AllTheGoodNamesAreTaken

As long as " it " is His will and mind and not my own, then amen !

Now we get to the " bottom-line ". If He makes it " as He wishes " then how is it " changeable ?

That sounds kinda sorta human-like understanding brother. Then you went on to say it would be " boring " ( another human-type predicament ). Right ?

Amen brother Joe !

I leave it in God's most worthy hand. I cannot fathom His understanding, but thank and praise Him for His mercy and grace. I am truly blessed !

Has the Bible impressed you ?

Right. I mentioned one earlier. There were several.

Bibles such as the 'Thou Shalt' bible were burned. Do you know the history of the Thou Shalt bible? You mean the 1631 KJV misprint ? Yes sis.

And back to the topic means that church membership is a two-way street. Christians expect certain things from their church, but churches should expect certain things from their members. And it is not a matter of "feeling" (as many churches have made it out to be) but of fulfilling what Christ expects from His churches (Acts 2, Revelation 1-3). Sitting on the sidelines while fault-finding will not get one anywhere. If the church member is saying "What have you done for me lately?" The Lord is also saying "What have you done for me lately?" Amen brother. We are speaking of individual congregations, that are ( sometimes ) within individual denominations, etc. The bottom line is, the true " church " is the body of Christ Jesus, which is the culmination of ALL who are believers and follow Him. As a member of that GREATER organization, it is our responsibility to actually " follow " Him. To accomplish that means, wherever and with whomever we find ourselves, we do our very best to REFLECT Him in all we do or say, amen ?

Understood. I have no argument with folks who prefer the KJV ( use it myself most often ). Before the age of online Bibles and such, I obtained copies of quite a few translations, and cross-referenced each in my studies. It was a wonderful but painstaking task, LOL. I also studied the sources of each, and how the text was chosen. It's an amazing study in and of itself. It's surprising that there are many folks who don't realize that there are, and were no complete or even original manuscripts from which our translations of God's Word are derived. Thankfully, His Word is preserved and that is a promise that will forever stand. Those who seek Him, will find Him. He will open the door for anyone who knocks.

Amen Mega. Back to the Topic

I a responding to the accusation of SDA as a cult. That is a broad term and apart for defining it can create a false impression. Mirriam / Webster's Dictionary says: Full Definition of CULT 1 formal religious veneration : worship 2 a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents 3 a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents 4 a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults> 5 a great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b the object of such devotion c usually small group of people characterized by such devotion I attend a Baptist Church. Under definitions 1, 2, and 5a, my church is also a cult. The late Dr. Walter R. Martin, author of "The Kingdom of the Cults" and considered my many to be the worlds foremost expert on cults and comparative religions did not believe SDA to be a cult. He did, however, consider them to be erroneous in some doctrines. He also believed that their are people who are in SDA, who are non-Christian cultists, by their beliefs, but did not label the denomination itself that way. Of course, on that notion, I feel certain that there are people in my congregation, whose beliefs should classify them and non-Christian cultists. From a page on the Christian Research Institute's website (also founded by Dr. Martin) I found this: Since SDA does accept the foundational doctrines of historic Christianity (the Trinity, Christ’s true deity, His bodily resurrection, etc.) we do not believe that it should be classified as a non-Christian cult. It is our conviction that one cannot be a true Jehovah’s Witness, Mormon, Christian Scientist, etc., and be a practicing Christian in the biblical sense of the word; but it is possible to be a Seventh-day Adventist and a true follower of Jesus, despite certain distinctive Adventist doctrines which we consider to be unbiblical. I agree with their position for those same reasons. Regarding Saturday worship, the Bible says in Romans 14: 5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. Is that not what the 7th Day Adventist does, regard one day (Saturday) above another, convinced in his own mind? I tend to think of the day of the week as totally unimportant, so I would not judge Sabatarians at all, of course I cannot approve of the stance of some, who look down upon those who chose to gather on Sunday. I think the best model, might be in Acts 2 where it says: 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. However, though I had a lot so say about the small points (relative to you main point) about SDA being a cult and comment on Saturday wroship, I think you post ihits the mark. I don't know if it can or can't be classified as a cult or not, as I am no expert. I would never refer to a believer as a cultist, as this is most often counter-productive in a conversation. I have read their history and beliefs, and while I don't personally agree with their dispensation of His Word 100%, I cannot say that for many churches ( that's just me ). Saturday Sabbath is one thing, but saying that Sunday worship is the mark of the beast could be considered exclusionist. Ellen White was obviously mistaken a few times, and I personally do not hold her as a prophetess of God. Still, there are believers found in the strangest of places in this strange world !

