> General Discussions

Jesus Church?

<< < (2/7) > >>

dawnnnny:
Hi Gregor,

I'm sorry you feel that way and I do hope its just a bad day (I have lots of those too).  I don't feel this forum is impersonal at all.  Maybe you just haven't yet experienced the love and support here.  As far as getting down & dirty to serve, I still "serve" in many ways, I talk to people about Jesus - people at work, my family, etc.  There are plenty of people out there to see our light shine.  I firmly believe that God puts people in our path whether we attend a church or not. 

I'm not an expert on leaving Babylon.  I never felt comfortable there to begin with and I've been a believer for over 20 years.  But I know people (even my own family) who are very implanted in their church.  There are those in the forum now that are struggling over what to do and I sympathize with them.  But if God truly is calling us OUT - there must be a reason.

Anyway, I just wanted to respond to your post and offer a little encouragement.  This forum really is a blessing.  Even if you don't post and only read, you will be still be blessed.  I hope you will stick around and see for yourself!

Blessings, peace and love to you !

Dawn 

DuluthGA:
Hi Sonofone,

You "see no scriptural reference for complete physical detachment from the church." (??)  Allow my scriptural theme paper to perhaps enlighten you, posted in Off Topics recently.  I add verses to it as I find them, entitled "Please don't build another church."  No preaching, just scriptures:

http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,5250.0.html

If you can gain a historical perspective put simply... the Old Testament was in place, then Jesus came and the New Testament started.  Those O.T. believers (Jews) were to 'come out" of that (false/not the right one) religious system, into the new system.  The new system got started, went awry*, and Jesus's spirit and His Word calls to those believers to yet "come out" of that (false/not the right one) system, Babylon.  It's all a process.  But don't lose sight of the asterisk*===>

* the truth NEVER left a certain few down through all the ages until now... humanity has been rambling around and around in God-given blindness since Christ arose from the dead.  God HAS GIVEN JUST A FEW THE TRUTH and ALWAYS HAS UNTIL NOW.  If you have an inkling that you may be among them, get on your knees and ask for more.

You ask "Even Jesus and the Apostles continued teaching in the Synagogue." (??)  Have you NOT read any of Ray's material?  Most of us forum members have attempted to do our homework, so to speak; I realize you are new.  Reading and researching our own specific questions.  If you need to be updated on specific search tools, I would be happy to update you.

Sure Paul and others TAUGHT there for awhile in transition times... there were LOTS of transitions in the very early first century.  They knew they had a captive audience at the synagogues.  But did they go there to WORSHIP?  I think not.  And their approach to going there for teaching soon faded in favor of the home-based gatherings of N.T. believers as God gave the ekklesia to grow.

You really need to read: http://bible-truths.com/lake8.html as well as all the basics on the home page as most of us have, dear soul.  You will be much stronger for it.

"What are we doing? What gifts are in play among us that help fulfill this scripture?"

Multitudes, Sonofone, multitudes.  Just hang around this forum and you'll see!  :)

With His peace,
Janice

Gregor:
Dawn,
Thanks for the encouragement. I think this is impersonal because I don't see any faces, just pictures of scenerey, books, etc. It's like talking to people that I never even see, touch, hear their voice, or even know their real names (in some cases). Only words. And chances are, we will never meet until that great day which is to come. Although the compassion in the messages may feel encouraging, or may cause the "light-bulb" to go off, I find the simple act of shaking a hand or receiving a hug worth a thousand words. In the book of Acts, we see how the early church gathered and helped feed one another, both spiritually and physically. James 2:14-26 speaks of the importance of the "face-to-face" expression of our faith. What comes of James 5:14, 16? How do we fulfill these specifics through a computer? How about James 5:19,20, to bring back the erring? I agree that the reasons for many churches today are for the wrong reasons, built on false doctrines, as Ray thoroughly explains, but to only fellowship with believers via the internet is somewhat disheartening to me. I have learned to "agree to disagree" and am able to "come out of babylon" spiritually, but to simply walk away, for me, would be wrong. A personal favorite verse of mine is James 1:27 NKJV: Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. It's that simple to me, in defining religion. I can worship God in spirit and in truth, regardless of how other's choose to express their beliefs. And my fellowshipping with them doesn't mean I endorse their individual beliefs. It allows me opportunity to become friends with them and introduce them to the pure truth, hopefully fulfilling Js.5:19,20.

Gregor:
I see on BT that there are meetings held at hotels once in a while, but I could never afford to get there. I'm here in Canada and there's nothing like that here (at least I'm not aware of). Also, I wonder, if something like the LOF is spiritual, not to be taken literal, then how come so many in this forum take the "come out of babylon" so literal??

Gregor:
Final thought, how about Mt.7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. I would hope that others wont bail on me just because I believe differently.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page