The Church at ?(insert any town or city)

[OneLight]

is it just me or does anyone else notice that most pastors dont like it when a member of there church hangs out and fellowships with people from other churches, especially if its another denomination? as i see it that goes against what scripture teaches.

The more I study about the end times, the more I am convinced that we will see denominational walls fall. You see, we are told that many will follow a lie, their hearts growing cold to the truth. This will cause those who are not really following scripture to leave the established churches and connect with the "new religion" that is starting to show it's face. What is left of the true believers will gather together, despite their "denominational" differences and become the church Christ designed as his time draws near.

Now, I can be wrong because I am no prophet, but this does have a high probability in my eyes.

[Guest]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I sure appreciate it.

I hope to find even some more tomorrow. The various perspectives really do help.

God bless,

Randal

[Guest man]

The more I study about the end times, the more I am convinced that we will see denominational walls fall. You see, we are told that many will follow a lie, their hearts growing cold to the truth. This will cause those who are not really following scripture to leave the established churches and connect with the "new religion" that is starting to show it's face. What is left of the true believers will gather together, despite their "denominational" differences and become the church Christ designed as his time draws near.

Now, I can be wrong because I am no prophet, but this does have a high probability in my eyes.

That church has been in existence since the gospel was first given to us. It's not a physical gathering place. It can't be seen or touched. It resides within the heart of the true believer.

[OneLight]

The more I study about the end times, the more I am convinced that we will see denominational walls fall. You see, we are told that many will follow a lie, their hearts growing cold to the truth. This will cause those who are not really following scripture to leave the established churches and connect with the "new religion" that is starting to show it's face. What is left of the true believers will gather together, despite their "denominational" differences and become the church Christ designed as his time draws near.

Now, I can be wrong because I am no prophet, but this does have a high probability in my eyes.

That church has been in existence since the gospel was first given to us. It's not a physical gathering place. It can't be seen or touched. It resides within the heart of the true believer.

Yes it has been. Yet, when His time draws nearer, when being a Christian become more illegal, those who really believe will find each other, despite what church they use to attend. This is the point I am trying to make, not the spiritual one, but the physical one.

[sdktlk]

I should of done this in my first post. I apologize for not doing it. Here is the information I read concerning the "church."

The Two Aspects of the Church

Watchman Nee saw that the church is both universal and local. In the entire universe there is only one church, the church of God (1 Cor. 10:32). This unique church is expressed in many localities on earth, and in each locality it is a local church. The universal church is composed of all the local churches, and the local churches are the practical expression of the universal church. In Matthew 16:18, the universal church is revealed, whereas in Matthew 18:17, we see the local church. Without the local churches, there is no way to participate in the universal church, and there is no way to have a practical church life. In the book of Acts, in the Epistles, and in Revelation, the church is expressed as local churches, i.e., the church in Jerusalem, the church in Antioch, the church in Ephesus, etc. The government of the church is not universal but local.

Denominationalism

At the same time he received revelation concerning the church, Watchman Nee also saw the error of denominationalism. Denominations divide the Body of Christ into many organizations. This is condemned in the Scriptures (1 Cor. 1:11-13).

In a way, this makes perfect sense, in another way, it seems that to accomplish this would be quite a challenge.

The gate that leads to life is narrow and there are few who find it.

Amen! to the gate brother. I have posted, with respect to the strait gate, under the heading "confused" in this doctrinal section. The city of Ephesus, in the first century, had a population of approximately 250,000 yet the Lord addressed that assembly as "The church/assembly of Ephesus." One city one assembly. We see in the Book of Acts that there were thousands which were saved in the beginnings of the Church yet they continued daily, "breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:46b-47)

Now back to the strait gate. We find, "they continued steadfastly in the APOSTLES' DOCTRINE and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." This is what is necessary in order for us to be "of one accord" (ref: Acts 1:14; 2:1, 46; 4:24; 5:12) we must return to the Apostles' Doctrine. If we can see our way clear to the Truth, it is then and only then that we can, as brothers and sisters, "break bread from house to house."

