Quality Fellowship

[rockytopva]

When I came to Christ the Pentecostal Holiness church offered...

1. Sunday morning services
2. Sunday evening services
3. Wednesday evening services
4. Saturday evening prayer services
5. Regular revivals with excellent evangelists
6. Many quality and enjoyable retreats

Our pastor (who was a lot like Charles Stanley) back then was once an evangelist and he really knew how to find good evangelists for revival. The old timers use to tell me that they had something that would take them to heaven and I believed them. It seems like ministries these days feel they can go all online or on radio.

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. - Hebrews 10

The lack of quality fellowship post Covid is affecting the church and it is my main concern these days. Noting the Apostles.... And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. - Acts 2:46

 

[Peterlag]

When I came to Christ the Pentecostal Holiness church offered...

1. Sunday morning services
2. Sunday evening services
3. Wednesday evening services
4. Saturday evening prayer services
5. Regular revivals with excellent evangelists
6. Many quality and enjoyable retreats

Our pastor (who was a lot like Charles Stanley) back then was once an evangelist and he really knew how to find good evangelists for revival. The old timers use to tell me that they had something that would take them to heaven and I believed them. It seems like ministries these days feel they can go all online or on radio.

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. - Hebrews 10

The lack of quality fellowship post Covid is affecting the church and it is my main concern these days. Noting the Apostles.... And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. - Acts 2:46

The last church I was in they walked me out the door because I went to the bathroom during the service. Then they took my picture and told me not to come back. I have been thrown off a good half dozen online Christian websites. Banned from dozens and censored from many including having my posts deleted. Bing which is owned by the Microsoft Corporation will not even let me advertise with them and would not tell me why. The following link is what I was trying to advertise... https://www.carb-fat.com/walking-by-the-spirit.html. And then there's last night when one called me Satan and the other said I was doing the work of the Devil.

 

[rockytopva]

The last church I was in they walked me out the door because I went to the bathroom during the service. Then they took my picture and told me not to come back. I have been thrown off a good half dozen online Christian websites. Banned from dozens and censored from many including having my posts deleted. Bing which is owned by the Microsoft Corporation will not even let me advertise with them and would not tell me why. The following link is what I was trying to advertise... https://www.carb-fat.com/walking-by-the-spirit.html. And then there's last night when one called me Satan and the other said I was doing the work of the Devil.

I recommend no church judging by what is on the shingle (the name of the church). A good Senior Pastor and Worship Leader are the main two.

 

[Aunty Jane]

I recommend no church judging by what is on the shingle (the name of the church). A good Senior Pastor and Worship Leader are the main two.

But what happens if you sacrifice the truth for “a good senior pastor and worship leader”?

Isn’t it important for those who lead others to teach the truth, even if that is unpopular? Isn’t that what Jesus did…and he said that those who were his true disciples would receive the same reception as he and his apostles did.…and for the same reason….they were not falling in line with what was accepted as truth in their own religion as it was practiced in their day. Perhaps we are seeing history repeating because people do not nderstand that the devil has no new tricks…..the old ones still work so well…..tell a lie long enough and people will end up believing it.

If the Bible tells us that satan is in control of “the whole world”…(1 John 5:19…and who can deny it?) then what part of the world is he not controlling? He is in its corrupt politics…it’s greedy commercialism and all the false worship that is found in every nation in infinite variety.

We need to step back and take stock…..are we walking into an old trap set many centuries ago and still still trapping victims? Are old lies still accepted as gospel truth? How would we know unless we study God’s word for ourselves…? Most think you need a theological degree to become a minister of the Kingdom….none of Jesus’ apostles were chosen because of their credentials…..in fact they were chosen because they didn’t have the indoctrination of Judaism that Jesus faced from the majority of their religious leaders.
They had less obstacles in the way because they knew it was the truth when they heard it…..many however, did not, and stuck to their old ways, losing their place in the kingdom of God.

We all need to make sure that what we believe is actually the truth.

 

[rockytopva]

But what happens if you sacrifice the truth for “a good senior pastor and worship leader”?

