One in 21,000

[Wadif I.M. Rong]

I read there are an estimated 21,000 different Christian sects, and increasing. They all beleive they are right. At least I hope they do. I would not want someone to intentionally beleive he was wrong about what he believes. But that means probably 20,999 think I am wrong. Wadif I.M. Rong

[Wadif I.M. Rong]

I went back to the source to make sure. And I am wrong already. The number given was 41,000 Christian sects. I wanted to go to bed knowing that hey, at least it is only 20,999 different denominations and splinter groups who think I am wrong. And hey, a few of them might even make room for a sincere person who is in error to slip in through the gates into the city of Rev. 22:14.

Well, the upside may be: with 40,999 sects who think I am wrong, there might also be a few more who will make allowances for someone trying really really hard to be right.  Hoping, Wadif I.M. Rong

[Dandelion]

Welcome, Wadif I.M.Rong! 

A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. Proverbs 21:2


I believe if we are sincere in our search for the face of God; seek truth; have a pure heart and remember that without love, we are a clanging cymbal, we are on the right track.  It is good to take and seek wise counsel from others, but ultimately, it is God whom we need to depend on. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, so we would have Him with us, to give us direction and support.

...4So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight....Proverbs 3:4 - 6

I used to worry about everything.......I was raised to believe that worry was both an art and a science. But, now I look at it as ungodly, because when we worry, in a sense, we are not believing that God is greater than any problem or concern we could have. We are putting our efforts and 'trust', so to speak, in the worrying and not in praising God and knowing He already has it covered.

I will leave you with this Bible verse:

...5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5 -7

I look forward to talking with you, at the Tent. I hope you enjoy your time here.

D.

:welcome:                      :cheerleader:                      :2c:

[ed]

:welcome:

If you are wrong, you will be corrected.    :winkgrin:

[eaglesway]

Of course, you have to take into account that some of the 40,000 odd sects essentially agree, but are only identified under separate organizational charters, because some one else wanted to run the show or they are in different geographical locations, or, since there are so many it is possible that some started without knowing there were already several others that believed exactly as they did- SO, the number of sects that actually diagree with you are probably fewer that the whole 40 0dd thousand minus 1- maybe as low as 21,000- who knows?

Welcome to the tent. :)

[rosered]

  :welcome:

  Ultimately Love wins and God is love  ,
  where  much is forgiven they LOVE MUCH   
  we will ALL Love Him  PERFECTLY ..  when we KNOW the end.  GOD has always been in control  ,,  Gen 11   we know God confounded the languages and only God can perfect language   in ALL , Even the divisions are for Gods glory  in the end ...  all will be humbled and saved , GOD IS GOOD!!
  ALL GLORY   TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST  NOW AND  ALWAYS AMEN!! !!! :HeartThrob:

[jabcat]

[many] of the 40,000 odd sects essentially agree

^^that -- 

agree, it's kind of a mess, but at least many/most agree on the essentials..Christ crucified for our sins, risen again..belief and trust in Him as Savior   :thumbsup:     then it starts to wander 

[Wadif I.M. Rong]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I found this place in searching for something else. When I figured out it was another sect who explains away clearly obvious meaning in scripture, I was disgusted with myself for having signed up. Then I spent a couple hours on the site and I feel quite happy to have found it. Rather than a "Seeker friendly" environment where Biblical truth is watered down to make it more easily embraced by popular culture, I find a group of people deep in study of the scripture, and hoping against hope to peel off cultural encumbrances that Christianity put on, like a wet suit and scuba gear, very early in its history and layer upon layer in every century since.

I have become aware of anti-Jewish influences in translation and tradition. And now you have exposed me to more translation difficulties that exist because of agenda or cultural blindness along the way. Actually, if these understandings of hell do not fit the meaning in the mind of Christ, ultimately, the root could be associated with the same anti-Jewish sentiment: the very real effort to make Christianity as unlike Judaism as possible.  The one big stumbling block to this process being this one great big fat Jewish guy standing right in the way, and He is hard to push out of the way so I can see "Christianity".

Thank you for the allusion to the Tower of Babel. One of the links supplied here took me to an article also mentioning it as a positive example, and Gods intention, toward diversity in accomplishing his purposes. It was an "aha! moment" for me. Maybe God is in fact pleased with the 41,000 sects, or "laguages" so that those who speak and understand those languages might hear. And perhaps the gospel would not have reached them if certain towers had not fallen and related individuals were no longer able to understand each other.

It has been a good day. Thank you for loving me. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

[Lazarus Short]

Welcome to the Tent!  :friendstu: :gimmefive: :friendstu:

Jesus the Christ said that if He was lifted up, He would draw [drag] ALL men to Himself.  He said men, not sects, or churches, or belief systems.  Human organizations, such as church sects, are a pale shadow of what is to come.

BTW, two wrongs do not make a right, but three lefts can.

