How do non-denominational Christians pick a church?

[Xavierlives]

I think it’s very important that we Christians come to know the Truth. We must love God with our entire heart, soul, MIND and strength. The MIND part is why most of us are here. We’re trying to understand Him with our entire MIND.

And, I believe that it is incorrect to say that the main thing is you* believe* in God. For Scripture does not say that–in fact Scripture says in James that even the demons believe.

I’ve heard of a 56 yr old Pastor, who believes in God and Scripture, marrying a 14 yr old young girl. Clearly, belief is not enough.

No one is arguing that. About 50 posts ago, I made the comment, the only work required was a belief in Christ. Don’t fault me, I didn’t write the scripture. Yes, this would “appear” to be a contradiction to James. But Jesus is the one who said my quote. I used the quote to say you can expect to see works, just as you expect to see figs on a tree. If the tree doesn’t produce, then Jesus says, cut it down and burn it. But a new fig tree does not produce fruit at first. Does this mean we should go cutting? No. This means we wait and see. What happens if the fig tree is producing minimal fruit? What happens if the tree is producing one fig? This is why Christ is in charge of the orchard.

The point was, the only requirement of work in our salvation is that belief (or faith) in Jesus. That is what the demons lack. And on a side note, I do not see a contradiction between Jesus and his brother.

 

[tweetymom]

During the Polio epidemic, and during the Black Plague, and other epidemics, this was certainly the case, yes.

When i was a child only the Priest was privy to the cup. It wasn’t during the black plague. it was when I was 3-4 and until I was 13 when I no longer went to Mass.

 

[jmcrae]

When i was a child only the Priest was privy to the cup. It wasn’t during the black plague. it was when I was 3-4 and until I was 13 when I no longer went to Mass.

If it was the 1950s, then that would have been the Polio epidemic. From 1899 until the late '40s, there were a wide variety of war-related plagues going on - tuberculosis, etc.

 

[tweetymom]

If it was the 1950s, then that would have been the Polio epidemic. From 1899 until the late '40s, there were a wide variety of war-related plagues going on - tuberculosis, etc.

My grandmother who was a cradle Catholic never was offered the cup. She told me that it was only for the Priest.

 

[jmcrae]

My grandmother who was a cradle Catholic never was offered the cup. She told me that it was only for the Priest.

She was still receiving the whole Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in the host - Christ is not divided.

 

[jmcrae]

No one is arguing that. About 50 posts ago, I made the comment, the only work required was a belief in Christ. Don’t fault me, I didn’t write the scripture. Yes, this would “appear” to be a contradiction to James. But Jesus is the one who said my quote.

Where is the word “only” in that quote? Jesus also said everything in Matthew 25, including the list of good works for which people will go to Heaven - and the lack of which will cause people to go to Hell.

 

[tweetymom]

She was still receiving the whole Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in the host - Christ is not divided.

So now that we do it is a change?

 

[jmcrae]

So now that we do it is a change?

No - it is a fuller sign, but it is still Jesus, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, undivided. Jesus doesn’t suddenly become divided simply because we sometimes receive Him under two appearances, instead of just one.

 

[tweetymom]

No - it is a fuller sign, but it is still Jesus, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, undivided. Jesus doesn’t suddenly become divided simply because we sometimes receive Him under two appearances, instead of just one.

Eat this bread and drink this cup are not a together thing. First you have to eat Christ Body then Drink His Blood.

 

[Xavierlives]

Where is the word “only” in that quote? Jesus also said everything in Matthew 25, including the list of good works for which people will go to Heaven - and the lack of which will cause people to go to Hell.

And the irony is “even the devils believe” is manifested in John 6:70, but that is not your question. Your question is about “only.” My only point is I am sure there are trees cut down short of bearing fruit. Does this make them fruitless? If Christ, for whatever reason, as the master of the orchard cuts down a barren tree that had hundreds of flowers, is it fruitless? I’ll save you a response, only the Master knows.

 

[jmcrae]

Eat this bread and drink this cup are not a together thing. First you have to eat Christ Body then Drink His Blood.

We seem to be going off-topic. Do you want to continue this conversation in another thread?

