> General Discussions
Does anyone live in the Houston, Tx area?
lilitalienboi16:
The scriptures you quoted say nothing about "meeting in the flesh."
In todays world, what we do here on the forums is "not forsaking the assembly."
To answer your original question; I'm in california.
TRUTH281:
I didn't quote Hebrews 10 to say that fellowship through forums, Internet, etc., is "forsaking the assembling of ourselves. I quoted it because the author is implying to meet together. He doesn't mention the terms flesh or spirit in the verse but I'm sure he is speaking of both assembling in spirit and in person.
Do you have any friends in Cali that believe in UR? There are believers of UR who live in Cali. I spoke with a guy from Cali the other night and he told me about his friend who believes in UR that lives in Houston, a 20 minute drive from where I live. I think we should seek the Heart of God and pray that God would guide us to fellowship with who he wants us to fellowship with.
thewatchman:
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
That looks like scripture to me.
episunagōgē
ep-ee-soon-ag-o-gay'
From G1996; a complete collection; specifically a Christian meeting (for worship): - assembling (gathering) together.
and yep...that looks like a physical gathering as well.... 8)
We should gather together if we are able to. If not, then do the best we can...that can be online.
Why?
Pro 27:19 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
We need to be teachable and correctable. That's the benefit of being face to face. 75% of our communication is body language.
Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
That's my opinion anyways. 8)
Rhys 🕊:
This is what Ray says about that verse
http://bible-truths.com/lake11.html
NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER
In Hebrews 10:25 were are admonished as follows:
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching."
That this is speaking of believers congregating together to worship and study God’s Word, there can be no doubt. However, there is a much deeper meaning to this "assembling" that few have ever seen. I never saw it myself until I read a paper by J. Preston Eby, entitled: "FORSAKE NOT THE ASSEMBLING."
I will quote an excerpt or two from his paper:
"The Greek word for ‘assembling’ is EPISUNAGOGE. The word, literally, is a verb meaning to synagogue. It is a compound of the Greek prefix EPI with the word SUNAGOGE from which we get our transliterated English word Synagogue. EPI means super – imposition – that which is above, higher than, highest, upon. SUNAGOGE means a meeting, assembly, or gathering. Putting these two words together, EPI-SUNAGOGE means THE ABOVE SYNAGOGUE, THE HIGHER MEETING, THE HIGHEST ASSEMBLY, THE HIGHER-THAN-ALL-GATHERINGS!
It bespeaks of something far greater than merely collecting so many breathing bodies together in one place.
It is a meeting in a higher realm, on a higher plane, in the high places of the Spirit, and in the heights of Truth. It is a gathering together in a dimension above. It indicates an assembling IN THE SPIRIT…"
(All Caps belong to Mr. Eby).
This Greek word episunagoge is used only one other time in Scripture, and that is in II Thes. 2:1:
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together [Gk: episunagoge] unto Him."
In Hebrews 10 we are admonished to "assemble" in an high meeting, a meeting in the SPIRIT! In II Thes. 2 this meeting in the Spirit will become a literal meeting with our Lord.
And so, back to our question once more: Which denomination should we join? Where should we go to Church? Where should we "forsake not the assembling of ourselves together?" In a physical building of some physical denomination? No. WE are to episunagoge (assemble) on a higher plane, in a higher realm, in a spiritual assembly, IN THE SPIRIT!
This is not something new. This is exactly what Jesus Christ taught regarding where and how we are to (go to church) worship God.
"The woman said unto Him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye [all the Jews] say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus said unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour comes, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the TRUE worshippers shall worship the Father in SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH: for the Father seeks such to worship Him. God is Spirit: and they that worship Him MUST worship in SPIRIT AND TRUTH" (John 4:19:24).
We have got to get out of the depths of Satan if we are to worship God in Spirit and Truth. The Church is filled with the depths of Satan. That is not the place to go to worship God in spirit and truth. Did Jesus go to the synagogues to worship His God?
"And when He [Jesus] had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart [Gk: ‘by Himself’] to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone" (Matt. 14:23).
Amazing, isn’t it. Jesus "assembled [Gk: episunagoge]" with His Father BY HIMSELF, ALONE. We can do the same. Not just on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening, with a crowd, in a building, but on every day of the week, and we can do it while we are ALONE.
How often church buildings and temples are referred to as "The House of God." This is nonsense. God does NOT dwell in houses, buildings, churches, or temples made with hands.
"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells NOT in temples made with hands."
