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What's Your Take?

Discussion in '2005 Archive' started by dh1948, Jan 16, 2005.

  1. dh1948

    dh1948 Member
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    In recent months I have heard a lot of ecumenical-type folks talk about the only prayer Jesus ever prayed that has not been answered. They are referring to Jesus' prayer that "all my children be one." These folk then go into a whiny argument as to why all denominations need to become one. Did Jesus have that in mind when He prayed this prayer? Denominations did not exist at that time, but maybe He was seeing into the future when there would be denominations, and He expressed His desire for all "denominational walls" to be broken down.

    I don't think this is what Jesus meant at all. He may have meant that Christians in various denominations abandon their heretical teachings and agree on the truth of God's Word, making it possible for His prayer to be answered. Or, He may have meant for all of God's people to be united in purpose.

    When I hear people talk like this, I always think things like, "Now, I wonder how they expect the Baptists and the Methodists to come together in agreement? Will the Baptists say they have been wrong all these centuries regarding immersion for baptism, or will the Methodists confess to error in sprinkling? Obviously, for us all to become one, these differences will have to be eliminated.

    I would like to hear your take on this. Thanks!
     
  2. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    My athiest friends say they can never become
    Christians because they know God never intended
    for there to be but one right church.

    (this is a humor ;) ) I know the intentions
    of a person who doesn't exist. Come on, get
    real feller human bean athiest. If there is no
    God, how can he have intents?

    It would be a shame to starve with a $20 in you
    pocket bacause you couldn't decise whether to
    eat at these places within vision of your
    parking place:

    MacDonalds
    Pizza Hut
    Mazzio's (pizza)
    2 chineese resturants
    2 grocery stores
    Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)
    etc.
     
  3. dh1948

    dh1948 Member
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  4. untangled

    untangled Member

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    Dh,

    I think brother Ed was talking about having the information and not using it. He stated "My athiest friends say they can never become Christians because they know God never intended for there to be but one right church." Then he went on to say :

    "(this is a humor ) I know the intentions
    of a person who doesn't exist. Come on, get
    real feller human bean athiest. If there is no
    God, how can he have intents?"

    Meaning the person(s) saying that didn't make sense. If they don't believe in God how can he have intentions. Then he compared it to starving but having money and not spending it.

    I think that's what he meant. :confused:

    [​IMG]
     
  5. untangled

    untangled Member

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    I believe that those Christians with the fundamentals are one in Christ, some just don't realize it. Sometimes we have to agree to disagree.
     
  6. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    Amen, Brother Untangled -- Preach it! [​IMG]
     
  7. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    Depending upon the defintion of "denomination",
    the truth is already been said.

    1. I don't think the Baptists or the Methodist
    are "denominations". I think their are saved persons
    in the Baptist Churchs and the Methodist Denominations.
    One's outlook on infant baptist is NOT a salvation matter.

    2. Consider those who say "denominationalism is a sin".
    I have no idea what they are talking about.
    Again, they need to define "denomination" (but i've
    never had one define it).

    3. I used to know a place where they had a
    breakdown of like 80,000
    denominations in the world. That is way to many.
    Each Baptist church is to be independant of eatch other,
    but it isn't a denomination each.
     
  8. don 3426

    don 3426 New Member

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    I do not think its right to agree to disagree because a lot of denomonations do not go completely with what the bible says and in my mind i think we should witness to them.
     
  9. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    Each Baptist church that is independant of
    the others is it's own denomination.
    All other denominations besides my church
    are not exactly 100% perfectly right
    in their dogma.
    Therefore i shall not agree to agree with any of
    you cause you ain't in my church.

    Doesn't that start sounding unBaptist
    and unChristian :confused:
     
  10. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
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    This highlights the problems with ecumenicity ... They don't know the Bible well enough. If they believe that this is the only prayer Jesus ever prayed, then we have to wonder if they have read the Bible at all.

    People who know the Bible do not plead for ecumenicity. They plead for unity based on truth. Where there is no truth, there can be no unity. Ecumenicity is a flawed pursuit from its outset. If you want to unify with God's people, then believe what God's people should believe, and act like God's people should act.
     
