LSM's Sacrament - the "Ground of the Local Church" NIGEL TOMES

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

More often, the local church is defined exclusively. Other believers in the city are not already members of the local church in the city; rather they are condemned for “standing on improper grounds”—“denominational or scattered grounds.” In LSM’s view, only “we” have returned to Jerusalem, “they” are in Babylon or the wilderness. “Believers gathering simply as believers” in family groups, schools, congregations, chapels, streets or alleys are now rejected outright LSM—“This is not adequate.” All other believers are condemned; LSM claims exclusive rights over the proper ground; they alone returned to Jerusalem and are acceptable to God! Isn’t this elitist?

I remember migrating to Columbus from Cleveland some 35 years ago. A number of campus organizations rose up to condemn us based on those books written about us. We would never even consider if any of their criticisms were valid. In our eyes we alone were the church, and all other Christian gatherings were counterfeits. We had no clue how arrogant we really were. One brother used this analogy concerning the opposition we received from other Christians, "it's like the real wife walked into the room, and all the concubines started to squabble."

We were that elitist!

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Ohio

One brother used this analogy concerning the opposition we received from other Christians, "it's like the real wife walked into the room, and all the concubines started to squabble."

I had heard one analogy to describe the ground of the church. In each city there is only one location that has the proper ground. (Among the Exclusive Brethren/aka Plymouth Brethren their description of the ground is "the one place")
The analogy is when you go to someone's home, there is only one address. You can't go to the neighbors home, because that's the wrong address. Likewise the practical expression of the church in each city has to be on the proper ground for God's habitation.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Terry

I had heard one analogy to describe the ground of the church. In each city there is only one location that has the proper ground. (Among the Exclusive Brethren/aka Plymouth Brethren their description of the ground is "the one place")
The analogy is when you go to someone's home, there is only one address. You can't go to the neighbors home, because that's the wrong address. Likewise the practical expression of the church in each city has to be on the proper ground for God's habitation.

I remember a conference with Max Rapoport many years ago. He said the address to the meeting was "123 Spirit Street." He was emphasizing the point based on John 4.24, that the only address is in the Spirit, and the Father seeks such to worship Him there.