We don't follow a *Christianity*.
We follow Christ. What we believe about Him is found in Scripture. What this nonsense is about us not admitting to anything or out and out hiding something is is beyond me.
What Catholics need to do is unwrap their minds from denominationalism and wrap it around Jesus and freedom in Christ.
We do not believe that it is a church which saves; it's a Person who saves. My identity is not in the church I attend, it's in Christ. I am a follower, a disciple, of Jesus, not Peter, not Luther, not Calvin, not any other human on this planet. Matter of fact, Paul lays that following man stuff to rest, even as far as defusing the claim of Peter being the first pope that the Catholics make.
1 Corinthians 1:1:10-17 10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
What *church* the building we go to, we attend is irrelevant in regard to our salvation. It's merely a place to worship once a week and is not the mainstay of our spiritual lives. It can be edifying and encouraging. We can have great friends there, but our lives should not revolve around church and a denomination but around Jesus.
Hebrews 12 (ESV) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12 (NIV) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12 (KJV) 1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I couldn't decide which version I liked the best so here they all are.
WOW! You’re not gonna believe this, but I was just thinking of that verse. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Well, I believe you ARE going to believe this..:) GMTA
Oh please, one may eschew organized or denominational “religion” but no one has beliefs that are unique to them.
We have ALL learned what we believe from someone else.
***We don’t follow a *Christianity*.****
Oh please, again.
Everything posted here can be directly traced to a denomination whether one wants to admit it or not.
There is certain appeal to some to be rebels and loners.
In my mind, much of it is arrogance and pride.
1 Corinthians 1:1:10-17 10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Did you even read the first line in that passage?
You realize that Paul went to Peter and the others to confirm that what he was preaching was the truth, don’t you?
****We do not believe that it is a church which saves; it’s a Person who saves.****
So does the Catholic church.
****I am a follower, a disciple, of Jesus, not Peter, not Luther, not Calvin, not any other human on this planet. ****
Yeah, sure. Not a single other person has influenced you.
***It can be edifying***
What do you think “edifying” means?
***I couldn’t decide which version I liked the best so here they all are.***
Yes, I like those too but we greatly differ as to how Jesus does that.