Church Membership

Abiyah-

I am truly saddened to hear that you had to go through such a terrible ordeal.

There is absolutely no Biblical reason for you to have to remove a wedding band before entering a church. If at all I would think that a church would say just the opposite. Marriage is beautiful thing and something to be celebrated, especially in the church. God is the one who ordained marriage in the first place.

In a situation like yours, you were not disciplined because of sin, but because your past church was practicing gross legalism and you refused to submit.

What you have said would be all that would be necessary for a church to accept you into their membership, and ours would have absolutely no objection to someone in your situation.

Please - I hope you do not in any way feel as though our discussions have been directed towards you.

[ August 29, 2002, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: A voice crying in the wilderness ]

 

Oh, Voice! In no way do I think that this thread
is against me, but I think that I do demonstrate
an unusual situation that a church could come
across. You see, the pastor had his story of
what happened, and I have mine. I have never
heard his, and would really be interested in
hearing it!, but I have been told that his story is
that I was noncompliant. Well, I was. It is just
that his story does not go far enough. 8o)

If, however, he were asked for a letter of
recommendation for me, there is no way he
could write an honest letter without implicating
himself as at fault. That would put him in a very
uncomfortable position. Furthermore, based
upon his actions in the past, I would not expect
an honest letter.

There really are faulty church and faulty
pastors. I call my old church a cult, and based
upon a theological definition, it is. So when one
leaves a cult, that cult is not about to give either
an honest assessment of the person leaving
or one that is positive.

[ August 29, 2002, 08:35 PM: Message edited by: Abiyah ]

 

Will God’s sun come up tomorrow if you do not respond to my post. You have absolutely no idea how little I care if you respond or not.

I have spent more time in Corinthians than you have spent in the bible. If you cannot respond more courteously, “PLEASE SHUT UP”.

What you call an interpretation, I call erroneous garbage. I call it the ranting of an angry illiterate arrogant sorry Christian.

You do have a lot to learn, start with some manners.
What you think means “0” to me.
If I came here to learn, you are the last idiot that I would listen to.
You do not sound highminded, doesn’t appear that you have enough mind to get off the ground.

I will post my opinion as I please, but I refuse to ever again lower myself to your level of conversation. And I did so this time only for your edification…

 

Are you suggesting that i am a heretick. You are quick to judge. Even Satan can quote scripture. What's in your heart????

[ August 29, 2002, 09:48 PM: Message edited by: Chappie ]

 

I to was chased out of a Pentecostal church in Porterville, Ca. because my wife would not remove her weding ring. And because I never spoke in tongues. (Spirit never prompted me to do so)

Sorry my opinion has created such a mess here. But when all is said and done, "God is good"..

 

Acts 7:54-58

When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth....

.... Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,And cast him out of the city, and stoned him:

As Solomon once said... There's nothing new under the sun.

 

Either I had that coming our you just couldn't resist.

Point taken though ... I think I said something about having alot to learn.... maybe you missed that.

I am sorry that I came across so harshly, I repent.

[ August 30, 2002, 07:18 PM: Message edited by: A voice crying in the wilderness ]

 

Chappie said:
I have spent more time in Corinthians than you have spent in the bible.

Preach says:
Keep studying.

 

Chappie-

I've got to agree with Voice on this one. But since you think his interpretations stinks up the place...

I would like to be blessed with your sweet smelling interpretation.

 

I would like to be blessed with your sweet smelling interpretation.

</font>[/QUOTE]Hello Preach:
Your response to me was a tad sarcastic, yet sarcasm properly applied is an effective communications tool. And in this case does not violate the rules of Christian conduct..

Now if you will pay very close attention (my christian sarcasm) you will note that 1 Cor 5:3 does not deal with admissions of members, but rather discipline of members. ((((BIG DIFFERENCE )))

Yet even this passage must be moderated/reconciled with: Matt 18:21-22
21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
KJV

Careful not to run off after reading one passage, thinking you have read the whole bible.

How's that? Sweet enough for you??

 

Either I had that coming our you just couldn't resist.

Point taken though ... I think I said something about having alot to learn.... maybe you missed that.

I am sorry that I came across so harshly, I repent. </font>[/QUOTE]Matt 5:22-24
22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
KJV

 

Thanks for the encouragement.. I shall do even as you seggest.

 

Well, did we figure out the mechanics of church membership and church discipline???

 

Well, I came here to learn, but things got kind of
weird here for a while!! 8oO ! ! !

My decision has been to just get in there and
learn. I am going to more services than ever
before, and I am sure that will help. 8o)

 

This touches upon a huge problem in Baptist churches - both the "church vote" and the issue of accepting people without finding whether or not they have credible professions of faith before they join. Those who think that membership classes, the pastor/elders speaking with the prospects beforehand, and other such things are "unbaptistic" have no idea of what our history is!!!!!!!! A good source to study is BAPTIST POLITY, ed. Mark Dever.

Rev. G

 

I've been attending a Baptist church for 13 yrs now and this is one thing I still don't understand. Why is there 'pressure' to "join" or become a member? Aren't we all members of "the church" upon salvation? Why the formality? Too much hub-bub about this kind of stuff, if you ask me (which nobody did, so sorry if I'm speaking out of turn).

I love the Lord, and I really want to worship Him with brothers and sisters of like mind, so I go to church to do that.

But join? Why??

 

Well Chappie. I got in on this thread late and enjoyed the exchange between you and some of the others. Since it has been a few days since you posted, I hope you've had time to cool off and not talk to me as you did to Voice and Ernie. Boy, you sure can unload when riled. Seriously, in a previous post (back in August I think) you said

"I believe that the doors to "Christs" church must remain open to even the worst of sinners."

My question to you--Do you mean saved sinners or unsaved sinners?
BTW, I notice on your profile you are a member of a G.N.B. Missionary Baptist Church. I am also a member of a MIssionary Baptist Church, but I am unfamilar with G.N.B. Can you enlighten me?