Posted on 05/06/2009 6:34:30 PM PDT by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
Ping!
Fascinating! I asked a coworker years ago what Protestant denomination he was when he told me he was a Christian, and he said he was NOT a Protestant. “You’re a Catholic?” I asked. “No,” he answered. “I’m a Baptist . . . I’m NOT a Protestant!” Made me think!
Interesting how many denominations claim they’re the original church ....
I believe the confusion comes in when people are looking for a historic lineage and Baptists are linked by historic faith and practices. There have been numerous churches from the Apostolic Age to today that have held to the same principals that Baptists hold to today, but they were either named for the region they were located in, or by the name of a prominent leader.
Lineage has no claim on truth, just as proximity has no claim on accuracy.
Baptist don't claim anything other than that our belief, practices and structure are the same as what you find in the churches of the Apostolic Age and that you can find churches that held these same beliefs and practices through out history. The Baptist churches have never been a centralized hierarchy, or a part of the state, rather they have been locally run by the members holding to the two ordinances given us by our Lord and Savior.
I wasn’t calling out Baptists in particular ... I’ve read where a lot of denominations consider themselves the “One True Church” ...
I'm sorry if I'm coming across as if I have a chip on my shoulder.
My point was that the thing that matters and which I believe the Baptists have right (because Scripture supports them) is their beliefs, practices and structure is consistent with the churches of the Apostolic Age. I think the argument about "One True Church" misses the point by a country mile, because all Christians are united by their Faith in Jesus not a historic organization.
And this is true ... It’s OK, I didn’t read that you had a chip on your shoulder ... I have friends in the Jesus Only group who claim they’re the true church. I have a video of Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain and in his monologue he says that Christians have the one true church - several of them ... I think that denominations, Christian denominations spend too much time on trying to prove they’re the one true church and forget about who they’re worshiping ...
That may be the legend, but the people actually on the ground at the time -- people who knew the Apostles -- didn't see it that way.
See, for example, the Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians around AD 96.
And then there's Irenaeus, a third-generation disciple (he learned from Polycarp, who learned from John, who learned from Jesus) writing around AD 180, who says that they way to know you hold the true Apostolic tradition is to -- get this -- stay close to the church of Rome. (He wasn't writing this to the Romans, either.)
“And then there’s Irenaeus, a third-generation disciple (he learned from Polycarp, who learned from John, who learned from Jesus) writing around AD 180, who says that they way to know you hold the true Apostolic tradition is to — get this — stay close to the church of Rome. (He wasn’t writing this to the Romans, either.)”
Now if they could only convince God to agree to this...
As that is manifestly false, you can understand the scepticism of other christians.
Amen.
When the focus is on our Lord and Savior it really doesn't matter whether you are gathered in a field, house, or cathedral. However, I would say it does matter whether you have strayed from Scripture or not.
Matt. 13:49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous.
Amen to that! That's one difference I've noticed... there isn't any emphasis on "church membership". Sitting in our little, independent Baptist church, I honestly can't tell you who is an actual "member" and who isn't. It doesn't really matter to anyone. We're all there for the same reason.
That's true...But the real, biblical One True Church is not a religion...The One Real Church is people...Disciples of Jesus Christ...People from all denominations...People born of the Spirit...
Exactly - ... people are the church not a building .... a group of believers ...
I think that is the huge plank that blinds so many people. Folks have chosen "their church" and defend what "their church", or "their preacher", or "their leadership", has to say about how to worship rather than defending the word.
The One True Church is revealed in the pages of the New Testament. The Bible speaks of only one church (Ephesians 4:4, Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18, Matthew 16:15-18, and I Corinthians 12:12-13). The church is not the building, but the people (I Corinthians 12:27).
We've been warned not to add to,or take from what is written (Revelation 22:18-19), so we don't need creed books. God’s word is our authority, and it is sufficient. The Bible is the inspired, complete, and perfect word of God (II Timothy 3:16-17 and II Peter 1:3). Christ said we worship in vain when we follow the doctrines of men. (Matthew 15:9)
We should know that all of the different doctrines being taught in the name of Christ today cannot be acceptable. If anyone - even an angel from heaven - is preaching any other thing than that which was taught by the apostles of Christ, the apostle Paul says let them be accursed. (Galatians chapter 1)
The Bereans were capable of searching the scriptures daily to find whether those things they were being told and taught were so.(Acts 17:11) We certainly are capable of it today.
If we are to be pleasing to Him there will be no divisions among us and we will teach the same thing. The apostle Paul taught against hyphenated Christians. If we are careful to study the word, obey it, and stay true to what it teaches we will be Christians only. (1 Corinthians 3)
John chapter 17 should leave no doubt that our Lord wanted us to be one. The Lord was one with the Father by doing what He said. That's how we know who He was. We will be one with the Lord and the Father when we do as He says. Not because we say Lord, Lord, but because we do the will of the Father. (Matthew 7)
Didn't intend to post such a long post! One thought just led to another. : )
It’s too bad that some people are into “Churchianity” rather than “Christianity” - I’ve read where charismatic preachers starts a church then when he dies/quits the church dies - I think that’s what happened to The Crystal Cathedral in LA ....
Thank you, for this very interesting thought. It is insightful.
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