Isn’t it important for those who lead others to teach the truth, even if that is unpopular? Isn’t that what Jesus did…and he said that those who were his true disciples would receive the same reception as he and his apostles did.…and for the same reason….they were not falling in line with what was accepted as truth in their own religion as it was practiced in their day. Perhaps we are seeing history repeating because people do not nderstand that the devil has no new tricks…..the old ones still work so well…..tell a lie long enough and people will end up believing it.

If the Bible tells us that satan is in control of “the whole world”…(1 John 5:19…and who can deny it?) then what part of the world is he not controlling? He is in its corrupt politics…it’s greedy commercialism and all the false worship that is found in every nation in infinite variety.

We need to step back and take stock…..are we walking into an old trap set many centuries ago and still still trapping victims? Are old lies still accepted as gospel truth? How would we know unless we study God’s word for ourselves…? Most think you need a theological degree to become a minister of the Kingdom….none of Jesus’ apostles were chosen because of their credentials…..in fact they were chosen because they didn’t have the indoctrination of Judaism that Jesus faced from the majority of their religious leaders.
They had less obstacles in the way because they knew it was the truth when they heard it…..many however, did not, and stuck to their old ways, losing their place in the kingdom of God.

We all need to make sure that what we believe is actually the truth.

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. - James e

 

[APAK]

The last church I was in they walked me out the door because I went to the bathroom during the service. Then they took my picture and told me not to come back. I have been thrown off a good half dozen online Christian websites. Banned from dozens and censored from many including having my posts deleted. Bing which is owned by the Microsoft Corporation will not even let me advertise with them and would not tell me why. The following link is what I was trying to advertise... https://www.carb-fat.com/walking-by-the-spirit.html. And then there's last night when one called me Satan and the other said I was doing the work of the Devil.

I was reading your link in your post...just a few sentences of it here:

"....Religious people don't follow after the spirit, but rather they follow after their flesh and call it spiritual. The religious folks lead with their flesh and call it Christian. The church folks clean up their flesh by making themselves nice. Then they say this is Christian because we are being nice like the way Jesus was. In contrast to that, I believe we should be walking by the spirit of Christ...."

I am really seeing these words of yours more and more as the stark reality today. In everyday life and also on this site and others. Most are still 'religious' people who are not converted by the Spirit and possessing the spirit of Christ. Another major reason why religious folks and true believers, engaged in a discussion, constantly speak or write over each other. Like oil and water that cannot mix.

 

[Peterlag]

I was reading your link in your post...just a few sentences of it here:

"....Religious people don't follow after the spirit, but rather they follow after their flesh and call it spiritual. The religious folks lead with their flesh and call it Christian. The church folks clean up their flesh by making themselves nice. Then they say this is Christian because we are being nice like the way Jesus was. In contrast to that, I believe we should be walking by the spirit of Christ...."

I am really seeing these words of yours more and more as the stark reality today. In everyday life and also on this site and others. Most are still 'religious' people who are not converted by the Spirit and possessing the spirit of Christ. Another major reason why religious folks and true believers, engaged in a discussion, constantly speak or write over each other. Like oil and water that cannot mix.

The link is from an online book that you can view from time to time if and when you feel inspired to do so. It is here...

Walking By The Spirit - Stephen Full Of Faith & Power Jesus Book

 

[APAK]

The link is from an online book that you can view from time to time if and when you feel inspired to do so. It is here...

Walking By The Spirit - Stephen Full Of Faith & Power Jesus Book

Thank you and I will do so....and If I remember to do so I will give some type of commentary on it...ask me later. down the road..and I will be happy to share it with you.

Blessings to you Peter, and family

 

[rockytopva]

I graduated high school basically last in my class and did not have a lot of confidence. I was hired on in a factory and worked at the lowest labor grade. What changed my life is when we got some of the Virginia Tech football players who were all "Word of Faith" and from the eastern part of the state. They called me "McCwowt" (not my name and spoken in authoritative street lingo) and would say things all the time like... McCwowt? What are you believing God for McCwowt? And I would have to give them an answer that would create joy within their heart. I acted on the faith and began to progress...

