Where is Jesus Christ's Church, Where are the Cults, and Which is Which?
Oct 30, 2018 17:00:40 #
God 's true Church has been on the earth since the day of Pentecost, and His closed canon of Scripture, the Bible, discloses how one becomes part of His Church.
1) recognizing we are sinners, confessing our sins to God, receiving Jesus Christ, God, the Son, the second Person of the Trinity, as the Lord of our lives, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, by whom we are sealed for eternity, as we are automatically baptized by Jesus (with the Holy Spirit), into the universal Body/Congregation/ Ekklesia/Church of Christ.
2) and by anchoring ourselves firmly in God's Word which teaches the pure, unsullied, historic Christian faith, with no embellishment from the teachings of men.
Different churches have different focuses and different ways of doing ministry. Within their main framework of evangelism reside other ministries, dependent on spiritual needs among the membership and local community. As long it is all biblical, each church has a specific way to minister to their different focuses. It is from this variety within His church that God responds to the individual personalities He has created.
God creates no puppets and demands no suppression of individuality, while Christianity's core beliefs never change.
The true Church holds to the core beliefs of Christianity without subtracting or adding to them. Christ is the eternal God come in the flesh, there is one God and 3 distinct identities (personalities) who exist simultaneously as the One God. The virgin conception, the sinfulness of man and the need of a savior, the new birth, the Gospel which is the death, burial, and physical resurrection of Christ, the 2nd coming, baptism, eternal mediator and priesthood of Christ, the priesthood of all believers, the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture, judgment and rewards to the believers. These are the essentials that are clarified in the Scriptures.
If the Church one attends does not hold to these essential beliefs, they are not Christ's Church no matter what name they claim or display on their building, website or on letterhead.
This is not my opinion, but the Bible's explanation of what Jesus' Apostles taught through the Gospels, the book of Acts, and in the Epistles.
There is one true Church, but it is not found in an isolated group of a certain denomination. Those who claim you must join their group or Church to be right with God, only prove they do not understand what the word, Church or body of Christ means.
It is not exclusive but inclusive, as it is found in the heart of all those who have accepted the true Jesus, and have come to God the way He has provided (through faith in His son's death on the cross), and who hold to the essentials of His faith. Whether one is Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Nazarene, Charismatic, or Pentecostal, etc. The Church that belongs to Jesus Christ transcends denominational barriers, it exists within denominations, as well as outside of them.
This is the Universal Church that has continued from the beginning of Pentecost. While denominations may have differences on peripheral issues, they do hold to the core beliefs that make them all part of the body of Christ, His congregation, His called out ones, who are His Church, and they have the ability to peacefully coexist as spiritual brothers in Christ, without attempting to "lord" it over others, as though they were kings.
Scripture distinguishes between Jesus Christ's church and the cults that imitate it.
"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions." (2nd Corinthians 11:13-15)
Anyone who, since the completion of "The Revelation of Jesus to the Apostle John" closed God's Canon of Scripture, the Bible, in 96 A.D., has founded a new exclusive religious group or organization, teaching that it is the only true church on earth, and that membership in it is necessary to be a saved Christian, has created a cult.
Below are known cults and unfamiliar groups who claim to be the Only True Church but are not:
"There is no salvation outside the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the only true Church upon the face of the earth"(Mormon Doctrine, p.670)
Jehovahs Witnesses: "Jehovah's organization alone in all the earth is directed by God's holy spirit or active force." (Watchtower, July 1, 1973, pg. 402)
"Thus, outside the Church of Christ no one can be considered a true believer.'' (PASUGO, (Philippines) September/October 1981, p.9)
International Church of Christ - "There is one church! There is one God. There is one kingdom of God and this is it! (The Great Commission, audio tape, Weger/Rock, Hodge/Hamann/Fulcher/Fields)
"You are in the only family that exists on the face of the earth."( Phil Lamb, We Are Family, audio tape 1990 West Coast Conf.)
