How do non-denominational Christians pick a church?

[1beleevr]

Do you believe that God is the one that determines how he is to be worshiped, or do you believe it is up to the conscience of the individual believer? For Catholics, it is the former. It’s kind of like this: Imagine that I have invited you over for dinner, and while you are eating, I keep telling you what sort of food you like. I don’t ever ask you what you would like, and if you try to tell me, I don’t listen. I keep insisting that you like the food I am putting on your plate, because it pleases me.

Now imagine if you were God, and I kept telling you how you liked to be worshiped. That’s how Catholics feel about “choosing a church” among denominations. It seems as though non-Catholics are choosing what fits them, and then assuming that because they are happy, or feel good, or feel as though they are worshiping, that God is therefore happy and feels good and feels as though he is being worshiped. It seems as though people are ascribing their own feelings about worship to God. And Catholics believe that our own feelings cannot always be trusted. God has given us revealed Truth, and we can choose to accept it, but it does not come from our own hearts. It comes from God’s word, Jesus Christ.

So for Catholics, the question isn’t whether we can somehow feel as though we can praise God outside of the four walls of a church (we can feel this), or whether we can pray and sing to him in our cars (we can and do, and this is good). The question is, has God prescribed a specific way to worship him. And the answer, to us, is yes. In the Old Testament/Covenant, he described how the temple was to be built and worship was to take place. In the New Testament/Covenant he established the Mass at the last supper and built his Church to baptize, forgive sins, and celebrate the Mass until he comes.

We don’t feel this is optional. We haven’t done this because we feel it is the best way to worship God. Many Catholics would probably rather sing Michael W. Smith songs than receive Holy Communion, if they had a choice. But it isn’t up to us. God has told us what sort of “food” he likes at “dinner.” He has told us how he is to be lifted up and how we are to be saved. He has given us the definition of worshiping in spirit and in truth, and that is the Sacrifice of the Mass. This is why we cannot choose another Church.

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You are obviously somewhat deluded; I have never told God how He should be worshipped, just saying that there is no wrong way to worship Him, as long as your worship is sincere!

 

[1beleevr]

You certainally have that right. We were called upon yesterday to do something that perhaps saved a womans life and in the name of Jesus we did it. even tho we had other plans for the day. God Bless

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God Bless you, and Happy New Year! And I wasn’t offended by the marriage stuff, just perplexed!

 

[1beleevr]

I think you are still confusing “worship” with “praise.” We can praise God in many ways, and in any place.

“Worship” is what takes place when a group of people gather together in a holy place with a priest, and the priest offers their sacrifice to their God. There can be singing, praying, and Scripture reading there, as well, but the actual “worship” is the offering of the sacrifice.

]

And you are equally confused, my Christian sister Worship does not only occur when a priest is present and God prefers obedience over sacrifice(1Samuel 15:22) Wrong again, worship is way more than sacrifice(read above; also Psalms 50!:thumbsup:Worship can occur when two or more people come together to pray, serve, praise!

 

[1beleevr]

I do know. And I have experienced it. And it’s good. But it is not sufficient. Give it 20 yrs, His Alone, and you will see. The fruits of this will pan out. No matter how great a concert church you go to. My former church had a recording studio, does yours?

Kick it up a notch and worship (with MWS songs) in front of the Blessed Sacrament – JESUS in the FLESH, right after Communion…

Talk about the closest thing to heaven on earth.
Please watch, 1beleevr.

“[You are my God”

It’s not about me. It is all about Jesus.
:bowdown:

I’m sorry Jesus that I left you, and your precious Body and Blood in the Eucharist,
for better “worship.” :imsorry:] Have not only watched and listened; our WORSHIP group has sang it!

 

[tweetymom]

]

God Bless you, and Happy New Year! And I wasn’t offended by the marriage stuff, just perplexed!

What marriage stuff?

 

[1beleevr]

I do know. And I have experienced it. And it’s good. But it is not sufficient. Give it 20 yrs, His Alone, and you will see. The fruits of this will pan out. No matter how great a concert church you go to. My former church had a recording studio, does yours?

Kick it up a notch and worship (with MWS songs) in front of the Blessed Sacrament – JESUS in the FLESH, right after Communion…

Talk about the closest thing to heaven on earth.
Please watch, 1beleevr.

