What is the Gospel message?

[benidict]

Well, since I wasn’t born again by saying a sinners prayer, I can’t help you there.

The second question is weak at best. I can show you a verse that proves you must receive Christ if you want to live!

John 1:12
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

so you will ignore where paul states that there is a possiblity he could be cut off? i can give more verses that disprove osas, but if its gonna fall on deaf ears, then whats the point? have you ever even read the book of james? how about the words of Christ himself. many will come to me in that day, claiming LORD LORD! did we not prophecy in your name? did we not cast out demons and heal the sick? and he will say to them depart from me you workers of iniquity. i never knew you. these are people who believed in Christ. salvation is not a matter of easy believeism like you seem to think. it is by believing in Christ AND obedience to Him, and the authority he has set up. otherwise we are only doing our own thing and deceiving ourselves. i lost nothing by leaving protestantism. but i gained much. i only wish i had listened to that still small voice earlier. i could have saved myself much heartache and dissillusionment that comes through protestantism.

 

[Brandon72]

God HAS revealed himself to me. through dreams, visions and miracles he showed me the truth about the Catholic Church. its interesting to note. that when i finally obeyed and sought out HIS Church, that the things i was shown, were confirmed by this same Church. i did not learn from man that Mary is the Ark of the covenant. i did not learn from man about the Eucharist, i did not learn from Man about the intercession of the saints. Christ bride the Church confirmed what i already shown before by the Holy Spirit. only One Church was founded by Christ. it was not any Church in protestantism. your silence on that question is deafening. you cant find a protestant Church that can trace its beginings to Christ and the apostles, can you? so all you have for an authority is yourself and your own ideas. who am i to trust my salvation to? the authority Christ set up on earth to occupy until he returns? which by the way he promised would never fail. or you. a mere man, who has contempt for the things of God, and the authority he has established. may the scales fall from YOUR eyes, and i will pray that the Lord removes the pride you have in your heart.

Well for one, I don’t trace my faith through a protestant or Roman church, maybe that’s why I’m silent on it. I trace my faith directly to Jesus Christ. He chose me, I didn’t chose Him. You are confused to think you need a denomination to get you to Christ. Christ calls who he wills. No matter what earthly church you belong to, that doesn’t matter. Nothing in Scripture tells me I need a membership card to get to Heaven, I just need faith that is given by God.

How can you not know who to trust your salvation to?? Do you not have a personal relationship with Christ? It is you who has scales over your eyes. You seek you salvation in a earthly church and it’s laws, I found my secure salvation in Christ. I did nothing to get it, He called me. He didn’t say “now go to the nearest CC and take mass or I will cast you out”. He gave me a new heart to receive his word. He is my salvation, not a priest or temple or mass or anything. It is Jesus Christ.

Psalm 18:2

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

 

[Brandon72]

so you will ignore where paul states that there is a possiblity he could be cut off? i can give more verses that disprove osas, but if its gonna fall on deaf ears, then whats the point? have you ever even read the book of james? how about the words of Christ himself. many will come to me in that day, claiming LORD LORD! did we not prophecy in your name? did we not cast out demons and heal the sick? and he will say to them depart from me you workers of iniquity. i never knew you. these are people who believed in Christ. salvation is not a matter of easy believeism like you seem to think. it is by believing in Christ AND obedience to Him, and the authority he has set up. otherwise we are only doing our own thing and deceiving ourselves. i lost nothing by leaving protestantism. but i gained much. i only wish i had listened to that still small voice earlier. i could have saved myself much heartache and dissillusionment that comes through protestantism.

Eternal salvation, here we go!

[13] I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God** that you may know that you have eternal life.**
(1 John 5:13 ESV)

Here the Apostle John is not trying to make believers doubt. He is showing that a believers (elect of God) salvation is secure.

[13] In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
(Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV)

Notice the word guarantee! Still don’t believe in eternal security?

[6] And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
(Philippians 1:6 ESV)

[27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. [28]** I give them eternal life**, and they will** never perish**, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and** no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. **
(John 10:27-29 ESV)

[39] And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. [40] **For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” **
(John 6:39-40 ESV)

How can you deny what the Scriptures plainly teach? Jesus himself is telling us that if we are his sheep we will NEVER perish. Once saved always saved. If a believer falls into sin, he will be punished and corrected by the Father, but will never be cast out. If God has to he will take a believers life before casting him into Hell. Hell if for the non believers, or those who deny His call. Many are called but few are chosen.

