tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458350917393042034.post6520986665787573236..comments2016-03-16T15:03:36.594-04:00Comments on The Word and God's Authority: Is Benevolence Also Subject to Authority?Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14762397322658710952noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458350917393042034.post-990185574003810702009-04-20T11:48:00.000-04:002009-04-20T11:48:00.000-04:00Katherine--Thank you for your response. I would li...Katherine--Thank you for your response. I would like to address a couple of things. Your arguments are very similar in what I see when discussing this issue.<br /><br />Firstly, you don't use one Biblical scripture to justify your point. This is one of the major problems with churches today is that they just do whatever they want with no regard or effort to see if God would approve of it. In a nutshell, it is no respect for authority.<br /><br />You state: "It is NOT about "getting it right"-if we had to get it ALL right, then Jesus would not have had to come down to earth and die on a cruel cross to save us." Are you implying that we should try to do what is right? That we shouldn't respect God's authority since we can't be perfect like Christ?<br /><br />If you don't approach the scriptures in an organized way to determining what Christ (as the head of the church) would have us to do, how does your congregation determine what is right? Is anything and everything authorized as long as people hear the word of God?<br /><br />Do you worship God with instrumental music, bands, volleyball teams, bowling leagues, female or homosexual preachers, etc.? Where do you draw the line if you don't believe in obeying God's commands?<br /><br />Per your comment on Revelation (no 's"'), yes...this is at the conclusion of that book but God understood it to be the last of His new covenant. It applies to Revelation and I think God's Spirit was wise enough to conclude the New Testament with it on purpose. Of course, we have many other passages that reinforce this statement.<br /><br />Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.<br /><br />Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.<br /><br />I pray that you study this subject and look to God's commands and don't do things just because it "seems" right. We will all be held accountable just as Cain, Uza, Uzaih, Noah, Nadab and Abihu, and Paul, to name a few, that show us lessons in authority and how serious God is in demanding complete obedience.<br /><br />Mt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.Caryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14762397322658710952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458350917393042034.post-61977974986201430282009-04-20T11:45:00.000-04:002009-04-20T11:45:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Caryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14762397322658710952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458350917393042034.post-81196836527775999592009-04-16T22:46:00.000-04:002009-04-16T22:46:00.000-04:00This also makes me sad. I call it "adventures in ...This also makes me sad. I call it "adventures in missing the point". I think one of the biggest misunderstandings is that we, as Christians/disciples of Christ ARE the Church, and we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the World-NOT just to believers in need. Yes, we are to take care of our own, but to deny someone else their basic needs because they are not in Christ is ludicrous. That IS showing them Christ and that we care-it is an open door into their lives because we are helping them at their basic level. I do agree that we must be active in our daily lives helping others as you stated-and not just placing money in a basket and leaving it to someone else-but to limit our help as a Body to only believers does not seem Biblical at all.<br /><br />You say: "If we began to provide food, clothing, shelter, etc. as a work of the church, the church would never have the time to concentrate on the primary mission to teach and preach the Gospel. As we see in this other Williamsburg congregation’s need to grow a kitchen and dining hall, God’s authority and His message is no longer a spiritual one but a physical one." I have to completely disagree-I have been part of plenty of churches who have done both. After all, people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care!<br /><br />Then you ask "if the food was cut off, how many of these new converts would simply leave?" I ask you: If the food was never offered to this people, how many would have actually ever stepped foot inside the building or had that opportunity to know Christ? We do what Christ has called us to, and let Him do the rest! :)<br /><br />Also, CENI has become more of a doctrine than the Bible does, and making commands out of inferences using our own "authority" does not equal God's commands or authorities. God's commands are understandable, and we should follow them-the problem comes in when we take it upon ourself to make commands out of examples and inferences-bind them on people, and then judge them accordingly if they do not follow. Not even God has done that-who are we to take it upon ourselves? CENI is a man made system which has hurt and divided too many people. Yes, we can come to logical conclusions on things, yes we have been given examples to learn from, but when we make our authority equal the same level of God's and choose to speak out of His silence on a subject-it is just not right!<br /><br />By the way-not that we are to add to the Word of God, because we are not...but the passage in Revelations that you quoted specifically refers to the book of Revelations itself. First, he says "the words of prophecy in THIS book"...and at the time Revelations was written the Bible as we know it today was not even placed together as a whole...even though now we see it at the end, when John wrote this on the isle of Patmos he was referring to the book of Revelation alone. Therefore, it is simply out of context in this example and you are not alone in this misunderstanding or misuse. Just thought I would throw that in.<br /><br />Anyway, these are my 2 cents.<br /><br />I, too am a member of the Church of Christ, but I see too many things like this where we continue to miss the point, and it is discouraging for me to watch. It is NOT about "getting it right"-if we had to get it ALL right, then Jesus would not have had to come down to earth and die on a cruel cross to save us. Yes, we choose to follow Him, to obey the commands He has given-but His commands are NOT burdensome..His yoke is easy and His burden is light...no, it is not an easy road to follow and we are asked to take up our crosses daily to follow Him-but not to bind things on others which God Himself has not, and that is what I see too many in our heritage have done. I just can't sit by and watch it happen, though I know God has to be the one to change hearts and open eyes to what is going on.<br /><br />Ok, I have probably rambled enough now. Thanks for letting me stop by, and blessings on your journey~Katherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10711978696170017327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458350917393042034.post-5006439792413757912009-04-16T08:20:00.000-04:002009-04-16T08:20:00.000-04:00Thank you for your comment...sarcasm and all. If y...Thank you for your comment...sarcasm and all. If you read my blog, you will see that the harder, more disciplined, proactive method that God has outlined is for the individual to help those in need. Matthew 25 addresses this also. <br /><br />If you are to apply verse 45 to the work and responsibility of the church then you must apply verse 46...thus concluding that an entire congregation is subject to eternal punishment or eternal life. This would directly contradict Romans 14:10-12.<br /><br />God's resources are to be used to teach the Gospel, educated the world on His word, and help those of His family. His message is one of a spiritual one...not a physical one.<br /><br />I hope you approach Bible study with a more serious attitude and realize the importance of getting it right.Caryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14762397322658710952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458350917393042034.post-71137063452713072942009-04-15T18:27:00.000-04:002009-04-15T18:27:00.000-04:00I guess from the lack of a response to your challe...I guess from the lack of a response to your challenge..woohoo, you win! No more helping the poor unless they belong to "His church". I wish people would quit reading more into Matt 25. Especially the last two verses. That verse surely doesn't speak to helping people outside of His church. Thank you for being such an authority, I look forward to putting a stop to our church helping people in need! Such wasteful use of Gods resources!<br /><br /> 45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'<br /><br /> 46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."<br /><br />wow, the ramifications are eternal.. we better get it right!Venango Volunteer Fire Dept.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04314946892123405334noreply@blogger.com