[Dr. Eckleburg]

By the way, I prefer to use the original meaning of "church" which is eklesia, or congregation. In this sense, the argument you espouse of not being able to have an independent group can be seriously debated. From this point of view, Jesus' proclaimation "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am in their midst" takes root and grows. A good congregation will not claim any private interpretation, but will invite scrutiny and study the Word in the open with the heart of a child, seeing what God has to say, and then applying it.

AMEN!!!

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." -- 2 Timothy 2:15

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." -- Romans 12:2

"I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee." -- Psalm 22:22

[MarkBsnr]

By the way, I prefer to use the original meaning of "church" which is eklesia, or congregation. In this sense, the argument you espouse of not being able to have an independent group can be seriously debated. From this point of view, Jesus' proclaimation "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am in their midst" takes root and grows. A good congregation will not claim any private interpretation, but will invite scrutiny and study the Word in the open with the heart of a child, seeing what God has to say, and then applying it.

AMEN!!! "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." -- 2 Timothy 2:15 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." -- Romans 12:2 "I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee." -- Psalm 22:22

There are plenty of non-good congregations out there. I see many groups or individuals even here attempting their own private interpretations. If it doesn't come from the one Holy Church of Christ, then it's somebody's private interpretation. Millions of one individuals or small groups of individuals that each have a different interpretation very often severely conflicting cannot all be right. Two of them cannot be right if they conflict. Therefore they must be wrong.

People who believe in the Trinity and people who do not believe in the Trinity are not BOTH right. People who believe that they are bound by the Commandments and people who believe that they are not bound by the Commandments are not BOTH right.