A conversation about unity.

[Strong in Him]

We as a modern Protestant branch of Christianity have only been around for a little more than a 100 years, yet we are on the cutting edge with GOD it seems. We are doing quite well currently

You know that the "I'm alright Jack, stuff everyone else" is the opposite to Jesus' teaching on greatness and humility?

so why would we be interested in looking back to other denominations, whether Protestant or not, and being concerned with unity?

You have no interest in unity, even though our Saviour prayed for, and desired, it?

I don't see how entertaining that would be beneficial to us one bit, given our current projection of growth to 1 billion by 2050.

And this is the opposite of a God who chose the weak to shame the strong and the foolish to shame the wise - a God who chose fishermen, tax collectors, Samaritans and even women to proclaim his Gospel and further his kingdom. It's the opposite of a God who told Gideon that if he went into battle with thousands of men, they would be tempted to think that they had won victory in battle in their own strength. So he reduced their numbers so that they had to trust in His. It's Goliath boasting that he has nothing to fear from David.

Just because something is popular or even fast growing, doesn't make it right - just look at the cults.

 

[Strong in Him]

I don't see any benefit to looking back and trying to drag another denomination along with us,

How about reaching out to another denomination in Christian love and trying to walk in peace along the narrow way.
Or is that kind of sacrificial love beneath you?

especially when some of them only want things on their terms, with no consideration to ours.

"If you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" Matthew 5:47.

Why have the battle, why put up with the fight, why deal with the ridiculousness of it? I don't see how it would be an improvement to us if we were somehow joined in doctrine to another denomination of old.

Like I said, the "I'm alright Jack, stuff everyone else" is not a good look.

Maybe I'm being a little bit smug, but I see us moving ahead with GOD,

Many Christians will say that they are moving ahead with God.
Those who truly ARE, follow his example and seek his heart of compassion for the weak, disadvantaged or the underdogs.
(Not that I'm calling other denominations "disadvantaged" but they clearly are below you in your eyes.)

HE's not placed it in our hearts to be concerned with the plight of other faith groups.

Other faith groups = Muslims, Jews, Hindus etc, and maybe your calling isn't to work among them. It would be a shame because think how much good you could do if you witnessed to Christ, modelled the way of peace and made disciples among, say, Muslims. But if that really isn't your calling, then it isn't.

But the other denominations you appear to despise and do not want to "drag along with you" are your brothers and sister in Christ - like it, or not.

 

[ARBITER01]

You have no interest in unity, even though our Saviour prayed for, and desired, it?

I think people on here have a warped idea of what "being one" with Christ is.

Unity involves Christ likeness, His example of perfection.

 

[Strong in Him]

I think people on here have a warped idea of what "being one" with Christ is.

Unity involves Christ likeness, His example of perfection.

Did Christ ever say, "I'm doing ok, I'm not bothered abut the rest of you"?

 

[ARBITER01]

Did Christ ever say, "I'm doing ok, I'm not bothered abut the rest of you"?

Sometimes truth is not always nice.

Unless The Lord Jesus corrects me (which He does at times), your opinions are not warranted.

 

[Strong in Him]

Sometimes truth is not always nice.

No but you'll get over it - answer the question.

Unless The Lord Jesus corrects me (which He does at times), your opinions are not warranted.

It looks like my experiences with the arrogance, and judgemental attitude, of the Pentecostal movement have been confirmed.

My "opinions" are verses from Scripture.
I notice you couldn't answer my previous post and Scripture verses either.

 

[ARBITER01]

No but you'll get over it - answer the question.

It looks like my experiences with the arrogance, and judgemental attitude, of the Pentecostal movement have been confirmed.

My "opinions" are verses from Scripture.
I notice you couldn't answer my previous post and Scripture verses either.

On to ignore you go for a while.

 

[Strong in Him]

On to ignore you go for a while.

So you can't answer the question nor reply to the Scripture verses?
So be it.

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

So you can't answer the question nor reply to the Scripture verses?
So be it.

Please take this personal dispute elsewhere.

 

[Strong in Him]

Please take this personal dispute elsewhere.

I don't have a personal dispute.

I was replying, maybe unwisely, to a post which stated that as the Pentecostal movement is growing and successful, (which shows they they are in favour with God) they have no need to consider other denominations, "be dragged along by them" or seek unity with them.
The tone was very much one of; "we're doing fine; we don't need the rest of you."
This is very relevant to the theme of unity. And to be honest, it's not a million miles from the Catholic stance of "we are the one, true church, others are outside of it."

