
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63 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149222 | ||
Hi, EdB! This is so correct! Remember Jesus words on hatred?: But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother[a]will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,[b]' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Matthew 5:22) So when we intentionally remove love from the equation, aren't we evoking hatred? How can we claim to love God whom we cannot see while harboring discord towards our fellow Christians? And when we continuously seek the path of least resisitance by dividing the Body of Christ or by justifying schism, are we not disobeying Christ's Commandment? ("...be one.") God Bless! Angel |
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64 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149221 | ||
Hi, Tim Moran! Since I am of neither denomination, it would be you and Ed that could best clarify your respective doctrines... As an example... if your congregation teaches that to be in Christ means that I must speak strange languages, while Ed's demands that I not drink coffee (clarification: I am only offering this example as a visual aide; I haven't a clue as to what doctrines your respective denominations subscribe), then I would suggest to you that we have a division of belief which will hinder, rather than built, the Body of Christ! If I then come up with discerning of spirits as the sure way to tell who is in Christ and who is not... and, conversely, another member of this forum educates us on memoralization of Scripture as the sign of being in Christ... our division proliferates but if never unites! God Bless! Angel |
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65 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149220 | ||
Hi, Tim Moran! Here's a clear example of Sola... when did I say the Word of God was wrong? God Bless! Angel |
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66 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149219 | ||
Part 3 of 3 Not to engage in argumentation... heard the expression of throwing out the baby with the bath water?... this is our dilemma today! Some one somewhere decided that "Tradition" was a four letter word... and out if went! Everyone modernized their local church by rejection history and suspending the Holy Spirit for nearly fifteen hundred years... is this in teaching with the Apostles? Did any of them taught a separation from the Old Testament because if was null and void by the New Covenant? Did Jesus? Here's what Paul says: So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. (2 Thessalonians 2:15) Clearly Paul does not teach about a Church that exists in a vacuum! He is careful to instruct and to remind the Church that what the Apostles (which includes their direct delegates) teach through writing, (Epistles) or through oral presentation is directed by the Holy Spirit--so traditions (teachings) is never a four letter word for Paul! Sadly, when man decided to divest himself from the cumbersome "traditions" of the Church he, unintentionally, embraced all teachings--just as long as Scripture is sited… and like a stubborn child he refuses to admit that the Holy Spirit has never ceased working in the Church that Christ built! So schism, like the old shampoo commercial (I think it was shampoo... I told two friends, and they told two friends, and they told two friends...) took hold of the Church... and the "traditions of the Apostles" were disregarded in favor of the exponential traditions created by a still dividing body of men! As Jesus said: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." (Matthew 12:25) The Church still stands only but for the Grace of God! God Bless! Angel |
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67 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149216 | ||
Part 2 of 3 So, if there were two hundred members in that congregation, Paul expects that there would be one Gospel and that they would practice one Gospel! If we multiply that by a zillion? God Commands that there be one Gospel and that they practice one Gospel--to do differently would be to render Christ's Command null and void: "be one as I and the Father are One!" " in the end, our Holy Bible has to be the final authority concerning our questions of God, Christ and His Church." This statement sound extremely progressive... yet, the Apostles did not have that view... that view is essentially a modern view of God, Faith, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit... Here's what Paul says about the "final argument:" if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15) Paul is not telling the various congregations to take out the Scrolls and formulate the various discourses and decrees as they agree on some topics, ignore others, and still hold others as inapplicable... No! Paul tells them that the Living Church of God is the pillar and foundation of the truth! Why is Paul stating this? Because Jesus did not leave a manual for the Church but left the other Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, in charge of the Church... as the Holy Spirit revealed further information, the Church began to take shape... as you can recall, there was no Bible in existence when Jesus walked the earth as the Lamb of God... and even the existing Scrolls were not the final word till Jesus fulfilled the prophecies that referred to the Messiah... He came not to abolish but to fulfill and part of His revelation is that the Holy Spirit comes to the Believers (the Body of Christ) and it is His job to bring the fullness of truth. If we remove the Holy Spirit from the Church we simply have a social event where everyone and anyone can be as opinionated as their whim allows--some dictating conflicting doctrines. Can you imagine a course on North American History when the indigenous people and all of the various imports (nationalities) are removed? It would be as palatable as a grilled cheese sandwich without the cheese! That is what our liberal and pluralistic individualism has done to the Church as each group dissects Scripture and create their version of Christianity! |
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68 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149215 | ||
