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Question: "What is the church?"
gotquestions.org ^ | unknown | unknown

Posted on 06/20/2017 4:12:13 PM PDT by ealgeone

Question: "What is the church?"

Answer: Many people today understand the church as a building. This is not a biblical understanding of the church. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of “church” is not that of a building, but of people. It is ironic that when you ask people what church they attend, they usually identify a building. Romans 16:5 says “… greet the church that is in their house.” Paul refers to the church in their house—not a church building, but a body of believers.

The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2) until Christ’s return. The body of Christ is comprised of two aspects:

1) The universal church consists of all those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Corinthians 12:13). This verse says that anyone who believes is part of the body of Christ and has received the Spirit of Christ as evidence. The universal church of God is all those who have received salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

2) The local church is described in Galatians 1:1-2: “Paul, an apostle … and all the brothers with me, to the churches in Galatia.” Here we see that in the province of Galatia there were many churches—what we call local churches. A Baptist church, Lutheran church, Catholic church, etc., is not the church, as in the universal church—but rather is a local church, a local body of believers. The universal church is comprised of those who belong to Christ and who have trusted Him for salvation. These members of the universal church should seek fellowship and edification in a local church.

In summary, the church is not a building or a denomination. According to the Bible, the church is the body of Christ—all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Local churches are gatherings of members of the universal church. The local church is where the members of the universal church can fully apply the “body” principles of 1 Corinthians chapter 12: encouraging, teaching, and building one another up in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.


TOPICS: Religion & Culture; Theology
KEYWORDS: church; ekklesia; localchurch
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To: Bulwyf
Wherever two or more born again believers gather in Christ’s name, so there is the church.

Which church ?

New Testament churches had candlesticks and stars (angels) associated with them. It is not the number of people that comprise a valid New Testament church. It is the provenance of the church and the works of those within it (for both the churches are threatened with losing candlesticks and those in them are threatened with being blotted out of the book of life) if they do not repent, watch, and do the works the Messiah requires.

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation, Catholic chapter one, Protestant verse twenty
to
Revelation, Catholic chapter two, Protestant verses one to seven

as authorized, but not authored, by King James

141 posted on 06/22/2017 5:01:12 PM PDT by af_vet_1981 (The bus came by and I got on, That's when it all began.)
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To: metmom
All of them are superior to the KJV and none of them contradict any other.

So which version of the Catholic Bible is the *correct* Catholic Bible?

142 posted on 06/22/2017 6:21:47 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL)
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To: metmom
I wasn’t familiar with any Catholic Bible. I was told that I could not understand it so was not to read it.

Been there....you were NOT told not to read it, you were advised to seek help in interpreting it....as I read your posts, they were right.

143 posted on 06/22/2017 6:25:06 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL)
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To: BipolarBob; teppe; Normandy; StormPrepper
I don’t know which but I’m out some steaks and charcoal this weekend.

If yer havin' a cookout; you can safely ask LOTS of Mormons who have current, valid TR cards.

Them kinda folks wil NOT eat any of yer meat during warm weather; for they follow the WORD of Wisdom to the LETTER!!


 
THE
DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
SECTION 89
 
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, February 27, 1833. HC 1: 327–329. As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result. The first three verses were originally written as an inspired introduction and description by the Prophet.
 
1–9, Use of wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks proscribed; 10–17, Herbs, fruits, flesh, and grain are ordained for the use of man and of animals; 18–21, Obedience to gospel law, including the Word of Wisdom, brings temporal and spiritual blessings.
 
  1 A aWord OF Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion—
  2 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the aword of wisdom, showing forth the order and bwill of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—
  3 Given for a principle with apromise, adapted to the capacity of the bweak and the weakest of all csaints, who are or can be called saints.
  4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of aevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of bconspiring men in the last days, I have cwarned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—
  5 That inasmuch as any man adrinketh bwine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.
  6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, apure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.
  7 And, again, astrong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.
  8 And again, tobacco is not for the abody, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.
  9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.
  10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome aherbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
  11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with aprudence and bthanksgiving.
  12 Yea, aflesh also of bbeasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used csparingly;
  13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be aused, only in times of winter, or of cold, or bfamine.
  14 All agrain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;
  15 And athese hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.
  16 All grain is good for the afood of man; as also the bfruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—
  17 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.
  18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, ashall receive bhealth in their navel and marrow to their bones;
  19 And shall afind bwisdom and great ctreasures of dknowledge, even hidden treasures;
  20 And shall arun and not be bweary, and shall walk and not faint.
  21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the adestroying angel shall bpass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.