May God open your heart to receive the truth.

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Well for one, I don’t trace my faith through a protestant or Roman church, maybe that’s why I’m silent on it.

This is incorrect. Your theology is Calvinistic through and through. If it makes you feel better to believe this I will leave you to it but it is a delusion,

You are confused to think you need a denomination to get you to Christ. Christ calls who he wills. No matter what earthly church you belong to, that doesn’t matter. Nothing in Scripture tells me I need a membership card to get to Heaven, I just need faith that is given by God.

This is another delusion of yours. You have made it quite clear that if someone shows up with a Catholic “membership card” they will be rejected by Christ. You want to believe all you need is faith but this faith is not, based on your posts, enough for Catholics. Your Gospel is worked based. One must have faith + leave the Catholic Church.

How can you not know who to trust your salvation to??

Nice try we do. It’s Christ. For there is, “salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12)

Is it easier for you to use strawmen arguments? To argue against a Church that exists only in your mind and fundamentalists web-sites?

Do you not have a personal relationship with Christ?

:yup:

You seek you salvation in a earthly church and it’s laws, I found my secure salvation in Christ. I did nothing to get it, He called me. He didn’t say “now go to the nearest CC and take mass or I will cast you out”. He gave me a new heart to receive his word. He is my salvation, not a priest or temple or mass or anything. It is Jesus Christ.

I see you did not heed my advive earlier to learn what the Catholic Church actually teaches. This speaks volumes on why you are here. You are not here to learn but, rather, to spread your, “traditions of men”.

God bless

 

[wisdomseeker]

Well for one, I don’t trace my faith through a protestant or Roman church, maybe that’s why I’m silent on it. I trace my faith directly to Jesus Christ. He chose me, I didn’t chose Him. You are confused to think you need a denomination to get you to Christ. Christ calls who he wills. No matter what earthly church you belong to, that doesn’t matter. Nothing in Scripture tells me I need a membership card to get to Heaven, I just need faith that is given by God.

How can you not know who to trust your salvation to?? Do you not have a personal relationship with Christ? It is you who has scales over your eyes. You seek you salvation in a earthly church and it’s laws, I found my secure salvation in Christ. I did nothing to get it, He called me. He didn’t say “now go to the nearest CC and take mass or I will cast you out”. He gave me a new heart to receive his word. He is my salvation, not a priest or temple or mass or anything. It is Jesus Christ.

Psalm 18:2

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

how can you love Jesus, yet reject His Church? i dont think this can be good for you.
you are being disobedient to God. i think God hates disobedience.
you are following a theology of a disobedient man who made a whole new theology about 400 yrs ago. but the Church has been here for 2000 yrs. so seek the Truth and you shall find. you try to rely on the Bible alone but this is false. someone told you that all you need is the Bible but the early Church never told anyone that the Bible is all you need. this is a false theology. ST Paul says that we must obey the leaders of the Church. to obey the leaders of the Church, it must be visible leaders in the visible Church. what Church leader do you obey? remember, Jesus only found One Church.

 

[OneAugustKnight]

Well for one, I don’t trace my faith through a protestant or Roman church, maybe that’s why I’m silent on it. I trace my faith directly to Jesus Christ. He chose me, I didn’t chose Him. You are confused to think you need a denomination to get you to Christ. Christ calls who he wills. No matter what earthly church you belong to, that doesn’t matter. Nothing in Scripture tells me I need a membership card to get to Heaven, I just need faith that is given by God.

How can you not know who to trust your salvation to?? Do you not have a personal relationship with Christ? It is you who has scales over your eyes. You seek you salvation in a earthly church and it’s laws, I found my secure salvation in Christ. I did nothing to get it, He called me. He didn’t say “now go to the nearest CC and take mass or I will cast you out”. He gave me a new heart to receive his word. He is my salvation, not a priest or temple or mass or anything. It is Jesus Christ.

Please tell me how you trace your faith directly to Jesus. I do also, by receiving him Sacramentally in the Catholic Church.

