Jump to content
Worthy Christian Forums Will Be Moving Servers on July 3. We hope that it will be completed with a few hours.

Recommended Posts


  • Group:  Servant
  • Followers:  22
  • Topic Count:  374
  • Topics Per Day:  0.15
  • Content Count:  9,181
  • Content Per Day:  3.59
  • Reputation:   6,811
  • Days Won:  7
  • Joined:  07/05/2018
  • Status:  Offline
  • Birthday:  09/23/1954

Posted

I thoroughly enjoy researching the history and features of religious parties, cults, sects, denominations, movements, streams, paradigms, and persuasions.

Jer 5:30-31 "An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: (31) The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?

Whenever the Holy Spirit directs me to serve Him by serving my fellows in some way, I do so knowing there will be elements of domination, intimidation, manipulation, and seduction to contend with. Even in so-called non-denominational contexts I have been in there has still been a tendency for some among their retinues to overemphasise what it is that sets their group apart from others, and to adhere to an established routine in association with a perceived authority-base.

Over the years I have occupied myself with the following passage in order to gain a better understanding of the dynamic of God's Ekklesia, and have arrived at the satisfactory belief which I am now attempting to persuade and indoctrinate everyone with, that despite the errors and inadequacies of denominational institutions, if the saints are being equipped, if the work of ministry is being achieved, and if the body of Christ is being edified, this is worthy and should be encouraged and supported.

Eph 4:11-16 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, (12) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, (13) till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; (14) that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, (15) but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— (16) from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Posted
1 hour ago, Michael37 said:

I thoroughly enjoy researching the history and features of religious parties, cults, sects, denominations, movements, streams, paradigms, and persuasions.

Jer 5:30-31 "An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: (31) The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?

Whenever the Holy Spirit directs me to serve Him by serving my fellows in some way, I do so knowing there will be elements of domination, intimidation, manipulation, and seduction to contend with. Even in so-called non-denominational contexts I have been in there has still been a tendency for some among their retinues to overemphasise what it is that sets their group apart from others, and to adhere to an established routine in association with a perceived authority-base.

Over the years I have occupied myself with the following passage in order to gain a better understanding of the dynamic of God's Ekklesia, and have arrived at the satisfactory belief which I am now attempting to persuade and indoctrinate everyone with, that despite the errors and inadequacies of denominational institutions, if the saints are being equipped, if the work of ministry is being achieved, and if the body of Christ is being edified, this is worthy and should be encouraged and supported.

Eph 4:11-16 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, (12) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, (13) till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; (14) that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, (15) but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— (16) from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

A very worthwhile activity in support of the body of Christ.

  • Thumbs Up 2
Posted

How do you propose this discussion begin?


  • Group:  Servant
  • Followers:  22
  • Topic Count:  374
  • Topics Per Day:  0.15
  • Content Count:  9,181
  • Content Per Day:  3.59
  • Reputation:   6,811
  • Days Won:  7
  • Joined:  07/05/2018
  • Status:  Offline
  • Birthday:  09/23/1954

Posted
2 hours ago, Saved.One.by.Grace said:

How do you propose this discussion begin?

OK, Saved, Maybe we could continue with some more comments about the plethora of religious parties, cults, sects, denominations, movements, streams, paradigms, and persuasions that purport to be Christian.

On another forum I frequent, a user calling themselves BarnyFife, with avatar to match, started a thread with this question "With all the many Christian denominations and sects out there, how can one know which one is closest to teaching the truth about Jesus and the Gospel, especially if they all claim to be arriving at truth through basically the same method?" 

The thread was 15 pages long last time I checked. However I am aware that what takes off on one forum does not necessarily take off on another.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted
9 minutes ago, Michael37 said:

OK, Saved, Maybe we could continue with some more comments about the plethora of religious parties, cults, sects, denominations, movements, streams, paradigms, and persuasions that purport to be Christian.

On another forum I frequent, a user calling themselves BarnyFife, with avatar to match, started a thread with this question "With all the many Christian denominations and sects out there, how can one know which one is closest to teaching the truth about Jesus and the Gospel, especially if they all claim to be arriving at truth through basically the same method?" 

The thread was 15 pages long last time I checked. However I am aware that what takes off on one forum does not necessarily take off on another.

Before East-West Schism 1054

I don't really have a dog in any of these fights.  I was brought up Roman Catholic through high school.  I became an agnostic for about a dozen years after, became a born-again non-denominational Pentecostal Christian, and finally became a non-denominational Christian.  I've studied reformed theology but lean towards the dispensationalist point of view of end times.

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1
Posted

The Arian Schism rejects the trinity.  That might be one place to start.  Or the current "new age" practices being accepted into the church.