"How are we to make that “every effort” to keep the peace without surrendering basic beliefs?" Hi, WOS! (Part 1 of 3) I think that the problem is not what we have in common... rather, as you stated above, the problem with Christianity is what we hold as individual (personal) belief or "application." We witness to all that there is One God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit--that is fantastic! But then we come to the real of schisms... a place where even the members of one single "local" church can argue and agree or disagree till the pressure is built up beyond patience and then someone has to move on on erect another "local" church... I offer you that the problems are deep-rooted and are from old... Did the early Church exist without divisions/problems? Definitely not! We have much evidence that even amongst the Apostles and their immediate circle there were differences in thought... How did they correct the errors/problems, did they agreed to disagree and swept it all under the floor (not sure if they were fortunate to have rugs)? Negative! They dealt with the situation right then and there! Did the various trains of thought bring about sectarianism/subdivisions? God forbid! Here's how Paul describes his function in the Church: For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. (1 Corinthians 4:17) Here, we find Paul not dictating but directing the Church... there is no room for 200 opinions about what the various people consider should be or should not be... it is a matter of Faith in Practice!: I follow Jesus, I teach the Church everywhere one Gospel, and I practice one Gospel! |
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69 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149162 | ||
Hi, EdB! I agree with you whole heartedly... it is this ego-stroking that promotes so many schisms in the Chruch... we willfully ignore Christ's word to do as the Master did... humble ourselves to the Father, and obey His Authority, and subject ourselves to those whom He placed in authority over us... remember Jesus' reply to the tax collector when they queried Peter if His Master would not pay the customary tax?... Jesus not only paid it but paid Peter's as well! The Owner paying tribute to the servants! We do we think that we are greater than Jesus? God Bless! Angel |
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70 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149161 | ||
"Yet we agree on the essentials but these are the essentials and we don’t agree. Then we say we have Christian unity because we love one another. I don’t think so and as long as denominations exists we prove it." Hi, EdB! Excellent post! It is as though we are redefining Christ's Words... we are no longer to abide in His Love, but in love (as in the flower-power love of the sixties)... that we are no longer to abide in Christ's peace, but in the peace of mind that feeling of superiority brings (I am saved, but they are not!)... We are striving to be one with one another as long as what I say goes... if not I'll be one with you from over here... you'll be one with me from over there... or the old "agree to disagree!" God Bless! Angel |
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71 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149160 | ||
Hi, Tim Moran! You stated: "Most denominations probably agree on 98 percent of doctrine." ...if this were so, why are there so many (1st Bapt, 2nd Bapt, etc...) and why are there more and more in the woodworks? (ie: I know a man who left a local church... he joined with another man and they began a non-denomenational--in the same town as the original local church... soon the first man was pushed aside as the new local church gained structure... his companion became the sole preacher and one of the elders... things happened a minor group broke off; they started yet another local church in the same town... remaining group boasted of many "professionals" in their membership an built a larger building... some years later the preacher/elder was excomunicated... some members follwed him and they formed yet another local church... yes in that same town--for a 98 percent of agreement there seemed to be quite many schism)... When the goal is to live separate but equal... does that not have a familar sound? Christ did not tell Peter: "I will build my separate but equal church!" God Bless! Angel |
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72 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149159 | ||
Hi, Tim Moran! The problem with Sola Scriptura, as Ed was pointing out, is that you may be listening to Scripture but many are listening to other men and these are making up doctrines to suit their pockets and/or egos... they would take the skimpiest of passages (as Jesus' reference to the other fold) to build a whole culture about themselves (just check with Muslims who would gladly teach you about Abraham and the rightful descendant)... when Sola Scriptura removes the whole history of the Church (which includes all of the teachings of the original Twelve) we have a constant stream of remaking the Church of Christ into the church of (insert name here!)... God Bless! Angel |
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73 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149158 | ||
"Let’s continue to ask God for the truth; reasoning with one another; and God will be faithful." Hi, AO! Amen and Amen! God Bless! Angel |
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74 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149157 | ||
Hi, Searcher56! Why do you suppose that is? ("returned to our divided branches") ...was something expectacular accomplished that no longer requires unity? God Bless! Angel |
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75 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149156 | ||
