We often hear of a seeker looking for a good Church to attend, but it should NOT be anything but the UNIVERSAL CHURCH as expressed in a BIBLE-ONLY FELLOWSHIP in worldwide union without special rules and forms, hierarchies and rituals. We need to forget about our likes and dislikes. There are such scriptural gatherings if one is an earnest seeker (one might inquire on the Internet or to me personally to learn some thoughts about "unity of the faith" as God tells us). Earnest seekers ought to be looking for God's mind for fellowship and not the reasoning of men and various sects formed. The Church as the Bible shows is the "Bride" of Christ ---all the redeemed saints ("born again" believers as shown in such as John 1; John 3; John 14; etc.). In Heaven the saints of God will all be together, not sitting around in different corners. We need to take God at His Word and be faithful ---would you say?.
CHOOSING A CHURCH
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Justified Sinner
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Though I don't necessarily agree with everything you said, I think the heart of what you're getting at is spot on. Unity around the word of God, regardless of denominational affiliation. With that I give you a hearty thumbs up!
When we gather for worship as the community of believers, we engage with God together with one another. We fellowship and dialog with Him. That's really what the worship service ought to be, a back and forth between God and His people. For example, when the pastor gives a call to worship, God calls His people through the preacher to worship Him. When the pastor prays, He pleads with God on the behalf of the people to meet their requests. The pastor is the conduit between God and His people in the worship service, a representative of Christ. We should look for a church that understands what happens in worship.
I believe the most important thing that happens in worship is preaching. Look at Romans 10:14 (NASB), particularly the second question. How will we believe in Jesus unless we hear Jesus Himself. We have to hear the voice of Jesus. How do we do that? Since Jesus is no longer on earth, He speaks through the preacher as he faithfully proclaims the word of God. That's the point Paul made in Romans 10:14, Jesus speaks through the preacher. Therefore, preaching is the most important thing because that's where we hear the voice of Christ. That's the primary thing someone should look for in a church. Is the preaching faithful to the word of God? If so, Jesus speaks.
The Justified Sinner
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You made some good thoughts there, friend, but if we note as in 1 Peter 2, we will also see that the redeemed saints of God are a "holy" and a "royal priesthood" and they all should be allowed to exercise that in ministry times and studies, and at the Lord's Table in worship; we thus together need to value God's order and listen to what God reveals to different brothers. God speaks to His saints through His "Word of Truth" --our Holy Bible.
We can see in the Epistles that all the NT assemblies shown were collectively anointed saints and have liberty to minister (except the dear sisters, who have other kinds of service) though all saints need to recognize those specially gifted by God as teachers, pastors and evangelists among them (not as a hireling as a know-it-all), and not limited from their exercise (unless under discipline for a bad spirit and causing carnal and worldly disruption). God gave us Elders in local assemblies as godly seniors shown to be the oversight in the local assemblies, to keep things going forth in a scriptural way (not lording it over others). One can see also that God "hates" the spirit of "nicolaitism" (rulers over the laity ---Rev. 2: 5-6). All "born again" saints are holy and royal priests ---allowing one to both go into the holy place in worship, and go forth to represent God in the world.
Let me suggest seekers might do well to visit the sound site at BIBLECOUNSEL.NET on the Internet, which values Bible-only testimony (and one can ask questions there). One can also find good ministry on God's intent at BIBLE TRUTH PUBLISHERS.COM. I have been associated with such fellowship worldwide since 1957 and find it spiritually rewarding in many ways, and in fellowship with saints in various cities and countries of the world.
I have come to value much this "unity of the faith" universal. Well, to each his own way, and I hope this does not offend you in any way, brother.
We can see in the Epistles that all the NT assemblies shown were collectively anointed saints and have liberty to minister (except the dear sisters, who have other kinds of service) though all saints need to recognize those specially gifted by God as teachers, pastors and evangelists among them (not as a hireling as a know-it-all), and not limited from their exercise (unless under discipline for a bad spirit and causing carnal and worldly disruption). God gave us Elders in local assemblies as godly seniors shown to be the oversight in the local assemblies, to keep things going forth in a scriptural way (not lording it over others). One can see also that God "hates" the spirit of "nicolaitism" (rulers over the laity ---Rev. 2: 5-6). All "born again" saints are holy and royal priests ---allowing one to both go into the holy place in worship, and go forth to represent God in the world.
Let me suggest seekers might do well to visit the sound site at BIBLECOUNSEL.NET on the Internet, which values Bible-only testimony (and one can ask questions there). One can also find good ministry on God's intent at BIBLE TRUTH PUBLISHERS.COM. I have been associated with such fellowship worldwide since 1957 and find it spiritually rewarding in many ways, and in fellowship with saints in various cities and countries of the world.
I have come to value much this "unity of the faith" universal. Well, to each his own way, and I hope this does not offend you in any way, brother.
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