“You are my God”
youtube.com/watch?v=aJ4tEFPuhYI&feature=related

It’s not about me. It is all about Jesus.
:bowdown:

I’m sorry Jesus that I left you, and your precious Body and Blood in the Eucharist,
for better “worship.” :imsorry:

]

Just because it became a concert for you, does not it is so for everyone who worships our God with CCM or old hymns, or children singing “Jesus Loves Me”. And who says there will be mass in Heaven?

 

[jmcrae]

You are obviously somewhat deluded; I have never told God how He should be worshipped, just saying that there is no wrong way to worship Him, as long as your worship is sincere!

If God requires us to go to Mass on Sundays, then “the wrong way” would be to do something else instead of going to Mass on Sundays - right?

It’s not up to us, how we worship God. It’s up to God. God has commanded us to go to Mass on Sundays, and it was He who gave us the order of the Mass. He has not said, “Do what ever you feel like doing; I don’t really care.”

Doing good deeds, giving alms, praising, reading the Scriptures, and other things are also good things to do, in addition to worshipping God.

 

[tweetymom]

If God requires us to go to Mass on Sundays, then “the wrong way” would be to do something else instead of going to Mass on Sundays - right?

It’s not up to us, how we worship God. It’s up to God. God has commanded us to go to Mass on Sundays, and it was He who gave us the order of the Mass. He has not said, “Do what ever you feel like doing; I don’t really care.”

Doing good deeds, giving alms, praising, reading the Scriptures, and other things are also good things to do, in addition to worshipping God.

God said go to Church not which one and never mentioned Mass to my knowledge.

 

[1beleevr]

If God requires us to go to Mass on Sundays, then “the wrong way” would be to do something else instead of going to Mass on Sundays - right?

It’s not up to us, how we worship God. It’s up to God. God has commanded us to go to Mass on Sundays, and it was He who gave us the order of the Mass. He has not said, “Do what ever you feel like doing; I don’t really care.”

Doing good deeds, giving alms, praising, reading the Scriptures, and other things are also good things to do, in addition to worshipping God.

]

God does not REQUIRE me to go to mass, nor does He tell me how to worship Him! Psalms 100:1 says,“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!” Good worship is that which pleases our God! So your post was another pat catholic answer!

 

[PRmerger]

]

God does not REQUIRE me to go to mass, nor does He tell me how to worship Him! Psalms 100:1 says,“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!” Good worship is that which pleases our God! So your post was another pat catholic answer!

Well, I don’t know whether it was “pat’s” Catholic answer , but it certainly was a* catholic answer. * Don’t know why you would point that out, since you’re on a um…**Catholic Answers **Forum. I would think you’d expect to get…catholic answers.

How do your services fit in with this verse:

“For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of hosts -Malachi 1:11

What is the only pure offering? Jesus Christ of course! Do you offer Christ at your services?

Does your church have incense?

Did you know that at every hour of the day, around the world, the Catholic Mass is being offered somewhere?

 

[jmcrae]

God said go to Church not which one and never mentioned Mass to my knowledge.

The Last Supper was the first Mass. Jesus showed the Apostles how to say the Mass, and ordained them to the Priesthood. It was not originally called “Mass” - in the Acts of the Apostles they refer to it as “the breaking of the bread”.

 

[1beleevr]

The Last Supper was the first Mass. Jesus showed the Apostles how to say the Mass, and ordained them to the Priesthood. It was not originally called “Mass” - in the Acts of the Apostles they refer to it as “the breaking of the bread”.

]

Actually, catholics have named it mass; not God! I believe that He enjoys when His people(yes that would include us noncatholics) come together in fellowship and worship! It does not have to be mass, or catholic sevice!

 

[1beleevr]

Well, I don’t know whether it was “pat’s” Catholic answer , but it certainly was a* catholic answer. * Don’t know why you would point that out, since you’re on a um…**Catholic Answers **Forum. I would think you’d expect to get…catholic answers.

How do your services fit in with this verse:

“For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of hosts -Malachi 1:11

What is the only pure offering? Jesus Christ of course! Do you offer Christ at your services?

Does your church have incense?

Did you know that at every hour of the day, around the world, the Catholic Mass is being offered somewhere?

