None of that in ours so we’re good.
That sums up pastor Sam at my former church. His wife is even worse
Promoting Homosexuality
Promoting Abortion
Giving of the Tithes for the Above or for Political Agendas
Worship of False Gods
That's why we left one church.
How would one know?
Usually you call a business meeting of the deacons and request the preacher’s resignation, or be fired.
So say someone is 100% sure that the Scripture is silent on (or adverse to) the Trinity....good idea to, say, leave OPC for that reason?
Punish those who disagree
I'm not sure why this is in here. What are you supposed to do with heretical teachings? Allow them to flourish?
The question's all mixed up anyway. You don't ever ever ever submit to A church. You submit to THE Church--because there is only one. So if you are in A church and not THE Church, you would do well to leave the former and find the latter without a moment's delay.
Submit to a church? Never. It isn’t a church if it requires submittal.
How would he know someone isn’t doing a good deed in secret?
For interested Freepers, Pastor Matt Devers is behind the 9 Marks project; he discipled my pastor. He wrote “9 Marks of a Healthy Church”. It is a quick read, and well worth your time. It’s a very enjoyable.
I fled. And looking back over my shoulder, I don’t question my faith or the basic concepts of Christianity. What I do question is the “church”. (Little “c”). The structure is so finely organized and directed by people who didn’t see the world as I do. They throw around a lot of Latin terms (most of us have little or no understanding of their meaning, nor does knowing that meaning makes a difference in one’s faith) ...terms used by those “in the know” making the leadership only seem more important than they are. I left behind the “religi-babble,” the structure, human as well as bricks and mortar. Sunday morning is more peaceful...I choose the prayer book that works for me, (not the one chosen by others that is “best” for me), and then and I choose my own quiet spot. I fled, I would flee again.
**-Seldom do good deeds in secret.**
Hmmm.
What does the Bible say?
“When you pray, go to your room and pray alone.” (Paraphrasing)
“Don’t let your right hand know what your left hand is doing.” (Again paraphrasing)
And last of all — I didn’t think that non-Catholics believed in ‘works’, per se.
LOL!
Not even beginning to look like sola scriptura.
“If he will not listen to THE church, treat him as a pagan or tax collector.” —Jesus
Jesus could only be speaking of His Church, THE Church.
Churches, and religions in general, are distinguished by doctrine and practice.
This church would have to possess a non-contradictory body of doctrine for its decisions to be universally applicable.
It would have to be visible. It’s impossible for an invisible church to adjudicate disputes.
interesting list