1. Moved up to Line Inspector
2. Moved up to Machine Operator I
3. Moved up into Samples
4. They would fly me to factories to help in R&D
5. Moved up to Lab Technician
6. Enrolled in our community colleges IT program
7. Got two degrees Magna Cum Laude with the Who's who award
8. Won first place in several programming contests and many awards
9. Designed Lab Databases with the programming knowledge
10. Made much money in stock investments
11. Experience healing time and time again - With much thanksgiving to the Lord Jesus Christ

I can look back and say... Wow! Was that fun! And also appreciative of the quality fellowship I gotten from my Word of Faith brethren, who all moved on after their quality discipleship towards me.

Quality Christian fellowship --- Very Important!

 

[APAK]

I graduated high school basically last in my class and did not have a lot of confidence. I was hired on in a factory and worked at the lowest labor grade. What changed my life is when we got some of the Virginia Tech football players who were all "Word of Faith" and from the eastern part of the state. They called me "McCwowt" (not my name and spoken in authoritative street lingo) and would say things all the time like... McCwowt? What are you believing God for McCwowt? And I would have to give them an answer that would create joy within their heart. I acted on the faith and began to progress...

1. Moved up to Line Inspector
2. Moved up to Machine Operator I
3. Moved up into Samples
4. They would fly me to factories to help in R&D
5. Moved up to Lab Technician
6. Enrolled in our community colleges IT program
7. Got two degrees Magna Cum Laude with the Who's who award
8. Won first place in several programming contests and many awards
9. Designed Lab Databases with the programming knowledge
10. Made much money in stock investments
11. Experience healing time and time again - With much thanksgiving to the Lord Jesus Christ

I can look back and say... Wow! Was that fun! And also appreciative of the quality fellowship I gotten from my Word of Faith brethren, who all moved on after their quality discipleship towards me.

Quality Christian fellowship --- Very Important!

Thanks for sharing. A great testimony of how God has worked in your life, for you, and how he used you to then influence those around you.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Quality Christian fellowship --- Very Important!

I agree 100%. God has always been about quality….not quantity.

God’s “people” were never to be like those of the nations….they were separated out and so different in many ways, beliefs and practices because of the laws that God gave them. But, sadly they did not stay in the clean spiritual condition where God originally put them. They adopted traditions and beliefs from those nations from whom God had separated them, and this invalidated their worship (Matt 15:7-9)…..their worship was acceptable to themselves, but not to the God they claimed to serve.

Since satan can transform himself into “an angel of light” to masquerade as something he is not….wouldn’t it be the ultimate deception if he managed the same scenario with Christendom as he did with Judaism?

Testimonies abound from people of vastly different beliefs, so where is God in that situation? Is he supporting all those differing beliefs when it is clearly stated for ALL Christians….”that you should all speak in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you may be completely united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.” (1 Cor 1:10)

Does that describe the fractured state of ”Christianity” in this day and age, when there are literally thousands of churches all teaching their own truth without unity in their global brotherhood….”does the Christ exist divided”? Is there more than one truth? Can churches be so vastly different in their beliefs and practices and still claim to be united in that one truth?

What does God see when he looks down on us and observes these divisions where churches are separated in life and even in death, with cemeteries having their respective religious areas, still separated from their supposedly fellow Christians?

In the wars of the nations, where those on the opposing sides of the conflict, identify as “Christians, and yet will take the life of their “enemies” despite the fact that they are supposed to be brothers in Christ”( 1 John 4:20-21) What does God see but blatant disobedience to the commands given through his son? (Matt 5:43-44) Is patriotism then, compatible with the true Christian faith…or are they in opposition? Satan has them as one and the same, but they are actually incompatible.

These are the difficult questions we all need to answer for ourselves…..does my religion practice the true faith or just the convenient bits whilst leaving out the things that cause a troubled conscience? Is popular opinion the determining factor in our decisions? It’s hard to be the salmon swimming upstream, but as Christians we must be going in the opposite direction to those who are teaching and practicing things that Christ never taught.
Claiming Jesus as our “Lord” means nothing if we are not obeying him in all things..…(Matt 7:21-23)….faithful even in the small things, not just the big ones. (Luke 16:10)

 

[Rita]

Your post @Aunty Jane raises a question or perhaps more of a thought. You are critical of all the denominational divides, but surely the JWs themselves began with a split. They May be United within their particular group, but none the less they are no different to all the baptist church, Pentecostal, Anglican, ect ect who would also class themselves as United in what they believe world wide. The ethos is the same - each believes it is right as a collective.
Personally ‘ The Church ‘ are Gods people , and they are world wide and United in Christ - not theology.
If Covid taught me anything, you can have fellowship in many different ways in the modern world - there is often truer and more genuine fellowship within a small group of people from around the world online than within a church building meeting on a Sunday morning.

