LOVING THE APPROVAL OF MEN.

John 12.42-43
42. "Nevertheless, many of the rules believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, so they should not be put out of the synagogue,
43. they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of GOD."


I noticed similar attitude and see similar parallel practically in every church I had ever been. Majority of the pastors preach dogmatism of their denomination, strictly following their traditions of the doctrines and supported by majority in their church.

And as it written in John, "they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of GOD."


I understand pastors, because their got paid for whatever they do, and they cannot teach and preach as they see and understand the Scripture themselves but must speak and preach only in the direction of those who put them on the payroll.


But what about those who are just ordinary parishioners who donate their money to the church on which their church runs its business? Do they really care about what their pastors preaching to them?


I noticed that most of them agree with the pastor's sermons no matter if he or she preach according to the Bible or not. This type of worshipers usually does not read the Bible and practically have no knowledge or understanding of it, and as it seems, completely indoctrinated in doctrines and traditions of their church.

The pastors love such followers, because usually they do not ask many questions and swallow everything what was given to them without much of thinking about it.


Other type of worshipers that I noticed in the church do not want any controversy if they disagree with the church teachings and its doctrines but kept quiet in order to stay in the church. For such people the church is a social club, and they enjoy ones a week to socialize with other members. They conversed about everything that is happen under the sun but not about religious and spirituals matters, because even two hours in week of religious education is too much for them to bear and very tiresome.


While everyone in the church confessing the Christ, they are not quite in the same tune with Him, but it really does not matter, because mostly they are all seeking and, "loved the approval of men rather than the approval of GOD."


So, it seems that even their confession of Christ is also fake, because their indoctrination in human doctrines and traditions of the church and they have not proficiency in GOD'S teachings.

 

Mostly Baptist churches, particularly one in NJ surprised me, because a Pastor started preaching something beside Baptist doctrines, but later changed this practice and returned back to theological doctrines of the church because of the pressure from the establishment of the church.

I don't remember exactly on what matters he was preaching, it was long time ago, but it was obvious that after few sermons on some controversial matters he returned back in line.

 

I mentioned only a single accident in one particular Baptist church and a single pastor who's views at one point in time did not reflect the doctrine of the church.

Concerning "the majority of pastors" as you mentioned, they are indeed do not have their own point of view, but as you said yourself, "Obviously, if a pastor identifies with a particular denomination, they will preach doctrine unique to that denomination," they are preaching according to the doctrine of the church and they are "the majority of pastors."

About KJV Bible, it became the standard Bible in majority of the churches, but it is not the most accurate and precise Bible in its translation.

I have 8 different Bibles: KSB is my major Bible and then KJV, Gideons, NIV, ESV, NRSV, GNB, and even Russian.

I do cross reference of certain passages and verses and I found that some of them translated a little bit differ in some Bibles. In some instances, some verses are not recorded at all in some Bibles, but only in one or two.

You wrote: "I wouldn’t expect a Southern Baptist to sprinkle babies."

Who cares that kind of Baptist you are, Southern, Northern, Eastern, or Western, or from another Galaxy.

The Law of GOD is One Law, and GOD Himself is One GOD and He does not divide in Himself, so, why the Christians became divided and have traditions, doctrines, and teachings what are not compatible with the Bible teachings?

You ask: "What exactly is the point of your thread?"

If you do not understand the point of my thread, perhaps you should better look at the verses of the Bible on which I commented in my post.

If you do not understand those verse as well and to whom they related, then you do not understand anything in the Bible, and it will be pointless to explained it to you.

Peace to you.