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Title: Three Articles that help explain Israel
Source:
WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
URL Source: http://www.wels.net/news-events/for ... december-2008/invisible-church
Published: Jun 24, 2012
Author: various - Noted at end of each article.
Post Date: 2012-06-24 10:03:21 by SJN
Keywords: None
Views: 260724
Comments: 482
The Invisible Church As the Bible describes the church, it becomes clear that the church is both what we see and what we cannot see. Church. The word paints a picture. You see the building in which you worship. It may be a small, white-frame building set on a hill in the quiet countryside. Or it may be a large, stone structure occupying a street corner in a busy city. It’s not unusual for us to think of a building when we think of church. Worship is an important part of our lives, and that worship takes place in a building we love, whether it is fancy or plain. But that is not the way the word church is used in the Bible. In Scripture, church most often refers to people and not to buildings. The church is invisible In the New Testament the word ecclesia is often translated as church. Ecclesia refers to a group of people who have been called together. It is an assembly. Yet even that definition does not fully explain what the church is. As the Bible describes the church, it becomes clear that the church is both what we see and what we cannot see. The church is both visible and invisible. Why would we call a church invisible? You can see a building. You can see the people who gather in that building. Yet we do speak of the church as invisible in the Apostles’ Creed when we confess “I believe in the holy Christian church, the communion of saints.” Sometimes people mistakenly use the term saint to refer to a person who does an abundance of good deeds, someone who helps others. But the Bible uses the term to describe simply a believer. We even distinguish between believers who have been called home to heaven and those who still battle in this world. We speak of saints triumphant and saints militant. The apostle Peter describes these believers as “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” (1 Peter 2:9). Together all believers form the holy Christian church, a “spiritual house” made up of living stones chosen by God. When the Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts, we become part of this structure. The Lord Jesus can see the faith in our hearts. We, however, can only see the fruits of faith and not the faith itself. Because we cannot see faith, the church is invisible to our eyes. The prophet Elijah did not recognize that there were still seven thousand believers in Israel (1 Kings 19:8-18). He thought that he was the only believer left. Likewise, we cannot always tell whether a person is a believer or an unbeliever. As the Bible describes the church, it becomes clear that the church is both what we see and what we cannot see. Although the church may be invisible to us, the Lord sees his church clearly. “The Lord knows those who are his” (2 Timothy 2:19). At the same time each person knows what is in his or her heart. Trusting in the promises the Lord gives us, we know that we belong to that communion of saints, the church of God. Characteristics of the invisible church This invisible gathering of all believers is not limited by geography. The apostle John reminds us that believers come from different places and “from every nation, tribe, people and language” (Revelation 7:9). In addition, the church is not limited by time. All believers who have lived, are now living, and will live until Jesus returns at the end of time—all these believers are part of this church. The church, the body of all believers, is invisible, and it is also universal. Once again we confess this fact in the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed. “I believe in the holy Christian church.” The first people who used this confession of faith said, “I believe in the holy catholic church.” The word catholic originally had no denominational connotation. It simply meant universal. When catholic became associated with a particular organization, the word Christian was substituted to prevent confusion. In the Apostles’ Creed we confess that we believe that the Lord gathers together everyone whose faith is in Jesus Christ as the Savior. People believe in many things. We say that we believe in our team, in our country, and in people who are dear to us. Likewise, many people believe in some religious figure other than Christ. God’s invisible church gathers together only those people who confess Jesus as their Savior. We distinguish ourselves from the followers of Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and every other religion. We confess that Jesus Christ is true man and true God. We believe that Christ is sinless and perfect and that he is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. As the Bible describes the church, it becomes clear that the church is both what we see and what we cannot see. In a world that suggests that it does not matter what you believe as long as you believe, it becomes important to remember that the invisible church gathers together all believers in Christ. Without faith in Jesus we cannot be saved. Without Jesus we have no part in the communion of saints, the gathering of all believers. Jesus makes that clear when he says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). People die. Church buildings may fall apart. Congregations may disband. But the invisible church continues. The Lord has promised that there will always be true believers who are kept faithful by the power of God. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27,28). What a comfort it is to know that the Holy Spirit, who calls us to faith, also preserves us in that faith through the gospel in Word and sacraments! It is easy to become attached to a congregation. It is in that fellowship that we listen to the good news of Jesus proclaimed. There we hear that our sins are forgiven. In our congregation we draw close to Jesus as we receive the sacrament of his body and blood. Likewise the building in which a congregation worships may be a special place. It may be the same structure in which we were baptized, confirmed, and married. It reminds us of all the blessings God has showered upon us. But we are part of something that is even more valuable, the holy Christian church. Our triune God has brought us together with people we may never see or know on this side of eternity. Through faith the Lord has made us a part of the congregation of all believers. Right now we are not able to see this church in its entirety. Yet what is invisible to our eyes now will be seen when the Lord returns in glory. What a joy it will be to see all believers from every part of the world and from all times! The day will come when we will gather together and praise the God of grace who gives us membership in his family, the invisible church. That church is not really invisible. It is only invisible to us. God sees it clearly. James Korthals, a professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wisconsin, is a member at David’s Star, Jackson. Peter's Picture of the Church 1 Peter 2:4-10 The word "temple" in our modern society usually describes a