May I attend a protestant bible study?

  • Thread starter Thread starter fireproofpoodle
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
JL: It sounds as though one can LEARN to be infallible by going to bible studies, were some things are right, and some wrong. How then could a learned bible study leader be right at times and wrong at times, yet an unlearned person will be able to tell what is not true?

1Jn2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 THEY WENT OUT FROM US, but they were not of US; for if they had been of US, they would no doubt have continued with US: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of US 20 But YE HAVE AN UNCTION FROM THE HOLY ONE, and YE KNOW ALL THINGS. 21 I HAVE NOT WRITTEN unto you BECAUSE YE KNOW NOT THE TRUTH, but because YE KNOW IT, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 … 23… 24 LET THAT therefore ABIDE IN YOU, WHICH YE HAVE HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING. IF THAT WHICH YE HAVE HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING shall REMAIN IN YOU, YE also SHALL CONTINUE IN THE SON, AND in the FATHER. 25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, EVEN ETERNAL LIFE. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But THE ANOINTING which YE HAVE RECEIVED OF HIM ABIDETH IN YOU, and YE NEED NOT that ANY MAN TEACH YOU: but as THE same ANOINTING TEACHETH YOU ALL THINGS, AND IS TRUTH, and is no lie, and even AS IT HATH TAUGHT YOU, YE SHALL ABIDE IN HIM.

THE ANOINTING (UNCTION) YE HAVE RECEIVED OF HIM=that is grace and wisdom from the Holy Spirit, the seven gifts. Who gives the wisdom, to LET THAT ABIDE IN US, WHICH WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING. Note not what we have read and formed our own opinion. In other words the gospel as preached by the SENT Apostolic Fellowship, the Church the pillar and ground of truth. That which we have HEARD from the beginning, if we allow it to abide in our hearts and mind we know the truth and will not be deceived, by those teaching another gospel. The (UNCTION) ANOINTING TEACHETH YOU ALL THINGS. The anointing teaches those of the Household of God to remain faithful to the word (that abideth in them, that which they have RECEIVED FROM THE BEGINNING, as proclaimed in the Church by her lawful ministers who have been SENT. In unity with them we share in the Holy Spirit promised to lead the Church in all truth and have the knowledge necessary not to be deceived and led astray by those who went out from the Church, they are not SENT ministers, but go out on their own authority, teaching another gospel of their own opinion.

What did people do the first time the gospel was preached by Peter? Acts2:41 Then THEY THAT gladly RECEIVED HIS WORD were BAPTIZED: and the same day there WERE ADDED UNTO THEM about three thousand souls. 42 And THEY CONTINUED steadfastly IN the APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE and FELLOWSHIP, and in BREAKING OF BREAD, and in PRAYERS. [Those that received his word were baptized. They were brought into the Church by baptism and CONTINUED steadfastly in the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Fellowship.] 1Cor 1:9 God is faithful you were called into THE FELLOWSHIP OF his Son JESUS CHRIST 10 I appeal to you BREATHREN by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that all of you AGREE that there be no dissensions among you that you BE UNITED in the same mind and THE SAME JUDGMENT. 1Jn 4:6 We are of God Whoever knows God LISTENS TO US and he who is not of God DOES NOT LISTEN TO US BY THIS WE KNOW the spirit of TRUTH and the spirit of ERROR [Therefore we do not listen to men, who go out on there own authority, the spirit of error, to be taken in by false teachers and every wind of doctrine men can devise through sola scriptura, that tower of babel, confusing the one faith langueage scattering people of faith into myriads of groups, by a tradition of men made a doctrine of God around 1521 AD.] Some like hit and miss truth and their own guesses with split on split. I will stay with the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth, 1 TM 3:14.

[Eph3:7 Whereof I was made A MINISTER, ACCORDING TO THE GIFT of the grace of God given unto me BY the effectual working OF HIS POWER. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And TO MAKE ALL MEN SEE what is THE FELLOWHIP of THE MYSTERY, which from the beginning of the world hath been HID IN GOD, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent THAT NOW unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places MIGHT BE KNOWN BY THE CHURCH THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD,]

Paul even checked his teaching with that one fellowship, to be sure he was not teaching another doctrine or gospel. [Gal2:1 Then fourteen years after I WENT UP AGAIN TO JERUSALEM with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up BY REVELATION, and COMMUNICATED UNTO THEM that GOSPEL which I PREACH among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, LEST BY ANY MEANS I SHOULD run, or HAD RUN, IN VAIN.]
I may be misunderstanding you here but it seems that you are saying that the Protestants left the Catholic Church becuase they were not of God. It seems that you are saying that the Protestant ministers are not sent from the Lord. I may have misunderstood what you wrote but that is how it comes across.

