9 Marks (by Mark Dever)
| Posted On: 02/18/09 11:57:59 AM |
Age 35, TX |
On this website, you can type in your zip code and hopefully find solid churches in your area:
http://www.9marks.org/
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How to Find a Good Church
| Posted On: 10/24/08 09:21:17 AM |
Age 43, VA |
I agree with your list with the exception of #16. After reading many of your posts and pointing out Pastors who misquote the bible you are now guilty of quoting a verse out of context. Matt.19:4 has nothing to do with Jesus verifying the number of days in creation. First, let me establish that I am NOT an evolutionist (although microevolution takes place). I do not believe God established through his word in Genesis, or anywhere else in the Bible, that he created everything in a “literal 6 days”. The Hebrew word used for day in Genesis is YOM, which can also can mean a period of time. Science agrees with the Bible in that the universe was developed over a phased period of time. Plants, animals then humans (Adam and Eve) were introduced in phases (not evolved) which science and the Bible both agree on. God is the creator of everything. Proven scientific discoveries are the discovery of God’s creativity. Insisting on a literal 6 creation days is pointless if that is not God’s intent of the scripture. The Bible is not the blueprint plans or schematic of creation. It gives a very basic outline of creation where God established that he is the creator of everything. The Bible is about man’s relationship with God. Finally, God created time and is therefore not bound by time (2 Peter 3:8). I do not know why God chose a long period of time to create but we know that God is purposeful in everything that he does. Perhaps the time he used is like the difference between the taste of a meal out of a box or a good gourmet meal.
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looking for a new Church home
| Posted On: 05/26/08 11:30:30 AM |
Age 45, MD |
My wife and i have had many problems getting the help we needed to maintain a healthy marriage. We are an interracial couple with adult children from previous marriages. I am African American, she is Spanish/Native American. We want a church with a five fold ministry, and a mixed population; that has a marriage ministry...I am called to ministry and want to continue the process of education were ever we go...
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# 16 how to find a church
| Posted On: 12/12/07 12:24:55 PM |
Age 43, ID |
Nice list. I have a probelm with number 16, " do you believe in a literal six day creation, Jesus did." My main point of contention is that Jesus doesn't talk about days, number of days, or anything remotely close to a time frame of creation in the quoted scripture; Mathew 19:4. He says... " He who created them from the beginning." He acknowledges that they were created in the beginning. Which is an undeniable truth of scripture,(we were created.)I find your argument at best misdirection, at the worst use of deciet to make a theological yet unessential point. If you can show me any where in scripture that we must believe in a litteral six day creation for salvation, I will change my mind. I came to Christ believing in an old universe and (e gads!) evolution. I have since discovered that there is no scientific evidence for Macro or Darwinian evolution, hence I don't believe it. It's clearly not the truth.I believe God created us and the universe, however, science seems to point to a very ancient universe. Biblical scholars (both Jewish and Christian) have honest intelluctual disagreements regarding the meaning of "days" and the so called "gap", etc... In the end, setting up stumbling blocks of beleif which have nothing to do with believing in christ may keep people away, who might otherwise come. Let me reiterate; the age of the earth, and the meaning of 'day' in Genesis is NOT the Gospel which we are to believe unto salvation. It is an unessential theological belief as far as our eternal life goes.
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How to find a church
| Posted On: 12/07/07 05:53:07 AM |
Age 25, SOUTH AFRICA |
I love the list but # 24 which is about the cross i do not believe.The Holy Spirit tells you when there is something amiss in a church.We cannot help the fact that some people have lost their first love for God, we must pray for them and believe God that they will change. Some people say that it is recorded in the bible that in the last days these things will happen but I believe as children of God we must pray that those that God has called will not be lost.
I see some people talk about honouring the Sabbath day but when you read further in the new testament Paul addressed the people and said that they must on longer judge each other according to the days in which they worship.
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How to find a church
| Posted On: 12/07/07 05:52:06 AM |
Age 25, SOUTH AFRICA |
I love the list but # 24 which is about the cross i do not believe.The Holy Spirit tells you when there is something amiss in a church.We cannot help the fact that some people have lost their first love for God and they put in their own agendas, we must pray for them and believe God that they will change. Some people say that it is recorded in the bible that in the last days these things will happen but I believe as children of God we must pray that those that God has called will not be lost.
I see some people talk about honouring the Sabbath day but when you read further in the new testament Paul addressed the people and said that they must on longer judge each other according to the days in which they worship.
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Re: How to Find a Good Church
| Posted On: 08/28/07 10:46:46 AM |
Age 50, PA |
Why even go to church? With so many false churches and heritical doctrines I've found it very much better to not attend at all. I've found some very harmful and hurtful churches. Just because they fly the fish / cross banner does not make them a necessarily safe Christian entity. I choose to simply not attend. I don't see where this is a sin. The Word does say "Do not forsake the assembly." but I don't think it's a sin not to attend.
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Re: How to Find a Good Church
| Posted On: 04/18/07 04:53:37 PM |
Age 68, TN |
Thank you for this list. I am looking for a new church home but am having a hard time finding one that I trust. I have been in a very abusive church situation and certainly don't want to land in another. This list is a good start. Thanks.
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Re: How to Find a Good Church
| Posted On: 03/19/07 05:05:39 PM |
Age 34, UK |
Many good points you have made but I make some points in return.
i) When you ask who the service of worship is for, the only 2 answers you can think of are in effect "church members" or "unbelievers". I think that a service of worship should be for God alone. Am I nit-picking here?
ii) I think the existence of an evangelism team is a very positive thing. Too many churches lack the vision to even think about having a team of people to co-ordinate out-reach to the community.
iii) It's already been said but your point about having a cross in church is slightly over-blown. Would you like to see the ten commandments painted in large letters on the wall behind the preacher too?
However, it's good that you have put these questions on the net. Christians need to use their brains once in a while.
:)
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Re: How to Find a Good Church
| Posted On: 03/07/07 10:46:17 AM |
Age 56, TX |
#8 I doubt very much if a pastor is going
to respond "yes." Does the pastor preach
the WORD of G-D on the pulpit? Scripture
after scripture using both Old & New Testament? Or is he just flapping his gums
about himself, his agenda, stories that have
nothing to do with scripture?
MUSIC (praise & worship) was not addressed.
Music should be worshipping G-D! Praising/thanking Him, NOT "me" oriented..i.e. "I am the apple of His eye..."
You shall know them by their fruits - Are
the people @ the church FRIENDLY? Do they
show the love of Y'shua (Jesus)towards others, or are they smug, aloof, indifferent,avoid eye contact, etc.
Does the pastor sing during the worship
service? If not....why not? Jesus sang!
Can't find a healthy church in San Antonio,
worship with friends, because most of them
here have lost their FIRST LOVE, Y'shua or
Jesus Christ!
In Agape,
Margaret
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