Watchman Nee was indeed a brother that was greatly blessed of the Lord, and was given great insight into what it requires to be a spiritual person. His ministry was from 1922 to 1952 in China, and he spent the last twenty years of his life in prison in China for his testimony before the Lord. His light, with respect to how we should walk before the Lord, was very bright. And, he had received light from the Lord with respect to the degradation of the entire "church" system, and had therefore come out. His light, with respect to the degraded church, though not complete, was sufficient for what God had called him to do at the time.

It was a disciple of his, a Brother Lee, that brought his teachings to America. In the very beginning it was as it was intended but quickly descended into denominationalism, as pointed out by Candice.

Having said that we now get to the meat of the matter. We see it written in Zechariah 14:9, "And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and HIS NAME SHALL BE ONE." This is not to get into a discussion as to whether this is a "spiritual" or "natural" passage, it is to point out the fact that the Lord desires that His Name be One. The "names" that the Church(s) have today are not from God, as this is not His desire. These names have been fostered upon the children of God by the minds of men.

This particular thing would seem to be of no great import, as it is what we have been born into and trained to accept without question. We can say that, "its just were I go to worship the Lord." We can say that, "it is of no great consequence." But the crux of the matter is it is those "names" that have divided and separated us into a million fragments and have been used by carnally minded one's to keep the children of God in captivity. The Lord Jesus said plainly, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." (Mat 12:25; Luk 11:17) Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1Pet 2:5)

This is not for everyone, it is only for those who have "ears to hear." But, we wonder where is the manifestation of the Spirit of the Lord, as in the early days of the Church? I will tell you plainly it is not under those "names," as it is written, "For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them." (Mat 18:20) There cannot be any other name between us and the Lord. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

[nebula]

Having said that we now get to the meat of the matter. We see it written in Zechariah 14:9, "And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and HIS NAME SHALL BE ONE." This is not to get into a discussion as to whether this is a "spiritual" or "natural" passage, it is to point out the fact that the Lord desires that His Name be One. The "names" that the Church(s) have today are not from God, as this is not His desire. These names have been fostered upon the children of God by the minds of men.

Yes, the Lord is One and His Name is One -

But where does it say the name of His Ecclesia shall be one?

[Guest]

is it just me or does anyone else notice that most pastors dont like it when a member of there church hangs out and fellowships with people from other churches, especially if its another denomination? as i see it that goes against what scripture teaches.

The more I study about the end times, the more I am convinced that we will see denominational walls fall. You see, we are told that many will follow a lie, their hearts growing cold to the truth. This will cause those who are not really following scripture to leave the established churches and connect with the "new religion" that is starting to show it's face. What is left of the true believers will gather together, despite their "denominational" differences and become the church Christ designed as his time draws near.

Now, I can be wrong because I am no prophet, but this does have a high probability in my eyes.

Interesting response Alan. Much to think of. I'm reminded of the "ruler of certainty" in my studies...I am inclined to agree with you concerning believers seeking out each other in these last days(the denominational walls will fall)...I would say...80% certain.

[j102]

is it just me or does anyone else notice that most pastors dont like it when a member of there church hangs out and fellowships with people from other churches, especially if its another denomination? as i see it that goes against what scripture teaches.

The more I study about the end times, the more I am convinced that we will see denominational walls fall. You see, we are told that many will follow a lie, their hearts growing cold to the truth. This will cause those who are not really following scripture to leave the established churches and connect with the "new religion" that is starting to show it's face. What is left of the true believers will gather together, despite their "denominational" differences and become the church Christ designed as his time draws near.

Now, I can be wrong because I am no prophet, but this does have a high probability in my eyes.

yes i believe in the last days there will be a great falling away from the truth, and the true believers will clearly stand out from the pretenders.

[Guest yod]

This sounds a lot like what the Boston Movement of International Church of Christ says....and they are a huge manipulating cult. So having "one church" per city isn't necessarily a good thing, even if it is a romantic notion.

[Guest]

.... and they are a huge manipulating cult. So having "one church" per city isn't necessarily a good thing, even if it is a romantic notion....

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Revelation 2:6

So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Revelation 2:15

One Church

And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

If any man have an ear, let him hear. Revelation 13:4-9

Or One LORD

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:1-7

Simply Jesus

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life John 3:36(a)

Or Not

and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36(b)