Working for God, working for the Church

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

very interesting. Are you a Jew?

Not by blood nor conversion but by adoption and the graft in. That is, I count myself as a Gentile believer in the promised Hebrew Messiah who established a new covenant with the houses of Judah and Israel. Becuase of God's abundant grace, that covenant has been extended even to us.

That does cause a little discomfort among some people, because they just cannot accept (accommodate) the concept that Jesus is an observant Jew.

Think about it. LOLOL

[Sister Alvear]

I love Jewish things...and read many books and articles. I do not believe Jesus has 2 churches but that we become one in Him...who is our Jewish Messiah.

[Carpenter]

Messianic Jewish ministers/rabbis from Jerusalem who once were Orthodox or other form are the ones who intrigue me. I met a couple at Promise Keepers years ago.

If you ever have a chance, ask one about their thoughts on the basic doctrine of the Trinity.

[Sister Alvear]

- The name “Jew” in the New Testament is applied to all Christians.
Rom. 2:28-29
28* For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
29* But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

[Sister Alvear]

- The name “Jew” in the New Testament is applied to all Christians.
Rom. 2:28-29
28* For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
29* But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by Carpenter

Messianic Jewish ministers/rabbis from Jerusalem who once were Orthodox or other form are the ones who intrigue me. I met a couple at Promise Keepers years ago.

If you ever have a chance, ask one about their thoughts on the basic doctrine of the Trinity.

Lovely thought - and very well taken. The first thing one will find is that they will almost universally admit to believing in a "triune" God, but not in the same sense as most Gentile trinity believers. Also, the absolute singularity of God that is espoused by most Oneness preachers is quite foreign to both Hebrew history and religion (with the notable exception of the Crusades period, circa 1100-1400 AD). But, let us not hijack the thread - these are discussions for another thread.

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

- The name “Jew” in the New Testament is applied to all Christians.
Rom. 2:28-29
28* For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
29* But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

You got the foundational premise!

[Sister Alvear]

that is one of the reasons I do not believe Jesus has a Jew and Gentile church.

[Carpenter]

Originally Posted by HaShaliach

Lovely thought - and very well taken. The first thing one will find is that they will almost universally admit to believing in a "triune" God, but not in the same sense as most Gentile trinity believers. Also, the absolute singularity of God that is espoused by most Oneness preachers is quite foreign to both Hebrew history and religion (with the notable exception of the Crusades period, circa 1100-1400 AD). But, let us not hijack the thread - these are discussions for another thread.

See? Toldja it would be interesting. I could sit and talk for hours about that, but only with two other people and myself never more than 3.

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Carpenter

Is there a difference? What is that difference? Does your spirituality take a hit when you have to raise the white flag and say enough, I can't handle any more?

How can you tell whether you are working for the flesh (buildings, personalities, personal recognition) or for the Lord?

Just taught about this Sunday evening.

Our priorities should be as follows.

1. Our relationship with God.
2. Our relationship with our family.
3. Our relationship to the local assembly.

When number two or three become number one, chaos ensues.

When number three becomes more inportant than number two, chaos ensues.

All things in their proper place.