Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
Read through the following study by Tenchi for more on this topic
https://christianforums.net/threads/without-the-holy-spirit-we-can-do-nothing.109419/
Join Sola Scriptura for a discussion on the subject
https://christianforums.net/threads/anointed-preaching-teaching.109331/#post-1912042
Strengthening families through biblical principles.
Focus on the Family addresses the use of biblical principles in parenting and marriage to strengthen the family.
Read daily articles from Focus on the Family in the Marriage and Parenting Resources forum.
I concur with what you are saying here. This is one of the faults that I see in Protestantism. We are too easily tossed about by the many winds of doctrine. Even among the Lutheran denomination we have doctrinal differences between Lutheran associations as I mentioned earlier some examples.I admire you for posing the question and starting this thread. The reality is in Protestantism, each individual adherent is in essence his own pope. Because Protestantism has no organ, body or mechanism who can define and declare what is or is not the faith of Protestantism, it becomes entirely subjective. Each individual Protestant becomes his own determiner (and actual creator) of truth. He / she decides what is or is not the Christian faith for himself.
This is the end result of replacing the authority of the Church and trying to supplant it with sola scriptura. It simply doesn't work. We know from history that when the Protestant religions first started, they rapidly began dividing because this doctrine they built their religion around is not able to resolve any doctrinal disagreements. Thus by the end of the 16th century (the century in which the Protestant religions began), there were already over 300 different sects. Because Protestantism does not have a living authority to resolve exegetical disagreements, the fruit of this doctrine has been the continual division with the ultimate authority resting not in the Scriptures alone to decide what is or is not the faith, but rather in the subjective interpretation of the Scriptures by each individual adherent.
I agree. But because there is no living authority in Protestantism, sadly I believe continual division is inevitable.I concur with what you are saying here. This is one of the faults that I see in Protestantism. We are too easily tossed about by the many winds of doctrine. Even among the Lutheran denomination we have doctrinal differences between Lutheran associations as I mentioned earlier some examples.
I agree here as well. Sadly the Church has been replete with sinful men.At the same time, I have experienced problems with Catholic tradition and hierarchy. That hierarchy is of fallible humans and when leadership goes astray the rest blindly follow. Paul dealt with this in his letters to the Corinthians and Galatians for example. The Roman Catholic church today is a far cry from the Church described in the Acts of the Apostles and it is my belief that it has been corrupted over the centuries and too rigid to admit it.
There are downsides to both and I believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Why would God want us to dig our own graves when He was so intent on revealing Himself from the beginning with Adam and up to Jesus?If our "Leaders" rely on their own understanding and (shudder) their "Theology", what do you expect??
God will let us dig our own graves with our "human wisdom" - and sure enough in the Institutional churches (regardless of "label") - we did. The leader of the Roman Catholic Corp. appears to be a non-Christian Universalist.
Jesus told us that we were to take HIS YOKE upon US (not the "Baptist Yoke", or the "Catholic Yoke" - HIS YOKE). And learn of HIM.
I agree WIP.I concur with what you are saying here. This is one of the faults that I see in Protestantism. We are too easily tossed about by the many winds of doctrine. Even among the Lutheran denomination we have doctrinal differences between Lutheran associations as I mentioned earlier some examples.
At the same time, I have experienced problems with Catholic tradition and hierarchy. That hierarchy is of fallible humans and when leadership goes astray the rest blindly follow. Paul dealt with this in his letters to the Corinthians and Galatians for example. The Roman Catholic church today is a far cry from the Church described in the Acts of the Apostles and it is my belief that it has been corrupted over the centuries and too rigid to admit it.
There are downsides to both and I believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Agreed.So many put their trust in what mere men ( that are in positions of Church authority ) tell them without making sure what they are being told is what the Word of God actually says . If you are being preached to and the preacher does NOT give you the chapter and verse he is working from , beware !
“For as much as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men” (Isaiah 29:13).
The problem is not with The Holy Spirit but the problem is with man ! Because as we know in this verse .
https://biblehub.com/hebrews/13-8.htm
You changed what I said, of course. God doesn't WANT us to perish. But if it's our WILL to refuse Him, he'll let us.Why would God want us to dig our own graves when He was so intent on revealing Himself from the beginning with Adam and up to Jesus?
So we agree.God WILL let us do what we desire to do.
Agreed. I've been a member in Good standing of the Assemblies of God Corp. (HQ in Springfield Missouri) for most of the last 55 years. However, as a "Charismatic Calvinist Leaning Eclectic", the AG doesn't "Define me or my theological beliefs". All they provide is a building to gather with other Christians, and hear good Bible teaching (and "Soft Rock" 7-11 music these days unfortunately).As to the Roman Catholic Corp., I also know about the:
Assembly of God Corp.
Nazarene Corp.
Lutheran Corp.
Presbytarian Corp.
Reformed Corp.
etc.
All the above churches are a franchise and have headquarters somewhere in the U.S.
AND already starting to fragment and denominationalize under false teachers and false prophets.By the end of the first century, a Christian church (which would be the Catholic church) was already established.
Agreed - it ALL STARTS with being BORN AGAIN, in the '70s in the U.S. when the Charismatic outpouring rolled across the world, the CHURCH tended to meet in Hotels, and "Denominational theologies" became VERY unimportant.We need both in order for Christianity to survive.
