Responsibility Of Christians In Responding To Aberrant/Abusive Groups

[Jo S]

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

Thanks for the clear answer (that you don't think the RCC is really a church)! Yes, certainly several apparent parallels between the LC and Roman Catholic Church. Many theologians (at least non-Catholic ones) think there is good cause to consider that the church in Thyatira represents the RCC. So considering your point that the LC and the RCC aren't really Christian churches because of their numerous bad teachings and practices . . . if the Lord calls the RCC a church (albeit a badly misbehaving one), shouldn't we?

StG, I recall you mentioning you meet with the Catholic church and it's members? Is that correct?

I don't agree with your equivalency however. Thyatira had faults but they were not yet apostate. But where is the Church of Thyatira now? The city no longer exists.

The Catholic church is a church, it's even a Christian church in name but is it a genuine Christian church? No. The only genuine church will be the church gathered in the New Jerusalem at Christ's second coming.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by Jo S

You mentioned you meet with the Catholic church and it's members? Correct?

I don't agree with your equivalency however. Thyatira had faults but they were not yet apostate. But where is the Church of Thyatira now? The city no longer exists.

The Catholic church is a Church, it's even a Christian church in name but is it a genuine Christian church? No. The only genuine church will be the church gathered in the New Jerusalem at Christ's second coming.

So let's try a different angle - what makes a church - - believers with Christ in them constitutes a church (ekklesia: a called-out gathering), right? Does the LC or the RCC have believers in them? (Sure, you can argue the percentages of those actually with Christ in them at the LC or RCC, but that's the basic premise.)

What is your scriptural definition of the ekklesia?

[Jo S]

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

What is your scriptural definition of the ekklesia?

Born-again Christians that worship God in person and/or in spirit.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by Jo S

Born-again Christians that worship God in person and/or in spirit.

Good. And to get more specific, a gathering of those born-again ones, right?

[Jo S]

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

Good. And to get more specific, a gathering of those born-again ones, right?

In the context of Christianity Ekklesia refers to those called out of the world and to God. It doesn't have to be a physical gathering to qualify. Every born-again Christian is part of the Ekklesia.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by Jo S

In the context of Christianity Ekklesia refers to those called out of the world and to God. It doesn't have to be a physical gathering to qualify. Every born-again Christian is part of the Ekklesia.

Granted (though we are called to assemble together of course). So if regenerated ones make up the church, and there are regenerated ones in the LC and RCC (albeit likely not 100% of people there are regenerated), how do you say they are NOT a church? Where do you draw the line?

[Jo S]

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

Granted (though we are called to assemble together of course). So if regenerated ones make up the church, and there are regenerated ones in the LC and RCC (albeit likely not 100% of people there are regenerated), how do you say they are NOT a church? Where do you draw the line?

The term "Church" has multiple definitions and applications. It can be a physical place of worship or can be referring to the body of Christ. The RCC and LC's are churches, meaning public places of worship, however you asked whether the RCC is a "real" Christian church. To me there is only one real church and it doesn't have walls, that's the body of all born-again Christians spread throughout the world who worship God in spirit and in truth.