He who loves God obeys God, and is guided by God. He who loves God is sent by God as love for God is a receptiveness of God’s goodness to the individual and all of mankind.

He who loves has the Truth and the Truth does not lie.
 
Well if having communion in a Protestant church bothers you then you should not do it then but you could reason it out that at the Protestant church it is not literal. There was no change and it is just symbolic in the Protestant church as the members there just believe it is symbolic thus it does not change at the Protestant church. Thus you would not lying in taking it if you believed that it is symbolic at the Protestant church.
The issue is not about lying about what one believed the Protestant communion to be; the issue is what message one is sending when one recieves communion. The very word ‘communion’ means that those who partake in it are united or ‘in union’ with others that are partaking in it. This doesn’t just mean a unity of love, but also of belief. It sends the message there are no significant differences among us in what we believe. That would be a lie.
As to unity, unity in Christ is love, it is not everyone becoming the same denomination or church. Becoming the same denomination or church is worldly unity not spiritual unity. Christ is love so people of any denomination when they love are in union with the Lord and each other. When in Christ, differences are tolerated and in some cases celebrated, as in Christ, Love is first.
That unity is only love is a minimalist understanding of that word–one which the Church since apostolic times has never held. You are welcome to your own personal interpretation of it, of course, but neither the Scriptures or the Church have ever taught that.

And as to “becoming the same denomination or church is worldly unity not spiritual unity,” the Scriptures do not support that opinion. There is no evidence in the New Testament for ‘denominations’ or that the Church was anything other than one, single, identifiable body of believers. 🙂
 
Hey with protestants it is usually symbolic so relax. With the protestants it is done in remembrance of Jesus. The communion is usually just symbolic of Jesus.

No harm attending that. Make friends. See how other people are human too. Being part of their religious life does not mean giving up your own.
🙂 Aww, that’s a nice sentiment!

Out of curiosity, as a Protestant, how many Catholic Bible studies or Rosary groups have you attended? How many new believers from your church have you advised to attend as well?
 
The issue is not about lying about what one believed the Protestant communion to be; the issue is what message one is sending when one recieves communion. The very word ‘communion’ means that those who partake in it are united or ‘in union’ with others that are partaking in it. This doesn’t just mean a unity of love, but also of belief. It sends the message there are no significant differences among us in what we believe. That would be a lie.

That unity is only love is a minimalist understanding of that word–one which the Church since apostolic times has never held. You are welcome to your own personal interpretation of it, of course, but neither the Scriptures or the Church have ever taught that.

And as to “becoming the same denomination or church is worldly unity not spiritual unity,” the Scriptures do not support that opinion. There is no evidence in the New Testament for ‘denominations’ or that the Church was anything other than one, single, identifiable body of believers. 🙂
It is too bad that unity among Christians for you is not unity of love. God is love so love must be put first. Anything else is spiritual adultery.

The sciptures tell us that God is love and that God must be put first.
 
🙂 Aww, that’s a nice sentiment!

Out of curiosity, as a Protestant, how many Catholic Bible studies or Rosary groups have you attended? How many new believers from your church have you advised to attend as well?
As a Protestant in 2008 I attended 12 Catholic Rosary meetings. One each month. I would still continue but that meeting closed because the leader moved away.

Last year I attended 5 Catholic masses. ( I got the blessing). I enjoy attending Catholic things.

Of course I encourage all believers from my church to attend religious activities of other denominations. In fact an Anglican church close by mine has invited us to their church and we of course are having people go. I and many in my church encourage others to take part in other denominations activities. Why not? Make friends. Learn. God is good!!!
 
As a Protestant in 2008 I attended 12 Catholic Rosary meetings. One each month. I would still continue but that meeting closed because the leader moved away.

Last year I attended 5 Catholic masses. ( I got the blessing). I enjoy attending Catholic things.

