Various from the Mormonism forum

Theo1689

Theo1689

Well-known member
In the Mormonism forum there is a combination of Mormon and non-Mormon posters. Understandably, the topics of discussion there are to revolve around the Mormon religion, but sometimes non-Mormons go on tangents and disagreements. I decided to bring a couple of them here.

The first question that came up is how to choose the "right" church.

My quick answer is to join a 1689 Reformed Baptist church. :)

But clearly, that answer is not going to sit well with everyone. So the longer answer is this...

First, have a good understanding of the Bible for yourself. Read books like "Mere Christianity" by Lewis or "Basic Christianity" by Stott, and similar books, to get an understanding of what Christian doctrines are pretty much universally agreed upon. You should come up with a list similar to:

- Sola Scriptura;
- Trinity;
- deity of Christ;
- monotheism;
- salvation by faith alone;

If your list is different, then that's fine for now. If you haven't already, familiarize with Christian radio pastors. I listen to John MacArthur ("Grace to You") and Alistair Begg ("Truth for Life"). Listen carefully to see if they offer citations for their teachings, and read the citations to make sure that they accurately mean what the pastor says.

I have other "no go" teachings, such as:

- women pastors;
- denial that homosexual acts are sinful;
- too much negative teaching of individuals or groups from the pulpit (eg. Steven Anderson/KJVO)

From that criteria, find a church and start attending.

In the meantime, study other issues which different denominations disagree upon, such as:

- infant baptism vs. believer baptism;
- sprinkling vs. immersion;
- 1 pastor vs. plurality of elders;
- Calvinism vs. Arminianism (vs. Pelagianism)
- etc.

As has been attributed to Augustine:
"In essentials, unity;
In non-essentials, liberty;
In all things, charity."
 
Theo1689

Theo1689

Well-known member
Another question given to me is whether Christians are sinless after they are saved. While there are 1 or 2 individuals here in the forums who actually believe they have become sinless, that is not generally what Christians believe.

1John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (KJV)

The KJV rendering sounds like it means we "stop sinning" after we are born of God. But I believe this is an inadequate rendering. Let's compare with a modern translation:

1John 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. (ESV)

The ESV renders it, "makes a practice of sinning". This is consistent with the underlying Greek, which is in the present tense, but has continuous aspect, "continues to sin". In English, the time factor is more important, but in the Greek, the aspect is more important.

So while Christians continue to stumble and sin, it is no longer a "habit", or a "practice", we stumble into it, instead of desiring to jump head-long into it.

Another factor is that even though we still physically sin, God no longer SEES our sin, or attributes our sin to us, as that sin has been atoned for on the cross, and when God looks at us, He sees Christ's righteousness instead.
 
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Theo1689

Theo1689

Well-known member
I think I forgot one question that @Fenuay asked....

IIRC, you took issue with Communion being practiced every month (and while I don't remember bringing that up, that is a common practice in Protestant churches).

I think a good argument can be made that communion should be practiced once per year, since it was the Passover Seder meal which was being eaten when Christ implemented the sacrament.

On the other end of the spectrum, Roman Catholics practice the sacrament weekly, and even daily. I think practicing it more frequently makes it less meaningful, just as singing the same hymn every week causes many people to stop thinking about the lyrics, since they become automatic.

I think monthly is a good compromise, although I wouldn't leave a church solely because they chose a different frequency. Scripture does say, "As often as you" do this, which seems to make the frequency somewhat open-ended.

Those are my thoughts, anyway.
 
G

Gary Mac

Well-known member
Theo1689 said:
In the Mormonism forum there is a combination of Mormon and non-Mormon posters. Understandably, the topics of discussion there are to revolve around the Mormon religion, but sometimes non-Mormons go on tangents and disagreements. I decided to bring a couple of them here.

The first question that came up is how to choose the "right" church.

My quick answer is to join a 1689 Reformed Baptist church. :)

But clearly, that answer is not going to sit well with everyone. So the longer answer is this...

First, have a good understanding of the Bible for yourself. Read books like "Mere Christianity" by Lewis or "Basic Christianity" by Stott, and similar books, to get an understanding of what Christian doctrines are pretty much universally agreed upon. You should come up with a list similar to:

- Sola Scriptura;
- Trinity;
- deity of Christ;
- monotheism;
- salvation by faith alone;

If your list is different, then that's fine for now. If you haven't already, familiarize with Christian radio pastors. I listen to John MacArthur ("Grace to You") and Alistair Begg ("Truth for Life"). Listen carefully to see if they offer citations for their teachings, and read the citations to make sure that they accurately mean what the pastor says.

