What does a New Testament church…

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Episkopos

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A New Testament church is a gathering of people who have God in their midst. Anything less than God moving among the brethren is a fellowship, not a church. Without the presence of God actively guiding the flock, we must be careful to not esteem ourselves as being more than we are. God builds His church. Religious people build what is comfortable and acceptable to the flesh.
 
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dev553344

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What does a New Testament church look like?
This is what the organization of a new testament church looks like, the building is irrelevant:

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.
 

theefaith

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This is what the organization of a new testament church looks like, the building is irrelevant:

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.

most people who claim to be Christian do not have a bishop!

are spiritual anarchists
 

dev553344

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most people who claim to be Christian do not have a bishop!

are spiritual anarchists
Sad. Because churches have an organization that cares for the needy among them. This is something that the bible spells out expressly. This is how I interpret the following scripture:

1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
 
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theefaith

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I agree, it is. Like the union between Jezebel and king Ahab. Like the union between Caiaphas and Pilate. Like the union between the Papacy and Clovis, and Charlemagne, and Louis14th, and Kaiser Wilhelm and Hitler.

both church and state are ordained by God’s authority

One church founded by Christ on Peter Matt 16:18 Jn 10:16 Jn 20:21 all others are heretical sects the tradition of men

the state
Romans 13:4
For he is God's minister to thee, forgood. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God's minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.

the state requires the influence of the church to be virtuous and just
 

Brakelite

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both church and state are ordained by God’s authority

One church founded by Christ on Peter Matt 16:18 Jn 10:16 Jn 20:21 all others are heretical sects the tradition of men

the state
Romans 13:4
For he is God's minister to thee, forgood. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God's minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.

the state requires the influence of the church to be virtuous and just
When in history did the Catholic Church of Rome ever influence anyone or anything to be virtuous and just?
 

theefaith

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When in history did the Catholic Church of Rome ever influence anyone or anything to be virtuous and just?

the Roman Empire was pagan and barbarian until Christ and His church conquered it!

made it Christian!

And the Roman Empire was instrument in spreading the religion of Christ far and wide!
 

theefaith

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Prophecy of the new covenant church fulfilled in the apostolic union with Christ!

Matt 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, (Israel) and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (The new covenant church) Jn 15:1-5

Dan 2: 44 And in the days of these kings (Roman Caesars) shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Isaiah 2:2
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

Micah 4:1
But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

Lk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Lk 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.


Christ the king!

The king of kings!

Christ is King of Glory!

Kingdom established by God!
Isa 2:2
Dan 2: 44
Micah 4:1

One, holy, catholic, (universal) and apostolic! And all nations and all people shall flow into it! All must submit and obey the king of glory!

Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Gal 4: 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

(Holy mother church)






Christ is the king!
 

Brakelite

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Prophecy of the new covenant church fulfilled in the apostolic union with Christ!

Matt 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, (Israel) and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (The new covenant church) Jn 15:1-5

Dan 2: 44 And in the days of these kings (Roman Caesars) shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Isaiah 2:2
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

Micah 4:1
But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

Lk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Lk 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.


Christ the king!

The king of kings!

Christ is King of Glory!

Kingdom established by God!
Isa 2:2
Dan 2: 44
Micah 4:1

One, holy, catholic, (universal) and apostolic! And all nations and all people shall flow into it! All must submit and obey the king of glory!

Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Gal 4: 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

(Holy mother church)






Christ is the king!
Applying those prophecies to a church that apostatized from truth is theft. Apply them to the church in the wilderness, the church that was a remnant against whom the Catholic Church warred against.

KJV Revelation 12:13-17
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman (the OT church, Israel) which brought forth the man child (Jesus)
14 And to the woman (the NT church) were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, (1260 years ) from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood (armies of the state) and after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth (the new world, America, Australia, NZ) helped the woman (where the church found freedom of religious liberty), and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (This is the near future, where a minority, holding to the faith of Jesus and keeping His Commandments, become hated of all nations... Those same nations that are gathering to the Catholic Church today).
KJV Revelation 13:4-8, 11-18
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
 

theefaith

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Applying those prophecies to a church that apostatized from truth is theft. Apply them to the church in the wilderness, the church that was a remnant against whom the Catholic Church warred against.

KJV Revelation 12:13-17
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman (the OT church, Israel) which brought forth the man child (Jesus)
14 And to the woman (the NT church) were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, (1260 years ) from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood (armies of the state) and after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth (the new world, America, Australia, NZ) helped the woman (where the church found freedom of religious liberty), and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (This is the near future, where a minority, holding to the faith of Jesus and keeping His Commandments, become hated of all nations... Those same nations that are gathering to the Catholic Church today).
KJV Revelation 13:4-8, 11-18
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

the one true church has a duty to defend the truths revealed by Christ! And to condemn all errors!

Are you saying a group like the Albigensian’s are the true church?
 

theefaith

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What did Rome do to the Albigenses, presuming they were in error, in order to reveal to them the true gospel and lead them to Christ?

presuming? Really? They were manichean dualists!

beliving in a god of good (spiritual) and god of evil (matter)

the church condemned their error and called a crusade to crush them! But most were converted by St. Dominic and the holy rosary!
Like the Turks who were defeated at the battle of lepanto by the Christian forces who fighting under our lady of the rosary gained the victory even though vastly out numbered!

the church has a duty to defend the truth and to condemn all errors that’s the two edge sword!

heresy is treason against God!

we cannot refuse to believe what God has revealed for God is truth itself!

nor can we believe anything that God has not revealed like the Protestant errors
 

theefaith

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Lk 1:48 …for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed!

Why is Mary blessed?

cos she brought forth our
savior? Matt 1:21

cos she consented to our salvation? Lk 1:38

Cos she believed? Lk 1:45

cos God created Her soul immaculate? Gen 3:15 Lk 1:28 Lk 1:49 rev 12:1

all the above?