  11. untangled

    untangled Member

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    My statement referes to people witht he fundamentals. Apart from the fundamentals there are things we disagree on. For instance, I don't believe in any baptism other than that of immersion. However, if I have a methodist friend that believes in sprinkling I'm not going to say he is not my brother in Christ nor am I going to let every conversation lead to a debate on the biblical definition and practice of baptism. It usually works like this: One person states their case and the other their own, they debate and still have the same position. I will plainly tell someone that I believe that baptism is only baptism if dunked. But like I said, I'm not going to let that lead to argument all the time. Now if they're a flaming liberal and believe in universalism they are not my brother or sister in Christ. There is but One Way, One Truth and One Life.

    In Christ,

    Brooks
     
  12. don 3426

    don 3426 New Member

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    Good point but on that baptism note i will debate what type of baptism is correct because i believe that if you are to carry out a biblical commant you should do it according to the bible, but like you said it wont make me think that they are not christian. But i was refuring to churches who do not use what the bible states complietly like your salvation can be lost and telling their members you are save by works which is compleitly wrong and i will confront somone about that without a second thought.
     
  13. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Oh, yes it is. Most of my friends and co-workers look upon baptism most DEFINITELY as a salvation issue.

    They are Lutheran, Catholic, Mormon and I live next door to a large Disciples of Christ. ALL of them tie baptism directly into salvation.

    False, damnable doctrine leading more people to hell than possibly any other teaching.
     
  14. Daniel David

    Daniel David New Member

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    I long for the day when we are all one. When the non fundamental baptists repent and get saved and believe the word, we will all be one.

    Ecumenicalism cooperates assuming that unity exists.

    If you want to tear down the walls, lead them to the Lord that they may be saved.
     
  15. DavidFWhite3

    DavidFWhite3 New Member

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    This highlights the problems with ecumenicity ... They don't know the Bible well enough. If they believe that this is the only prayer Jesus ever prayed, then we have to wonder if they have read the Bible at all.

    People who know the Bible do not plead for ecumenicity. They plead for unity based on truth. Where there is no truth, there can be no unity. Ecumenicity is a flawed pursuit from its outset. If you want to unify with God's people, then believe what God's people should believe, and act like God's people should act.
    </font>[/QUOTE]Pastor Larry:

    Please read the post you are commenting on again. Makes me wonder if you pay attention."The only prayer that Jesus prayed THAT HAS NOT BEEN ANSWERED." Not the only prayer he ever prayed.

    Every Christian ecumenical professor or pastor I have known personally had no problems with knowing biblical content. You think we have to have unanimous agreement on all matters of doctrine to be one in Christ? The church has been discovering for centuries that doctrinal unity is impossible. The debates rage among even those who agree that the bible is the final authority, but still cannot reach agreement on numerous aspects of doctrine.

    What I find among the ecumenists is their desire to be one in love and service, the Lordship of Jesus being the unifying factor. It is Fundamentalist Baptists who are withdrawing from the rest of the Christian world today, and in the process missing the opportunity to do for the world many of the things Jesus requires of us. But a denomination that refuses to engage in the relief of starvation and suffering because it might be working side by side with some group that ordains women (just one example)or has a different doctrine of baptism is a denomination that has lost its way.
     
  16. untangled

    untangled Member

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    DD,

    Are you stating that you believe only Fundamental Baptists are saved? If so: Give me your definition of a fundamentalist since there are so many different opinions on what they are? :eek:
     
  17. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    Clairfy please.
     
  18. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    People who attack Christianity because of denominationalism, in my experience, are usually cultists (Mormons, Rev. Moon, cultic churches led by someone with weird doctrines and this person is the leader -- like Gwen Shamblin and her Remnant Church, etc.).

    We are one in Christ -- one faith, one baptism, one Spirit. I beleive that baptism there refers to baptism of the HS -- that is,, regeneration by the HS. All those who have believed in the true, Biblical Christ (and I emphasize those words), and trusted Him as Savior, are my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I am one with them in Christ.
     
  19. IveyLeaguer

    IveyLeaguer New Member

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    Well said, Marcia. I am not much for demoninations, but the call for unity among believers in God is now blasting far and wide. I could care less about unity except to the extent that I am unified with brethren who are regenerate by the Holy Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Yet at that point there is a bond that the forces of Hell will never be able to dissolve. A unity that the pagan and religious world will never understand. Glory be to God forever.
     
  20. travisbaptist12

    travisbaptist12 New Member

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    I believe that true believers are united right now. United in Christ. As long as you truly believe in Jesus with all your heart, you are part of Jesus's church, in which He is the head of.
     
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