February 8, 200719 yr You seem to be very strong in your faith Bubba, thats a wonderful thing. I wish I could say the same for myself. I am absolutely fascinated with religion and love talking to anyone who is open minded enough to speak with me and not judge me. Matthew 7:1-5, thats how you are supposed to live...you go look it up.
February 8, 200719 yr In Matthew 28: 19-20 Jesus tells the deciples, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". This indicates that salvation is important, but I know first hand that salvation can be obtained outside of a church. I have lived it and have witness it on several occasions. I don't think there is any argument there. Jesus goes on to say, "and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." I think this is where the church come in. No man no matter how great and how righteous has ever saved anybody. The Holy Spirit does that work. But we have the responsibility to teach one another how to live, which is the job of the church. I may be wrong, but that's the way I see it.
February 8, 200719 yr In Matthew 28: 19-20 Jesus tells the deciples, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". This indicates that salvation is important, but I know first hand that salvation can be obtained outside of a church. I have lived it and have witness it on several occasions. I don't think there is any argument there. Jesus goes on to say, "and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." I think this is where the church come in. No man no matter how great and how righteous has ever saved anybody. The Holy Spirit does that work. But we have the responsibility to teach one another how to live, which is the job of the church. I may be wrong, but that's the way I see it. and we....are the church. Jesus taught two commandments upon which hinges the entire Bible: 1.) Love God with all your might, soul, body and strength 2.) Love your neighbor as yourself I had posted earlier in this thread about the church. I believe you are right on what you are saying, but mankind has a tendency to put the church ahead of God, I dont think I need to explain that do I? We have also put the Bible ahead of God. Not be contradiciting my beliefs. I believe in reading and studying and meditating on God's Word daily but I believe my first priority is to spend alone time with God in prayer. The Bible is like His love letter to you and I. If your wife wrote you a love letter, and all you done was read that letter and admired that letter, worshipped that letter but never spent quality time with her, how would she feel? Dont get me wrong, God's Word is more than just a love letter, it is our manual on how to live in Holiness before the Lord. I just think everything should be kept in balance when speaking about the church.
February 8, 200719 yr I also believe that Jesus was not only our sacrifice but also our example on how to live. Do we actually live the way our Lord and Savior lived? I know I fall short many times. It is not about perfection but it is about excellence. The Church has a 3 fold function 1. Worship of God 2. Edification of the Saints (Sunday School and Bible Study, Preaching) 3. Missions (Backyard 1st, Community 2nd, State, Country, Over Seas)
February 8, 200719 yr I also believe that Jesus was not only our sacrifice but also our example on how to live. Do we actually live the way our Lord and Savior lived? I know I fall short many times. It is not about perfection but it is about excellence. The Church has a 3 fold function 1. Worship of God 2. Edification of the Saints (Sunday School and Bible Study, Preaching) 3. Missions (Backyard 1st, Community 2nd, State, Country, Over Seas) Yes and No. I don't think God expects none of us to have a job and to live off the donations of others. I don't think God expects none of us to ever get married or have a family. I don't think God expects none of us to stay settled in one area, have a home, and live in one area of the country. I don't think God expects me to heal the sick, raise the dead or feed 1,000's from loaves of bread. I do think that God expects us to minister to the poor, help the needy, think of others and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
February 8, 200719 yr Yes and No. I don't think God expects none of us to have a job and to live off the donations of others. I don't think God expects none of us to ever get married or have a family. I don't think God expects none of us to stay settled in one area, have a home, and live in one area of the country. I don't think God expects me to heal the sick, raise the dead or feed 1,000's from loaves of bread. I do think that God expects us to minister to the poor, help the needy, think of others and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I Think you are wise enough that you knew what I was refferring to.
February 8, 200719 yr I Think you are wise enough that you knew what I was refferring to. We have had debates on here before in which people hold the view that no ministers should draw salaries but live on the donations of the congregation.
February 8, 200719 yr We have had debates on here before in which people hold the view that no ministers should draw salaries but live on the donations of the congregation. sure you did...come on admit it, you think it is funny that I dont know how to type and that I write novels for every post.
February 8, 200719 yr Good posts by Bubba!!I agree with what your saying Yes and No. I don't think God expects none of us to have a job and to live off the donations of others. I don't think God expects none of us to ever get married or have a family. I don't think God expects none of us to stay settled in one area, have a home, and live in one area of the country. I don't think God expects me to heal the sick, raise the dead or feed 1,000's from loaves of bread. I do think that God expects us to minister to the poor, help the needy, think of others and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I was always taught to be Christian meant to be Christ like. I think you have taken what was meant out of context.
February 8, 200719 yr sure you did...come on admit it, you think it is funny that I dont know how to type and that I write novels for every post. you havn't seen novels until you see a leatherneck post.
February 8, 200719 yr Bubba, you have some of the same philosophies as I. Can I PM a question to you?
February 8, 200719 yr Acts 2:47 the Lord added to the Church daily. Matthew, 16:18 upon this rock I will build my church Matthew, 18:17 speaks of the church member in error Romans 16:16 the Churches of Christ greet you. Acts 8:3 Saul caused problems for the church. In Paul letters who where they written to?
February 8, 200719 yr Acts 2:47 the Lord added to the Church daily. Matthew, 16:18 upon this rock I will build my church Matthew, 18:17 speaks of the church member in error Romans 16:16 the Churches of Christ greet you. Acts 8:3 Saul caused problems for the church. In Paul letters who where they written to? To groups of Christians in different areas...just because the bible references church doesn't mean you have to go to a Sunday morning service...
February 8, 200719 yr ^^^nobody mentioned "Sunday Morning Service" In my line of work I might miss several Sunday's but still enjoy going to our Wednesday Prayer/Bible study group. The Christian church has services on Saturday. I was invited to a Thursday morning bible study with the Church of Christ and will go when I can. I attend a Baptist church and for me to go visit with the C of C is a huge mismatch. But the bottom line is Jesus.
February 8, 200719 yr ^^^nobody mentioned "Sunday Morning Service" In my line of work I might miss several Sunday's but still enjoy going to our Wednesday Prayer/Bible study group. The Christian church has services on Saturday. I was invited to a Thursday morning bible study with the Church of Christ and will go when I can. I attend a Baptist church and for me to go visit with the C of C is a huge mismatch. But the bottom line is Jesus. I meant "sunday service" in reference to having to go to some building with a sign on it that says "Church." As far as the bolded part, if the bottom line is Jesus, how does that make the "church" necessary?
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