MORE
UNMITIGATED
VATICAN CULT
BALDERDASH!
Posted on 10/31/2010 11:59:22 AM PDT by RnMomof7
In Christ Alone lyrics
Songwriters: Getty, Julian Keith; Townend, Stuart Richard;
In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This Cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease My Comforter, my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless Babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save
?Til on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live, I live
There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory Sin?s curse has lost its grip on me For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ
| The Orthodox Presbyterian Church was founded in 1936 by about 135 people who were offended by the lack of discipline in and doctrinal errors of the Presbyterian Church in the USA. . But early in its history the OPC fell under the influence of an agnostic view of propositional revelation emanating from Westminster Seminary -- a view that said that there is no identity of content between the \"Christian system\" of theology, meaning Reformed confessions of faith, and the \"divine system\" of theology, known only to God. This agnosticism has now brought the OPC to the point of falling. Like its predecessor, the PCUSA, the OPC has failed to discipline teachers who teach contrary to Scriptures and the Confession of Faith, and it has endorsed un-Biblical teaching about Scripture and the Gospel. |
The facts are that the OPC is heading down the same path as the PCUSA.
The facts are that the OPC is heading down the same path as the PCUSA.
I don't know about "facts", you surely have one man's opinion. I'll take my direct experience over the opinion of a malcontent.
YMMV
So far, Cronos has been unable to explain what the problem is; just that someone somewhere has a problem with something.
I'm really worried.
8~)
After 10 years of watching those babes be brought into the family of Christ, aren't you warming up to it just a bit? 8~)
"Calvinism is evangelicalism in its purest and only stable expression." B.B. Warfield, Calvin and Augustine, ed. Samuel G. Craig, 1956.
"We believe with the great Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, that Calvinism is just another name for Christianity." John H. Gerstner, Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth: A Critique of Dispensationalism, 1991.
AMEN!
Which is an example of changing the subject and avoiding the question.
Whereas Rome hides and protects and shelters its pederasts, shuffling them around from one unsuspecting parish to the next where they can and do repeat their raping of children for decades.
You can follow me all over the forum, Cronos, and keep posting the blather you think proves something other than your church has no defense for its pederast priests and inherent idolatry.
No one is reading your gibberish. Rome's feeble attempts at deflection away from its corruption seldom work.
As God wills.
Now that's interesting.
Rome dresses its wolves in a variety of clothing.
Matthias was chosen by the Apostles.
Acts 6: 2 2 So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. 3 3 Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, 4 whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5 The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. 4 7 The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
The Apostles chose and ordained these men to be 'pastors' to the newly converted.
Ephesians 4: 1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Therefore, we have ample evidence that ministering in a clerical way to Christians is a calling by God and done by the Church laying hands on those called. It is not a popularity contest of each group.
Why does a former ruling elder of the OPC say that?
Probably because he is a liar and a malcontent lunatic.
After visiting the website, I groaned when he dragged out the Auburn Avenue thing. Paul Elliot is a jackass. When the Federal Vision thing came out, there were people within the OPC who were buying into it, that much is true. Where Elliot leaves off is that many of the local assemblies had conferences on Auburn Avenue Federal Vision open to the laity. I know. I attended them. Up until that time, I had no idea that this sort of thing was making the rounds. Our pastor was very much against it, and as a result, several families within the congregation, over the course of a few months, gravitated to a PCA congregation that apparently embraces the teaching.
So Paul Elliot apparently thought the appropriate thing for the OPC to do was to torture and execute the heretics for their transgressions. That might be Plan 'A' for Rome, but that is not how Christians deal with error within the Church. This is part of the reason why Protestant denominations subscribe to a Confession, so that we have inter-generational and inter-regional stability within the Church. Furthermore, we are talking about brothers and sisters in Christ who are being lured into bad teaching. The appropriate response is not to kick them to the curb and piss on them, but to discuss it and settle the matter in a reasonable manner.
By evidence that those who subscribe to Auburn Avenue and/or NPOP left the OPC to find a PCA that accomodates their views demonstrates visibly that Paul Elliot is a liar and slanderer who obviously has an axe to grind. It also shows how well the OPC survives attacks as jackals like Elliot don't feel welcome.
This stuff really annoys me because there aren't that many denominations left that are faithful to the word. We have watched PC-USA and ELCA crash and burn, the Southern Baptists had their fling with blasphemers like Adrian Rogers at the helm, the American Religion is nothing but a racket to swindle people out of their time and money, Rome went apostate at Trent, and the list goes on.
I have reformed Baptist friends who once were members of the OPC, Jim was even an elder there, left for their own reasons, and haven't gone anywhere since because they believe that everything around them is not good enough. I go to the OPC because they are the most faithful to the Word here. I wish we had a place like Believer's Chapel of Dallas here (though they are officially classic Pre-mill). You go where you can that honors God the best. So when I see this dreck by Paul Elliot, and I am aware of the circumstances and yet Elliot grossly misrepresents the truth of what happened, it makes me wonder what else has gone on in his life to cause him to hate so much.
