Sophia7 said:I would like to clarify the fact that I never told anyone else...
Seraph1m said:Actually Sophia please take some time to re-read my comments.
No clarification is needed on your part for one, because I acknowledged your points and two, because none of my comments are about you or any of the folks you mentioned in your response.
Pointing out that I, along with a few others, do not agree with the idea that fellowship with others, whether on Sunday or any other day, is not breaking Gods Sabbath, is not and never was about you or anyone you mentioned. You gave some personal examples of your experiences and how those experiences shaped your life and also I gave some examples of my experiences. In essence, no matter how many times one suggests it, this thread is not about any of you or anyone else.
The OP that I started has always been about fellowship with other believers. As a matter of fact I did not bring up worshiping on Sunday in my original post #1 on page #1 or, in my follow-up in post #4, nor was it implied by me in any way.
As I have stated, nearly each times I have posted, the original OP is and was about Fellowship with other believers outside of the Adventist church. Other members have been comparing Adventist church services with other denominations and seem to be focused on how they see others as compared to themselves, which has effectively drawn the focus away from fellowship with others to worship on a different day.
If we would simply make an effort to stay on the topic it is likely we will avoid quite a bit of misunderstanding.
Peace
Sophia7 said:Seraph1m,
I apologize if I misunderstood what you were saying. I just thought that since your comments were juxtaposed between quotes from my earlier post that you were addressing them to me, particularly those dealing with being condescending to other people by telling them that they are sinning. If you meant them in a general way, then I'm sorry for taking them personally.
awesumtenor said:The problem is that it is not anything that we do that makes us 'peculiar'.
In His service,
Mr. J
Seraph1m said:As I have stated, nearly each times I have posted, the original OP is and was about Fellowship with other believers outside of the Adventist church. Other members have been comparing Adventist church services with other denominations and seem to be focused on how they see others as compared to themselves, which has effectively drawn the focus away from fellowship with others to worship on a different day.
Seraph1m said:When was the last time you attended church with someone other than an Adventist friend?
Whether AME, Baptist, Catholic or another denomination, how often do you attend church with someone other than an Adventist?
2tim said:Yeah but there's this too...
Ex 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
I agree with you, but I think we are to glorify God and be in the world not of it.
Safety is never near the edge.
2Tim
awesumtenor said:Obeying His voice and keeping His covenant is how one *remains* His peculiar treasure... but we were chosen to be said peculiar treasure "while we were yet sinners"... when we were rebellious and disobedient and wholly at enmity with God...
In His service,
Mr. J
Not long ago I was asked to attend a women's retreat with one of my neighbors who had an extra ticket for the retreat. I was unable to do so primarily because we had specific plans set for that Sabbath.Seraph1m said:The OP that I started has always been about fellowship with other believers. As a matter of fact I did not bring up worshiping on Sunday in my original post #1 on page #1 or, in my follow-up in post #4, nor was it implied by me in any way.
As I have stated, nearly each times I have posted, the original OP is and was about Fellowship with other believers outside of the Adventist church.
If we would simply make an effort to stay on the topic it is likely we will avoid quite a bit of misunderstanding.
Peace
Sophia7 said:Perhaps you have forgotten how you phrased the original post. Here it is:
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Thus, you did introduce the subject of going to church with other Christians, not just having fellowship. I think the issues that have been discussed here, such as whether we should attend other churches at all and how we view ourselves as Adventists in relation to others are legitimate questions to consider as we think about our fellowship with other Christians. Surely, you did not expect simple yes or no answers to your original question, without any discussion or disagreement on related questions? That would be too much to expect, especially on the Adventist forum.
and we never know, if ones heart is open to the spirit of God one may be blessed by the experience.tall73 said:I have before. It seems rather one sided of us to invite them without going to their service if they ask.
When was the last time you attended church with someone other than an Adventist friend?
Whether AME, Baptist, Catholic or another denomination, how often do you attend church with someone other than an Adventist?
That's excellent, Windmill. I have given more thought to the OP on this topic, and I came to realize that I will not return to a Sunday Keeping church, for any reason. I understand that I broke the 4th commandment for around 40 years, I don't intend to break it again.
I do my best witnessing in small circles outside of a church building (even my own) anyway.
Even if I go with a friend on Sunday, AFTER having "kept Sabbath", what I could be doing is giving credence to their worshipping on the wrong day, and not keeping God's Sabbath, breaking the 4th commandment. I decided I won't do that.
I completely agree that we should witness, discuss, and even learn about each other, but we can do that without giving credence to the breaking of one of God's commandments. I want nothing I do, even unconsciously, to support error.
God bless
To give a extreme example; as everyone here is well aware, I used to be Wiccan. Now, I would love to be a witness for Christ to them and invite them to my visit my church. But, on the other hand, how would folks perceive it if I attended a coven's esbat? Not a very pretty picture, eh? Do I need to do such to be a "good" witness to them - do I need to do such to "bridge the gap"? No.
So, using the admittedly extreme example, I see your point completely.
This is not an accurate parallel to make. These are fellow Christians we are talking about, not Pagans or Wiccans! You can't seriously compare a coven ceremony with a Christian worship service!
I have many Non Adventist friends who attend church with me, do you count that.When was the last time you attended church with someone other than an Adventist friend?
Whether AME, Baptist, Catholic or another denomination, how often do you attend church with someone other than an Adventist?
I have many Non Adventist friends who attend church with me, do you count that.