I have other "no go" teachings, such as:

- women pastors;
- denial that homosexual acts are sinful;
- too much negative teaching of individuals or groups from the pulpit (eg. Steven Anderson/KJVO)

From that criteria, find a church and start attending.

In the meantime, study other issues which different denominations disagree upon, such as:

- infant baptism vs. believer baptism;
- sprinkling vs. immersion;
- 1 pastor vs. plurality of elders;
- Calvinism vs. Arminianism (vs. Pelagianism)
- etc.

As has been attributed to Augustine:
"In essentials, unity;
In non-essentials, liberty;
In all things, charity."
Click to expand...
Join a church? You dont join Gods church, His church is as He is and like Him by the same SPirit be in you who was in Christ Jesus ands walk as He walks in His same light.

You are trying to get God to obey you so He may join your church.

You say --" First, have a good understanding of the Bible for yourself. Read books like "Mere Christianity" by Lewis or "Basic Christianity" by Stott, and similar books, to get an understanding of what Christian doctrines are pretty much universally agreed upon. You should come up with a list similar to:

Actually instead of reading these OPINIONS about God, it would do you well to read what Jesus said you should be and would be if you actually followed him to the Father that you would receieve from Him that what he received from Him and in that -- when or if you ever do see Him as He is -- ye shall be like Him instead of these. 1 John 3. But you knw and I know you will not listen to Jesus but these who glorify as an authority instead of God Himself who is unable to deliver His message to you that you would see Him as He is and become like Him instead of these.

So in reality you are no different from a Mormon, Catholic, Muslim, Baptists, AOG, COC, Pentecostal, or any other religious belief system, just different laws to govern your beliefs of a god.
 
G

Gary Mac

Well-known member
Theo1689 said:
Another question given to me is whether Christians are sinless after they are saved. While there are 1 or 2 individuals here in the forums who actually believe they have become sinless, that is not generally what Christians believe.
Click to expand...
Actually it isnt a belief at all, it is the reality of God manifest in us -- and we who are born of God it is impossible to be in sin. 1 John 3:9. You cant know that what you dont have and your Christian belief system is keeping you from His perfections as He demands of you. You dont realize that in Christ there is no sin, it is outside of Christ that you are the sinner. You never have met the Christ have you?
Theo1689 said:
1John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (KJV)

The KJV rendering sounds like it means we "stop sinning" after we are born of God. But I believe this is an inadequate rendering. Let's compare with a modern translation:
Click to expand...
It sounds that way to you because of lack in being born of God yourself. Your beliefs as you say will not allow you to be born of God that you may be perfect as He is perfect as Jesus commanded of you.

Modern translation? You mean the edited editions from lack in God being manifest in you?
Theo1689 said:
1John 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. (ESV)
Click to expand...
Practice sinning? SO you do not believe that god takes away the sins of this world is why it is a practice for you. Sorry but you can practice not to sin all your life but by law I guarantee you will fail miserably.

The real truth is He takes away the sins of this world and in Him it is impossible to be in sin. You just cant relate to Him is all.
Theo1689 said:
The ESV renders it, "makes a practice of sinning". This is consistent with the underlying Greek, which is in the present tense, but has continuous aspect, "continues to sin". In English, the time factor is more important, but in the Greek, the aspect is more important.
Click to expand...
With the manifestation of God in you it would come clear that you really do not know what sin is. Sin is simply separation from God. And beware of anything that will separate your oneness with Him in which you have done, separated yourself totally from Him in His righteousness.
Theo1689 said:
So while Christians continue to stumble and sin, it is no longer a "habit", or a "practice", we stumble into it, instead of desiring to jump head-long into it.
Click to expand...
Not we, only You, for we in Christ are the righteousness of God who is without sin.
Theo1689 said:
Another factor is that even though we still physically sin, God no longer SEES our sin, or attributes our sin to us, as that sin has been atoned for on the cross, and when God looks at us, He sees Christ's righteousness instead.
Click to expand...
But we ion Christ it is impossible to be ibn sin. You say you are of Christ yet a sinner, that makes your Christ a sinner doesnt it?

