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.
That's what happens when one uses one standard for the basis of the beliefs and the same Teacher.
I don't know a thing about what churches these FReepers attend: cynicalbear, smvoice, caww, boatbums, presentlynoscreenname, but we have unity in belief because we use Scripture as the standard by which to measure. Like CB says, we check what we hear with Scripture to see if it's so.
Everything posted here can be directly traced to a denomination whether one wants to admit it or not.
And just what does every denomination appeal to as the basis of its belief and to give it authority?
The same Bible, which for centuries was the KJV. When all those denominations were being formed, that was basically the only Bible available.
Hebrews 11:32-37 32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
There is certain appeal to some to be rebels and loners.
Wide is the road and broad is the path that leads to destruction and many are there who find it.
Romans 12 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Friendship with the world is emnity against God.
Jesus was a rebel and loner as well as He bucked the religious system of the day. A rebel and a loner? Count me in. (Or count me out) I'll wear it as a badge of honor.
Anyone who becomes a Christian has to have the strength of character to be a rebel and a loner when you consider the pressure put on you by the enemy to conform and take the easy way out.
The level of criticism someone gets for converting to Christ is mind boggling and the pressure to go back into the old system of beliefs, as in that exerted on former Catholics to *cross the Tiber* is not for the weak willed or compliant.
Persecution and martyrdom is not for crowd followers.