[pegleg]

It means they had to go by what they were told - someone elses interpretation - as opposed to what they could discern for themselves.

You have no faith in the authoritative Church that Christ established. You have become your own Pope. As a side, how do you think the first Christians learned the message of Christ before the NT was closed?

To reiterate, I firmly believe in miracles, I just don't believe something is a miracle because someone high up in some religious organization, ANY religious organization, says it is.

That’s good, you believe in miracles. It’s a shame you don’t have more faith in Christ when he said he would built his Church upon the Rock, promised the gates of hell would not prevail against it and would be with it until the end of time.

I believe the Church is the body of believers and not an organization or particular denomination.

So are you saying doctrine is not important?

One of the main reasons I go to church is to get teaching and guidance from others regarding my own road towards a personal relationship with my Lord, Jesus Christ. But I have the right and RESPONSIBILITY to reject their counsel if I believe, after prayer, that it is wrong.

As I said, you have become your own Pope. I pray you will continue to seek the truth which will eventually lead you to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

[RobRoy]

>>As I said, you have become your own Pope.<<

You nailed it! Although I wouldn't use that word since it really has no meaning to me regarding my relationship with Christ. You see, my relationship is with Christ himself - nobody in between.

>>So are you saying doctrine is not important?<<

The doctrine of the particular group I worship with is important, otherwise I'd just be unitarian. But only to a point, since I will not agree with any particular church organization 100%. I look for key doctrine such as the deity of Christ and baptism by immersion and some other basic Christian tenets (that's why I'm not mormon - they're not even Christian).

After that it comes down to convenience, personalities, teaching opportunities and learning opportunities.

>>It’s a shame you don’t have more faith in Christ when he said he would built his Church upon the Rock, promised the gates of hell would not prevail against it and would be with it until the end of time.<<

I prefer to believe we interpret that scripture differently. Greater minds than ours come down on both sides of this issue. I do have a question, though. What do you think it means when it says the gades of hell will not prevail against it?

>>I pray you will continue to seek the truth which will eventually lead you to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. <<

I would prefer it said, "I pray you will continue to seek the truth which will lead you to a closer relationship and understanding of the one true God."

It's less one sided and more sincere. Let's face it, neither one of us can be ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE that he/she is right. That's why it's called faith.

BTW, my wife was Irish Catholic for over 40 years. Strong believer too. We both have come to the position that we no longer put our faith in what church organization we belong to, but rather, God Himself as he chooses to reveal himself to us through His Word and prayer as well as through the teaching of others. Sometimes they're right. Sometimes they're wrong. I like to think of it as iron sharpening iron