If the Apostles Came Back in Our Time...

[Baptist Believer]

Oh, I don't know...but I was just being ironic.

I understand.

It has been on my mind lately because of a lengthy discussion we had in Sunday School awhile back when we were discussing issues of the apostles interacting with Greek culture and philosophy in the New Testament (the prologue to the Gospel of John, Paul on Mars Hill, etc.). There were some in my Sunday School class who never imagined that the early followers of Jesus knew anything about the broader world than just their local community.

You know it got me thinking (between meetings this afternoon) that if the apostles did come back and visited our church services one of their first questions might be: Where did the Torah/Bible go?

(i.e. we rarely hear consistent preaching from the OT and since the NT wasn't completed until most of them had their lives taken they might not recognize why were are preaching from that annoyingly smart former Jew named Paulus)

That's true. My experience in Baptist life is that when we do actually preach/teach the Bible, we tend to preach primarily from Paul's writings, interpreting them outside of the context of the teachings of Jesus.

Once I took a few years and focused on the message of Jesus, the writings of Paul opened up to me with a new freshness and focus which beautifully expanded and applied the central teachings of Christ.

 

[Iconoclast]

Strange, as BOTH of those groups are in the ONE Body of Christ, the Church of Christ, the "real one"

Since the Lord brought all Christians together in ONE BODY, why break it asunder?

This one church has not assembled yet.

 

[Iconoclast]

They would find a church in line with the doctrine they taught--an IFB church.

They would not be allowed in because of facial hair:thumbs:

 

[Iconoclast]

What would they see? Printed Bibles, satellite, digital media, TV preachers begging money, church bank accounts, tithers suffering, division, denominations, programs, bulletins, audiences... on and on.

Would they be impressed?

Impressed or depressed? If they joined the BB they could have Van explain why the greek text they wrote does not mean what it says:laugh:

 

[Robert Snow]

They would not be allowed in because of facial hair:thumbs:

:laugh::laugh:

That's funny!

 

[preachinjesus]

I've often said one of the markers of too many churches that I've visited or known is that they wouldn't have welcomed Jesus of His apostles as members.

 

[Mexdeaf]

If it is an IFB church it wouldn't be affiliated with the SBC. That is a contradiction if I ever heard one.

SBC churches are more autonomous than the IFB churches I have attended. The contradiction is believing that just because a Baptist church is not a member of a Convention it is independent.

Silliness and a delusion.

 

[DHK]

SBC churches are more autonomous than the IFB churches I have attended. The contradiction is believing that just because a Baptist church is not a member of a Convention it is independent.

Silliness and a delusion.

Watch out for the personal attacks please.
The fact that it is not a member of a convention (especially one large enough to be called a denomination in and of itself), is exactly why it is called "independent." An independent church has no forma affiliation with other denominations, conventions, etc.

 

[JesusFan]

This one church has not assembled yet.

Wrell, part of it, departed saints, are before the lord in heaven, while rest of thre Body ARE here on earth!

 

[Alive in Christ]

DHK posted....

They would find a church in line with the doctrine they taught--an IFB church.

DHK...

Are you serious?

 

[Tom Bryant]

Personally, I think they'd ask us why we were arguing so much about the doctrine of salvation while doing so little about trying to get the gospel of salvation out to the world.

I think they'd ask us why we're so sure we have the right church polity and associations, but don't have the power that the Jerusalem church showed on the day of Pentecost and afterwards.

And the snarky side of me thinks that they just might look at our discussions/debates/disagreements and say, "we had those same discussions... we just decided to tell everyone we could about Jesus and let God figure out the mechanics."

 

[Gershom]

It would be interesting to see them browsing around a Christian bookstore. I wonder what they would think as the flipped through some books? I wonder what would be in their shopping back as they walked out?

 

[quantumfaith]

Personally, I think they'd ask us why we were arguing so much about the doctrine of salvation while doing so little about trying to get the gospel of salvation out to the world.

