Sound Like a Familiar History??

crakjak · #1 07-22-2010, 07:57 AM

From Our Church Website:

Our Roots as a Church

As a church, our roots are in the Churches of Christ. Our allegiance, however, is not to any denomination. Our allegiance focuses on Christ as Lord. We seek to be a church without denomination, committed to the practical unity of all those who acknowledge Christ as Lord. As did our nineteenth century forefathers in the Churches of Christ, we celebrate the diversity of opinions within the body of Christ.

Common Ground
About 1832, the year of the formation of the Stone-Campbell Restoration movement, our forefathers-the leaders of the movement-claimed to be Christians only, acknowledged numerous theological differences among them and declared their unity in Christ as Lord and the authority of Scripture over tradition.

One hundred years later what was called the Restoration Movement had divided twenty times, claimed to be the only Christians and declared that unity could only be achieved by doctrinal perfection.

In light of our tragic history, we seek, through the rediscovery of salvation by grace, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Lordship of Christ and the supremacy of Scripture to reform our thoughts and practices. We seek to follow Christ. We pray for a recovery of God's vision for the unity and mission of his people. We resolve to sink into spiritual union with the body of Christ at large.

ManOfWord · #2 07-22-2010, 08:45 AM

I wonder how many times this scenario has been repeated?

crakjak · #3 07-22-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

I wonder how many times this scenario has been repeated?

The paths of men are fairly predictable if we truly look at history. Jesus came to destroy the stronghold of this process. He tore down, "... ordinances that were against us, nailing the to His cross".....!!

Colossians 2:14
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

70 AD was what He finally does to traditions and doctrines that become an end in themselves and fail to minister to the needs of the broken.

seekerman · #4 07-22-2010, 11:54 AM

Wait till next week and there'll be yet another true restored church started.

When will God actually establish a true church with a bible that's correctly translated?????

Aquila · #5 07-22-2010, 12:19 PM

Why should we demand a "true church"? We have a true Savior. Spiritual Communism is just group think. As long as there are thinking individuals there will be multiple opinions on various matters. The real question is...

Can we maintain unity and a love for our brothers and sisters who disagree with us?

seekerman · #6 07-22-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

Can we maintain unity and a love for our brothers and sisters who disagree with us?

Some can, some can't.

Margies3 · #7 07-22-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

Why should we demand a "true church"? We have a true Savior. Spiritual Communism is just group think. As long as there are thinking individuals there will be multiple opinions on various matters. The real question is...

Can we maintain unity and a love for our brothers and sisters who disagree with us?

Well said, Aquila.

Quote:

Originally Posted by seekerman

Some can, some can't.

Why do you think that is, Seekerman? I know people who disagree with JESUS Himself. But that doesn't mean that He stops loving them. He doesn't have to change HIS position (which we know is always right!). But He loves our eternal souls. We grieve Him when we disagree with Him. But His love doesn't stop.

Sometimes we need to spend more time asking God to allow us to see people with HIS eyes and love them with HIS love and less time trying to defend our own opinions.

Sam · #8 07-22-2010, 02:28 PM

I am ordained in a group called Church of Jesus Christ. There are many groups that use some form of that name and some do not recognize or fellowship one another. Since 1959 I have been licensed or ordained in three separate groups that use that name.

Sad, isn't it in light of the prayer of Jesus in John chapter 17.

crakjak · #9 07-22-2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila

Why should we demand a "true church"? We have a true Savior. Spiritual Communism is just group think. As long as there are thinking individuals there will be multiple opinions on various matters. The real question is...

Can we maintain unity and a love for our brothers and sisters who disagree with us?

seekerman · #10 07-22-2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margies3

Why do you think that is, Seekerman? I know people who disagree with JESUS Himself. But that doesn't mean that He stops loving them. He doesn't have to change HIS position (which we know is always right!). But He loves our eternal souls. We grieve Him when we disagree with Him. But His love doesn't stop.

Sometimes we need to spend more time asking God to allow us to see people with HIS eyes and love them with HIS love and less time trying to defend our own opinions.

I think religion blinds many people who think they are compromising if they love and accept those who disagree with them. They possibly view that disagreement as disagreement with God, rejection of God and attack on what they believe to be the truth of God. Some folks think they are doing God a service because they "stand for the truth" and shun those who aren't like them.

Personally, I just love everyone the best I can and let God sort it out.