Posts by Slappy

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What happened to the simplicity of the early church?

by Pahpa in

early christians were drawn together by their love of christ and each other.

most were just hard working average people who had little education and no understanding of the philosophies of the world.

the gospel message of the kingdom and the future hope of life everlasting were the basis of their simple faith.

Slappy

For the discussion of what is greater concerning the kingdom or Christ, I have one question. What is more important, knowing that someplace exists and wanting to go there, or actually knowing how to get there? Christ preached the kingdom, but he also said that there is only one way to get there; through Himself.

Also, back to the original topic. I grew up in a non-denominational 'religion' that followed, more or less, the grounds that Darby and his fellows gathered on. I too have seen divisions as occured in Darby's day. Each division was the cause of the proud actions of one individual who thought he knew better than everybody else. Witnessing that made me realize just how dead-on Jesus was when He urges us all to be meek and humble. For if we were all meek and humble (what do we have to be proud of anyway?) as He was, things would be so much better. The 'body' (church) of Christ would be so much more together and as 'one' that it would be astounding. I can't even imagine what it would be like. However, we know that Satan seeks to do all he can to hinder such interaction among such, for the fragments are not nearly as strong as the whole. However, it's ironic how God will use even Satan's 'successes' for glory. Just look at the scattering of the believers after Stephen was stoned and the blessing that followed. That being said, I know that it is His desire that we were all as one spreading His Word than as several thousand fragments spreading His Word.

Sorry, I digressed more than a little, but at times I tend to type out whatever my thoughts lead me to, and not necessarily what I had in mind.

bk

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What happened to the simplicity of the early church?

by Pahpa in

early christians were drawn together by their love of christ and each other.

most were just hard working average people who had little education and no understanding of the philosophies of the world.

the gospel message of the kingdom and the future hope of life everlasting were the basis of their simple faith.

Slappy

For a simple one word answer, Pride.

What started out as people who shared the same relationship with God, through Christ, meeting together to share in their joy and peace was marred and eventually upended by a few men who felt that they knew better than the others and began to force their ideas onto the others in the church. Eventually, some other proudful individual would form his idea of the truth that was in contradiction with that first overbearing individual and would lead a portion of the church away and a split would occur. To protect against this, a few 'proud' individuals evolved into a governing body of sorts in order to keep overbearing individuals under control. Then 'religion' as we know it today, was formed.

Check out www.johndarby.org/difficulties/index.html to see what I believe is the common template for the degredation simplicity and the formation of all organized 'religions' as we know them today.

bk

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Christianity..... do you have to believe...

by yknot in

do you have to believe in trinity, arianism, or other christ based concept etc to be saved?.

is believing jesus to be the messiah and following the model set forth in scripture enough?

or does one have to understand accurately the 'nature,essence, etc" of things..... if so why?

Slappy

First off, excellent replies XJW4EVR and Deputy Dog, not much more I can add.

Rapunzel: What other book lays out the foundation for a way of life that can be truly fulfilling for everybody and teaches things, that, if everybody would follow, would make this world about as perfect as an imperfect world can be? And claim to be the word of a 'higher power'? Deputy Dog mentioned C.S. Lewis, and very appropriately so.

For those that aren't aware, Lewis lays out an argument to dissuade the notion that Jesus was 'just' a 'great teacher'. With His teachings, which epitomize all that is good, and with His claim to be the Son of God and equal with God, He cannot 'just' be a great teacher. We must either take Him at His word that He is who He claims to be, or He must be a madman, it is not possible for any middle-ground to exist. Now, is it possible for a madman to teach those things that Jesus taught? No! Therefore He must be who He claims to be.

As for all those other people who do not know what the Bible teaches, it is my understanding that they will all have a 'second chance' during the tribulation. God is Just, and He will not judge someone who has not had a chance to hear His word and claim the truth for his or herself. They have another opportunity to accept the sacrifice and offer that Christ made. Again, this my understanding and in no means should be quoted with any sort of authority. All I can ask is that you search for the answer yourself.