 

[vulcano37214]

No, it is more like when Jesus beat and chased the money changers from the House of God. the House of God that is what i am talking about and i demand respect and reverence when speaking about the House of God. the True Gospel doesnt deny the existence of the visible Church Jesus built.

You are right, the Gospel does not deny the Church, it adds to it those that are being saved.
People are saved and added to his Church through the Gospel message. The Bible is crystal clear that we are saved by the power of the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 1:18
18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

James 1:18
18In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

Romans 1:16-17
16For I am no ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

I could go on and on about how the Gospel has the power to draw a sinner to God. What i see a lot on these forums is people put to much emphasis on religion and not on What Christ did on the cross. People have forgotten what the word Church means. It is ekklesia #1577 the ones called out by Christ. It has nothing to do with being catholic, methodist or whatever church you are attending. Christ Church is just what it is. It is his Church. You do not have to join the catholic church to be included in Christ Church. Why would he rebuke the religious leaders of his time for there self righteousness and then tell us that we had to join another religious organization to be part of his Church. Jesus said that NO ONE GOES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT BY HIM. John 14:6.

Just remember, when we close our eyes for the last time, we can not go into heaven as a group. We do not measure ourselves with other sinners, we measure ourselves to Gods Holy standard, and we will all fail. Jesus Christ is our Righteousness and the only way we can stand before a Just and Holy God is through Jesus Christ.

God Bless.

Sam

 

[John_Martin]

I am new here and I would like for a roman catholic to explain the Gospel to me. If you were on a mission trip in the jungles of Brazil and found me living in tribe, never knowing or heard of Jesus Christ, how would you share the Gospel?

Thank you

I don’t know if you are still reading these posts; it has been a long time since your post.

Since you are “living in a tribe”, you understand what it is to be a member of that tribe, a citizen of the tribe, and a member of that family.
You see that tribe as your identity in the world. The tribe’s beginnings as a people are your beginnings. Its beliefs are your beliefs. Its laws are your laws.

I would come telling you about a different tribe, a different nation, a different people that was established by a God who is the one true God, above any other god that people could imagine, and that he established this different Kingdom by sending his Son to be its King, sending his son to give up his life to save this people.

There would be a lot more, many questions with many answers, all tailored to parallel the Kingdom God established alongside the nations and tribes men establish for themselves, showing how our true home and identity is with Jesus in his Kingdom. I would call you to come and receive citizenship in this people of God, the Church, being baptized and confirmed. It would mean your tribe is no longer your heritage, but your inheritance is with the people of God. You used to say “I am an American” (if America is your tribe), and now you say “I am a Christian” “I am a Catholic” as identification of the People with whom your identity resides.

 

[Brandon72]

I don’t know if you are still reading these posts; it has been a long time since your post.

Since you are “living in a tribe”, you understand what it is to be a member of that tribe, a citizen of the tribe, and a member of that family.
You see that tribe as your identity in the world. The tribe’s beginnings as a people are your beginnings. Its beliefs are your beliefs. Its laws are your laws.

I would come telling you about a different tribe, a different nation, a different people that was established by a God who is the one true God, above any other god that people could imagine, and that he established this different Kingdom by sending his Son to be its King, sending his son to give up his life to save this people.

There would be a lot more, many questions with many answers, all tailored to parallel the Kingdom God established alongside the nations and tribes men establish for themselves, showing how our true home and identity is with Jesus in his Kingdom. I would call you to come and receive citizenship in this people of God, the Church, being baptized and confirmed. It would mean your tribe is no longer your heritage, but your inheritance is with the people of God. You used to say “I am an American” (if America is your tribe), and now you say “I am a Christian” “I am a Catholic” as identification of the People with whom your identity resides.

John, I’m still watching. I’m waiting to get a good number of responses. I’m finding a wide variety of answers on here. I would like to think that it would be more uniform, like what Paul preached. He had only one Gospel and I’m getting many different versions on here.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[John_Martin]

I don’t know if you are still reading these posts; it has been a long time since your post.

Since you are “living in a tribe”, you understand what it is to be a member of that tribe, a citizen of the tribe, and a member of that family.
You see that tribe as your identity in the world. The tribe’s beginnings as a people are your beginnings. Its beliefs are your beliefs. Its laws are your laws.