I think they'd ask us why we're so sure we have the right church polity and associations, but don't have the power that the Jerusalem church showed on the day of Pentecost and afterwards.

And the snarky side of me thinks that they just might look at our discussions/debates/disagreements and say, "we had those same discussions... we just decided to tell everyone we could about Jesus and let God figure out the mechanics."

:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

 

[quantumfaith]

Impressed or depressed? If they joined the BB they could have Van explain why the greek text they wrote does not mean what it says:laugh:

They would learn as members of BB that mankind has impressed upon scriptures all sorts of meanings, systems and interpretations.

 

[Salty]

...The fact that it is not a member of a convention (especially one large enough to be called a denomination in and of itself), is exactly why it is called "independent." An independent church has no forma affiliation with other denominations, conventions, etc.

DHK - did you see my post in this thread? (post # 7)

I understand your thinking - as I used to parrot what I was taught. Often, when I preach, I have been known to quote the dictionary. When using a word/phrase - we need to know the definition of the word. And if that means changing our (improperly taught) beliefs - so be it.

Also still waiting for an answer to the question I asked you in post # 16.

Salty

 

[Mexdeaf]

Watch out for the personal attacks please.
The fact that it is not a member of a convention (especially one large enough to be called a denomination in and of itself), is exactly why it is called "independent." An independent church has no forma affiliation with other denominations, conventions, etc.

No personal attack, an opinion of your statement based upon facts.

 

[DHK]

DHK - did you see my post in this thread? (post # 7)

I understand your thinking - as I used to parrot what I was taught. Often, when I preach, I have been known to quote the dictionary. When using a word/phrase - we need to know the definition of the word. And if that means changing our (improperly taught) beliefs - so be it.

Also still waiting for an answer to the question I asked you in post # 16.

Salty

I have learned much about dictionaries--choosing the definition that best suits our purposes. Word games are fun aren't they?
Denomination = sect. Sect = cult. Cult = _______. You fill in the blank.

I didn't see a question in post #16

There are many fundamental Baptist churches in the SBC, and each one is independent! - Thus IFB!!!!

But I am curious as to why you chose that statement to comment on. I thought my dissertation on "majoring on the minors" was much more important.

You last statement is very relative. What is very major to some, might only be minor to others. To use another denomination (the Charismatics), for example, they put their experience ahead of their doctrine (in general). Many build doctrine on experience. "It is true because I had this experience." "God spoke to me in this vision" (whether or not it is true according to Scripture doesn't matter).

 

[RAdam]

I really think people have no concept of what was truly important to the apostles. I've read several responses that basically said they would be disappointed in Christians arguing over doctrine and practice as if that wasn't a big deal to them. Hello! They fought hard to keep the Lord's people from being deceived with false doctrine. They were very concerned that what the Lord had delivered to them and they had delivered to the church be kept in that same fashion.

I'll tell you what the apostles would do - they would search for that body that had continued steadfastly in their doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. They would know it was still here because Jesus promised just that, so they would hunt for it, not settling for anything less.

 

[Old Union Brother]

I really think people have no concept of what was truly important to the apostles. I've read several responses that basically said they would be disappointed in Christians arguing over doctrine and practice as if that wasn't a big deal to them. Hello! They fought hard to keep the Lord's people from being deceived with false doctrine. They were very concerned that what the Lord had delivered to them and they had delivered to the church be kept in that same fashion.

I'll tell you what the apostles would do - they would search for that body that had continued steadfastly in their doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. They would know it was still here because Jesus promised just that, so they would hunt for it, not settling for anything less.

:thumbsup::thumbsup: amen amen and amen

 

[Alive in Christ]

Jesusfan posted...

Strange, as BOTH of those groups are in the ONE Body of Christ, the Church of Christ, the "real one"

Since the Lord brought all Christians together in ONE BODY, why break it asunder?

Amen, and AMEN!