Actually the worship that goes on in most Evangelical churches is sensual experience similar to going to a rock concert. There is also the hero worship of admiring the speaking skills of the pastor. Thank you Tom for bringing these truths out. Our money is being wasted on buildings and we should be out funding the spread of the Gospel throughout our cities. We need to train people to be evangelists and fund them with a stipend in the church members should be giving them room and board so they can operate with the minimum level of funding.
“Prayer is mentioned way more than singing in the New Testament. And yet today we sing for 40 minutes and pray for 30 seconds when we gather.” I’m gonna remember that…
Forsake that assembly which gathers only to passively listen to a sermon without true engagement. The purpose of Christian fellowship is to encourage, uplift, and support one another, not to sit silently as spectators. When an assembly becomes a routine of passive listening, it neglects the biblical call for mutual edification and active participation. True fellowship involves every believer contributing to the spiritual growth of the body, not just receiving from one individual.
Recitations are generally more useful than Lectures for students in college. But they both have their purposes. So let us not forsake any one assembly but rather in the utility we've been blessed with- shine as the lights of the world in the manner to which Christ intended. Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
What is more beautiful and glorifying to the Lord… a magnificent cathedral built by man or one who is living their life in genuine faith, humility and gratitude to the Lord?
Since I was guided to Tom…. I gave in to the tube and made a playlist of his works making it public on my channel for the truth to be spread…. 📖 Thank you, Tom! Jesus raised you up your whole life, and kept you for this very time… 🙏🏼💞 Prayers for this truth to be spread far and wide, we are at the end days.
I live in the UK, we have some beautiful Cathedral’s and many Anglican Bishops and Vicars are apostate and they serve in these beautiful buildings! We are His beautiful and holy dwelling places on this beautiful earth!
@@mikeheath8318 Hi, within the Uk there very vibrant pockets of Christianity. The immigrants from Africa have had a massive impact of the churches in London. Within many cities in what we call the midlands Islam is the most dominant religion and very aggressive and intolerant of Christians. The police in those cities have squashed the public preaching of Christianity in Muslim areas to protect Social Cohesion. Sections of London neighbourhoods have areas called Sharia compliant zones where women will get hassled I they are not dressed conservatively. The percentage of Christians who are evangelical in the Uk is about 4%. We need a revival.
There are some who say it's time to get out as so much impurity. If an organisation is a reflection of its leadership and the 2 most senior leaders have faced calls to step down because of how they have responded to the bad behaviour of others there are some huge problems. Too many put comfort before righteousness and will eventually take the consequences.
The reason that the Sunday schools went down the tubes was because they were mostly done in a lecture format. I think they were if they were done in a open discussion format they would come back. The sell groups are not attended very well because they are also boring. Usually they are limited to discussing the pastor's sermon from the week before. That is done because usually the leadership in the church is fearful of false doctrine or something like that
Also, if Cell groups are independent, they do poorly because once again they are usually adhering to only the leader's opinions and understanding. And naturally the leader will be offended if someone has another opinion that they don't understand. So I think firstly, pastors need to let Cell Groups act independently. And likewise, Cell Groups need to be a part of a larger congregation. Or operate as some form of Network of Home Churches. A network of home churches that work together with a vision for Truth of Scripture may be something to look into.
I tried to put out a call on Redditt to get together (I'm in a new city and have tried several churches only to leave them in frustration) to discuss the Bible together (not have one person doing the lecturing or "teaching") and was nastily shot down by the first responder accusing me of "thinking everyone an a---hole and every group bad" and he said "it's probably you that is the a---hole..." I'm hated everywhere I go for telling the truth. At least Jesus said everyone hated him first.... 😭😭😭
As beautiful as our natural world is in all of it's natural complexity and 'aparant chaos' it is not the creator we worship. . . We have an advocate in prayer who was there before the creation and perfecting of our bought and paid for souls
Ephesians 4:11-16 Pastors have isolated themselves in the ivory tower (church) to the inclusion of the other gifts. The purpose of the Gifts listed, is to equip believers in ministry and maturity which is the opposite of the fruit we see being produced today. Everyone is supposed to sit and watch and go home as childish as when they came.
