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Originally Posted by NewManLiving
The irony of all this is the fact that LSM is one of the most, if not the most, exclusive denominations on earth. All based upon some extreme view of the ground of locality. Its no wonder that Paul does not include the "ground of locality" in the requirements of common faith that is presented in Ephesians. This concept either did not exist in doctrine or he had the foresight to know it would just bring an extreme type of division. My guess is that there never was such a doctrine since none is explicitly mentioned.
The LSM makes such a big deal out of it and then determines who is and who is not meeting on this so-called ground. Of course all those who do not accept the blendeds as God's authority are automatically in division. The tricks the mind can play on people over time.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. We were not called in "one city" or one "local ground". How this became such an issue is anyone's guess. Paul mentions a number of critical factors which are far more important. LSM does not seem to even care about these things. Without their pet doctrine their whole authoritative system would crumble.
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We can quote Ephesians 4:4-6 all day long. In the mind of a LSM apologist, LSM should be included also.
Before 10 years ago it wasn't so transparent as it is now. Presently, it is all so clear "the ground" of LSM churches is not Christ, but Living Stream Ministry. That is the basis of these churches to have fellowship with each other. Thus LSM is the common denominator each of the LSM churches have in common.
Local churches that don't receive LSM are not received as local churches. That is a clear indicator Christ is not the ground of the Local churches. Otherwise the Church in Bellevue should be able to receive the Church in Moses Lake. The Church in Chicago should be able to receive the Church in Toronto. Moreover, what is the heart attitude towards your fellow brothers and sisters in your own cities. It's as if LSM local churches practice isolationism. They won't have any Christian fellowship with brothers and sisters in their cities, unless the fellowship is based on LSM publications.
For all intent and purposes, they are adding to what is spoken in Ephesians 4:4-6.