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To: Dutchboy88
Yes, I did read it - that was the point of my attempt at an answer. I also said "Look, no religious organization is perfect", which agrees with you in principle.

Yes, ALL denominations are the result of break-offs from the original church. At some point, somebody thought "hey, these guys are wrong" are were unable to achieve a satisfactory correction. Are denominations scriptural, per se? No, but I'll bet that every one of them believed at the outset that they were trying to reform the main body they broke away from, and regretted having to do so. You could argue that Christ himself was such a reformer as he railed against the corruption of the Jewish leadership of the day (Matt. 23).

Paul was indeed originally sent out from the church at Jerusalem (Acts 11:22 - sent to Antioch). Never did I say (or even imply) a Judaism connection. Please do not put words onto my post that are not there.

My PCA denomination often actually has signs posted in front of their main local buildings reading something like "Meeting place of the _____ (name of church body)". We do understand what the 'church' is: a group of believers, and not a building or organization.

40 posted on 10/26/2011 11:53:09 AM PDT by alancarp (Liberals are all for shared pain... until they're included in the pain group.)
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To: alancarp
"Yes, ALL denominations are the result of break-offs from the original church. At some point, somebody thought "hey, these guys are wrong" are were unable to achieve a satisfactory correction. Are denominations scriptural, per se? No, but I'll bet that every one of them believed at the outset that they were trying to reform the main body they broke away from, and regretted having to do so. You could argue that Christ himself was such a reformer as he railed against the corruption of the Jewish leadership of the day (Matt. 23)."

Jesus did not rail against the corruption of the Jewish leadership for the same reasons that denominations are not biblical. The Pharisees, Saducees, Priests, Sribes, etc. were focused on a misapprehension of the message of the Scriptures. They believed God wanted Jews to behave and make up the difference with sacrifices. That God was generally happy with them (after all, they were the "chosen race", right?). These men fabricated hundreds of ways to "accomplish" the Law. Read the Mishna, Midrashim.

That they were irretrivably lost, broken beyond repair, not seeking God, dead in their trespasses and sins never dawned on them in spite of the message of the prophets (Is). Their incorrect view of the real need for Messiah is quite different than groups creating organizations with brand names.

And, originally (if you insist) Paul was "sent" by God from Damascus (Galatians). There was no "official ordination" or any such thing by a group. That the various towns recognized what God was doing is a far cry from being a "member" of an Organization called the First Church of Jerusalem, part of Central Palestine Orthodox New Covenant Accepters of Jesus from Nazareth Holy Spirit Filled Believers Denomination. Please do not put words into the Scriptures that are not there.

44 posted on 10/26/2011 12:17:44 PM PDT by Dutchboy88
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