The whole concept of the church being the temple and having a priesthood is necessary in order to market the gospel of Christ. Most Church institutions are marketing the gospel and changing to the format that you are describing would be very difficult for them. I hope you succeed because like you said people don't remember the sermon. If the pastor start interacting with the people and asking them questions and getting their input that might produce a change. Plus also there's the point of the church being the hagios or the holy ones. The theological systems that are preached in churches nowadays do not call Christians holy they say that we are all still sinners which is the opposite of holiness.
There is an explicit command to have a synagogue/assembly on the Sabbath. Leviticus 23:3, “For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.” How can we overlook/disobey this command?
Amen… excellent response, this verse of truth is so hated by the resisters of the NT, and OT, truth.. From the BEGINNING, to the END… - THIS is our PERPETUAL COVENANT with GOD, taught by JESUS as HE walked among us on earth. Jesus restates what GOD COMMANDED in Revelation… for those who are listening … for those who are chosen, AND CALLED! Rev. 22:14-15 14 Blessed are they, that do his Commandments, [g]that their right may be in the tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the City. 15 For without shall be dogs and enchanters, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth or maketh lies. …. So, we pray that Jesus allows them to see the truth, as HE has ALLOWED US to see… But, we know that many are called, BUT, NOT ALL ARE CHOSEN…. it’s a sad reality.😔📖
Why did you stop there? Are you: Then on the fifteenth day of the same month there is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. 7 On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work. 8 But for seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work.’” ?
Those buildings are not meant to glorify God. Those cathedrals are meant to tell people that those who work inside the building have authority and power and must be obeyed.
The form must forever follow the function. When the form informs the Christian that the importance for gathering is not in agreement with the new covenant wherein we are anointed and infilled, the form has been adopted from some source outside the truth. Are there other intrusions into our paradigm?
Why don't churches do a retro Sunday once a month no guitars , no drums , only piano and the hymnal...... I know a lot of the older generation.Would love to sing "leaning on the everlasting arms" and "trust and obey" again.... And the younger generation needs to learn them...... Besides most of the band is all volunteer and would appreciate the break from long rehearsals and performances..... And they could just relax, sing and sit back and sing along with everyone else..... American churches have always had young people and they did just fine without today's "throwaway songs."...... what's a throw away song? Most churches today won't sing a song older than ten years old..... then it's thrown away.......
In the early Church teachingcwas a 2 way sreet. Recall Christ going to a synagogue, being handed the scroll of Isaiah and after reading that portion saying; this Scripture has been fulfilled in your eyes today. Then He sat down to answer questions. Recall the sermon by Peter after Pentecost when the crowd asks back "what shall we do?" and then he answers. Here's a sinple idea for a large assembly. Have index cards or electronic means where MEN are encouraged to ask questions to be answered at the next meeting. Cut the sermon shorter and spend half the time answering. Wifves are to ask their own husbands at home and in turn they can either answer or ask for them. As to single women, I would allow them to ask directly. This can be done in a written format for large assemblies or as John McArthur used to do before being ill, schedule frequent QA sessions.
Tom's work is great, no reservations about it at all, but it would be interesting to know more about the structure of the church before this turning point with the bread and wine as a sacrifice. People are difficult, Christians are difficult, and the New Testament shows the difficulty - confusion regarding spiritual gifts (spiritual status - selfishness - same today), Ananias and Sapphira (Money - selfishness - same today), Simon the sorcerer (power - selfishness - same today) etc, etc....How else can the sheep be protected without some structure? Even if the structure of Biblical Eldership is in place, people are still a cause of much disagreement and tension when they have the time to think and discuss anything - keeping them away from personal discussions is one way to reduce conflict and heresy? What do you think?
I think that is part of the problem. While we are saved as sheep, I don’t believe we are to remain in our former state. Meaning that as a new creation we are to go out as a sheep who is a wise as a serpents and as innocent as doves. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit does that, it equips us. But this means we are actively seeking God to renew our minds to think and react as He does. With that foundation you have humble, submissive believers all under Jesus who are concerned and working of keeping one mind. What I see are churches who fail to practice church discipline upon disciples!?! That creates much of the mess. Add to that unbiblical teaching and non biblical worldviews (syncretism) no wonder the division and infighting. The Protestant Churches (high and low) need to have an ecumenical council and improve the unity by calling out and casting out those who are in heresy and apostasy. It’s well past time of this. Keep reforming!
