question about christian's unite

[pocket]

Welcome pocket!  I'll answer your question with a question: If as believers we cannot unite, how then can we as believers be Christians?  Agreeing to disagree is key.  It is important to remember that in Heaven, there will be Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Catholics, Apostolics, Non-Denominationalists, Pre,Mid,Post-Trib-Mil Calvinists, Dispensationalists, Covenant Theologians and the like.  In Hell, there will be Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Catholics, Apostolics, Non-Denominationalists, Pre,Mid,Post-Trib-Mil Calvinists, Dispensationalists, Covenant Theologians as well.  Point being, our unity is not comprised of our agreement of lesser doctrinal belief or understanding.  Our unity, is in Christ, and Him crucified.  And with any who claim Him and are claimed by Him, I am unified.  I don't strive for a unity that the Spirit provides.  I strive to produce disunity in its place when I divide over issues that when we all get to Heaven I'll find out I didn't understand completely anyway.  

\

we Would should never agree to disagree  For Jesus prayed for unity not compromise.

We never chose the name xxxxxxxxxx  it was given to us.
 so Why am i a  xxxxxxxxxx.

 

·        The xxxxxxxxxx Church Proclaims the Message of Forgiveness in Christ to Believers.  

 

We need assurance of forgiveness to have a relationship with God.  Without that assurance, we will either attempt to flee from God by blocking Him out of our minds, or we will develop a small, false view of Him that will not threaten us.  As Isaiah found out, the only way we can stand in God’s presence is with the assurance that God has taken care of our sins.

 

God promised Adam and Eve that a Savior would come to redeem them from their sin.  This promise was spread through generations of believers until the nation of Israel was commanded to establish blood sacrifices for sin.  These sacrifices were merely a reminder of what was to come:  A living Savior.  These sacrifices were for all sin, even the believers, not just for people at the time of their conversion.  

 

Christ’s death ended the repetition of sacrifices for our sins with a once for all event.  But, the human heart has not changed, and forgiveness still needs to be declared on a regular basis to us, even as it was proclaimed to believers before the time of Christ.

 

In many churches, forgiveness is only proclaimed at the time of someone’s conversion or when someone specifically confesses to a certain sinful act.  But, I am always in need of forgiveness not only for my sins, but because I am a sinner.  In   xxxxxxxx churches, the consistant emphasis on forgiveness should encourage a fellowship on the basis of the forgiveness in Christ.

 

·        In the xxxxxxx Church, the Law and Gospel are Presented in Balance.

 

The themes of law and gospel run throughout the Bible.  xxxxxx and xxxxxxxxx theologians clearly teach the correct handling of the Bible using these truths.  

 

Those who say that a personal relationship with Christ will automatically create this balance do not grasp the greatness of Christ.  He is the perfect and holy God.  His perfection bears down upon our conscience through His amazing creation, through His example of how a life could be sinlessly lived, through His work in other believers who are gifted and strong in areas where we are weak, through His convicting Holy Spirit, and through the preaching and reading of His word.  

 

The depth of mankind’s fall into sin needs to be considered, also.  Job had a very good relationship with God, but when the devil created terrible conditions for him, he questioned God’s goodness.  If we were to be pushed beyond a point, our pride would cause us to sin by questioning God’s goodness, also.  Christ’s holiness and our depravity will combine to drive us from Him or cause us to set up barriers between Him and us if the presentation of the law is not balanced with the gospel of forgiveness.

 

·        In the xxxxxxxxxxx Church, Salvation is Presented as More than Conversion.

 

We believe that a person who is living a life in rebellion and in hatred to God needs to be converted to a life of love for God.  However, to many churches with a non-xxxxxxxx theology, salvation means only a conversion experience and the gospel only means the invitation to accept Christ.  The xxxxxxx church teaches a deeper meaning of these terms.  Gospel is any message of forgiveness in Christ, and salvation is a life lived in the forgiveness of the cross (the gospel).  

 

·        In the xxxxxxxxxx Church, a Scriptural Plan is Presented for Teaching our Little Children Salvation.  

 

In many churches, salvation can only be obtained when the mind is capable of intellectually comprehending the spoken message and the will is in sufficient control to be able to yield itself to that message.  Because of this view and the Bible’s teaching that even little children have a sinful nature, they have great difficulty in understanding their young children’s relationship to God.

