"Beards are sin!" False doctrine?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by jediwill83

Aquila, I love this. It makes sense from a perspectice of compartmentalization as well.

Think of a ship that has sealing bulkheads in case of a flood that seals off an area in case of a breach of the hull.

The smaller the area the flood can be contained in, the better for the ship

The "cell church" allows for focused attention that can address issues a larger group cannot.

In the case of things slipping in, a smaller group setting is much more prepared to seal the breach and deal with what has intruded than a large centralized entity.

And for the nerd reference....think Hydra lol!

If the enemy wanted to take out a centralized church it's easier to destroy something with few heads....but a entity with MANY leaders and independent cells...much more difficult to destroy....cut off one head two others grow into place...

https://media.giphy.com/media/7RdHcI0SE2gp2/200.gif

If the "world" is indeed the great threat that is preached and we want to be separate and protect against it's invasion and influence , it's much easier to defend and maintain the decentralized church and it's also a better structure for growing and maturing believers.

That's so true.

It can also serve a good barrier to heresy.

I remember a house church meeting years ago with elder Scott (ex-Baptist become independent Apostolic). Of course, there are participative meetings. One person began bringing in some JW doctrines peppered into their comments. It wasn't 15 minutes before one brother said, "Wait, what you just said. Isn't that a Jehovah's Witnesses teaching?" Scott then said, "Can you elaborate on that?" And the brother (who had JWs in his family) began expounding upon the teaching and why it is considered error. The elder made a few remarks in support of calling out the error, and then offered to talk to the individual if they had questions after the gathering. Scott and the person talked for a little while and the person left. We never saw them again.

Now, imagine these large mega churches on TBN where heresy flies without challenge because the man with the mic is the only voice, and trusting members without discernment are eating it all up. Heresy can fly in one serve and effect thousands who are present, and perhaps millions over the duration of the television broadcast. If called on it, the network tries to clean up it's image as being a platform for many different views, and the charismatic offers no comment, accept statements against detractors who are "jealous" of his ministry. In two weeks, it's forgotten and now the public is primed to want to know more about it in the new book that is released on the topic.

House churches can snuff out heresy quick. And if it does take root... it only effects 15-20 people.

[BrainWashed]

Originally Posted by houston

watch your tone.

Must have some type of bionic hearing to hear tone in typed words!

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by Aquila

That's so true.

It can also serve a good barrier to heresy.

I remember a house church meeting years ago with elder Scott (ex-Baptist become independent Apostolic). Of course, there are participative meetings. One person began bringing in some JW doctrines peppered into their comments. It wasn't 15 minutes before one brother said, "Wait, what you just said. Isn't that a Jehovah's Witnesses teaching?" Scott then said, "Can you elaborate on that?" And the brother (who had JWs in his family) began expounding upon the teaching and why it is considered error. The elder made a few remarks in support of calling out the error, and then offered to talk to the individual if they had questions after the gathering. Scott and the person talked for a little while and the person left. We never saw them again.

Now, imagine these large mega churches on TBN where heresy flies without challenge because the man with the mic is the only voice, and trusting members without discernment are eating it all up. Heresy can fly in one serve and effect thousands who are present, and perhaps millions over the duration of the television broadcast. If called on it, the network tries to clean up it's image as being a platform for many different views, and the charismatic offers no comment, accept statements against detractors who are "jealous" of his ministry. In two weeks, it's forgotten and now the public is primed to want to know more about it in the new book that is released on the topic.

House churches can snuff out heresy quick. And if it does take root... it only effects 15-20 people.

This is ironic.
Almost every "true" house church that I know has fallen into heresy, from someone who became their "leader" and led them astray.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

This is ironic.
Almost every "true" house church that I know has fallen into heresy, from someone who became their "leader" and led them astray.

Please elaborate. I'm interested in hearing you're experience.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

This is ironic.
Almost every "true" house church that I know has fallen into heresy, from someone who became their "leader" and led them astray.

What heresies? And how many of these "true house churches" do you know? Also, did you notice somebody became "the leader" and "led them astray"? Isn't that how heresies ALWAYS get going? somebody becomes a leader, and people follow? So then I don't see how meeting in homes vs meeting in a mortgaged auditorium makes any difference?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

This is ironic.
Almost every "true" house church that I know has fallen into heresy, from someone who became their "leader" and led them astray.

This is an important statement.

Can you elaborate on this?

What kind of heresies were they carried away with?

[houston]

Originally Posted by Esaias

What heresies? And how many of these "true house churches" do you know? Also, did you notice somebody became "the leader" and "led them astray"? Isn't that how heresies ALWAYS get going? somebody becomes a leader, and people follow? So then I don't see how meeting in homes vs meeting in a mortgaged auditorium makes any difference?

Quite the claim, isn’t it?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

This is ironic.
Almost every "true" house church that I know has fallen into heresy, from someone who became their "leader" and led them astray.

Can you elaborate on the above accusation?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

This is ironic.
Almost every "true" house church that I know has fallen into heresy, from someone who became their "leader" and led them astray.

This is ex-UPCI Pastor Rod Bryant. From his below testimony he was over a large UPC church in Texas. Now he has renounced Jesus Christ, and joined the religion of Judaism. I actually don't know what you are saying in your post above, and want to give you a chance to clarify your accusations. But, whether it is a Home Missions, or a huge congregation, doesn't safeguard anyone from being "led" astray.

[Evang.Benincasa]