@@mikeheath8318 I think my last point is trying to find unity and clarity of what the role of overseer/bishop should be. By no means a supporter of a RC structure, I do see benefit of greater church council in clarifying and then teaching of sound doctrine in unity. The splintering within the Protestant churches clearly does help unity in the church. Please note that I believe RC and EO is too far afield where either the Magisterium or merely sacred tradition to reconcile. Thanks for the feedback.
@@amiiboplush2177 As you are probably aware, the terms overseer, shepherd and elder refer to the same office. The office is in fact that of an elder who has two functions, overseeing and shepherding. The hierachy seen in various church structures today did not exist in the New Testament. This fact doesn't necessarily mean that a church structure is wrong, it only means that it is not the same model as the New Testament church and that the New Testament words have been mis-applied. The New Testament focus on unity, as you rightly see as a priority, is hard to maintain. It is surprising to realise this when Christians are supposed to be filled with the spirit whilst at the same time being so carnal. I wonder, does it say something about Holy Spirit, His limitations, or is it our understanding of His work? It seems as though the Holy Spirit (I am not Charismatic) is not required any longer. We have everything we need for our meetings without His presence. Indeed He would only get in the way. As Tozer once said, "the Holy Spirit can be absent for 5 years and no one would notice", everything would continue as is.
Is the golden rule always edification? It seemed to primarily come into use to correct someone who has just failed to follow it, thus it had a negative connotation for how not to treat other people. It took me years to realize that it is a proactive prescriptive rather than a reactive guide. I say this because the life giving intent can be switched to become the opposite of edification!
Just a thought: If we tell church members the building is not sacred, yet we spend all this money on the buildings, its maintenance, and interior decoration and designs, plus the millions on the technology inside of it, it's going to be hard to convince the members of this doctrine... ALL our "church" buildings have been built and designed and equipped to only accommodate (and entertain...) members as spectators... 🤔
I’m curious: where does the Bible even suggest that only women should wear pearls? I’m only aware of the Pearl of Great Price parable told by Jesus, which does not suggest this. Thanks in advance for your instruction!
Pearls are mentioned 10 times in the Bible…📖 This verse is about both man and women having “Pearls.” Matthew 7:6 ¶ Give ye not that which is holy to dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they tread them under their feet, and turning again, all to rent you. 💞📖🙏🏼
We gaze into the heavens looking back into the folding of the vastness yet formed are we not alive and walking on this the short side of our experienced age seasons passings measured by the minds of those around our fragile vessel we share
But it is a poor translation that is nearing 500 years old! No serious Bible student uses it. It is sentimental to many. Very sweet. But it is not a translation worthy of serious use.
Didache - date unknown but believed to be first or early second century, says "Every true prophet who desires to settle among you is worthy of his food. Likewise, a true teacher, like the worker, deserves his food. Take every first-fruit of the wine press and of the threshing floor, of your oxen and of your sheep, and give as the first-fruit to the prophets, for they are your high priests." So the importing of a hierarchical priesthood seems to be early in church history.
Yikes, Steve… Thank GOD for sending in JESUS, so that that’s no longer acceptable to God Almighty! Jesus taught the Fathers ORIGINAL 10 Commandments. Priests aren’t in the 10, they’re told to obey them… 🤣 but, they don’t. Priests should be following JESUS and the right 10, not the CATHOLIC 10 Commandments, and listening to others teach for a change… as we can see, the priests ruined it all……🙄📖🙏🏼
I find what the Didache states overall insightful as an early documented orthoproxy of the Christian expression. Yet we must concede it is not inspired. It is not until Hebrews is written that we document God’s revelation on whom the High Priest truly is. Then in Ephesians we see that the prophet is a gifting for the Church and Great Commission. Again I admire the perspective and working out the doctrine of the Faith as seen in the Didache but a conclusion that a hierarchical priesthood continues because of the writing in the Didache is very weak in light of canonized scripture.
everyone in the body of christ is looking for a "gotcha" doctrine and when they find one they go overboard, as is the wont of the natural man, like heiser and his pantheon of gods and host of half-demon, half-man abominations. so this tom is onto something but it is just a something, not an everything. maranatha
This is not a gotcha doctrine. A lot of what he says I found myself just from looking at the scripture. Worship services today is based mostly on the culture we live in. He’s not saying it’s wrong, he’s simply pointing out the Bible vs what we do today and how we view. There are others who note this as well not just Tom.
