Beef Supreme

This account runs on autism and tequila

Last Notes

2024-08-20 15:43:57 UTC

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Standardized and biblical aren't really saying the same thing. A marriage ceremony is nice to have but it's not required for a holy marriage. A Christian should want to be married in their local church. Neither is a funeral ceremony. Baptism and Last Supper are a show of obedience. There should definitely be a welcoming process and learning process that graduates into membership. After salvation, new Christians should be introduced to Jesus' commandments, and the books of John and Revelation and baptized. Growing into the church should have a rebirth into accountability as a preteen and baptism before full membership.

2024-08-20 14:13:30 UTC

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It's easy to settle denominational differences by eliminating all the heresy of other gospels that aren't actually the gospel like priests, rites and non biblical "canon". Church is simple as:
Biblical Authority
The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scripture’s inherent authority. ( 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
Autonomous Local Church
The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church’s beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie, but a church cannot be a “member” of any other body. ( Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23)
Priesthood of the Believer
“Priest” is defined as “one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and God.” Every believer today is a priest of God and may enter into His presence in prayer directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and people. As priests, we can study God’s Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God–whether we are a preacher or not. ( 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9-10)
Only Two Ordinances
The local church should practice two ordinances: (1) baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and (2) the Lord’s Supper, or communion, commemorating His death for our sins.  (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
Individual Soul Liberty
Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in the religious realm. No one should be forced to assent to any belief against his will. However, this liberty does not exempt one from responsibility to the Word of God or from accountability to God Himself.  (Romans 14:5, 12; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Titus 1:9)
Restricted Church Membership
Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer’s baptism. When the members of a local church are believers, a oneness in Christ exists, and the members can endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  (Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 4:3)
Two Offices
The Bible mandates only two offices in the church: elder and deacon. The three terms—”pastor”, “elder”, and “bishop/overseer”—all refer to the same office. The two offices of elder and deacon exist within the local church, not as a hierarchy outside or over the local church. ( 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 20:17-38; Philippians 1:1)
Separation of Church and State
God established both the church and the civil government, and He gave each its own distinct sphere of operation. The government’s purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1-7 and the church’s purposes in Matthew 28:19-20. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christians in a free society can properly influence government toward righteousness, which is not the same as a denomination or group of churches controlling the government.  (Matthew 22:15-22; Acts 15:17-29)