What Church do You Attend?

[Catsmeow]

This is "Church" for me now...but only because I'm too sick now to venture out.

I'm back on the chemotherapy again. If I need to vomit...no one will ever know. No accidents in the pews.

Last time we went to church I was so sick, I almost passed out in the seat. We had to make an emergency exit...so church is no longer feasable.

I hope I'll go into remission soon and be able to attend.

[jmwhalen]

Subject:The Art of "Dodging a Question"! by John M. Whalen

1.The word 'church' is a translation of the Greek word 'ekklesia', and in the scriptures was a simple word used to describe an assembly of "called out ones"('ek'=out of,'klesis'=a calling):

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling."(Eph. 4:4) /"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body...."(Col.3:15)

Today's one true church is not a denomination-this means absolutely nothing to the LORD. The important concept is to whom or what have we been called. The 'ekklesia', the "called out ones", the 'church' of God is not an institution nor an organization-it is a people , a living organism whose members are born of the Spirit of God. It is those who are temples of the living God, both individually and collectively:

"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints...."(1 Cor. 1:2-'sanctified' means to be set apart).

God is building his one true church which, in his inspired word, he has identified as HIS BODY in Eph 1:22,23. And in Eph. 4:4 he states "There is one body...". So no denominational "religion" fits the description given for the one true church in the word of God. His body, the church, or," the church, Which is his body..."(Eph. 1:22,23), is made up of all who believe "the gospel of the grace of God"(Acts 20:24) preached by the apostle Paul, as outlined in 1 Cor. 15:1-4.....any Jew, any Gentile, for there is "neither Jew nor Greek.....for ye are all one in Christ Jesus"(Gal. 3:28).

I hope you understand this response-when I see the hundreds of denominations, I "scratch my head"-Paul calls denominations "carnal" in 1 Cor. 3:4: "For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?" I am not against the gathering of the local assembly-this is scriptural. However, this local gathering should exalt the risen, ascended,and glorified Lord Jesus Christ through the preaching of the gospel("Preach the word...."(2 Tim. 4:2) In answer to your question, I meet with other "called out ones" weekly for Bible study-I am one of the teachers, and "we preach Christ crucified.."(1 Cor. 1:23), and we preach Jesus Christ according to Paul's gospel("my gospel")-"according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began"(Roman 16:25). Paul's passion was to preach the gospel, but also "to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which was from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God...(Eph. 3:9). No one seems to be preaching this mystery-why is that?

2. Many of you may have seen this article below. I still feel it needs to be published again.

______________________________________________________________

A Letter to the Apostle Paul

Author unknown

Rev. Saul Paul

Independent Missionary

Corinth, Greece

Dear Mr. Paul,

We recently received an application from you for service under our Board.

It is our policy to be as frank and open-minded as possible with all our applicants. We have made an exhaustive survey of your case. To be plain, we are surprised that you have been able to "pass" as a bonafide missionary.

We are told that you are afflicted with a severe eye-trouble. This is certain to be an insuperable handicap to an effective ministry. Our Board requires 20/20 vision.

At Antioch, we learn, you opposed Dr. Simon Peter, an esteemed home missionary and actually rebuked him publicly. You stirred up so much trouble at Antioch that a special Board meeting had to be convened in Jerusalem. We cannot condone such actions.

Do you think it seemly for a missionary to do part-time secular work? We hear that you are making tents on the side. In a letter to the church at Phillipi, you admitted that they were the only church supporting you. We wonder why.

Is it true that you have a jail record? Certain brethren report that you did two years time at Caesarea and were imprisoned at Rome.

You made so much trouble for the business men at Ephesus that they refer to you as "the man who turned the world upside down." Sensationalism, in missions, is uncalled for. We also deplore the lurid "over-the-wall-in-a-basket" episode at Damascus.

We are appalled at your obvious lack of conciliatory behavior. Diplomatic men are not stoned and dragged out of the city gates, or assaulted by furious mobs. Have you ever suspected that gentler words might gain you more friends? I enclose a copy of Dalius Carnagus' book, "How To Win Jews and influence Greeks."

In one of your letters, you refer to yourself as "Paul the aged." Our new mission policies do not envisage a surplus of superannuated recipients.

We understand that you are given to fantasies and dreams. At Troas, you saw "a man of Macedonia" and at another time "were caught up into the third heaven" and even claimed "the Lord stood by" you. We reckon that more realistic and practical minds are needed in the task of world evangelism.

You have caused much trouble everywhere you have gone. You opposed the honorable women at Berea and the leaders of your own nationality in Jerusalem. If a man cannot get along with his own people, how can he serve foreigners? We learn that you are a snake-handler. At Malta, you picked up a poisonous serpent which is said to have bitten you, but you did not suffer harm. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk!

You admit that while you were serving time at Rome that "all forsook you." Good men are not left friendless. Three fine brothers, by the names of Diotrephes, Demas and Alexander, the coppersmith, have notarized affidavits to the effect that it is impossible for them to cooperate with either you or your program.

We know that you had a bitter quarrel with a fellow missionary named Barnabas. Harsh words do not further God's work.

You have written many letters to churches where you have formerly been pastor. In one of the letters, you accused a church member of living with his father's wife, and you caused the whole church to feel badly; and the poor fellow was expelled.

You spend too much time talking about "the second coming of Christ." Your letters to the people at Thessalonica were almost entirely devoted to this theme. Put first things first from now on.