144 posted on 06/22/2017 6:58:32 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl

That’s not an answer to the question.

There are many versions of the Catholic Bible.

I guess it seems that the Catholic church can’t do any better a job translating than they accuse Prots of doing.


145 posted on 06/22/2017 6:59:37 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: BipolarBob; teppe; Normandy; StormPrepper
... they follow the WORD of Wisdom to the LETTER!!


(But it tends to make them a bit indecisive; trying to follow their various Scriptures)


 
 
What's for dinner?
 

D&C 49:18-19 

18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;
19 For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in
abundance.

D&C 89:12-13 

12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;
13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.

 
 
 
It must be tough; being a Mormon.   Having to face Scripture that state two opposing ideas and somehow managing to believe BOTH of them!  It's no WONDER that Utah leads in Prozac usage!
 
 
 

146 posted on 06/22/2017 7:01:01 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl; Religion Moderator
Been there....you were NOT told not to read it, you were advised to seek help in interpreting it....as I read your posts, they were right.

Absolute horse hockey.

You are wrong.

You were not there and you do not know what I was told and CANNOT tell me I don't know what I was told.

147 posted on 06/22/2017 7:01:29 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: af_vet_1981
New Testament churches had candlesticks and stars (angels) associated with them.

Don't you mean CATHOLIC churches??

148 posted on 06/22/2017 7:02:22 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: af_vet_1981
...and do the works the Messiah requires.

Yeah; some fellas asked Jesus a direct question about these REQUIRED works.

Rome has faithfully recorded His answer to them...


John 6:22-36

22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

 

25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[c]

32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.

 

 


1 John 3:21-23

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

 

 


149 posted on 06/22/2017 7:05:17 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl; metmom

All of them are superior to the KJV and none of them contradict any other.

http://usccb.org/bible/approved-translations/


150 posted on 06/22/2017 7:06:52 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: af_vet_1981
I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
 
 
 
 
Oh; How I Love Jesus               https://youtu.be/tWgOVG63blU
 
 
Ave Maria                                  https://youtu.be/B7sz-En87Vc?t=5

151 posted on 06/22/2017 7:20:30 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie

I was long gone from Catholicism by 1983.


152 posted on 06/22/2017 7:22:05 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: metmom
That’s not an answer to the question. There are many versions of the Catholic Bible. I guess it seems that the Catholic church can’t do any better a job translating than they accuse Prots of doing.

Nope, none of the Catholic versions contradict one another....they may simplify the language, explain in more familiar terms, but they NEVER change the meaning of the original bible......which they wrote.

153 posted on 06/22/2017 7:45:45 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL)
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To: metmom
You are wrong. You were not there and you do not know what I was told and CANNOT tell me I don't know what I was told.

Nope, you sadly misinterpreted what they told you....did they EVER tell you that you couldn't own a Bible ????, probably not, so if you owned one, what were you expected to do with it????Bibles were OFTEN given as gifts for first Communion kids and for eighth grade grads from Catholic schools....they weren't paperweights, they were to be read.

154 posted on 06/22/2017 7:53:31 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERALL)
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To: Elsie
New Testament churches had candlesticks and stars (angels) associated with them. Don't you mean CATHOLIC churches??

Well, for one thousand six hundred years...there weren't any others....

155 posted on 06/22/2017 7:55:32 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERNew Testament churches had candlesticks and stars (angels) associated wALL)
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To: metmom
I was long gone from Catholicism by 1983. That's VERY apparent.
156 posted on 06/22/2017 7:57:01 PM PDT by terycarl (COMMON SENSE PREVAILS OVERNew Testament churches had candlesticks and stars (angels) associated wALL)
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To: terycarl
And PRAISE GOD FOR THAT!

I traded the bondage of Catholicism for the freedom of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

157 posted on 06/22/2017 8:17:56 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: terycarl

Again, you don’t know.

Yes they told me that I could not understand it and not to read it, no matter what the voices in your head keep telling you otherwise.

You cannot make stuff up about other people and then try to pass it off as truth. Especially when the person you’re talking to knows better than you what happened to themselves.

You want to claim I was permitted to read it?

PROVE it.

Prove to me I am wrong in my claims and cite the sources. Your opinion and say so don’t count.


158 posted on 06/22/2017 8:21:42 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith..)
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To: terycarl
Well, for one thousand six hundred years...there weren't any others....

And their teachings and beliefs were above reproach.



159 posted on 06/23/2017 3:02:12 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: terycarl

1 Corinthians 5:6

https://youtu.be/D4163uV65x0


160 posted on 06/23/2017 3:21:42 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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