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I hear quite a lot of people say "I'm a baptist" or "I'm a pentecostal" etc
My personal opinion is that we should say "I'm a christian & I go to a baptist/pentecostal church". God created only one body and we all have the one and only true God.
As for me I'm a Christian & I used to attend a pentecostal church. Now I'm just sitting and waiting on the Lord for direction. So at this moment church is just God, my husband, myself and you guys in cc.
My personal opinion is that we should say "I'm a christian & I go to a baptist/pentecostal church". God created only one body and we all have the one and only true God.
As for me I'm a Christian & I used to attend a pentecostal church. Now I'm just sitting and waiting on the Lord for direction. So at this moment church is just God, my husband, myself and you guys in cc.
I was raised in a pentecostal church,but i am attending a non-denominational church at this time.
Ephesians 2:8 | For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:it is the gift of GOD
Ephesians 2:8 | For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:it is the gift of GOD
K
I even hate to call myself a Christian, as there have been so many who have abused the title. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. My church is the group who believes in "Jesus Christ and Him crucified". I attend a weekly prayer meeting with a selection of other believers, interact with them several times a week in ministry projects, and have a network of people on the east coast I can call if I have an emergency. [Just added one in Australia thanks to this chatroom.]
N
I was born into and raised in the beliefs of the Roman Catholic church. I have attended Orthodox Catholic services, Baptist services, Presbyterian services, and Non-Denominational services. All of which, in my opinion, are Christian. Although there are, in some cases, significant differences, I have found we all believe, at the foundation, in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He died to free me from my sin burden. He has paid the price for me. All I have to do is accept that and do the best I possibly can to follow in His way. I will never be perfect, but His sacrifice covers my imperfection. I do believe I must also repent my sins.
I am a child of God. I used to say that Christ was my savior, and although that is still true, it makes me sound as if I do not acknowledge all of the scripture that tells of the part of Christ who created me, who we call God the Father. My God is a triune God, He is the One True God. He sent His Son to save me, and the HS to guide me.
Z
I was raised Pentecostal, grew up going to a charismatic church complete with people falling all over the aisles, and passing out and all of that stuff. Then I started going to a non-denominational church on my own that started getting into weird health and wealth/signs and wonders teachings which were not biblical. Now I go to a Calvary Chapel church because I know they're teaching the bible for the most part.
K
Non-Denominational Community Church... You Are Loved / Welcome / Immanuel Church
Z
From a biblical perspective our pursuit should be God, and it's following that pursuit that signs and wonders come, so I have nothing against that. What this church was doing however, was focusing solely on doing signs and wonders, they found God, so they quite their pursuit of Him, and started focusing on and pursuing signs and wonders. "You shall do greater things than these" was a quote from Jesus they liked to cite in order to encourage people to pursue, not just miracles, but miracles greater than any Jesus ever accomplished. They said so much in a service that "We are capable of greater miracles than Jesus" which was the point that made me decide to leave. They also got into the habit of telling people to ignore the Father and Jesus during worship and focus solely on the Holy Spirit, which just seems a little off to me.
The real church is this:
If your beloved church teaches any false doctrine, and I can bet they do,then it doesnt matter what church you beling to, the real church are the called out ones, Jesus came to minister to, not those who live as the world and sit under many reformed errors, oblivious to where they lead!
The Church
Ekklēsia is the Greek word used in the New Testament over 116 times, translated in our English Bibles as ‘Church’. The word has NOTHING to do with stone buildings or sacred places of worship. It is a compound word meaning: ‘Ek’: Out from….’Ekklisia’ the called out. Thus the ‘Called out’.
