Church searching?

[DryBONESreborn]

I don't think there is anything wrong with how mass is. I think it can be more spiritual. Not all doctrine I believe, but no all doctrine of others do I belive in other chures. I just wanted info about Charasmatic churches, and Assemblies of God. I do not see tradition as wrong. If that's true, noone should have birthdays, ever pass on anything to another but the bible. Thanks though.

[thrufaithalone]

DryBONESreborn-My apologies, I missed your reply. To clarify, I was only refering to tradition that concerns matters of faith. Traditions like birthdays, etc are of no eternal consequence. When it comes to Biblical practices and spiritual issues, it's different because we have the "instruction manual"

[DryBONESreborn]

No prob. I agree some things can be so petty and choke the life out. "Don't wear red,it's of the devil." Who said the devil is red? "Follow this rule, don't do this it's pagan." I know bdays are pagan, The word Easter is pagan, many practices are said to be pagan, but I've seen counter-research say it's not. As I recall, we live in a fallen world, Peter had a dream about unclean food. It even mentions eating food offred to idols knowing there is one God etc.

[thrufaithalone]

As an ex-Catholic I once had to make a decision-Could I believe Scripture and still remain in the Catholic church with its false teachings and traditions. The answer for me was no. If you have renounced the Pope's authority in your life, is there any reason to stay enmeshed in Catholicism? For comparison between Catholicism and Christianity, I would suggest "The Gospel According to Rome" by James McCarthy. I would also urge you to seek the Lord's will on this. You will be in my prayers.

[coventrygardens]

about 5 years ago, i switched from baptist to Catholic. i left the baptists when i saw that the Christian Church had to exist ever since the Apostolic era. no protestant or baptist or restorationist sect has been around that long. also, many protestants and baptists and restorationists claim that the Bible is the only source for Christian teaching. yet the Bible cannot be the only source for Christian teaching. one should focus on the fact that Christianity existed before the Bible did.

[thrufaithalone]

coventrygardens-Jesus and His disciples were Jewish; while Jesus came to establish the Law, he also came to destroy the corrupted religious system with its corrupt traditions.

"..a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem...a time is coming and has now come when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth...God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

[coventrygardens]

i wasn't denying that jesus and his apostles were jewish. i didn't even mention their ethnic or cultural background. jesus ordained the apostles to be the first christian clergy, who ordained more clergy, who ordained more clergy, who ordained more clergy, and so on down to today. this pattern is shown in the bible. there's no room for the notion that a local congregation of believers can select its own pastor without ordinations stretching back to christ's 11 apostles.

[thrufaithalone]

coventrygardens- cont'd -

There is a reason Scripture says not to add to God's Word-if you add tradition, it ends up corrupt.

[coventrygardens]

a point must be made: the bible does not say that the bible is god's word. the early christians existed before the bible existed, though the old testament books that eventually would become part of the bible existed before christianity existed. don't regard the bible as the only authority for christian doctrine. instead the bible is merely an inspired book that talks about some interesting things, including a history about the very early days of the christian church.

[thrufaithalone]

coventrygardens-Traditions change - God's Word has remained the same. It warns us not to go beyond what is written. Jesus said "Thy Word is Truth". It's the only Truth that is reliable. Jesus didn't have everyone join His band of disciples; He allowed for others preaching in His name without being associated with His group. The 12 disciples were not set apart by a formal act; ordination means merely appointment. There also is no formal church history stretching back to the time of the disciples.

[DryBONESreborn]

Now, that's interesting. I'd like to hear more on this, if'd you chat with me. It's rare to see that type of conversion to a denomination.

[coventrygardens]

although most protestants claim to rely on the bible as the only religious authority, there are plenty of issues where protestant theology is based on speculation that goes beyond the bible. protestant views regarding the lord's supper are not based solely on the bible verses. the catholic view of the lord's supper is likewise not proven from the bible alone, yet we catholics can go beyond the bible because catholics aren't claiming the bible as the only religious authority.

[DryBONESreborn]

I think most of it comes from understanding Greek, Hebrew and other sources to find out exactly what is meant. I know that when things are translated they can come out funny or come out wrong. Jesus never commands us to hate our parents, just hate is such a passionate word, that we have to look into other sources for correct translation. I feel that sola-scripta is great but you need other bibles to fet the correct wording for our time and culture. For instance noone 'beats a dead horse'in life

[thrufaithalone]

DryBONESreborn-that would be great!

[DryBONESreborn]

Thanks.

[randont]

There are over 20k+ Christian religions. That alone shows you need more than a book to find the truth. James 1:5 ,"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." I have found Gods religion and I asked him in prayer if it was true. Over and over the scriptures say ask and ye shall recieve knock and it shall be opened unto you. Seek and ye shall find.

[DryBONESreborn]

Don't you mean Christian denominations vs religions? It's the same God. But true. Thank you for your insight. God bless you.