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DENOMINATION DEBATES DECLARATION OF JESUS' DIVINITY
June 16, 2005
NorthJersey.com reports: “It's a bedrock belief of Christianity - not a topic for debate.
Until now.
A venerable Protestant denomination - at the behest of some of its conservative members - is preparing to vote next month on a measure declaring that Jesus Christ is the Lord, and making it mandatory for clergy to accept his divinity.
It may seem like a slam dunk, but delegates for the 1.3 million-member United Church of Christ may reject the resolution. Several Bergen County pastors, who aren't delegates to the convention, said they expect the measure to fail.
‘Religiously speaking, it sounds like apple pie,’ said the Rev. Raymond Kostulias of the First Congregational Church of Park Ridge. ‘But there is a judgmental quality to it that implies very strongly that those who do not agree with us are condemned or damned or hopeless - and that's exactly the thing that UCC is against.’ "

It's absolutely ludicrous that a "Christian" church is going to vote on a measure declaring that Jesus Christ is the Lord! A church has no business calling itself Christian if they feel as though they have to vote on whether Jesus Christ is Lord!

So Rev. Raymond Kostulias of the First Congregational Church of Park Ridge. believes there is a judgmental quality to it (believing in the divine authority of Jesus Christ) that implies very strongly that those who do not agree with us are condemned or damned or hopeless. In other words, the inference here is that we don't need Jesus Christ to be saved, all we need is love! The Beatles said that and they hated each other so much they split up never to reunite!

Love won't get you to Heaven. Tollerence won't get you to Heaven. Acceptance won't get you to Heaven. Believing in Jesus Christ, the True and Holy eternal God is the only way to get to Heaven dummy!

This fluffy attitude is going to cost thousands their salvation. Christianity is based on the crucified God - Jesus. Who died in our place for the remission of sins, that whosoever believes in Him shall not die, but have eternal life.

The United Church of Christ is a hotspot for people unrepentant lifestyles. This Church is actually more of a social club where anything goes except the divine authority of Jesus. It's always a good thing to have a Church full of sinners, but it is incumbant upon any Bible believing pastor to preach the repentance and turning away from sin to his flock. It is pure evil for a pastor to tell his members that their lifestyles are ok with God as long as they love each other.


‘If you don't offer a risen Christ, you're not offering hope,’ said the Rev. David Boda-Mercer of First Congregational Church of Haworth. ‘If people are looking for answers, and they come to us and get a vague non-answer, but great food and musical programs, then I don't think we're helping them.’
But others in the denomination disagree. Many Christians, they say, reject a literal interpretation of the Bible and lead full spiritual lives…”

www.bronzeblog.blogspot.com (http://www.bronzeblog.blogspot.com)

WOW! Without Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, they might as well turn the church into a bowling alley.

This is why asking a church if they believe that Jesus is God is still one of the quickest ways of identifying a cult. This is also why many Christians want to know if a politician has ever mentioned the precious name of Jesus Christ before they vote. Are we watching and hearing about a falling away?  YES!  This is one reason why many people will now argue about the salvation of those in Islam.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

I must be really stupid.  I thought the reason for going to church in the first place was because of one's belief in Jesus Christ.  We go to worship God.  We go because we are so grateful for what Jesus Christ did for us.  

It sounds like the UCC is more interested in numbers and tithes than salvation of souls or maybe I'm misinterpreting the article.

A VOTE on the divinity of Jesus Christ?  I would have assumed they (ministers) all believed that even before they went to seminary.  Well, maybe some of them changed their minds after seminary, and it's why they want to take a vote.  Maybe they're trying to weed out the devils among them.  Who knows what's going on?

The UCC is one of the most liberal fluffy churches you will ever find. They accept all sinners, which is a good thing for a church, however, they don't preach the repentance of sins, they don't want to upset people by telling them things such as homosexuality are against God. They don't want people to feel left out by stating that there is only one way to Heaven - Jesus! It's a touchy feely church with no Holy Spirit whatsoever. It's a place where people can go and keep their sinfull lifestyles. It makes them feel good about themselves.

Unfortunately where there is no Holy Spirit, there is no God.

[quote author=Bronzesnake link=board=4;threadid=7853;start=0#msg102933 date=1119117298It's absolutely ludicrous that a "Christian" church is going to vote on a measure declaring that Jesus Christ is the Lord!  
That is exactly what I thought in 1999 when I first heard the UMC was going to vote on whether they would have homosexual clergy!

selahjoy*

Do I remember that the NT says that a pastor/minister is to be above reproach?  I'm wondering whether reading is a prerequisite!

 :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
Men shall be lovers of themselves, proud, boastful, lovers of
pleasure more than lovers of God; haveing a form of godliness
but denying the power thereof. FROM SUCH TURN AWAY!

How anyone can claim to be a christian, which means "to be
christ like" or the little christian and then claim such is amazing to me

Hello Brother Ravenlocke,

It's nice to see you back on the forum.

I'm sad to say that we will all see much worse before Jesus comes to take us home. I can't count the number of things that I would have never dreamed possible 40-50 years ago. This world is becoming more evil by the moment, and I give thanks it is not our home.

We are actually seeing many churches taking away from the Glory of God instead of adding to it. Voting about whether Jesus is God or not and putting homosexuals in charge of congregations are just two of many revolting examples. Overall, our societies richly deserve the wrath of God, and the time for just that might be sooner than many think.

Until God's appointed time for wrath, all Christians should fight the good fight and yield to the purpose of God in our lives.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Corinthians 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

If I vote [YES], Jesus IS, in fact, divine - do I still have to show my "I Voted" sticker to St. Peter to get in the gates of heaven?
 >:(

Me and Bugs Bunny agree.  Liberals are maroons.   ;D

rotflol--JudgeNot--you always are able to lift my spirits with
your "interesting" questions.
Remember that we also have to make St. Peter wait until we
have "that one last cigarette"

B.E.P. thanks for the welcome back.

respectfully yours in Yeshua:

  :D ravenloche  :D

rotflol--JudgeNot--you always are able to lift my spirits with
your "interesting" questions.
Remember that we also have to make St. Peter wait until we
have "that one last cigarette"

B.E.P. thanks for the welcome back.

respectfully yours in Yeshua:

  :D ravenloche  :D

Oh, boy. If Jesus isn't the Son of God, then what's the point of being a Christian? This attitude isn't exclusive to just the UCC. I've met a few Christians who believe in Christ, but are not willing to say that He is the only way. It undermines His entire sacrifice; if Buddha or Islam or just being a nice person can save you than why did Christ die? I think the people who hurt Christ the most are the ones that love Him and yet deny Him.