I would come telling you about a different tribe, a different nation, a different people that was established by a God who is the one true God, above any other god that people could imagine, and that he established this different Kingdom by sending his Son to be its King, sending his son to give up his life to save this people.

There would be a lot more, many questions with many answers, all tailored to parallel the Kingdom God established alongside the nations and tribes men establish for themselves, showing how our true home and identity is with Jesus in his Kingdom. I would call you to come and receive citizenship in this people of God, the Church, being baptized and confirmed. It would mean your tribe is no longer your heritage, but your inheritance is with the people of God. You used to say “I am an American” (if America is your tribe), and now you say “I am a Christian” “I am a Catholic” as identification of the People with whom your identity resides.

Here are some more detailed thoughts from another post I did earlier today in a different thread:

A Christian is a citizen of the Nation established by God (the Kingdom of God), being granted that citizenship when baptized, and since then being a ‘resident alien’ living in the country of residence (as Peter wrote in his first epistle). The terms “Church” and “Kingdom of God” are interchangeable.

This Kingdom has continued with the leadership appointed by its King through the last 2000 years, and the original leaders (Peter and the apostles) are still active in this Kingdom, this Nation of the People of God.

People like to call Christianity or Catholocism a religion, but it is not simply personal convictions and beliefs - it is our “national identity”. For us to say “I am Catholic” is the same as Barack Obama saying “I am American” - national identity.

You might go so far as saying that, as a Catholic, your Social Security Card is your “green card” for living, working, buying and selling in the United States, since your true “country” is the Kingdom Christ established.

This is the Gospel, the first words out of Jesus mouth after he was annointed as the Messiah, as the King: “The Kingdom of God is here; come and believe this good news”, come, turn from your sin, and be joined to this Kingdom.

In this society, being a Catholic, being a citizen of this Kingdom God established, means that we do things differently than the people of the countries where we live;

• we don’t support abortion, while the citizens of the countries established by men do allow it;
• we don’t support or approve prostitution while citizens of countries and states like Nevada do approve it.
• We fully confess our sins and reconcile with those we have wronged, while the humanly established nations allow you to only do as much justice as you have to in order to avoid prosecution.
• We meet together as a people every week to be nourished as the People of God, with the Word and Sacraments - look around you during the next Mass you attend - you are looking at your fellow citizens.

 

[onenow1]

Hi onenow1,
I have to wholeheartedly disagree with your statement. That totally goes against what the Apostles of the NT taught.

Here is some of the good news you are missing!!!

[8:1] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. [3] For God has done what the law(** could easily insert Roman Catholic Church here**), weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. [5] For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. [6] For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. [7] For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. [8] Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 
[9] You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. [10] But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. [11] If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

(Romans 8:1-11 ESV)
Note: Nothing Paul ever wrote, says anything about following His rules or Peters rules or John’s rules. It’s all about what Christ can do for you or me, wretched men and women that we are. Does Rome give out the free gift of grace or does God?

Your opinions are noted. The Catholic Church teaches Christ Crucified, its up fornt and center in all CC.

I must disagree with your note above Brandon,on Pentecost St.Peter most certainly instructed the crowd. HERE:Acts. 2:36, Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart and said to St.Peter,and the rest of the Apostles "Brethern what shall we do? and St.Peter said to them "Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. St.Peter unquestionably took charge.

These verses below are indeed from Jesus Himself Brandon !

Jesus Christ passed on the AUTHORITY to His Apostles to act in His behalf:
Luke 10:16, “He who HEARS YOU, HEARS ME; AND HE WHO REJECTS YOU, REJECTS ME; AND HE WHO REJECTS ME, REJECTS HIM WHO SENT ME.”

John 20:21, “…As the Father has sent Me, I ALSO SEND YOU.” When He had said this, he breathed upon them, and said to them, “RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT; WHOSE SINS YOU SHALL FORGIVE, THEY ARE FORGIVEN THEM; WHOSE SINS YOU SHALL RETAIN, THEY ARE RETAINED.”

So I’ll leave now and stick with the messages from Jesus…1COR.15: 45-46 with Romans 6: 12-18 and pay particular attention to>>John{ 21 :15} “Simon son of John do you love me more then {THESE}.” More then these ? Not just do you love, do you love me more than these. 3 denials from St.Peter and 3 times the keys are restored.