Profound, teach them to observe not teach them to know. Edification vs. Education build up not puff up. I love this, insightful.
Actually the worship that goes on in most Evangelical churches is sensual experience similar to going to a rock concert. There is also the hero worship of admiring the speaking skills of the pastor. Thank you Tom for bringing these truths out. Our money is being wasted on buildings and we should be out funding the spread of the Gospel throughout our cities. We need to train people to be evangelists and fund them with a stipend in the church members should be giving them room and board so they can operate with the minimum level of funding.
“Prayer is mentioned way more than singing in the New Testament. And yet today we sing for 40 minutes and pray for 30 seconds when we gather.” I’m gonna remember that…
Forsake that assembly which gathers only to passively listen to a sermon without true engagement. The purpose of Christian fellowship is to encourage, uplift, and support one another, not to sit silently as spectators. When an assembly becomes a routine of passive listening, it neglects the biblical call for mutual edification and active participation. True fellowship involves every believer contributing to the spiritual growth of the body, not just receiving from one individual.
Absolutely true!
Well said!
EXCELLENT - 30 second elevator comment for the truth…! 📖
Recitations are generally more useful than Lectures for students in college. But they both have their purposes. So let us not forsake any one assembly but rather in the utility we've been blessed with- shine as the lights of the world in the manner to which Christ intended.
Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
What is more beautiful and glorifying to the Lord… a magnificent cathedral built by man or one who is living their life in genuine faith, humility and gratitude to the Lord?
We no longer worship on a mountain but in spirit and truth.
Dr Tom is taking us to the woodshed here. Thank you Dr.
Since I was guided to Tom…. I gave in to the tube and made a playlist of his works making it public on my channel for the truth to be spread…. 📖
Thank you, Tom!
Jesus raised you up your whole life, and kept you for this very time… 🙏🏼💞
Prayers for this truth to be spread far and wide, we are at the end days.
Those that benefit most from the status quo , are the last to let it go.
I live in the UK, we have some beautiful Cathedral’s and many Anglican Bishops and Vicars are apostate and they serve in these beautiful buildings! We are His beautiful and holy dwelling places on this beautiful earth!
How do you see the true church in the UK these days?
@@mikeheath8318 Hi, within the Uk there very vibrant pockets of Christianity. The immigrants from Africa have had a massive impact of the churches in London. Within many cities in what we call the midlands Islam is the most dominant religion and very aggressive and intolerant of Christians. The police in those cities have squashed the public preaching of Christianity in Muslim areas to protect Social Cohesion. Sections of London neighbourhoods have areas called Sharia compliant zones where women will get hassled I they are not dressed conservatively. The percentage of Christians who are evangelical in the Uk is about 4%. We need a revival.
There are some who say it's time to get out as so much impurity. If an organisation is a reflection of its leadership and the 2 most senior leaders have faced calls to step down because of how they have responded to the bad behaviour of others there are some huge problems. Too many put comfort before righteousness and will eventually take the consequences.
The reason that the Sunday schools went down the tubes was because they were mostly done in a lecture format. I think they were if they were done in a open discussion format they would come back. The sell groups are not attended very well because they are also boring. Usually they are limited to discussing the pastor's sermon from the week before. That is done because usually the leadership in the church is fearful of false doctrine or something like that
so so agree!!!
Also, if Cell groups are independent, they do poorly because once again they are usually adhering to only the leader's opinions and understanding. And naturally the leader will be offended if someone has another opinion that they don't understand.
So I think firstly, pastors need to let Cell Groups act independently. And likewise, Cell Groups need to be a part of a larger congregation. Or operate as some form of Network of Home Churches. A network of home churches that work together with a vision for Truth of Scripture may be something to look into.
