Ah, D46 found us, he he he. What took ya so long? This has been a good one so far.
You are absolutely right. And often those that can quote it the best do so for their 'own following', not to offer that others should follow Christ.
Which kinds brings us right back to the point of this thread.
Christ certainly told us to gather and offered rudimentary instructions, along with the apostles, concerning our need to do so and a basic form of what the Church is to be comprised of. But when one considers the way the modern churches portray themselves seems completely contradictory to much of the 'other' information that we are taught. Upon the death of Christ, we have much indication that God NO LONGER resides in a or the temple. The temple now becomes Christ within us. Yet the churches insist that they are 'houses of God'. There is NO LONGER a 'house of God', and simply calling it one does NOT make it so. In my opinion, I would go so far to say that the modern churches are nothing more than another form of idolatry.
We were NOT to simply gather to sing a couple of songs and listen to a mildly humorous story that somehow relates to three lines of scripture. Our job in gathering is to give thanks, offer praise, and to DO God's will. Collect money for the orphans, widows and those others less fortunate. Our modern churches would take until those less fortunate were completely broke and never EVEN THINK to ask if anyone in the congregation needed anything.
So, back to denominationalism, I believe that a big part of it is designed to do the exact thing that churches have turned to in order to gain a larger membership. Denominations, if you have noticed, have become more and more lax concerning anything required of their members. They have been designed to offer separation of people in order to destroy them. Together we stand, divided we fall. Instead of making an effort to agree with what truth is and simply teaching this, they have devised devious ways to alienate their other brothers and sisters by making their own laws that reinforce such separation. And then teaching that 'their way is the only way' further enforcing this brainwashing of their followers.
When one witnesses the likes of some of our more popular evangelist that have been caught with their 'pant's down', so to speak, these people had huge followings. Do you think that those that followed them were any different than the rest of us? how about James Jones? There were people that gave this man everything that they owned, including their lives. Now, I ask you: What's the difference except for the extremity that these offered versus the rest of the churches that exist. Jim Baker was lauded by the Christian Community as a really devoted and great man. And look at him now.
My point? These were just extremes. Men MOSTLY seek after themselves. Some seek after others. We should be seeking the truth and this can only be found through the Word and the Holy Spirit. Lying miracles and wonders are NOT from above. Satan has the ability to empower those that follow him with the same cunningness that he possesses himself. Satan was not this cartoon character that many have began to believe. Satan was the most beautiful and talented angel in heaven. So, if there are churches out there that teach something other than the truth through the Word, then it comes as no surprise that they are capable of luring and snagging people that don't know enough to defend themselves. Once they become dependant upon these, they are incapable of understanding anything different. Mostly unable. Some do leave one denomination for another not realizing that the game is the same, only some of the rules are different.
I know, I know. There aren't any out there that believe that they've been brainwashed. Well, I wonder why? There have been millions murdered in the name of Christ over the centuries that didn't know that they were being brainwashed by the churches then too. Or, should we really start warring with everyone that doesn't accept 'our way' of worshipping and force them to either 'act like we do and give us money' or die? Nothing has changed my friends except for the power that the churches once held.
And let me add this before everyone starts attacking again. I have NOT visited EVERY church that exists. If it's that hard to find the right one then I could search for the rest of my life and still not find it. But I have been to Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Nondenominationals of various sorts, Bible churches, churches of christ, churches of God. Everything short of Beni Hindi and I have found all to be basically the same. Same kinds of pastors, same kinds of followers. So, I probably haven't been to a church that ANYONE reading this is attending. But you know, if yall have found the right one, just consider yourself blessed or lucky or something, for all the ones I have attended were lacking for most if not all that I have offered in this and my previous rantings contained in this and other threads.