A born-again, personal relationship with God,
and a church we could attend to be with others of our faith.
Hey BC,,,You changed what I said, of course. God doesn't WANT us to perish. But if it's our WILL to refuse Him, he'll let us.
So we agree.
Agreed. I've been a member in Good standing of the Assemblies of God Corp. (HQ in Springfield Missouri) for most of the last 55 years. However, as a "Charismatic Calvinist Leaning Eclectic", the AG doesn't "Define me or my theological beliefs". All they provide is a building to gather with other Christians, and hear good Bible teaching (and "Soft Rock" 7-11 music these days unfortunately).
AND already starting to fragment and denominationalize under false teachers and false prophets.
Agreed - it ALL STARTS with being BORN AGAIN, in the '70s in the U.S. when the Charismatic outpouring rolled across the world, the CHURCH tended to meet in Hotels, and "Denominational theologies" became VERY unimportant.
In the early days of the Church, the Apostles travelled many miles on foot to stamp out spiritual fires (false teachings). Today false teaching spread rapidly around the world like spiritual wildfires. I think it will take spirit led and theologically sound individuals walking virtual miles to the sources of these false teachings and confronting them. We are already experiencing State approved churches/denominations spreading the latest politically correct teachings with government/corporate/media approval. Those who are led must ACTIVELY confront these perveyers of iniquity as if they were like Paul or Peter standing before the Romans/Greeks/Jews or whomever spreads this sickness sweeping across the planet.What about everybody else?
What about Christianity in general?
I think, ultimately, there will be a State approved protestant "Pope".I admire you for posing the question and starting this thread. The reality is in Protestantism, each individual adherent is in essence his own pope. Because Protestantism has no organ, body or mechanism who can define and declare what is or is not the faith of Protestantism, it becomes entirely subjective. Each individual Protestant becomes his own determiner (and actual creator) of truth. He / she decides what is or is not the Christian faith for himself.
This is the end result of replacing the authority of the Church and trying to supplant it with sola scriptura. It simply doesn't work. We know from history that when the Protestant religions first started, they rapidly began dividing because this doctrine they built their religion around is not able to resolve any doctrinal disagreements. Thus by the end of the 16th century (the century in which the Protestant religions began), there were already over 300 different sects. Because Protestantism does not have a living authority to resolve exegetical disagreements, the fruit of this doctrine has been the continual division with the ultimate authority resting not in the Scriptures alone to decide what is or is not the faith, but rather in the subjective interpretation of the Scriptures by each individual adherent.
Hi Bob,You changed what I said, of course. God doesn't WANT us to perish. But if it's our WILL to refuse Him, he'll let us.
Agreed. I've been a member in Good standing of the Assemblies of God Corp. (HQ in Springfield Missouri) for most of the last 55 years. However, as a "Charismatic Calvinist Leaning Eclectic", the AG doesn't "Define me or my theological beliefs". All they provide is a building to gather with other Christians, and hear good Bible teaching (and "Soft Rock" 7-11 music these days unfortunately).
AND already starting to fragment and denominationalize under false teachers and false prophets.
I don't know about this and it's before I was interested in "religion".Agreed - it ALL STARTS with being BORN AGAIN, in the '70s in the U.S. when the Charismatic outpouring rolled across the world, the CHURCH tended to meet in Hotels, and "Denominational theologies" became VERY unimportant.
What if your Christian friend thinks wrong?If i got the scriptures and in the scriptures is all the teachings then i dont really need a pope or some religious leader with authrority over me. They are all in the scriptures. Original teachers like Jesus and Paul, i could just learn from them directly. If i have a question i could ask any christian who studies the scriptures and see what they think. I cant just ring the pope.
I can understand what you're saying.What is the need and reason for baptism for those who believe it is a must?. Im not baptised but i might one day as i dont see anything wrong with it, and it is biblical so why not get dunked in water as a sign the past is the past and i can start my life fresh again. I might feel less of a sinner. I might get baptised every week, maybe every day.
Let me know what he says.I should write the pope and see if i get a reply. Just to say hi and let him know hes welcome to visit and can come over for dinner one day if he likes.
Amen to that!In the early days of the Church, the Apostles travelled many miles on foot to stamp out spiritual fires (false teachings). Today false teaching spread rapidly around the world like spiritual wildfires. I think it will take spirit led and theologically sound individuals walking virtual miles to the sources of these false teachings and confronting them. We are already experiencing State approved churches/denominations spreading the latest politically correct teachings with government/corporate/media approval. Those who are led must ACTIVELY confront these perveyers of iniquity as if they were like Paul or Peter standing before the Romans/Greeks/Jews or whomever spreads this sickness sweeping across the planet.
What if your Christian friend thinks wrong?
Did you learn math by yourself?
History?
Accounting?
etc.
Teachers are good Kiwidan.
I used to go to a couple of bible studies but covid stopped that.
I really miss it.
I guess you're right.The same could be said about any religious teachers. The difference is you can discuss scripture with the regular christian who studies there bible as with religious teachers its a bit harder to find time to spend with them to discuss. As i said if i would like to question something i cant just raise my hand in a church or ring the pope.
How many people get the opportunity to question maybe even correct there teachers?.