A Simple Question

[Admon Mikha'el]

Just a simple question....Would you rather follow your churches doctrines or the Bible? I've gotten some interesting answers to this question.

 

[Brad Huber]

I have never followed any specific denomination's doctrine. I met the Lord outside of the church and only started attending when convicted that I should attend. Thought it was ridiculous how many denominations there is. And I didnt want to join one if it wasnt true to the Lord. And how was I to know which one was more correct than the others? The Lord directed me eventually to a brethern church in Ohio to attend. He never told me that was the true one, just that He wanted me to go there. Found out the history of it later, and that denomination (not that specific church gathering) was one of the most contentious denominations there has been. LOL! The Lord finally told me that He wanted me there because of the current pastor there. A good believer in his heart, a model of what we should all be. When he retired a bit over a year later, the new pastor and me had an argument about the dress code in church. My words to him apparently convicted him, because he gave up the role of a pastor shortly afterwords. I felt bad about that, but I knew I was right, and it was right to share why my faith was more important to follow than his desire. But I didnt want to continue there after the problem I caused. Turns out God didnt want me there either, he wanted me to join the military soon after the blowup. He didnt specify which branch of the military, and I didnt want to be in the situation of having to kill another human being if I didnt have to. But there is plenty of roles to take in the military, so I chose a non combat role, and stayed in the air force for 8 1/2 years and then got out because I had did the things God wanted me to do while in service, learn things mostly that I didnt understand prior. Things important to my spiritual growth. It just kept going like that, attending churchs of many faiths and seeing how they act (like how kind and how faithful mostly). So I never and still never belonged to any specific denomination, but take my leading from God and scripture.

 

[Rhema]

Just a simple question....Would you rather follow your churches doctrines or the Bible? I've gotten some interesting answers to this question.

Neither.

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.​

(John 16:13 KJV)

Kindly,
Rhema

 

[Twistie]

I follow what the Holy Spirit tells me

Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

 

[KingJ]

Just a simple question....Would you rather follow your churches doctrines or the Bible? I've gotten some interesting answers to this question.

Only if we were in an early church started by Paul and the disciples!

We are accountable for what God has revealed to us and are to live with a good conscience before Him Acts 23:1. Following church doctrine that you completely disagree on is a big no no between you and God!

Having said that, one important doctrine from Paul is to not neglect the gathering of ourselves Heb 10:25. Many use minor disagreements as an excuse to be lazy and not fellowship!

 

[Peter1]

Which doctrine do you have a problem with sorry I can't sweep it all off the table.The Holy Spirit is in the Church .The Christian faith is set in stone it will not change whether you accept it or not and you will not be able to change that.The faith was set hundreds of years ago its being passed on to you and you can accept it or reject it but you cannot change it.Its your Job to pass it on to others without error.If you cannot accept it you can walk away.In this modern world people think they can have everything their own way by their own thoughts even the bible which is causing error in the faith.Not surprising really it should be expected in this new world with these new modern people.No one is going to come in today and change things or the faith will be lost forever in error.No one need you or wants you to come in and change things,It is critical right now that the faith be held and protected from heresy or it will be lost.If you go back to just the bible all is lost and many will fall into error.It has been revealed by the Holy Spirit to the church not to be tossed into the garbage.Its there to help you understand the faith it is not your right to reject it.I am speaking only of the core faith which is in every Christian church to be preserved and protected for future generations. Any doctrine on the core faith has to be followed and its the same in all Christian Churches.Do you reject the Trinity doctrine?A lot of the Christian philosophy is not needed only the core faith is needed which is what should be focused on. There is a difference between doctrine and philosophy.
A philosophy is a set of criteria for analyzing knowledge and similar topics. A doctrine is a body of teaching on a particular subject.There is doctrine out there that is not accepted in the Christian faith which are well known you need to grow in faith and understanding to know these things its a ongoing process in the Christian faith .All so you will be able to pass the faith on to other in the correct way not your own version of the faith.As I said no one is needed to come in and explain things now its all been done you just need to understand and follow it or reject it.You can't have your own version from your own thoughts thats not how it works.But people will make their own version of it.

 

[Rhema]

The Holy Spirit is in the Church .

Which Church?

The faith was set hundreds of years ago its being passed on to you and you can accept it or reject it but you cannot change it.

So not the Reformation churches then, since the faith WAS changed 500 years ago by Martin Luther.

Its your Job to pass it on to others without error.

And you don't think that the doctrines of the various Christian ecosystems are different? There are three major branches of the Christian Church based upon the two most fundamental doctrines, that of Soteriology and Ecclesiastical Authority.

