The first commandment

[CoreyD]

My ultimate point in asking the question about the brick and mortar was that some people believe that being inside of a Church makes them closer to God.

Acts 17:24 The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;​

​

All matters of true worship occur within each individuals heart. Some Christians in all different divisions place ultimate weight in divisional doctrines and manmade precepts built with human minds or hands. The RCC is judged harshly by many divided bodies for their deep usage of symbolism through tradition and art.

However, what many people accuse the RCC of is also prevalent where ever human hearts are, because idolatry has nothing to do with external factors, but how a person responds to their environment, within their heart.

Idolatry has nothing to do with external factors?
You know that statement is false, Grip.
If a person thinks about worshipping Baal, but does not, will God deal with that person in the same way he does one who actually kneels before and bows to an idol in a temple of Baal?

No, because while the person contemplates it in their heart, they show that they fear God.
This was demonstrated on a number of occasions in the scriptures. 1 Kings 18:19-40; 1 Kings 19:15-18

Nevertheless, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”​

Those 7,000 refused to engage in the act of bowing to an idol, and kissing it.
On the other hand...

Millions of people can see this. They are not physically blind.

My deepest hope is that the entire Body of Jesus Christ will find peace with itself, for the purpose of stepping up the physical gospel to those in need, with addictions, widows, orphans, those persecuted to death and such forth. I'm not ignorant to the reality that division will continue, but I can hold faith that the Love of Jesus Christ has always been there to unite all of us.

All Love in Jesus Christ to you, David, Brother in Him

The entire body of Christ is united under the head of its leader - Christ.
There is no disunity as you are seeing among the xx,000 denominations identifying as Christian.
All who want to unite only need to do as Jesus said, at John 8:31, 32

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 

[Valletta]

No, but I did answer the question in more than one post... The one you ignored, and answered none of my questions, and the ones where I explained what the problem was twice - here, and here.
You both are reading my posts, so why did you both leave off the post dealing with the crux of the matter to divert to something one statement to neither of you?
I thought it was being used as a distraction. Is it?

How does one accuse another of not answering a question when they refuse to answer questions though? How does that work?
Were you not the person that made this post?

If you believe I did not answer the question, I believe you did not read through the post/ Did you?
Perhaps the distraction took you away from the focus, but I don't know if I should do a recap.

What you do is just keep throwing in the accusations, trying to associate those Christians who do not agree with your personal interpretations (which are human and thus thus open to error) with pagan worship. The early Christians, from the time of the Apostles, had a different understanding.

 

[Valletta]

There is no spoiler where I originally posted that quote, and said...
While trying to excuse actual idolatry, the author admitted to...

• Adoration or veneration of an image
• kneeling before the crucifix and kissing it
• paying the highest honor to our Lord's cross as the instrument of our salvation [the Lord's cross? It's the Lord's cross now? Note: It is the instrument of their salvation]
• reverencing His Cross [Revere - To regard with reverence, or profound respect and affection, mingled with awe or fear; to venerate; to reverence; to honor in estimation]

This I clearly understand. It's not the way you pray or give honor to God and you make, and continue to make, the accusation of idolatry. Would you join me and others in prayer to God that the truth be revealed to us all so that we only pray in a manner pleasing to God? I will go now and offer such a prayer.

 

[Grip Docility]

There is more than one way to understand You shall not bow down to them or worship them;?
I have not given any personal interpretation. So perhaps you can give me the interpretation you have for this.


Will you be praying to Saints, including Mary, or are you willing to accept that God through Christ, requires us to pray to God - the father - alone, through Jesus Christ?


@Valletta ...and are you willing to show disgust at things like this?

God requires that we approach him in prayer with clean hands and a pure heart. Otherwise, our prayer will not be heard.

I see @Grip Docility is back at goading in silence.

I'm stepping out of this discussion, because there seems to be a strong desire to condemn an entire group of individuals that claim the blood of Jesus Christ. I don't think any discussion or response will change this. I will confess one matter. It is discussion like this of such a staunch accusatory nature that is driving my faith in a very specific direction. I am not under the old covenant, nor do I judge my brethren in Jesus Christ by it.

All Love in Jesus Christ to you CoreyD, who is in Jesus Christ.

 

[CoreyD]

I'm stepping out of this discussion, because there seems to be a strong desire to condemn an entire group of individuals that claim the blood of Jesus Christ. I don't think any discussion or response will change this. I will confess one matter. It is discussion like this of such a staunch accusatory nature that is driving my faith in a very specific direction. I am not under the old covenant, nor do I judge my brethren in Jesus Christ by it.

All Love in Jesus Christ to you CoreyD, who is in Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." John 12:48

It is the written word that condemns. Not Corey, or any member on these forums, that point out scriptures.
If you are saying that my using God's word, is wrong because it does not agree, with what some teach, then I agree with your decision to leave this discussion.

The message I get from you here, is that we should not use God's word... unless of course it is to hide what is not agreed on by Grip, and just show what Grip agrees with.
I therefore appreciate your decision, because it helps me make a decision of my own.

Goodbye Grip... and you take good care of yourself.

 

[FreeinChrist]

ADVISOR HAT


This thread is closed for review.


This thread is staying closed for multiple rule violations including flaming. ​