I still go to church, do you?

[lomarah]

I have been attending a small peaceful church weekly for over two decades. Here, one chooses the Leadership of Jesus Christ and pledges to endeavour to be guided in thoughts, words and deeds by the teaching and example of Jesus Christ. We are few but that is fine.

Christ forever speaks from within

The one who listens can hear

Words from the Living Word

That the letter cannot speak

Spirit communes

Truth reveals

Life soars

The Living God is Spirit

Like a rushing River

Splashes eternity on all who thirst

Nothing is greater than Spirit

Revealed shadows retreat

Wisdom seeks the Saviour Himself

Freed of furniture piled by the mind

Christ is the Great Instructor

That sounds lovely!

[CHB]

I was a member of the WWCG and they incouraged us not to have any fellowship with anyone outside the Church. I also hear of other Churches that hold to this same view. I was told to move out of town to another city because I would be persecuted by my friends and family. We gave up everything. Later I learned that Church was wrong in their beliefs and for 30 years I had nothing to do with any Churches. I knew they all were wrong in their beliefs and felt the preachers were false apostles/false prophets, false teachers. Well, the pastor, a friend of mine begged me to come to his Church and sing so, that is how I got started going to this Church. I have come to realize that there are a lot of good people in the Churches of the world and we should love them all. I go to this Church but I don't believe some of the things they do. There are more good things there than there are bad. Also, didn't God give us what we know? God has given to all of the preachers the knowledge he wants them to have. I don't know why God seen fit to  put me in the midst of this Church but it is probably to teach me a lesson rather than them, I just don't know? I figure when the test is over, whatever that might be, God will remove me from that congregation. Till then, I am going to live for him no matter where I am at!!

CHB 

[Abigail]

Sis, don't let them put a guilt trip on you for not belonging to a church because we are the ecclesia, the body of Christ, not bound by space or time. I say just fellowship with fellow believers wherever whenever.   

Thanks bro, for your encouragement :dsunny:

I look at it like this. No one has all of the truth, not even Universalists. We were all at the same place the rest of the world is at now, God just saw fit to give us a little more understanding of his word. Everyone has a different level of understanding, some have more than others but that doesn't make them any better or worse than the rest. We all learn from one another. I don't think things are the way they should be. Religion is just like everything else it is a seperation of minds. Blacks keep to themselves, whites keep to themselves and so it is with all other races. Look what a mess we have with that. This is true with religion, all of the different denominations meet with those who believe as they do. This is not the way it is meant to be and it will not be so in the next life. Can't wait for that. I have noticed even at family reunions that family members stick with their own imediate family. I believe this is why we have divisions in everything. We have to learn to get alone at some point in time.

CHB 

:iagree:
I am fully aware there is no perfect local church, since nobody is perfect, me included :-) Almost all brothers and sisters we connect with, do not belief in the universal salvation of mankind, neither do they know we do... yet we are able to have lovely fellowship on other things God has taught us.
For us, our difference in opinion was not a reason to leave, but our church's belief was that when we would not tithe, a curse would come upon the whole concregation, and therefore we had to leave. Since then we visited very few churches. I feel I'm not terribly critical, yet I find many churches dead, entertainment oriented and/or having a lot of manipulation from leaders. Yet I'd love to gather and being really built up, or being able to build up others (and not being kept busy by all kinds of gatherings, clubs, meetings, committees...) and I don't see that here. I feel a strong aversion against hours of church 'services', especially now our children are young and we find it important to use the weekends to fellowship a lot with them and brothers and sisters who visit.

I'm single; so I feel really out of place in church.  I've decided to go it alone.

Dear NightFlight, how sad... one of the reasons we feel out of place in church, is that we are a family with young children. In most churches they are not very welcome, unless we drop them in a nursery or some sort of class. It's hard to find a place where families are welcome as they are (not split up)...

One scripture that is regularly quoted to us is Hebrews 10:25, 'not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together...' and I don't know how to answer this to others or to myself. That is, I see in the Bible people habitually come together and we don't.

[Tom]

We're assembling together right here right now, sis.

[lastpost]

In our small gathering, God provides healing power which is used to bring alleviation of pain to people physically present, as well as mentally and spiritually healing them.

We also provide absent healing by and through the Grace of God, and the Healing Book on our altar with single names in, has proven to be miraculous, or rather God has proven Himself over and over again to be the Great Healer.

From what I have seen on television of the churches I think that most of you are talking about, I would not recognise a similarity personally.

Peace.

[lastpost]

Yet we are living temples...

I believe we are,
Because GOD is.

We have spiritual forces which are indwelling,
Because through God's Spiritual Christ we were made.

So we can turn the world of shadow into the Real.

We are where we are through God's Will,
With no division between us and GOD,
Except a false barrier.

Shadows cause a sense of worldly fear,
When all of God's Goodness is around.

Christ is forever within,
Seated in the Kingdom of GOD.