Man!! Yall killing it!! So many great tangents! Edu/edify, templess jews...so much! Thanks!!!
It starts at home two become three this is how we got here. . . Clear communications of cause and effect. To recognize the author of it all.
1:00:00 mm is excellent discussion point on deacon and worship!📖🙏🏼
Yield to the Holy One who advocates on our behalf
I tried to put out a call on Redditt to get together (I'm in a new city and have tried several churches only to leave them in frustration) to discuss the Bible together (not have one person doing the lecturing or "teaching") and was nastily shot down by the first responder accusing me of "thinking everyone an a---hole and every group bad" and he said "it's probably you that is the a---hole..." I'm hated everywhere I go for telling the truth. At least Jesus said everyone hated him first.... 😭😭😭
Watchmen Nee said the church is in ruins because of it's unbiblical practices.
Free for all who will obey the call to love one another
Healing salve of comfort sent from and for the will of Heaven
When we close our door in prayer where our treasures are laid up. . . Learning so much here
Amen
Bearing one snothers burdens
Heart teachings
Recognizing the author of souls who commands all to that end
As beautiful as our natural world is in all of it's natural complexity and 'aparant chaos' it is not the creator we worship. . . We have an advocate in prayer who was there before the creation and perfecting of our bought and paid for souls
Observations and actions of love bringing the harvest of the fruit through out
Simple truth
Your body houses the Spirit who lives in us all
Feathers scattered and nothing wasted as my stomach grumbled in the thawing
We have sn advocate in prayer always
Vessels of dusty clay are traveling souls communicating the love we share when we obey the command of the same
Thanks fellows got to take a nap
Every need was known before us
Once and for all. . .
Ephesians 4:11-16
Pastors have isolated themselves in the ivory tower (church) to the inclusion of the other gifts. The purpose of the Gifts listed, is to equip believers in ministry and maturity which is the opposite of the fruit we see being produced today. Everyone is supposed to sit and watch and go home as childish as when they came.
Amen.🥰📖
I saw the records written in the snow while looking for food around the lake of the struggles of winters
There are leaves branches roots and tangles that takes time to addreds and learn to communicate in trust, knowing and considering the source
The best book I read on this is “True Fellowship” by Art Katz.
Fear faith trust love and forgiveness. . . Engorgement
Not to tear down, to build up the church the people who hear, believe and act in love
So who's house are we going to. 😊
Not binding loads that can not be lifted
The whole concept of the church being the temple and having a priesthood is necessary in order to market the gospel of Christ. Most Church institutions are marketing the gospel and changing to the format that you are describing would be very difficult for them. I hope you succeed because like you said people don't remember the sermon. If the pastor start interacting with the people and asking them questions and getting their input that might produce a change. Plus also there's the point of the church being the hagios or the holy ones. The theological systems that are preached in churches nowadays do not call Christians holy they say that we are all still sinners which is the opposite of holiness.
Look at the Babylonian priesthood and the Catholic priesthood- the garbs etc
There is an explicit command to have a synagogue/assembly on the Sabbath. Leviticus 23:3, “For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.” How can we overlook/disobey this command?
It's the New Testament for the believers, Jews AND Gentiles. The Sabbath is a sign between God and Old Covenant Israël (Gen. 31,16-17).
Yep, for ancient Jews
Amen… excellent response, this verse of truth is so hated by the resisters of the NT, and OT, truth..
From the BEGINNING, to the END… - THIS is our PERPETUAL COVENANT with GOD, taught by JESUS as HE walked among us on earth.
Jesus restates what GOD COMMANDED in Revelation… for those who are listening … for those who are chosen, AND CALLED!
Rev. 22:14-15
14 Blessed are they, that do his Commandments, [g]that their right may be in the tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the City.
15 For without shall be dogs and enchanters, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth or maketh lies.
…. So, we pray that Jesus allows them to see the truth, as HE has ALLOWED US to see…
But, we know that many are called, BUT, NOT ALL ARE CHOSEN…. it’s a sad reality.😔📖
Why did you stop there? Are you:
Then on the fifteenth day of the same month there is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. 7 On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work. 8 But for seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work.’”