"We're the last hope the world has. Nobody else is going to do what we're doing. Nobody else has the right message. Nobody else has the right commitment.( Gordon Ferguson, Radical Men, Radical Times Hosea Radical Love of God, Manila World Leadership Conf., Aug. 1994 )
"your salvation is hanging in the balance. .... When you walk away from the movement of God, there is no where to walk... There is nobody else in this country that has the true gospel -- that is, trying to make disciples of Jesus. There is nobody else in this entire world. This is the movement of God! There is no place to go."(Nick Young. Tulsa Reconstruction meeting, August, 1992)
"When you preached who is really saved: that you gotta have faith, you gotta repent, you gotta become a true disciple of Jesus, and then you gotta be water immersed for the forgiveness of sins received through the Holy Spirit, that excludes all other denominations, everybody else out there."( Kip McKean. Preach the Word. Johannesburg World Missions Leadership Conference. Aug. 1995)
True Jesus Church of the Latter Rain - On the web they emphatically state "The True Jesus Church is the true church restored by God through the Holy Spirit of the latter rain. She is the revival of the apostolic church in the end times."
The Philadelphia church- "Some in the world try to label the PCG a cult. Actually, we are God's only true representative on this earth!
...that truth is in only one church today, God's church. Only God's Philadelphia Church has retained God's Law in this end time" (The Philadelphia Trumpet , p.5 March 1994).
Roman Catholic Church "But by divine institution it is the exclusive task of these pastors alone, the successors of Peter and the other Apostles, to teach the faithful authentically, that is with the authority of Christ" (Vatican Council II Vol. 2, p. 430, 1984)
"f anyone says that in the Roman Church, which is the mother and mistress of all churches, there is not the true doctrine concerning the sacrament of baptism, let him be anathema (cursed). (The Canons And Decrees Of The Council Of Trent, p. 53 -- Seventh Session, Sacrament Of Baptism, Canon 3)
Pope Boniface VIII declared "There is one holy Catholic and apostolic church, outside of which there Is NO SALVATION ... it is altogether NECESSARY FOR SALVATION for every creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff (pope).'
The local Church (Witness Lee)-If you leave the church (the Local Church), you miss the mark of the Lord's testimony. You must be in the testimony of Jesus. Only the golden lampstands, the local churches, are the testimony of Jesus....if you are not in the local churches you are not the testimony of Jesus." (Witness Lee, The Stream magazine Nov. 1976, p.7)
"The One Body of Messiah is The House of Yahweh! "...If we 'separate' from the One Body of Messiah: The House of Yahweh, then we succumb to Satan, then at that very moment we become worshipers of Satan...of if one LEAVES The Body - The only Prophesied, Established Work that Yahweh Himself has chosen, then that one does not partake, or is no longer a partaker, with the rest of The body of Messiah - The House of Yahweh." (What Yahweh's Feasts Mean to You, pp. 78, 87).
Hawaii fellowship of the Universal World Church "a voice thundered: "This is my daughter in whom I am well pleased. As Jesus, my son, paid the price through his faithfulness upon the cross.. my anointed daughter, Miss Velma, has paid the price through her faithfulness at the golden altar. Therefore, all who will believe in her, will receive my gift of eternal youth which is new revelation Mamre. Miss Velma has paid the price! She has become the sacrificial offering required by God that all of mankind may reap one of god's greatest rewards." (The mighty Miracle of the new Revelation of Mamre p.49,50,51)
7th day Adventists-"I saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, Ministers and People will be called out from these churches and will gladly receive the truth....But the light will shine, and all who are honest well leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant" (Early Writings, p. 261 )
The common thread of all these churches is clearly visible. They deny anyone else can have the right message. One must come to their Church alone to be saved. That is their common deviation from Scripture, and the mark of a cult.
Hebrews 13:9:"Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited."
2 Peter 2:1-3 "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep."
Jesus knew that, because once the power of the Holy Spirit fell upon them, this was their next and only assignment: "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to all creatures." (Acts 1:8) "And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Matthew 28:19)
His Apostles understood their assignment as eyewitnesses, was to write the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and as each completed his assignment, they left this earth to rejoice in heaven.
