Will the true Church Please Stand Up

[for_his_glory]

Have you ever played that childhood game where someone whispers something in your ear and you pass it on to the next person beside you and by the time it gets to the last person in line it’s altogether different then what was originally said? This is the same way in many Churches as how the word of God is being taught. The word was spoken by God for what he has already said and by the time it reaches our ears we are hearing something totally different then what he spoke in the first place. Has this become the deception we now find in religion with each one teaching a different gospel then that of the original?

Many people love to dictate to you what you can and cannot do according to what they have been taught through mans doctrines and carnal interpretations and this only brings one into a deceptive bondage that can damage our very soul and cause us to fall away from God because we cannot meet the standards of the church to be that perfect person they say we need to be before we can even accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and not only before, but even after.

Many churches go as far as shutting the doors on those who do not meet their criteria as they deem certain people as unworthy of God and misfits of society that need to clean themselves up first before they can come to church as they would be a bad influence on the youth of the church. I would say let the youth of the church be a good influence on those who need Jesus in their lives as Jesus said to come as you are and he will change anything that needs changing beginning with the condition of our hearts.

Satan has such a foothold on religion by using those unaware to teach his twisted word as Satan knows this word better than we ever could. Those who lack the knowledge of truth will perish along with the deceptive word they teach. Our English language produces many different definitions for a singular word that has caused a misinterpretation from the teachings of the original manuscripts that were written by the Disciples of Christ. The carnal mind can not perceive the teachings of the Holy Spirit and if we are not allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us then we will fall prey to those deceptions and be devoured by the wicked on who seeks to destroy our faith.

 

[Willie T]

In keeping with many recent posts here, just look how we have distorted the original meaning of the word, "apocalypse".

It's even in the modern dictionary THIS way....
a·poc·a·lypse
əˈpäkəˌlips/
noun
noun: Apocalypse; noun: the Apocalypse; noun: apocalypse; plural noun: apocalypses
1.
the complete final destruction of the world, especially as described in the biblical book of Revelation.

• (especially in the Vulgate Bible) the book of Revelation.

2.
an event involving destruction or damage on an awesome or catastrophic scale

 

[Jethro Bodine]

The word was spoken by God for what he has already said and by the time it reaches our ears we are hearing something totally different then what he spoke in the first place. Has this become the deception we now find in religion with each one teaching a different gospel then that of the original?

Can you give an example?

Many churches go as far as shutting the doors on those who do not meet their criteria as they deem certain people as unworthy of God and misfits of society that need to clean themselves up first before they can come to church as they would be a bad influence on the youth of the church.

In all honesty, I see the church, generally speaking, inviting any all sinners to join the church but then not teaching them that grace means having the power to turn from sin and grow up into Christ. Grace has been misunderstood to be a license to remain the sinner that you were when you first came to Jesus and everything will still be good between you and God.

 

[Willie T]

Can you give an example?



In all honesty, I see the church, generally speaking, inviting any all sinners to join the church but then not teaching them that grace means having the power to turn from sin and grow up into Christ. Grace has been misunderstood to be a license to remain the sinner that you were when you first came to Jesus and everything will still be good between you and God.

That accusation hasn't changed since way back when it was aimed at Paul as he first introduced grace.

 

[Jesse]

That accusation hasn't changed since way back when it was aimed at Paul as he first introduced grace.

James even addressed this when he spoke of how those people who dress fancy get to come and sit here, but the poor people have to go and "sit over there".

I sometimes see the church as a social gathering place for groups and newer members who don't look like the rest of the congregation, get shoved to the side. Not saying all circumstances and situations, but it does happen.

 

[Willie T]

James even addressed this when he spoke of how those people who dress fancy get to come and sit here, but the poor people have to go and "sit over there".

I sometimes see the church as a social gathering place for groups and newer members who don't look like the rest of the congregation, get shoved to the side. Not saying all circumstances and situations, but it does happen.

I'd invite you to the place I've finally found if you lived near me.

 

[Jesse]

I'd invite you to the place I've finally found if you lived near me.

That would be awesome, do you happen to live on the west coast?

 

[Willie T]

That would be awesome, do you happen to live on the west coast?

Nope, St. Petersburg, Florida, but I know several places out there. You near Anaheim?

 

[Jesse]

Have you ever played that childhood game where someone whispers something in your ear and you pass it on to the next person beside you and by the time it gets to the last person in line it’s altogether different then what was originally said? This is the same way in many Churches as how the word of God is being taught. The word was spoken by God for what he has already said and by the time it reaches our ears we are hearing something totally different then what he spoke in the first place. Has this become the deception we now find in religion with each one teaching a different gospel then that of the original?
.

We can at least rest assured whatever it is God did speak, it is Truth and it will never change regardless of what man does to it. Although, we have done a number on changing up the meaning (OSAS or NOSAS, Pre-Trib or Post, on and on), the different churches do meet a need in that we all have different personalities, we all have different gifts God has given to us, and each area has different needs, so each local fellowship is fitted for that particular community or area.