Atonement is giving up your life over to God that He may be your mind, your SPirit, your walk as He walks in His same light, perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Atonement is paid for with your own life to receive His as your own, in which you are totally opposed to and it is very obvious your life as a sinner is much more sacred to you than to have His way, His truth, and His life, to live it yourself and Jesus was very clear, no one come to the Father but his way. And It is very obvious that you are totally antichrist by all these accusations against His righteousness which is without sin. . You comment about a subject that you know noting of.
 
G

Gary Mac

Well-known member
Theo1689 said:
I think I forgot one question that @Fenuay asked....

IIRC, you took issue with Communion being practiced every month (and while I don't remember bringing that up, that is a common practice in Protestant churches).

I think a good argument can be made that communion should be practiced once per year, since it was the Passover Seder meal which was being eaten when Christ implemented the sacrament.

On the other end of the spectrum, Roman Catholics practice the sacrament weekly, and even daily. I think practicing it more frequently makes it less meaningful, just as singing the same hymn every week causes many people to stop thinking about the lyrics, since they become automatic.

I think monthly is a good compromise, although I wouldn't leave a church solely because they chose a different frequency. Scripture does say, "As often as you" do this, which seems to make the frequency somewhat open-ended.

Those are my thoughts, anyway.
Click to expand...
Communion is a 24-7 if He is in you and you in Him are one as Jesus was on in Him. It isnt someting we doo once a week once a month or once a year. Either He is in you and you are in Him as one and have His same mind and walk in it as Her walks in it or you dont and follow the traditions of some religious belief system where there is actually no communion with God at all, and the mercy seat is out the window, the place God and man come together as one.

There is no communion with God by eating a cracker and a sip of wine, or dunked in a tub of water, or circumcised or any other man made ritual for a belief, either you have His same mind, Spirit, disposition or you do not. And it is clear we both know the answer to that dont we?
 
G

Gary Mac

Well-known member
rstrats said:
So He is without separation from Himself.
Click to expand...
Seriously, to be of God is to be without sin. If you are a sinner you are separated from the One who takes away sin. He takes away the sins of this world in all who is of Him.

If you are a sinner see 1 John 3, it tells plainly who you adhere to.
If you are born of God you adhere to Him and it is impossible to be in sin 1 John 3:9.

Is it really that difficult to understand that you would make such a comment?
 
G

Gary Mac

Well-known member
rstrats said:
Sin is not the separation from the supreme being; the separation is the result of sin. Sin itself is lawlessness (1 John 3:4).
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Actually sin is result from that separation. Killing stealing, chasing the neighbors wife is not the sin, only the results from that seperation from the God who is Love, for if you were of His Love to have His same mind, these things whouldnt even be a consideration would they?
 
Fenuay

Fenuay

Well-known member
Gary Mac said:
Actually sin is result from that separation. Killing stealing, chasing the neighbors wife is not the sin, only the results from that seperation from the God who is Love, for if you were of His Love to have His same mind, these things whouldnt even be a consideration would they?
Click to expand...
People drive and get irritated at the driver who cuts them off. People get mad when the drive through is long or when Starbucks is out of your favorite drink. We get angry at those who hurt or upset our children. All of those things are technically sin. So no human being is sinless. With the blood of the lamb our sins are washed away and God sees us as sinless. Even when we fall short Jesus blood still covers us and the Father sees our new self in Christ. But we still sin. It's part of being a human.
 
e v e

e v e

Super Member
Fenuay said:
People drive and get irritated at the driver who cuts them off. People get mad when the drive through is long or when Starbucks is out of your favorite drink. We get angry at those who hurt or upset our children. All of those things are technically sin. So no human being is sinless. With the blood of the lamb our sins are washed away and God sees us as sinless. Even when we fall short Jesus blood still covers us and the Father sees our new self in Christ. But we still sin. It's part of being a human.
Click to expand...
man did not lose eden because of baby sins as this.
 
Fenuay

Fenuay

Well-known member
e v e said:
man did not lose eden because of baby sins as this.
Click to expand...
I agree with you. But the point is that all humans sin regardless of how some Christians wish to interpret the Scriptures and that a Christian does not sin.
 
