P
Pastor Eric
Guest
Shalom,
Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
Clearly you can see that "the church" is not the thelogical institution that you may attend. This is a Fellowship or an Assembly. It may be "A" church by name and those within it may be part of "The church" but it is NOT in and of itself "The church"!
If we can see and remember this, then we must also concede that it is possible that the doctrines and/or statement of faith (SoF) of this body is not the only ones that "may" be correct, even when it appears that they may be in opposition to another assemblies or fellowship position. One group may believe in the manifestations of the gifts of The HOLY SPIRIT where another does not but the ultimate question should be, "Do they both believe in CHRIST and HIM crucified?" (1 Cor 2:2) If they do then they are both a part of the Body of CHRIST! If they are both part of the same Body then they had better start learning to work together for the glory of CHRIST rather than for their own glory! In HIM we are all connected and dependent on each other to accomplish HIS purpose in this world.
JESUS defined "true" fellowship, "true" CHRISTianity in a discussion with a lawyer when he had him answer with;
Luk 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Once we have entered into our relationship with GOD ( Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart) then HE directs us to enter into fellowship with one another!( ...thy neighbour as thyself)
Your particular interpretation of which scriptures are to be used as your doctrine or SoF are not what makes you a part of the Body of CHRIST!
Rom 4:7 [Saying], Blessed [are] they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Rom 4:8 Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Rom 4:9 [Cometh] this blessedness then upon the circumcision [only], or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Rom 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
Rom 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which [he had yet] being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Rom 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which [he had] being [yet] uncircumcised.
Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Rom 4:14 For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Rom 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, [there is] no transgression.
Rom 4:16 Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Your assembly! Your fellowship! Your church is not the only part of the body in town! It is not the only group to be "right"!
Paul put it succinctly when he said;
2Ti 3:16 ALL scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Those CHRISTians down the street, next door or even on the other side of the bed from you are part of your eternal family! You are NOT the only ones to have it "right" so you had better start learning to accept and love them!
Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
Clearly you can see that "the church" is not the thelogical institution that you may attend. This is a Fellowship or an Assembly. It may be "A" church by name and those within it may be part of "The church" but it is NOT in and of itself "The church"!
If we can see and remember this, then we must also concede that it is possible that the doctrines and/or statement of faith (SoF) of this body is not the only ones that "may" be correct, even when it appears that they may be in opposition to another assemblies or fellowship position. One group may believe in the manifestations of the gifts of The HOLY SPIRIT where another does not but the ultimate question should be, "Do they both believe in CHRIST and HIM crucified?" (1 Cor 2:2) If they do then they are both a part of the Body of CHRIST! If they are both part of the same Body then they had better start learning to work together for the glory of CHRIST rather than for their own glory! In HIM we are all connected and dependent on each other to accomplish HIS purpose in this world.
JESUS defined "true" fellowship, "true" CHRISTianity in a discussion with a lawyer when he had him answer with;
Luk 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Once we have entered into our relationship with GOD ( Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart) then HE directs us to enter into fellowship with one another!( ...thy neighbour as thyself)
Your particular interpretation of which scriptures are to be used as your doctrine or SoF are not what makes you a part of the Body of CHRIST!
Rom 4:7 [Saying], Blessed [are] they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Rom 4:8 Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Rom 4:9 [Cometh] this blessedness then upon the circumcision [only], or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Rom 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
Rom 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which [he had yet] being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Rom 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which [he had] being [yet] uncircumcised.
Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Rom 4:14 For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Rom 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, [there is] no transgression.
Rom 4:16 Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Your assembly! Your fellowship! Your church is not the only part of the body in town! It is not the only group to be "right"!
Paul put it succinctly when he said;
2Ti 3:16 ALL scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Those CHRISTians down the street, next door or even on the other side of the bed from you are part of your eternal family! You are NOT the only ones to have it "right" so you had better start learning to accept and love them!