?
@ I don't know why you refer to this verse or what you intend to convey with it?
We are prefected by in the yielding to the same
In the wink of sn eye it is all known and there will be no hard feelings
Whiten in the sparking ice sickles that fall from the tallest trees in the wilderness like sharp diamonds they clisten for a while
Those buildings are not meant to glorify God. Those cathedrals are meant to tell people that those who work inside the building have authority and power and must be obeyed.
The form must forever follow the function. When the form informs the Christian that the importance for gathering is not in agreement with the new covenant wherein we are anointed and infilled, the form has been adopted from some source outside the truth. Are there other intrusions into our paradigm?
Why don't churches do a retro Sunday once a month no guitars , no drums , only piano and the hymnal...... I know a lot of the older generation.Would love to sing "leaning on the everlasting arms" and "trust and obey" again.... And the younger generation needs to learn them...... Besides most of the band is all volunteer and would appreciate the break from long rehearsals and performances..... And they could just relax, sing and sit back and sing along with everyone else..... American churches have always had young people and they did just fine without today's "throwaway songs."...... what's a throw away song? Most churches today won't sing a song older than ten years old..... then it's thrown away.......
He said he could tear it down and rebuilt it in three days
In the early Church teachingcwas a 2 way sreet. Recall Christ going to a synagogue, being handed the scroll of Isaiah and after reading that portion saying; this Scripture has been fulfilled in your eyes today. Then He sat down to answer questions. Recall the sermon by Peter after Pentecost when the crowd asks back "what shall we do?" and then he answers.
Here's a sinple idea for a large assembly. Have index cards or electronic means where MEN are encouraged to ask questions to be answered at the next meeting. Cut the sermon shorter and spend half the time answering. Wifves are to ask their own husbands at home and in turn they can either answer or ask for them. As to single women, I would allow them to ask directly.
This can be done in a written format for large assemblies or as John McArthur used to do before being ill, schedule frequent QA sessions.
Tom's work is great, no reservations about it at all, but it would be interesting to know more about the structure of the church before this turning point with the bread and wine as a sacrifice. People are difficult, Christians are difficult, and the New Testament shows the difficulty - confusion regarding spiritual gifts (spiritual status - selfishness - same today), Ananias and Sapphira (Money - selfishness - same today), Simon the sorcerer (power - selfishness - same today) etc, etc....How else can the sheep be protected without some structure? Even if the structure of Biblical Eldership is in place, people are still a cause of much disagreement and tension when they have the time to think and discuss anything - keeping them away from personal discussions is one way to reduce conflict and heresy? What do you think?
I think that is part of the problem. While we are saved as sheep, I don’t believe we are to remain in our former state.
Meaning that as a new creation we are to go out as a sheep who is a wise as a serpents and as innocent as doves. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit does that, it equips us. But this means we are actively seeking God to renew our minds to think and react as He does.
With that foundation you have humble, submissive believers all under Jesus who are concerned and working of keeping one mind.
What I see are churches who fail to practice church discipline upon disciples!?! That creates much of the mess.
Add to that unbiblical teaching and non biblical worldviews (syncretism) no wonder the division and infighting.
The Protestant Churches (high and low) need to have an ecumenical council and improve the unity by calling out and casting out those who are in heresy and apostasy. It’s well past time of this. Keep reforming!
@amiiboplush2177 I agree with most of what you say, but your solution is more control and more structure rather than less.
@@mikeheath8318 I think my last point is trying to find unity and clarity of what the role of overseer/bishop should be. By no means a supporter of a RC structure, I do see benefit of greater church council in clarifying and then teaching of sound doctrine in unity. The splintering within the Protestant churches clearly does help unity in the church. Please note that I believe RC and EO is too far afield where either the Magisterium or merely sacred tradition to reconcile.
Thanks for the feedback.
@@amiiboplush2177 As you are probably aware, the terms overseer, shepherd and elder refer to the same office. The office is in fact that of an elder who has two functions, overseeing and shepherding.
