“A church is not the Church. What part of that do you not understand?”
I have never once used the word “church” in reference to a building. I don’t think you’re disagreeing with what you think you’re disagreeing with.
“And yet they only believed through the preaching of the Church. That’s the whole point. Christ sent the Church.”
Preaching, which is what we are all commanded to do, and setting up a fancy building and requiring people to show up every sunday, going to a Priest to gain forgiveness, performing rituals over and over again as a condition of salvation, are not the same things.
The emphasis in scripture is one of true spirituality and holiness. That means, stuff you don’t see, not an emphasis on what you can see.
Your emphasis is on worldly buildings, visible rituals, and methods that one must follow to gain favor with God.
That is one of the reasons why you keep flipping out whenever I use the word “Church” to refer to two or three people gathered together, as opposed to the Pope’s residence in Rome.
You wrote:
“I have never once used the word “church” in reference to a building. I don’t think you’re disagreeing with what you think you’re disagreeing with.”
I am disagreeing with your misunderstanding.
“Preaching, which is what we are all commanded to do, and setting up a fancy building and requiring people to show up every sunday, going to a Priest to gain forgiveness, performing rituals over and over again as a condition of salvation, are not the same things.”
And, again, there is your misunderstanding. Christ said to offer the Eucharist in remembrance of Him. It’s not just “rituals over and over again”.
“The emphasis in scripture is one of true spirituality and holiness. That means, stuff you don’t see, not an emphasis on what you can see.”
It means an emphasis on grace - but we receive that grace from Christ through the sacraments and prayer.
“Your emphasis is on worldly buildings, visible rituals, and methods that one must follow to gain favor with God.”
No, it isn’t. My emphasis is on what Christ gave us. You deny what Christ has given us. I don’t.
“That is one of the reasons why you keep flipping out whenever I use the word “Church” to refer to two or three people gathered together, as opposed to the Pope’s residence in Rome.”
I have never flipped out. Why do you have to make things up? I have not said a thing about the Church being the pope’s apartment. I doubt that fact will stop you from making things up, however.