This is the most excellent post, God bless you, You are a strange man thought not to complain a little, and not trying to make people clons of your self. I don't think so you belong in our group, hope you continiun your search to fine someone else like your self. However, I apreciate your post the most. Amen to both of these !

you are right thereselittleflower, that was the idea to be with others in one mind ,and one according believing and praising God , in a assembly of saints united, but every church I have gone too, they praise God with their lips, and shout and say amen, and then go out ,and act like the world and treat people ungodly and act like they are so much better then others, so it is a sad for me to see this, even the ones I looked up at as teachers and pastors, I can see right through them , by reading my bible and seeing there fruits, with my eyes wide open, from the holy spirit , it is easy to spot. so I believe we have some really great acting going on, luke warm and Christian atheists every were, but it is good if you can find a rare church today , that are strong and inline with the bible, and produce good fruits and feed the sheep,, I know there is a lot of great believers out there, I know this to be true, but we are few compare to the large scale of real believers ,that make it there life, and not just a belief ,for we are to be the doers of the word ,not only the hearers for broad and wide is the path that leads to destruction and hell and many go there, but hard and narrow is the way , and only a few find it, jesus has told us, not to be deceived, but watch for the wolves in sheeps clothing.we are sent out in a evil world and we must know that He is God and the Holy Spirit dwells with in you, And your body is the temple and His spirit , is within us, this tells you that you are the true church ,the true called out ones, Are you Jesus Christ, who have come to the world to Judge his people? Are you that prophet? Or are you the mindreader? Who are you? are you the Annoyntted one? When are you going to start the new church? Sir, was this comment made in the Spirit of Christ ? Regardless of another's words, we are told to keep a close watch on our tongues. I say this with respect and love.

Trust God. Was she a born-again believer ?

They even exhumed his body, burned it, and cast the ashes in the river. Imagine your home being ransacked by armed soldiers ( the Church of England backed by the crown ) or armed RCC officials, to look for a Bible ! It's hard to imagine really, but it happened ! And may happen again....

Wasn't Paul a Roman citizen, Jewish, and also an Apostle of our Lord and savior ?

Ever read the history of the Wycliffe Bible, the Consul of Constance, Pope Martin V, etc ?

Can an old wineskin hold new wine ?

I'm new here. Iv been to a lot of forums, kicked off of a few too (not for causing trouble, LITERATLY lol for stirring love). Here, between the terms and conditions and this, lm B L E S S E D and R E F R E S H E D to see such leadership. You guys speak acording the Word, you have accountability and your delivery overall is spot on. Its refreshing to say the least. I'm in aww of the leadership within forums foundation. Rare indeed. test everything - every post - just like every message you listen to in church or from a tv service if you ever watch one ..... ...... don't accept anything that does not line up with Scripture; read Scripture through and through... the leadership won't lead you astray, not on purpose anyway, but the posts on the forum are pretty much and admittedly 'ad lib' -- anyone can post almost anything, even as if it is in God's Word; this is not monitored closely and it is not against the rules, so you might read something , even from an old timer, thinking it has passed muster, but it hasn't been vetted((tested)) at all , and could be in error..... amen. the Father teaches all who love Him, who are called according to His Purpose, and never leaves anyone in error but teaches them only what is True and Faithful as they/we/ Rely on Him and actively Trust Him. Amen, else I would not know I was in err.

Hi Clara, From your introduction, I know you are a believer, so I'd like you to answer your own question, but in this way; Why am I a Christian ? Why do I believe what is written in the Bible ?

I guess my point was entirely missed. I was wondering about those nations God judged who didn't have the law. If sin is not imputed.... well, they were judged anyway. They were judged because every human being has a conscience, and in the absence of the written Law, the conscience serves (Rom 2:14-16). Thanks brother ! So conviction ( or conscience ) is a key component ?

I'm an heir that errs, but have a Father who is merciful and gracious.

Do as the LORD leads.