John 13:35
Except that he’s decidedly very VERY unsupportive of Vatican Cult hogwash.
He’s NOT the least bit in the Vatican’s camp.
He’s like Jesus—loves everyone potentially God’s kid . . . and he’s not per se about bashing groups just to bash them. However, he’ll quickly tell how the cow ate the cabbage whenever he perceives one’s left Biblical truth.
The congregation calls the pastors as was done in the early churches where a group of presbyters formed a type of committee which was in charge of local church affairs.
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." -- 1 Thess. 5:11-13 "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
The primary error of Rome is not understanding that the Apostolic age ended with the Apostles. There is nothing in Scripture to say the office of Apostle continued after Matthias took the place of Judas. It was the teaching of the Apostles which went out into the many churches of early Christendom. There were only 12 apostles of Christ. Any other "apostle" or disciple in Scripture is one who had been tasked with preaching the Gospel and establishing churches in the word of God. As an example, even though Barnabas is referenced as an "apostle" of the church, he later is led astray.
The office of the Apostles of Christ was very specific and involved only the original 12 men and Matthias who took over for Judas because these men alone fulfilled the requirements of Apostle...
beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us, one of these [must] become a witness with us of His resurrection." -- Acts 1:21-22 "Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us
As is so often the case, Calvin has a Godly perspective on the choosing of Matthias...
Peter's sermon is in two parts. Firstly he disposes of the difficulty which devout minds might have found in the fall of Judas; whence also he derives an exhortation that the rest may learn to fear God. Secondly, it remains for them to choose another in Judas' place. He establishes both by the witness of Scripture.... What he now brings in seems at first sight to be far-fetched. For if David spoke of transferring the bishopric to Judas, it does not at once follow that a successor should be elected by the disciples. Yet because they knew they had the charge laid upon them of ordering the Church, as soon as Peter has shown them that it was God's will that this should be done, he rightly infers that it is they who ought to execute the matter. For since God is pleased to use our agency for maintaining the government of the Church, as soon as we are assured of His will, we must not delay but diligently perform whatever our ministry demands. That was, beyond all controversy, the duty of the Church.... Only one was to be chosen in the place of Judas; they put forward two. It may be asked why they were not content with one. Was it because they were so like that they could not discern which was the more fit? This would surely not have been adequate reason for them to allow the matter to be decided by lot. And it seems also that Joseph was held in greater estimation. Or was it that there was a difference of opinion? This is highly unlikely, and is rendered untenable by the striking testimony that Luke gave a short time before to their unanimity. Finally it is not to be thought that they should mar the election of the apostle with such dissension. But the lot was introduced rather for this reason, that it might be known and witnessed to that Matthias was not to [sic] much chosen by the votes of men as appointed by the judgment of God. For there was this difference between the apostles and pastors, that whereas the pastors were chosen simply by the Church, the apostles must be called by God. Thus Paul in the preface to his epistle to the Galatians declares himself to be an apostle 'neither of men nor made by man.' Therefore as the distinction of this office was so great, it was fitting that in the election of Matthias, however well men had done their duty, the final decision should be left to God. Christ had appointed the others with His own voice; if Matthias had been adopted into their ranks by the choice of men alone, his authority would have been less than theirs. A middle course was adopted, whereby the disciples offered to God those whom they thought to be best and He should choose to Himself the one whom He knew to be most fit. Thus God, by the outcome of the lot declared that He approved the apostleship of Matthias. Now the disciples might seem to have acted rashly and irregularly in entrusting so important a matter to chance. For what certainty could they gain thereby? I reply that they had recourse to the lot only under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. For although Luke does not say it was so, yet since he has no desire to accuse the disciples of rashness but rather makes it plain that the election was lawful and approved by God, I therefore affirm that they took this step under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; even as beyond doubt their whole course of action was dictated by the same Spirit. But why do they not pray that God should choose whom He would out of the whole multitude? Is not this to rob God of His freedom, when they limit Him to their choices and in a sense make Him subject to them? But anyone who will take time to consider the matter will clearly recognize from the sense of Luke that the disciples would have dared do nothing, which they did not know to be their duty, and to have been commanded them by God. As for those who raise difficulties, we shall let them go their own way." -- Calvin's commentary on Acts So let us...consider what the Spirit speaks by the mouth of Peter. He begins by saying that the Scripture had to be fulfilled, lest anyone's mind should be troubled by the dreadful fall of Judas....
What great work you do. Love it.
The Everyday Visionary: Focus Your Thoughts, Change Your Life By Jesse Duplantis
Pp54-57 excerpts
.
He speaks of being in poverty as a child. Evidently his wealth experience came from his rock career. I’d thought his family had had money.
P54:
When I was eleven years old, Mama told me, ‘Son, I want you to play in church for the camp meeting they’re having.’
‘Why would I want to do that?’ I asked. “First, they don’t pay. And second, they don’t even appreciate good music.’
But, as usual, Mama got her way and I went to the church on the night of the camp meeting to play my guitar. . . .
. . .
