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NASB | Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. |
Subject: Visit other churches? |
Bible Note: Dear Joe! Greetings to you in Jesus' name! Brother, I do not condone the actions that you describe in your 'autobiographical sketch.' Nor do I engage in such actions. I think they are scandalous. But... I see scandal in every type of church. If I may quote Joe!: What makes a church or denomination a Christian one? (a) Belief that the Bible alone is the sole authority of faith and practice; (b) belief that we are saved from our sinfulness against a holy God by God's grace ALONE through faith ALONE in Chirst's sinless life and subsitutionary death and resurrection ALONE. (end quote) I agree with the above. I think that most Christians do, too. What you are saying is that the (a) part, specifically the 'faith and practice' part must be in line with 'approved' methods in order to be real. But part (b) is the clincher, right? Why anyone would subject themselves to such charlatans, and foolish behavior is beyond my understanding. But they do, willingly! And, many are those were in a structured church, and didn't like it. Go figure! Joe!, God's people go to these type of churches and are blessed and satisfied. Some have little or no education, some are intimidated by order, some are outcasts, some are rebels, some are terminally liberal, but most go because they chose to. If they are saved by grace through faith, then...? As to bringing 'false ministers' to justice, I don't know how to do it. If you think that by 'educating the masses' we can stop them, think again. Most are not there because they are duped, but know about 'orderly' churches and chose the 'disorderly.' Joe, you are 'preaching to the choir' here! I agree with much of your stance, but my observations hold! Much of each side's actions are reactions to the other side. Your view of the Type 1 church is the *ideal,* and your particular church may be very close to this *ideal,* But reality is often not what we want it to be. The reality is that many Type 1 churches are un-Biblically rigid and judgmental, and make no room for Christians that do not fit their mold, often sending these saints to Type 2 churches. This (also!) is not pleasing to God. Anyway, I promised to stop, didn't I? :-) I love you, brother, and enjoy your posts very much. We shall meet again! In Christ Jesus, charis (Randy) |