defining religion

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goldy

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Gods word has no religion, Religion is from man for man it is mans ideas of What God says and an organization around those ideas problem today is few arte taught how to study Gods Word or are told anything past the Milk (easy stuff of the good news)Few ever get to the meat of word or understand it. God doesnt care what religion you call yourself as long as you are a christian a believer in Christ. Thats Gods religion everything else is for man by man God says where ever two gather in my name is churchGod is concerned with the state of your soul not the name of your church No will save you nor condem you only a belief in Jesus Christ will save you
You're right Kriss, God's Word doesn't have religion. Here's the problem though: God's Word has thousands and thousands of INTERPRETATIONS. This is where religion comes into play. This is also why Protestantism is in complete disarray right now.
 

HammerStone

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This is also why Protestantism is in complete disarray right now.
It's hardly just Protestantism. Religions of the world all have the very same end result, they're full of edicts, doctrines, and statements issued by this or that earthly "authority." Sooner or later they always seem to be argued over and a split arises one way or another regardless of affiliation. What people don't understand is no denominational church stands in between you at the judgment of our Father.Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Judged on account of what they did, not on account of what their denominational church did.
 

goldy

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(Denver;40562)
It's hardly just Protestantism. Religions of the world all have the very same end result, they're full of edicts, doctrines, and statements issued by this or that earthly "authority." Sooner or later they always seem to be argued over and a split arises one way or another regardless of affiliation. What people don't understand is no denominational church stands in between you at the judgment of our Father.Revelation 20:12Judged on account of what they did, not on account of what their denominational church did.
For over 1000 years, there was no "religion". It was the early Church. But certain MEN decided to change all of that. It sure wasn't God's idea to do that, nor was it any pope's idea.
 

setfree

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I probably quoted this before in this forum but I think it is good to re-state it. I agree with most of the post God is about a relationship not a religion. The church is the called out, all that is called by God and accepts is a part of the Church.Religion preoccupies man until he finds the Kingdom.Religion is what man does until he finds the Kingdom.Religion prepares man to leave earth; the Kingdom empowers man to dominate earth. Religion focuses on Heaven; the Kingdom focuses on earth.Religion is reaching up to God; the Kingdom is God coming down to man.fReligion wants to escape earth; the Kingdom impacts, influences and changes earth.Religion seeks to take earth to Heaven; the Kingdom seeks to bring Heaven to earth
 

followerofchrist

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This is pretty ridiculous! There is no reason to be arguing over which denomination is better than the other, or lack of denomination. I have to agree with Kriss and Denver. The point is that the only things that matters is your relationship with Yeshua Jesus Christ! It doesn't matter where you go to learn or praise him, or the name of the building over the doorway! IT HAS NO IMPORTANCE!! As long as the church you go to teaches the word and only the word, not the teachings of men, then it is a good place to go to learn and worship. Like others have already said, the church is every individual christian not a building. If we want to get together to worship God than that is GREAT!! But who cares what the name of the building is?!! Quit throwing labels on everything!! I am a follower of christ, a christian. Not a luthern, babtist, catholic, etc. JUST A CHRISTIAN!!
 

Peacebewithyou

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I don't believe that religion & relationship are at opposite ends.I have had a relationship with Christ for the past 16 years.. ever since I started reading the Bible and learned He was my Savior. And since I've joined a "denomination" - my relationship with Jesus has grown stronger. I hear sermons on how to live the Christian life. I can worship my Lord. I am encouraged by a body of believers. I am able to minister to others in the Church. I am able to help the needy - collectively we can do so much. I love my "religion" because it helps me to draw closer to Jesus. No idea why that would be a bad thing. I guess I could sit at home with my Bible on my lap but why would I want to? I LOVE going to Chruch, and I love my religion BECAUSE it nurtures my love for Christ.
 

followerofchrist

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(Peacebewithyou;40574)
I don't believe that religion & relationship are at opposite ends.I have had a relationship with Christ for the past 16 years.. ever since I started reading the Bible and learned He was my Savior. And since I've joined a "denomination" - my relationship with Jesus has grown stronger. I hear sermons on how to live the Christian life. I can worship my Lord. I am encouraged by a body of believers. I am able to minister to others in the Church. I am able to help the needy - collectively we can do so much. I love my "religion" because it helps me to draw closer to Jesus. No idea why that would be a bad thing. I guess I could sit at home with my Bible on my lap but why would I want to? I LOVE going to Chruch, and I love my religion BECAUSE it nurtures my love for Christ.
Thats Great! If your church teaches from Gods Word alone then by all means stay there!! All that matters is that your church is teaching the right things.
 

