Quote:
Originally Posted by Drake
No, you are still making an argument of semantics. Yours is not the "LC argument".
By analogy, there would be no nation of Israel if 23 million Jews lived somewhere other than Israel. Though all 23M are Jews only 6M are practically standing on the proper ground as the nation of Israel. Therefore, a nation exists practically.
When a Jew exercises the Law of Return they begin participating in fulfilling the mission of the nation of Israel. They call themselves an Israeli citizen because they are... they are not an Israeli citizen merely because they call themselves one. A Jew living in New York is not an Israeli citizen just because they call themselves as such.
Likewise, a group of Christians meeting as the church in a city on the ground of oneness in that city, expressing the universal Body of Christ are the church in that place and should call themselves as such. A name alone is insufficient. And like the Jew living in New York, a Christian can choose to live in a denomination but is not practically living on the ground of oneness of the church no matter how much they claim they are. Neither should they complain about those who actually meet on the ground of oneness of the church and call themselves as such because that is what they are, not just what they call themselves.
Drake
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By analogy, there would be no [church in London] if [believers in London] [met] somewhere other than [the practical expression of the church in London as defined by Witness Lee]. Though all [believers in London] are [Christians] only [those associated with Living Stream Ministry and Witness Lee and who refer to themselves as "the church in London"] are practically standing on the proper ground as the [church in London]. Therefore, a [church] exists practically.
When a [Christian] [begins associating with Living Stream Ministry and Witness Lee and begins to meet with those believers who refer to themselves as "the church in London] they begin participating in fulfilling the mission of the [church in London]. They call themselves [a member of the church in London] because they are... they are not [a member of the church in London] merely because they call themselves one. A [beliver] [not meeting with the group associated with Living Stream Ministry and Witness Lee and who refer to themselves as "the church in London"] is not [a member of the church in London] just because they call themselves as such.