Church Fellowship » christ church fellowship

Do the Catholic church have authority of the Bible ? and were they first church of Christ?

admin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:32:05 +0000

I need to know for sure. For i am seriously trying to decide which church group to participate in. I have been reading my bible but would like to join a fellowship, community of believers who are following Christ.

Thank you

They will tell you yes to both. They are wrong on both counts.

Do you find people in church like to stay and talk about the Lord to you there?

admin — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:36:53 +0000

**
Jesus said ‘by your words’ and He goes on…so our words are important,
so do people in your church fellowship and talk about the Lord in their
lives?

Do they talk about Jesus Christ’s power in their lives?

***

I’d say they do in Full Gospel churches much more often than in the other churches that leave out part of the Bible. Yes, they talk about this in my church. I’m drawn to those who love the Lord, not the phonies who never have a testimony.

Do I have to go to church?

admin — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 16:44:21 +0000

I understand in Hebrews, 10:25 we read, ‘not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.’ We should not go to church for the wrong reasons, i.e. appearance, tradition, and the like. However we should go to church if we can to worship God, fellowship with like minded believers, and be built up by each other. In some cases, there are no churches that one feels are in line with their core beliefs and doctrines. In this case, a move or formation of a church should be in order. God created us to worship Him and we ought to fellowship and worship as the body of Christ, his church, together. Is simply worshiping at home or studying the Bible alone, causing a large part of the Christian life to be lacking?

Is simply worshiping at home or studying the Bible alone, causing a large part of the Christian life to be lacking?

It all depends upon the circumstances. Maybe a person is disabled and they can’t get out of their house to go to church without a lot of help and hassle and someone to drive them like 50 miles.

Or they might be in an isolated area where there are no churches around for them to go to like up in Alaska or something.

God can still give Christians in those circumstances a fulfilling life in Christ.

But if a Christian can go to a church where the Word of God is being preached and they decide that instead of supplementing what goes on at church with home Bible study and worship, they are going to just forget about gathering together with God’s people, then they will miss out on the blessings that come when a person has "real world" connections with the body of Christ through interactions on a personal level with other Christians.

They also become easier prey for the Devil who goes about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. When Christians are "isolated from the flock" they become like a lone herd animal that’s easier to take down.

does your church teach this?

admin — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 05:41:05 +0000

The Church

We believe the Church is the visible representative of Christ’s spiritual kingdom on earth, composed of those who are regenerated and baptized into her fellowship. Christ established one true, visible Church, and through her He has preserved His faith and doctrine through the ages. It is the Church’s divinely appointed mission to proclaim the faith of the gospel to the world, nurture the redeemed by teaching obedience to Christ’s commandments, and show forth a pattern of good works for the glory of God (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:23-27; 4:11-13; Jude 3; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Peter 2:12).

Church Order and Discipline

Jesus, as head of the Church, has delegated to the Church the authority and responsibility:
[1] to call and ordain faithful, able leadership (2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Timothy 3: Acts 6).
[2] to regulate the observance of the ordinances (1 Corinthians 11:2).
[3] to exercise discipline, including excommunication, for the purity of the Church and to redeem the fallen (Matthew 18:15-18; Galatians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; Titus 3:10).
[4] to hold scriptural avoidance of the excommunicated (Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14-15).

Peace and Nonresistance

The kingdom of Christ is peaceable and nonresistant and must remain separate from the kingdoms of this world:

[1] Church and state should be separate (John 18:36). a) The Church is called to maintain the gospel standard of the spiritual kingdom for the regenerated children of God (Romans 12:17-21; Matthew 5:38-44). b) The state represents God’s providential arm of justice within society (Romans 13:1-7), but it is not the responsibility of Christians to enforce that justice.

[2] The true Christian may not hold civil office, vote in civil elections, nor sit on civil juries (John 18:36).

[3] Biblical nonresistance is based on divine love for all mankind and requires that a Christian may not: a) quarrel with his fellowmen. b) use the law in retaliation or take part in lawsuits. c) return evil for evil. d) take part in the armed forces or war in any form. e) serve in civil law enforcement. (2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Matthew 5:38-44; Romans 12:17-21).

[4] It is the Christian’s duty to pay his taxes (Romans 13:6-7), pray for the civil rulers (1 Timothy 2:1-4), and be subject to the state as long as it does not conflict with his Christian calling (Romans 13:1-7; Acts 5:29).

Nonconformity to the World

A true Christian may not love the world nor conform to the ways of the world. He is to be separate and live a holy life )Romans 12:1-2). Therefore, fashion, pleasure and entertainment, professional sports, politics, prestigious business, idolatrous art, etc., are avoided. The Christian must remain separate from television, radio, movies, popular music, dancing, alcohol, illicit drugs, smoking, and all manner of immorality (Luke 16:15; 1 Peter 4:1-4).

