I have Left the UPC Church

[nathan_slatter]

Originally Posted by Timmy

There are many who believe they have a right heart and desire truth who have not found the same truth as the Apostolics. Of course, when that happens, the Apostolics simply proclaim that they didn't have a right heart and/or didn't desire truth. Very convenient.

Very true... relativity abounds...

[Trouvere]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

No ... he doesn't have a church ... he is the Church.

Brother Daniel its not important that you are wrong but that you win the argument right? Think about what you just said.The brother said he had a place to fellowship with other believers.Mich did not.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by nathan_slatter

Is The Body bound up within a church? We are talking about a metaphor when speaking of The Body... it isn't perfect nor does it have boundaries. That's like say God is only within a church building. She hasn't stated that she has left The Body -- on a church, an organization.

Nate, that is so far from what I'm saying. The early church congregated together, broke bread together, prayed for each other. The body of Christ is the church of the living God. I'm not talking about a church building. To separate oneself from fellowship with other believers is dangerous. If you are not fellowshipping with other believers then you have in effect amputated yourself from the body.

And, please, I'm not saying she is without God or that she can't rejoin the body but if she or anyone is without fellowship of the body then they are alone and easy prey.

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by nathan_slatter

Ahhh... now we're getting into the concept that "church" is still bound up with physical boundaries. Can she not be submitted to one from a distance? Can't God still minister to her, through a person, from a distance? I have to ask, what about in the olden days when church may happen at times that spanned distant times by a circuit evangelists? Did those who followed Christ cease to be part of a church because there was no structure? If God was capable of leading and guiding and keeping 150 years ago -- is he not capable of doing so today?

That said, I still think she needs to find a group of people to whom she can be committed. By the way, my thoughts are based on ideology -- which is also this thing called "faith". You know, faith in God that he is able to keep that which he has started in her.

It's a tradition.....the tradition is that Pastors teach; you need them to be saved. There fore they demand "submission."

[originalsecretplace]

Quote:
Originally Posted by CC1
Coonskinner,

I share your concern that too many folks ignore the clear picture given in the Epistles of the importance of the "five fold ministry" in ones Christian walk.

Dan Scott talks about the heresay of people who live by that old song "Me and Jesus got our own thing goin' on".

You ought to post a little Bible Study on the five fold ministry as a new thread. I probably would not agree with all of it but I am sure I would much.

!

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I agree!

Me too!!!

[nathan_slatter]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

Nate, that is so far from what I'm saying. The early church congregated together, broke bread together, prayed for each other. The body of Christ is the church of the living God. I'm not talking about a church building. To separate oneself from fellowship with other believers is dangerous. If you are not fellowshipping with other believers then you have in effect amputated yourself from the body.

And, please, I'm not saying she is without God or that she can't rejoin the body but if she or anyone is without fellowship of the body then they are alone and easy prey.

I agree... but I know that she hasn't completely separated herself from other believers -- maybe they aren't considered great, powerful, and wonderful believers by others, but still they are believers.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by nathan_slatter

That the saint is quite capable of living for God and that leadership isn't on a "higher" level than the saint. They are equals and are to be submitted one to another. This doesn't take away the activity of the 5 fold at all -- after all the 5 fold are to bring maturity to the saint. It allows the saint to be able to realize their own potential in God.

I agree. How do you find this lacking in our churches today? Do you think the ministry is not bringing saints to maturity and in why not?

[Trouvere]

Originally Posted by nathan_slatter

Ahhh... now we're getting into the concept that "church" is still bound up with physical boundaries. Can she not be submitted to one from a distance? Can't God still minister to her, through a person, from a distance? I have to ask, what about in the olden days when church may happen at times that spanned distant times by a circuit evangelists? Did those who followed Christ cease to be part of a church because there was no structure? If God was capable of leading and guiding and keeping 150 years ago -- is he not capable of doing so today?

That said, I still think she needs to find a group of people to whom she can be committed. By the way, my thoughts are based on ideology -- which is also this thing called "faith". You know, faith in God that he is able to keep that which he has started in her.

And I care, very much, for Michlow's soul -- or welfare as you put it...

Sorry but you read too much into a two liner.Its not about you remember?

[Trouvere]

Originally Posted by nathan_slatter

I agree... but I know that she hasn't completely separated herself from other believers -- maybe they aren't considered great, powerful, and wonderful believers by others, but still they are believers.

Oh you mean just here on the internet right? Not real fellowship.Well that cyber hug is going do her alot of good going along with cyber food and cyber coffee huh? Sorry but I disagree with you.I doubt AFF is set up to be a substitute
for church.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Trouvere

Brother Daniel its not important that you are wrong but that you win the argument right? Think about what you just said.The brother said he had a place to fellowship with other believers.Mich did not.

and restating the obvious will do what ... I think Mich has got the message ...