StoneThrower
New Member
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Okay - I usually don't post in here, but feel the need to at least do one thing with this post. My belief is that I encounter or approach the Lord in more than one way. My private conversations with Him happen as needed, at any time. This is a type of communion with Him, a sharing of love which I think is as unique as fingerprints - meaning that it differs from person to person. There is little structure in the expressions of the heart with complete honesty, when it's just "me and God."
Separately from that is the formal and public gathering of people in a worship ceremony. A worship ceremony should serve a number of purposes - chiefly praising God and declaring His glory, but also to be edified by the life lessons found in Scripture and in sharing each others' experiences. The latter is a crucial function of the church fellowship, I think, which I think is why we should seek a fellowship and join in it.
One of the distressing characteristics of man's reaction to the Gospel is the interpretation of Scripture and development of doctrine. Well-intentioned, to be sure, but all have erred in implementing doctrine in one way or another. We are imperfect, and that imperfection has caused the divisive influences which have fragmented Christ's church. No wonder so many thinking people reject formally established "religion."
The thinking which some factions have had throughout history, which goes something like, "We're right and everyone else is going to hell," has polarized people and destroyed the unity which so many of us seek; it has chased people away from church doors; it has emptied pews and even caused some people to tragically commit suicide. The liturgy and pomp and circumstance added by men (misguided and otherwise) have distracted the focus from God and instead steered the focus to pretty (and also petty) things and self-righteousness.
I think - no, I KNOW - God is best sought and confided in when alone with Him. I value my time alone with Him much more highly than I value a formal worship service or a labeled denomination of church. I need the fellowship of a church to escape from my own dysfunctions and to learn more from varying perspectives, but the core of my relationship with God has little to do with the name on the sign or the decorations inside a building or the customs which are observed in the course of a formal service.
Regulation of worship demands careful consultation of the Scriptures, to be sure, but because we color everything as a result of our personalities and agendas, interpretation of a scripture which has already been interpreted from its original language is beyond our own abilities. It takes Divine guidance to "get it right," and even then, the way we interpret and act on what we receive should be questioned again and again.
Oh good grief. I only had to watch the first four minutes of this vid before shutting it down. Regulative principle you say? Sure thing! The Mass can be found in the book of Revelations.
Side note -- Jesus (who didn't have the human lineage to be a Levitical priest btw), as are Catholic priests, are priests of the order of Melchizedek. Protestants have need to be careful for if they condemn the Catholic order of priesthood, they are also condemning Christ's. To claim that Catholic priests stem from the Levitical priesthood and develop an entire polemic against it is the epitome of a straw man argument, it's not only a farce but an outright lie.
Ok... this one has gone far enough without a real Protestant's voice....
Contrary to popular belief... Protestants are Baptized by the Holy Spirit just as you are.
Are you going to scribble in this forum that the Protestant Preachers are not ordained by God?
A substantial portion of the mission of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was with the Gentiles.
The church is just a building. The people are the congregation. God didn't need a temple when David was King. They did just fine....
Not all of the "ordained" priests were all that great you know. What about the levitical family that were swallowed whole by the sand when they got too far out of hand.
Catholics should be careful how they speak about Protestants as well. Religion is a personal decision. People stand up for that freedom.... along with freedom of speech.
The point I was trying to make is that, regardless of man-made labels and doctrine, we should have a relationship with Him - a very personal relationship, pursued one-on-God in private. That is SO much more important than the reformation, the Pope, the priests, the lineage, the edicts and the decorations, etc. I think I've seen the light of the indwelling Spirit shining in faces of Catholics, Protestants, and Messianic Jews, asked them about our Lord, and got the same kind of joyful answer every time. My senses are faulty and so are my perceptions, but I've seen nothing to indicate that a man-made division is going to keep a Believer from embracing our Lord. And it really is all about the relationship isn't it? Someday all the trappings of this world will be not only gone but also forgotten. I can't wait for our Lord to "make all things new."
Ok. I don't see anyone denying that. Btw, what constitutes a "real" Protestant?
Your whole response has confused me. I posted in response to the first four minutes of OP vid. Why are you having this reaction?
The regulative principle says that if scripture doesn't say its ok, you don't do it, period.
I got really upset when I saw the phrase "Jesus (who didn't have the human lineage to be a Levitical priest btw), "
It seemed to me that the message is that "the Preachers in our churches are not ordained". It seemed to me that the message is that if we're not catholic we're not Christians.
I meant to go back and change the word real to protesting which would make me a protesting Protestant.
I got really upset when I saw the phrase "Jesus (who didn't have the human lineage to be a Levitical priest btw), "
It seemed to me that the message is that "the Preachers in our churches are not ordained". It seemed to me that the message is that if we're not catholic we're not Christians.
So.... that's why I'm upset.... I usually stay out of the catholic vs. everyone else arguments. But the quote "Jesus (who didn't have the human lineage to be a Levitical priest btw), " just got to me....
So this should strike some people funny.... or peculiar....
So I went to the brick and mortar again this morning. The room was filled with children and parents..... and no doubt grandparents... That's a good feeling... know what I mean?
And then they started talking about the Temple and how there are parts of the Temple that would help us see the scriptures better.
Well that brought back the different churches that I've been to..... and I must admit... the Temple is important...
People can find a church by the Cross on it. Inside there are books and media and people who will offer you a smile and offer you their friendship. It's a good place to be....
So... I take it back... the Building is important....
I still say the congregation is key as well.... Is God in your church?
Hey Bird dog.As I have posted many times, our goal should be not to condemn other believers, but to bring more into the fold.
JMHO
Hey Bird dog.
Unfortunately its not the humble opinion of your church. Just read the canon's of the Council of Trent and see what it says about us Protestants. A fundamental doctrine of the faith is that we are justified before God (declared righteous) by faith alone, not by works. If you don't believe me, read Galatians for yourself and decide.
The council of Trent canons say if I believe that, I am to be anathema to you. It also says that if I believe that good works are merely a fruit of Justification by faith, and don't contribute some form of merit to it, then I am anathema.
Does your church canon jive with your opinion friend?
Mathew 25:40
You Protestants also get too stuck on Saint Paul.
He did not start the Catholic Church. Jesus did.
and.......................for good works, I am sure you are familiar with
Matthew 25:40
I am not in the same league with you or Radiant1 in the Biblical debate, but I have found the Catholic Church to be open to all. This not the 1500's. Time for Protestants to get over it and quit baiting Catholics on forums like this. Good "honest" debate and discussion are OK, but we have already been through
Starmann and ItalianScallion and others.
It just seems it is B23 and Stone's turn.
You seem to possess spiritual and intellectual honesty, the others don't.
Hotcoffee should be your first example