Of course I encourage all believers from my church to attend religious activities of other denominations. In fact an Anglican church close by mine has invited us to their church and we of course are having people go. I and many in my church encourage others to take part in other denominations activities. Why not? Make friends. Learn. God is good!!!
I’m glad to hear that. God bless you! 🙂
 
It is too bad that unity among Christians for you is not unity of love. God is love so love must be put first. Anything else is spiritual adultery.

The sciptures tell us that God is love and that God must be put first.
I didn’t say Christian unity was not a unity of love–I said it was not only a unity of love. Love is primary, of course, but love without truth is a false love.
1 Corinthians 1:10 RSVA
I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
God is love, but he is also truth (“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” - John 14:6). He is also a judge, and will judge us on our actions which arise out of what we believe. We must know the truth and obey it.
John 4:23-24 RSVA
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
**John 8:32 **RSVA
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
Romans 2:6-11 RSVA
For he will render to every man according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.
So both love and truth – without sacrificing either – are crucial.🙂
 
I didn’t say Christian unity was not a unity of love–I said it was not only a unity of love. Love is primary, of course, but love without truth is a false love.

God is love, but he is also truth (“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” - John 14:6). He is also a judge, and will judge us on our actions which arise out of what we believe. We must know the truth and obey it.

So both love and truth – without sacrificing either – are crucial.🙂
Love is Truth.
 
In terms of spirituality it is. In terms of obeying and submitting to the Lord it is.
Only in a vague, symbolic sense, not when it comes to the concrete truths of the faith we find, for example, in Scripture.
 
Only in a vague, symbolic sense, not when it comes to the concrete truths of the faith we find, for example, in Scripture.
There is nothing vague about Love. The Holy Ghost is the most concrete, permanent, and unchanging entity in existance.
 
I may be misunderstanding you here but it seems that you are saying that the Protestants left the Catholic Church becuase they were not of God. It seems that you are saying that the Protestant ministers are not sent from the Lord. I may have misunderstood what you wrote but that is how it comes across.
I am saying Christ established and SENT ONE FELLOWSHIP or Church, that the world may believe the Father SENT Him. And listening to that Church is how we can know without doubt truth from error. .

Scripture indicates, to be a valid minister one must be SENT, [Rm 10:14 …how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 how shall they preach EXCEPT THEY BE SENT? [Can an invisiable church SEND anyone?] Lk 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that HE went out into a mountain to pray, and CONTINUED ALL NIGHT IN PRAYER to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and OF THEM HE CHOSE TWELVE, whom also he NAMED APOSTLES; JN 17:18 As you have SENT me into the world I also SENT them into the world 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE CONSECRATED IN TRUTH. 20 I do not pray for these alone but for those who will BELIEVE IN ME THROUGH THEIR WORD 21 THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE as you Father are in me and I in you THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE you SENT ME.] Christ is praying for one specific VISIBLE sent group, the Apostles Fellowship, whom he consecrated in truth. Hearing their word and being one in fellowship, with THEM, the world may believe the Father sent him. I don’t think Christ meant, he would only be with that fellowship and it would only be ONE, just while the apostles were alive, but to the end of the world. [Mt 28:16 THE ELEVEN disciples 18 JESUS SPOKE TO THEM, ALL POWER IS GIVEN TO ME in heaven and in earth 19 GO TEACH ALL NATIONS BAPTIZING them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 20 TEACHING to observe ALL things whatever I have COMMANDED you I AM WITH YOU always even TO THE END.] The great commission to the Church, the apostles fellowship. Christ to whom all power in heaven and earth is given, sent with his authority the apostles to TEACH ALL to observe what he taught, they were to go to all nations (universal, catholic). Only the apostles were sent to teach all nations, with the authority of Christ. Christ promised to be with them till the end of the world. Those individuals would not be around till the end, but their SENT successors in the Apostolic Fellowship would, by passing on their authority to teach, sanctify and rule by laying on of hands from bishop to bishop, in an unbroken line, till the end.

