Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
Here is one question I had to deal with when leaving the LC -- are exclusive, elitist, and esoteric LC doctrines the same as the apostles fellowship?
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That really is the question that is at the heart of this forum.
Is "the ground of oneness" doctrine in the LC exclusive, elitist, and esoteric?
In the NT the ground of oneness is the Lord's blood. Every person on Earth can stand on that blood. That blood is what makes us all one regardless of our sins, culture, background or any other "wedge" issues. There is nothing exclusive about the Lord's blood, nothing elitist, nothing esoteric.
But that is not what the LC use of the term "ground of oneness" means. You have to infer that teaching with smoke and mirrors. You then use it to make your group elite and all others flawed. Finally it becomes brutally exclusive with BP threatening that you cannot go on in your Christian life if you leave their group and RG warning of the dire consequences should you take the Lord's table with any other group of Christians.
By contrast we are told plainly that we who were once far off are made near by the blood of Christ. No need for inferences and smoke and mirrors. We are told plainly in Hebrews that the blood of Christ will purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. The blood cleanses us from our flaws. It is the blood that enables us to go on with the Lord. Finally we are told that we conquer the accuser of the brethren by the blood of Christ and the word of our testimony. Not even Satan can exclude us.
So in the final analysis the LC doctrine of the ground of the church is not simply exclusive, elitist and esoteric. It also denies the Lord who redeemed us by His blood.