G

Gary Mac

Well-known member
Fenuay said:
People drive and get irritated at the driver who cuts them off. People get mad when the drive through is long or when Starbucks is out of your favorite drink. We get angry at those who hurt or upset our children. All of those things are technically sin.
Click to expand...
Yes by the law yes, but if one has the same disposition that of God to be anointed of Him, which is Love, one will not get these frustrations that is attached to this world that you may suffer the frustrations of the flesh man.

You really do not know that God is Love nor to have his dis[position, that is very clear in your laws for your frustrations and impatience your flesh man imposes on you. And yes for you they are sin. But to God they are result from being detached from Him.
Fenuay said:
So no human being is sinless.
Click to expand...
That is exactly why we who are born of God who is not flesh, is not human, are sinless for we are not of this world, we are of His Spirit that is not of this world. You really do not understand that so obvious in your assessment for sin.

Jesus was made to be sin because of his flesh man and identification with it and by it was crucified as a blasphemer because of his flesh man. But he was made to be sinless because by identification with the One who is not of this world but is of Spirit and holiness of Love to be his own disposition just as we all are of Love who has from God His same Spirit of Love.
Fenuay said:
With the blood of the lamb our sins are washed away and God sees us as sinless.
Click to expand...
God sees us sinless when we become like Him to know this difference. Gen 3;22. Jesus received this difference in Matt 3:16, Abraham did, Moses did, Mary did, 1230 did and so did I. He never has changed one inkling. his abode has always been in ma, the mercy seat, the place God and man come together as one. You just havent reached that place it is very obvious ibn your assessment for sin.

In reality He tales away the sins of this world 1 John 3 -- and we who are born of God it is impossible to be in sin. 1 John 3:9.
Fenuay said:
Even when we fall short Jesus blood still covers us and the Father sees our new self in Christ. But we still sin. It's part of being a human.
Click to expand...
We who has from God, born of God, that what Jesus had from Him cannot fall short at all, and is impossible to be in sin 1 John 3:9, and is not part of being human at all, it is about His kingdom that doesnt come with observation but is within you. See Jesus in Luke 17:20-21.

Most as yourself do not believe Jesus in that though.
 
Fenuay

Fenuay

Well-known member
Gary Mac said:
Yes by the law yes, but if one has the same disposition that of God to be anointed of Him, which is Love, one will not get these frustrations that is attached to this world that you may suffer the frustrations of the flesh man.

You really do not know that God is Love nor to have his dis[position, that is very clear in your laws for your frustrations and impatience your flesh man imposes on you. And yes for you they are sin. But to God they are result from being detached from Him.

That is exactly why we who are born of God who is not flesh, is not human, are sinless for we are not of this world, we are of His Spirit that is not of this world. You really do not understand that so obvious in your assessment for sin.

Jesus was made to be sin because of his flesh man and identification with it and by it was crucified as a blasphemer because of his flesh man. But he was made to be sinless because by identification with the One who is not of this world but is of Spirit and holiness of Love to be his own disposition just as we all are of Love who has from God His same Spirit of Love.

God sees us sinless when we become like Him to know this difference. Gen 3;22. Jesus received this difference in Matt 3:16, Abraham did, Moses did, Mary did, 1230 did and so did I. He never has changed one inkling. his abode has always been in ma, the mercy seat, the place God and man come together as one. You just havent reached that place it is very obvious ibn your assessment for sin.

In reality He tales away the sins of this world 1 John 3 -- and we who are born of God it is impossible to be in sin. 1 John 3:9.

We who has from God, born of God, that what Jesus had from Him cannot fall short at all, and is impossible to be in sin 1 John 3:9, and is not part of being human at all, it is about His kingdom that doesnt come with observation but is within you. See Jesus in Luke 17:20-21.

Most as yourself do not believe Jesus in that though.
Click to expand...
I do not agree. I think you are misinterpreting the scriptures. I believe that when we trust in Christ as our savior we make every effort not to sin. But on occasion it happens. And we feel grieved and we repent. God the Father still sees us as sinless because we have been saved, washed in Jesus blood and Jesus will not lose one of His flock.

May I ask if you ever sin?
 
e v e

e v e

Super Member
Being Saved is being saved from here and this body at the Change .

Paul refers to this as our Change to the imperishable..

he calls this body the fleshbody .
This flesh IS sin.
 
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