Welcome Fellow Christians - Steve Pixler 8/17/14

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Building looks nice.

I don't believe this thread's topic is about any preacher forcing his congregants to believe anything. But you made two interesting statements, you said, you don't force them to believe everything you believe, as long as they don't have a problem with essentials. What are the essentials to you?

In no particular order:
1)The Bible is the Word of God. (I prefer they believe it to be inspired, inerrant, and authoritative but won't tell anyone to leave if they don't, however week after week that's how it is going to be preached). I guess technically this isn't an "essential" but I included it anyway as a core belief.

2)That there is One God. If someone believes in the Trinity I don't kick them out, but I don't teach the trinity. I teach there is one God revealed in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Jesus is God manifest in the flesh, the full revelation of the Father. He is one and the same the Creator of all things and the Almighty. Does someone have to affirm and understand all of those things, no I don't give a test, but I would say belief in the full humanity and deity of Jesus is essential.

3)Salvation is by grace through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ (including his atoning death and bodily resurrection). Repentance is absolutely essential and is stressed often in my preaching. There is no place for easy believism. I believe in what the Evangelical world terms "Lordship Salvation".

4) By extension baptism is essential. If someone has not been baptized I ask them not to partake of communion. Their baptism could have happened in another church, I leave that between them and the
Lord but if I know someone hasn't been baptized then I don't believe they should partake of the Lord's Supper.

5)The absolute exclusivity of salvation in Jesus Christ alone. We reject that others can be saved without repentance and faith in Christ.

That's a good start. Of course there are tons of very important secondary issues, the Virgin Birth, Creation , etc.

But when it comes down to it all the "essentials" have to do with Theology, Christology, and Soteriology. Beside that everything is secondary in one sense or another. I believe our doctrinal statement is written in a way that allows freedom of conscious while still affirming the essentials of the Christian faith.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

But when it comes down to it all the "essentials" have to do with Theology, Christology, and Soteriology. Beside that everything is secondary in one sense or another. I believe our doctrinal statement is written in a way that allows freedom of conscious while still affirming the essentials of the Christian faith.

Now going back to your original statement you said, you don't force them to believe everything you believe, as long as they don't have a problem with essentials. So what if a small section of your group has problems with the essentials? Big problems, what do you suggest?

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

Off The subject. But am thinking Of that old song....if I can just make it in,,,,

I don't know that song.

Do you really think that God is making it difficult for us to enter eternal life? Is He putting obstacles in our way? "if I can just make it in"....that really is a depressing sentiment that I don't recall reading in the Bible. I prefer "now are we the children of God". Or "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household"!

To say "if I can just make it in" is to belittle the work of the cross and the power of the Spirit in my life, imho.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I don't know that song.

Do you really think that God is making it difficult for us to enter eternal life? Is He putting obstacles in our way? "if I can just make it in"....that really is a depressing sentiment that I don't recall reading in the Bible. I prefer "now are we the children of God". Or "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household"!

To say "if I can just make it in" is to belittle the work of the cross and the power of the Spirit in my life, imho.

Maybe you need to listen to the song.

[good samaritan]

MT 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved:but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened

This coin has two sides. Living for God is great, but this sinful world sometimes causes hardships.

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Now going back to your original statement you said, you don't force them to believe everything you believe, as long as they don't have a problem with essentials. So what if a small section of your group has problems with the essentials? Big problems, what do you suggest?

No one does at this point, so it would have to be someone coming in new. I would be willing to discuss their differences, but if they just can't agree to those things then they would probably not be comfortable coming there for long. As long as they wanted to come they'd be welcomed and treated kindly, but they wouldn't be considered a believer, nor member, nor a participant in communion and certainly not any kind of leadership.

Basically the 5 things I listed are simple and agreed on by essentially all Christians throughout church history and especially since the Reformation ( minus the modern and post modern assaults on the churches). So if they can't agree to those things maybe I'd suggest theyd be better off at the church of Oprah until they are ready to admit they are a sinner in need of Jesus.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

So if they can't agree to those things maybe I'd suggest theyd be better off at the church of Oprah until they are ready to admit they are a sinner in need of Jesus.

You feel strongly about that? So, if they went up for communion with their family members you would stop them in front of the other church members?

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

You feel strongly about that? So, if they went up for communion with their family members you would stop them in front of the other church members?

I believe I would. We're talking about an unrepentant sinner correct? If that's what your asking about then my answer is yes. And if their family attends the church they will already know that I teach communion is only for baptized believers.

Before I do communion I say this is only for baptized believers, if you are not a Christian or have not been baptized please do not partake. If someone is a visitor and partakes anyway and I don't forbid them because I assume they are a baptized believer then IMO that's on them. They are eating and drinking judgment to themselves.

But like everything else, I don't send out questionnaires before communion. I read the scripture, note it is for baptized believers and quote Paul's warning in 1 Corinthians 11. And let it be.

However if I KNOW someone is not a believer OR they are in gross sin (like fornication for example-shacking up) I would not serve them the Lords Supper. I would probably tell them ahead of time privately if they attended church regularly but fell into these categories.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

I believe I would. We're talking about an unrepentant sinner correct? If that's what your asking about then my answer is yes. And if their family attends the church they will already know that I teach communion is only for baptized believers.

Before I do communion I say this is only for baptized believers, if you are not a Christian or have not been baptized please do not partake. If someone is a visitor and partakes anyway and I don't forbid them because I assume they are a baptized believer then IMO that's on them. They are eating and drinking judgment to themselves.

But like everything else, I don't send out questionnaires before communion. I read the scripture, note it is for baptized believers and quote Paul's warning in 1 Corinthians 11. And let it be.

However if I KNOW someone is not a believer OR they are in gross sin (like fornication for example-shacking up) I would not serve them the Lords Supper. I would probably tell them ahead if time privately if they attended church but fell into these categories.

I think I need to make my self more clear, you posted, if they can't agree to those things you would suggest they would be better off at the church of Oprah until they are ready to admit they are a sinner in need of Jesus.

Aren't "those things" the 5 things you listed? Being your tenets of faith? So, if you have a family (or families) who now believe that water baptism isn't essential for salvation, and who are strongly convinced only in the baptism of the Holy Ghost is essential for salvation, would you stop them from taking communion?

[Charnock]

Jason, EB loves to ask tons of questions without ever posting any content of his own.