Bible Answer Man Converts to Eastern Orthodox!

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

I think the biggest problem that evangelical protestants struggle with on this issue is considering there could be one true church in the city. Any group that claims itself to be THE church in the city is automatically given cult status. The internet is full of "is Catholic a cult, is Orthodox a cult" questions on protestant websites. Any group which is against the status quo, even if they have existed for thousands of years, is questioned. This is because evangelical protestants consider the many divisions to be a normal situation. When according to the bible and church history, it is quite abnormal.

Of course evangelicals consider there is one true church in every city.

They also consider there is only one true church in every state.

In every country too ... Composed of all the true, believing, born again, blood washed, children of God.

What's scary are the LC demands that only LSM books are read, only LSM trainings are legit and required, only LSM appointed elders must rule this church in every city, only LSM ...

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Of course evangelicals consider there is one true church in every city.

They also consider there is only one true church in every state.

In every country too ... Composed of all the true, believing, born again, blood washed, children of God.

What's scary are the LC demands that only LSM books are read, only LSM trainings are legit and required, only LSM appointed elders must rule this church in every city, only LSM ...

Yes I know that, but that's the theoretical one true church that does not exist in practice. Suppose there is a person who has just converted to Christianity. He wants to meet with the "one true church" in the city. Where should he meet?

If he asks an evangelical person they might say "there is a good baptist church on 32nd street, I think that will suit you". And the person asks them "is this the one true church in the city?" and the evangelical person would normally say no, right? They might explain how denominations are a present reality until Christ returns.

Evangelicals cannot really answer that sort of practical question because their concept of one true church in the city is theoretical and expected to be fulfilled in practice in a future time when Christ returns.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

Yes I know that, but that's the theoretical one true church that does not exist in practice. Suppose there is a person who has just converted to Christianity. He wants to meet with the "one true church" in the city. Where should he meet?

Evangelicals cannot really answer that sort of practical question because their concept of one true church in the city is theoretical and expected to be fulfilled in practice in a future time when Christ returns.

The new believer should pray and follow the Lord. That is how the Spirit led me and countless others. Our Heavenly Father will direct his path to a congregation, part of the one true church.

It is your LC "vision" which is theoretical. Your leaders preach oneness more than any other, yet are more stubborn, proud, arrogant, and divisive than any others. They are modern day Pharisees, whose teachings are filled with leaven.

The "one true church" is the spiritual body of Christ, composed of His own children meeting in numerous places. Your vision of the "one true church" is a building with an address and a website linking them with dead ministers. When looking for the "one true church," one desires to find a living minister, One who has risen from the dead, a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God.

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by Ohio

The new believer should pray and follow the Lord. That is how the Spirit led me and countless others. Our Heavenly Father will direct his path to a congregation, part of the one true church.

It is your LC "vision" which is theoretical. Your leaders preach oneness more than any other, yet are more stubborn, proud, arrogant, and divisive than any others. They are modern day Pharisees, whose teachings are filled with leaven.

The "one true church" is the spiritual body of Christ, composed of His own children meeting in numerous places. Your vision of the "one true church" is a building with an address and a website linking them with dead ministers. When looking for the "one true church," one desires to find a living minister, One who has risen from the dead, a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God.

Why do you say that congregations are "part of" the one true church? Why not say they are the one true church?

In the bible the church was all the regenerated believers living on the Earth. It (as in the assembly of people) were practical and visible. There was no doubt an address and everyone (including the persecutors) knew where "the church" was.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

Why do you say that congregations are "part of" the one true church? Why not say they are the one true church?

In the bible the church was all the regenerated believers living on the Earth. It (as in the assembly of people) were practical and visible. There was no doubt an address and everyone (including the persecutors) knew where "the church" was.

No single congregation is THE ONE TRUE CHURCH.

There was no doubt an address? To the one true church? The one seated in the heavenlies with Christ? Seriously?

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by Ohio

No single congregation is THE ONE TRUE CHURCH.

There was no doubt an address? To the one true church? The one seated in the heavenlies with Christ? Seriously?

Your interpretation of single congregations being part of the one true church implies those congregations are sub-groups or sects of the one true church.

I think in the bible each church is expressed as being "the church", not "part of" it.

e.g. The church in Corinth
The church in Ephesus

I can't find anything in my bible talking about "part of the church..." in Corinth etc.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

Your interpretation of single congregations being part of the one true church implies those congregations are sub-groups or sects of the one true church.

I think in the bible each church is expressed as being "the church", not "part of" it.

e.g. The church in Corinth
The church in Ephesus

I can't find anything in my bible talking about "part of the church..." in Corinth etc.

That's right.

Every evangelical congregation is the church, including some LC's (at least those in the GLA).

But you have been talking about THE ONE TRUE CHURCH, which is like Paul said, "THE CHURCH, which is His body."

Try to understand the difference

[OBW]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

There was no doubt an address and everyone (including the persecutors) knew where "the church" was.

You presume much to say "an" address" and that everyone knew where it was. You forget about "greet so-and-so and the church that meets in their house." If "church" meant what you think it does, then that statement could not exist in any of Paul's letters.