The Greek word most closely related to ‘Church’ is kuriakos, used in 1Cor11:20 & Rev1:10, translated: ‘the Lord’s’ as referring to the Lord ’s Supper and the Lord’s Day. Meaning in the Greek: belonging to the Lord, related to the Lord. This word became associated with places of ‘Christian’ worship around 300AD under Roman Emperor Constantine. Up to that time the true followers of Jesus Christ were meeting in private homes, often in secret at night. WHY? Because in the Roman Empire there could be no private religion! It was against the law and considered conspiratorial to hold secret or private meetings in homes. This is why the Pagans often brought moral charges against the Christians accusing them of incest, cannibalism and unnatural practices.
(meetings in homes: Rom16:5, 1Cor16:19, Col4:15, Phil1:2, Acts2:46)
For those of you in the religious system ignorant of past history, Constantine was the Roman Emperor who granted religious tolerance in the land that brought an end to the bitter persecutions against Christians. This eventually led to the uniting of church and state, bringing the ‘Christian’ religion into great cathedrals of Rome. (considered sacred by the pagans) From that time forward an ‘Official’ religious system existed under the guise of Christianity blending together the idols, pagan beliefs and rituals of Roman culture. Officially you were either a ‘Catholic Christian’ or a ‘heretic’….branded foolish madmen, who should suffer chastisement and divine condemnation.
Essentially this turned the tables against the real Saints of God labeling them dangerous dissenters and has done so every since. The System now had full authority to persecute and legally murder their religious opponents. Thus is your explanation for all the religious blood letting throughout history and for the present religious establishment that exists in our (relatively) free society today.
The ‘Churches’ as they exist in our towns, villages and cities, in which so-called Christians claim to worship the One True God are simply an off-shoot of what happened in ancient Rome when the Pure Doctrine of Jesus Christ was nullified by the teachings of men. This is why the ‘Church’ has absolutely no similarity to the ‘Ekklesia’ of the Bible and also has no desire whatsoever to resemble it. They have their SYSTEM in place that serves the purpose of gathering humanity under a unified pattern of religion where anything goes and people can choose the ‘form’ that suits them best.
The establishment can still maintain a fabricated authority over attendees insisting they must submit to church leadership and remain in fellowship lest they abandon the faith. This enforces the fantasy in the minds of church goers that those who flee the System are angry runagates and devils better off gone rather than stirring up trouble in their midst. In olden times the ‘Church’ exercised domination over the people by the pretense of piety, the place of worship (they controlled) was consecrated of the Lord and dare not be blasphemed or defied. They may not be hunting down dissidents or burning anyone at the stake in our time, but TRY going among them to challenge their false doctrines and expose the sin! You will find out very quickly that non-compliance will NOT be tolerated.
A denominational church will use its entire governing body to see that you’re silenced and cast out of doors if necessary. More independent organizations will muster the governing board against you and see that you’re brought to shame in the eyes of the people. How different is that from excommunication or being branded a heretic by the religious establishment? The illegitimate ‘Church’ System STILL holds great sway over the gullible (professed) Christian public who fear being numbered among the rebellious. God’s greatest Prophets (including John the Baptist) always stood aloof of the religious system and were greatly out-numbered by the dominant forces. Elijah had to stand alone against 450 false prophets of Baal who had already gone out and slain hundreds of the Lord’s faithful. (1Kings19:12-21)
It’s really no surprise that those of us who Preach the Lord’s true Doctrine cannot buy or sell inside the religious system. (Rev13:17) The use of these words; ‘Buy & Sell’ in Revelation 13 are metaphorical. To Buy means the ability to Participate in a market place….To Sell translates as ability to Barter in a place. Are God’s true Messengers of Repentance and Faith Proven by deeds permitted to ‘Participate’ in the designated places of worship? Can they ‘Barter’ (the act or practice of carrying on a trade) among the ‘church’ people? BY NO MEANS…..because they have NOT taken on the Mark (which is the lust of the eye, flesh & pride of life!) but have CAST it away in the Crucifixion of the passions and desires of the flesh. (Rom6:4-6,Gal5:24)
That’s what has separated the ‘Ekklesia’ from the church since the beginning. When Saul (later Paul) made havoc of the church entering into every house dragging off men and women committing them to prison (Acts8:3) Obviously he was finding this ‘Ekklesia’ in the houses. He did not have to seek them out in the local synagogues or other official places of worship approved by the religious system. And the SAME holds true today….you will NOT find the ‘Called out ones’ partaking at the table of demons in a place of idolatry. (1Cor10:21)
Christ used this important Word when He said in Matt16:18 that upon this Rock I will build My Church. (Ekklesia) That is He would build His assembly on those called out of Darkness and Bondage into Light and Freedom from sin! (Acts26:18)
The Saints are NOT called to buildings set apart as sacred run by a religious establishment of celery with some kind of special privileges to Lord over people.
