Featured Theological Differences in the Local Church

You cannot prove visible institutional church nor denominationalism from the NT. They are purely man made concoctions.

 

This assumes an artificial solidarity throughout christendom. But each gathering is fully autonomous in the NT. And linked to each other ONLY through Christ, not physical organizations.

 

The local would have much more credibility if the church really went deep to what the heart really hungers for.... and here is a hint, it’s not bread alone ( Matthew 4:4 )

 

Our church started when I couple of ladies in 1930 moved to San Diego and started a home bible study and invited their friends... Some refer to this as home church... They prayed that the Lord would send a pastor and in 1939 one showed up from Arkansas and with other members of like same faith and order started establishing church in California... I remember as a child of meeting in rented buildings until our church was built in 1958... I know because I helped my father lay tile on the roof at the age of twelve... At one time our denomination was 22 churches strong through out Southern and Northern California but sad to say over the years that has changed... Most of our churches were small family churches and since the children didn't follow in their parents footstep many are no longer here, mine included... But it could happen again all because two ladies decided to start a home bible study and call on the Lord... How strong is your faith?... Brother Glen

 

Yes that Tom is wonderful however I’m living in a Post Christian part of the country... and I can now face it as an now elderly man finally facing reality... and that is that only God can change this place & that’s only if he wants to. He may have other plans for it. All I can do is accept that there is no perfect anything so I can find peace in the world. John Gill has a point with exuberant evangelism, that for all your human efforts it is Gods decision. As Jesus put it, “God alone is good” (Mark 10:18).

 

Steve... Start a bible study at home and pray... It could happen again... Only God knows!... Brother Glen

 

Personally my faith is strong and so therefore I put it in his hands... but personally I saw two events that gives me the confidence to continue asking people how is God working in their lives. Just yesterday I observed a aging horse racing jockey (who just won the Kentucky Derby, atop the horse he was riding, give praise to Jesus.. his lord and savior. Back story, he had been fighting a drinking problem and insecurity because of his age and found renewed hope in Christ. Then my wife Pam, never one to vocalize her beliefs is now declaring her love for Jesus, loud & proud. But for the grace of God go I.

 

That man died on his knees in prayer

 

as a sidenote, if the salvation that we see in these Sunday mornings churches were the best God could do, then we don’t much see an active god working in their lives.So many I see are bored, sad and tired— those who rush in and leave early. If those people are representing the message, I wonder if the good news is all that good?!? Somehow it should showup in their faces, in their lives ... an exuberant joy with passion. What’s missing?

 

How can he be a threat... one cannot be a threat to any well run and local assembly that preaches and teaches Gods love to the world? Yea he is a threat to the dead ones, the ones that do not teach love and do not go out, the ones that are Pharisee run... but then, they are founded on sand and will soon topple over.

 

Coming home from the Gospel church this evening I was very conscious of the beauty of the countryside - the green hills above the Golden Valley. 20 minutes drive through such beauty is a good preparation for worship.

 

And Jesus undercuts all of it

Mark 9:38-40
Mark 9:33-35
Mark 9:36-37
Mark 10:13-16
Mark 10:17-30

I can go on and on... in short, he disallow all and any group at domination of any kind

 

Isn’t it the HS that determines what we believe through grace? Yes there are wolves out there and people can be terribly foolish, but election changes everything. God is ultimately the one in control here.