Conservative Fellowship

[1watchman]

To be conservative and fundamental usually means to hold to the Bible, and there is a difference between holding to some of the Bible and to "all the counsel of God" as the Apostle spoke of ---as concerning the Bride of Christ. Here is a paper which speaks of such a fellowship endeavoring to hold to Scripture-only (though not speaking of perfection in any believers, I think).

LOOKING FOR A CHURCH?
Commentary By R. DeWitt​

There is no where to look except to God and His Word to find the Church. The truth is that there is only one church (the "Bride of Christ") ---all true believers are in it, so real "born again" saints should not speak about finding the right church, rather finding the expression and fellowship of THE Church. It is shown plainly in Acts 2 and the Epistles, but most professing Christians are not studying the Word, and are looking for some innovations that will make a local fellowship pleasing to them and their interests. That is a wrong spirit! Let us not pervert God's testimony in the world, but be in submission and learn to conform to the mind of God.

If one means to say: I want to find the scriptural expression of the church in the world, which is apart from traditions and man’s innovations, that will open the way to be helped to find what God has given us. God has said: "...ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:13). That means to know God and His mind for us.

Some of us believe we have found what God intended for the church, and if we are wrong we can be corrected (if we are honest, not looking to man, not holding our own ideas, and are crying to the Lord to teach us and keep us from going astray). Are we willing to be honest and open to God's leading, or are we satisfied with what pleases us and refuse to look any further?

For me, I have been settled and happy in a worldwide and very scriptural fellowship for over 40 years, that appears in every way to me to be what God has intended for mankind. If one can show me why it is wrong and not according to God's Word, I would be ready to leave and go where God shows to be the truth. Where is that? Truly it is not everywhere, for "God is not the Author of confusion", as He says, and speaks of "Unity of the faith" and "no schism" in the body. After many years as a believer, I have not seen anything more true to the Word than what I have found. Can we all honestly say that before God? If one is still unclear, is it not time to "search the Scripture" and be down before God in much prayer? One can see a picture of God’s fellowship in the world by contacting a sound Bible source (see www.bibletruthpublishers.com , which is a place of sound ministry with literature and guidance, and writings by esteemed Bible teachers over 100 years. One can ask there about a scriptural assembly fellowship near to them.

I am not judging anyone, but calling all real Christians to be open and honest. Do we all want to walk in unity? The universal church must be fully scriptural and with no additions and innovations or deletions. All the various Christian religions and sects I see are man-made with rituals, ceremonies, traditions, programs, entertainment, ideas and innovations; and they are sectarian by ignoring the full Word of God.

The great heresy today in Christendom is to hold and say that God wants us to "go to the church of our choice", which I am convinced is a lie of Satan. There is no church of our choice in Holy Scripture. It is divisive of God's one testimony of the "one body", dishonoring Him, and shows a determination to do what pleases self. A faithful believer surely should not think that way.

Well, surely "the time is short", as God says, so we need to be on the right pathway as we walk with the Lord Jesus home to Heaven. We will then receive the commendation: "Well done, good and faithful servant". –RLD

ADDENDUM: One cannot help but wonder what a real "born again" believer in Christ reading here, would choose to do if led to a truly scriptural gathering in the world. Would he/she be willing to leave the sect they are associated with to gather on scriptural ground? Judging from many conversations it appears most of them would not want it, for they prefer their own innovations that please them where their friends are, and with their personal comfort and reasoning. Many voices have stated there is no such thing as a scriptural fellowship in the world, and all we have is the various sects of our individual choices. This seems so very sad, especially when we consider all Christians must stand at the "Judgment Seat of Christ" in Heaven and give account. -RLD: from www.biblecounsel.net

 

[Albion]

This would probably be well-received on the non-denominational churches forum. Or possibly the fundamentalist Christians forum.

To be conservative and fundamental usually means to hold to the Bible, and there is a difference between holding to some of the Bible and to "all the counsel of God" as the Apostle spoke of ---as concerning the Bride of Christ. Here is a paper which speaks of such a fellowship endeavoring to hold to Scripture-only (though not speaking of perfection in any believers, I think).

LOOKING FOR A CHURCH?
Commentary By R. DeWitt​

There is no where to look except to God and His Word to find the Church. The truth is that there is only one church (the "Bride of Christ") ---all true believers are in it, so real "born again" saints should not speak about finding the right church, rather finding the expression and fellowship of THE Church. It is shown plainly in Acts 2 and the Epistles, but most professing Christians are not studying the Word, and are looking for some innovations that will make a local fellowship pleasing to them and their interests. That is a wrong spirit! Let us not pervert God's testimony in the world, but be in submission and learn to conform to the mind of God.

