Division
I was having a good day today. My brother took me out to eat, paid for me to get pampered, was a good day. I came online and soon the happiness was short lived. I wonder many times why I go in chat. I have a good handful of people I consider my friends though, so I stick it out and weed out the bad ones. Today, I must say, was a day that effected me more than I thought would. I was 2 seconds from deleting the entire chat program off my pc for good! I am tired of the division between baptists and presbyterians. I am a member of a PCA church, but believe in credobaptism. So I guess you would say I have a middle-of-the-road view. Now, maybe I misunderstood, but what I gathered to being said, was "I wouldn't fellowship with a presbyterian at the church". The topic revolved around fellowshipping and the Lord's Supper, or so I gathered. Now, tho I have baptist beliefs I still consider myself to be presbyterian simply because that's where I attend. I was VERY hurt by this comment, and probably not so much of the comment alone, but because of who said it. I would never ever break fellowship with the presbyterians because we have some doctrinal disagreements. I'd like to know who believes 100% of another believer?! Is the disagreement essential? Does it mean because we follow such and such we are closer to God or more right than those who don't? I think there is a fine line there and I can bet when we get to heaven, God will not find this in the least bit amusing and tell us "Your'e ALL wrong!". Who would be surprised then? I think this also ties in with pride. We always have to be right and sacrifice fellowship over it. Who is more worthy? Why?
Luke 9:46-50 An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great." John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you."
John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
1Co 10:17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit
1Co 12:20-26 But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
I am not going to belittle a church that has a "closed communion", that is, only the member's of the church can partake, but I must say I do not agree with it. I have every right as any other believer in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to partake in the Lord's Supper!! NOT every member of a church who partakes in the Lord's Supper will be a believer either, so what are we shielding from? We cannot possibly prevent an unbeliever from participating in this ordinance, as much as we try. Yes there is division, yes there are differences in doctrine, but at what cost?
Luke 9:46-50 An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great." John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you."
John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
1Co 10:17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit
1Co 12:20-26 But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
I am not going to belittle a church that has a "closed communion", that is, only the member's of the church can partake, but I must say I do not agree with it. I have every right as any other believer in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to partake in the Lord's Supper!! NOT every member of a church who partakes in the Lord's Supper will be a believer either, so what are we shielding from? We cannot possibly prevent an unbeliever from participating in this ordinance, as much as we try. Yes there is division, yes there are differences in doctrine, but at what cost?
posted by Stacey at 2:24 AM
4 Comments:
Hey :) I just wanted to let you know I'm praying for you today, I know you've gotta feel pretty discouraged. It's a sad day when Christians run out of ways to uplift each other, so they tear each other down instead. It reminds me of when Jesus was talking to the pharisees in Matthew 23:24. He says "You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" We have so many bigger fish to fry, you know? I don't see what all the disagreement is about - it doesn't glorify God one bit.
Anyway, try to stay encouraged & know that you have people praying for you! "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up" 1 Thessalonians 5:11
{{{{{{{{{ Stickers }}}}}}}}}}}
Just because I can :-)
Stacey, I certainly understand your frustration. I see this thing go on from both sides. Just remember that the Lord is above all of our troubles. Just keep your eyes focused on Him even when on line sis. Let those that have convictions that you do not have just roll off your back. Hug your kids, spend time with your husband, and when you feel like comming on line hang out with those that you can be encouraged by. Don't let people get you down... just hang on to the Lord.
May God bless,
John Lane
I understand as well - your struggle with the Hypers...fight the good fight.
ja
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