Where to really worship God
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| Mon, 08-01-2005 - 11:33pm |
I would like some honest, unbiased feed back about my confusion. Please, I am not starting this thread to be a debate, I am just really confused right now, and need some direction. For about16 years I have been a member of the nondenominational Church of Christ where I live. Recently I withdrew my fellowship from them because I felt that there were scriptual issues that they weren't following correctly. I feel that following the teachings of the new testament are vital to pleasing God, but with this church, they believe and teach that if you don't follow the bible the way they do, you are wrong and you are not going to go to Heaven. This even applies to churches of Christ that are considered "liberal" whatever that means. Of course, the liberal churches of Christ think that the "Anti" churches of Christ are wrong also. So there is division in the churches of Christ as to which church? I know according to this church of Christ, if I don't go to a faithful church of Christ, even if I am attending a different church faithfully, then I have "left the Lord" and will not go to Heaven. In fact, if I was still a member of my former church, they would withdraw from me for leaving their church to attend a church other than a faithful church of Christ, stating that I was walking disorderly according to the Bible. They would even withdraw from me if I left thier church of Christ to attend what they consider is an "unfaithfull" church of Christ. Their teaching is that they go strictly by what the Bible teaches and add nothing else to it, and condem those churches that interpret the Bible differently. Interestingly enough, even though the Bible does say that elders must be fathers of faithful children, one of the elder's has a daughter that was divorced by her husband for adultery, and yet he is still an elder. His interpretation of the Bible is that as long as she isn't living in his home, then he is not responsible for her actions. I discussed that issue at length with another elder and told him that if the church was going to go by what the Bible says then this church was wrong to have this man as an elder. He disagreed saying that he didn't think that's what it meant. I told him that if that was how the church members believed then how could that church look down on anyone else for interpreting the Bible differently than that church. There is another church of Christ in town that is, according to whatever, is a faithful church of Christ, but I am really hesitant about going there, because I don't want to be caught up in the "if you don't worship as we do, you're aren't going to Heaven." I want to worship God, and I know that anyone I would talk to, no matter what their affiliation, would show me chapter and verse about why their church is faithful to God. What is the right way? I just want to serve God and praise him through worship without being taught that anyone that doesn't do it a certain way is wrong. Anyone have any unbiased words of wisdom?
Thanks, Pam

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Wow Pam, that's really a tough spot to be in huh? Huge (((hugs))) to you! I'm not Christian, so what I say may not mean much to you. But for what it's worth, I'll point out one verse: Judge not. It sounds to me, as an outsider, that this is a very judgemental group of people and that's never healthy. The fact is, since none of us were alive to talk to Jesus in person, no one on this earth really knows for a fact who he was or how he should or shouldn't be worshiped. No one knows for a fact the Nature of God, or who's going to Heaven, or even if there is a Heaven as the Bible describes. All we have is Faith. I personally have always believed that God is everywhere, not just in one building or with one group of people. That I don't need to be in a certain place on a certain day, or repeat a certain prayer to worship. I think you need to look in your heart and really think about what YOU believe. Not what anyone else has told you to believe, but in your heart, what you really believe and feel about God. Ask and ye shall receive, right?. Take some quiet time by yourself, pray, meditate, whatever feels right to you... but ASK. Ask for a sign. Ask for guidance. Then listen. God does speak to us if we're willing to listen. And if we're open to whatever answer is given, even if it's not the one we're expecting.
HTH Sweetie, and that you're able to find what you seek. :-)
Welcome, Pam!
Hi, Pam ..
Welcome to F&S!
I wouldn't worry about being cast down to hell for leaving your church.
Thanks for the support and advice. I guess I'm just a little confused right now. The COC that is close to me has really great people, I guess I should go and talk to one of their elders or deacons or something. Thanks CC, it's nice to know there is a fellow COC member here that can relate to what I'm going through. I love this community. Everyone is so caring! Again, thanks.
Pam
Pam, forgive my bluntness but do these folks have a direct line to God? Who made them the judge and jury about who goes to heaven and how?
No one owns your soul, worship where and how you please, IMHO. They wouldn't find me sitting in their pews ever!
per se. I go to Unity and to me that is not really religion. I think
the best place to worship God is in your heart. I don't believe we go to hell.
I do believe the souls who really screwed up, like hitler, get help on the other side
once they realize they need it. I believe God gives us free choice, that is how we learn
lessons. God is about love, not sin, to me. I see man with the pen writing the
bible not God energy. Now I am sure God was channeled thru some folks, maybe Moses etc
Yet man has certainly put his words in the bible also. What do i know????? love, Leila
I was just perusing this board and saw your post, as well as the ones posted in response to you. I grew up Methodist and then when I was older, joined a Church of God, but I know a little about the Church of Christ through someone I use to know. First of all, you have to go by the Bible. I also don't have my Bible right with me, but it does say to test what you are being taught against what the Bible says. Unlike others on this board, I do not believe that everyone goes to heaven. I do believe in hell, but I don't believe we get there by changing churches. I do believe that there isn't just one denomination that is correct. I believe that if the basis of the faith is that Jesus Christ is God's son (God in human form), he came to earth, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and was raised again on the third day and ascended into heaven, and they follow the Bible, then they are on the right track. We are human and we all interpret different parts of the Bible different ways. But that truth is plainly stated in the Bible and if a church doesn't have that, then I wouldn't want to be a part of it. God does love variety, just look at all the different people in the world! But he doesn't want those people to condemn others because of their beliefs either. It is up to him to judge, not us. Churches are led by people and people are not infallible. So you need to be in a church where you feel comfortable worshiping God and where you are getting fed from the Word of God. Whether that is a Church of Christ or Church of God or Baptist or Methodist. I don't believe the denomination matters. I believe your heart will tell you if what is being taught is right or not.
Hope this helps.
Christie
:o)
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