Shalom;
I say none of these things have anything to do with the church, as Christ defined the church.
Christ defining the Church is one thing but mans definition takes on many different meanings. Christ did not come into the world to condemn it he came to save it. Also Christ hand picked his disciples........ Were they perfect? It's obvious they were not did many of them deny him? I think so did Christ condemn them for denying him? I think not. This is not confessing with ones mouth it's confessing with ones spirit. Anyone can claim to be a Christian but not anyone can claim the keys to Heaven OR DENY anyone else the same. His whole purpose of his death was to save the lost not the wise and conceited. Todays Churches are conceited the bigger the better all one has to do is enter some and view the trimmings. With his death he became our teacher but it seems like that is not the case since many attend schools merely for the purpose of learning scripture and setting up more Churches and what have you. Nothing has changed with God he picks his disciples just as he did when he ministered on this earth as a man HE PICKED them and it was not because of the classes they attended or because of their popularity within the religious sect.
You stated the following;
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.
So too is the opposite true of those who do not go to church.
Maybe it would be better served to say a worship service.........
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?
So does that mean you are a preacher?
17: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
7: Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8: All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9: I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12: But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13: The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14: I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15: As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16: And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17: Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18: No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
19: There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20: And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21: Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
22: And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23: And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
24: Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25: Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26: But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29: My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30: I and my Father are one.
31: Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32: Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33: The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34: Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35: If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36: Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37: If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38: But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
39: Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
40: And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41: And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42: And many believed on him there.
Alan |