I do wonder what God says about 30,000+ denominations though.

 

[Jesse]

Nope, Florida, but I know several places out there. You near Anaheim?

No, further north than that.

We are as far apart as you could almost get in the lower 48. haha

 

[Willie T]

Well, I can aim you to some in Eugene and Portland and then near Everett... and several just over the Northern border. All probably pretty similar to where I go.

 

[Deborah13]

James even addressed this when he spoke of how those people who dress fancy get to come and sit here, but the poor people have to go and "sit over there".

I sometimes see the church as a social gathering place for groups and newer members who don't look like the rest of the congregation, get shoved to the side. Not saying all circumstances and situations, but it does happen.

I agree with you, Jesse.
I have had people tell me that if they went to church with me the church building would fall down. Where do they get this saying from? From the attitude of the people in the church.
We should be expecting them to come not be shocked when they do. That is the working of the Holy Spirit to bring sinners to the Lord. What should our response be? Something like this I think....
"We are so pleased that the Lord has brought you to us, to worship Him today."

And we shouldn't within a couple of weeks be telling them the need to cut their hair, shave their beard, let their hair grow, wear a dress, etc. etc.......

 

[for_his_glory]

Can you give an example?



In all honesty, I see the church, generally speaking, inviting any all sinners to join the church but then not teaching them that grace means having the power to turn from sin and grow up into Christ. Grace has been misunderstood to be a license to remain the sinner that you were when you first came to Jesus and everything will still be good between you and God.

Jethro, the example is when others try to add words to that which has already been written that changes everything that God intended His word to say.

Grace is very misinterpreted teaching as many only speculate what it is without truly knowing that it is undeserved, unmerited favor, Gods willingness to give us His power and ability even though we do not deserve it. No, it does not give us a license to sin as we are to grow in Gods grace until we come to the understanding of what sin is, which is the flesh being in disobedience with Gods will for our lives.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

That accusation hasn't changed since way back when it was aimed at Paul as he first introduced grace.

True. What's changed is the teaching opposed to grace that says you must keep the letter of the law in order to be saved is generally absent in the church these days. That message has come in loud and clear for the church. Now if we can just pull ourselves back from the opposite knee jerk that makes grace a license to sin.

 

[for_his_glory]

We can at least rest assured whatever it is God did speak, it is Truth and it will never change regardless of what man does to it. Although, we have done a number on changing up the meaning (OSAS or NOSAS, Pre-Trib or Post, on and on), the different churches do meet a need in that we all have different personalities, we all have different gifts God has given to us, and each area has different needs, so each local fellowship is fitted for that particular community or area.

I do wonder what God says about 30,000+ denominations though.

Everything is done through God, for God and in the purpose of His timing in His ministry as He gives us those gifts for the purpose of His ministry, but so many have that Pharisee attitude when it comes to their own ministries that are separate from God actually calling them to minister. It would do us well if we remember that of Ephesians Chapter 2 and Ephesians 4:5 to keep in mind that we need to be that one body of Christ that is pleasing to Him in all we do and say.

 

[Jesse]

Jethro, the example is when others try to add words to that which has already been written that changes everything that God intended His word to say.

Grace is very misinterpreted teaching as many only speculate what it is without truly knowing that it is undeserved, unmerited favor, Gods willingness to give us His power and ability even though we do not deserve it. No, it does not give us a license to sin as we are to grow in Gods grace until we come to the understanding of what sin is, which is the flesh being in disobedience with Gods will for our lives.

This is an educational thread!

Grace empowers us to do what he has called us to do, and part of this is avoiding sin (1 Cor 10:13), by His grace he gives us a way out of temptation (and no, I'm not saying we are sinless). God's grace brings a balance, we are empowered to do his work and to avoid sin.

 

[Willie T]

This is an educational thread!

Grace empowers us to do what he has called us to do, and part of this is avoiding sin (1 Cor 10:13), by His grace he gives us a way out of temptation (and no, I'm not saying we are sinless). God's grace brings a balance, we are empowered to do his work and to avoid sin.

Any chance you were Catholic at one time? Just askin'.

 

[for_his_glory]

This is an educational thread!

Grace empowers us to do what he has called us to do, and part of this is avoiding sin (1 Cor 10:13), by His grace he gives us a way out of temptation (and no, I'm not saying we are sinless). God's grace brings a balance, we are empowered to do his work and to avoid sin.

Exactly, if we are not using Gods power and authority then we fall to that of the power and authority that rules the wickedness of this world.

 

[LovethroughDove]

I do wonder what God says about 30,000+ denominations though.

Revelation 2 & 3 God rebukes the churches. Only people that have remained true to the gospel "Philadelphia"

 

[Jesse]

Any chance you were Catholic at one time? Just askin'.

Haha no.

Why do you ask? Do you disagree with what I said.