Church Bashing

[marks]

That can be true, when harmony with the Holy Spirit exists between members of a church. But I've been to churches for years and it's not always the case.

No it's not, unfortunately.

I remember the first time I went to my brother's church. This lady next to me asked if I'd been there before, and I told her no. "Oh, you're going to love it! He's such a good teacher!" There was a poor taste video promotion for some kids program. He was teaching in Revelation, so I give a lot of leeway, still, well, I did not love it. I didn't start attending. That was a lot of years ago.

Many years later, though many years ago, I remember a couple coming into our church, and, completely forgetting what had happened before, I had virtually the identical conversation, promoting my pastor. God had other plans. That Sunday was one of his off days, it seemed. He didn't have many, but he had one then, and afterward, I went to look for that couple, but they had left. And I remembered my experience, and realized, God puts each of us where He wants us.

It was after trying my brother's church that we went to the one we ended up staying with. But the thing was, the first time my wife and I went, we had only walked into the lobby, we had not met a single person there, but we knew, both of us, this was our new church home. A wonderful church, too, filled with love!

Much love!

 

[TLHKAJ]

You can debate doctrine clearly.

@marks I should point out that denomination bashing is against the forum rules: Christianity Board Forum Rules

[*]Denominational Posts – Excessive posts either attempting to either push a single denomination (or group) or attacking another denomination are included in this rule.

Anybody continually bashing a denomination is going against the Christianity Board forum rules and subject to being reported. The Catholic church is considered a denomination.

I also noticed that the part in purple above is quoted from the forum rules...not the paragraph after it.

 

[marks]

So is pushing a particular church doctrine like mariology, praying to saints, worshiping angels, and such. So the forum rules are very confusing bc if we can't discuss SOUND doctrine, why are we even here? And why is this a Christian forum if rules forbid stating Biblical truth and refuting false doctrine?

I think the idea is that we're supposed to be sharing with each other, not hammering each other.

Much love!

 

[marks]

But I think promoting people to not fellowship at an established church is not a good idea. People that are un-educated in doctrine from a well established church are subject to steering into bad doctrine areas.

For us it is safe to have overseers, elders who can help us along the Way.

Much love!

 

[marks]

Most of Jesus' ministry was done outside of any building. He didn't say go into the churches and synagogues to preach the gospel. He said go into the highways and the hedges. And that's what He did. He didn't compel anyone to come into the temple or synagogues. He compelled them to come and follow Him, to enter the kingdom of God through Himself. Nowhere in the Bible do we see a requirement to be part of a government recognized religious organization. We aren't required to only gather in a "church building." The church is made up of people ....not brick and mortar.

He did both.

Much love!

 

[dev553344]

Most of Jesus' ministry was done outside of any building. He didn't say go into the churches and synagogues to preach the gospel. He said go into the highways and the hedges. And that's what He did. He didn't compel anyone to come into the temple or synagogues. He compelled them to come and follow Him, to enter the kingdom of God through Himself. Nowhere in the Bible do we see a requirement to be part of a government recognized religious organization. We aren't required to only gather in a "church building." The church is made up of people ....not brick and mortar.

We find the organization of a church in the bible as well as the recommendation to gather in these churches:

1 Timothy 3:2-12

King James Version

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 146 helpful votes

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

 

[dev553344]

No it's not, unfortunately.

I remember the first time I went to my brother's church. This lady next to me asked if I'd been there before, and I told her no. "Oh, you're going to love it! He's such a good teacher!" There was a poor taste video promotion for some kids program. He was teaching in Revelation, so I give a lot of leeway, still, well, I did not love it. I didn't start attending. That was a lot of years ago.

Many years later, though many years ago, I remember a couple coming into our church, and, completely forgetting what had happened before, I had virtually the identical conversation, promoting my pastor. God had other plans. That Sunday was one of his off days, it seemed. He didn't have many, but he had one then, and afterward, I went to look for that couple, but they had left. And I remembered my experience, and realized, God puts each of us where He wants us.

It was after trying my brother's church that we went to the one we ended up staying with. But the thing was, the first time my wife and I went, we had only walked into the lobby, we had not met a single person there, but we knew, both of us, this was our new church home. A wonderful church, too, filled with love!

Much love!

I was taken into work by a Catholic some years ago when I moved and was all alone. He treated me with love and I was rude to him. I will never forget that kindness he showed me. I was schizophrenic at the time and not on meds which is why I was rude. Anyways, I attend Catholic church now for the most part. And sometimes I see the spirit of Jesus or some vision of him standing above the congregation. It is inspiring.