  • Thumbs Up 1

  • Group:  Servant
  • Followers:  22
  • Topic Count:  374
  • Topics Per Day:  0.15
  • Content Count:  9,181
  • Content Per Day:  3.59
  • Reputation:   6,811
  • Days Won:  7
  • Joined:  07/05/2018
  • Status:  Offline
  • Birthday:  09/23/1954

Posted
2 hours ago, Saved.One.by.Grace said:

Before East-West Schism 1054

I don't really have a dog in any of these fights.  I was brought up Roman Catholic through high school.  I became an agnostic for about a dozen years after, became a born-again non-denominational Pentecostal Christian, and finally became a non-denominational Christian.  I've studied reformed theology but lean towards the dispensationalist point of view of end times.

You've made my day with your list of links, Saved.One. I have mentioned on Worthy that I like lists (lean towards them you might say) and your one will keep me going for some time. Already I have accessed some familiar material and as well as gleaned some fresh pickings.

One winter not so long ago I spent quite a few cold wet days online pleasantly absorbing hours of Old Testament history through videos and website entries, and became rivetted to stories that involved the splintering of Judaism into the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots, & Nazarites etc, along with the fascinating accounts of the Maccabees and the Hasmonean Dynasty which they founded.

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Thanks 1

  • Group:  Servant
  • Followers:  22
  • Topic Count:  374
  • Topics Per Day:  0.15
  • Content Count:  9,181
  • Content Per Day:  3.59
  • Reputation:   6,811
  • Days Won:  7
  • Joined:  07/05/2018
  • Status:  Offline
  • Birthday:  09/23/1954

Posted
2 minutes ago, Saved.One.by.Grace said:

The Arian Schism rejects the trinity.  That might be one place to start.  Or the current "new age" practices being accepted into the church.

Funny you should mention Arianism. I recently went over some excellent material I have on the subject, and refreshed my understanding of the Jehovah's Witnesses which, as you will know, have their roots in Arianism. What prompted my renewed study of them was a phone call from a JW lady during our Covid lockdown who explained that because they couldn't go door to door they were phoning around.

I was very polite to her and made sure I presented the Gospel with definite references to the deity of Christ, which she tried to steer away from.

  • Thumbs Up 3

  • Group:  Royal Member
  • Followers:  5
  • Topic Count:  21
  • Topics Per Day:  0.01
  • Content Count:  3,604
  • Content Per Day:  1.53
  • Reputation:   1,861
  • Days Won:  0
  • Joined:  01/27/2019
  • Status:  Offline

Posted
On 8/7/2020 at 3:31 AM, Michael37 said:

still been a tendency for some among their retinues to overemphasise what it is that sets their group apart from others, and to adhere to an established routine in association with a perceived authority-base.

 

How is this wrong, if they also preach the gospel?


  • Group:  Members
  • Followers:  1
  • Topic Count:  2
  • Topics Per Day:  0.00
  • Content Count:  24
  • Content Per Day:  0.01
  • Reputation:   15
  • Days Won:  0
  • Joined:  04/05/2020
  • Status:  Offline

Posted

Does anyone know of a website that asks you questions in plain english (without using the official terms) to find out what denomination you align most with?  We have been without a church now since we have moved.  We desire to do home church as Francis Chan had started in the Multiply Movement.  Sadly, though we have tried to make many friends in our area, they all either already have a church or do not attend a church and do not seem interested.  For 50 yrs I always had a church family and now I feel like an orphan ( plus my parents have not talked to me since Nov 2016 and my husband does not have family, so really it is like being an orphan).

 We have visited a few bible believing churches, but just do not feel the Holy Spirit leading us to join any of them.   Here are some off the cuff thoughts. 

Some are better than others perhaps. 

*As far as end times.... it is going to be whatever it is going to be.  Though end times is certainly interesting, I honestly do not feel a need to nail anything down since God seems to always do things in very surprising and amazing ways.  When someone tells me their end times version is 100% the correct one, my response is to ask how then I am to love the lost any differently because of this end time version.  My thought is that we or the lost can die at any second.... so would THAT be an unexpected "end time" that would sort of forfeit any concern then for nailing down a specific end times version?  Let us act like every second could be our last chance to tell someone about Christ or pray for the lost. 

* God is the author of ALL life. Abortion is an abomination.... which is of course linked to fornication, sex trafficking and adultery which I would think accounts for the largest percent of abortions. 

* believers baptism only ( not sure that I think anyone under 18 should be baptised unless they can truly acknowledge that they are a sinner in need of a savior)

* I have not experienced the gift of tongues, casting out of demons or healing  though I think if God wants it to happen it can certainly still happen.  For Matthew 7:21-23 to make sense, then there must still be the capacity to heal and cast out demons. The healing that I hear of seems to be mainly from discomfort or ambiguous things.  But interestingly God used Francis Chan to heal a deaf sister and brother in an unreached people group not too long ago. That was amazing and I believe that it happened.  To me tongues would make more sense if the person we spontaneously able to speak a different actual language to communicate to a person.  I can do prayers in my head to God anytime and anywhere, so there is no real reason to pray out loud in an unknown prayer language as I hear some do (without interpretation)  except to make myself look religious to do it outloud ( did that sound too sassy?)