New Testament Ordinances

brotherhood (John 13:1-17).
[4] A headcovering is required for sisters while they are praying or worshipping. This signifies their submission to man according to God’s order (1 Corinthians 11:3-12).
[5] Holy matrimony is an ordinance involving the marriage of two believing people united in the Lord, symbolizing the holy relationship of Christ and the Church (Genesis 2:18-24; Ephesians 5:22-25). We believe it is wrong for a Christian to marry an unbeliever or one from another church (2 Corinthians 6:14). We believe that divorce and remarriage of divorced people are a violation of Jesus’ commands, and contribute to the moral breakdown of society (Mark 10:9-12).

The End of This Present World

We believe this present world will come to an end with the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:31-46; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 3:10-14).
[1] Jesus will come to judge the world (2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:31-46).
[2] Jesus is coming to claim His own (John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).
[3] It will be a literal return (Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 1:7).

Hell

We believe that hell is the place of everlasting torment prepared for the devil and his angels, and that the wicked shall suffer with them forever and ever (Matthew 25:41,46; Daniel 12:2; Revelation 19:3; 20:10; 21:8).

Heaven

We believe that heaven is the final resting place of the righteous, where they will abide in the fullness of joy with God and the holy angels forever (John 14:1-3; Psalm 16:11; 1 Corinth

I was reading Dr Elaine Pagels book, " The Gnostic Gospels" yesterday and discovered
similar arguments between various factions wanting to be in charge of the church.
They made up every reason they could as to why they were the rightful survives of
the Rabbi, Jesus. Some believed in the Resurrection, some didn’t. Some believed it was possible
to sin against an almighty God and that Jesus murder somehow redeemed them.
Others, a bit wiser, saw Jesus as a guide that came to lead them out of illusion
into enlightenment – nothing about sin.
The arguments were there already 1800 and 1900 years ago. Then the roman emperor decided to solidify his power by making the religious groups officially part of his realm. So now he became
both spiritual and temporal ruler. He appointed a commission to determine what scrolls could be
included in the church. They burned many holy scrolls. But someone in egypt had the good sense to hide a bunch of them. They were discovered in 1945. They shed much light
on the early teachings and show how far afield we are now.
Real bible scholars today say that there are several hundred thousand errors in
translation and many outright changes by people who thought they know best.

So My answer to you is No. I would not again belong to a church that has thousands of
man made rules for me to follow. Jesus had only two commandments: 1. Love God; 2.
Love your fellow man as yourself. In other words see God in your fellow man because
we are all part of God. If you follow these 2 simple rules of Jesus, you will never harm any man.

And of course you can not possibly harm An Almighty God. If it is against t God’s will
you simply can’t do it. Everything God created is perfect and changeless – forever.
Look around you. What do you see that is changeless? Nothing here was created
by God. His Creation is Spiritual. This physical world is man’s dreamworld..
God has not sanctioned it so all manner of evils prevail, but God knows nothing about
man’s dream. Nothing in it is Perfect and Changeless – so not made by God.
That is why the Gnostics said Jesus was the guide to help us out of the illusion.

Is Unity in the church best kept by right doctrine, or by ignoring controversial doctrines?

admin — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 06:39:21 +0000

When people are offended by right doctrine, are these those who usually leave the fellowship or stir up trouble among those who are in the unity of the Spirit through faith and belief in the doctrine of Christ?

Matt 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Of course. If the doctrine is right.

Unity is best kept by love.

Not going to church questions?

admin — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 12:52:06 +0000

How would not going to church affect my relationship with Christ(that’s what Christians call it, atheists)?

If church is merely just for fellowship with other Christians isn’t simply talking to other Christians about God fellowshiping?

We go to church to be spiritually fed. Its not just a building. The word says in Heb 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. And to answer your other question yes Jesus said in Matt 18:20 " For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them. In this scripture Jesus is specifically talking about prayer. If you read the scriptures before this one, he talks about the church also. I hope I have been of some help. God Bless

Should we stop going to church because Satan is ruling there?

admin — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 23:17:16 +0000

Is Satan now ruling in all of the local churches worldwide? Is God telling people to get the hell out of church before it’s too late? Is Judgment Day already here? I also posted some fellowship sites on my profile like the one for the ministry of Family Radio to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ.

WE ARE THE CHURCH.

The Jesus Christ of the LDS church discussion?

admin — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 06:43:11 +0000

" But I fear, lest any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. for if he that preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if we receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. II Corinthians 11:3,4

This warning from Paul makes it clear that we should beware of those complicating the gospel and declaring another messiah; even though they claim their messiah is the Jesus of the Bible.

The Bible is full of verses proclaiming the saving power of Christ’s blood that was shed for us on the cross. Despite all the verses forcefully declaring the importance of Christ’s blood, the Mormon pamphlet found in almost every LDS visitors centers titled, What the Mormons think of Christ, refutes the saving grace of Christ’s sacrifice. On page 22 we find this written, "Christians speak often of the blood of Christ and it’s cleansing power. Much that is believed and taught on this subject is such utter nonsense and so palpably false that to believe it is to lose one’s salvation. For instance, many believe or pretend to believe that if we confess Christ with our lips and avow that we accept Him as our personal savior we are thereby saved. They say His blood, without any other act than mere belief makes us clean."

