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  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

What does everyone think?

Biblicist

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It can be hard to provide a succinct statement as to the purpose of the church; I do agree with you in that we can be very “me” centred when it comes to the Church but the problem is that the Church is made up of lots of individuals and each ‘you and me’ comprises the whole. As for this ‘me’ I am very glad that Christ died for my sin (and of course everyone else’s) but the individual is certainly very important to the Father but things can become a bit skewed when we view the Church solely through the ‘me’ filter.

So maybe when Churches over emphasis reaching out to newcomers, a sort of backsides on seats mentality, that maybe they are going overboard with the “us” methodology; when they spend all their time on ‘growing’ the saints at the expense of outreach this may reflect a “me” mentality or who knows maybe the reverse could also apply. I suppose that the secret is with getting the “me” and the “they” balance right.
 
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1watchman

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The true church is not what everyone likes or thinks, but what God has given us. We need to be conformed to it, not expecting God to accomondate our ideas. One should study Acts 2 and the Epistles, and seek God's mind. There is no such thing in the Word of God as going to "the church of your choice".

- 1 Watchman
 
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CGL1023

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hi jcp988,

You wrote about the Church identified as Christ's Bride. This a big topic to cover on a single page in a blog.

Rev 21 and 22, discuss Christ's wife identified as the Lamb's wife. Rev 21:9,10 explicitly identify the Lamb's wife as the Holy City, Jerusalem coming down, out of heaven from God. When I read Rev 21 and 22, I get excited to imagine the future that is portrayed. I hope that is the bride you refer to but I will wait for your clarification.

I don't believe there is any other Bride of Christ than Rev 21 though you did not give a scriptural reference.
 
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