> Introductions, Announcements, and More of Ray's Teachings
Moar new members!!
judith collier:
Hi Astrapho, all I can say is ditto! Also sounds like my story. And remember to not hide your light under a basket even if you are only 15. Gosh, I wasn't that smart until I was 40. I never questioned anything for most of my life. And state your story and your questions just like you are doing. It sounds good to me and I am 66. Your enthusiasm is good for us and just think of all the love you will get here and good teaching besides. What a good spiritual life you will have walking with the Lord so young. Judy
Astrapho:
Hi ;D If I'm not careful, this might even become a diary, haha! :D
Thanks for the advice guys. :D They're really invaluable! ;D
So anyway today... Okay, basically I have one Catholic friend who was very upset with me about going to the Pentecostal church, so today when I told her that I wanted to leave both churches, she was overjoyed! Apparently before that, I was acting almost like I were possessed. I even said things I don't even remember saying, like, "It's the truth and nothing but the truth and if you can't handle it, I guess we'll be on opposite sides on our religious beliefs." (I seriously can't believe I even said that :-X ) It's scary to think how much I was deceived by the Pentecostals! After she told me stuff like this, truly I felt like I was on the "Sand of the sea", watching my "beast rise up from the sea"! ;)
But anyway, I tested the waters about "not going to church at all" with her, and she was extremely against it. She has a gut feeling that my faith will go as whacky as when I went to the Pentecostals, and wants me to stay in the Catholic church to join in my Youth group activities, even if I don't believe in Catholicism at all. I told her it makes me feel like a hypocrite... And yes it does, I only lip sync to creeds now, and really have to put on this act to my church friends in catechism class. :-X
I can't stand going to church anymore... But on the other hand, her gut feelings are usually right, and it feels weird going on an internet forum to fellowship... (Are any of you doing it? ???)
Anyway, today was much calmer. My Dad's not home yet btw ;) And I ended up with another part of my life up here anyway (Sure hope my friend doesn't find this post! :O)
God bless!
Deborah-Leigh:
John tells us that Satan has a "synagogue." Synagogue means "a gathering together, an assembly, a congregation." This should not sound strange to our ears, seeing that we have already learned from Paul’s writings:
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed as into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the minister of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their work."
And so Satan has "false apostles," and "ministers of righteousness." Where then would we expect these false apostles and ministers of righteousness that belong to Satan, to reside? Why in "The synagogue of Satan," of course! And what do Satan’s ministers do that enables them to "deceive the whole world?" Paul again tells us:
"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders."
And just where might we find such a "synagogue of Satan, with false apostles, and false ministers of righteousness, witnessing to the world with power, and signs and lying wonders?"
Certainly not in some macabre-looking, haunted-house structure with a giant marquee out front reading: "COME AND WORSHIP WITH SATAN AND HIS DEMONS"!
WHERE IS THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN?
The synagogue of Satan is located in the churches—in The Church!
"…you have tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars" (Rev. 2:2).
http://bible-truths.com/lake10.html
There is another kind of assembling Astrapho.
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 ALONEhttp://bible-truths.com/lake11.html
charrie:
Astrapho, I agree with what Arc has posted. Thank you, Arc, well done :)
I can't stand going to church anymore... But on the other hand, her gut feelings are usually right, and it feels weird going on an internet forum to fellowship... (Are any of you doing it? )
Astrapho, I felt relieved not going to church anymore!!! ;D ;D Like a burden had been lifted from my shoulders. What to me is strange or rather difficult (for now) is attempting to explain to my family and friends why I no longer desire to go to a church. Maybe because I know they will not hear.."hearing but not able to hear". So, if they don't ask I don't tell. I actually was invited by my roommate to her church next sunday because Kirk Franklin will be there. She is the church's administrative secretary and her and the pastor know Kirk personally.
Would you believe that I haven't even told her (and this is my ROOMMATE) that I no longer attend church!! :-[ :-[ I actually would like to go JUST to hear Kirk and then leave. I already know that I am unable to sit and listen to these pastors lie. I find I can only take it for about 5 minutes at the most. The minute they mention people going to hell or talk about the "trinity" etc....I can no longer listen >:( >:(
Do you think it would be rude just to go to hear Kirk and then leave ??? ??? ;)
I have decided not to go, though. I don't want to be rude like that. I have known the pastor personally for a couple of years.
Wait, what was the subject ::) ::) Oh, yeah finding it weird fellowshiping on the internet. No, I look forward to it. The weird thing is, actually, is the feeling of close family. But like Arc said, we worship (even on the internet) in Spirit and in Truth.
Charrie :-*
Dave in Tenn:
Arc has shared what real fellowship is.
Now look at your words. If you want to have fellowship by pretending to be somebody that God has not made you to be, then join a theater group. At least everybody there KNOWS they are playing a part. ;D To be honest, it wouldn't surprise me if you weren't the only person in that Catechism class that doesn't believe in Catholicism and is mouthing the creeds as well.
Look up James 1:26 and thereabouts for a scriptural definition of worthwhile religion. I know you're 15 and don't even have your DL yet, but in Spirit you can begin to live like that. Come to think of it, that's what we're trying to do for you here, even though you're not phsycally an orphan or widow. But you are under some affliction and we're trying to visit you the only way we're able.
The forum is not A fellowship (to my mind) but it is a 'place' OF Fellowship. So yes, I DO have fellowship here--often imperfect, sometimes painful, occasionally even seemingly pointless. It's never that way with just me and the Father, even when it feels a little 'off'.
I think your friend may have her own good reasons for 'fearing' for your faith--some not even related to her own catholicism, perhaps. But I don't think her gut feeling should outweigh what you see in Scripture and what God has already prepared in your heart and mind.
Join a band, get involved in volunteer work, paint scenery if you can't act. That's my 'practical' advice. All the while, continue to study and grow. In short order and in God's timing, you'll begin to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (and that ain't tongues) without following a religion at all. You'll stand out like a white carnation on a black background and your Catholic friend will wonder what happened to you.
I hope you don't get forced into going back, but I mostly hope you don't get friendly coerced. Either way, God is not finished with you yet...not by a long shot. He wanted a Child in His own image, He made you, and He'll get what He wants. That's "Ray Smith" and the Gospel of the Kingdom in a nutshell, huh?
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