tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post1674621596963946424..comments2023-09-01T04:42:16.881-05:00Comments on In Spirit and In Truth: Church - A Stumbling Block to Faith?Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11788930568128035386noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-35384903208079890502008-02-02T10:47:00.000-06:002008-02-02T10:47:00.000-06:00Here's the link to the post "The Integrity of Fell...Here's the link to the post "The Integrity of Fellowhip and Accountability" <BR/><BR/>http://confessionsofanunchurchedbeliever.blogspot.com/2007/06/integrity-of-fellowship-and.html<BR/><BR/>I didn't add it in my comment to January Cat.<BR/>God Bless!Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11788930568128035386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-51709667988971979072008-01-29T21:52:00.000-06:002008-01-29T21:52:00.000-06:00January Cat,Thank you for visiting my blog! I have...January Cat,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for visiting my blog! I have been told countless times that I need the fellowhip of other Christians. I have no problems fellowshipping with those in praise of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The problem herein lies that in this divided culture of Christianity, is UNITY of belief amongst believer. One of my very first posts on this blog is titled "The Integrity of Fellowhip and Accountability" in which I posed the question "Must I sacrifice the integrity of fellowshipping for the sake of fellowshipping?" The reality is we live in a culture of Christians where the Truth of the precious Savior is redefined amd reinterperted in accordance to one's whims. <BR/><BR/>Psalm 133<BR/>1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11788930568128035386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-17454573936184855332008-01-29T15:36:00.000-06:002008-01-29T15:36:00.000-06:00I believe in the "Priesthood of the believer" whic...I believe in the "Priesthood of the believer" which means no institution or person stands between God and me or tells me what to believe. I do belong to a church that I helped start, although I no longer attend worship services regularly. I find that the Sunday School class that I attend has become my church. We all need the fellowship of other Christians, even if they do not share ours. I do not believe this fellowship has to be in an institutional church. I always remember that churches are composed of fallible human beings, so they cannot be perfect.<BR/>Find my thoughts at christianbeliefs.blogspot.comJanuary Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07521083732940433722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-23328045607744637192008-01-21T10:34:00.000-06:002008-01-21T10:34:00.000-06:00Given55,I'm sure you have experienced those stumbl...Given55,<BR/><BR/>I'm sure you have experienced those stumbling blocks as I have and numerous others. In fact, we have found ourselves ministring (my husband and I) those who have turned away from God because of their experience with Church and Christianity in general. We minister and defend the Holy name of Christ Jesus, who He is and what He had done for us. We promote personal accountability to God to seek Him out on Faith alone primarily. Any church membership or attendance should be secondary and, most importantly, God-led.<BR/><BR/>What I'm speaking out against is the general mindset that Church is MANDATORY for growth and fellowship with the Lord. This mindset is a hinderance to what Jesus Christ has freely given to all...direct access to God, the Father by Faith. <BR/><BR/>1 Corinthians 1:9<BR/>"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."<BR/><BR/>Again, I'm not so dogmatic in my belief that I'm rebuking any type or sort of church membership. God uses any and all for His Glory...the good and the bad.<BR/><BR/>As for me, finding the "right church" as many have suggested is impossible in this day and age for someone who is hearing impaired AND autonomous under the Holy Spirit. Modern Church generally requires conformity under organizational policies and structure. My history and background (the teaching hand of God) has molded me into the woman you see (or read :)) today. I praise the LORD GOD for all that I've experience and that I am, I would not trade my hearing impairment for all the hearing in the world. It has been an INVALUABLE instrument in the growth of my Faith! May He be praised in ALL WAYS!<BR/><BR/>When you compare the definition of Church in the Word (or rather the Body of Christ) to churches today, there can be no denying that there is a serious, serious deficit. <BR/><BR/>There needs to be some serious recognition of WHO we are (professing or confessing Believers), WHERE we are (growth in the power of the Holy Spirit)and WHAT we're doing (Fruit of our Faith--Matt. 13:23) .<BR/><BR/>"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: <BR/><BR/> 18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. <BR/><BR/> 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." - Rev.3:17-19Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11788930568128035386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-39375075658321846722008-01-21T07:21:00.000-06:002008-01-21T07:21:00.000-06:00I have experienced those stumbling blocks. They w...I have experienced those stumbling blocks. They were devastating and stopped me dead in my tracks. But, I moved on and found a church where I can be the creature that God has created me to be.Given55https://www.blogger.com/profile/04400346265067665255noreply@blogger.com