I understand. I'm just making a general statement that truth isn't relative or changeable even as we may be ready to accept more or less of it at different stages of our walk or life.Like I said, this is a dangerous subject.
There are tens of thousands of denominations. Which one is telling the "truth"?
Is there any ancient Christian Body Whose Church is not an "ism" then?All "isms" are wrong. Picking out one is pointless. Roman Catholicism has done way more damage to the reputation of Christianity than any protestant group.
"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” Galatians 3:10We're actually still obligated to obey the law, the ten commandments as stated by Jesus in Matt 19 and outlined by Paul in Room 13:10. The obligation for man to be righteous does not disappear with the New Covenant, much as some seem to prefer that it does-not saying anyone specifically here. Anyway this is why Rom 2:13 tells us that we'll still be judged by the law, even though it cannot possibly justify us; only God can do that. So it's to be fulfilled but finally fulfilled the right way now, by the Spirit, under grace as God indwells us, via the love that He has wrought in our hearts.
We do not rely on the law now, but as Jesus and Paul told us we must keep it nonetheless. This is basic Christianity. This is what the New Covenant provides for, with God placing His law on our minds and writing it on our hearts as per Jer 31:33, accomplishing what we cannot do on our own. "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). This is what it means to be a new creation even if our walk in this newness of life under grace may be faltering at times."For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” Galatians 3:10
"Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because "the righteous will live by faith." Galatians 3:11
"So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law." Galatians 3:24-25
"But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine ... " 1 Timothy 1:8-10
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." Romans 10:4
"The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law." 1 Corinthians 15:56
"...having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." Colossians 2:14
"who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?" 2 Corinthians 3:6-8
"For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10
"In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away." Hebrews 8:13
"Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God." Romans 7:4
"But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter." Romans 7:6
"And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death." Romans 7:10
So if any of us meets Jesus face to face and confesses his belief in and trust of the Savior, and has no chance whatsoever of being baptized in water (as was undeniably the case with the good thief on the cross).... then we may conclude that baptism is not essential for salvation.
The first time that it was encouraged as far as I know was actually in an 1893 encyclical letter on the study of holy Scripture written by Pope Leo XIII. There may be earlier such examples but not that I'm aware of.
JWs are Sola Scriptura adherents for that matter, and depending on the issue involved, they often make quite plausible arguments for their positions based on Scripture alone.
I think this is one of those really wrong thinking ideas.Essentially I'm wondering if hundreds of denominations, with dozens of versions of the Bible, has resulted in confusion and (in response) apostacy; whether into heretical denominations or fully out of any semblance of the Church whatsoever.
People keep telling me that scripture is protected but it cannot be protected when there are literally dozens of different versions of the Bible. Of course, they claim that their favourite one is the special version, but heck they can't all be right can they...
So I'm calling out Protestantism as doing more harm than good because it makes a chaos and confusion of matters that shatters the Church and drives people away.
What say you all?
Again my question if anyone at any time was causing anything pagan to infiltrate the church where were all of the faithful followers protesting? Until the time of Constantine Christians were dying rather than accept pagan deities etc. So if Constantine brought any paganism into the church why were there not thousands of faithful Christians protesting?
If searching for truth means that some fall into error, doesn't necessitate that searching for truth is the wrong thing to do.
Constantine changed Roman law to make Christianity legal rather than illegal.I'm talking about when Constantine made the church the official religion of the Roman empire.
Not just that. He also took control of it and made it the official religion of the Empire, it wasn't just legal, it was obligatory.Constantine changed Roman law to make Christianity legal rather than illegal.
Actually, Constantine was not the one who made it either legal or official. He sure gets a lot of "ink" in discussions like this one, though.Not just that. He also took control of it and made it the official religion of the Empire, it wasn't just legal, it was obligatory.
I don't use beads. But what about them do you think is pagan?No idea, but you have to accept that Paganism infiltrated Christianity. The word "Easter" comes from Ishtar after all. Rosary Beads also come from paganism (Jesus Himself said not to use vain repetitions in Matthew 6:7)
While I am quite willing to believe you, I think you should provide some evidence to back up your claim. Otherwise I might think you made it up.Not just that. He also took control of it and made it the official religion of the Empire, it wasn't just legal, it was obligatory.
Not just that. He also took control of it and made it the official religion of the Empire, it wasn't just legal, it was obligatory.
Evidence? Substantiation? Documentation?Actually, Constantine was not the one who made it either legal or official. He sure gets a lot of "ink" in discussions like this one, though.
Has your righteousness exceeded that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20)? Are you as perfect as God the Father in all you do (Matthew 5:48)? What law are you obeying that imparts life and makes you righteous (Galatians 3:21)? Be honest. You're not being obedient to God's law. At least not to the extent He demands. Just the fact that you are on the internet on the Sabbath is a violation of the law (Exodus 35:3).We do not rely on the law now, but as Jesus and Paul told us we must keep it nonetheless. This is basic Christianity. This is what the New Covenant provides for, with God placing His law on our minds and writing it on our hearts as per Jer 31:33, accomplishing what we cannot do on our own. "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). This is what it means to be a new creation even if our walk in this newness of life under grace may be faltering at times.
God judges by the heart, which He, alone, knows with certainty. I seek to obey, to the best I can, the Greatest Commandments-and to remain near to the One who can help me fulfill them. And I believe, that had I not heard the gospel and learned of God's will I would not obey them to the degree I do now, even as that obedience is still a struggle, sometimes a great one at times. And the Church rightly teaches, IMO, quoting a 16th century believer in this case, "At the evening of life we shall be judged on our love."Has your righteousness exceeded that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20)? Are you as perfect as God the Father in all you do (Matthew 5:48)? What law are you obeying that imparts life and makes you righteous (Galatians 3:21)? Be honest. You're not being obedient to God's law. At least not to the extent He demands. Just the fact that you are on the internet on the Sabbath is a violation of the law (Exodus 35:3).
I don't use beads. But what about them do you think is pagan?
Now prove to me, without quoting Wiki, from a credible, verifiable, historical source that the word "Easter" is derived from "Ishtar."
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