And
"Howbeit the Most High dwells NOT in temples made with hands" (Acts 17:24 & 7:48).
How often Jerusalem is called, "The Holy City." People want to visit Jerusalem because they think it is HOLY GROUND. There is nothing holy about it. Constantly Satan’s ministers refer to Jerusalem as the Holy City, and how we should pray for "the peace of Jerusalem." Let me assure you that all of those prayers are going to go unanswered because, "…for the son of the bondwoman [Jerusalem that now is--under bondage] shall not be heir with the son of the free woman [Jerusalem which is above and free]" (Gal. 4:30b).
I find as I move on in God's truth I am less concerned about meeting physically with others but can see it would be of value but I do see more value in being closer to God and connected to Him more. A while back I use to be down about it but now hardly at all as I know God has a good plan for me and can't fail in doing so. I am more at peace now for whatever He has and if being face to face fellowship then it will be so. I find now I can rejoice in Him whatever the situation is. God is good and will complete what he started.
Rhys
Rene:
--- Quote from: TRUTH281 on September 12, 2013, 04:03:14 PM ---
Just from searching forums over the past day I've noticed there are literally dozens of believers of Universal Reconciliation within 1-5 hours drive from where I live. So I can't say I'm scattered out of reach from the Body of Christ. Maybe we're not as scattered as we think in the 21st century. Maybe our problem is that we're complacent and reluctant to pursue finding fellowship in person because we would rather bury the talents that have been given to us.
--- End quote ---
It is a good thing when people believe in the salvation of all, and perhaps you will find a like-minded brethren among the dozens in your area. However, just be aware that believing in Universal Reconciliation does not necessarily make a person a "spiritual" brethren.
Here is a comment by Ray in this regard:
http://bible-truths.com/email17.htm#testimony
Dear Simon:
Thank you for sharing this with us. Concerning your question on Universalists coming out of the mother church before having a knowledge of the salvation of all:
I do not wish to shock you by my answer, although it might just be shocking to you and many others who read it.
Universallism is NOT the Gospel! A knowledge of the Salvation of ALL is NOT the ultimate Truth. Belief in, adherence to, and a love for, Universalism will not save anyone. There are many universalists who teach universalism with a fervor, who nonetheless, do not know what the Gospel of Jesus Christ really is!
And so there are many "universalists" who have not as yet come out of the Babylonish System of Religion. As you stated yourself, most of the early church (for centuries) believed in the Salvation of All. Does that mean that the entire "church" was spiritually converted? Hardly. All who are interested in this teaching should certainly read:
The Ancient History of UNIVERSALISM: From the time of the Apostles, to its condemnation in the fith general council, A.D. 553. Tracing the Doctrine down to the ERA OF THE REFORMATION, By Hosea Ballou. BOSTON: Marsh and Capen, 362 Washington St. 1829. Dow and Niles...Printers. Reprinted 1989 SAVIOUR OF ALL FELLOWSHIP, 6800 Hough Road, Almont, Mi. 48003. Available through: BIBLE MATERIAL UNLIMITED, INC. 6202 29 Ave. North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33710-3207. Telephone (727) 347-2051. Fax 9727) 347-8922. (Cost $15).
Sad to say, most of the believers of Universalism that I personally know, also believe in other doctrines that are not only unscriptural, but really are quite evil. Not the least of which is the doctrine that there are TWO DIFFERENT GOSPELS. That's right, I said two DIFFERENT gospels, and they believe both are valid gospels, but only one of them is for Gentile believers. The gospel given to the original Apostles by Jesus Christ is considered a far far INFERIOR gospel that is absolutely NOT FOR US. The unscriptural, "two gospel doctrine" carries over into the teaching of TWO CALLINGS, TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE, TWO DIFFERENT MESSAGES, TWO DIFFERENT RESURRECTIONS, TWO DIFFERENT BODIES, TWO DIFFERENT REWARDS (the reward that Jesus offered, being far INFERIOR to the reward that Paul supposedly offers believers today), TWO DIFFERENT REALMS OF RULERSHIP, ETC.
I expose this unscriptural heresy in my paper: "Exposing the Secret Rapture Theory" where I thoroughly expose the many different aspects of this doctrine by three of the most renowned teachers of it: Dean Hough, James Coram, and A. E. Knoch.
The overcoming of the flesh, the carnal mind, this wicked world, and the beast within, are not subjects you are not likely to ever read on a Universalist's web site.
God be with you,
Ray
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