"In almost every case, the epistles were written to a single church. What you and I would call a "local" church. Jesus, Himself, addressed individual churches in His messages through the apostle John. Since those were the situations that were being addressed, a proper hermeneutic would begin to seek application within that context." Hi, Doc! If I understand you correctly (see above) you are saying that there were only seven groups/local churches that were having problems so Jesus addressed them and ignore the others that were doing well? ...and the epistles... you are saying that they were only applicable to the very group/local church to which they were addressed hence, when Paul or any of the others would say something like "as I teach in all the churches" or "read at other church," these were mere catch phrases? I am not being critical... I truly want to understand your statement! God Bless! Angel |
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76 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149154 | ||
Hi, CDBJ! I find it interesting how you support a study made by "experts" to deny something that pre-existed them for hundreds of years as part of the Bible while still demanding of EdB to clarify his position as to the classification of "experts" who rejected Jesus and whose contemporaries still reject Jesus and the whole of the New Testament as they are awaiting the "true Messiah!" I am also curious as to your ignorance of EdB's statement on Martin Luther's additional exclusions and the reformations reintegration of some of Luther's exclusions, then the rejection... then the reintergration, then... God Bless! Angel |
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77 | Filled with the holy spirit? | Mark 1:10 | JCrichton | 149151 | ||
Hi, Ray! I understand how you would opt to pencil in the text as to distinguish the Holy Spirit as the counselor and the Holy Spirit once He is in us... I suggest to you that He does not diminishes in His capacity, just as Jesus did not diminished as the Lamb of God... so whether to Holy Spirit is guiding the Church or indwelling in an individual, He is the Holy Spirit! (water as liquid, solid, gas is still water) ...and yes, the truth that is disclosed is Jesus so I emphasized this by capitalizing the "t" (Truth)... He is the truth/Truth that sets us free! (resurrection and life) Some Bible versions have "the spirit of sanctification;" yet, since we know that there is only one "spirit of sanctification," I suggest that the "s" in spirit should always be capitalized! It is the Holy Spirit that sanctifies the Word (both Christ and the Holy Scripture) and the believers! God Bless! Angel |
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78 | Filled with the holy spirit? | Mark 1:10 | JCrichton | 149079 | ||
Hi, Ray! ...problem is that one of us loves Pepsy and the other Coke... they are uh sooo very close, but Pepsy lovers contend that theirs is the drink of the hour while Coca Cola lovers contend that theirs is the drink of the hour... I will offer you one more Scripture, though, from your previous interpretation, I doubt that you will see anything other than what you've already stated... In Acts 5:29-32 Peter concludes his thought by naming the Holy Spirit as both a witness (one who actively involved in an incident) and God's gift... I will also refer you to Acts 5:3 and 4 where Peter warns that Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit, not to man but to God... Also, Jesus did not say that He would give us many gifts that would teach us the fullness of Truth, He said that the Holy Spirit would teach us the fullness of Truth (John 16:13)... Further, it is not a gift that brings us to God but the thrid Person of God, the Holy Spirit... Christ Jesus is God and He does not need any gift in order to Exist... but the Holy Spirit was directly involved in both His incarnation (Luke 1:35) and resurrection (Romans 1:4--of course, since it doesn't say Holy Ghost/Spirit you would most likely argue that this passage is speaking about some sort of spiritual beign like an angel or something...); before you dismiss these passages, I suggest that you read related Scriptural passages and think of them collectively... by divorcing one segment of Scripture from all others we may get a warped understanding of God's Word... remember, Jesus did not leave a spirit in charge of the Church... it is only the other Paraclete who can lead and teach the Church, just as of old when He inspired the holy men of God to prophesy about God's Salvafic Plan. God Bless! Angel |
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79 | Personal interpretation? | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 148986 | ||
Hi, WOS! Correct! Application is totally an individualized affair... we witnessed Christ and His disciples... He taught them all the same, He delegated the same authority when he sent them out to preach and baptized, all (with the exception of Judas) were sincerely searching for the Truth, but it was Peter who would always be at the ready... the other ten were eager, but Peter would step over himself to demonstrate his fellowship... The problem facing Christianity today is that too many "Christians" are interpreting Scripture according to the "politically correct philosophies" of the world... as society melds righteousness and unrighteousness a "new and improve" doctrine emerges--one that is modern and progressive... that continually evolves with the constant shifting principles of a moraly bankrupt liberal world... That of course IS NOT the Gospel of Christ! Jesus cautioned us to walk the narrow path and from of old God has explicitly stated that He is Eternal: not given to change with the whims of time... it is Christ we must follow, the narrow Path, not the world! God Bless! Angel |
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80 | Personal interpretation? | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 148981 | ||
Hi, lionheart! I agree with you... we forever find ourselves in different levels of spiritual maturity and our life circumstances changes both the depth of understanding and the personal commitment to Christ... but ther is only One Gospel, and this Truth is being assailed by both "Christians" and the secular world... ie: believing that Christ is not God only endangers the soul that lives with such shortcomings... however, teaching others that contorted Scripture not only damns the teacher but has the potential to damn many others... Sadly many fail to understand John's warning: to deny the Son is to deny the Father! God Bless! Angel |
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