If one means to say: I want to find the scriptural expression of the church in the world, which is apart from traditions and man’s innovations, that will open the way to be helped to find what God has given us. God has said: "...ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:13). That means to know God and His mind for us.

Some of us believe we have found what God intended for the church, and if we are wrong we can be corrected (if we are honest, not looking to man, not holding our own ideas, and are crying to the Lord to teach us and keep us from going astray). Are we willing to be honest and open to God's leading, or are we satisfied with what pleases us and refuse to look any further?

For me, I have been settled and happy in a worldwide and very scriptural fellowship for over 40 years, that appears in every way to me to be what God has intended for mankind. If one can show me why it is wrong and not according to God's Word, I would be ready to leave and go where God shows to be the truth. Where is that? Truly it is not everywhere, for "God is not the Author of confusion", as He says, and speaks of "Unity of the faith" and "no schism" in the body. After many years as a believer, I have not seen anything more true to the Word than what I have found. Can we all honestly say that before God? If one is still unclear, is it not time to "search the Scripture" and be down before God in much prayer? One can see a picture of God’s fellowship in the world by contacting a sound Bible source (see www.bibletruthpublishers.com , which is a place of sound ministry with literature and guidance, and writings by esteemed Bible teachers over 100 years. One can ask there about a scriptural assembly fellowship near to them.

I am not judging anyone, but calling all real Christians to be open and honest. Do we all want to walk in unity? The universal church must be fully scriptural and with no additions and innovations or deletions. All the various Christian religions and sects I see are man-made with rituals, ceremonies, traditions, programs, entertainment, ideas and innovations; and they are sectarian by ignoring the full Word of God.

The great heresy today in Christendom is to hold and say that God wants us to "go to the church of our choice", which I am convinced is a lie of Satan. There is no church of our choice in Holy Scripture. It is divisive of God's one testimony of the "one body", dishonoring Him, and shows a determination to do what pleases self. A faithful believer surely should not think that way.

Well, surely "the time is short", as God says, so we need to be on the right pathway as we walk with the Lord Jesus home to Heaven. We will then receive the commendation: "Well done, good and faithful servant". –RLD

ADDENDUM: One cannot help but wonder what a real "born again" believer in Christ reading here, would choose to do if led to a truly scriptural gathering in the world. Would he/she be willing to leave the sect they are associated with to gather on scriptural ground? Judging from many conversations it appears most of them would not want it, for they prefer their own innovations that please them where their friends are, and with their personal comfort and reasoning. Many voices have stated there is no such thing as a scriptural fellowship in the world, and all we have is the various sects of our individual choices. This seems so very sad, especially when we consider all Christians must stand at the "Judgment Seat of Christ" in Heaven and give account. -RLD: from www.biblecounsel.net

 

[Doctor Strangelove]

This would probably be well-received on the non-denominational churches forum. Or possibly the fundamentalist Christians forum.

Not every conservative Christian has a fundamentalist view of things or is from a Baptist/fundamentalist or even an evangelical background.

 

[Albion]

Not every conservative Christian has a fundamentalist view of things or is from a Baptist/fundamentalist or even an evangelical background.

I think that was my point.

 

[Bjornke]

Thank you for this wonderful post. I think it is something a lot of us should read. It is helpful and informative on what it really means to look for a church. We are in Christ. United we should stand, with one love, and one Savior.

 

[Aviela]

Not every conservative Christian has a fundamentalist view of things or is from a Baptist/fundamentalist or even an evangelical background.

true I consider myself to be conservative but not a fundamentalist. Others I know would feel the same.

 

[Albion]

true I consider myself to be conservative but not a fundamentalist. Others I know would feel the same.

Right. And the statement of belief for this forum tries to explain that it's for traditionalists, whether Catholic or Protestant. Fundamentalist Christians has its own forum and its own statement of belief.

 

[1watchman]

Well, fundamental and conservative are only descriptive words with varying meanings supposed, so it is strange for one to claim one or the other as their choice. They both hold to what they choose about what the Bible says --and add whatever they choose. One should be scriptural only without additions and deletions to what God has given. I think that is the thought of the paper posted.

 

[Aviela]

Right. And the statement of belief for this forum tries to explain that it's for traditionalists, whether Catholic or Protestant. Fundamentalist Christians has its own forum and its own statement of belief.

I am aware of that and wasn't suggesting otherwise.

 

[Aviela]

Well, fundamental and conservative are only descriptive words with varying meanings supposed, so it is strange for one to claim one or the other as their choice. They both hold to what they choose about what the Bible says --and add whatever they choose. One should be scriptural only without additions and deletions to what God has given. I think that is the thought of the paper posted.