God Bless
onenow1izza:

 

[Brandon72]

Here are some more detailed thoughts from another post I did earlier today in a different thread:

A Christian is a citizen of the Nation established by God (the Kingdom of God), being granted that citizenship when baptized, and since then being a ‘resident alien’ living in the country of residence (as Peter wrote in his first epistle). The terms “Church” and “Kingdom of God” are interchangeable.

This Kingdom has continued with the leadership appointed by its King through the last 2000 years, and the original leaders (Peter and the apostles) are still active in this Kingdom, this Nation of the People of God.

People like to call Christianity or Catholocism a religion, but it is not simply personal convictions and beliefs - it is our “national identity”. For us to say “I am Catholic” is the same as Barack Obama saying “I am American” - national identity.

You might go so far as saying that, as a Catholic, your Social Security Card is your “green card” for living, working, buying and selling in the United States, since your true “country” is the Kingdom Christ established.

This is the Gospel, the first words out of Jesus mouth after he was annointed as the Messiah, as the King: “The Kingdom of God is here; come and believe this good news”, come, turn from your sin, and be joined to this Kingdom.

In this society, being a Catholic, being a citizen of this Kingdom God established, means that we do things differently than the people of the countries where we live;

• we don’t support abortion, while the citizens of the countries established by men do allow it;
• we don’t support or approve prostitution while citizens of countries and states like Nevada do approve it.
• We fully confess our sins and reconcile with those we have wronged, while the humanly established nations allow you to only do as much justice as you have to in order to avoid prosecution.
• We meet together as a people every week to be nourished as the People of God, with the Word and Sacraments - look around you during the next Mass you attend - you are looking at your fellow citizens.

Thanks for your response John. I appreciate it.

God Bless

 

[Brandon72]

Your opinions are noted. The Catholic Church teaches Christ Crucified, its up fornt and center in all CC.

I must disagree with your note above Brandon,on Pentecost St.Peter most certainly instructed the crowd. HERE:Acts. 2:36, Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart and said to St.Peter,and the rest of the Apostles "Brethern what shall we do? and St.Peter said to them "Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. St.Peter unquestionably took charge.

These verses below are indeed from Jesus Himself Brandon !

Jesus Christ passed on the AUTHORITY to His Apostles to act in His behalf:
Luke 10:16, “He who HEARS YOU, HEARS ME; AND HE WHO REJECTS YOU, REJECTS ME; AND HE WHO REJECTS ME, REJECTS HIM WHO SENT ME.”

John 20:21, “…As the Father has sent Me, I ALSO SEND YOU.” When He had said this, he breathed upon them, and said to them, “RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT; WHOSE SINS YOU SHALL FORGIVE, THEY ARE FORGIVEN THEM; WHOSE SINS YOU SHALL RETAIN, THEY ARE RETAINED.”

So I’ll leave now and stick with the messages from Jesus…1COR.15: 45-46 with Romans 6: 12-18 and pay particular attention to>>John{ 21 :15} “Simon son of John do you love me more then {THESE}.” More then these ? Not just do you love, do you love me more than these. 3 denials from St.Peter and 3 times the keys are restored.

God Bless
onenow1izza:

Thank you onenow1. I also appreciate your response.

 

[bluelake]

Why do you think we have some many diff Baptism church in the USA today,because the Baprtism can not get along together so they break away and start a New c hurch,just look southern Baptism,Christian Baptism ECT… Baptism that can not cut there hair,Baptism that can not have a glass of wine,Baptism that must wear long dresses and on and on,ALL BEIEVING A DIFF THING

The real gospel message is to stop judging your brothers.
Mt.7:1-5
Jesus shows no favoritism. Rom.2;11 He loves us all. Errors and egos.

“don’t believe everything you think”.

Repent and find a Church that preaches Jesus Christ is the Savior!

God bless,
bluelake

 

[John_Paul_Jones]

Well, if you were living in Brazil, you would probably speak Portuguese.

He said he was living in a tribe, so he wouldn’t necessarily be speaking Portuguese but most likely one the languages of indigenous peoples in Brazil.

 

[wisdomseeker]

The real gospel message is to stop judging your brothers.
Mt.7:1-5
Jesus shows no favoritism. Rom.2;11 He loves us all. Errors and egos.

