kicked out!

[leastofthese]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

The local church understanding is that the mansion is God Himself.

The local church understanding? Which local church?

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by leastofthese

The local church understanding? Which local church?

That is actually an interesting question! A local church should be local, right? A brother and I had fellowship over lunch yesterday and we were talking about what the primitive ekklesia had. Basically there were two main things:

1. No centralized authority - each locality is autonomous and under the Lord's leading
2. A focus on scripture alone - nothing added in a way of ultimate authority or practice

In Broadbent's seminal book, "The Pilgrim Church," he clearly shows how getting away from these two things was the big error of the Roman Church, and how the primitive (aka pilgrim) ekklesia always avoided these two errors.

But the natural tendency of humans is to take control, and not adhering to these two points then opens the door for all kinds of things, systems, errors, etc. & etc.

Sounds simple, eh?!

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by leastofthese

The local church understanding? Which local church?

Any local church. Why should different local churches interpret scripture differently?

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

Any local church. Why should different local churches interpret scripture differently?

(Sounds a little like a "When did you stop beating your wife?" i.e. loaded question.) Yes, they might interpret scripture differently than another autonomous local church and maybe even interpret incorrectly. But they must have the freedom to do so.

Falls into the same basic rationality of why we shouldn't have open meetings - somebody might say something in some way that isn't good . . . We need the FREEDOM!

[leastofthese]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

Any local church. Why should different local churches interpret scripture differently?

I don’t think they “should” (as a rule of thumb). But they do...

How would a local church in Arkansas even know how a local church in Greece interprets scripture? They don’t even know of each other or speak the same language.

What am I missing here?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

Any local church. Why should different local churches interpret scripture differently?

How could they with LSM breathing down their necks?

How could they when opinions are prohibited?

How could they when their only recourse is to reference the HWFMR?

Why would Paul, on the other hand, tell local churches, "if in anything you are otherwise minded?"

[Evangelical]

Freedom to interpret scripture however we like
or not?

What does the Bible say ?

I will wait and see if anyone can support this view from the Bible. I've got my verses ready to go. Any time now, I will be patient.

[leastofthese]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

Freedom to interpret scripture however we like
or not?

What does the Bible say ?

I will wait and see if anyone can support this view from the Bible. I've got my verses ready to go. Any time now, I will be patient.

So you’re changing the subject?

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by leastofthese

So you’re changing the subject?

You changed the subject in post #50.

[leastofthese]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

You changed the subject in post #50.

Yes I did. You made a point about the local churches. I thought it would be interesting to continue that line of thinking...

I’m not interested in your new topic as I don’t find it relevant - I hope others are, for your sake.

[awareness]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

Freedom to interpret scripture however we like
or not?

What does the Bible say ?

I will wait and see if anyone can support this view from the Bible. I've got my verses ready to go. Any time now, I will be patient.

Now c'mon Least, I'd like to see his verses.

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by Ohio

How could they with LSM breathing down their necks?

How could they when opinions are prohibited?

How could they when their only recourse is to reference the HWFMR?

Why would Paul, on the other hand, tell local churches, "if in anything you are otherwise minded?"

Could you please post the full verse of Philippians 3:15. ? If not, I will.

[Sons to Glory!]

Oh boy oh boy oh boy - here we go again!!!

[BeardedFool]

I think it is is fairly obvious by now that the Local Church is Christian and follows the teachings of the bible in exactly the same way Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and most Catholics are Christian and follow the teachings of the Bible.

James, glad you finally had a wake up call and are now free to pursue a relationship with God directly, rather than through a corrupt organization. My advice to you, for what it is worth, is realize that humans are deeply flawed and you happened to fall in with some. Take what truth you got from them and know that Christ is still real and alive in many others. Don't get bitter and you will find your way. Persevere in your pursuit of the truth you find in God's word.

[leastofthese]

Originally Posted by BeardedFool

I think it is is fairly obvious by now that the Local Church is Christian and follows the teachings of the bible in exactly the same way Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and most Catholics are Christian and follow the teachings of the Bible.

While I agree that one could make the comparison between the LSM and these other organizations - I don't think it is fair, or appropriate, to make this statement quoted above. The LSM and their affiliated churches are, in nature and practice, flawed at the core by their steadfast devotion to Witness Lee above all else. This devotion to Lee has left a lifeless and dying collection of Witness Lee denomination churches marked by a spirit of confusion, exclusivity, and judgement - which leads to a quenching of the Holy Spirit. There are dear believers within those church walls and it would not be appropriate or accurate to lump them in with some of the heretical groups you've mentioned above.