Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Ask God -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Emile Vidrine who wrote (39090)	12/13/2005 12:48:41 AM
From: Jamey	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 39621

Emile, although you did not mention the church that you believe was the one true church I am familiar that the Roman Catholic church makes this claim. I must disagree with you. The Catholic religion is just that. A religion made by the dictates of man. The one true Church of God is not an organization or a religious body. It is the Spiritual Church that exists within each believer's heart. However, I do not like to argue religion. Once God's Word was complete we are saved and kept through the pure grace of God and that alone. No works or dictates of man can ever become the one true church. James

To: Emile Vidrine who wrote (39090)	12/20/2005 5:11:49 AM
From: Berry Picker	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 39621

Emile - it is obvious from your post that you have fallen into that age old pit that boasts in the idea that you belong to the only truly ordained and authorized church of Christ. Verses used to support the idea are: Ac 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. The idea is that while the flock is large - yet it is but one church that Christ died for not "churches" plural. While that indeed sounds very logical and good - taking it to mean that only the churches that prove apostolic succession are in fact the true church is nothing more than pride - as Santiago has pointed out abundant in churches such as the RCC and many others. I can name another - the PRCE in Canada boldly professes that they alone are the only duly constituted and lawful Church of Christ in America. I am in China - I doubt you have a branch of your exclusively preserved church here. I would like to point out to you that some of what you profess to be required by a true church is expressedly extra-biblical and nothing more than traditions of men - which by itself suggests that the biblical mandates are insufficient of themselves - a lie and not God's given truth. Also - the bible clearly teaches that the Apostles alone had the power to confer the gifts of the Holy Ghost. Phillip did not. Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles? hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Philip was doing miracles and preaching - people were believing and being baptized and saved but upon none of them had the Holy Ghost been given but Philip alone who had been among the Apostles and upon whom the apostles had laid hands - it was only when the Apostles showed up and laid "their hands" upon them that this power was conferred as Paul desired to visit Rome "physically" to do the same for them: Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; If your theory that the "laying on of hands" is a continuing process then why is it that Philip did not simply do so or those who had converted the Romans do so and save Paul the trouble and trip? The Romans were "coming behind" other churches. While I agree that Jesus did die for One church spiritual, when you speak of the visible church rather than the invisible there are many churches. I could consider the church in my home a "true church" Where do you also get the presumption that the Lord's Supper" need be practiced daily or weekly to be accepted of Christ. In 1 Cor the words of Paul are "as oft as you will" do this in remembrance of me. There are arguments on both sides as to frequency of practice. I do not want to bore you with much speaking except to say that I doubt you can actually prove succession back to the original Apostles and even if you could that did not stop Philip from starting a church without the Apostles being there first. God blessed them with salvation and baptism prior to the Apostles coming there and granting them the temporal Apostolic gifts. None of you are raising the dead, healing the blind, or drinking poison so do not "circumsize" the world with your egotistical nonsense about being Apostolic in nature. The gifts were given for a purpose and a limited period that suited that God given purpose - namely the delivery of the New Covenant. 1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. Heb 2: 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? “those that heard Him” and "bearing them witness" – does not refer to “your” church. In the book of Revelation Christ wrote to 7 different visible churches. They are seen as 7 different candle holders all on the same lamp stand. The lamp stand is the unity of all churches while the different Candles represent the different churches in it. Christ did threaten to remove some of them from the lamp stand so that they would be no longer a part of the church but become false churches. Your church is but a candle - and your associated churches a group of candles but you are not the lamp stand. Each church that Christ wrote to was completely different. Of them only one received no praise and of them only one received no rebuke - but of one church it was said that although they had no outward point of rebuke yet they were scorned because they had left their first love. The love of Christ and His word of truth found in scripture is above the love men should hold for their church no matter how pure or upright you may think it is. Their are both many churches and yet still only one. The many are all parts of the body and none of them need be approved by your church to get right with Christ and enjoy fellowship with Him in His truth. I agree that as much as is possible, James should attempt to join with other Christians but not through compromising what he knows to be scripturally true nor to enter into another “exclusive” mentality ready to charge him with heresy, condemn and mistreat him. I am happy you are happy with your church – that is a great blessing. The truth is evidenced in the wonderful understanding of God’s Word that has been and is seen within many. Prayers are answered and people live faithful to Christ – all of that apart from your ‘sanctioned little (or large) group. Get right with Christ - join my church???? The Emile that wrote that message is not the Emile I remember! Stop worshipping your church and return to your first love!