Denomination OR Doctrine?

[Timothy]

Amen C.D. Light, and so rather than criticize, we should with with all patience and humility, try to help those who have become entangled in a false hope, so that their eyes might be turned towards Jesus, remembering it was only through the Lord's mercy and grace that any of us are saved.

"what I was refering to was the membership sign up sheet in the churches today.

And even they don't stop the divisions in a church!"

No, church membership does nothing to purify a person's heart and mind.

[jesusson]

I HAVE TO SAY DOCTRINE.

2 John 1:9 - Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  

1 Timothy 4:13 - Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  

Romans 16:17 - Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  

1 Timothy 4:16 - Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.  

Acts 2:42 - And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  

1 Timothy 4:1 - Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  

1 Timothy 6:3 - If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;  

2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  

2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.  

Titus 1:9 - Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.  

Titus 2:1 - But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:  

Titus 2:10 - Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.  

2 John 1:10 - If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

[Guest C.D. Light]

Amen C.D. Light, and so rather than criticize, we should with with all patience and humility, try to help those who have become entangled in a false hope, so that their eyes might be turned towards Jesus, remembering it was only through the Lord's mercy and grace that any of us are saved.

"what I was refering to was the membership sign up sheet in the churches today.

And even they don't stop the divisions in a church!"

No, church membership does nothing to purify a person's heart and mind.

Timothy, there is no other way to say it when a doctrine is wrong, except to point out that a doctrine is wrong.  

And if that wrong doctrine is what a person believes, then that makes them wrong.

We're supposed to be all adults around here, and to take it as a personal criticism is childish.  This is deliberate, to make an accusation toward the messenger, and make that messenger the scapegoat, and excuse the one who is on the wrong track.

One cannot skirt around what is truth, to "avoid hurting someone's feelings".  This "hurt" is really conviction maybe?

When I was in school and got my testpaper back with MY wrong answers checked off.......did I blame the teacher? Of course not.

People need to grow up and admit it when they're wrong and quit blaming others.

Or are u saying we should try to "coddle" people into believing?

cd

[Guest C.D. Light]

I HAVE TO SAY DOCTRINE.

2 John 1:9 - Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

[Timothy]

"Timothy, there is no other way to say it when a doctrine is wrong, except to point out that a doctrine is wrong. "

I don't agree. There are many ways to say it.

"We're supposed to be all adults around here, and to take it as a personal criticism is childish."

Chronological age and Spiritual maturity are two very different things C.D. It's best to not assume too much about someone.

"When I was in school and got my testpaper back with MY wrong answers checked off.......did I blame the teacher? Of course not."

If a fellow student had taken it upon themselves to grade your paper, would you have felt the same?

"People need to grow up and admit it when they're wrong and quit blaming others."

Again, I don't believe it is automatically an issue of "growing up" C.D. They must first be convinced that they are in error, and that must be done with patience and humility as prescribed in God's Word. Being condescending towards them will only produce an unfavorable response.

"Or are u saying we should try to "coddle" people into believing?"

Not at all. I do think however, we shoud be humble and patient, just as our Lord was in teaching others.

"Jessuson, good post. I hope Timothy reads these."

Yes I read them. Excellent choices!

Here's another;

2 Tim 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Now compare that to what I said in my previous post, which prompted your objection.

"...and so rather than criticize, we should with with all patience and humility, try to help those who have become entangled in a false hope, so that their eyes might be turned towards Jesus, remembering it was only through the Lord's mercy and grace that any of us are saved."

[Guest C.D. Light]

Tim--sorry, but im not the meek gentle type. So u do it your way, and dont try to make me into you, ok?

You still dont get it , i see.

Hint: The word is like a two edged sword. Does that help ya any?

cd

[Timothy]

"Tim--sorry, but im not the meek gentle type. So u do it your way, and dont try to make me into you, ok?"

I am not trying to "make you" into anything C.D. I am just sharing with you what the Bible says about correcting error, and how it should be done. The rest is up to you.

Matt 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Matt 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Eph 4:1-2 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;

Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

"You still dont get it , i see.

Hint: The word is like a two edged sword. Does that help ya any?"

Yes, "the Word" is like a two-edged sword, and it is "the Word" that explains that we are to to be meek, gentle, humble, and patient.

[traveller]

Amen Timothy.  And you are a prime example of meek and humble, yet a mighty warrior for Jesus. If I ever need nudging I pray God sends you to me. I would come more listening to encouragement with love intended than to hear criticism and harse correction. I thank God for you on a regular basis Timothy.  

Besides, you're one cool dude!  

:thumb:

[Guest C.D. Light]

Ive never been of any denomination; I went where God sent me and it had no denomination.

[Timothy]

Wow Traveller, thank you for those encouraging words, though I don't see myself deserving of them (okay, maybe I am a cool dude though...LOL !) )

C.D.,

I don't mean to answer for Traveller, but I will say this;

I don't think anyone was implying that you are harsh, other than what may have been supposed from what you yourself wrote: ("im not the meek gentle type").

My whole point was not to say that we are to ignore error, because the opposite is true. We are OBLIGATED to correct, but that obligation must be motivated by love for that person. Love is warm, love is...patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Cor 13:4-8)

I suspect that you are a very loving and caring person, whom I am honored to call my sister in Christ Jesus.