So which church has the message that is without error?
Catholic? Protestant? Pentecostal?

If you go back to just the bible all is lost and many will fall into error.

Okay, so NOT Protestant then. Got it. (But which Catholic? Roman or Orthodox from which the Roman Church split off?)

I am speaking only of the core faith which is in every Christian church to be preserved and protected for future generations.

And just what might that be? What is the CORE? (I am seriously asking, after having spoken above about the two most fundamental (core) doctrines.

No one is going to come in today and change things or the faith will be lost forever in error.

It's been in error for quite some time. (At least to Martin Luther and the Reformers.) I would gather you disagree?

It has been revealed by the Holy Spirit to the church not to be tossed into the garbage

To be honest, I don't if you're speaking about the Church, the Bible or the Holy Spirit being tossed into the garbage. Your statement wasn't quite clear.

Do you reject the Trinity doctrine?

Not sure how you quite got here, but it wasn't clear whether you consider that "core" or "philosophy."

As I said no one is needed to come in and explain things now its all been done you just need to understand and follow it or reject it.

How can one understand something if it is not explained?

Kindly curious,
Rhema

 

[Peter1]

You know I'm not going to argue I spoke the truth if you don't like it too bad go ahead make it up yourself the way you like it fall into error.Don't you know the answers to those questions you should.

 

[Rhema]

You know I'm not going to argue I spoke the truth if you don't like it too bad go ahead make it up yourself the way you like it fall into error.Don't you know the answers to those questions you should.

I didn't ask you to argue. I asked you to explain so I could understand.

But smashing me on the face, telling me I should already know better, like hitting a dog with a rolled up newspaper is most assuredly not the way to advance the kingdom of God.

I'm beginning to think that YOU don't know. Are you that insecure that you cannot even list what you "know" to be the Core Doctrines?

Any doctrine on the core faith has to be followed and its the same in all Christian Churches.

Again, in all sincerity, what are these core doctrines?

Don't go all nasty on me. Take a breath and just tell me.

Sincerely,
Rhema

(Even just a one word post like.. "Magisterium" would be beneficial.)

 

[Peter1]

Who is Jesus and why did he have to come and die for our sins? Guess what I don't have to figure any of that out all that knowledge is already there for me to know just like everything else in the faith. I do not need to figure any of it out its all been done for me a long time ago. All I can do is learn and grow in the faith.If I can't accept it I should walk away because its not what I believe.It really is that simple.I am not going to come in and butcher it thats not for me to do or anyone else.That is all I am saying.
The core faith is what all Christian churches agree and believe not the stuff they disagree on.Such as the Trinity doctrine which is required as a Christian and accepted by all denominations.

You can always go to The LDS church and become your own Prophet and make it up how ever you like but you would have to be a rogue They have the Prophet.There are lots of rogue Prophets with their own versions.Polygamy is one you can have as many wives as you like the more wives you have the higher your place in heaven will be.See what happen when the faith is changed.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Just a simple question....Would you rather follow your churches doctrines or the Bible? I've gotten some interesting answers to this question.

Dear Brother,
There is only one church, though there are a myriad of denominations and then some from which one can choose as a believer/to attend.
The presented choice assumes a certainty in understanding all the doctrines of one's church, as well as those found in Scripture, implying that they may be in conflict or have the potential for conflict. Many people may not possess sufficient knowledge to make such decisions; however, over time, they should become more familiar with the doctrines of both sides.

Though as they say, if you're looking for the perfect church and you find it. The minute you step through the doors, it will cease to be perfect.

I'm of the belief that sometimes you can be moved by the Holy Spirit to attend a particular church, or to leave one. The reasons could be varied, and usually one is not told why, but just to obey. Though after a time, it usually makes itself evident on the why. lol

So, to answer your question, it's really not up to me on making that type of choice but listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
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[Rhema]

You can always go to The LDS church and become your own Prophet...

Again, you don't need to be nasty.

The core faith is what all Christian churches agree and believe not the stuff they disagree on.

Peter, that's simply not true. The one doctrine I mentioned above, the Doctrine of Soteriology, is the explanation of how people get saved. And I can readily assure you that the Catholic Churches and the Protestant Churches do NOT agree on how a person gets saved. Who cares about the Trinity at that point, if the very basis about one's salvation stands in disagreement.

You could at least say whether you are Catholic or not. (It's okay if you are, and knowing this would help a lot.)

Who is Jesus and why did he have to come and die for our sins?

Well that's called Christology, and while I'm sure that you and I agree that Jesus is the Son of God, surely you are aware that the phrase "God the Son" is not present at all in the Bible. Should a Christian Church preach a doctrine that is not found in scripture? And yes, I understand that Trinitarians have their favorite scripture verses, as do Modalists, and even non-Trinitarians.

The other doctrine I mentioned above is that of Ecclesiastical Authority. While the Roman Catholic believe's that such authority is vested in the Church Fathers (or more specifically, the Pope and Bishops), the Protestant church rejects that Authority, and since the 1,500's claim the Doctrine of Sola Scriptura, teaching that Scripture Alone is to be one's Ecclesiastical Authority, and as you seem to understand, a lot of people think differently about a lot of things in that scripture.

I do not need to figure any of it out its all been done for me a long time ago

Figured out by whom? Remember, the Protestant Churches didn't exist before 1517.

Polygamy is one you can have as many wives as you like the more wives you have the higher your place in heaven will be.See what happen when the faith is changed.

Interesting. I wonder how many wives King Solomon had? (I recall it was a LOT.)

As to your claim about the LDS belief that having more wives gives you a higher place in heaven, I'd have to ask for a source, as I cannot find such a teaching. I've attended services in both major Mormon denominations and I've never encountered that teaching before. But the LDS banned polygamy over a century ago. Members who have more than one wife are now excommunicated.

See what happens when the faith is changed

Precisely what the Catholics say about the Protestants. So which is it?

Kindly,
Rhema

 

[Rhema]

Many people may not possess sufficient knowledge to make such decisions

Study on brother.
Rhema

 

[Christ4Ever]

The core faith is what all Christian churches agree and believe not the stuff they disagree on.

Peter, that's simply not true. The one doctrine I mentioned above, the Doctrine of Soteriology, is the explanation of how people get saved. And I can readily assure you that the Catholic Churches and the Protestant Churches do NOT agree on how a person gets saved. Who cares about the Trinity at that point, if the very basis about one's salvation stands in disagreement.
@Rhema

I hope you do not mind me intruding here and are in agreement with what I share. I found this that might help both Peter1 and those who may have not an understanding of the Doctrine of Soteriology/Salvation.

Soteriology - The Doctrine of Salvation | Bible.org

The Meaning and Scope of Salvation Even a casual look at the world quickly reveals man’s condition in sin and the awful plight in which this fallen condition has left him. Furthermore, it is a condition against which mankind is completely helpless when left to his own human resources. In spite...

bible.org

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[Christ4Ever]

Many people may not possess sufficient knowledge to make such decisions

Study on brother.
Rhema

Always, trying if at a snail's pace, and the real issue with the question posed in this thread.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[Rhema]

I hope you do not mind me intruding here and are in agreement with what I share. I found this that might help both Peter1 and those who may have not an understanding of the Doctrine of Soteriology/Salvation.

As long as you don't mind me intruding with a statement from a Church that had been functioning for more than a millennia before yours...

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Salvation

Salvation has in Scriptural language the general meaning of liberation from straitened circumstances or from other evils, and of a translation into a state of freedom and security

www.newadvent.org

Rhema
(Man, C4E, your article was long. And very Pauline.)

Final thought. The large quote from me would work better if indented. I had first thought it was you parroting my words.

 

[Rhema]

the real issue with the question posed in this thread.

It's obvious that I've personally never really cared much about church doctrines or creeds (except to know what is claimed). Coins and crosses never know their fruitless worth.

But I can't for the life of me understand how someone whose sins are forgiven isn't saved.

Rhema

 

[KingJ]

I didn't ask you to argue. I asked you to explain so I could understand. But smashing me on the face, telling me I should already know better, like hitting a dog with a rolled up newspaper is most assuredly not the way to advance the kingdom of God.

He did not do that.

I'm beginning to think that YOU don't know. Are you that insecure that you cannot even list what you "know" to be the Core Doctrines? Again, in all sincerity, what are these core doctrines? Don't go all nasty on me. Take a breath and just tell me.

This is not how Christians talk. Try be better!

 

[Rhema]

Try be better!

 

[Christ4Ever]

As long as you don't mind me intruding with a statement from a Church that had been functioning for more than a millennia before yours...

What church might that be that has been functioning longer than mine, and what date do you put to "my church"? Which in truth I consider Jesus' Church.

But I can't for the life of me understand how someone whose sins are forgiven isn't saved.

Rhema

Would man look at it as simple as that.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
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<><