The one assembly/congregation policy

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Why does a man have to be faithful to one wife-

After all the church is the bride of Christ.

If you have sheep eating grass on another mans property, you will never know what anedote to give to negate the poison they received.

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by keith4him

At one time I might have agreed, but it is clear that people need to be commited to a local body (in flesh group of believers) where they can know and be known. The gifts and presence of God flows through his body, if you are connected to a body, there will be no life.

I believe that too. But how big is the group? What is the "local body"?

What does being "connected to the body" mean? Does it have to be the same people every week?

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

Why does a man have to be faithful to one wife-

After all the church is the bride of Christ.

If you have sheep eating grass on another mans property, you will never know what anedote to give to negate the poison they received.

How is going to another building in the same denomination (who is part of the body/bride of Christ) eating grass on another man's property? Who's the man?

[Ron]

Originally Posted by originalsecretplace

I hear that term alot "faithfulness". What does that mean? Faithful to whom or what?

Okay, put it this way.
Say you go to your Church and sing worship choruses and take up and offering.
It comes time for the preaching but there is no Pastor or Preacher for the service.

Now we expect Faithfulness in leadership, why not in saints?

Faithfulness is first to God, then to the Church (his body), then of course to the lost who we are all called to Minister unto.

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by keith4him

Well Paul in his Apostolic gifting went house to house, but I believe that believer committed to meeting in one or more houses under a local elder.

Acts 20:20- The big vision
Roman 16:5-The local setting
I Cor. 14:26-What they did

Thanks. I'll read those scriptures.

[Pastor Keith]

Originally Posted by originalsecretplace

I believe that too. But how big is the group? What is the "local body"?

What does being "connected to the body" mean? Does it have to be the same people every week?

I think that you can surmise from scripture that the same people met together in local settings, Paul greeted specific people in certain locals, the only people that moved from city to city or church group to church group were those gift ministries whose ministries were more trans local than localized.

Just curious, why would you not want to be meet and contribute your gifting to a local body?

[Ron]

Originally Posted by keith4him

I think that you can surmise from scripture that the same people met together in local settings, Paul greeted specific people in certain locals, the only people that moved from city to city or church group to church group were those gift ministries whose ministries were more trans local than localized.

Just curious, why would you not want to be meet and contribute your gifting to a local body?

I don't think she feels that way, she is just provoking us to thought-I think.

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by Ron

I guess if one is always moving around, it begs a question why?
I see your point that not everyone has a position.

I still say that to be in one place is "better" both for the Church and for ones own personal growth.

I agree to a point. I think people who are still "babes in Christ" should be taught and mentored in one place. Analogy might be someone who goes through elementary, middle school, high school, college and then off into the world to make their own way. We all keep learning but we don't need the same level of "tending" through these stages.

The saints are called to minister. Can they be called to minister from place to place rather than stay in one place without being a "minister" part of 5 fold ministry?

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by keith4him

I think that you can surmise from scripture that the same people met together in local settings, Paul greeted specific people in certain locals, the only people that moved from city to city or church group to church group were those gift ministries whose ministries were more trans local than localized.

Just curious, why would you not want to be meet and contribute your gifting to a local body?

I do want to meet and contribute to the local body. I'm just asking "what the local body" is and why do we think that way?

I also think my giftings are to be shared everyday to people inside and outside the church body i.e. my neighbours, co-workers.

[Pastor Keith]

Originally Posted by Michi

The body is not limited to one congregation, as long as you are around other believers that would be fulfilled. There is nothing that specifies that you must be around the same believers continually.

Honestly, I think it is more about Pastor's fear of losing control. Of course, I will add that I do not believe in the seperation of so called ministry and laity. I think we are all equal believers in the body.

No arguement here, I don't believe in that seperation either, but the scripture does say that there are various rankings based on gifts though.