| Catholic |
| The Christian Religion! |
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| What is "church?" Where is "church?" How is "church" to be? When I was teaching at a local "church" from scriptures, I couldn't help but wonder about Christ stating His church will become "one." To me that would mean no separation or division. Would God gather all the denominations together into one organization, or would He establish a governing body to rule over all the differing denominations? Neither idea could be farther from the truth. My error was in looking at the church as a building or denomination that worshipped together on Sunday. In fact, when I began having these ideas burst into my head, I decided to research where the concept of church buildings, offering plates and pulpits came from. The more I looked at the early church in the book of Acts, the more I became convinced that these things were instituted by man to establish control. The early "church" simply did not look like what many call "church" today. Many current christian "church" teachings did not exist then, either. Most of the established doctrines and traditions, such as buildings and pulpits came into existence around the time of 300AD. Today, if one believes the scores of church buildings on every street corner to be God's ordained church, then that same person will be misled into believing and following doctrines not taught by Jesus. It took me years to finally realize the power of this illusion. Christ said His church is not divided but will be "one." Is what you believe the church to be today "one" and undivided? I believe the current "church system" to be the major cause of division amongst people and therefore rendered powerless. So, what is the church and where is it? I can't help but feel like we have been trapped into believing that what we call "the church" is not what Jesus had in mind. Have you ever been afraid to ask these questions? I have. Still, I cannot help but ask, "If our understanding of church is true, then where today is the power Jesus and His followers demonstrated almost two thousand years ago?" I personally have seen some miracles. But, what caused those miracles to happen? Question Thirty Three: Did Jesus go to church every sabbath or did He go wherever he was led by the spirit? (Luke 4:1; Rom. 8:14) Question Thirty Four: When did the concepts of church buildings, pulpits and collection plates come into practice? Were these practices man-made or God-ordained? Question Thirty Five: If the exact same message Jesus taught is being preached today, then why didn't He command all the people to come into buildings for a service every Sunday and worship Him? Why did crowds flock around Jesus to hear His words wherever He went, but today people are not flocking into church buildings to hear a message? (John 13:34-35) Question Thirty Six: If Christ's church is represented by the numerous assemblies of different denominations (e.g. Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Catholics, etc.), why are they so divided? Didn't Jesus pray that we may all be one and will His prayer be answered? Can all these denominations hold onto varying beliefs, separating themselves from each other and yet be "one" in Christ? (John 17:11, 21-22) Question Thirty Seven: Are denominations and divisions of God? How can all be "one?" Question Thirty Eight: Today, if what we call "the church" is successful and possessing the correct structure and message "to save the world," why are there divisions amongst so many christians while the world is still in chaos? Why are so many churches today losing membership, splitting or folding if they are of God? Question Thirty Nine: What is the church to you: a building or people? Which do you think is more important to God? |
| Copyright 2002 |
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| The Axe To The Roots |
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| What is the "whore" in Revelation Chapter 17? |
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| 7 |
| THE CHURCH IS NOT: ANY CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION ROMAN CATHOLIC BAPTIST PROTESTANT METHODIST WESLEYAN PRESBYTERIAN LATTER DAY SAINTS MORMON CATHOLIC EPISCOPAL JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES LUTHERAN CHURCH OF CHRIST OR A BUILDING. THE CHURCH IS PEOPLE. |
| Consider these questions! |
| "Come out of her, my people..." -Rev. 18:4 |
| The Axe To The Roots |