 

Since a xxxxxxxx can believe that salvation is more than just conversion, and is a life lived in the forgiveness of the cross, it is not hard to believe that this forgiveness and salvation can extend to children.  A child may hear the name of Jesus, the savior, even before he is born while his mother is carrying him.  After he is born, he can be brought to baptism to receive the forgiveness offered there.  As he is being brought up, he can be taught how Jesus wants him to live and how to talk to and listen to Jesus (the law) and that Jesus forgives him when he sins (the gospel).   Parents can provide imperfect role models of the demands and forgiveness of God.  I believe all these examples illustrate part of the great commission of making disciples by baptizing and teaching a life of salvation.  

 

·        The xxxxxxxxxx Church Gives the Correct Meaning to the Sacraments.

 

The Bible regularly speaks of baptism and communion in connection with forgiveness of sin.  Because we can put on Christ through these sacraments, then God sees us as if we had never sinned.  To those of other theologies who believe salvation is only conversion, they will not be able to understand how someone could receive salvation through these acts.  But to us who see salvation as a life lived in the forgiveness of the cross, they are another means to receive this gift.  

 

·        Epilogue

 

Even though important differences exist between the xxxxxxx church and other churches mentioned above, I appreciate what I gain by associating with those churches and their members.  I owe so much to the xxxxxxxxx church, but it is sad to see how masses of xxxxxxxxx worldwide are ignoring the great spiritual resources available to them in the xxxxxxx faith.  Let’s pray that all xxxxxxx church's returns to sound doctrine and practice.

[pocket]

quote

No, you wouldn't be the dumbest Christian if you said your denomination didn't have the whole Truth.  You would be a person seeking the Truth.  Many people have their hearts pricked in whatever denomination they're in.  Something just doesn't feel right to them.  Then, there are those who believe what they've been taught to be the Truth, even though it might not be.  They really don't research for themselves.

every denomination has the whole truth all they have to do is read it and believe it God never has demanded we have to understand His word .

xxxxxx held that if reason could understand the truths of the Gospel, faith would be unnecessary.

If men could come to faith by the use of their rational faculties, then there would be no need of the Holy Ghost

    The conviction and the confidence which is the essence of the Christian faith is not an intellectual and emotional position which a man chooses for himself and by his own power. We believe, rather, according to the working of the almighty power of God. Nor is faith the final stage to which a man comes after a long-drawn-out process of reasoning, in which he is finally persuaded that now at last he can rest his heart in the sufficiency of the evidence. It is much rather a stepping out into the darkness, where there is no “proof” in the ordinary sense of the term, but only a word of the Lord which is infinitely better and more certain than all the rational proofs in the world. Faith is something done to us rather than by us.
xxxxxx warns against the faith which is the work of man. He calls it a “manufactured faith” and an “imagined faith” True faith is complete trust of the heart in Christ and is kindled alone by Christ. Such faith does not come out of our own preparation, but when the Word of God is preached openly and clearly, it begins to grow by itself.


. All the articles of our faith are so difficult and so high that no man can hold fast to them without the grace of the Holy Spirit. Take any article of faith and hold fast to it with reason, and you will retain nothing of it . The Holy Ghost must be Master and Teacher, or nothing will come of it.    

for reason twists Scripture according to its pleasure.

[nChrist]

exactly what does this website mean by Christian's unite?
certainly one should not unite religiously at the expense
of the bibles  doctrines.
hopefully it is  meant " Christian's  unite for discussion purposes only?
I mean a believer in the Lutheran confession's  and another Christian certainly can not pray or worship or have bible study  together the differences are to vast.
so exactly what is meant by unite??/

thanks

Hello Pocket,

WELCOME!!

Real Christians are already united as members of One True Church not made with human hands, the Church which is THE BODY OF CHRIST. The denominational names of man's brick and mortar church buildings mean absolutely nothing in THE CHURCH WHICH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST.

Quite a few of the people sitting in the pews of your brick and mortar church are lost. In fact, many will attend your church and many like it for life and die lost in their sins. A person is not saved by attending a particular church, being baptized in a particular church, taking communion in a particular church, or doing anything else in a particular brick and mortar church. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ, the Cross, and having Jesus Christ as the LORD over your life. If the Holy Spirit of God lives in your heart and Jesus Christ is the LORD over your life, the tags, labels, and denominations of men means NOTHING.

So, real Christians are already united in CHRIST, and that is more than enough to fellowship together. After all, we will spend eternity together in JESUS. A real Christian's citizenship is in Heaven, and our church we are members of is NOT of this world or made with human hands.