Your ministry has been far too flighty to be successful. First Asia Minor, then Macedonia, then Greece, then Italy and now you are talking about a wild goose chase into Spain. Concentration is more important than dissipation of one's powers. You cannot win the whole world by yourself. You are just one little Paul.

In a recent sermon, you said "God forbid that I should glory in anything save the cross of Christ." It seems to us that you also ought to glory in our heritage, our denominational program, the unified budget, our Cooperative Program and the World Federation of Churches.

Your sermons are much too long for the times. At one place, you talked until after midnight and a young man was so asleep that he fell out of the window and broke his neck. Nobody is saved after the first twenty minutes any way. "Stand up, speak up and then shut up," is our advice.

Dr. Luke reports that you are a thin little man, bald, frequently sick and always so agitated over your church that you sleep very poorly. He reports that you pad around the house praying half the night. A healthy mind in a robust body is our ideal for all applicants. A good night's sleep will give you zest and zip so that you wake full of zing.

We find it best to send only married men into foreign service. We deplore your policy of persistent celibacy. Simon Magus has set up a matrimonial bureau at Samaria, where the names of some very fine widows are available.

You wrote recently to Timothy that "you had fought a good fight." Fighting is hardly a recommendation for a missionary. No fight is a good fight. Jesus came, not to bring a sword, but peace. You boast that "I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus." What on earth do you mean?

It hurts me to tell you this, Brother Paul, but in all of my twenty-five years experience, I have never met a man so opposite to the requirements of our Foreign Mission Board. If we accepted you, we would break every rule of modern missionary practice.

Most Sincerely yours,

J. Flavious Fluffyhead,

Foreign Mission Board Secretary

______________________________________________

In Christ,

John Whalen

[Catsmeow]

Jim, that's too awesome! Love it! Thank you for sharing the letter to "Paul"...really nips it in the bud, doesn't it?

[Work in Progress]

I am Independent Pentecostal - get to make our own rules - woohoo!

Andrew, that cracked me up. You just kill me!

[stevehut]

Today's one true church is not a denomination-this means absolutely nothing to the LORD. The important concept is to whom or what have we been called.

jmwhalen,

Yes, I unerstand that distinction. Do you attend a regular fellowship of some kind?

[stevehut]

This is "Church" for me now...but only because I'm too sick now to venture out.

.

cats,

Sorry to hear about your situation. Chemo is no picnic.

Did you have a particular affiliation before you got sick?

[jesussaves]

I attend a church that is full gospel. By that I mean we believe in the WHOLE Bible.

Every Word of God is inspired by the Holy Spirit and of NO private interpretation.

Compact:

Jesus was born of a virgin, the only begotten Son of God. He was crucified and He arose again on the third day. He assended into heaven and sent us His Spirit to give us the power to be His witnesses. These signs will follow the believers. They will take up serpents and they will not be harmed, they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover, they will speak in unknown tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. There are many gifts of the Spirit but all given by the same Spirit. Not everyone has all nine gifts, but there are those who do. No one can be a joint heir with Jesus unless he is born again. If you are born again your name is written in the Lambs Book of Life. If anyone is a child of God NOTHING can seperate him from the love of God..He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it to the finish. Love is the fulfilling of the law, faith works by love....God is love. By this we will know the true believers, they have love toward one another. We need not anyone to teach us about love because the Holy Spirit Himself will teach us. It is the goodness of God that leads a man to repentance. God is Good! He is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Jesus is coming back just like He left and He is coming for those who are looking for His appearing. In the moment, in the twinkling of an eye, just like Enoch, who walked with God and was not, the Church will be caught away or raptured. The Great tribulation will take place. The battle of Armegeddon will take place...those whose names are not found written in the Lambs Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire along with satan and his demons...the rest of us will enjoy eternal life in the presence of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

I attend because I love hearing the word of God. I love obeying the Word of God and I love fellowshipping with other saints as we gather together in one mind and one accord to worship the Lord in His house of prayer. To honor Him is something my heart longs to do yet I cannot put into mere words. It is the song that beats in my soul and the joy that gives me strength. Going to the house of the Lord and assembling together is something that should not be taken lightly for the Lord said not to forsake the assembling of the saints as is the manner of some, but to gather together even the moreso as we see the day approaching. I love my church, I always leave refreshed and with my faith strengthened. I know I will hear the unwatered down, uncompromised Truth.

Jesus Saves!

[commissioned]

I'm pentecostal, and I attend an Assembly of God church in Boston, Massachusetts. We believe the bible in its entirety. The church I attend is not a counterfeit revival or health and wealth movement. We believe in the purity of God's Word and everything in it.

[Catsmeow]

This is "Church" for me now...but only because I'm too sick now to venture out.

.

cats,

Sorry to hear about your situation. Chemo is no picnic.

Did you have a particular affiliation before you got sick?

Well I went to a Baptist Church but I'm not real brand loyal. I'm attracted to anyone who loves Jesus.

If someone is on fire for Christ, I feel a natural affection for them...I consider them my brother or sister.

[Guest Sportster]

Sorry to hear about your cancer,Cat. My mom had cancer,so did one of my close friends and it afflicts sooo many today,unfortunately. So I know what you're going through.

Assembly of God,for 19 years now since I was saved. I hope those of you who don't have a church find one. One can be overcome,two can withstand and a threefold cord is not easily broken. Don't be one of the sheep outside the pen when the wolf comes looking for prey.....