DN 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall THE GOD OF HEAVEN SET UP A KINGODM which shall never be destroyed and THE KINGDOM shall not be left to other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms and IT SHALL STAND FOR EVER, Lk 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be CALLED THE SON OF THE HIGHEST and the Lord GOD SHALL GIVE unto HIM THE THRONE OF HIS FATHER DAVID 32 And HE SHALL REIGN OVER THE HOUSE OF JACOB FOR EVER and OF HIS KINGDOM THERE SHALL BE NO END. [LK 22:29 I APPOINT YOU A KINGDOM as my Father has appointed me 30 That you may eat and drink AT MY TABLE IN MY KINGDOM and SIT ON THRONES JUDGING the twelve tribes of Israel 31 SIMON Satan has desired to have you 32 I have prayed for you that YOUR FAITH FAIL NOT when you are converted, STRENGTHEN YOUR BRETHREN.] When Peter is converted his faith will never fail, he is to strengthen all the brethren as Universal Pastor. Christ said Satan wanted to sift all the apostles (you plural) as wheat, but Christ prayed that only (you singular) Peter’s faith fail not, this was said in the presents of the other apostles. Christ promised Peter’s faith alone would not fail, implying all must be in union and agree with the faith of Peter. Those not in union with Peter’s faith even though they have apostolic secession can teach error. My Bishop or any number of Bishops can teach error if not in union and agreement, with the successor of Peter. JN 21:14-17 Jesus asked Peter three times, “do you love me more than these” [THESE, would be the other apostles. After being asked three times and replying three times, “yes”. Christ said to Peter, the first time, “feed MY lambs”, the second time, “feed MY sheep”, the third time, “feed MY sheep”. Peter is to feed ALL the sheep in Christ’s flock, not some, but ALL the sheep Christ has purchased with his blood.]

[ACTS 2:41 they that RECEIVED HIS WORD WERE BAPTIZED 42 THEY CONTINUED STEDFASTLY in the APOSTLES DOCTRINE FELLOWSHIP in BREAKING BREAD and in PRAYERS. 1Cor 1:9 God is faithful you were called into THE FELLOWSHIP OF his Son JESUS CHRIST. 10 I appeal to you BRETHREN by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that all of you AGREE that there be no dissensions among you that you BE UNITED in the same mind and the same judgment.] Can an invisiable church be a fellowship have the same doctrine, be united? One fellowship no matter where it is located in the world. [Lk 24:48 you are witnesses of these things 49 I SEND the promise of my Father upon you WAIT in Jerusalem TILL YOU ARE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH. Can an invisiable church wait in Jerusalem? Jn 16:13 When THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH comes HE WILL GUIDE YOU into ALL the TRUTH Jn 14:26 the Holy Spirit HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL things and BRING ALL things TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE WHATEVER I HAVE SAID TO YOU.] Christ is speaking to the Apostolic Fellowship, who will be endued with power from on high, by whom the Church will be guided into all truth and teach all things whatsoever Christ said, through the sacrament of Holy Orders, an unbroken line of successors, by laying on of hands, till the end of the world.
 
He who loves God obeys God, and is guided by God. He who loves God is sent by God as love for God is a receptiveness of God’s goodness to the individual and all of mankind. He who loves has the Truth and the Truth does not lie.
JL: You sound very new age to me, what denomination or non-denom do you belong? The following is how I see denoms or non-denoms.

[Mk 9:38 And JOHN answered him SAYING MASTER we saw one casting out devils in thy name and HE FOLLOWETH NOT **US and WE FORBAD HIM because HE FOLLOWETH NOT US 39 But JESUS SAID FORBID HIM NOT for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name that can lightly speak evil of me 40 For he that is not against US is on **OUR **PART.] The Holy Spirit works in those separated denominations outside the Apostles Fellowship. Uniting them to that one fellowship in a spiritual way.
 
There is nothing vague about Love. The Holy Ghost is the most concrete, permanent, and unchanging entity in existance.
There is nothing vague about Christian Love–except when it is reduced to the level of feelings.🙂
 
I am saying Christ established and SENT ONE FELLOWSHIP or Church, that the world may believe the Father SENT Him. And listening to that Church is how we can know without doubt truth from error. .