A real Christian has NO faith or trust at all in Luther, Calvin, or any other man - rather faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. It should be a given that faith and trust in just a man means nothing. The same is true for attending a particular church. The only thing that really matters is having the Holy Spirit in your heart and JESUS CHRIST as the LORD over your life. If your church teaches that you must be a member of your particular church to be saved, that would be false teaching.

In short, if we both belong to JESUS, we should have more than enough in common to have fellowship and enjoy each other's company.

Love In Christ,
Tom

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 NASB  You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

[GKB]

well pockets, i have some really terrible news for you. if you plan to get to heaven, you'd better get rid of this satanic way of thinking...if you do go to heaven, guess what, it's not going to be any church, or bible studies...so if you plan to go to heaven, you'd better get used to me, cause i'm going...and i'm not lutheran either, and based on what you've represented about that religion i do not think that i would ever consider it! my jesus what are they teaching you? get yourself ready, because this way of thinking that you have will fall. check out proverbs 16:18      

I think it is wrong for any one to think they have a right to interpet scripture as they see fit
. For scripture interpet's itself .clear passages shedding light on those that are less clear to our sinfilled fallen state.

We in this life CAN not understand the mystery of the Trinity
oR  Christ  his natures his virgin birtrh  , OR predestination of Gods  elect OR Jesus  real presence in God's  sacrament's .
But we should never deny what God has said of these supernatural mysteries . That God  has set fourth in crystial clear scriptural language.
 For to do so would make God and his bible a book of confusion.
If we can not agree on these most Basic point's how can there be God pleasing religious fellowship.
Should  we now interpet Gods command to stay away from those who teach differently. Romans 16:17
To mean it is ok to pray with or worship with or be led in bible study  by those of different belief's .
Will not God  THEN have a perfect right to ask  each of us what part of stay away from !did you not understand in my bible?
I mean lets be perfectly honest. Most denominations do not even agree on the doctrine by what Christ church stands or fall's The doctrine of How people  are Justified by God!
Is it by faith or through faith? is it by Christ his merit's alone.
or is it a decision of our's  to accept Jesus. Or was it really Jesus decision to accept us the sinner.
Did Jesus come into this world  to show us a way or did he
 fuLLy win our way.

What is repentance ? denomination's are even in difference on that . Some say it is a personal decision to  turn away from sin.
My church certainly does not teach that, thank God.

fOR How can a person truly repent? unless they understand
repentance must at all times  include trusting the forgivness Jesus has already won for us. by his perfect life and innocent death in our stead.
Only then is the holy spirit pleased to work in us a chnge of heart torward our sin's.


 

[ggamble]

