Post by didymus on Jan 2, 2011 3:59:24 GMT -5
My view of Christianity is so different that it will be hard to find anyone that agrees with it.
I'll break it down for you, and you all can pick it apart if you wish.
THE CHURCH
There is only one church of which Jesus the Christ is the sole head. He alone has all authority in the church. All decisions made by church leaders of any age must comply with the authority of Christ.
As members of the church, we willingly enter a covenantal relationship with Christ, and join with all other members in a spiritual community.
DENOMINATIONS
Denominations being divided in many ways exclude them from being a part of the church as explained above. There is only one church and members are in a spiritual common union. The best way to explain it in a physical term is a marriage. When a man and woman come together in the bonds of matrimony, they are no longer two but one flesh. A marriage is a union between a man and a woman. But denominations are divided. As it is written, "How can two walk together unless they agree?" Members of the church are in total agreement with Christ. That can not be said of denominations.
THIS VIEW OF THE CHURCH is the basis for this different view of Christianity. While there a few who will probably agree with this view of the Church, they will probably disagree with further ramifications of this view of the Church.
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
If Christ is the sole head of the church, and has ALL authority in the church, then the only religious holidays that are allowed are those in compliance with the authority of Christ, as expressed in the New Testament. And, there aren't any.
UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE CHURCH is will bring you to an understanding of what Christianity is. But there are so many ramifications to this understanding that to write them all would probably take a book at least the size of the New Testament. Religious holidays is just one of those ramifications.
Adherence to the oneness principle under the authority of Christ as expressed in the New Testament would change a lot of things for a lot of people, since so many strongly held doctrines of today's religious scene are contrary to this principle. Most pastors probably don't approach their sermon preparations asking themselves if what they are about to preach is in compliance with the authority of Christ. What a difference that would make.
ONENESS PRINCIPLE
You might be wondering what the oneness principle is. Let me ask, how many gods are there? According to the Bible, there is ONE GOD. If this One God is in His people, then are not His people "One People Under One God?" That's the oneness principle. That if we are His people, we are One people in Him and under His authority.
The motto of the United States is "One Nation Under God." But, how can that be since we're all going different directions? And what about the church? Is it not to be One Church Under God? But, how can that be if the church is going in different directions?
In John 17, didn't Jesus pray that all those who believe in Him be ONE as He and the Father is ONE? Understanding what Jesus prayed for will help you understand the oneness principle.
For many, this is a different approach to Christianity, although it shouldn't be. It is what Jesus and the apostles taught.
Now it's your turn.
I'll break it down for you, and you all can pick it apart if you wish.
THE CHURCH
There is only one church of which Jesus the Christ is the sole head. He alone has all authority in the church. All decisions made by church leaders of any age must comply with the authority of Christ.
As members of the church, we willingly enter a covenantal relationship with Christ, and join with all other members in a spiritual community.
DENOMINATIONS
Denominations being divided in many ways exclude them from being a part of the church as explained above. There is only one church and members are in a spiritual common union. The best way to explain it in a physical term is a marriage. When a man and woman come together in the bonds of matrimony, they are no longer two but one flesh. A marriage is a union between a man and a woman. But denominations are divided. As it is written, "How can two walk together unless they agree?" Members of the church are in total agreement with Christ. That can not be said of denominations.
THIS VIEW OF THE CHURCH is the basis for this different view of Christianity. While there a few who will probably agree with this view of the Church, they will probably disagree with further ramifications of this view of the Church.
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
If Christ is the sole head of the church, and has ALL authority in the church, then the only religious holidays that are allowed are those in compliance with the authority of Christ, as expressed in the New Testament. And, there aren't any.
UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE CHURCH is will bring you to an understanding of what Christianity is. But there are so many ramifications to this understanding that to write them all would probably take a book at least the size of the New Testament. Religious holidays is just one of those ramifications.
Adherence to the oneness principle under the authority of Christ as expressed in the New Testament would change a lot of things for a lot of people, since so many strongly held doctrines of today's religious scene are contrary to this principle. Most pastors probably don't approach their sermon preparations asking themselves if what they are about to preach is in compliance with the authority of Christ. What a difference that would make.
ONENESS PRINCIPLE
You might be wondering what the oneness principle is. Let me ask, how many gods are there? According to the Bible, there is ONE GOD. If this One God is in His people, then are not His people "One People Under One God?" That's the oneness principle. That if we are His people, we are One people in Him and under His authority.
The motto of the United States is "One Nation Under God." But, how can that be since we're all going different directions? And what about the church? Is it not to be One Church Under God? But, how can that be if the church is going in different directions?
In John 17, didn't Jesus pray that all those who believe in Him be ONE as He and the Father is ONE? Understanding what Jesus prayed for will help you understand the oneness principle.
For many, this is a different approach to Christianity, although it shouldn't be. It is what Jesus and the apostles taught.
Now it's your turn.
;D ;D