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Generation change & Michael/Jesus - wife's bible study

by insearchoftruth in

sat in on my wife's bible study tonight, next week the husband of her study sister is coming with her, he is actually the presiding overseer of the congregation.

tried to get me to talk about trinity next week, but the topics will be either generation or michael.. .

the sister pointed to the statement in matthew on generation, i believe it was matthew 24:14 and said that since jesus was talking to his disciples, that equates to the anointed.

Slappy

Lol, you know what this brings to mind? That Southpark episode about Mormons. ;-p

You're dead on about bible hopscotch btw. A person can say and prove whatever they want when only taking things verse by verse. Why do you think there are so many different forms of "Christianity" in the world today, or atheists think they have such a strong argument when saying that the Bible contradicts itself? You could always play bible hopscotch back and show that "Abraham tied his ass to a tree and walked fifty furlongs." That might be too aggressive though, even if it is entertaining.

There is one question I never got to ask my JW hounders b4 they decided I was of the devil and they gave me up for dead. That being that JWs clarify or change their beliefs on the basis that they have been revealed more of the truth, or new truths. But if God is "the same yesterday, today, and forever" and the JWs are a direct representative of Him, and we are told to be like Him ("Be Holy as I am Holy" and "Be perfect even as your Father in Heaven is perfect"), then shouldn't the JWs also be unchanging?

Anyway, it's clear that you have the "...wise as a serpent..." part down, so I pray that God gives you the insight and wisdom to turn your wife before true damage is done. Although I truly hope you don't have the "...harmless as doves..." part down...at least from the JW perspective. ;-p

Remember, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." Rom 8:28

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Why we can confidently say JW's are NOT fulfilling John 13:35

by yadda yadda 2 in

"this is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

" - john 13:35 (niv).

a genuine christian would never totally shun a disfellowshipped family member or life-long friend who walked past them.

Slappy

Nice! That's one of, if not the most, applicable analogies I've heard yet to describe JWs.

And yadda-yadda, you hit the nail on the head. But, seeing as how they seem to slowly be taking Christ out of the picture, anything He said will no longer be a problem for them. It's sad.

27

Do You Expect to See Jesus?

by cameo-d in

do you believe that jesus is yet to come?

do you believe that you will see him for real when he does?.

do you hope to?.

Slappy

Yes, Yes, and Yes!

It's disheartening to see how many people just toss him aside as a fairy tail. What is it in Proverbs? "The fool hath said in his heart, 'There is no God'" Need I say more?

They'd rather listen to explanations conjured up by men than trust in the Bible, which is infallible. Can any of you honestly argue that this world wouldn't be perfect if everybody abided by what Jesus said we should do for the sake of love, one of another? What other book does that?...and comes with the claim to be God's Word? Bye-bye all self-help nonsense.

Some people are so consumed with their own selves, that they refuse to see what has been right in front of them all along. They'd rather look for ways that might explain away God, but have yet to actually prove anything.

Bah...

26

Things I Learned From my Dog

by Satanus in

if you stare at someone long enough, eventually you'll get what you want.

don't go out without id.

be direct with people; let them know exactly how you feel by piddling on .

Slappy

Learned from dogs and cats:

Life without a (good) master is not nearly as enjoyable.

- Food is harder to come by

- Food isn't as good

- It sux getting hit by a car and not having anyone to take you to a vet.

- Nobody to play with

- Running from everything (because of fear) can really wear you out

21

"by their fruits"....wouldn't this mean their teachings as well???

by oompa in

i urge any lurkers, or newbies, or doubter here to read...and study the proclaimers book....and read many old articles in the watchtower.

anybody who can explian to me how we could be sooooo wrong about soooo many things...........you have a willing ear here.

gods holy spirit would not allow for teaching falsehoods....period!

Slappy

Well, I just did a quick look-up of "fruitage" and "fruit" on dictionary.com and there isn't much of a difference that I could tell. "Fruitage" was slightly more specific, but I don't see that it matters. I didn't even know fruitage was a word. Just figured somebody had forgot the space and had meant "fruit age". No idea what that is either, but maybe it's when PETA rules the earth or something...

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