S
Can you find anywhere in the bible where God FORCES anyone to become a Christian? Did not God give us all a free will? Did not Jesus warn that one would be taken and one left? Did He not show in both Daniel and Revelation that the day will come when the Beast Antichrist will OVERCOME the saints? When someone is forced to watch as their child loses their head, or the child is forced to see their parents lose their head, is that not a "nightmare?"
I have one verse for you:
1 Thessalonians 5:20
Despise not prophesyings.
But perhaps you need more:
1 Corinthians 12:28
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets..... thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Ephesians 4:11
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
It is the will of God and the plan of God that every body of believers (local churches) have the ministry of the prophet just as much as the ministry of the teacher and pastor.
However, most of the church in the US chose to BYPASS Acts 1 and 2, and so do things their OWN way. No wonder the church is in such a mess today.
The bible (and proper) response to a prophecy is to LISTEN and then to judge by the written word of God. So if you think that is not from God, then prove it is wrong by the word of God.
Coop
Dear Coop, What is the correct definition of the church? What is your definition? Should we assume they are the same thing? How many sacraments (holy mysteries) are there in the church? How is the church structured? What is its government? What apostle are you succeeded from, or are you in fellowship with a bishop who is succeeded from an apostle?
As it is now, I am an orphan. I've just learned truth, I haven't yet fulfilled it. I know where a true church is, I just have been having difficulty walking there. Circumstances must change and I must wait for better weather. It is too difficult to go out in cold weather in winter. In the spring I hope to get back to church. When the weather makes it easier for me to walk to church. I've been to church a few times. Every time I am there I learn more about the Bible than I get from reading on my own.
I have one verse for you:
1 Thessalonians 5:20
Despise not prophesyings.
But perhaps you need more:
1 Corinthians 12:28
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets..... thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Ephesians 4:11
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
It is the will of God and the plan of God that every body of believers (local churches) have the ministry of the prophet just as much as the ministry of the teacher and pastor.
However, most of the church in the US chose to BYPASS Acts 1 and 2, and so do things their OWN way. No wonder the church is in such a mess today.
The bible (and proper) response to a prophecy is to LISTEN and then to judge by the written word of God. So if you think that is not from God, then prove it is wrong by the word of God.
Coop
Dear Coop, What is the correct definition of the church? What is your definition? Should we assume they are the same thing? How many sacraments (holy mysteries) are there in the church? How is the church structured? What is its government? What apostle are you succeeded from, or are you in fellowship with a bishop who is succeeded from an apostle?
As it is now, I am an orphan. I've just learned truth, I haven't yet fulfilled it. I know where a true church is, I just have been having difficulty walking there. Circumstances must change and I must wait for better weather. It is too difficult to go out in cold weather in winter. In the spring I hope to get back to church. When the weather makes it easier for me to walk to church. I've been to church a few times. Every time I am there I learn more about the Bible than I get from reading on my own.