They were unique, they were one of a kind and they were not replaced, for the New Testament was written only once, not to be changed or repeated.
Avoiding the deceptive tenacles of the cults is made possible through cognitive knowledge and by spiritual discernment:
Scripture Twisting:
The first mark of a cult is its manipulation of Scripture. The Bible is twisted to fit the leader or group's interpretation. Private interpretations are forbidden because the leader of the cult is the only one, of course, who is able to understand God's voice properly. Their teachings distort the historic, written, Biblical teachings of Christianity.
Mental Manipulation:
Second, cults manipulate people's minds. There is little concern for individual thought and development. Education is usually discouraged while the convert is bombarded with the cult's doctrine and literature. Members are called to leave or neglect their old family and life-style for a brand new one.
Time Manipulation:
A third characteristic is the manipulation of time. Since salvation comes exclusively from the teachings of the group, in many cults members spend much of their time working for their organization. Family, school, leisure, sleep, and even food are most often neglected.
Manipulating Reality:
Finally, cults typically manipulate reality. They tend to have an exclusive"us vs them" mentality in which anyone outside of their membership group is suspect.
If a religious group exhibits one or more of the marks mentioned above, that group may be considered a cult. Jesus Christ warned that in the last days many false prophets would arise and deceive many (Matthew 24:11,24).
We who are in Christ need never fear, for our salvation is assured, and our heavenly mansions await us.
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-40)
1) recognizing we are sinners, confessing our sins to God, receiving Jesus Christ, God, the Son, the second Person of the Trinity, as the Lord of our lives, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, by whom we are sealed for eternity, as we are automatically baptized by Jesus (with the Holy Spirit), into the universal Body/Congregation/ Ekklesia/Church of Christ.
2) and by anchoring ourselves firmly in God's Word which teaches the pure, unsullied, historic Christian faith, with no embellishment from the teachings of men.
Different churches have different focuses and different ways of doing ministry. Within their main framework of evangelism reside other ministries, dependent on spiritual needs among the membership and local community. As long it is all biblical, each church has a specific way to minister to their different focuses. It is from this variety within His church that God responds to the individual personalities He has created.
God creates no puppets and demands no suppression of individuality, while Christianity's core beliefs never change.
The true Church holds to the core beliefs of Christianity without subtracting or adding to them. Christ is the eternal God come in the flesh, there is one God and 3 distinct identities (personalities) who exist simultaneously as the One God. The virgin conception, the sinfulness of man and the need of a savior, the new birth, the Gospel which is the death, burial, and physical resurrection of Christ, the 2nd coming, baptism, eternal mediator and priesthood of Christ, the priesthood of all believers, the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture, judgment and rewards to the believers. These are the essentials that are clarified in the Scriptures.
If the Church one attends does not hold to these essential beliefs, they are not Christ's Church no matter what name they claim or display on their building, website or on letterhead.
This is not my opinion, but the Bible's explanation of what Jesus' Apostles taught through the Gospels, the book of Acts, and in the Epistles.
There is one true Church, but it is not found in an isolated group of a certain denomination. Those who claim you must join their group or Church to be right with God, only prove they do not understand what the word, Church or body of Christ means.
It is not exclusive but inclusive, as it is found in the heart of all those who have accepted the true Jesus, and have come to God the way He has provided (through faith in His son's death on the cross), and who hold to the essentials of His faith. Whether one is Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Nazarene, Charismatic, or Pentecostal, etc. The Church that belongs to Jesus Christ transcends denominational barriers, it exists within denominations, as well as outside of them.
This is the Universal Church that has continued from the beginning of Pentecost. While denominations may have differences on peripheral issues, they do hold to the core beliefs that make them all part of the body of Christ, His congregation, His called out ones, who are His Church, and they have the ability to peacefully coexist as spiritual brothers in Christ, without attempting to "lord" it over others, as though they were kings.
Scripture distinguishes between Jesus Christ's church and the cults that imitate it.
