Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of doctrinal unity?
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Hence the reason there are over
Hence, the reason there are over 47000 protestant groups with two more being formed every month (at least that was the latest number that I found on a web search). Unity may only be accomplished when Jesus returns. I know that I don't plan on questioning anything that He corrects us on then. :) Cheers.
It's better IMHO if we can find a Christian fellowship (face-to-face w/hugs and smiles).
But many folks have good reasons not to be there. I get it.
I got through some issues with church that would have sent many to NEVER return.
Spiritually, I am growing farther and farther away from current church.
(same denomination for 35+ years) But I love the people and the worship is awesome.
They are the closest to my doctrine.
We (the wife and I) attend a small group study. (cell group)
And she is very involved with women's ministries. Very good for her.
When you're married, a choice of churches effects both of you.
Assuming you want to attend together, which I recommend.
Do you also have spittoons at your church? - LOL
I suppose bone plates would be more civilized.
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Hello yitaz, would you feel comfortable taking communion with Catholics? They believe in transubstantiation: "1 the miraculous change by which according to Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox dogma the eucharistic elements at their consecration become the body and blood of Christ while keeping only the appearances of bread and wine"
2
: an act or instance of transubstantiating or being transubstantiated
"It's better IMHO if we can find a Christian fellowship (face-to-face w/hugs and smiles)."
Not so easy to find these days, and I have tried MANY times, and prayed MANY times for a group of Christians I would be able to "belong" to, not just try to "fit in". And "fitting in" seems to be the order of the day, wasn't like this in the 90's, in my experience. And the smiles today seem so plastic and fake, that is IF you even get one, lol.
35 years is a long time to be at the same church. It is not easy to leave a church, especially after 35 years. Many friendships could be destroyed-depending why you left. But, my conscience will never be at peace in the church's around me...
"I got through some issues with church that would have sent many to NEVER return." <---Same here brother, big time!
quietthinker
Well-Known Member
:) my church is the forest. I spit and discharge anything of excess .....anywhere
I think of the different denominations as all specialists in some area.
Similar to the medical field.
If you are Baptist, you would bring your demonized child to a Pentecostal church to get help.
What I want to suggest with these two topics is that unity can come despite doctrinal disunity.
We can learn to accept one another despite our differences. Unified in love an acceptance.
If we would listen to one another instead of trying to correct others, we would unity.
Here's the other related topic.
Unity of the faith - at what cost?
No, but I don't have to cram them down other's throats. I try to find a way to share truth with those who disagree while maintaining the bond of peace, as it says,
Ephesians 4:1-3 KJV
1) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:13-14 KJV
13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Unity takes in both faith and knowledge, specifically knowledge of the Son of God.
Much love!
Yes, I understand. Appreciate your efforts.
So true.
Same denomination, not same church. Although it was 30+ years at our previous church. Yes, a long time.
The change has been good. We were in a lot of patterns that we needed to break out of.
My wife is flourishing. (I'm supportive) We moved to a far away city. The reason for the church change.
Got a letter of recommendation from our previous Pastor to transfer our membership. Nice.
Hard to imagine a trouble maker like me getting a Pastoral recommendation.
But there you go. I am a likeable guy. (which helps)
I can empathize. Ouch. So sorry you had to go through that. Many have been wounded.
"Unity takes in both faith and knowledge, specifically knowledge of the Son of God marks# 28"
Amen, brother, this underlined above is the total summation of being a believer & follower of our Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ!
Amen, brother, this underlined above is the total summation of being a believer & follower of our Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ!
Agreed.
Thanks for your reply.
Been an interesting topic.
Many will claim they want doctrinal unity.
But when put to the question about whether they would surrender
their own personal doctrines, they say "NO WAY !!!!!!!!!"
Oh so sorry! Denomination...
And, 30 yrs. before that at the same Church. May I ask what denomination?
"Got a letter of recommendation from our previous Pastor to transfer our membership. Nice."
That was righteous, dude! Lol, but really was on his part.
"My wife is flourishing. (I'm supportive) "
Ahh, I see. What I cannot understand is why it even matters which silly denomination one is attached to, can we not all have at least, unity in Christ and Him crucified, buried, risen...?
"My wife is flourishing. (I'm supportive)"
You mean, your wife is flourishing in the church in the new city, but you, not so much? If so, yeah that can be troubling, but sure not out of God's reach!
Hard to imagine a trouble maker like me getting a Pastoral recommendation.
But there you go. I am a likeable guy. (which helps)
"Hard to imagine a trouble maker like me getting a Pastoral recommendation.
But there you go. I am a likeable guy. (which helps)"
Exactly.
That's the point.
Unity anyone? We're hiring.
(the benefits package is out of this world)
David in NJ
Well-Known Member
We are all called to surrender our own beliefs before God.
God is not a church body or leadership or denomination.
When we surrender/submit ourselves to God, He then bestows Grace, Faith, Salvation and the Holy Spirit.
The beliefs that we held which are truth remains and are reinforced with more Truth.
The beliefs that we held which were contrary to truth, God removes so that we may have greater understanding.
Doctrinal purity is essential and the LORD Jesus taught this when He walked the earth = John ch17
What is of equal and even greater virtue is forgiveness, love, mercy, patience, generosity and compassion = JESUS the Christ
These are not inseparable as these virtues all exist in God and come from Him = James chapter 1
What would that look like in practical terms? An example.
This topic, of course is asking about surrender our beliefs to the authority of a church, or fellowship of believers.
Like a difference of belief about something, like baptism. Say, you were baptized as an infant and were fine with that,
but your new church only recognizes "believer's" baptism. Would you seek to become re-baptized?
David in NJ
Well-Known Member
Great question you asked.
In fact, i was raised a Catholic and "baby-baptized" as well as 'confirmed' unto the Eucharist.
When i was saved thru the "hearing of the Word" and thusly Born-Again by the Spirit, my hunger as a 'new-born' was for the Word.
As i read and prayed and studied i grew and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit did guide me to being baptized as an adult.
Salvation and study of the Word leads us to Discovery = some GOOD and some Bad, with Bad being our sins and GOOD being God
AND
doctrinal purity is a natural Outcome when we desire to know our Heavenly Father, the LORD Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
FYI - i really do not like the phrase 'doctrinal purity' as people/religion will abuse that.
What i love is = "Thy word is Truth, sanctify them in the Truth" - John ch17
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Can two believers with differing views on doctrine BOTH have doctrinal purity? (unity)
quietthinker
Well-Known Member
David in NJ
Well-Known Member
That depends on what each view declares in relation to the 'doctrine' being observed.
pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib = no unity, unless they all agree upon = "the day or hour no one knows but only My Father"
the Word was God vs the Word was a god = zero unity
Yet, many will agree that = "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us"
What inhibits doctrinal unity is the question all should ask the LORD and seek to know His answer.
And I suppose the other question would be:
Do we need doctrinal unity?
Perhaps doctrinal unity was never meant to be.
Just something we thought was biblical. (not really)
There are other ways to find unity. (in doctrinal diversity)
Embracing Doctrinal Diversity - Unity in diversity
In the same way we have learned to understand and respect cultural diversity, we should learn to understand and respect doctrinal diversity. Can Catholics and Protestants respect one another despite our doctrinal differences? (yes) What about Baptists and Pentecostals? (yes) You name it. How...
www.christianityboard.com
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