 

[Peterlag]

Your post @Aunty Jane raises a question or perhaps more of a thought. You are critical of all the denominational divides, but surely the JWs themselves began with a split. They May be United within their particular group, but none the less they are no different to all the baptist church, Pentecostal, Anglican, ect ect who would also class themselves as United in what they believe world wide. The ethos is the same - each believes it is right as a collective.
Personally ‘ The Church ‘ are Gods people , and they are world wide and United in Christ - not theology.
If Covid taught me anything, you can have fellowship in many different ways in the modern world - there is often truer and more genuine fellowship within a small group of people from around the world online than within a church building meeting on a Sunday morning.

Add me to the group since I too believe I'm the right choice. I teach Christ... how to get close to him. Really close right in the spirit of Christ and therefore right in his face.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Your post @Aunty Jane raises a question or perhaps more of a thought. You are critical of all the denominational divides, but surely the JWs themselves began with a split.

Even Christianity began with a split. It’s not the split that is the problem…..it’s the claim of unity in Christ by a very divided denominational system…..since God has only one truth, there cannot be a multitude of churches all teaching different truths. God’s spirit unites his people.
When JW’s split off from their early beginnings, they split off from Christendom as a whole, because it was discovered through careful Bible study that there was nothing in Christendom’s teachings that were remotely connected to anything that Jesus taught. All were connected instead to the Catholic church, which like first century Judaism, had substituted adopted beliefs and traditions for God’s truth. (Matt 15:7-9)

We began a scriptural re-evaluation of everything that Christendom taught, and found that all her foundational teachings were borrowed from sources outside of the Bible, so we started again at the beginning and allowed the Bible to tell its own story, with all the additions eliminated.

They May be United within their particular group, but none the less they are no different to all the baptist church, Pentecostal, Anglican, ect ect who would also class themselves as United in what they believe world wide. The ethos is the same - each believes it is right as a collective.

That is not true actually…..even though we are united in what we believe collectively, as a global body, we make no claim of unity with Christendom as a whole. We are outside of that collective, having no beliefs in common.….we do not uphold the three foundational beliefs that form the basis of all the churches of Christendom. Yet we believe that Jesus Christ is “the son of God” (as he said he was) and that he worships the Father as his God, even in heaven. (Rev 3:12) Like the apostles, we worship the Father and we follow the teachings of his son. (1 Cor 8:5-6)

Personally ‘ The Church ‘ are Gods people , and they are world wide and United in Christ - not theology.

But that is just the point.....who are “God’s people” today? Theology is the study of religion not the Bible.
Theology never saved anyone....it has become the ridiculous situation of so much disunity that it’s a case of...pick your theology....there are literally thousands of them.

In the Revelation God identifies an ancient harlot as “Babylon the great” and tells his “people” to “get out of her” if they do not want to share with her in her sins and receive the just punishment that awaits her. (Rev 18:4-5) Unless we know what “Babylon the great” is, how will we obey that directive?
How is this greater “Babylon” connected with original Babylon.....it’s a very interesting study....

If Covid taught me anything, you can have fellowship in many different ways in the modern world - there is often truer and more genuine fellowship within a small group of people from around the world online than within a church building meeting on a Sunday morning.

I agree, Covid brought us all closer together as a congregation and as a world wide brotherhood.....and when it was over as a pandemic, (though it’s still around as more of a nuisance now) we learned a lot about what the important things are....we never missed a meeting because we had video conferencing and kept up our preaching by writing letters, as the door to door work was put on hold. Our Bible study work went into overdrive as people sought answers for the things they were witnessing, as fear gripped the world and people were behaving in a way that they had never seen before.

The internet provided the means to keep our work going and many were added to our ranks as they sought the Bible’s guidance in these troubled times. The answers are all there for anyone who really wants them....and are not afraid to put in the effort to study God’s word rather than just their own theology.