I agree with having very Bible based beliefs. I think the following verse is great in regards to that issue:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
II Timothy 3:16

 

[Albion]

I am aware of that and wasn't suggesting otherwise.

I know. You said so in the post I was replying to.

 

[1watchman]

It is interesting that so many religionists will fight strongly to defend their choice to have a religion pleasing to self (and they do have that choice), but as the original paper here suggested: if one is looking for the "church", they ought to look for that which God gave in His Word (of course, many only read the verses they want to hear, rather than "all the counsel of God", as the Apostle counseled). It will all be manifest in Heaven if one was truly seeking God's way or our own. Well, look up always, friends and trust the Lord to lead in His way.

 

[theophilus40]

Here is an opportunity to compare the church in the 1st and 21st centuries.

http://www.christianforums.com/t7706751-2/#post64941739

 

[brinny]

To be conservative and fundamental usually means to hold to the Bible, and there is a difference between holding to some of the Bible and to "all the counsel of God" as the Apostle spoke of ---as concerning the Bride of Christ. Here is a paper which speaks of such a fellowship endeavoring to hold to Scripture-only (though not speaking of perfection in any believers, I think).

LOOKING FOR A CHURCH?
Commentary By R. DeWitt​

There is no where to look except to God and His Word to find the Church. The truth is that there is only one church (the "Bride of Christ") ---all true believers are in it, so real "born again" saints should not speak about finding the right church, rather finding the expression and fellowship of THE Church. It is shown plainly in Acts 2 and the Epistles, but most professing Christians are not studying the Word, and are looking for some innovations that will make a local fellowship pleasing to them and their interests. That is a wrong spirit! Let us not pervert God's testimony in the world, but be in submission and learn to conform to the mind of God.

If one means to say: I want to find the scriptural expression of the church in the world, which is apart from traditions and man’s innovations, that will open the way to be helped to find what God has given us. God has said: "...ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:13). That means to know God and His mind for us.

Some of us believe we have found what God intended for the church, and if we are wrong we can be corrected (if we are honest, not looking to man, not holding our own ideas, and are crying to the Lord to teach us and keep us from going astray). Are we willing to be honest and open to God's leading, or are we satisfied with what pleases us and refuse to look any further?

For me, I have been settled and happy in a worldwide and very scriptural fellowship for over 40 years, that appears in every way to me to be what God has intended for mankind. If one can show me why it is wrong and not according to God's Word, I would be ready to leave and go where God shows to be the truth. Where is that? Truly it is not everywhere, for "God is not the Author of confusion", as He says, and speaks of "Unity of the faith" and "no schism" in the body. After many years as a believer, I have not seen anything more true to the Word than what I have found. Can we all honestly say that before God? If one is still unclear, is it not time to "search the Scripture" and be down before God in much prayer? One can see a picture of God’s fellowship in the world by contacting a sound Bible source (see www.bibletruthpublishers.com , which is a place of sound ministry with literature and guidance, and writings by esteemed Bible teachers over 100 years. One can ask there about a scriptural assembly fellowship near to them.

I am not judging anyone, but calling all real Christians to be open and honest. Do we all want to walk in unity? The universal church must be fully scriptural and with no additions and innovations or deletions. All the various Christian religions and sects I see are man-made with rituals, ceremonies, traditions, programs, entertainment, ideas and innovations; and they are sectarian by ignoring the full Word of God.

The great heresy today in Christendom is to hold and say that God wants us to "go to the church of our choice", which I am convinced is a lie of Satan. There is no church of our choice in Holy Scripture. It is divisive of God's one testimony of the "one body", dishonoring Him, and shows a determination to do what pleases self. A faithful believer surely should not think that way.

Well, surely "the time is short", as God says, so we need to be on the right pathway as we walk with the Lord Jesus home to Heaven. We will then receive the commendation: "Well done, good and faithful servant". –RLD

ADDENDUM: One cannot help but wonder what a real "born again" believer in Christ reading here, would choose to do if led to a truly scriptural gathering in the world. Would he/she be willing to leave the sect they are associated with to gather on scriptural ground? Judging from many conversations it appears most of them would not want it, for they prefer their own innovations that please them where their friends are, and with their personal comfort and reasoning. Many voices have stated there is no such thing as a scriptural fellowship in the world, and all we have is the various sects of our individual choices. This seems so very sad, especially when we consider all Christians must stand at the "Judgment Seat of Christ" in Heaven and give account. -RLD: from www.biblecounsel.net

Thank you for this wonderful post. I think it is something a lot of us should read. It is helpful and informative on what it really means to look for a church. We are in Christ. United we should stand, with one love, and one Savior.

I agree with what Bjornke posted above. Amen. Thank you for your post, 1watchman.