Neither shall they be declaring 'Lo! here!' or 'Lo! there!'
for lo! the kingdom of God is inside of you

[eaglesway]

Yet we are living temples...

I believe we are,
Because GOD is.

We have spiritual forces which are indwelling,
Because through God's Spiritual Christ we were made.

So we can turn the world of shadow into the Real.

We are where we are through God's Will,
With no division between us and GOD,
Except a false barrier.

Shadows cause a sense of worldly fear,
When all of God's Goodness is around.

Christ is forever within,
Seated in the Kingdom of GOD.

Neither shall they be declaring 'Lo! here!' or 'Lo! there!'
for lo! the kingdom of God is inside of you

\o/

[Caffus]

The church I go to has 12,000 active members....if God opens even half their eyes...WOW!!!! :dsunny:  And I know He can ...when ever how ever He wishes.  :HeartThrob:

[lomarah]

Last post that is amazing. You all are so blessed to be a part of that.

And I hear you.   :cloud9:

[CHB]

Sis, don't let them put a guilt trip on you for not belonging to a church because we are the ecclesia, the body of Christ, not bound by space or time. I say just fellowship with fellow believers wherever whenever.   

Thanks bro, for your encouragement :dsunny:

I look at it like this. No one has all of the truth, not even Universalists. We were all at the same place the rest of the world is at now, God just saw fit to give us a little more understanding of his word. Everyone has a different level of understanding, some have more than others but that doesn't make them any better or worse than the rest. We all learn from one another. I don't think things are the way they should be. Religion is just like everything else it is a seperation of minds. Blacks keep to themselves, whites keep to themselves and so it is with all other races. Look what a mess we have with that. This is true with religion, all of the different denominations meet with those who believe as they do. This is not the way it is meant to be and it will not be so in the next life. Can't wait for that. I have noticed even at family reunions that family members stick with their own imediate family. I believe this is why we have divisions in everything. We have to learn to get alone at some point in time.

CHB 

:iagree:
I am fully aware there is no perfect local church, since nobody is perfect, me included :-) Almost all brothers and sisters we connect with, do not belief in the universal salvation of mankind, neither do they know we do... yet we are able to have lovely fellowship on other things God has taught us.
For us, our difference in opinion was not a reason to leave, but our church's belief was that when we would not tithe, a curse would come upon the whole concregation, and therefore we had to leave. Since then we visited very few churches. I feel I'm not terribly critical, yet I find many churches dead, entertainment oriented and/or having a lot of manipulation from leaders. Yet I'd love to gather and being really built up, or being able to build up others (and not being kept busy by all kinds of gatherings, clubs, meetings, committees...) and I don't see that here. I feel a strong aversion against hours of church 'services', especially now our children are young and we find it important to use the weekends to fellowship a lot with them and brothers and sisters who visit.

I'm single; so I feel really out of place in church.  I've decided to go it alone.

Dear NightFlight, how sad... one of the reasons we feel out of place in church, is that we are a family with young children. In most churches they are not very welcome, unless we drop them in a nursery or some sort of class. It's hard to find a place where families are welcome as they are (not split up)...

One scripture that is regularly quoted to us is Hebrews 10:25, 'not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together...' and I don't know how to answer this to others or to myself. That is, I see in the Bible people habitually come together and we don't.

Hi Abigail,

None of these things apply to where I go, the pastor don't like all of the gatherings, clubs, meetings, entertainments, maybe that is another reason I feel ok about going there. Everyone is involved in things. I am not saying these things to encourage anyone to go to Church because most of them are like being in bondage. They want to inforce too many man made rules on the congregation. 

CHB

[Caffus]

Yes, it is shocking to find out you've been taught and believing a lie your whole life.  And I am careful how I speak or I should say prayerful.  I don't tell them hells a lie from satan and you're blind to the Truth....which I know is true...but this is not there doing.  They think they have to believe in hell to have a relationship with God.  And God still answers there prayers and still offers them love and comfort. So they have a very hard time accepting the Truth.  I did, but now I am so in love with God and His love is overwhelming at times...I can trust Him now like never before. And this joy and love is something that is almost impossible not to share.  :dsunny:

[Shev]

I was a member of the WWCG and they incouraged us not to have any fellowship with anyone outside the Church. I also hear of other Churches that hold to this same view. I was told to move out of town to another city because I would be persecuted by my friends and family. We gave up everything. Later I learned that Church was wrong in their beliefs and for 30 years I had nothing to do with any Churches. I knew they all were wrong in their beliefs and felt the preachers were false apostles/false prophets, false teachers. Well, the pastor, a friend of mine begged me to come to his Church and sing so, that is how I got started going to this Church. I have come to realize that there are a lot of good people in the Churches of the world and we should love them all. I go to this Church but I don't believe some of the things they do. There are more good things there than there are bad. Also, didn't God give us what we know? God has given to all of the preachers the knowledge he wants them to have. I don't know why God seen fit to  put me in the midst of this Church but it is probably to teach me a lesson rather than them, I just don't know? I figure when the test is over, whatever that might be, God will remove me from that congregation. Till then, I am going to live for him no matter where I am at!!