The hierachy seen in various church structures today did not exist in the New Testament. This fact doesn't necessarily mean that a church structure is wrong, it only means that it is not the same model as the New Testament church and that the New Testament words have been mis-applied.
The New Testament focus on unity, as you rightly see as a priority, is hard to maintain. It is surprising to realise this when Christians are supposed to be filled with the spirit whilst at the same time being so carnal. I wonder, does it say something about Holy Spirit, His limitations, or is it our understanding of His work? It seems as though the Holy Spirit (I am not Charismatic) is not required any longer. We have everything we need for our meetings without His presence. Indeed He would only get in the way.
As Tozer once said, "the Holy Spirit can be absent for 5 years and no one would notice", everything would continue as is.
Is the golden rule always edification? It seemed to primarily come into use to correct someone who has just failed to follow it, thus it had a negative connotation for how not to treat other people. It took me years to realize that it is a proactive prescriptive rather than a reactive guide. I say this because the life giving intent can be switched to become the opposite of edification!
Address and know the cost
Just a thought: If we tell church members the building is not sacred, yet we spend all this money on the buildings, its maintenance, and interior decoration and designs, plus the millions on the technology inside of it, it's going to be hard to convince the members of this doctrine... ALL our "church" buildings have been built and designed and equipped to only accommodate (and entertain...) members as spectators... 🤔
How many widows and orphans could have been helped with that 900 million dollars? How many poor, sick, or destitute people could have been helped?
I’m curious: where does the Bible even suggest that only women should wear pearls? I’m only aware of the Pearl of Great Price parable told by Jesus, which does not suggest this. Thanks in advance for your instruction!
Pearls are mentioned 10 times in the Bible…📖
This verse is about both man and women having “Pearls.”
Matthew 7:6
¶ Give ye not that which is holy to dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they tread them under their feet, and turning again, all to rent you.
💞📖🙏🏼
Those who have been there know there will be no need for crowns
Be good stewards of the vessels of dusty clay
We gaze into the heavens looking back into the folding of the vastness yet formed are we not alive and walking on this the short side of our experienced age seasons passings measured by the minds of those around our fragile vessel we share
Making fun of the KJV; you lost me at that.
But it is a poor translation that is nearing 500 years old! No serious Bible student uses it. It is sentimental to many. Very sweet. But it is not a translation worthy of serious use.
Water balloon on an ashy floor
No one knows you like you
Didache - date unknown but believed to be first or early second century, says "Every true prophet who desires to settle among you is worthy of his food. Likewise, a true teacher, like the worker, deserves his food. Take every first-fruit of the wine press and of the threshing floor, of your oxen and of your sheep, and give as the first-fruit to the prophets, for they are your high priests." So the importing of a hierarchical priesthood seems to be early in church history.
Yikes, Steve…
Thank GOD for sending in JESUS, so that that’s no longer acceptable to God Almighty!
Jesus taught the Fathers ORIGINAL 10 Commandments.
Priests aren’t in the 10, they’re told to obey them… 🤣 but, they don’t.
Priests should be following JESUS and the right 10, not the CATHOLIC 10 Commandments, and listening to others teach for a change… as we can see, the priests ruined it all……🙄📖🙏🏼
I find what the Didache states overall insightful as an early documented orthoproxy of the Christian expression. Yet we must concede it is not inspired.
It is not until Hebrews is written that we document God’s revelation on whom the High Priest truly is. Then in Ephesians we see that the prophet is a gifting for the Church and Great Commission.
Again I admire the perspective and working out the doctrine of the Faith as seen in the Didache but a conclusion that a hierarchical priesthood continues because of the writing in the Didache is very weak in light of canonized scripture.
everyone in the body of christ is looking for a "gotcha" doctrine and when they find one they go overboard, as is the wont of the natural man, like heiser and his pantheon of gods and host of half-demon, half-man abominations. so this tom is onto something but it is just a something, not an everything. maranatha
This is not a gotcha doctrine. A lot of what he says I found myself just from looking at the scripture. Worship services today is based mostly on the culture we live in. He’s not saying it’s wrong, he’s simply pointing out the Bible vs what we do today and how we view. There are others who note this as well not just Tom.
A resister of truth… we will pray for you, Bobby🙏🏼