- Apr 14, 2003
- 7,183
- 1,229
- 71
- Faith
- Protestant
- Marital Status
- Single
- Politics
- US-Democrat
The Roman Catholic Church, and some others, teach that to have a local church, you have to have an altar consecrated by a Bishop. The Bishop, in turn, has to have the proper Apostolic Succession and be ordained as a Bishop. Another requirement for a full church service is a parish priest who was ordained by a Bishop, and has permission from the local Bishop to perform the service.
These requirements are not in the Gospels or in the New Testament. What Jesus does say about Christians coming together is something completely different.
[Jesus says, ] “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about
anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in
heaven.
For where two or three come together in my name, there am
I with them."
Matthew 18:19-20 NIV
It is clear that "where two or three come together" should be taken as "where two or more come together."
According to Jesus, a church doesn't have to have a Bishop, or a priest ordained by a Bishop. Jesus doesn't tell us that a church has to have an altar, or an altar that has been consecrated. The important thing is that when two or more Christians meet in the name of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is with them.
These requirements are not in the Gospels or in the New Testament. What Jesus does say about Christians coming together is something completely different.
[Jesus says, ] “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about
anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in
heaven.
For where two or three come together in my name, there am
I with them."
Matthew 18:19-20 NIV
It is clear that "where two or three come together" should be taken as "where two or more come together."
According to Jesus, a church doesn't have to have a Bishop, or a priest ordained by a Bishop. Jesus doesn't tell us that a church has to have an altar, or an altar that has been consecrated. The important thing is that when two or more Christians meet in the name of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is with them.