*  I believe that doing what James 1:27 says in taking care of widows and orphans is paramount and MORE important than using up all our energy worrying about meeting in expensive buildings with a paid staff, praise team and children's programs.  It is more important than discussing things that are debatable.  If we as a church got excited about making sure every kid has a Christian home to go to and then those who do not physically take in a kid are praying and trying to think of resourceful ways of helping (food, clothing, haircuts, tutoring etc).  Then the world would take note of our TRUE love for others. 

* Marriage is between one man and one woman.  

I am sure there are many more things to list, but I believe the bible is 100% inspired by God. God is a Trinity. We need to repent and trust solely in what Jesus Christ did for our salvation. There is nothing we could ever to do earn it. We do good works to show Jesus thank you for His selfless gift. Jesus Christ will return one day. 

 

  • Thumbs Up 1
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Our picks

    • You are coming up higher in this season – above the assignments of character assassination and verbal arrows sent to manage you, contain you, and derail your purpose. Where you have had your dreams and sleep robbed, as well as your peace and clarity robbed – leaving you feeling foggy, confused, and heavy – God is, right now, bringing freedom back -- now you will clearly see the smoke and mirrors that were set to distract you and you will disengage.

      Right now God is declaring a "no access zone" around you, and your enemies will no longer have any entry point into your life. Oil is being poured over you to restore the years that the locust ate and give you back your passion. This is where you will feel a fresh roar begin to erupt from your inner being, and a call to leave the trenches behind and begin your odyssey in your Christ calling moving you to bear fruit that remains as you minister to and disciple others into their Christ identity.

      This is where you leave the trenches and scale the mountain to fight from a different place, from victory, from peace, and from rest. Now watch as God leads you up higher above all the noise, above all the chaos, and shows you where you have been seated all along with Him in heavenly places where you are UNTOUCHABLE. This is where you leave the soul fight, and the mind battle, and learn to fight differently.

      You will know how to live like an eagle and lead others to the same place of safety and protection that God led you to, which broke you out of the silent prison you were in. Put your war boots on and get ready to fight back! Refuse to lay down -- get out of bed and rebuke what is coming at you. Remember where you are seated and live from that place.

      Acts 1:8 - “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses … to the end of the earth.”

       

      ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
        • Thanks
        • This is Worthy
        • Thumbs Up
      • 3 replies
    • George Whitten, the visionary behind Worthy Ministries and Worthy News, explores the timing of the Simchat Torah War in Israel. Is this a water-breaking moment? Does the timing of the conflict on October 7 with Hamas signify something more significant on the horizon?

       



      This was a message delivered at Eitz Chaim Congregation in Dallas Texas on February 3, 2024.

      To sign up for our Worthy Brief -- https://worthybrief.com

      Be sure to keep up to date with world events from a Christian perspective by visiting Worthy News -- https://www.worthynews.com

      Visit our live blogging channel on Telegram -- https://t.me/worthywatch
      • 0 replies
    • Understanding the Enemy!

      I thought I write about the flip side of a topic, and how to recognize the attempts of the enemy to destroy lives and how you can walk in His victory!

      For the Apostle Paul taught us not to be ignorant of enemy's tactics and strategies.

      2 Corinthians 2:112  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 

      So often, we can learn lessons by learning and playing "devil's" advocate.  When we read this passage,

      Mar 3:26  And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. 
      Mar 3:27  No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strongman; and then he will spoil his house. 

      Here we learn a lesson that in order to plunder one's house you must first BIND up the strongman.  While we realize in this particular passage this is referring to God binding up the strongman (Satan) and this is how Satan's house is plundered.  But if you carefully analyze the enemy -- you realize that he uses the same tactics on us!  Your house cannot be plundered -- unless you are first bound.   And then Satan can plunder your house!

      ... read more
        • Praise God!
        • Thumbs Up
      • 230 replies
    • Daniel: Pictures of the Resurrection, Part 3

      Shalom everyone,

      As we continue this study, I'll be focusing on Daniel and his picture of the resurrection and its connection with Yeshua (Jesus). 

      ... read more
      • 14 replies
    • Abraham and Issac: Pictures of the Resurrection, Part 2
      Shalom everyone,

      As we continue this series the next obvious sign of the resurrection in the Old Testament is the sign of Isaac and Abraham.

      Gen 22:1  After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."
      Gen 22:2  He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."

      So God "tests" Abraham and as a perfect picture of the coming sacrifice of God's only begotten Son (Yeshua - Jesus) God instructs Issac to go and sacrifice his son, Issac.  Where does he say to offer him?  On Moriah -- the exact location of the Temple Mount.

      ...read more
      • 20 replies
×
×
  • Create New...