"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions." (2nd Corinthians 11:13-15)
Anyone who, since the completion of "The Revelation of Jesus to the Apostle John" closed God's Canon of Scripture, the Bible, in 96 A.D., has founded a new exclusive religious group or organization, teaching that it is the only true church on earth, and that membership in it is necessary to be a saved Christian, has created a cult.
Below are known cults and unfamiliar groups who claim to be the Only True Church but are not:
"There is no salvation outside the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the only true Church upon the face of the earth"(Mormon Doctrine, p.670)
Jehovahs Witnesses: "Jehovah's organization alone in all the earth is directed by God's holy spirit or active force." (Watchtower, July 1, 1973, pg. 402)
"Thus, outside the Church of Christ no one can be considered a true believer.'' (PASUGO, (Philippines) September/October 1981, p.9)
International Church of Christ - "There is one church! There is one God. There is one kingdom of God and this is it! (The Great Commission, audio tape, Weger/Rock, Hodge/Hamann/Fulcher/Fields)
"You are in the only family that exists on the face of the earth."( Phil Lamb, We Are Family, audio tape 1990 West Coast Conf.)
"We're the last hope the world has. Nobody else is going to do what we're doing. Nobody else has the right message. Nobody else has the right commitment.( Gordon Ferguson, Radical Men, Radical Times Hosea Radical Love of God, Manila World Leadership Conf., Aug. 1994 )
"your salvation is hanging in the balance. .... When you walk away from the movement of God, there is no where to walk... There is nobody else in this country that has the true gospel -- that is, trying to make disciples of Jesus. There is nobody else in this entire world. This is the movement of God! There is no place to go."(Nick Young. Tulsa Reconstruction meeting, August, 1992)
"When you preached who is really saved: that you gotta have faith, you gotta repent, you gotta become a true disciple of Jesus, and then you gotta be water immersed for the forgiveness of sins received through the Holy Spirit, that excludes all other denominations, everybody else out there."( Kip McKean. Preach the Word. Johannesburg World Missions Leadership Conference. Aug. 1995)
True Jesus Church of the Latter Rain - On the web they emphatically state "The True Jesus Church is the true church restored by God through the Holy Spirit of the latter rain. She is the revival of the apostolic church in the end times."
The Philadelphia church- "Some in the world try to label the PCG a cult. Actually, we are God's only true representative on this earth!
...that truth is in only one church today, God's church. Only God's Philadelphia Church has retained God's Law in this end time" (The Philadelphia Trumpet , p.5 March 1994).
Roman Catholic Church "But by divine institution it is the exclusive task of these pastors alone, the successors of Peter and the other Apostles, to teach the faithful authentically, that is with the authority of Christ" (Vatican Council II Vol. 2, p. 430, 1984)
"f anyone says that in the Roman Church, which is the mother and mistress of all churches, there is not the true doctrine concerning the sacrament of baptism, let him be anathema (cursed). (The Canons And Decrees Of The Council Of Trent, p. 53 -- Seventh Session, Sacrament Of Baptism, Canon 3)
Pope Boniface VIII declared "There is one holy Catholic and apostolic church, outside of which there Is NO SALVATION ... it is altogether NECESSARY FOR SALVATION for every creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff (pope).'
The local Church (Witness Lee)-If you leave the church (the Local Church), you miss the mark of the Lord's testimony. You must be in the testimony of Jesus. Only the golden lampstands, the local churches, are the testimony of Jesus....if you are not in the local churches you are not the testimony of Jesus." (Witness Lee, The Stream magazine Nov. 1976, p.7)
"The One Body of Messiah is The House of Yahweh! "...If we 'separate' from the One Body of Messiah: The House of Yahweh, then we succumb to Satan, then at that very moment we become worshipers of Satan...of if one LEAVES The Body - The only Prophesied, Established Work that Yahweh Himself has chosen, then that one does not partake, or is no longer a partaker, with the rest of The body of Messiah - The House of Yahweh." (What Yahweh's Feasts Mean to You, pp. 78, 87).
