Church

From SgWiki

Church is from an ancient (Koine) Greek word meaning a gathering or assembly.

While on earth our Lord Jesus (Head of the invisible universal Church) instituted the core members of the Church at the Lord's Supper. The total constitution of this Church was based upon Jesus Himself as Lord and Savior. His death on the Cross constituted the Divine allowance and that(his right as Head) right for all people of all times (Past Present and Future) to share this Grace and Mercy of God to forgive sinners i.e. Including all their sinful wrongs and disobedience. Only God Alone can forgive sins.

There are many claims by many groups and organizations to represent God and to even forgive sins. These erroneous teachings partly stemmed from false teachings and false teachers.. Here are some fallacies (practiced by certain groups and organizations) found to in practice and beliefs:

a. That they are the only one true church because Jesus made Peter the head of the church ! wrong: the Lord Jesus (who is the Head) never gives that (his right as Head) right away. see the epistles of Paul.

b. That what was "binding" on earth was bound in heaven's will is real when believers prayed in faith and intercede for others. That still is under God's will , never the believer's will to twist the will of God as promises in scriptures had intended. Believers have that right to bind in faith but does not mean it is a right to arrogate the Divine will of God to forgive sins even when obvious sinners are un-repented. See what is to repent

[edit] What's a Church?

Many people said that a Church is just a building (right, but it's more than just a dead building, so) I say it's a alive with many people like children, adults and young people who came Sunday after Sunday to participate in the church activities.
.

Believers all singing to celebrate Victory in Jesus' ressurection, goto check onresurrection or see video hereclik> [[1]]

And actively in worshipping God ..[[2]]

Or small groups meeting in homes [[3]]

sharing a philosophy of life ,with a purpose [[4]]

Here are a regular visitor from Burma who came from learning about the Bible and growing stronger in the faith as he meet with fellow beleivers![[5]]

also another Burmese christian with friend [[6]]

how about so many children in here too? [[7]]

Or babies too [[8]]

Some obvious misconceptions of our life and times:

1. That a church is meant a building ! No, it is where Christians gathered to worship and pray. Half true, local Christians formed into local ( groups) churches, but buildings are not churches, they are dead stones, steel, wood and whatever materials used (to build it ie. all dead-lah!). The Church, therefore is a growing and living entity_Hor. okay! It's about people!

2. That Christianity is from the West, partly true and partly false again, it is from the Middle east region where Jesus taught and drawn out (followers) the early believers which spread around the globe since the early ancient days, so it cannot come from the west alone, it's everywhere just like the iluminati Hor-hehehehe so clever_lol! !

so how to be a believer who want to follow Jesus as Master or how to be a Christian??

Just so simple lah, Ask Jesus and pray for Him to be your Savior-lol!

visit Biblical Studies [[9]] at Sgwiki.com !

[edit] in context, the "church"

Many theologians and believers will be shocked when we try to figure out what exactly is the context when the Lord Jesus made mention of the word "church"?

Well..is he the "Lord of the Church" worshipped and adored among all believers at all times since the establishment of the real "church" after his times ( ministry among the early disciples with his walk and talk), did he himeself was aware of such an universal gathering who will be engaged in the services to Him as their "God" who is the Lord and Savior of all who came to him in faith?

What really did he meant when referring to his followers: was he himself aware of them as a "universal" church?

Did the gospel writers (esp. John) superimposed his own intention and meanings when he penned those early words in the meanings of that term "church" or was it a matter that he himself believed that Jesus meant "his followers" to be be will be that universal church? If we see the writers of the three earlier gospels there is an absence of the use of such terms as "church" (only it was superimposed by later Gospel-ie accounts- copyists), except in the books of the Acts of the Apostles and in the Pauline epistles!

see contextualization

[edit] Church News

On Saturday 19, 2007 The Singapore Bible College graduated her 54th batch of theological students who came from more than 29 countries around the globe. I met some very happy and proud parents . An old couple* from Miri came to attend their daughter's graduation and became the happiest couple among the many hundred of people. (They decide to follow Jesus for the first time just as their daughter who came from Miri years ago.)

See I graduate 2?

Well I also found a pretty girl with a graduation cap on, and she said, " See I graduated too!" hehehehehe! Oh I see (oic) so how come?

She timidly replied, " See my dad put this cap on me and so i graduate like all them people with their caps on !" (BTW This litttle girl (daughter of) standing next to her Dad, who happened to Dr.Albert Ting & who also happened to be the principal of the college! so ic! ump..! I agreed!23:03, 19 May 2007 (SGT)

Never too old

[edit] Looking good on the outside

Dr. Lee a professor & lecturer from NUS was proud to share his joys as he too, graduated from SBC (Singapore Bible College) with a post-graduate degree in Christian counseling

Churches

The Armenian Church in Hill Street is credited with being the oldest church in Singapore. Built in 1835 and designed by colonial architect, George Coleman, the church is regarded as Coleman’s masterpiece and is dedicated to St Gregory the Illuminator. It is designated as a national monument.

