><>... Dear Alan...><>
You wrote:
"Their is no true definition of the Church. Everyone seems to belong to the true
Church. Christianity has many denominations..........as well as other
religions.............."
Alan it is true what you say, that church can mean many things to many individuals. Denominations,lables, pastors,prophets, stained glass windows, marble pillars, and the like, and as you say, other religions. I say none of these things have anything to do with the church, as Christ defined the church.
The church Alan always has, and always will, stand on it's own, because it was built by the Rock and on the Rock, but never with one single rock.
Christ our Lord made it clear when He stated the following.
Matt 16:15-18
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Christ never built His church with stones and cement. His church was built by Him, on His truths, on His Name... The Christ, the son of the living God.
You also wrote:
"I have no
problem with people going to a Church, but that does not make you a saint or right with God."
And I stand with you on that statement, but in the same breath, many who do go to church....are saints and are right with God.
So too is the opposite true of those who do not go to church.
If every church, synagogue,temple and house of worship in the world were no more, there would still be a church .
You wrote here that:
"I place more importance on the Bible
and a personal relationship with God than some sort of church gathering"
Again I stand with you on this.
But there is also much wisdom in this:
Rom 10:13-14
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Good to talk with you again Alan.
Sincerely,
Shalom...><> |
