My Problem with the Invisible Church

[Zeena]

Rev 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie;

Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Eph 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

 

[Zeena]

Eph 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

I was asked to expound on this, but honestly, I'm at a loss as to what exactly can be said that is FIT for edification.. The building up of Christ in us, rather than the glory of men..

Suffice to say I believe the "prophets" in the above verse to be none other than those named (and those left unamed) under the Old Covenant?

 

[Fireinfolding]

I was asked to expound on this, but honestly, I'm at a loss as to what exactly can be said that is FIT for edification.. The building up of Christ in us, rather than the glory of men..

Suffice to say I believe the "prophets" in the above verse to be none other than those named (and those left unamed) under the Old Covenant?

Gotcha

The prophets forsaw concerning Christ, To him give all the prophets witness. Jesus said, the scriptures testify of me. The apostles testified being witnesses themselves, expounding what was written in the law and the prophets (these, being witnesses themselves) even regarding the things to come. The Berean's (for example) searched those things out through the same to see if what was being told them was so.

Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

He would send both as well

 

[Zeena]

Gotcha

The prophets forsaw concerning Christ, To him give all the prophets witness. Jesus said, the scriptures testify of me. The apostles testified being witnesses themselves, expounding what was written in the law and the prophets (these, being witnesses themselves) even regarding the things to come. The Berean's (for example) searched those things out through the same to see if what was being told them was so.

Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

He would send both as well

AMEN!

I'm so glad we are in agreement concerning this teaching of the Apostles, praise God!

"To Him give all the Prophets witness" LOVE that verse! Thank you so much for the reminder!

 

[Fireinfolding]

AMEN!

I'm so glad we are in agreement concerning this teaching of the Apostles, praise God!

"To Him give all the Prophets witness" LOVE that verse! Thank you so much for the reminder!

I do too sis "TO HIM"... Always love the TO Him's, too little of that going around now LOL (hugs for ya!!)

 

[Zeena]

I do too sis

"TO HIM"... Always love the TO Him's,

SAME!

too little of that going around now LOL (hugs for ya!!)

Though I believe doctrinal and theological debate to be worthy of our time and effort, there is none worthy like our Saviour!

Heb 3:3,6
For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

*HUGS* beloved of God!

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

It's invisible. I can't see it.

Can ya "see" it now?

Luke 19:41 And as He nears, beholding the City and He laments on Her
42 saying "that if thou-knew, and thou, even indeed in the day, this, the toward Peace of thee, now yet it was Hid from thy eyes.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Eph 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

I am still trying to wrap my head around this visible/invisible church thang

http://www.christianforums.com/t7492808/#post55560018

Originally Posted by chestertonrules

I am talking about the Church. Jesus started a Church. Paul said that the Church is the pillar and foundation of Truth. Jesus said that if a man refuses to listen to the Church then he should be treated as a pagan or a tax collector.

In order for the Church to teach truth and give instruction it must be a visible organization with a unified teaching authority.

In that case, which church organizations do you view as "invisible"?

 

[Fireinfolding]

I am still trying to wrap my head around this visible/invisible church thang

http://www.christianforums.com/t7492808/#post55560018

Originally Posted by chestertonrules

I am talking about the Church. Jesus started a Church. Paul said that the Church is the pillar and foundation of Truth. Jesus said that if a man refuses to listen to the Church then he should be treated as a pagan or a tax collector.

In order for the Church to teach truth and give instruction it must be a visible organization with a unified teaching authority.

Well setting the LEAST ESTEEMED in the church to judge between brethren, could be as setting the LEAST VISIBLE

Let them hear the least esteemed and least visible, thats us prots

Playing wit cha

 

[squint]

It's invisible. I can't see it.

People all over the world are busy loving their neighbors and helping them constantly. This is God in them and no man or group can stop that working.

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God

Christian sectarianism is not able to stop God in these matters.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Well setting the LEAST ESTEEMED in the church to judge between brethren, could be as setting the LEAST VISIBLE

Let them hear the least esteemed and least visible, thats us prots

Playing wit cha

Let yer fingerz do the walking

Churches in Yellow Pages by SuperPages

Select a State to view Churches Listings

 

[tadoflamb]

People all over the world are busy loving their neighbors and helping them constantly. This is God in them and no man or group can stop that working.

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God

Christian sectarianism is not able to stop God in these matters.

Thanks for that.