In Romans 4:20 Paul declares "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight." The Apostle John wrote, "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (I John 1:7) As with most false religions Mormonism emphasizes works over grace, however; no one can walk in the light without first being cleansed by Christ.

One of the main fundamentals of orthodox Christianity is belief in the virgin birth of the Savior. Statements from the LDS church leaders show that they have a different view of Christ. Bruce McConkie, a Mormon Apostle, teaches in his book, Mormon Doctrine, "Christ was begotten by an immortal father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers." (p. 547) Joseph Fielding Smith, tenth President and Prophet of the Mormon Church claimed, "Christ not begotten of Holy Ghost…He was not born without the aid of Man and that Man was God!" (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:18). By worshipping such a being the Mormons fall under the condemnation of Romans one by changing "the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man" (1:23).

The Jesus of Mormonism was also a polygamist. Mormon Apostle, Orson Pratt states on page 172 of his book, The Seer, "it will be seen that the great Messiah, who was the founder of the Christian religion, was a polygamist." Orson Hyde, also a Mormon Apostle, taught "It will be born in mind that once on a time, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee…no less person than Jesus Christ was married on that occasion." (Journal of Discourses 4:259).

The Jesus of the Bible created all things. Colossians 1:16, "For by Him all things were created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible, and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by Him and for Him." The God of Mormonism however needed help. In the book Mormon Doctrine, page 169, the LDS Church teaches that Jesus was helped by many when creating the earth, including the help of Joseph Smith! "Michael or Adam was one of these. Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Peter, James and John, Joseph Smith, and many other noble and great ones played a part in the great creative enterprise.

Colossians 1:16 causes even more problems when you look at the Mormon doctrine concerning Jesus and Satan. The Bible teaches that Jesus created all things including the devil, however Mormon doctrine teaches that Jesus and Satan are "spirit-brothers". Milton R. Hunter, who was a member of the First Council of the Seventies writes in his book, The Gospel Through the Ages, "The appointment of Jesus to be the Savior of the world was contested by one of the other sons of God. He was called, Lucifer, son of the morning. Haughty, ambitious, and covetous of power and glory, this spirit-brother of Jesus desperately tried to become the Savior of mankind." (page 15)

The Bible teaches that Jesus is the only giver of salvation and that no man cometh unto the Father but by Him (John 3:16 & John 17:6). The Jesus of Mormonism claims no such authority. Mormonism teaches that in order to be saved on must believe in Joseph Smith, their founder, as well as believe in their Jesus. In his book Doctrines of Salvation, 1:189, Joseph Fielding Smith proclaims, "NO SALVATION WITHOUT
ACCEPTING JOSEPH SMITH". Brigham Young said, "From the day the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, Junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are." He also said, "No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of god without the consent of Joseph Smith" (Journal of Discourses, 7:289).

In short, Mormons worship a Jesus who they claim was a polygamist and the spirit-brother of Satan. They believe in a Jesus who was not always god and whose blood does not cover all sins. The Jesus of the Mormon Church is not the Jesus of the Bible.
SOURCE: http://www.contenderministries.org/mormonism/godchrist.php

Where is a good church in Upland, CA?

admin — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:57:12 +0000

I just moved here and have very little friends and need to find a good church in Upland or around the area! I want to find a church with lots of people my age (I’m 21) Baptist, Fellowship, or Church of Christ. Thank you!

Christians are such phonies; why would you want to hang out with phonies?

Isn’t Church Merely A Gathering Of Believers In Christ Through Fellowship, Faith, and Worship of G-D?

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:19:02 +0000

The reason I ask is because me and my fiance are having a difficult time discerning which church is going to help us grow in the faith and not teach doctrine that is contrary to the word of G-D. I am not passing judgement on any of the churches I have attended, I just want to make sure that we are comfortable there. The one church we have attended pretty recently is great, the people are warm and inviting and the word is good. However, the church seems to lack fire, for a better word. It feels like the perverbial ‘dry bones’. It is a church with an older more professional career congregation. Another church I like, the pastor and the congregation are on ‘fire’. It is a larger church with a mix of younger and older people but gets fired up at times. Some believe churches that are quiet, reserved and dry are not filled with the ‘Spirit’. Some believe that larger churches with people who jump and holler and take laps around the sanctuary are not being true to the ‘Spirit’ or are faking. There are so many things to consider. I do like the more reserved church, only if it had a choir who was inspiring and dynamic. I would call this one home. Tear..
Is worshipping with your family at home considered church in biblical terms?

Ask God where you guys need to go, and ask God for a clear conviction.
If you go to church because one has good praise and the other has a good message, etc, you will never be satisfied.

I feel that in America, we have WAY too many choices of churches. It’s getting to point that churches need to be designer.

Let the Lord be the center.