Hawaii fellowship of the Universal World Church "a voice thundered: "This is my daughter in whom I am well pleased. As Jesus, my son, paid the price through his faithfulness upon the cross.. my anointed daughter, Miss Velma, has paid the price through her faithfulness at the golden altar. Therefore, all who will believe in her, will receive my gift of eternal youth which is new revelation Mamre. Miss Velma has paid the price! She has become the sacrificial offering required by God that all of mankind may reap one of god's greatest rewards." (The mighty Miracle of the new Revelation of Mamre p.49,50,51)
7th day Adventists-"I saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, Ministers and People will be called out from these churches and will gladly receive the truth....But the light will shine, and all who are honest well leave the fallen churches, and take their stand with the remnant" (Early Writings, p. 261 )
The common thread of all these churches is clearly visible. They deny anyone else can have the right message. One must come to their Church alone to be saved. That is their common deviation from Scripture, and the mark of a cult.
Hebrews 13:9:"Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited."
2 Peter 2:1-3 "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep."
Jesus knew that, because once the power of the Holy Spirit fell upon them, this was their next and only assignment: "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to all creatures." (Acts 1:8) "And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Matthew 28:19)
His Apostles understood their assignment as eyewitnesses, was to write the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and as each completed his assignment, they left this earth to rejoice in heaven.
They were unique, they were one of a kind and they were not replaced, for the New Testament was written only once, not to be changed or repeated.
Avoiding the deceptive tenacles of the cults is made possible through cognitive knowledge and by spiritual discernment:
Scripture Twisting:
The first mark of a cult is its manipulation of Scripture. The Bible is twisted to fit the leader or group's interpretation. Private interpretations are forbidden because the leader of the cult is the only one, of course, who is able to understand God's voice properly. Their teachings distort the historic, written, Biblical teachings of Christianity.
Mental Manipulation:
Second, cults manipulate people's minds. There is little concern for individual thought and development. Education is usually discouraged while the convert is bombarded with the cult's doctrine and literature. Members are called to leave or neglect their old family and life-style for a brand new one.
Time Manipulation:
A third characteristic is the manipulation of time. Since salvation comes exclusively from the teachings of the group, in many cults members spend much of their time working for their organization. Family, school, leisure, sleep, and even food are most often neglected.
Manipulating Reality:
Finally, cults typically manipulate reality. They tend to have an exclusive"us vs them" mentality in which anyone outside of their membership group is suspect.
If a religious group exhibits one or more of the marks mentioned above, that group may be considered a cult. Jesus Christ warned that in the last days many false prophets would arise and deceive many (Matthew 24:11,24).
We who are in Christ need never fear, for our salvation is assured, and our heavenly mansions await us.
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-40)
Oct 30, 2018 17:17:54 #
Zemirah wrote:
God 's true Church has been on the earth since the... (show quote)
Amen and Amen thank you Zemirah for that listing of what is and is not a cult. A very good study.
Oct 30, 2018 17:41:13 #
Hi Bahmer,
You must be a speed reader. I just posted that!
After being signed in all day, while working on other things, I felt I should post something before signing out.
It's a beautiful 70 degrees here, and bright and sunny outside; I hope your weather is equally enjoyable.
Even while inside, the sunshine coming through the blinds gives a natural lift to the spirits.
It will be November in two days, quickest passing year I've ever experienced.
Jesus is possibly peeking down from behind the clouds, preparatory to making His descent!
You must be a speed reader. I just posted that!
After being signed in all day, while working on other things, I felt I should post something before signing out.
It's a beautiful 70 degrees here, and bright and sunny outside; I hope your weather is equally enjoyable.
Even while inside, the sunshine coming through the blinds gives a natural lift to the spirits.
It will be November in two days, quickest passing year I've ever experienced.
Jesus is possibly peeking down from behind the clouds, preparatory to making His descent!
bahmer wrote:
Amen and Amen thank you Zemirah for that listing of what is and is not a cult. A very good study.
Oct 30, 2018 17:59:05 #
Zemirah wrote:
Hi Bahmer, br br You must be a speed reader. I ju... (show quote)
We reached 60 today but barley mostly in the 50's the world is definitely betting worse and getting uglier. Come soon Lord Jesus.
