Its no joke. Its what my Bible teaches.
So then am I to assume that you worked this whole scenario out yourself by using the Bible?
Or did you copy and paste it from someone you trusted to have figured it all out ahead of time for you?
You have no idea what your missing, when you refuse to let God's Spirit work through you, so you understand His words, and not what someone else understood.
If at judgment day were asked to explain our belief, what will you do if they don't allow you to quote what others believed?
What would you do if you have to prove what you truly believe from God's word?
It would be great if your not so ingrained with pre-programmed ideas, if you could pick out a subject, ask God to direct you through His Spirit, and using only the Bible, work the whole thing out.
When your satisfied that it aligns with the Bible, then compare it with your Churches teachings and see how they match up.
I don't have a church I consider my own, but I do check other commentaries and beliefs to see how many have come to the same conclusions.
It's the most exciting thing in the world to let Gods Spirit flow through you. and not only to talk to Him and ask questions, but to then just sit and quietly listen to what He has to tell you about your self.
I fear that too many people who depend on the Church to tell them what they should think, miss out on this miracle He has to offer you.
JH :)