goldy

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Thats Great! If your church teaches from Gods Word alone then by all means stay there!! All that matters is that your church is teaching the right things.
Just curious: Could you point me to the verse or verses in the bible that says the bible ALONE is our sole rule of faith? As Peace said, my church draws me to a fuller union with Christ. That's a good thing, right?
 

followerofchrist

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The Bible is God breathed. It is his word, it only makes sense that we should use HIS word in order to study him. If your church helps you grow in your faith then I would stay their. If your church teaches the from Gods Word, AKA the TRUTH, then it is the place for you to be.
 

followerofchrist

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2 Timothy 3:16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
 

setfree

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There are very few denominations that do not have at least one man made doctrine incorporated into it. True religion is not just knowing the Bible it is putting it into practice. We are told to gather with other believers and draw strength from each other. But I have also seen many people that would defend their religion(denomination) over the truth of the Bible. Very closed minded, I was one of those people! God has delievered me of that religious mind set. I still gather together and worship with fellow believers but I do not let their leagalism bring me down spiritually. There has been times even on this forum that I feel God moving. We serve an awesome God!!!!!
 

Christina

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(goldy;40580)
Just curious: Could you point me to the verse or verses in the bible that says the bible ALONE is our sole rule of faith? As Peace said, my church draws me to a fuller union with Christ. That's a good thing, right?
Goldy you have asked this question over and over fact is if you do get Gods Word trumps any mans or any organization you goit a serious problem Im not trying to be rude its just the facts have you ever read of Christ ? What did he do go to the synogogs and say you men are right in fact he went and tipped over the money tables told the aspostels to stay away from them this was the same group that brought us Abraham and Moses the fact is the Entire Bible is against Mens words and teachings over Gods
 

Christina

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You guys seem to think its either or there is nothing wrong with fellowshiping and setting aside a day to worship the Lord in your church denominations are nothing but a name to signify a certain set of beliefs the men of that church follow if we hear catholic we know their general ideas, if we hear Penticostal, we know their general Ideasevery minister,priest,bishop has their own agenda but follows the basic ideas of the denomination he belongs to. The problem comes in when you learn its not Gods Word going on because some man it the past or present got it wrong and no one caught it No One takes the responsability of facing instead they make excuses call God wrong or flat out deny God to keep following their denomination name.Thats the problem deny deny and swear they are right because their denomination of men said so This is what was going on in Christs day. The church didnt care what Christ said they had their denominations and trations of men
 

Peacebewithyou

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(kriss;40590)
You guys seem to think its either or there is nothing wrong with fellowshiping and setting aside a day to worship the Lord in your church denominations are nothing but a name to signify a certain set of beliefs the men of that church follow if we hear catholic we know their general ideas, if we hear Penticostal, we know their general Ideasevery minister,priest,bishop has their own agenda but follows the basic ideas of the denomination he belongs to. The problem comes in when you learn its not Gods Word going on because some man it the past or present got it wrong and no one caught it No One takes the responsability of facing instead they make excuses call God wrong or flat out deny God to keep following their denomination name.Thats the problem deny deny and swear they are right because their denomination of men said so This is what was going on in Christs day. The church didnt care what Christ said they had their denominations and trations of men
Do you believe that because you follow "no man" and because you only go by what the Bible says, you are totally in line with God and your beliefs are without error?
 

Peacebewithyou

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(followerofchrist;40578)
Thats Great! If your church teaches from Gods Word alone then by all means stay there!! All that matters is that your church is teaching the right things.
Teaching the "right things?" I assume you mean does my Church teach me to love Jesus, my Savior, more than anything and my neighbor as myself? That's pretty much it in a nutshell. I don't think there will be a Bible quiz to get into heaven. I think that God will search our heart to see if we loved Jesus? And did we show our love by being obedient to Him? Did we do His will? Did we love our neighbors as ourselves? Did we care for the poor? Feed the hungry? I think Jesus is much more concerned with those things than how many bible verses we can quote. I'm not saying that's what you meant, but sadly I believe many think that way.
 

