In one way I agree with this, but in another I'm glad that certain sects are separated and easily identifiable because they are divided away unto themselves.
Of course.
For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. - 1 Cor. 11:9
That's what I don't understand. People treat the truth as if it's unattainable or because there's no perfect church, there's no perfect Christians.
Once we abandon the Absolute truth of scripture, we’ve turned it over to men, and we know where that eventually leads...
The church isn't perfect, but they go anyway. That just blows me away. People putting their Spiritual well being in the hands of someone who could very well be in error. They acknowledge this and do it anyway.
Indeed @ the herd mentality, safety in numbers, etc. etc.
This is because man was created to worship -- and that worship can be directed at someone other than God...
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. - Isa 14:14
More mature believers have learned the importance of chewing on the meat and spitting out the bones. If we completely avoid where the church is, we are lacking the fellowship and the gathering of the Saints.
The church is not a building or a location. Rather, it is the body of Christ i.e. the body of believers.
We need one another more than we realize. God is bigger than any doctrinal difference.
Then we need to start walking that talk.
But that is the church, where 2 or 3 are gathered.
What if that 2nd person disagrees with your end time view, does that make it any less of church?
No, but that person should not be shut down just because he rubs you and your view the wrong way. This is precisely what happens in mainstream evangelical church buildings today, and on many “Christian” forums, too). “Save the institution!”, they cry. Truth is the first casualty in this war.
But that's not what's being discussed here. The OP is referring to established Christian denominations. Two or three people sitting in a coffee shop or someone's living room doesn't fall into that category.
Why not? The true church frequents my house often (and never often enough!). We get together outside the world’s Caesarian incorporated denominations (soon, Caesar will make such meetings illegal for his subjects/citizens).
it seems He is but it seems not many want to listen to Him but prefer the doctrines of human demons and devils imho - twinc
Again, this is because we were created to worship; it’s built-in to us to worship.
Why do people allow themselves into a position where they are beholding to some man? Today, mainstream evangelical Christianity is in free-fall. Folks think that affiliating with some denomination is all they need. "Junior Pastor Bill," "Associate Pastor Ed," "Senior Pastor Frank," ad nauseum. Some have coined this phenomenon the Superstar Syndrome, where the pastoral role gets exalted, thrusted out to the stratosphere, while most of the flock has never even met their deacons, elders, prophets, intercessors, etc. So when "the Pastor" takes a hit (adultery, or whatever; we each get hit sooner or later), then the whole flock comes under that condemnation and suffers for it -- instead of another from the flock, equally qualified, rising up to fill that void, if only temporarily.
The Superstar Syndrome has resulted in a lot of damage to the body of Christ, and it is inviting to those who appropriate the talismanic label of Christian but who are not born again in Jesus Christ. The denom's are full of fakirs.
Those who are long in the tooth here (myself included) are the elders -- not yesterday's old newspaper to be discarded. YOU sit at the gate, addressing the issues of a younger generation who seek out your many years of accumulated experience. They DESIRE to learn your knowledge and are GRATEFUL for your wisdom and guidance, and their lives are ENRICHED through your counsel.
Know that the so-called Church is not representative of the body of Christ. The body of Christ is not made with hands.
The Lord made it known to me that the reason why this Superstar Syndrome has raised its ugly head is: because the shepherd is the sheep's favorite.
We're not asked to be cities. We're asked to be a beacon of light in this world of darkness. A beacon of Light doesn't require many voices.
Amen.
[Calvary Chapel is] not a denomination but rather tied together by association.
Calvary Chapel is a multi-million-dollar franchise, a Caesarian incorporated enterprise.
Fellowship and going to church are two different things. Not going to church doesn't mean I'm avoiding fellowship. I hope you understand that.
Indeed.
But if I go to a church, that celebrates Easter by hunting Easter eggs, which is a pagon holiday, I become partakers of their sin, which I wish not to take part of.
Amen. But the problem is this: Where is the “church’s” mechanism to challenge, to reprove, to admonish those on that wrong Easter bunny path? In their corporate world, such a mechanism, by design, does not exist. In the traditions of men, such a mechanism, by design, does not exist. Denominations truly cannot afford to let it exist.