But I am going to unsubscribe to this thread now. There's nothing else to say and no point in arguing.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

I don't have a personal dispute.

I was replying, maybe unwisely, to a post which stated that as the Pentecostal movement is growing and successful, (which shows they they are in favour with God) they have no need to consider other denominations, "be dragged along by them" or seek unity with them.
The tone was very much one of; "we're doing fine; we don't need the rest of you."
This is very relevant to the theme of unity. And to be honest, it's not a million miles from the Catholic stance of "we are the one, true church, others are outside of it."

But I am going to unsubscribe to this thread now. There's nothing else to say and no point in arguing.

Islam is growing faster, does that also show they are in favor with God?? Maybe seek the unity you so keenly desire amongst Islam, you may get more traction there?

Size matters I guess.

(sarcasm)

 

[Strong in Him]

Islam is growing faster, does that also show they are in favor with God?? Maybe seek the unity you so keenly desire amongst Islam, you may get more traction there?

Size matters I guess.

(sarcasm)

I'm not a Pentecostal; it wasn't me who made that claim.

 

[tampasteve]

Well, I think it matters considerably.

We as a modern Protestant branch of Christianity have only been around for a little more than a 100 years, yet we are on the cutting edge with GOD it seems. We are doing quite well currently, so why would we be interested in looking back to other denominations, whether Protestant or not, and being concerned with unity?

I don't see how entertaining that would be beneficial to us one bit, given our current projection of growth to 1 billion by 2050.

Please don't take this as being rude or in mean spirit, but in my experience a lot of people are drawn to the low churches, in particular Pentecostal denominations due to the perception that they are "easy" (in comparison to Orthodox and Catholic anyway) as well as the dynamic preachers. That doesn't necessarily mean that they hold any special truth or "rightness", it just means that people are attracted to them for one reason or another.

 

[tampasteve]

I partook before I found out I wasn't allowed to. I was just another one in line to receive a wafer.

That happens a lot, broadly the RCC teaches that it is up to the person taking communion to know if they are "right" with God and if they should be taking or not. You would not likely ever encounter a RCC that would deny you communion.

 

[Servus]

That happens a lot, broadly the RCC teaches that it is up to the person taking communion to know if they are "right" with God and if they should be taking or not. You would not likely ever encounter a RCC that would deny you communion.

Even if I told the priest I'm a protestant ahead of time?

 

[tampasteve]

Even if I told the priest I'm a protestant ahead of time?

Good question, I don't know. Most likely the priest would let you know at that time, in case you did not know. Most RCC have it written on the Sunday handout so a visitor may notice it too. But if you still went up...I don't know. Most parishes also use Eucharistic Ministers to distribute the Eucharist, so they would definitely not stop you, but if you went to the priest he may or may not, but it would be incredibly brazen of you to do so after being informed.

 

[Servus]

Good question, I don't know. Most likely the priest would let you know at that time, in case you did not know. Most RCC have it written on the Sunday handout so a visitor may notice it too. But if you still went up...I don't know. Most parishes also use Eucharistic Ministers to distribute the Eucharist, so they would definitely not stop you, but if you went to the priest he may or may not, but it would be incredibly brazen of you to do so after being informed.

I agree. And knowing what I now know I wouldn't do it of course. But since Catholics and Protestants look alike, there was no way for them to know. I knew very little about Catholicism at the time. I just copied what everyone else was doing during mass.

 

[tampasteve]

I agree. And knowing what I now know I wouldn't do it of course. But since Catholics and Protestants look alike, there was no way for them to know. I knew very little about Catholicism at the time. I just copied what everyone else was doing during mass.

Yeah, I did that too when I was a teenager and my family went to mass for the baptism of my niece, I didn't know and nobody informed me.

 

[Servus]

Yeah, I did that too when I was a teenager and my family went to mass for the baptism of my niece, I didn't know and nobody informed me.

I was invited by my Catholic neighbor when we were teenagers. Apparently he didn't know either. The church which was also a school was nearby, so I hung out there at times with him.

 

[ARBITER01]

Please don't take this as being rude or in mean spirit, but in my experience a lot of people are drawn to the low churches, in particular Pentecostal denominations due to the perception that they are "easy" (in comparison to Orthodox and Catholic anyway) as well as the dynamic preachers.

Heh,...... low churches.

That doesn't necessarily mean that they hold any special truth or "rightness", it just means that people are attracted to them for one reason or another.

That would be where you are wrong. It is specifically because of the truth that is preached and taught that people are coming to Christ.