]

Please read ALL of the post! I know this is a catholics answers forum; but it doesn’t mean that all of the answers are RIGHT! And why do they call this "Non-catholic religins forum, when catholics dominate it? And our church does all those things. And what I mean by a “pat” catholic answer, is that when you give an answer, there is no wavering, no other response counts, just yours. In other words, arrogance, thy name is catholic!

 

[1beleevr]

The Last Supper was the first Mass. Jesus showed the Apostles how to say the Mass, and ordained them to the Priesthood. It was not originally called “Mass” - in the Acts of the Apostles they refer to it as “the breaking of the bread”.

]

The Last Supper was the first communion, not the first mass! And were the dsciples ordained here, or was it on Pentecost? Would ordained Christly priests “scatter” when the Shepherd was struck? Would an ordained priest deny His Master thrice?

 

[jmcrae]

]

Actually, catholics have named it mass; not God!

Right - and it doesn’t matter what you call it, as long as you do it.

I believe that He enjoys when His people(yes that would include us noncatholics) come together in fellowship and worship! It does not have to be mass, or catholic sevice!

1. Why would God give a commandment that He does not require us to obey at all?
2. Worship is not about us giving something to God that He would “enjoy.” It is about us giving up something of ourselves to God in sacrifice, to unite ourselves with Him, and He with us. That’s why He sets the terms; not us.

 

[jmcrae]

]

The Last Supper was the first communion, not the first mass! And were the dsciples ordained here, or was it on Pentecost?

They were ordained at the Last Supper. They received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Would ordained Christly priests “scatter” when the Shepherd was struck? Would an ordained priest deny His Master thrice?

As it turns out, they did. Priests have done worse things, too. Being ordained a priest doesn’t do anything magical to him. It only gives him the authority to pass on the Faith by means of the Sacraments.

 

[RedBert]

Xavierlives:
Ask youself: Does it change God’s Message?

1. How can the Holy Spirit tell the Lutherans the Eucharist is the true presence of Christ, and then tell the Baptists it is only a symbol?

No.

1. How can the Holy Spirit tell the Methodists it is alright to have female ministers, and then tell the Baptists it is unbiblical?

Yes. Ruh-roh. We might have a problem.

1. How can the Holy Spirit tell the Seventh Day Adventists that Saturday is the day of worship, and then tell the Presbyterians the day of worship is Sunday and not Saturday?

No.

1. How can the Holy Spirit tell the Lutherans that the Blessed Virgin Mary was and remains always virgin, and then tell the Baptists she had other children?

No.

1. How can the Holy Spirit tell the Baptists, ‘once saved always saved’, and then tell the Church of Christ that Sola Fides is unscriptural?

No.

1. How can the Holy Spirit tell Episcopalians to baptize infants and then tell Pentecostals infant baptism is invalid?

No.

1. How can the Holy Spirit tell Mormons that the Holy Trinity is three separate persons, and then tell Methodists the Trinity is three persons in one GOD

Yes. Ruh-roh. We might have a problem.

romans 14 answers this:

2One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.

5One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind

14As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean

so
4Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.**
13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.**

**17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. **

22So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves

 

[1beleevr]

Right - and it doesn’t matter what you call it, as long as you do it.

1. Why would God give a commandment that He does not require us to obey at all?
2. Worship is not about us giving something to God that He would “enjoy.” It is about us giving up something of ourselves to God in sacrifice, to unite ourselves with Him, and He with us. That’s why He sets the terms; not us.

]

Have you read 1Samuel 15:22, and Psalms 50? God loves obedience, and desires it over sacrifice! I know that Paul tells us that we are to offer ourselves as “living” sacrifices to God, but I believe this means surrendering your will to Him and doing His! Which Commandment are you speaking of, anyway? Are you jmcrae able to obey the second greatest Commandment, to love others as yourself, without any exceptions?

 

[RedBert]

]

Have you read 1Samuel 15:22, and Psalms 50? God loves obedience, and desires it over sacrifice! I know that Paul tells us that we are to offer ourselves as “living” sacrifices to God, but I believe this means surrendering your will to Him and doing His! Which Commandment are you speaking of, anyway? Are you jmcrae able to obey the second greatest Commandment, to love others as yourself, without any exceptions?

psalm 51

15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 ****You do not delight in sacrifice, ****or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.

 

[1beleevr]

What marriage stuff?

]

You know, when we were talking about divorce and remarriage, and how the catholic church could annul marriages as if they never happened?