 

[dev553344]

I also noticed that the part in purple above is quoted from the forum rules...not the paragraph after it.

The part from the forum rules is repetition of posts attacking a denomination which is what I summarized in different words.

 

[dev553344]

For us it is safe to have overseers, elders who can help us along the Way.

Much love!

Agreed. I learned a lot of Mormon doctrine from the Mormon leaders. And now I'm learning Catholic doctrine the same way. It's much quicker and easier to learn that way. I'll decide what I believe though.

 

[TLHKAJ]

I think the idea is that we're supposed to be sharing with each other, not hammering each other.

Much love!

Hammering is not the same as directing to scripture that establishes truth.

There are many examples in the NT of Paul and others having to correct false doctrine. False doctrine is spiritually dangerous.

 

[TLHKAJ]

Agreed. I learned a lot of Mormon doctrine from the Mormon leaders. And now I'm learning Catholic doctrine the same way. It's much quicker and easier to learn that way. I'll decide what I believe though.

I've learned a lot due to having married my husband who was raised catholic, and also having things pushed on me from his mother ....shrines to the queen of heaven ("Mary") in her home, praying to the queen of heaven, having tracts and posters in her home showing her as the savior with nail scars in her hands and a crown of thorns on her head .....YES, I saw this with my own eyes!!

When I saw that, I took my open Bible to my sister-in-law who was also staying in the home for the holiday and I showed her those posters and tracts ...and then I showed her the scripture that says there is NO OTHER NAME given under heaven whereby we must be saved ....JESUS CHRIST. He is our Redeemer, and our Savior. There isn't another ...no co-redemmer.... only Christ Jesus. I then showed her what the Word of God says about anyone who comes preaching another gospel.

Even my sister-in-law was shocked by those images showing a different savior. She knew the truth because she had already begun questioning what she was taught. Seeing the scripture for herself was eye opening.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

So is pushing a particular church doctrine like mariology, praying to saints, worshiping angels, and such. So the forum rules are very confusing bc if we can't discuss SOUND doctrine, why are we even here? And why is this a Christian forum if rules forbid stating Biblical truth and refuting false doctrine?

Gary wasn’t pushing a particular doctrine. He was baited.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Don't take the bait.

He put OUT the bait brother.
He asked the question because he said he had no idea whether Gary was catholic or not. Well, why pick Gary to ask the question of?

 

[GTW27]

Hammering is not the same as directing to scripture that establishes truth.

There are many examples in the NT of Paul and others having to correct false doctrine. False doctrine is spiritually dangerous.

Blessings in Christ Jesus! "My Glory I give to no other" He alone is worthy of our prayers.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Helping fokes by bashing churches doctrine is highly debatable. I noticed you're not posted verses with verse numbers to back up your claims. Just throwing a lot of comment at people. You might better make your case if you actually quoted scripture in your responses. I know @theefaith posts supporting scripture that counters a lot of your ideas.

I don’t know that he/she ever HAS posted a scripture. I’ve never seen it…
Just a lot of loud shouting in caps about precious lambs and staying in the Bible. Over and over again. And again.

 

[TLHKAJ]

Gary wasn’t pushing a particular doctrine. He was baited.

I wasn't quoting Gary. Idk what he said tbh??

What I'm referring to is the continual pushing of catholic false doctrine on this site that teaches things contrary to the Word of God. I'm not pointing to any particular person in this thread. I simply stated what I've seen, and what my Biblical response has been. Period.

 

[TLHKAJ]

He did both.

Much love!

Of course He did. Yet 98% or more of His ministry was outside of a religious building unless you count homes as a religious building. The times He went into the temple or synagogues were to declare the Word, or to rebuke error.

 

[GaryAnderson]

Hey I don’t mind if someone is “bashing” me by the way. I can handle it and there’s literally nothing that offends me.
I like everyone here including those who I disagree with. They make for interesting discussions. I like Amigo too … he makes me smile.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

I wasn't quoting Gary. Idk what he said tbh??

What I'm referring to is the continual pushing of catholic false doctrine on this site that teaches things contrary to the Word of God. I'm not pointing to any particular person in this thread. I simply stated what I've seen, and what my Biblical response has been. Period.

No you weren’t, that’s true. You were quoting devin, who was responding to amigo, who baited Gary.

 

[JunChosen]

Hammering is not the same as directing to scripture that establishes truth.

There are many examples in the NT of Paul and others having to correct false doctrine. False doctrine is spiritually dangerous.

Indeed, and Jesus Himself warns us in Mathew 24:24-26 which reads:
24) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25) Behold, I have told you before.
26) Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; BELIEVE IT NOT.

To God Be The Glory