Greetings Pocket,

BEP, reply was good direction, right in lines with what Paul teaches about the Body of the church. You have received some good direction in this debate. I personally never gave to much mind to our differences in the denominational differences other than if they line up with John 3:16 & 17 then we are of the same body. And if the Holy Spirit raises a flag on what is being taught then I go where the answer is and pray for the Lord to give me knowledge, wisdom and understanding and discernment about what I have read.
Praise Jesus, for Martin Luther that we got the Word, as I've had study him quite a bit, but I'm not Lutheran. What was said of him was: "The Word of Revelation laid down in the Bible remained for him the unique source of all religious knowledge". That was from a Catholic, to which to finish it correctly from me would be "the unique source to the having the mind of Christ Jesus". For Jesus is not a religion. Let me just give a shout out to other denominations, the Lord has lead me to learn somethings.
Praise Jesus, for Charles Stanley for the gift the Spirit leads him in to teach. But I'm not that denomination of Baptist. Or even Baptist for that matter. Praise Jesus for Joyce Meyers, for the testimony she shares and the gift of understanding she passes on. and I don't go to her church either, though are denominations are very close.
 I could add others like, Spurgeon, Peter Marshall, Oswald Chambers, David Jeremiah, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Lester Sumrall, Billy Graham, Hilton Sutton, Joel Osteen, Dr James Kennedy, Dr Ron Floyd, Jack Hayford, Rick Warren, Stephen Arterburn, Fred Stoeker and some Pastor's in my life, Sam Bennett, Dan Mundt. Some of these are well-known, all have faced the price of serving God for the sake of the Gospel.
But my point is, that I have grown in Christ. Because of God's direction for me to be there and to take in what the Spirit was doing through them. So that I might learn and draw closer to that goal through the work He is doing in me, in becoming Christ-like. which will be complete when He returns, or the other.
I've listen to many others or read from their service for the Lord, in books. All because of that listening to His voice to go that way. Just like here, its been awesome since the Lord guided me here, after down loading E-Sword, figure that!
They are all paths, He leads me. He's had me listen to others that I wondered why, but revelation came because I would seek out to test and to prove, as Paul said to do. Like a church in Arkansas, that I watched teaching out of the King James word for word, but the delivery was odd, the comments after the program from write in questions brought up a flag.  People were saying churches in their areas did not preach as he was, and he did not give them direction as to what church to go too. Or to go to church at all, he just did not answer them as if to say his program taught the only truth. And then I inquired more to find out about their ministry.  I sent for the offer He had to his ministry, which was free, a good way to keep the draw up. And received some Bible study and other things his ministry offered, along with a CD, titled "The Mark of the Beast". I listened and well its going along close, very close in lines to what I had read for myself. Then here it came right out of no where and he is critical to boost as one, for never misquoting or taking things out of context. or man made theory. Then here he says, there were more than eight alive after the flood, he says who's to say there wasn't more than eight. And here comes a theory of his own and did not stop there. I said, to myself, the Word of God says there were only eight and leaves no mystery to that number, then I knew. Then I went farther checking out the ministry. Now its another for sure Gospel, and mean that in a translational since. Christ would not comment like he preaches. Your know, is my point if you are familiar with the Word of God. There is always something God is trying to teach you.
There are 12 marks of a disciple I stand on for my own self, of course they were not of my invention, but I measure myself with them. If I find myself asking why?
12 marks of a disciple:
1) A disciple is teachable, wants to learn. studies the Word, test and proves everything in accordance to the knowledge of God. {The Word}
2) Has authority through Jesus
3) Allegiance, stands up for Jesus
4) Fruit, is a good influence to people, shows the changed life, because of Jesus, is giving, is obedient because the Holy Spirit enables you to obey.
5) Worship, goes to church because Jesus did, and mark #1
6) Witnesses, spreads the Gospel, talks about Jesus
7) Reproduces, makes other disciples, is giving in all things, because of the Spirit lead.
8) Loves, The Father, Son, the Holy Ghost. Loves because Jesus loves us, and the Holy Spirit again enables us to love unconditionally. With all our heart, soul and mind and strength.
9) Prays, for knowledge, wisdom, understanding, revelation, help, discernment, forgiveness, for others, thanks, to be alert and guidance.
10) Carries the cross, is one of good courage and encourages others, is blessed by trails and test
11) His trust is in the Lord, with all his heart
12) Walks in the Spirit and in faith, and with the mind of Christ.
Now there maybe more "things the Holy Spirit enables me to do", but these are some the Spirit measures me in as I press on.
Repentance, to me is how I receive that grace that abounds, and its only true if I rid that sin out of my life. And don't return to it, and learn from it.
And faith, comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
Jesus said I'm the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. And He said no one comes to Me, less the Father draws them.
 Unite is all about the light, which is about Him, God engineers all things and works it for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose.

One snowflake is not a snowball made of.  But when a snowball gets to rollin, look out it can just keep on building as it gains ground.

It's Christmas, Praise Jesus, Happy Birthday Lord, Blessed be Your name, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Merry Christmas everyone, rejoice in the Lord, Our King of Kings, Oh,,,,,,,,I Loooooove Him so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May the Lord keep thee and Bless thee
ONLY! ALWAYS for JESUS
in the love of  brother in Christ
ggamble

[Shammu]

ggamble, I believe that pocket has been banned. So he won't be able to reply to you.

Resting in the hands, of the Lord.
Bob

Luke 2:11 For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!

Edited to add; With this post, I say good night and Merry Christmas.

[ggamble]

Greetings DreamWeaver,

Well, then I hope he gets to read it anyway, or anyone else that wonders about denominational unity, looking for the good in the idea. Its the body no matter how they see it, and God's in control and Jesus is Lord. The Lord's will be done. Here on earth as it is in Heaven, its a good read all of it.

Well, Jesus loves him, as all of us do , Thank You Father God, for this wonderful day, that we celebrate the birth of Our King, the Master, the Priest, the Holy One of God, Son of God, our Prophet, Emmanuel, our Lord and Saviour. Blessed be His Name.
Merry Christmas to all, ,,,,,,,,,in Jesus Amen

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! {Luke 2:14}

Happy Birthday,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Jesus
We love You

May the Lord bless thee and keep thee
only, always for Christ Jesus,
gamble

[2nd Timothy]

Mat 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.