Scripture indicates, to be a valid minister one must be SENT, [Rm 10:14 …how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 how shall they preach EXCEPT THEY BE SENT? [Can an invisiable church SEND anyone?] Lk 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that HE went out into a mountain to pray, and CONTINUED ALL NIGHT IN PRAYER to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and OF THEM HE CHOSE TWELVE, whom also he NAMED APOSTLES; JN 17:18 As you have SENT me into the world I also SENT them into the world 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE CONSECRATED IN TRUTH. 20 I do not pray for these alone but for those who will BELIEVE IN ME THROUGH THEIR WORD 21 THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE as you Father are in me and I in you THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE you SENT ME.] Christ is praying for one specific VISIBLE sent group, the Apostles Fellowship, whom he consecrated in truth. Hearing their word and being one in fellowship, with THEM, the world may believe the Father sent him. I don’t think Christ meant, he would only be with that fellowship and it would only be ONE, just while the apostles were alive, but to the end of the world. [Mt 28:16 THE ELEVEN disciples 18 JESUS SPOKE TO THEM, ALL POWER IS GIVEN TO ME in heaven and in earth 19 GO TEACH ALL NATIONS BAPTIZING them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 20 TEACHING to observe ALL things whatever I have COMMANDED you I AM WITH YOU always even TO THE END.] The great commission to the Church, the apostles fellowship. Christ to whom all power in heaven and earth is given, sent with his authority the apostles to TEACH ALL to observe what he taught, they were to go to all nations (universal, catholic). Only the apostles were sent to teach all nations, with the authority of Christ. Christ promised to be with them till the end of the world. Those individuals would not be around till the end, but their SENT successors in the Apostolic Fellowship would, by passing on their authority to teach, sanctify and rule by laying on of hands from bishop to bishop, in an unbroken line, till the end.

[ACTS 2:41 they that RECEIVED HIS WORD WERE BAPTIZED 42 THEY CONTINUED STEDFASTLY in the APOSTLES DOCTRINE FELLOWSHIP in BREAKING BREAD and in PRAYERS. 1Cor 1:9 God is faithful you were called into THE FELLOWSHIP OF his Son JESUS CHRIST. 10 I appeal to you BRETHREN by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that all of you AGREE that there be no dissensions among you that you BE UNITED in the same mind and the same judgment.] Can an invisiable church be a fellowship have the same doctrine, be united? One fellowship no matter where it is located in the world. [Lk 24:48 you are witnesses of these things 49 I SEND the promise of my Father upon you WAIT in Jerusalem TILL YOU ARE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH. Can an invisiable church wait in Jerusalem? Jn 16:13 When THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH comes HE WILL GUIDE YOU into ALL the TRUTH Jn 14:26 the Holy Spirit HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL things and BRING ALL things TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE WHATEVER I HAVE SAID TO YOU.] Christ is speaking to the Apostolic Fellowship, who will be endued with power from on high, by whom the Church will be guided into all truth and teach all things whatsoever Christ said, through the sacrament of Holy Orders, an unbroken line of successors, by laying on of hands, till the end of the world.
I agree that He has sent one fellowship and this fellowship is the Kingdom of God or Body of Christ or Bride of Christ. Any who put Love which is Christ first are part of this universal church.

People of this Kingdom of God or universal church that the Lord set up come from all denominations. It is not being in the right denomination that gets you into the Kingdom of Heaven; it is loving the Lord with all one’s strength, mind, heart and understanding. This is the one fellowship that Jesus set up.

He who comes in another way is a thief and a robber.
 
JL: You sound very new age to me, what denomination or non-denom do you belong? The following is how I see denoms or non-denoms.

[Mk 9:38 And JOHN answered him SAYING MASTER we saw one casting out devils in thy name and HE FOLLOWETH NOT **US
and WE FORBAD HIM because HE FOLLOWETH NOT US 39 But JESUS SAID FORBID HIM NOT for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name that can lightly speak evil of me 40 For he that is not against US is on **OUR **PART.] The Holy Spirit works in those separated denominations outside the Apostles Fellowship. Uniting them to that one fellowship in a spiritual way.

I am not new age at all. I am pure Christian. I am an Orthodox, Conservative Quaker. My denomination however is not so important. Loving God with all one’s heart, mind, strength and understanding is what is important.

I agree that the Holy Spirit works in any denomination or anyone who obeys Him. This unites them all in a spiritual way which I would also define as the Apostles fellowship as well since they have all been sent by the Lord.
 
There is nothing vague about Christian Love–except when it is reduced to the level of feelings.🙂
The problem with this world is that too few people feel love in their hearts. They feel nothing. They are not bothered by the plight of the less fortunate. Without love in one’s heart the heart is spiritually dead.

We all need to feel Christian Love. We all need to feel the love for our fellow man. There is nothing vague about that.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top