Christina

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(goldy;40552)
You're right Kriss, God's Word doesn't have religion. Here's the problem though: God's Word has thousands and thousands of INTERPRETATIONS. This is where religion comes into play. This is also why Protestantism is in complete disarray right now.
Again you are wrong its Men of denominations that are the problemyou keep saying there are so many interpretations of the bible No there's not there is one the problem is men in big denominations saying their right and Gods word is wrong yet they don't even know what it really says cause they never studied it they all learn it in their denominational seminaries they were all taught the same right or wrong my denomination says so. Thats like saying because we have a problem with mormons its because the bible is interpted so many ways .No its not its because they went outside the bible and men made a religion out of NON Biblical beliefsYou catholics keep claiming you were first So what all that means is you have had longer to let in misinterptations and wrong things Doesnt mean you have to throw out the denomiation. But you got stop defending its wrong things. Same goes for prodestants 90% teach Pre-trib rapture its not in scripture but they would rather deny Gods word then accept it. Doesnt mean the entire denomination is wrong but if we all as Bible readers dont stop making excuses for men and follow God above the men in our denominations instead of swearing our denomination is the right answer over God it falls squarley on your head God vwill say get away from me I never knew you.He has told you ONE GOD, ONE RELIGION ONE BAPTISIM WHERE DO WE FIND THAT ONE FAITH IN GODS WORD PERIOD God is concerned with the state of your soul not the name of your church No church will save you only a belief in Jesus Christ will save youhave you ever read God what God says about itJam 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain. Jam 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.
 

Christina

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(Peacebewithyou;40594)
Teaching the "right things?" I assume you mean does my Church teach me to love Jesus, my Savior, more than anything and my neighbor as myself? That's pretty much it in a nutshell. I don't think there will be a Bible quiz to get into heaven. I think that God will search our heart to see if we loved Jesus? And did we show our love by being obedient to Him? Did we do His will? Did we love our neighbors as ourselves? Did we care for the poor? Feed the hungry? I think Jesus is much more concerned with those things than how many bible verses we can quote. I'm not saying that's what you meant, but sadly I believe many think that way.
Well you are wrong is there quiz no are you expected to read the letter he wrote you and follow it yes Are we always right No but after two years of doing this the biggest arguments are from denominations beliefs that refuse to try to see what God says about it because they have made up their minds that their denomination is right they are blind to Gods Word by choice. Look at Tongues for example the translation is foreign languages there is no evidence of babbling in scripture We are told there is ONE baptisim there is no baptism of any tongue babblingyet tongue speakers would rather die than admit that catholics and those who don't speak it find this crystal clear Is it the Bible that is wrong ? No its a doctrine of men that was never taught by the bible nor God. Every one that doesn't speak it can see this only the speakers refuse to see it.I could say the Same for certain Catholic beliefs the catholic swears by them yet those of us not catholic see clearly that its not Biblical All we try to do is just look at Gods Word without the the denomination influence does that make us always right NO but that's why we go to word for the truth not a denomination. We never asked you believe us we ask you belief God before your church.
 

Christina

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I have always told you all prove us/me wrong in scripture prove me wrong in Gods Word and I will listen but dont try to prove us/me wrong through your denomination teachings Setfree you know, you have proved me wrong in scripture, and I told you so, but this had nothing to do with our differnt denominations God Word says what it says We should be trying to understand him not not defending men teachings.
 

setfree

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(kriss;40599)
Well you are wrong is there acquiz no are you exspected to read the letter he wrote you and follow it yes Are we always right No but after two years of doing this the biggest arguments are from denominations beliefs that refuse to try to see what God says about it because they have made up their minds that their denomination is right they are blind to Gods Word by choice. Look at Tongues for example the direct translation is forgeingn languages there is no evidence of babbling in scripture yet tongue speakers would rather die than admit that catholics and those who dont speak it find this crystal clear Is it the Bible that is wrong ? No its a doctrine of men that was never taught by the bible nor God. Every one that doesnt speak it can see this only the speakers refuse to see it.I could say the Same for certain Catholic beliefs the catholic's swears by them yet those of us not catholic see clearly that its not Biblical All we try to do is just look at Gods Word without the the denomination influence does that make us always right NO but thats why we go to word for the truth not a denomination. We never asked you believe us we ask you belief God before your church.
I believe whether you claim a denomination or not everyone mis-interprets scripture. There is only one TRUE interpretation! We can disagree with out being disagreeable. The tongues debate can be turned around with the scriptures and also be said of those that do not believe in tongues choose not to see. Only those that have ears can hear!
 

Christina

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And I would agree except for the togues part there is no scripture that describe and unknown language only Languages(understood) its like Pre trib rapture theroy to me it was never taught until 1800 by men only languages understood to preach the gospel to the world are spoken of but I digress this isnt the thread to debate a this.