Comments on: U.S. believers aren't joining congregations

By: Davidmgus

Davidmgus — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:52:44 +0000

Well said. I, like you, have found pretty much the same thing. I also found my position articulated very well in a couple of books by Carlton Pearson. The first, "The Gospel of Inclusion", the second, "God is not a Christian, nor a Jew, Muslim or Hindu…but God Dwells with Us, in Us, Around Us, as Us" It seems that so many have become so committed to their organizations and belief systems, but have lost that sense of "the Kingdom within".

By: myth buster

myth buster — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:22:33 +0000

Except that's not what happened. Thomas went to India, Peter went to Rome, Andrew went to Asia Minor, and Barnabas went to Cyprus.

By: myth buster

myth buster — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:18:17 +0000

And yet the New Testament also commands the sick to send for the presbyters to anoint them that their sins may be forgiven (James 5:14-15).

By: myth buster

myth buster — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:16:10 +0000

Since when does the Commandment against idolatry allow for casting a bronze serpent? Obviously since always, because God Himself commanded Moses to cast a bronze serpent for those who had been bitten by poisonous snakes to look at, that they may be healed.

By: myth buster

myth buster — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:11:35 +0000

I believe the word was Sabbaoth (meaning hosts), not Sabbath (meaning rest).

By: myth buster

myth buster — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:08:46 +0000

Multiple wives is not a matter we can agree to disagree on. Taking a second wife while the first, Christian wife still lives (whether you are divorced or not) transgresses the commandment against adultery under the New Covenant. Under the Old Covenant, it was lawful for a man to be a polygamist or divorce his wife and take a new one or marry a divorced woman, but under the New Covenant it is not, for Christ said, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

By: guest

guest — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:38:57 +0000

Its true everyone has an opinion about the size reduction in Churches. My opinion is that God wants us to advance the Kingdom of God not demoninational agendas. We don't need revival but reformation! Every believer is called to minister and needs to be equipped. The books of acts is how the church should grow and expand. They weren't promoting communal living or communism. Only getting back in touch with the Jewishness of the early church will we understand how they changed thier world. Yeshua said "Salvation is of the Jews". They walked in obedience and power of God. When they got scattered through persecution they started new congregations. Only the Apostles stayed in Jerusalem with the exception of Paul. Its something to think about historically.

By: Winston

Winston — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:17:55 +0000

Please quote the Scriptural reference for "The Golden Rule" because it does not appear in the Bible but is a man-made slogan.
The Golden Rule: Treat others as you wish to be treated, can be traced as far back as 1800 BC – before most major religions of today but was used as a part of those religions – in the Code of Hammurabi and as well as notably taught by Confucius (551 BC – 479 BC). Some say it was a certain religion which originated this but this is not true as that moral principle has been around before they were even created. Religions tend to reuse older traditions and repackage them into their own.
The over-riding commandment by Jesus is Matthew 22:36-40 ESV, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

By: Winston

Winston — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:11:23 +0000

A well stated comment, David. Jesus said "believe upon me and me alone and you will be saved" (paraphrased) and it did not include "I will give you membership into the Baptist/Catholic/Methodist/Episcopal/Presbyterian church…etc.."
All persons should be as a Berean (Acts 17:11) and search the scriptures daily to prove what is taught is true to themselves. The Bible also tells us "inquire in the temple", so if you hear a Pastor/Teacher teach something from the pulpit and it doesn't sound true based on your own knowledge of Scriptures then be bold and ask the pastor or elder to prove it out. Also, remember that a "Pastor" is a "spiritual gift" and not a church authority, which lies solely with Bishop/Elder and Deacon. Any church which the Pastor is the sole leader in the church is a "cleric led" church and is apostate to Biblical Christianity.