Questions for the church (the body of Christ)

[ChristB4us]

What is your eschatological view? How does your stance on this matter impact your theological views?

That Jesus Christ is coming as the Bridegroom to receive the abiding bride of Christ to where He is now with the Father at the pre great tribulation rapture event when God, the Lord Jesus Christ, will judge His house first.

Any not found abiding in Him but in unrepentant iniquity, will be disqualified & excommunicated from the Marriage Supper in Heaven. What the church is supposed to do on earth, per 1 Corinthians 5th Chapter KJV and if the church failed to do, God will do it at the rapture.

Those left behind are still saved, but missed out on being partakers of the firstfruits of the resurrection to be that vessel unto honor in His House, crowned by Him by His crowning achievements in them since no flesh shall glory in His Presence.

So how do we run that race? Not by looking to ourselves in doing the best we can, but by looking to Jesus Christ, thereby trusting Him to help us lay aside every weight ( provisions for the flesh ) & sin daily in walking in the light in fellowship with the Father & the Son in bearing fruit and that our joy may be full. I know I need His help daily to remind me to look to Him to help me to suffer the indignity & oppression that I am suffering now by His grace & by His help to endure to the end as I dare say He is carrying me as my confidence is in Him to finish that race to His glory. That is the only way to avoid being a castaway and the stripes the Father will give for His servants left behind.

1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. 41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. 49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

So running that race is not for obtaining salvation, because we are saved as we look to Jesus Christ to help us abide in Him and be willing to go to escape what is coming on the earth as that fire will come on the third of the earth ( Revelation 8:7 ) after the rapture event; Luke 17:26-36 The high prize of our calling is to be that vessel unto honor in His House which has to be done by faith in Jesus Christ to finish that race.

 

[ChristB4us]

Why do trials occur? What is the purpose of suffering?

For our perfection....

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Look at what I need His help with everyday.... to love my enemies and to forgive them for they know not what they do.

Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

1 Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

1 Peter 4:1Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

May the Lord Jesus Christ help me to suffer this with His love and all the other fruits of the Spirit I shall have to get me through this.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[ChristB4us]

What role in leadership do you believe women should have within the church? In what context should they teach? Are there any restrictions?

The women should have no leadership nor teaching roles in the assembly.

It is Adam's fault for why that is, because he had hearkened unto the woman's word, rather than God's words.

1 Corinthians 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

1 Timothy 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Women should apply verse 15 in regards to being saved from being judged as not abiding in Him as it can also be adding to being ready to escape what is coming on the earth in these latter days.

Women are used in outward ministry and I dare say that if they were leaning on the Lord to see what they can do outside of the assembly, like social gatherings and public evangelism, they can be seen as valued in bringing in new members and keeping members active socially that they would want to come to church.

They are not to be elders nor deacons. Churches nowadays has term limits on elders & deacons but that is not found in scripture for why the church "runs" out of men. churches will even add vows to the office of elders & deacons but that is running against scripture as far as Matthew 5:33-37 & Galatians 5:1 warns of.

Main complaint of the women today is that the men are not doing enough, and so why take their leadership roles in the church, thus aiding and abetting in their lack of activity within the body of Christ?

Not to mention that it should be a sign to the pastor that discipleship is lacking in the church if the men are behaving in that way.

 

[ChristB4us]

How should a Christian think about politics? What is the framework a believer should use to decide who to support politically?

The way I am seeing it is that we are always voting for the lesser of two evils. I am paranoid to think this is on purpose to destroy America within so that the value of the American dollar may collapse, Civil War comes about, and the New World order would come in, but Jesus Christ is still Lord.

So we are not to look to man to make a difference, but to the Lord Jesus Christ by praying for our leaders; no matter who wins the election.

Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

A leader may be evil but God has a way to redirect them.

Proverbs 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

We should pray for our elected leaders more often regardless if we think they are the bad ones.

 

[ReverendRV]

1. What is the role and purpose of the Church? How do you measure its success?
2. What is church membership? How would you support it biblically? What makes one a member of a church?
3. What is church discipline? How would you support it biblically? How should it be used within the body?
4. What is baptism? Who is it for? What does it do, mean, or symbolize? What is your view on infant baptism?
5. What is your eschatological view? How does your stance on this matter impact your theological views?
6. Why do trials occur? What is the purpose of suffering?
7. What role in leadership do you believe women should have within the church? In what context should they teach? Are there any restrictions?
8. How should a Christian think about politics? What is the framework a believer should use to decide who to support politically?
9. What role should counseling have in the life of a believer? What should counseling look like and in which contexts should it occur? Should we ever recommend a licensed counselor?

Church Membership is joining a local Body of Saints in the corporate Worship and Service of God...

 

[ChristB4us]

What role should counseling have in the life of a believer? What should counseling look like and in which contexts should it occur? Should we ever recommend a licensed counselor?

We should always bring any & all matters to the Lord.

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

If the Lord provides help through the members of the body of Christ, may we acknowledge the One that is ministering rather than looking to that counselor.

1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

As for any outside help like a licensed therapist or counselor, take that matter to the Lord. You may try it but find that He is better to go to, so as to talk to in prayer and hoping in Him to lead you with His discernment in His words that answers whatever issues you are dealing with.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

 

[ReverendRV]

1. What is the role and purpose of the Church? How do you measure its success?
2. What is church membership? How would you support it biblically? What makes one a member of a church?
3. What is church discipline? How would you support it biblically? How should it be used within the body?
4. What is baptism? Who is it for? What does it do, mean, or symbolize? What is your view on infant baptism?
5. What is your eschatological view? How does your stance on this matter impact your theological views?
6. Why do trials occur? What is the purpose of suffering?
7. What role in leadership do you believe women should have within the church? In what context should they teach? Are there any restrictions?
8. How should a Christian think about politics? What is the framework a believer should use to decide who to support politically?
9. What role should counseling have in the life of a believer? What should counseling look like and in which contexts should it occur? Should we ever recommend a licensed counselor?

Acts 2:47 NKJV; praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.