Oct 30, 2018 18:14:50 #
Peewee
Loc: San Antonio, TX
Zemirah wrote:
God 's true Church has been on the earth since the... (show quote)
Excellent post! Reminds me of a little book I read as a youngster called "So What's the Difference" by Fritz Ridenour.
Oct 30, 2018 18:33:03 #
Zemirah wrote:
Hi Bahmer, br br You must be a speed reader. I ju... (show quote)
I just heard from Radiance3 that Doc110's twin sister died this morning and would like prayers for Doc110.
Oct 30, 2018 18:39:42 #
TexaCan
Loc: Homeward Bound!
Zemirah wrote:
Hi Bahmer, br br You must be a speed reader. I ju... (show quote)
It's a beautiful day here in Texas in the mid 80's! More rain expected tomorrow!
Today would be a perfect day for him to call out our name! What a glorious day that day will be!
Hallelujah!
Oct 31, 2018 13:14:30 #
bahmer wrote:
I just heard from Radiance3 that Doc110's twin sister died this morning and would like prayers for Doc110.
Doc110's twin sister had three boys two are through college and the third is not through college and I don't know his age but they will be grieving their mother in the weeks and months to come so remember them in prayer as well. Grief can be hard to deal with depending on the closeness of those that survive the death of a loved one. Aside from my parents I have gone through two loses of a personal nature in losing my wife and my son thankfully they were not at the same time.
Oct 31, 2018 20:07:09 #
Zemirah wrote:
God 's true Church has been on the earth since the... (show quote)
You've mention some different churches so I'm curious as to which church are you saying the true church ?
Oct 31, 2018 21:42:20 #
4430 wrote:
You've mention some different churches so I'm curious as to which church are you saying the true church ?
Hi 4430,
I'm sorry you found my writing so obtuse.
I sometimes utilize many more words than would suffice.
Here is the short, concise version:
I named churches that, by their own words, claim to be the one true church, but are not, and I named churches that peacefully coexist with other churches because they understand that both groups are Christians, worshiping God, the Father; Jesus Christ; and the Holy Spirit.
There is one true "Church," (a word which is translated from the Greek word, "ekklesia," which also means "congregation, assembly, called-out-ones)," but it is not contained within one single congregation, or in one specific denomination, or in one building, no matter how large.
It is inclusive, not exclusive.
(What is the difference between Inclusive and Exclusive?
Inclusive: A or B or both.
Exclusive: A or B but not both.)
The true church is all those who have accepted, through faith, the true Jesus as described in Scripture, His sacrificial death on the cross in payment of their sins, and His resurrection and ascension to heaven. They have confessed their sins to God, the Father, and have repented of their sins.
Repent means to turn and go the other way, literally to change one's behavior.
They believe He is the only mediator between God and man because the Bible says so.
This is the Universal Church that has continued from the Day of Pentecost. His congregation are His "called out ones;" in every country, all over the world. They are His Church, the Body of Christ, regardless of the church building they attend or the name of the denomination, and they recognize Him, not any man, as the Head of His Church, to which they belong. They are all united spiritually by the Holy Spirit.
Let the Wheat and the Tares Grow Together, for God Will Do the separating based on what they have chosen to believe, and whom they have chosen to believe in, during their lives.
Jesus said to "let the tares grow with the wheat," for they will be separated. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’ (Matthew 13:30)
I believe in the Word of God, I do not believe in any words that man has attempted to add to God's Words.
Oct 31, 2018 22:02:28 #
Zemirah wrote:
The true church is all those who have accepted, through faith, the true Jesus as described in Scripture, His sacrificial death on the cross in payment of their sins, and His resurrection and ascension to heaven. They have confessed their sins to God, the Father, and have repented of their sins.
Repent means to turn and go the other way, literally to change one's behavior.
They believe He is the only mediator between God and man because the Bible says so.
The true church is all those who have accepted, through faith, the true Jesus as described in Scripture, His sacrificial death on the cross in payment of their sins, and His resurrection and ascension to heaven. They have confessed their sins to God, the Father, and have repented of their sins.
