I have not been posting overly much of late. Time and circumstance have been pressing on me.
God has no grandchildren. Only children. Every true believer is related directly to Him. Baptized by the Spirit into His Body, included as part of His Bride, included in the universal communion of the saints, immediately.
However, one must realize that if one does not enter into the relationship with God fully, or for selfish purposes, or walks away from it, then one effectively divorces God. St Paul is very clear on this - it is a lifetime commitment, not a one shot deal.
The believer who comes to Christ in a jungle or desert, who comes to entrust himself to Christ for salvation today, is part of His Church, though he is the first generation. Every true believer is the first generation. Where two or more are gathered for prayer and worship, His Body, His Bride, His Church is there. As such it ALL begins with HIM. It ALL ends with HIM. It’s ALL for His glory. EVERY church that is comprised of true believers was begins at the same time in history - directly attached to HIM.
Now, you're qualifying things. True believers? How many churches are comprised entirely of true believers? When you wander the mall and see a church of Joe in one of the storefronts, and look inside and see what? What's in there? The preacher has what credentials? What theological training? What ensures that he (don't get me started on female preachers) holds Christian beliefs?
Nuthin'.
Having said all that, it is great to see you :-)
You are most kind; thank you. I miss posting to the extent that I formerly did; perhaps I have contributed at least something.
“I have not been posting overly much of late. Time and circumstance have been pressing on me.”
I’m far too pressed for time also.
“However, one must realize that if one does not enter into the relationship with God fully, or for selfish purposes, or walks away from it, then one effectively divorces God. St Paul is very clear on this - it is a lifetime commitment, not a one shot deal.”
Friend, if someone does not bear fruit, he wasn’t a believer. Works are the outward sign of the life of Christ inside. Once someone trusts His sacrifice and is baptized into the Body of Christ, Sealed with the Holy Spirit and given eternal life, He does not lose his salvation.
To lose his salvation requires more than he is capable of accomplishing on his own!
(some L. R. Sheldon excerpts on what one must do to lose their salvation)
1. He must take himself out of the Body of Christ into which he has been baptized by the Holy Spirit.
2. He must climb up to heaven and take from God his life which is hid in Christ.
3. He must pluck himself out of the hand of the Lord Jesus.
4. As he has been bought by Christ and no longer owns himself, he would have to sell himself if the original purchaser (God) agreed.
5.He must stop Christ from his Priestly work of intercession by which he is saved to the uttermost.
6.He must not believe when the scripture says the believer has eternal life and shall not fall into condemnation.
7. He must break the seal by which he has been sealed unto the day of redemption.
8. He must become ignorant of the fact that every child of God is..
a. Foreknown, predestinated, called, Justified, and glorified.
b. Perfected forever.
c. Complete in Christ.
d. Viewed by God as perfect in Christ.
9. He must wrest scripture from it’s context and shut his eyes to the general teaching of the word of God.
“Now, you’re qualifying things. True believers? How many churches are comprised entirely of true believers?”
Churches are ONLY comprised of true believers. Other non-believers who show up are not part of His Church, His Body, His Bride.
“When you wander the mall and see a church of Joe in one of the storefronts, and look inside and see what? What’s in there? The preacher has what credentials? What theological training? What ensures that he (don’t get me started on female preachers) holds Christian beliefs?”
Are you asking...
Was he a fisherman like Peter, Andrew, James, and John?
Was he a Jewish pharisee and tent maker like Paul?
Was he a tax collector like Matthew?
Was he a physician like Luke?
Was he a zealot like Simon?
Was he chosen by lot like Matthias?
Does he know Christ?
I will prefer someone of demonstrated Christian character, who knows and loves Christ and those he serves - and spends his time on his knees seeking God, to a highly trained person who knows the “right answers”, but loves himself and seeks power, sex or self-aggrandizement.
You can, of course, go right to the Bible and find the specific qualifications for Elders as set out under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is most amazing to see what is not there. It is most encouraging to see what qualifications God sets out.
blessings to you in your busy life.
Luke 18:9-14 9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Religious or theological training doesn't impress God.