[sheila]

 :laugh: Laz, I love your wit!..  :welcome: :newb:

[micah7:9]

 :welcome: :dsunny:

[Lazarus Short]

:laugh: Laz, I love your wit!..  :welcome: :newb:

Thank you, and I think our new member has quite a wit, too - "Wadif I.M. Wong" - brilliant!

[Dandelion]

So glad you are happy you found us, Wadif!

As we say in the Bronx, "You guys crack me up!", translated means, You folks make me laugh.   :ghaha:

I agree with Wadif.......so glad to be here.   

:Gdance:

[Wadif I.M. Rong]

As we say in the Bronx, "You guys crack me up!", translated means, You folks make me laugh.

Lazarus, I wanted Wong at least as bad as you do. I always enjoyed Elmer Fudd as a kid. But there were "family" members with the Wong name, and who knows how those waskally wabbits might have wetalliated. 

Thank you for the translation Dandelion, But now I am wondering at the accuracy of a generic "folks", when the original "guys" May have had gender implications.

And two thousand years from now do you suppose that scholars will even come close to allowing "crack up" to be translated as "laugh" ?!?   And then, what happens to the word "up". It is completely lost in the translation. Who knows the potential spiritual and eschatological implications of a word like "up".  Was it accidentally lost, or Willfully removed??

[Dandelion]

You gotta problem with my NewYorkese?            :LH:


A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Glad you are having fun, Wadif!

[marie glen]

hello! :hiya:
   And welcome! :smile:

[Wadif I.M. Rong]

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Is it possible to have both at the same time?
Is it actually possible to deeply have the former without having had the latter?

It might look like I am making a statement, but I am more like casting a net toward hope.

It is a wonderful proverb. Thank you. Bless you.

I still can't get over the miracle of being able to read such ancient words. I am often overcome with thankfulness.

[rosered]

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Is it possible to have both at the same time?
Is it actually possible to deeply have the former without having had the latter?

It might look like I am making a statement, but I am more like casting a net toward hope.

It is a wonderful proverb. Thank you. Bless you.

I still can't get over the miracle of being able to read such ancient words. I am often overcome with thankfulness.

  Now that makes my heart joyful !!!

  To have some one who can Praise God  with me ,'' us all    ''here at the Tent !!!!! :HeartThrob:

and the wit is just a bonus !!!

  :dsunny:

Psalm 100  Expanded Bible (EXB)

A Call to Praise the Lord
A psalm of thanks.

100


Shout to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Serve the Lord with joy;
    come before him with singing.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    He made us [Gen. 1–2], and ·we belong to him [or not ourselves];
we are his people, the sheep ·he tends [L of his pasture; 74:1; 79:13; John 10:11–14].

4 Come into his ·city [L gates] with songs of thanksgiving
    and into his courtyards with songs of praise.
    ·Thank [Praise] him and ·praise [bless] his name.

5 The Lord is good. His ·love [loyalty] is forever,
    and his ·loyalty [faithfulness] ·goes on and on [L for all generations].


I do believe the whiners gripers and complainers ,   got  left  behind  in the dust ...   :laughing7:  as  serpents food


  1 Corinthians 5  As  turn on over to satan for the destruction of the flesh/dust     so shall   his   spirit   be saved in the day of the Lord


GOD IS SO  AWESOME!!!          :dsunny:

[marie glen]

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Is it possible to have both at the same time?
Is it actually possible to deeply have the former without having had the latter?

It might look like I am making a statement, but I am more like casting a net toward hope.

It is a wonderful proverb. Thank you. Bless you.

I still can't get over the miracle of being able to read such ancient words. I am often overcome with thankfulness.

The longer I live, the more sorrowful I get.. deep, heartfelt sorrow.. But with joy and peace.. Sorrow that this world/mankind/the human family (children of God and the some of the angels) have gone so far away from Him and what is pure and holy and only blesses..

Sorrow when loved ones, friends, acquaintances have left this life.. sorrow that people battle evils, oppression by despots, and worse, or debilitating illness.. But peace and joy, knowing our father's design is that He - who is love and in Him is no darkness at all - it is He who will be all in all... The key word for UR, "all"... So tho I become ever more and more aware of the great evils which have been in mankind's path, always (history :faint: ) I know that He has in all things chosen and done things in order to bring about the best of all possibilities.. After all He is Perfect, for  (the Word testifies with His Spirit that He is Perfect, thus, surely, perfection is the only possible 'end' result, and it is impossible for perfect to make any mistakes (as if! :doh: ) and surely (imo) perfect can lose nothing and no-one.

It's just not possible.

..."..think on these things.. the good, the lovely, what is of good report.." because bitterness eats at the bones.. will make us old, bent and brittle..

[marie glen]

  Now that makes my heart joyful !!!

  To have some one who can Praise God  with me ," us all    "here at the Tent !!!!! :HeartThrob:

and the wit is just a bonus !!!

  :dsunny:

Psalm 100  Expanded Bible (EXB)

A Call to Praise the Lord
A psalm of thanks.

100


Shout to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Serve the Lord with joy;
    come before him with singing.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    He made us [Gen. 1–2], and ·we belong to him [or not ourselves];
we are his people, the sheep ·he tends [L of his pasture; 74:1; 79:13; John 10:11–14].

