Can a person be a Christ-follower without falling in lock-step with the institutional church?
- Thread starter St. SteVen
- Start date
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Here's another good collaboration with MopTop. I wrote the lyrics and played the guitar solo.
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Here are a couple more with a different collaborator.
Two very different styles. From Spaghetti Western to Heavy Metal.
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Two very different styles. From Spaghetti Western to Heavy Metal.
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A couple more collaborations for those interested.
I sang the lead vocals on this one and did the slide guitar parts.
Non-collaboration work here:
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I sang the lead vocals on this one and did the slide guitar parts.
Non-collaboration work here:
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Bob Estey
Well-Known Member
I don't think you'll find a perfect church. Walk in lock step with Jesus, not the church.
New topic:
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The broad spectrum of Christianity VERSUS the narrow-minded view
Having been raised Protestant Evangelical Christian, there was always this perspective that we had it right and those outside our mindset had it wrong. As an adult I discovered things that led me to re-evaluate that mindset. Catholics had a completely different way of approaching...
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Jesus Wept
Member
I've been to probably 6 or 7 churches in the last 16 months or so, I finally gave up.
I can't go to a church that preaches Dispensationalism, that's a non starter for me.
I can't go to a church who's pastor did not take a stand during the plandemic, If the pastor had such poor discernment, he shouldn't be leading or teaching anything.
And finally, I will attend a 501c3 church, but I would never become a member.
I come here for fellowship, its a very poor substitute, but its all I've got at the moment.
I can't go to a church that preaches Dispensationalism, that's a non starter for me.
I can't go to a church who's pastor did not take a stand during the plandemic, If the pastor had such poor discernment, he shouldn't be leading or teaching anything.
And finally, I will attend a 501c3 church, but I would never become a member.
I come here for fellowship, its a very poor substitute, but its all I've got at the moment.
David Lamb
Active Member
What ever is a 501c3 church? What do they believe? Do they have some particular belief or practice that is the reason for you saying that you would attend such a church, but not a member? I don't think we have 501c3 churches here in the UK. I pray that God will enable you to find and join a faithful local church soon.
Berean
Well-Known Member
Hi David; accordingly a 501(c)(3) organization is a type of nonprofit organization in the United States that is exempt from federal income tax. To qualify, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes, such as charitable, religious, or educational purposes, and none of its earnings may benefit any private individual or shareholder. Most organized churches are exempt from taxes, not just federal taxes but also property taxes. I belong to a house church, so it doesn't apply to us.
David Lamb
Active Member
Thanks for explaining. I now know why we don't have such churches in the UK, although here, churches don't usually have to pay tax.
I just saw the designation "501(c)(3) nonprofit" on the back of a truck yesterday.
The truck was for a charitable secular organization.
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Hiddenthings
Member
St. SteVen said:
The church I grew up in took the Cessationist position.
Why is that wise?
Have you removed 1 Corinthians 12 + 14 from your Bible?
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The church I grew up in took the Cessationist position.
LOL
Why is that wise?
Have you removed 1 Corinthians 12 + 14 from your Bible?
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New topic.
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Hell as the default for humankind?
The Plan? - Create humankind in your own image. - Give them free-will to choose. - Pay their sin debt. - Send them to Hell for not accepting a free gift. What's wrong with this picture? [
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Hiddenthings
Member
It's a common misconception; God didn’t offer a blank cheque. You need to read those chapters with more care...
Hiddenthings
Member
If they understood the purpose of the gifts they would understand why they ceased and what was to increase afterward.
13:8 Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside. 1 Co 13:8.
Hiddenthings
Member
Just a few verses after his extensive discussion of the Holy Spirit’s gifts, healing, knowledge, tongues, and more. Paul states plainly: “As for prophecy, it will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away” (1 Corinthians 13:8).
This declaration from an inspired apostle carries great weight! These miraculous gifts were never intended to be permanent; they were given to the early church for a limited time, until new believers were firmly grounded in the faith and a solid pattern of Christian teaching and living had been established.
Today, the completed Bible serves that purpose fully! As previously noted, during the time of the apostles, the New Testament was still being written and compiled, and most churches would not have had access to a complete copy. But once the apostles had passed and the New Testament was complete, those temporary gifts had served their role.
The solution @St. SteVen is the correct one. Much of what some Christians practice today in private is misguided, or even a distortion of the truth and all of it will be brought to light at his coming.
This declaration from an inspired apostle carries great weight! These miraculous gifts were never intended to be permanent; they were given to the early church for a limited time, until new believers were firmly grounded in the faith and a solid pattern of Christian teaching and living had been established.
Today, the completed Bible serves that purpose fully! As previously noted, during the time of the apostles, the New Testament was still being written and compiled, and most churches would not have had access to a complete copy. But once the apostles had passed and the New Testament was complete, those temporary gifts had served their role.
The solution @St. SteVen is the correct one. Much of what some Christians practice today in private is misguided, or even a distortion of the truth and all of it will be brought to light at his coming.
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