 

[jmcrae]

And the irony is “even the devils believe” is manifested in John 6:70, but that is not your question. Your question is about “only.” My only point is I am sure there are trees cut down short of bearing fruit. Does this make them fruitless? If Christ, for whatever reason, as the master of the orchard cuts down a barren tree that had hundreds of flowers, is it fruitless? I’ll save you a response, only the Master knows.

The subject of the thread is “how do non-denominational Christians choose a church?”

Make a new thread, and notify me of it, if you still want to discuss this subject.

 

[1beleevr]

Read it again. He said, “This is my body … This is my blood.” Nothing about symbols.

The chalice is offered separately. We receive and consume the Host, and then we approach the minister who is holding the chalice, and we take a sip from the chalice.

But (as when there is danger of a plague) the chalice is sometimes not offered - and it’s okay, because the Host itself is the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ, complete. We don’t believe that Christ is separated from Himself.

]

Okay, si it’s not a piece of flesh, and a pint of real blood, so why isthat not symbolic? As we hold the bread and juice(fruit of the vine), just as Jesus did, He comes alive during our communion, also!

 

[tweetymom]

]

Okay, si it’s not a piece of flesh, and a pint of real blood, so why isthat not symbolic? As we hold the bread and juice(fruit of the vine), just as Jesus did, He comes alive during our communion, also!

Yes it does.

 

[1beleevr]

I think it’s very important that we Christians come to know the Truth. We must love God with our entire heart, soul, MIND and strength. The MIND part is why most of us are here. We’re trying to understand Him with our entire MIND.

And, I believe that it is incorrect to say that the main thing is you* believe* in God. For Scripture does not say that–in fact Scripture says in James that even the demons believe.

I’ve heard of a 56 yr old Pastor, who believes in God and Scripture, marrying a 14 yr old young girl. Clearly, belief is not enough.

]

Doesn’t Jesus say in John 17:3, That eternal life is believing in God, and the One that He sent? And you are right, many of us do struggle with knowing and loving God with our entire mind! And haven’t there been 50+ year old catholic priests who have not married, but rather molested young children? And demons should believe in and fear God!

 

[twopekinguys]

]

Okay, si it’s not a piece of flesh, and a pint of real blood, so why isthat not symbolic? As we hold the bread and juice(fruit of the vine), just as Jesus did, He comes alive during our communion, also!

Jesus said, “This is my body…”, and “This is my blood…”. He didn’t say, This is a symbol of my body, or This is a symbol of my blood.

 

[1beleevr]

When i was a child only the Priest was privy to the cup. It wasn’t during the black plague. it was when I was 3-4 and until I was 13 when I no longer went to Mass.

]

For some, the manner in which communion is observed, as well as music, comfort, and doctrine, are ways that people select church homes! If the priest is the only one drinking from the cup, how are parishioners benefitting, when they themselves, do not get to drink of the “blood?”

 

[1beleevr]

Jesus said, “This is my body…”, and “This is my blood…”. He didn’t say, This is a symbol of my body, or This is a symbol of my blood.

]

He didn’t have to; common sense would tell anyone that they were bread and wine, not really flesh and blood BTW, is this the Protestant or the catholic speaking?

 

[jmcrae]

]

For some, the manner in which communion is observed, as well as music, comfort, and doctrine, are ways that people select church homes! If the priest is the only one drinking from the cup, how are parishioners benefitting, when they themselves, do not get to drink of the “blood?”

When we receive the Eucharist, whether it’s under the appearance of bread only, or under the appearance of wine only, or under both appearances, it is always the same Jesus - Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. This is what is so important to understand - the lay people who receive only the Host are not receiving “less Jesus” than the priest is receiving - everyone is receiving the same living Jesus, and we all become living Tabernacles of the Lord whenever we do so.

 

[1beleevr]

When we receive the Eucharist, whether it’s under the appearance of bread only, or under the appearance of wine only, or under both appearances, it is always the same Jesus - Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. This is what is so important to understand - the lay people who receive only the Host are not receiving “less Jesus” than the priest is receiving - everyone is receiving the same living Jesus, and we all become living Tabernacles of the Lord whenever we do so.

]

It’s the same with us, when we partake of communion, albeit, more like Jesus and His disciples! We all get to partake of the cup, however, as did Jesus’s disciples What is so incredible, is that Jesus comes alive wherever anyone encounters Him! Heard a good question from Max Lucado: “If Jesus showed up at your church, in a human body, would you recognize Him?”