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To: HuntsvilleTxVeteran

I don't think this would be my cup of tea -- I have always been involved in the traditional church and I like it. But I understand why a lot of people would like this. It isn't always easy to find a good, solid congregation. House churches might even become a significant source of spritual renewal. I'm thinking in terms of early Methodism, which operated across denominations and largely outside of them.

With house churches, I would be concerned about doctrine and accoutability, though, because, even with the best intentions, and with doctrine defined and a structure for accoutability in place, it is quite easy to drift into error and deception.

What got to me about this article was its tone and implication -- that here are a group of "revolutionaries" out to finally reverse the mess made by bad old Constantine. Well, we've heard that one before, and it always smacks of arrogance and a willful disregard for what God has done and continues to do in and through His church (not Constantine's) since the days of the apostles.


31 posted on 06/27/2006 10:43:31 AM PDT by Southside_Chicago_Republican (The moving finger writes and, having writ, moves on......)
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To: Southside_Chicago_Republican

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html

Above URL goes to the Didche!

Chapter 11. Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets. Whosoever, therefore, comes and teaches you all these things that have been said before, receive him. But if the teacher himself turns and teaches another doctrine to the destruction of this, hear him not. But if he teaches so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord. But concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he shall not remain more than one day; or two days, if there's a need. But if he remains three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread until he lodges. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.


37 posted on 06/27/2006 10:49:01 AM PDT by HuntsvilleTxVeteran ("Remember the Alamo, Goliad and WACO, It is Time for a new San Jacinto")
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To: Southside_Chicago_Republican

Straying from doctrine happens *within* a church also ... a prime example being the Episcopal Church I last attended.


96 posted on 06/27/2006 9:35:51 PM PDT by La Enchiladita (God Bless Our Troops...including U.S. Border Patrol, America's First Line of Defense)
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