WHO is Greatest in the Kingdom of our Lord?
And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your servant. Matt20:27
But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matt23:11
Even the Ransom (redemption of Christ) is associated with this kind of Servitude:
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”Matt20:28
Jesus Served on the ‘Called out ones’ behalf in order to Redeem them from darkness to light from the power of Satan to God. That’s why His ‘Church’ is the ‘Chosen generation, the Royal priesthood, a holy nation of His own special people that may proclaim praises to Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous Light!’ 1Pet2:9. The Ekklesia is NOT the filthy ragged, desperately wicked, wretched, born depraved, chiefs of sinners sitting under the bondage of a religious system that rules over their minds and keeps them in ignorance. www.standingthegap.org
If your beloved church teaches any false doctrine, and I can bet they do,then it doesnt matter what church you beling to, the real church are the called out ones, Jesus came to minister to, not those who live as the world and sit under many reformed errors, oblivious to where they lead!
The Church
Ekklēsia is the Greek word used in the New Testament over 116 times, translated in our English Bibles as ‘Church’. The word has NOTHING to do with stone buildings or sacred places of worship. It is a compound word meaning: ‘Ek’: Out from….’Ekklisia’ the called out. Thus the ‘Called out’.
The Greek word most closely related to ‘Church’ is kuriakos, used in 1Cor11:20 & Rev1:10, translated: ‘the Lord’s’ as referring to the Lord ’s Supper and the Lord’s Day. Meaning in the Greek: belonging to the Lord, related to the Lord. This word became associated with places of ‘Christian’ worship around 300AD under Roman Emperor Constantine. Up to that time the true followers of Jesus Christ were meeting in private homes, often in secret at night. WHY? Because in the Roman Empire there could be no private religion! It was against the law and considered conspiratorial to hold secret or private meetings in homes. This is why the Pagans often brought moral charges against the Christians accusing them of incest, cannibalism and unnatural practices.
(meetings in homes: Rom16:5, 1Cor16:19, Col4:15, Phil1:2, Acts2:46)
For those of you in the religious system ignorant of past history, Constantine was the Roman Emperor who granted religious tolerance in the land that brought an end to the bitter persecutions against Christians. This eventually led to the uniting of church and state, bringing the ‘Christian’ religion into great cathedrals of Rome. (considered sacred by the pagans) From that time forward an ‘Official’ religious system existed under the guise of Christianity blending together the idols, pagan beliefs and rituals of Roman culture. Officially you were either a ‘Catholic Christian’ or a ‘heretic’….branded foolish madmen, who should suffer chastisement and divine condemnation.
Essentially this turned the tables against the real Saints of God labeling them dangerous dissenters and has done so every since. The System now had full authority to persecute and legally murder their religious opponents. Thus is your explanation for all the religious blood letting throughout history and for the present religious establishment that exists in our (relatively) free society today.
The ‘Churches’ as they exist in our towns, villages and cities, in which so-called Christians claim to worship the One True God are simply an off-shoot of what happened in ancient Rome when the Pure Doctrine of Jesus Christ was nullified by the teachings of men. This is why the ‘Church’ has absolutely no similarity to the ‘Ekklesia’ of the Bible and also has no desire whatsoever to resemble it. They have their SYSTEM in place that serves the purpose of gathering humanity under a unified pattern of religion where anything goes and people can choose the ‘form’ that suits them best.
