Looking For The Scriptural Church

[RexOdatis]

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[1watchman]

I just made a contribution here with my origional post. It seems quite obvious to some of us readers, that most Christians are so entrenched in various denominated sects and the hierarchy of large organized religions in the world, that any mention of the New Testament scriptural assembly as set forth in such as Acts 2 and the Epistles, will bring a flurry of protests, denials and accusations.

The original post here was a very sound presentation, which should be helpful to honest seekers. Some new believers not indoctrinated into a sect yet, may be blessed by the information.

If one is settled and happy with their religious sect, they can surely ignore it all. They don't need to protest, but take their own rationale to God. They surely don't need to answer to me or any man.

 

[Albion]

I just made a contribution here with my origional post. It seems quite obvious to some of us readers, that most Christians are so entrenched in various denominated sects and the hierarchy of large organized religions in the world, that any mention of the New Testament scriptural assembly as set forth in such as Acts 2 and the Epistles, will bring a flurry of protests, denials and accusations.

The original post here was a very sound presentation, which should be helpful to honest seekers. Some new believers not indoctrinated into a sect yet, may be blessed by the information.

If one is settled and happy with their religious sect, they can surely ignore it all. They don't need to protest, but take their own rationale to God. They surely don't need to answer to me or any man.

Still wondering how one is supposed to associate with a local assembly in the New Testament fashion but not have anything to do with any Christian organization?

 

[1watchman]

If you are truly sincere in your inquiry, Albion, and not just challenging the paper posted, I think you can find the answers to your questions. There is a real and obvious difference between the various religious organizations men invent and what the Word of God teaches.

The Church in the Bible is not an organization, but a fellowship around the truth of what God has given. Many Christians worldwide embrace such a fellowship as shown in the Bible (not adding things or deleting things Christians prefer or do not want). God wants us to be in conformity to Him, and tells us in Hebrews 10:19-25 that we need to be together in the things of God for "unity of the faith", but many believers then set out to invent something they like, give it a name and some rules, and call it a church --which practice of sectarianism precludes those who want to hold to only God's Word.

I won't continue this here, since it seems to offend some readers, but if you would like to search this out beyond the paper posted above, I will be pleased to help you see that "big picture" God intended in His Word. Feel free to correspond with me in private, friend, and we can speak without side issues coming in.

Look up and pray much for God's leading, dear friend. He wants us to know His mind for His testimony and His glory and our good.

 

[Albion]

If you are truly sincere in your inquiry, Albion, and not just challenging the paper posted, I think you can find the answers to your questions.

It was a rhetorical question, Watchman. There is no way that any of us can associate with a local assembly and also have nothing to do with organized religion. Both of those were advocated in your previous post.

I thought that putting it in the form of a question would be the most effective way of bringing the point home. Maybe not.

 

[OldStudent]

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 Word of God.]

Yes, we want and need to walk in unity. But we can't make unity a goal - it is a byproduct, a result of a common fellowship with Jesus. We must be careful not to sacrifice Jesus' example and instruction to achieve unity. Since Cain there has been trouble with the unity idea.

Yes, "The universal church must be fully scriptural and with no additions and innovations or deletions."

Having said that how many groups have you found that honor the Sabbath which Jesus honored and repeatedly defended even to risking His ministry with death threats over it (John 5:16). I recently did a search on "sabbath" in the New Testament and collated the results. It was rather startling.

Most Christian groups I am aware of are also unaware of the foot washing service that Jesus initiated as a refresher of the baptism covenant (John 13:12-17). It was incorporated into the last Passover which He transitioned into the communion ceremony. He was quite explicit that His disciples follow His example.

These are common deletions from the example and teaching of Jesus. Is that following Jesus too far? I hope you can correct my assumptions about this and ARE part of fellowships that follow Jesus in these among other things.

 

[timf]

There is no way that any of us can associate with a local assembly and also have nothing to do with organized religion.

There are a couple of ways to live the Christian life with minimal impact from organizational "Christian" systems.

1. House church. There is a movement to conduct "church" in private homes. While you often have to sift through much error, it is possible to find others with whom to build edifying Christ relationships for fellowship and even instruction and ministry.

2. One can visit different churches and seek others with whom you can build relationships such that your Christian fellowship, Bible study, and even ministry is conducted outside of the control of organizational systems.

Christianity was meant to be lived in relationship (ours with each other and with Christ). Organizational systems not only cannot do relationships, they actually hinder it and try top replace relationships with activities, events, programs, classes, and lectures.

 

[Albion]

There are a couple of ways to live the Christian life with minimal impact from organizational "Christian" systems.

1. House church. There is a movement to conduct "church" in private homes. While you often have to sift through much error, it is possible to find others with whom to build edifying Christ relationships for fellowship and even instruction and ministry.

2. One can visit different churches and seek others with whom you can build relationships such that your Christian fellowship, Bible study, and even ministry is conducted outside of the control of organizational systems.

Both of those approaches still represent association with the organized church. It's to avoid the usual and most offensive examples of the organized church, to be sure, but it's still to make use of and associate with the organized church.

IMO, it's to grab onto the worst in the organized church (which you also hinted at) and avoid the best part of the organized church, but that's another debate.