Is there anyone who is Apostolic anymore?

Titus2woman · #1 07-06-2012, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty

Or because it would be no different from any other church in town.

Imagine the days that every town had 'a church' and if you were a follower of Christ, you belonged to it... what a concept.

scotty · #2 07-06-2012, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Imagine the days that every town had 'a church' and if you were a follower of Christ, you belonged to it... what a concept.

It would be a utopia for sure, and a much better world to live in.

Now, just define "follower of Christ" and have everyone agree to that definition and we'll be on our way.

Titus2woman · #3 07-06-2012, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty

It would be a utopia for sure, and a much better world to live in.

Now, just define "follower of Christ" and have everyone agree to that definition and we'll be on our way.

That is the definition Scotty... Simplicity has replaced the complex and each man is indeed working out his OWN salvation... helped along by a group that loves him like Jesus did.

Your post just made me think of it and gave me a little hope that it once was and one day shall be again.

I pray the day never come (while knowing very well that it might) when the church will see enough adversity from without that we will stop creating our own divisions from within and will unite as a matter of survival. How it would please God if we could do it without being forced.

scotty · #4 07-06-2012, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

That is the definition Scotty... Simplicity has replaced the complex and each man is indeed working out his OWN salvation... helped along by a group that loves him like Jesus did.

Your post just made me think of it and gave me a little hope that it once was and one day shall be again.

I pray the day never come (while knowing very well that it might) when the church will see enough adversity from without that we will stop creating our own divisions from within and will unite as a matter of survival. How it would please God if we could do it without being forced.

I agree. And sometimes I wonder how things would be if that one line was left out of the bible, working out our own salvation. I'm sure at some point this is where the division started. Even the apostles had to part ways. Yet they never saw each other as unsaved, nor did they continue to tear one another down.

If this place could garner that kind of respect for one another's convictions, it would be a good starting point.

Hoovie · #5 07-06-2012, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Imagine the days that every town had 'a church' and if you were a follower of Christ, you belonged to it... what a concept.

I think that would be great... in the dark ages, maybe not.

Titus2woman · #6 07-06-2012, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I think that would be great... in the dark ages, maybe not.

OK... so in my perfect world it is a white clapboard buliding with a big wide center isle and old fashioned short pews set on an angle on both sides so you can see more of a person then the backs of their heads. Many elders speak and preach in turn, others are free to ask questions which are respectfully and thoughtfully answered. Children sleep peacefully beneath the pews or listen quitely. There is a picnic on the grass afterward where families visit and share friendship. Only monies needed for maintainence and the needy is collected and is given freely. Those who have surplus of anything contribute it and it is welcomed and used for those with a need. Young people are grown up and sent to spread the gospel, elder people, the disabled and the poor are tenderly cared for. Disagreements are never worth grudge and are settled quickly and peacefully.

I am sure by now many of you are dying laughing... but it could happen.

acerrak · #7 07-06-2012, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

OK... so in my perfect world it is a white clapboard buliding with a big wide center isle and old fashioned short pews set on an angle on both sides so you can see more of a person then the backs of their heads. Many elders speak and preach in turn, others are free to ask questions which are respectfully and thoughtfully answered. Children sleep peacefully beneath the pews or listen quitely. There is a picnic on the grass afterward where families visit and share friendship. Only monies needed for maintainence and the needy is collected and is given freely. Those who have surplus of anything contribute it and it is welcomed and used for those with a need. Young people are grown up and sent to spread the gospel, elder people, the disabled and the poor are tenderly cared for. Disagreements are never worth grudge and are settled quickly and peacefully.

I am sure by now many of you are dying laughing... but it could happen.

sounds like the mellinium reign

scotty · #8 07-06-2012, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

OK... so in my perfect world it is a white clapboard buliding with a big wide center isle and old fashioned short pews set on an angle on both sides so you can see more of a person then the backs of their heads. Many elders speak and preach in turn, others are free to ask questions which are respectfully and thoughtfully answered. Children sleep peacefully beneath the pews or listen quitely. There is a picnic on the grass afterward where families visit and share friendship. Only monies needed for maintainence and the needy is collected and is given freely. Those who have surplus of anything contribute it and it is welcomed and used for those with a need. Young people are grown up and sent to spread the gospel, elder people, the disabled and the poor are tenderly cared for. Disagreements are never worth grudge and are settled quickly and peacefully.

I am sure by now many of you are dying laughing... but it could happen.

Not laughing at all. Throw in there that we live off the land with no need for public jobs and its a dream come true.

Quote:

Originally Posted by acerrak

sounds like the mellinium reign

yep, with the exception of the needy, desabled and poor.

KeptByTheWord · #9 07-06-2012, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

OK... so in my perfect world it is a white clapboard buliding with a big wide center isle and old fashioned short pews set on an angle on both sides so you can see more of a person then the backs of their heads. Many elders speak and preach in turn, others are free to ask questions which are respectfully and thoughtfully answered. Children sleep peacefully beneath the pews or listen quitely. There is a picnic on the grass afterward where families visit and share friendship. Only monies needed for maintainence and the needy is collected and is given freely. Those who have surplus of anything contribute it and it is welcomed and used for those with a need. Young people are grown up and sent to spread the gospel, elder people, the disabled and the poor are tenderly cared for. Disagreements are never worth grudge and are settled quickly and peacefully.

I am sure by now many of you are dying laughing... but it could happen.

Actually, we just began attending a church, and it is very similar to the scene you are describing T2W. The pastor is a teacher, and while he begins the teaching, the congregation are allowed to share their thoughts freely, and he welcomes any discussion. There is no tithe and offering, but a box in the back. The church operates a food bank, and a clothing area for homeless people, abused people, those who have lost things in fires, or just down on their luck. Last week a girl spoke at the church who is headed to Turkey with Campus Crusades to minister to the Muslims, and many of the church people are supporting her. A visitor to the church fell and broke her knee after only attending two services. All members of the congregation came by with more than enough food so that they can hardly close their refrigerator, and offered assistance in any way. And, regarding your desire for a "picnic on the grounds", every Sunday after service, everyone brings food and the entire church fellowships in the basement after service.

I don't believe that we'll ever find a utopic church building or church group here on earth, but I am thinking this one is coming pretty close to what James describes as pure religion...

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Titus2woman · #10 07-06-2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Actually, we just began attending a church, and it is very similar to the scene you are describing T2W. The pastor is a teacher, and while he begins the teaching, the congregation are allowed to share their thoughts freely, and he welcomes any discussion. There is no tithe and offering, but a box in the back. The church operates a food bank, and a clothing area for homeless people, abused people, those who have lost things in fires, or just down on their luck. Last week a girl spoke at the church who is headed to Turkey with Campus Crusades to minister to the Muslims, and many of the church people are supporting her. A visitor to the church fell and broke her knee after only attending two services. All members of the congregation came by with more than enough food so that they can hardly close their refrigerator, and offered assistance in any way. And, regarding your desire for a "picnic on the grounds", every Sunday after service, everyone brings food and the entire church fellowships in the basement after service.

I don't believe that we'll ever find a utopic church building or church group here on earth, but I am thinking this one is coming pretty close to what James describes as pure religion...

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

So very happy for you! I pray that each of us is blessed in our fellowship.