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Drake · 06-20-2017, 04:15 AM

ZNP "I do not see anything in either of these sections that suggests there is any other name by which we would keep the oneness."

ZNP,

I don't either.

I believe all of this discussion about The church in such and such place "as a name" is a more recent artifact in church history. Specifically, because of the proliferation of the denominations in the last few hundred years. In the first century Christians just knew they were members of the church in a certain place. Paul's letters and revelation chapters 2 and 3 show clearly this was a basic assumption. Therefore, your explanation of the name would have been well understood.

Fast forward to the year 2017 . The basic assumption of the oneness of the believers in a certain place has been clouded over with a departure from that most basic understanding concerning the oneness of the believers that you articulated. Anticipating the church in degradation on this matter, I believe the Lord explicitly listed the names of the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 as the church in a city. And also elsewhere. So though every believer in a place is a member of the church in that place, it is necessary to articulate the ground of Oneness in the name of Jesus. Not to divide, but to unite.That is something that should be understood but in reality it is not.

As you said it's not a matter of thinking that we are better. Rather, it is a matter of being proper and according to the revelation of the practical oneness in the scripture. The Jews who live as the nation of Israel are not necessarily better than Jews who live in New York City. However, as to fulfilling the purpose of the nation of Israel and all that that implies the Jews in the land are practically fulfilling that mission. Yet, by distinguishing themselves as a member of the nation of Israel they are not excluding any of the other 17 million Jews who could take that position themselves. And who can fault the Jews who live as the nation of Israel from longing for and hoping that those 17 million Jews who live elsewhere will someday join them to accomplish the mission of the nation of Israel?

Drake

06-20-2017, 04:15 AM	#493
Drake Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 2,075	Re: The Unique Move of God ZNP "I do not see anything in either of these sections that suggests there is any other name by which we would keep the oneness." ZNP, I don't either. I believe all of this discussion about The church in such and such place "as a name" is a more recent artifact in church history. Specifically, because of the proliferation of the denominations in the last few hundred years. In the first century Christians just knew they were members of the church in a certain place. Paul's letters and revelation chapters 2 and 3 show clearly this was a basic assumption. Therefore, your explanation of the name would have been well understood. Fast forward to the year 2017 . The basic assumption of the oneness of the believers in a certain place has been clouded over with a departure from that most basic understanding concerning the oneness of the believers that you articulated. Anticipating the church in degradation on this matter, I believe the Lord explicitly listed the names of the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 as the church in a city. And also elsewhere. So though every believer in a place is a member of the church in that place, it is necessary to articulate the ground of Oneness in the name of Jesus. Not to divide, but to unite.That is something that should be understood but in reality it is not. As you said it's not a matter of thinking that we are better. Rather, it is a matter of being proper and according to the revelation of the practical oneness in the scripture. The Jews who live as the nation of Israel are not necessarily better than Jews who live in New York City. However, as to fulfilling the purpose of the nation of Israel and all that that implies the Jews in the land are practically fulfilling that mission. Yet, by distinguishing themselves as a member of the nation of Israel they are not excluding any of the other 17 million Jews who could take that position themselves. And who can fault the Jews who live as the nation of Israel from longing for and hoping that those 17 million Jews who live elsewhere will someday join them to accomplish the mission of the nation of Israel? Drake