(not worth all the mentioning, you can find one in your neighborhood , if no , build one lah!
It's all over on the Island of Singapore
North

Ang Mo Kio has many churches, nearby our place is the AMK Methodist Church! However, that is only a big unique building, lah! So what are churches? Within the Bible churches are simply where common people gathering together or known as assemblies ! The place for meeting was never describe as a church! Meanings just changes over time! In the Chinese Hokkien language, we differentiate it by calling the place Chau tung , and the people we call Chau Hwa! Alien here(: Alien ^talk 08:30, 24 May 2007 (SGT)) does not recommend anyone to to go any churches but your own, and you are welcome by choice to migrate to others<churches> for visits, not mine I don't have any church in mind for anyone!

Elsewhere scattered on the Island are many churches like when we used to have as many old temples

Does anyone know how many churches are there on the Island?

BTW I think most churches with membership role will say sorry alien U r a bad sinner, you gamble and a bad example, so I have to be just an unchurch christian indeed! Does Christians need to go to church? Maybe for most, I chose just to be waht I prefer, follow Jesus in life and forget about churchianity....not forgetting 99.1234567 ppl in among Singapore buy stocks sell insurance buy Toto & 4D and go to Gentings for holidays ..so I guess none of them are included among good Christians..that is why we all are a heathen nation: Alien ^talk 14:19, 5 July 2007 (SGT)hehehehe besides Buddhists r the best ppl to be christians since they all practise higher (or pretend to be following 7 fold path 5 fold ways)) moral values tahn christians! Perhaps (my own POV)it's far more important to made sure that one's name is written in the book of life, and been washed in the blood of Jesus at the Cross! Daily I have my cross to bear: Alien ^talk 14:57, 5 July 2007 (SGT)

N.B. What is an overcomer?

[edit] Christ and the Church

Jesus save individuals and the church came into being as a results. The purpose of the church is not for political gains, rather for the glory of God. In her (church's) aim to do good in the society, her motivation should be pure, and not allow herself to be accused or blame for grasping with power, however DOING (GOOD) by churches or believers IS for the silent testimony of Jesus towards to the glory of God.

Churches that practice the shunning of others is not the goal of Jesus. ultimate the aim of the universal church is to be evangelistic and help the message to get across cultures, however the practice of shunning its own members have its manipulative aims upon the minds of fellow believers except for shameful practices that caused the Apostle Paul to write: distant from the brother who sinned .

When it's an issue of regarding likes or dislikes, or difference of opinions, don't shun that person who the Lord Jesus also died for..

On major issues, one can agreed to disagree, and don't major on minors...

Preserve the unity is not or never to control another's mind with churchianity!

[edit] Christianity vs. Churchianity

Christianity is not a religion. Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Christianity is the Holy Spirit indwelling believers and guiding them into all truth just as Jesus promised in John 16:13-15. Under Christianity, going to church is like stacks of individual logs, helping each other to stay on fire for the Lord. Under Christianity, the word of God is preached at church and, just as God warns us in Revelation 22:18, nothing is added to it, especially the concept of salvation by good works instead of faith.

Take the Christ out of Christianity and make the church more important than Christ, and you end up with churchianity. Churchianity is a religious social club where the word of God takes a back seat to peer pressure, the appearance of morality and social or political sermons/speeches from the pulpit (if there is a pulpit).

Churchianity encourages Pharisee-type thinking, judging others, and most of all the idea that you can be “good” enough to work your way to heaven if you work real hard at going to church, and work real hard at never saying “no” when asked to serve or do something for the church no matter how over extended or exhausted you already are. When Christian author, C.S. Lewis complained, “The problem with Christianity is Christians,

” he hit the nail right on the head. Let us not be a part of the problem. Let us be part of God’s eternal program: to reach the lost, to love others, and most of all to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and spirit.

When you get to heaven after a life of serving Christ, what difference will it make whether you considered yourself an Armenian or a Calvinist, (or anything else that is invented by man, AND IS NOT EVEN IN THE BIBLE)! Churchianity is complicated. Christianity is so simple that even a small child can understand and accept the gospel message. Man makes churchianity so complicated that it is no wonder those who practice churchianity are loaded down, frustrated and confused.

[edit] STAY ON THE NARROW PATH

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 In the end, Churchianity will be burned up like wood, hay and stubble. Christianity will endure forever! To get back to Christian basics, get back to Jesus, the way the truth and the life. Nothing else really matters. Do you need more Toxic Faith?

by Stephen Arterburn, Jack Felton