4 Come into his ·city [L gates] with songs of thanksgiving
    and into his courtyards with songs of praise.
    ·Thank [Praise] him and ·praise [bless] his name.

5 The Lord is good. His ·love [loyalty] is forever,
    and his ·loyalty [faithfulness] ·goes on and on [L for all generations].


I do believe the whiners gripers and complainers ,   got  left  behind  in the dust ...   :laughing7:  as  serpents food


  1 Corinthians 5  As  turn on over to satan for the destruction of the flesh/dust     so shall   his   spirit   be saved in the day of the Lord


GOD IS SO  AWESOME!!!          :dsunny:

Amen! thank you Rose, Psalm 100, always so very beautiful to read! :dsunny:

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: I personally think almost all the denominations have a fragment of the Truth. Here's what I mean.

When someone asks me what denomination I am I tell them I'm a Catholic because I believe in the virgin birth, I'm a Baptist because I believe in water baptism and being saved by grace, I'm a Pentecostal because I believe in being baptized in the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, and I'm a Messianic Jew because that's my both my bloodlines (natural and spiritual) converging into one the way they did on the Day of Pentecost when 3000 Jews from all nations repented and believed in the Lord Yeshua, and I tell them that if they will tell me some of the doctrines of their faith, I'm probably one of them too.

It's sooo much easier than arguing, and opens the door to more questions as they try to "catch the wind and put it in a box". Blessings....

[sheila]

 :thumbsup: Laz,yes he does..and I did not mean to fail to commend it.    :iagree:

[Wadif I.M. Rong]

[quote author=rosered

  Now that makes my heart joyful !!!

Psalm 100  Expanded Bible (EXB)

A Call to Praise the Lord
A psalm of thanks.

100


Shout to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Serve the Lord with joy;
    come before him with singing.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    He made us [Gen. 1–2], and ·we belong to him [or not ourselves];
we are his people, the sheep ·he tends [L of his pasture; 74:1; 79:13; John 10:11–14].

4 Come into his ·city [L gates] with songs of thanksgiving
    and into his courtyards with songs of praise.
    ·Thank [Praise] him and ·praise [bless] his name.

5 The Lord is good. His ·love [loyalty] is forever,
    and his ·loyalty [faithfulness] ·goes on and on [L for all generations].


I do believe the whiners gripers and complainers ,   got  left  behind  in the dust ...   :laughing7:  as  serpents food


  1 Corinthians 5  As  turn on over to satan for the destruction of the flesh/dust     so shall   his   spirit   be saved in the day of the Lord


GOD IS SO  AWESOME!!!          :dsunny:
[/quote]rosered

Did you type out that whole psalm?  In any case it is not wasted effort. The words of scripture mean so much to me, and I did not hurry through them. They are so rich.

I actually struggle with what to do with scraps of paper I have written Bible verses on. I do that a lot, and I just can't carry them all with me for the rest of my life. I confess to having thrown some away, but it never feels quite right, and I just have to hope it is not the unpardonable sin. Of course, there is no such thing as "the unpardonable sin" for you all.

Maybe I could give them to some one here and YOU can throw them away. Of course if I gave them to you KNOWING you were going to throw them away, it might be just as bad for me. What if we just made an arrangement for you to keep them for me for awhile, and then when I call you to get them back, you can't find them?  I mean, for real can't find them. I need someone that loses stuff a lot.

I loved your reference to complainers left in the dust to be serpent food. You made me run back to Genesis. And there it was. The curse pronounced on the serpent: Crawling on your belly and eating rosered's complainers "all the days of your life".  (Gen. 3:14)

And speaking of curses, Biblical curses have long been a curiosity to me. Do you guys (translated "folks"), know of any articles on it?

The New Testament curses like the Pauline curse you quote, need clarity in my mind. It's the sermon I never heard: "Christian Satanic Curses."

Any way, thank you rosered, and each one of you that has gone to the effort to share scripture and your own real life experience and wisdom with me. I read all of it slowly and prayerfully.

Marie Glen, I relate so deeply to what you wrote about sorrow. I wonder if it has anything to do with The Man of Sorrows; aquatinted with grief, having taken residence so profoundly within you.  I wonder if it has to do with the fellowship of His suffering?  (Colossians 1:24, 1 Peter 4:13, Romans 8:18) Philippians 3:10 "That I may know Him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to his death,"

May your Joy be infinitely deeper than your sorrow. 

[rosered]

 :dsunny:

  God bless you Wadif !! :HeartThrob:
I am always thankful for us all   being able   to see the same things  as God gives the increase   , it is a rare bird lol   :winkgrin:    a Dove /Spirit  of peace  in the  many waters /voices      as the days of Noe  as the coming of the Son of man shall be ...

[BenC]

How do you think Jesus felt? He forgave us our perverse errors and sins.

Only God is good.  As for me, I didn't get here by mistake, but by lots of mistakes!

Btw, I like your Arabic-Chinese name :friendstu: