Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
Gubei,
The ground of locality teaching is an ironic paradox because though it is supposed to issue in oneness, by definition one cannot practice it without condemning other groups, thus it works against oneness. One can believe in head covering while receiving believers and even churches that do not believe it. But one cannot practice the local ground without invalidating every group in the city that doesn't believe it. Thus it is divisive.
You say you receive and fellowship with all Christians which don't hold the local ground. That's as you should. But how do you feel about their groups? Do you feel they are not real churches? If so, your model has proven to be divisive.
For example, I don't believe in Catholicism. Yet, I cannot say the Catholic group down the road is not a real church. The church in Thyatira was a church. I've been to Catholic services where I definitely felt the Lord presence. Call me crazy but it's true. Who am I to say others shouldn't be there if He's there?
99.9999% (at least) of people being saved in the world are being saved via groups that LCers would say are not real churches! Isn't it strange that the Lord is choosing to do such a majority of his saving work in groups LCers won't even recognize. Sounds like He recognizes them. Sounds like you and He are out of sync.
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Igzy,
Your comparison is very unfair.
My comparison is as follows.
When you talk about head covering, you should focus on the matter of head covering. The fact that there are disagreements on that issue means there are conflicts.
But, head covering is not essential in our Christian life. That’s why we can accept other Christians who are holding different interpretation on this issue. So, I can fellowship with them.
When you talk about the ground of locality, you should focus on the matter of the ground of locality. The fact that there are disagreements on that issue means there are conflicts.
But, one set of elders in a city is not essential in our Christian life. That’s why we can accept other Christians who are holding different interpretation on this issue. So, I can fellowship with them.
And you wrote.
“But how do you feel about their
groups? Do you feel they are not real churches? If so, your model has proven to be divisive.”
They are not the church according to the picture in the NT. But they (meaning the saints) are the part of the church in that city. In this sense, they are very real.
And you wrote.
“For example, I don't believe in Catholicism. Yet, I
cannot say the Catholic group down the road is not a real church. The church in Thyatira was a church. I've been to Catholic services where I definitely felt the Lord presence. Call me crazy but it's true.
Who am I to say others shouldn't be there if He's there? ”
Yes, in Catholicism (or Catholic group) is our Lord. And The church in Thyatira typifies Catholicism (or Catholic group), not that the church in Thyatira (definitely a local church at that time) justify the name - Catholic Church.
And you wrote.
“99.9999% (at least) of people being saved in the world are being saved via groups that LCers would say are not real churches! Isn't it strange that the Lord is choosing to do such a majority of his saving work in groups LCers won't even recognize. Sounds like He recognizes them. Sounds like you and He are out of sync.[/QUOTE]”
Igzy, 100% of people are being saved via the local churches, which include all the saints in the world. Still, your definition of local churches is not the same with mine.
Gubei