CHB

I grew up in the WWCG, but left as a teenager. Small world!

[CHB]

Hi Shev,

Really? how long were you in the WWCG. I was only in it for 3 1/2 years but what a 3 1/2 years that was. Some very important lessons were learned from that experience. One lesson was, there is only one man between us and God and that man is Jesus Christ. Don't let a preacher who thinks he knows it all, tell you how to live, eat, what to wear, where to live. Another one is, the laws were for Israel not Gentiles.

CHB

[joeteekay]

I was in WWCG for 20 years until I saw the serious error in their doctrine and life styles of leaders. Interesting that the many  people that came out of her ended up in fellowships such as this forum, since many saw orthodox Christianity as bogus. At one time there were 150,000 in WWCG.

[CHB]

Wow!!! didn't realize there were that many. Which Church did you attend?
I was in Asheville, or I moved to Asheville. I wondered how much changed after I left?

CHB

[eaglesway]

wwcg, the way international, jehovah's witnesses, etc.

They all look like a step up from denominationalism when you first get in, using the challenge to orthodox doctrines and practices to encourage an elitist sense of esteem, while dragging immature believers and seeking non-believers into dominion to legalism and charismatic leaders and the disregard of the spirit of reconciliation.

similalarly, some of the Penetecostal churches I was in operated the same way.

There is nothing new under the Sun :o)

[Abigail]

We're assembling together right here right now, sis.

I think I'm getting your point now, Tom! :gimmefive:

[micah7:9]

I have still have the "christian stigma" to attend a congregation, what I cannot seem to get past(and I have tried) is the adamant hell preaching, the songs of i'll fly away, go to heaven and walk on streets of gold, where the soul never dies, the shouting etc.

Yes if I go I lean toward a pentecostal church, the others I have tried seem more like social get to gathers [more like clubs] now they all seem that way. The Bible is just a book of stories that are expressed and explained so that the natural man gets an understanding. I have just about quit trying.
I have a desire to converse but as in one "sunday school" I was going to offer, the study was in Gal. and about the time I was about to say something it was right about
Gal 1:6  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:Gal 1:7  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

and before I could speak the teacher continued Gal 1:8  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Well, I did not speak. I always believed my purpose in attending was for learning, being fed. I have not learned nor have I been fed in a "church" for some time. Yes this forum  is what I attend and learn and thankful for it, yet it is lacking, lacking a physical fellowship and I believe that is just as important. :2c: :Peace2:

[jabcat]

 :nod:

[eaglesway]

 :iagree:

[Tom]

I hear ya, bro, but I would rather have a virtual fellowship in spirit and truth right here on the forum than a physical fellowship among those who are trapped by deception. The ecclesia, especially those of us who have received the revelation of universal reconciliation, is so spread out all over the world that it's hard to get together in the material world, but we're a spiritual body not bound by time or space. I think anybody who has found a local group of like minded believers is blessed, but I don't know of one around here. I'd probably be better off converting to Judaism where I live because there are a lot of retired New York Jewish folks here. If anybody on the forum is in the South Florida area, give me a holler.

[Caffus]

I'd love to fellowship in person with UR believers.  I would still come here as well.  Wherever He leads I want to follow  :declare:  I know there must be some at my church already.  And I think I've seen some...the ones with gleaming joyful faces, probably  :dsunny:  I have a very close friend who's like a sister to me.  She goes to a Baptist church..I know she has a relationship with God...she prayed for me when I was seeking a greater understanding of Gods Truth. He gave it to me and sealed it and I know it's the Truth.  I so want her to have it, so Im praying for her and I know she will get it in His time.  :HeartThrob:

[rosered]

We are all groaning    within ourselves for the salvation of all  , not just our selves or loved ones , but all     
Romans   8

g ...25But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.


26In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;


27and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

[Caffus]

Yes, the hardest part for me...is when I see joy as if they have accepted the Truth...and then they fall back to ET beliefs...this happened to her.  Because, I shared with her the results of her own prayers..was that I believe in UR.  I told her that I believe in punishment for correcting and those words in greek dont mean eternal.  I told her I've never trusted or loved God like I do now..not since I was a small child.  Then she talked to other church members and it seems they convinced her Im wrong.  She told me her friend knows Greek and Christains are being persecuted all over the world.  She doesn't realize, I suppose how firmly I believe in UR yet. I would give my life for the Truth if He willed.  I'll get to share with her again soon, I hope.  :HeartThrob:

[Tom]

It's sad but true that most folks trapped by the deception of orthodox theology prefer to rely on the words of others who are also deceived rather than the word of God. You need to show them a few verses in an accurate translation to help them realize that what they're being told in church is not the truth.