The reason I started this thread three years ago was out of my surprise and frustration that the dozen or so little denominations I'm surrounded by are doing almost nothing to help their neighbors in need.

I had recently started volunteering with the visible Church in doing the same. While we're able to keep folks fed and from being evicted or having their utilities shut off, at times we're over burdened with pleas for help. We contacted the other faith communites around our parish to see what they had to offer in the way of assistance, of which the answer was none.

Being the great things I hear of the invisible Church and the great works people who are saved by their faith are supposed to be accomplishing this has come of no little shock to me. I suppose this is what happens when you believe the Church only exist invisibly. It's hard to get anything done. Even something as simple as a skinny bag of groceries.

Three years later, I'm not sure how many people have approached the visible Church for assistance (that's the advantage of being visible, we're easy to find) and while several more denominations have popped up within our parish boundaries, I still find them, as a source of charity, wanting.

On the bright side, the Presbyterian church has responded to the economic crisis and have established a food pantry.

I'm still waiting for the invisible Church to show up. Last I heard there was a guy in Dallas who wanted to help, but the geographical distance is going to make that a little difficult. You'd think the invisible Church would be a little more organized than that, but when you can't even see each other, I can see why getting organized might be a problem.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

It's not invisible, it's just poorly organised.

There is, however, a part of the Church (the so-called, "Triumphant") that actually is invisible to us "Militants" still on earth...

Yet, us Militants who have faith in Christ are part of that invisible Church; which is the Communion of the saints! (saints, as defined by Scripture are all those living who have faith; and all who have gone before, and died in faith). That same faith shows us it is there, even though we can not see it... yet!

 

[squint]

Thanks for that.

The reason I started this thread three years ago was out of my surprise and frustration that the dozen or so little denominations I'm surrounded by are doing almost nothing to help their neighbors in need.

I had recently started volunteering with the visible Church in doing the same. While we're able to keep folks fed and from being evicted or having their utilities shut off, at times we're over burdened with pleas for help. We contacted the other faith communites around our parish to see what they had to offer in the way of assistance, of which the answer was none.

Being the great things I hear of the invisible Church and the great works people who are saved by their faith are supposed to be accomplishing this has come of no little shock to me. I suppose this is what happens when you believe the Church only exist invisibly. It's hard to get anything done. Even something as simple as a skinny bag of groceries.

Three years later, I'm not sure how many people have approached the visible Church for assistance (that's the advantage of being visible, we're easy to find) and while several more denominations have popped up within our parish boundaries, I still find them, as a source of charity, wanting.

On the bright side, the Presbyterian church has responded to the economic crisis and have established a food pantry.

I'm still waiting for the invisible Church to show up. Last I heard there was a guy in Dallas who wanted to help, but the geographical distance is going to make that a little difficult. You'd think the invisible Church would be a little more organized than that, but when you can't even see each other, I can see why getting organized might be a problem.

You would probably find substantially more good works outside the visible church. May even be a bad place to look for or expect same as you point out. Many sects extend their works with caveats added to the aided.

Many a bum has sang christian songs for their supper.

 

[JesusFreak78]

Turn on the "Light".

QFT!

 

[Fireinfolding]

You would probably find substantially more good works outside the visible church. May even be a bad place to look for or expect same as you point out. Many sects extend their works with caveats added to the aided.

Many a bum has sang christian songs for their supper.

True squint!

Ezek 33:32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

Amos 5:23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

Maybe even this too...

Luke 7:31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

Luke 7:32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

You would probably find substantially more good works outside the visible church. May even be a bad place to look for or expect same as you point out. Many sects extend their works with caveats added to the aided.

Many a bum has sang christian songs for their supper.

And many haven't

Reve 19:17 And I perceived one Messenger standing in the sun, and He cries-out in great voice, saying to all the birds, the ones flying in mid-heaven, "hither! be ye being gathered! into the Supper of the Great God.
18 That Ye may be eating fleshes of kings......
[Deut 28:26/Ezekiel 39:17,18]

 

[Anoetos]

You do realize that the expression "invisible church" actually refers simply to those believers in any communion who truly believe, right?

That it doesn't actually mean that these people, individually or collectively cannot be seen, right?

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

You do realize that the expression "invisible church" actually refers simply to those believers in any communion who truly believe, right?

That it doesn't actually mean that these people, individually or collectively cannot be seen, right?

Is that expression just some thang the RCC came up with