Christians Unite....there's a concept!       At least thats how I have always thought about CU!

[nChrist]

Mat 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.


Christians Unite....there's a concept!       At least thats how I have always thought about CU!

AMEN 2ND TIMOTHY!

Brother, I can't count the number of blessings that you and many other sweet Christians here have meant to me. YES, the LORD is with us! It makes me very happy to know that the Gospel of the Grace of God is easy to find on Christians Unite and many thousands of guests read the posts here every day.

I trust the Promise of God completely that His Word will never be wasted or return void. God has used it and HE will continue to use it.

Now I'm thinking about the many sweet Christians who have fellowship here. In nearly all cases, we've never seen the face or heard the voice of the people we love and have fellowship with. I have no doubt at all that GOD has allowed everything positive that we have here. I hope and pray that GOD gets all the Glory for every good thing here. The humans, including me, will take credit for anything negative that has ever happened here. I know that I will remember many positive things and sweet Christians here for the rest of my life.

The Christians Unite Forum only represents 1% of the work being done for the LORD by Christians Unite. GOD is using Christians Unite in a mighty way, and I give thanks for that. This is just one reason why I felt led to volunteer here and do whatever I can to help. In fact, I give thanks that God is allowing me to serve Him. I have no doubt at all that many sweet Christians post messages here in that same spirit of serving God and knowing that the lost will read messages here and the saved will be strengthened here.

I was just thinking about the Internet in general. The Internet, overall, is a horrible place in many ways. BUT, many Christians have made sure that GOD owns part of the Internet. There are literally millions of people using the Internet who desperately need JESUS. If they seek, they will FIND!

I will close by simply giving thanks that God's Work is being done in many difficult places, including the Internet. I firmly believe that God will lead, guide, direct, equip, and provide.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Psalms 28:7 NASB  The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.

[2nd Timothy]

Brother, I can't count the number of blessings that you and many other sweet Christians here have meant to me.

I will second that!   I have always felt that CU is most certainly used by God, even in ways that we may not be aware of.   There is no doubt in my mind that many unknown guests have seen and read the gospel through the posts of many members here.   I thank the Lord for CU.   A small light in a small corner of the web, in such a dark dark world.   May it light the path of many hearts to accept the one true living God, and be an encouragment for those who already know Him.

[Shammu]

Brother, I can't count the number of blessings that you and many other sweet Christians here have meant to me.

I will second that!   I have always felt that CU is most certainly used by God, even in ways that we may not be aware of.   There is no doubt in my mind that many unknown guests have seen and read the gospel through the posts of many members here.   I thank the Lord for CU.   A small light in a small corner of the web, in such a dark dark world.   May it light the path of many hearts to accept the one true living God, and be an encouragment for those who already know Him.

AMEN, 2T!

[nChrist]

Brother, I can't count the number of blessings that you and many other sweet Christians here have meant to me.

I will second that!   I have always felt that CU is most certainly used by God, even in ways that we may not be aware of.   There is no doubt in my mind that many unknown guests have seen and read the gospel through the posts of many members here.   I thank the Lord for CU.   A small light in a small corner of the web, in such a dark dark world.   May it light the path of many hearts to accept the one true living God, and be an encouragment for those who already know Him.

ANOTHER AMEN 2ND TIMOTHY!

Brother, it makes me very happy to look at the site statistics really often. It's on the left side of your screen near the top under "Discussion Forum Main Menu". Many thousands of people do read the posts here every day. The vast majority of them will never become members, but I know in my heart that GOD is using what they are reading here.

We know that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We also know that God's Word NEVER returns void. So, we have the Promises of God to depend on, and I give thanks for every Christian who feels a burden on their heart to post here.

There might come a day when it becomes difficult or dangerous to share the Gospel of the Grace of God. But, so far that is not the case on Christians Unite. Every Christian forum is under almost constant attack of one type or another, and that is also true for Christians Unite. BUT, the devil has not been able to stop the LORD's Work here. Again, we have reason to give thanks that Christians Unite continues the Lord's Work regardless of difficulties.

In my heart and mind, I know that hosts of people are still coming to JESUS, and the time might be growing short. May God give us the strength and determination to continue, and in all things let us give all Glory, Honor, and Praise to our Lord and Saviour, JESUS CHRIST!  Amen.

Thanks be unto GOD for HIS unspeakable GIFT!, JESUS CHRIST, our Lord and Saviour forever!

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 5:20-21 NASB  The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 2:19-21 NASB  "For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."