The establishment can still maintain a fabricated authority over attendees insisting they must submit to church leadership and remain in fellowship lest they abandon the faith. This enforces the fantasy in the minds of church goers that those who flee the System are angry runagates and devils better off gone rather than stirring up trouble in their midst. In olden times the ‘Church’ exercised domination over the people by the pretense of piety, the place of worship (they controlled) was consecrated of the Lord and dare not be blasphemed or defied. They may not be hunting down dissidents or burning anyone at the stake in our time, but TRY going among them to challenge their false doctrines and expose the sin! You will find out very quickly that non-compliance will NOT be tolerated.
A denominational church will use its entire governing body to see that you’re silenced and cast out of doors if necessary. More independent organizations will muster the governing board against you and see that you’re brought to shame in the eyes of the people. How different is that from excommunication or being branded a heretic by the religious establishment? The illegitimate ‘Church’ System STILL holds great sway over the gullible (professed) Christian public who fear being numbered among the rebellious. God’s greatest Prophets (including John the Baptist) always stood aloof of the religious system and were greatly out-numbered by the dominant forces. Elijah had to stand alone against 450 false prophets of Baal who had already gone out and slain hundreds of the Lord’s faithful. (1Kings19:12-21)
It’s really no surprise that those of us who Preach the Lord’s true Doctrine cannot buy or sell inside the religious system. (Rev13:17) The use of these words; ‘Buy & Sell’ in Revelation 13 are metaphorical. To Buy means the ability to Participate in a market place….To Sell translates as ability to Barter in a place. Are God’s true Messengers of Repentance and Faith Proven by deeds permitted to ‘Participate’ in the designated places of worship? Can they ‘Barter’ (the act or practice of carrying on a trade) among the ‘church’ people? BY NO MEANS…..because they have NOT taken on the Mark (which is the lust of the eye, flesh & pride of life!) but have CAST it away in the Crucifixion of the passions and desires of the flesh. (Rom6:4-6,Gal5:24)
That’s what has separated the ‘Ekklesia’ from the church since the beginning. When Saul (later Paul) made havoc of the church entering into every house dragging off men and women committing them to prison (Acts8:3) Obviously he was finding this ‘Ekklesia’ in the houses. He did not have to seek them out in the local synagogues or other official places of worship approved by the religious system. And the SAME holds true today….you will NOT find the ‘Called out ones’ partaking at the table of demons in a place of idolatry. (1Cor10:21)
Christ used this important Word when He said in Matt16:18 that upon this Rock I will build My Church. (Ekklesia) That is He would build His assembly on those called out of Darkness and Bondage into Light and Freedom from sin! (Acts26:18)
The Saints are NOT called to buildings set apart as sacred run by a religious establishment of celery with some kind of special privileges to Lord over people.
WHO is Greatest in the Kingdom of our Lord?
And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your servant. Matt20:27
But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matt23:11
Even the Ransom (redemption of Christ) is associated with this kind of Servitude:
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”Matt20:28
Jesus Served on the ‘Called out ones’ behalf in order to Redeem them from darkness to light from the power of Satan to God. That’s why His ‘Church’ is the ‘Chosen generation, the Royal priesthood, a holy nation of His own special people that may proclaim praises to Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous Light!’ 1Pet2:9. The Ekklesia is NOT the filthy ragged, desperately wicked, wretched, born depraved, chiefs of sinners sitting under the bondage of a religious system that rules over their minds and keeps them in ignorance. www.standingthegap.org
T
Wow. You're cynical. Not all churches are like that at all. The Church is the Body of Christ, a community of Christ followers (with or without a church building). No church is completely without error (some focus to much on one thing, while others focus to much on something else). We are all sinners. Christians are both sinners and saints (as the Holy Spirit works in and through our sinful selves to be more like Christ).
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