“don’t believe everything you think”.

Repent and find a Church that preaches Jesus Christ is the Savior!

God bless,
bluelake

Jesus said, if he does not listen to the Church, treat him is a heathen(anathema), he would be a cast out. there you have it. Jesus does not like error. there is a reason why Jesus built a Church, so people would know the Truth and not error. error comes from those who are proud and think that they know better than the Church Jesus found. God likes discipline and order. if this was not so, God would not have needed to reaveal to us the Truth. there is only one Truth and not many. believe or not, there is still false teachings. those who are in error are continuously spreading their error and trying to make people believe that is ok to be an error that God doesnt mind. He sure does, for God wants the Truth to be revealed and not error. if the CC is wrong, which religion is the one commanded to go forth to reveal the Truth of God? which one? it must be one in somewhere. God is not the God of lies but Truth and Truth must be the Truth and not lies. Jesus says, seek the Truth. the Truth must also come with the Truth of His revelation. our ancestrals fought errors and so must we do also. nothing has changed. the Church must still be here teaching the Truth. i know that many Catholics with this ecumenism idea have become disensitized to erros of other religions but i guarantee that God still loves the Truth and He has not changed His mind.

 

[wisdomseeker]

You are right, the Gospel does not deny the Church, it adds to it those that are being saved.
People are saved and added to his Church through the Gospel message. The Bible is crystal clear that we are saved by the power of the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 1:18
18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

James 1:18
18In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

Romans 1:16-17
16For I am no ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

I could go on and on about how the Gospel has the power to draw a sinner to God. What i see a lot on these forums is people put to much emphasis on religion and not on What Christ did on the cross. People have forgotten what the word Church means. It is ekklesia #1577 the ones called out by Christ. It has nothing to do with being catholic, methodist or whatever church you are attending. Christ Church is just what it is. It is his Church. You do not have to join the catholic church to be included in Christ Church. Why would he rebuke the religious leaders of his time for there self righteousness and then tell us that we had to join another religious organization to be part of his Church. Jesus said that NO ONE GOES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT BY HIM. John 14:6.

Just remember, when we close our eyes for the last time, we can not go into heaven as a group. We do not measure ourselves with other sinners, we measure ourselves to Gods Holy standard, and we will all fail. Jesus Christ is our Righteousness and the only way we can stand before a Just and Holy God is through Jesus Christ.

God Bless.

Sam

believe it or not, I am not here to battle Scriptures with you. i know you try to use Scriptures against the Church Jesus found. how you can do that, i dont know. how you separate Scriptures from teh Church, i dont know. how you came up with the idea of individualism such as, all i need is the Bible and not the Church, i do not know. but you must think about this. i know that the Apostles never tought such a thing. much to the contrary, the Apostles became very upset with this sort of thing. St Paul even mentioned how some would separated themselves from the Church. that was not a good thing then, and it is not a good thing today. those outside the Church should think about this. the Apostles never approved of people outside the Church to be teaching the Word of God. if you are doing this, you are in dissobedience to the Apostles. i would be very worried about this, if i were you.

 

[vulcano37214]

believe it or not, I am not here to battle Scriptures with you. i know you try to use Scriptures against the Church Jesus found. how you can do that, i dont know. how you separate Scriptures from teh Church, i dont know. how you came up with the idea of individualism such as, all i need is the Bible and not the Church, i do not know. but you must think about this. i know that the Apostles never tought such a thing. much to the contrary, the Apostles became very upset with this sort of thing. St Paul even mentioned how some would separated themselves from the Church. that was not a good thing then, and it is not a good thing today. those outside the Church should think about this. the Apostles never approved of people outside the Church to be teaching the Word of God. if you are doing this, you are in dissobedience to the Apostles. i would be very worried about this, if i were you.

the scriptures were God breathed. and useful for teaching. I am using the only authority there is. The Word.of God. Where in my comments am i denying the Church. The body of believers is the Church. The scripture tells us not to forsake the assembling together(that is the gathering of his Church). I am part of the Church. I am not sure i understand your argument. Maybe you should look up what the meaning of the Church is before you make a comment like this. You can not make your own definition to fit your theology.

ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia 1577)

1. church
   the common term for a meeting of the ἔκκλητοι (ekklētoi) (those summoned) to discuss the affairs of a Free State; the body of citizens summoned together by a herald (κῆρυξ (kērux 2783)). The Greek translation of the Old Test. transfer the term to the assembly of the people of Israel, whether summoned or met for a definite purpose (1Ki 8:65), or considered as the representative of the entire nation. In NT it denotes the redeemed community in its two-fold aspect. (i) The entire community of all who are called by and to Christ out of the world, the Church universal (ii) every Church in which the character of the Church as a whole is seen in miniature. The summoning is expressed by the latter part of the word (καλεῖν (kalein)), and out of by the first part (ἐκ (ek 1537)). It does not occur in Joh 1 and 2Jo 2 Timothy, Titus, Jude (this specific meaning occurs only in Act 19:32,39,41). Reference(s)
   Mat 16:18, Mat 18:17, Mat 18:17, Act 5:11, Act 7:38, Act 8:1, Act 8:3, Act 11:22, Act 11:26, Act 12:1, Act 12:5, Act 13:1, Act 14:23, Act 14:27, Act 15:3, Act 15:4, Act 15:22, Act 18:22, Act 20:17, Act 20:28, Rom 16:1, Rom 16:5, Rom 16:23, 1Co 1:2, 1Co 4:17, 1Co 6:4, 1Co 10:32, 1Co 11:18, 1Co 11:22, 1Co 12:28, 1Co 14:4, 1Co 14:5, 1Co 14:12, 1Co 14:19, 1Co 14:23, 1Co 14:28, 1Co 14:35, 1Co 15:9, 1Co 16:19, 2Co 1:1, Gal 1:13, Eph 1:22, Eph 3:10, Eph 3:21, Eph 5:23, Eph 5:24, Eph 5:25, Eph 5:27, Eph 5:29, Eph 5:32, Php 3:6, Php 4:15, Col 1:18, Col 1:24, Col 4:15, Col 4:16, 1Th 1:1, 2Th 1:1, 1Ti 3:5, 1Ti 3:15, 1Ti 5:16, Phm 1:2, Heb 2:12, Heb 12:23, Jas 5:14, 3Jo 1:6, 3Jo 1:9, 3Jo 1:10, Rev 2:1, Rev 2:8, Rev 2:12, Rev 2:18, Rev 3:1, Rev 3:7, Rev 3:14

 

[wisdomseeker]

the scriptures were God breathed. and useful for teaching. I am using the only authority there is. The Word.of God. Where in my comments am i denying the Church. The body of believers is the Church. The scripture tells us not to forsake the assembling together(that is the gathering of his Church). I am part of the Church. I am not sure i understand your argument. Maybe you should look up what the meaning of the Church is before you make a comment like this. You can not make your own definition to fit your theology.

ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia 1577)

1. church
   the common term for a meeting of the ἔκκλητοι (ekklētoi) (those summoned) to discuss the affairs of a Free State; the body of citizens summoned together by a herald (κῆρυξ (kērux 2783)). The Greek translation of the Old Test. transfer the term to the assembly of the people of Israel, whether summoned or met for a definite purpose (1Ki 8:65), or considered as the representative of the entire nation. In NT it denotes the redeemed community in its two-fold aspect. (i) The entire community of all who are called by and to Christ out of the world, the Church universal (ii) every Church in which the character of the Church as a whole is seen in miniature. The summoning is expressed by the latter part of the word (καλεῖν (kalein)), and out of by the first part (ἐκ (ek 1537)). It does not occur in Joh 1 and 2Jo 2 Timothy, Titus, Jude (this specific meaning occurs only in Act 19:32,39,41). Reference(s)
   Mat 16:18, Mat 18:17, Mat 18:17, Act 5:11, Act 7:38, Act 8:1, Act 8:3, Act 11:22, Act 11:26, Act 12:1, Act 12:5, Act 13:1, Act 14:23, Act 14:27, Act 15:3, Act 15:4, Act 15:22, Act 18:22, Act 20:17, Act 20:28, Rom 16:1, Rom 16:5, Rom 16:23, 1Co 1:2, 1Co 4:17, 1Co 6:4, 1Co 10:32, 1Co 11:18, 1Co 11:22, 1Co 12:28, 1Co 14:4, 1Co 14:5, 1Co 14:12, 1Co 14:19, 1Co 14:23, 1Co 14:28, 1Co 14:35, 1Co 15:9, 1Co 16:19, 2Co 1:1, Gal 1:13, Eph 1:22, Eph 3:10, Eph 3:21, Eph 5:23, Eph 5:24, Eph 5:25, Eph 5:27, Eph 5:29, Eph 5:32, Php 3:6, Php 4:15, Col 1:18, Col 1:24, Col 4:15, Col 4:16, 1Th 1:1, 2Th 1:1, 1Ti 3:5, 1Ti 3:15, 1Ti 5:16, Phm 1:2, Heb 2:12, Heb 12:23, Jas 5:14, 3Jo 1:6, 3Jo 1:9, 3Jo 1:10, Rev 2:1, Rev 2:8, Rev 2:12, Rev 2:18, Rev 3:1, Rev 3:7, Rev 3:14