Ephesians 2:19-22 NASB  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

2 Peter 3:9 NASB  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

[livingbyfaith]

I read a little article once that said "If you find the perfect church, you better leave for you might spoil the atmosphere."

I have been to so many different churches.  I was searching for truth.  I started, in my childhood, as Catholic. There I was taught that only Catholics would go to heaven.  How true was that?  I believed it because that's all I ever knew and you don't question it.

The Catholic church is changing.  Some are studying the Bible.  I heard where one church did away with their statues.
Also I went to church with my sister who is still a Catholic.  When it was time for communion, she asked if I was going.  I was surprised and asked if I was allowed.  At the altar I was given the wafer. It was up to me if I accepted the wine.  Many didn't because they all drank from the same cup! They didn't want anyone else's germs.

I wouldn't take communion when I visited again. I believed if you accepted the wafer (the body of Jesus---not his real body but a symbol of it.) and didn't take the cup, you were saying you didn't accept the blood.  Just my idea.

I have been to many denominations.  They didn't agree on many things.  The question is how will some of them get to heaven and some would not?  The only way any one will get to heaven is to believe on Jesus Christ.  John 3:16 & 17:  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."  There is no other way.

John 16:13 says: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will GUIDE you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come."  The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are ALL involved in salvation.  This determines whether we will be given entrance into heaven.

I will continue in this on another topic:"Hospital for troubled Souls".  May God give us understanding of His WORD.

[Shammu]

I read a little article once that said "If you find the perfect church, you better leave for you might spoil the atmosphere."

I have been to so many different churches.  I was searching for truth.  I started, in my childhood, as Catholic. There I was taught that only Catholics would go to heaven.  How true was that?  I believed it because that's all I ever knew and you don't question it.

The Catholic church is changing.  Some are studying the Bible.  I heard where one church did away with their statues.
Also I went to church with my sister who is still a Catholic.  When it was time for communion, she asked if I was going.  I was surprised and asked if I was allowed.  At the altar I was given the wafer. It was up to me if I accepted the wine.  Many didn't because they all drank from the same cup! They didn't want anyone else's germs.

I wouldn't take communion when I visited again. I believed if you accepted the wafer (the body of Jesus---not his real body but a symbol of it.) and didn't take the cup, you were saying you didn't accept the blood.  Just my idea.

I have been to many denominations.  They didn't agree on many things.  The question is how will some of them get to heaven and some would not?  The only way any one will get to heaven is to believe on Jesus Christ.  John 3:16 & 17:  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."  There is no other way.

John 16:13 says: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will GUIDE you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come."  The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are ALL involved in salvation.  This determines whether we will be given entrance into heaven.

I will continue in this on another topic:"Hospital for troubled Souls".  May God give us understanding of His WORD.

This is one of mans follies, following doctrine, and denominations. Doctrine, and denominations are made by man, not God. Everything we need is in the Bible. Thats one of the reasons, in my Church we call ourselves Christians. Course Gracies would sound funny, to another Christian.

[livingbyfaith]

I go to a non-denomination Church.  My preacher takes a whole chapter and expounds on it.  He doesn't care how many toes he steps on.  Definitely not a people pleaser.  The church does have its faults.  No perfect church.  At least it tries to go by God's rules.  The congregation is like any group.  There are disagreements between a few people.

He doesn't have any rituals to make a person a member.  He always says if someone leaves it may be because God wants them somewhere else for His purpose.  I had to leave for awhile because I don't have a car and no way to get there.  I surely wasn't getting fed at the church I was going to.  It was in walking distance from my home. 

People complained because a 5 minute sermon was too long!  They just want to be able to say they went to church.  What could they learn in that time?  My preacher goes on until the Holy Spirit tells him to stop.  He likes football as much as the next guy.  He tells us at the beginning of the service he would like to see the game but if his message goes over the time, he will just miss it.  If anyone wants to leave early, that's up to them.  It's a shame that church is dictated by sports.  So many church activities are planned around them

I went to a Bible Study in same church.  Someone would read a scripture.  I would say what I believed it meant.  One of two women always contradicted it.  Said that the Bible was written by men.  They would turn around and quote from some commentary.  I wonder who wrote them?  I didn't stay in that Church very long.  I was glad when I could get a ride to go back to my church.  I didn't get spiritually fed at the other church.  I was starving for God's Word.

That was just one of the "dead" churches.  Rev. 3:15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold not hot, I would that you were cold or hot.  So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will spew you out of my mouth."