Can a person be a Christ-follower without falling in lock-step with the institutional church?

[St. SteVen]

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.

What do you make of this?

1 Corinthians 1:7 NIV
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

[

 

[Hiddenthings]

Has knowledge been set aside? Prophecies?

[

Yes in the context of Paul's words.

Read on St. Steven!!! I say, read on

 

[St. SteVen]

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.

So you claim that the Bible was the perfection that was to come?
Can you really attribute that to an English translation? Which one?

[

 

[St. SteVen]

Yes in the context of Paul's words.

Read on St. Steven!!! I say, read on

Have you read chapter fourteen?

1 Corinthians 14:39 NIV
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

[

 

[Hiddenthings]

So you claim that the Bible was the perfection that was to come?
Can you really attribute that to an English translation? Which one?

[

Well done for reading on!

 

[Hiddenthings]

Have you read chapter fourteen?

1 Corinthians 14:39 NIV
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

[

Ah right so he's back to present context. You get this right?

 

[Hiddenthings]

Have you read chapter fourteen?

1 Corinthians 14:39 NIV
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

[

Out of interest, how do you feel knowing that the first part of this verse no longer applies to you, as it did to them?

14:39 So then, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues. 14:40 And do everything in a decent and orderly manner. 1 Co 14:39–40.

Today, many evangelicals have little understanding of the latter part of this verse, largely because they misunderstand the true purpose of speaking in tongues in Pauls day.

 

[Hiddenthings]

@St. SteVen If this topic is something you're wrestling with, I'm more than happy to share the study notes I've compiled over the years. It's a fascinating subject, one that offers a valuable perspective on how the original Gospel was preached.

 

[Hiddenthings]

What do you make of this?

1 Corinthians 1:7 NIV
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

[

Exactly as the passage states, they were to earnestly seek these gifts as a vital means of learning all they could about the Gospel of God. Just think of the depth and detail found in the book of Romans and consider how much there was for them to grasp and understand.

Pursuing this knowledge (2 Corinthians 4:6) and remaining faithful while "waiting for the Lord" even to the very end of their lives if necessary was the guidance the apostles gave them.

 

[Berean]

I just saw the designation "501(c)(3) nonprofit" on the back of a truck yesterday.
The truck was for a charitable secular organization.

[

Yep, non-profit organizations can apply for a 501c3

 

[St. SteVen]

What are the limits of individuality
for persons in the church?

 

[Behold]

What are the limits of individuality
for persons in the church?

It Depends on the specific denomination and their level of Legalism.

 

[Hiddenthings]

What are the limits of individuality
for persons in the church?

The standard has already been given, so it’s surprising you would ask that question.

“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,
that he (Jesus) might be the firstborn among many brethren.” — Romans 8:29

If your question suggests reversing the principle John declare...“He (Christ) must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30) then perhaps it’s worth pausing to consider how these two passages apply to your situation?

There is no room for individuality if you are growing up into the Head which is Christ.

 

[St. SteVen]

There is no room for individuality if you are growing up into the Head which is Christ.

On the contrary.
I think God glories in or individuality.

1 Corinthians 12:18 NIV
But in fact God has placed the parts in the body,
every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

 

[Hiddenthings]

On the contrary.
I think God glories in or individuality.

1 Corinthians 12:18 NIV
But in fact God has placed the parts in the body,
every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

You are speaking to the various skills and talents of each member - the limitation has been provided for the planting and watering is the same for each member.

“The ecclesia grows and matures as it is joined to Christ, its head.”

Ephesians 4:15–16 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

If by “individuality” you mean someone who exists outside of this unity, then the answer is no. The bottom line is that no one, whether in our lifetime or any other will ever surpass his love.

 

[Brakelite]

What are the limits of individuality
for persons in the church?

No behavior that brings open disrepute. That is normal and expected within any organization. Nor should any church tolerate continuing behavior or speech that brings disunity and dysfunction to the principle core church mission.