No, I had a habit when I played—I moved. . . . The music was in me and it was coming out of me . . . but I was in church, so it didn’t go over too well. Suddenly, the sound went dead and I heard a voice yell from the pew, ‘Get that kid off there!’ I looked and saw that they had just pulled the plug out of the socket. That was the first time I was thrown out of church.
‘You can’t play!’ they said. ‘You’ve got devil music in you!’ ‘And you’ve got some of that black music in you, too!’
I was flippant and said, ‘Yeah, well y’all need some black mamas in here! Them sorry fat white women can’t sing a lick!’ Oh, they were so mad, the spit was flying! . . .
. . . by the time I was in my early twenties, my talent had been honed. I had learned a lot about people and I could play music in my sleep. I’d sold my talent to the world. I was in a band, touring and making more money than I’d ever thought I’d make. I had it all by my own standards. I had enough money to buy whatever I wanted, when I wanted.
What made me walk away from it? Destiny.
There is a way that man goes in life—a way that he creates for himself—but it is fleeting and unfulfilling. Without God, even your greatest dream will one day feel empty and tired.
. . .
I got to a point in my life and in my career where there was no happiness at all. Music was nothing to me. It was just a way out of my childhood misery. It was my way to make money. I was strong-willed and strong-minded. I was full of bravado. I figured I had made it on my own and didn’t need anybody else but me, but I was wrong. I was miserable.
You see, my mama didn’t leave me alone. She prayed for me and prayed for me and prayed for me. Eventually her prayers and faith started working to bring me back to the altar of God. . . .
Mama knew that I was getting to a dead-end road. She knew that I needed God and she was right. You see, the moment I made the decision to reject God as a child was the moment my mama began to really intercede in prayer for me. Years went by, but eventually her destination and my destination met up. I gave my life to Christ after watching Billy Graham preach on television on Labor Day Weekend in 1974, and I did it right before I had to leave the hotel room to go and play a rock show.
That moment in the hotel room changed my desitnation in life.
After that, my direction in life wasn’t fueled by the poverty of my youth. It wasn’t fueled by my dysfunctional family or the hypocrites I saw growing up in church. It was fueled by a simple love for the One who first loved me—Jesus.
Love will change you. Love will take you from the place you thought you wanted to go, and redirect you to the place where you’re meant to be.
My place was with the Lord Jesus Christ—not alone. My place was His house—not in some rat-infested nightclub. My place was years later, His pulpit preaching the Gospel—not hitting the bass guitar, loaded up on drug, and scanning the place for women.
I wasn’t a good man, but God took me in. I thought only about myself, but He didn’t let that deter Him from opening His arms to me. God took me when no one else would. But it took that decision, that moment of salvation and surrender—that moment of change—to
[p57]
redirect my steps in life and to find a new destiny, a new destination, a place that God had made, just for me.
THERE’S NOTHING INFECTIOUS ABOUT SECONDHAND FAITH
Why didn’t I catch hold of the faith of those Christians that crossed my path when I was young? Why didn’t I have a life changing moment when I was young? Why did I have to go through so much sin to get to the place of salvation?
I believe it was because the people I saw as a young boy were trying to live off the faith of others. It was [!!!TRADITION!!!] tradition to them. They may have been living off the truth of their mama’s relationship with God. Maybe they were living off the faith of the founder of that church. Maybe they were trying to live off the faith of preachers of old.
It doesn’t really matter. You see, secondhand faith isn’t infectious. It’s just a bunch of rules and regulations. I don’t think I could catch real faith from them if I rubbed up against them all day. The only antidote for secondhand faith is firsthand relationship.
God doesn’t want to take anything from us. He wants to give everything to us. He’s not a taker, He’s a giver. Anything He asks you to give or give up has one purpose—to make your life better, to open the door for you to receive more.
God didn’t ask me to give up my musical career in a rock band. He didn’t ask me to cut my long, 1970s hair or even stop doing drugs or drinking. He asked for my heart. He showed me His love. He showed me a path that was greater than the one I was walking on before.
I chose to leave the band because it was at odds with my new firsthand relationship with God. I chose to stop drinking and doing drugs because I no longer needed those things as a crutch in my life. Did I know where I was going in life after I met Jesus? No, I didn’t! I didn’t know what would become of me. I just knew I had to follow after God.
PRAISE GOD FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS!
Wow!! I haven’t been paying a whole lot of attention to this thread. It’s gone viral!
Praise God for using even the jerks and their mean-spirited nonsense to work His will.
cute seal, but as usual, you, as a protestant, have no idea at all of what you are talking about. You can't take an organization 1,500 years old and decide to set your own rules as to how she should be operated....thousands of people (perhaps smarter than you) throughout the years have determined that Catholicism was pretty much the way it is....but nope, along comes Martin and his group trying to convince mankind that he could do it better....I don't think so.....in fact there are now about 20,000 "denominations" who think that they EACH have it right We have our newest here....the heartland church...O.K. I guess, but I don't think Christ founded it 2010 years ago
LOL I read through some of the posts and I can tell you that the back and forth has convinced me that my stance on no organized church for me is the right one for me.
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