Repent means to turn and go the other way, literally to change one's behavior.
They believe He is the only mediator between God and man because the Bible says so.
Many people want to believe that their church is the only true church which I totally reject .
I was raised in the EUB and the same message you've said here in your quote is exactly what was preached in my youth and decided on my own at age nine that this was the right way to God for me .
Oct 31, 2018 22:41:58 #
Hi 4430,
Is this the church to which you are referring?
"The Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUB) was an American Protestant church formed in 1946, by the merger of the Evangelical Church (formerly the Evangelical Association) and the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.
The United Brethren and the Evangelical Association had considered merging off and on since the early 19th century because of their common emphasis on holiness and evangelism and their common German heritage."
What you decided at the age of nine (assisted by the Holy Spirit) is exactly, IMHO, what the Bible teaches.
It is what I learned at a very young age, and it has remained my belief to this day.
My Father always said, "You do not judge the Bible by what your minister says, but, rather you judge your minister by what the Bible says."
Is this the church to which you are referring?
"The Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUB) was an American Protestant church formed in 1946, by the merger of the Evangelical Church (formerly the Evangelical Association) and the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.
The United Brethren and the Evangelical Association had considered merging off and on since the early 19th century because of their common emphasis on holiness and evangelism and their common German heritage."
What you decided at the age of nine (assisted by the Holy Spirit) is exactly, IMHO, what the Bible teaches.
It is what I learned at a very young age, and it has remained my belief to this day.
My Father always said, "You do not judge the Bible by what your minister says, but, rather you judge your minister by what the Bible says."
4430 wrote:
Many people want to believe that their church is the only true church which I totally reject .
I was raised in the EUB and the same message you've said here in your quote is exactly what was preached in my youth and decided on my own at age nine that this was the right way to God for me .
I was raised in the EUB and the same message you've said here in your quote is exactly what was preached in my youth and decided on my own at age nine that this was the right way to God for me .
Oct 31, 2018 22:51:17 #
Zemirah wrote:
Hi 4430, br br Is this the church to which you ar... (show quote)
Yes you are correct actually it was coming together well before 1945 !
Sad to say in 1968 they merged with the Methodist to become the United Methodist Church which we now see was a big mistake because the leadership has left the true teaching of the scriptures and embracing godless doctrine !
Oct 31, 2018 23:06:13 #
The leadership of the United Methodist Church wandered so far off base that they had a conference in Chicago, twenty or more years ago, led by a Native America Lesbian Witch... which today would hardly raise an eyebrow.
They differ from congregation to congregation, however.
In my own area, there is one congregation whose minister preaches God's Word, and whose congregation, to the best of their ability, follows the Bible.
On the other side of the city, there is a very modern, progressive congregation of the same denomination who will follow the latest popular Psychology/Philosophy rather than God's Word.
They differ from congregation to congregation, however.
In my own area, there is one congregation whose minister preaches God's Word, and whose congregation, to the best of their ability, follows the Bible.
On the other side of the city, there is a very modern, progressive congregation of the same denomination who will follow the latest popular Psychology/Philosophy rather than God's Word.
4430 wrote:
Yes you are correct actually it was coming together well before 1945 !
Sad to say in 1968 they merged with the Methodist to become the United Methodist Church which we now see was a big mistake because the leadership has left the true teaching of the scriptures and embracing godless doctrine !
Sad to say in 1968 they merged with the Methodist to become the United Methodist Church which we now see was a big mistake because the leadership has left the true teaching of the scriptures and embracing godless doctrine !
Nov 1, 2018 07:46:06 #
Zemirah wrote:
The leadership of the United Methodist Church wand... (show quote)
The Church I go to are still of the EUB teachings I guess we could be called old school !
When the progressive liberal got into leadership roles that was the time that old time Gospel Preaching started it's downward spiral !
Our local congregation have been a thorn in the sides of the top leadership !
There has been talk of a spell of splitting which I hope will come about pretty soon !
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.