There is only One Church. are you a Catholic? if you are not then you are not in teh Church. Jesus found one Church and not many.
is your Church the Pillar and bullwark of the Truth? try to understand the meaning of the Church before you can claim to understand the Church of the Apostles. the Church is not the Bible and me like you think it is.

 

[Brandon72]

the scriptures were God breathed. and useful for teaching. I am using the only authority there is. The Word.of God. Where in my comments am i denying the Church. The body of believers is the Church. The scripture tells us not to forsake the assembling together(that is the gathering of his Church). I am part of the Church. I am not sure i understand your argument. Maybe you should look up what the meaning of the Church is before you make a comment like this. You can not make your own definition to fit your theology.

ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia 1577)

1. church
   the common term for a meeting of the ἔκκλητοι (ekklētoi) (those summoned) to discuss the affairs of a Free State; the body of citizens summoned together by a herald (κῆρυξ (kērux 2783)). The Greek translation of the Old Test. transfer the term to the assembly of the people of Israel, whether summoned or met for a definite purpose (1Ki 8:65), or considered as the representative of the entire nation. In NT it denotes the redeemed community in its two-fold aspect. (i) The entire community of all who are called by and to Christ out of the world, the Church universal (ii) every Church in which the character of the Church as a whole is seen in miniature. The summoning is expressed by the latter part of the word (καλεῖν (kalein)), and out of by the first part (ἐκ (ek 1537)). It does not occur in Joh 1 and 2Jo 2 Timothy, Titus, Jude (this specific meaning occurs only in Act 19:32,39,41). Reference(s)
   Mat 16:18, Mat 18:17, Mat 18:17, Act 5:11, Act 7:38, Act 8:1, Act 8:3, Act 11:22, Act 11:26, Act 12:1, Act 12:5, Act 13:1, Act 14:23, Act 14:27, Act 15:3, Act 15:4, Act 15:22, Act 18:22, Act 20:17, Act 20:28, Rom 16:1, Rom 16:5, Rom 16:23, 1Co 1:2, 1Co 4:17, 1Co 6:4, 1Co 10:32, 1Co 11:18, 1Co 11:22, 1Co 12:28, 1Co 14:4, 1Co 14:5, 1Co 14:12, 1Co 14:19, 1Co 14:23, 1Co 14:28, 1Co 14:35, 1Co 15:9, 1Co 16:19, 2Co 1:1, Gal 1:13, Eph 1:22, Eph 3:10, Eph 3:21, Eph 5:23, Eph 5:24, Eph 5:25, Eph 5:27, Eph 5:29, Eph 5:32, Php 3:6, Php 4:15, Col 1:18, Col 1:24, Col 4:15, Col 4:16, 1Th 1:1, 2Th 1:1, 1Ti 3:5, 1Ti 3:15, 1Ti 5:16, Phm 1:2, Heb 2:12, Heb 12:23, Jas 5:14, 3Jo 1:6, 3Jo 1:9, 3Jo 1:10, Rev 2:1, Rev 2:8, Rev 2:12, Rev 2:18, Rev 3:1, Rev 3:7, Rev 3:14

Vulcano37214, When a RC says the word “Church” they believe it is the Roman Catholic Church, the one that Jesus Christ founded. Even though there is know way to trace that line, they still believe that. Get used to it if you post here.

Your definition is spot on though!
God Bless