large, beautiful building which is used for the worship of some god. The use of such temples goes back thousands of years. Peter used it to paint a beautiful word picture of Jesus and his church in 2:4-8. Made up of living stones Jesus is pictured in many ways in John's gospel. Peter adds his own picture here, when he writes, "The Lord Jesus is the living stone" (v. 4). In verse 6 he gives the original source for this statement (Isaiah 28:16), where God said, "Look! I'm laying a stone in Zion [another name for Israel], a very special cornerstone of great value, and the person who believes in him will never be disappointed." In the ancient world the cornerstone was more than a stone on which was carved the date of construction. The cornerstone determined the length, the width, and the height of the building, so that the whole building depended on that cornerstone. That is the picture Peter uses to describe the church in verse 5a, where he says, "And since you are living stones, as you come to him you are built up into a spiritual temple," of which Jesus is the cornerstone. The church is built on Jesus, and around Jesus, the cornerstone. And it is made up of people who are like Jesus--perfectly holy beings in God's sight. That is the way God sees every person who truly believes in Jesus as his or her Savior, because our God-given faith makes us new creatures who are perfectly holy in God's sight, and every such person "will never be disappointed" on Judgment Day. Then Peter explains in verse 7, "This means that he's of great value to you people who believe in him, but for those who don't believe in him, 'the stone which the builders [the Jewish nation as a whole] decided was no good, is the very one which has become the cornerstone'; and 'the stone which will make people stumble, and the rock which will make them fall.' "How clear Peter makes it that Jesus is the difference between eternal life and eternal damnation. We are now a holy group of priests Next Peter uses a new metaphor in verse 5 when he says that the believers who come to Jesus as living stones "are built up into a spiritual temple, to be a holy group of priests, who offer up spiritual sacrifices which God is happy to receive." He continues in verses 9,10, "There was a time when you were no people at all, but now you are God's people. You who never knew God's mercy have now received his mercy." Praise the Lord! Peter is reminding us that there was a time when we were all outsiders, so far as God is concerned, unbelievers who had never heard of the triune God. But now that we have heard the good news and have come to believe it, we are God's people, while the Jews, as a nation, have rejected their Messiah and are outsiders. Now you must take note of the fact that every believer is a priest whose principal occupation it is to offer spiritual sacrifices to our triune God each day of our lives. Yes, from morning to evening we offer our God our thanks and praises for the undeserved love he has shown us by sending first his Son to atone for all our sins, and then his Holy Spirit who has brought us to believe the good news that all our sins are forgiven by Jesus' death on the cross, so that we are now God's children who are perfectly holy in God's sight. Our task as priests is to also bring him our other sacrifices. First there are our time and our talents which we spend carrying out the different tasks we can do as members of our congregations. In some cases we may give our Lord all of our time and talents to serve as pastors, teachers, missionaries, or church office workers. All of us, whether we are active workers or not, can offer the Lord a portion of our financial resources, which represent the value of our time spent in some gainful occupation. And of course the temple in which we serve is known to us as the church, the whole body of believers. The picture of the church that Peter gives us here is perhaps the most complete picture to be found anywhere in the Bible. Julian Anderson is a retired pastor and seminary professor living in Naples, Florida. Samuel: A Judge in Israel Concentrating on the Lord is daunting when dangers clamor for attention. Think back 300 years before Samuel. Following the death of those who carved a Jewish homeland out of Canaan, “another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10). To awaken his spiritually-anesthetized people, God enlisted neighboring nations to harass, enslave, and terrorize Israel. Slapped to consciousness, God’s people recognized their sin, pleaded for forgiveness, and prayed for relief. God then raised up leaders—judges—who with the Lord’s power pushed back the oppressors. Moral and spiritual health flourished. But “when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers . . .” (Judges 2:19). Repenting to God This cycle of godlessness, oppression, repentance, freedom, upright living, and a return to godlessness repeated itself until Samuel. Remember Eli and his sons? 1 Samuel 7 brings us to a repentance and freedom section of that cycle and to Samuel as Israel’s final judge. The Ark of the Covenant remained in the border town of Kiriath-Jearim for 20 years after the Philistines captured it and then returned it to stem a Lord-induced plague. During those two decades “all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the Lord” (7:2). To confirm that renaissance of faith, Samuel summoned his countrymen to a spiritually essential, but politically provocative, act—national purification and rededication. Israel was not a free country. Philistine overlords kept close watch. When their surveillance noticed huge numbers of Israelites staging at Mizpah (literally, “look out point”), their early-warning alarms wailed. Mizpah was a military gem mounted in hills about eight miles north of Jerusalem. Soon the sound of Philistine marching boots, the clank of armor, and the bellow of war trumpets echoed off Mizpah. “When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid . . .” (7:7). No doubt. Concentrating on the Lord is daunting when dangers (dare we add personal problems or financial difficulties) clamor for attention. Victory through God Samuel, however, urged Israel to fasten on God. “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us” (7:8). Strength was not in their military might, but in the Lord’s omnipotence. God confirmed that. With Israeli knees bent in prayer and without an Israeli sword unsheathed, God’s deafening thunder routed the Philistine army. Panicked, the troops stumbled south toward safety. Their backs made easy targets. The Philistine losses that day did not completely free Israel. We await Saul and David to accomplish that. Israel, however, did enjoy a season of peace with Philistia and, as a fringe benefit, with the Amorites. Concentrating on the Lord is daunting when dangers clamor for attention. To mark the victory, Samuel set up a monument called Ebenezer (“stone of help”). Ebenezer stones (church cornerstones, wedding anniversaries, birthdays) remind us, “Thus far has the Lord helped us.” But our most conclusive proof that there’s always an upside in our downside world is Jesus, “the stone the builders rejected [that] has become the capstone” (1 Peter 2:7). James A. Aderman is pastor at Fairview, Milwaukee.
(The Following article should help to illuminate why the Nation of Israel and it's people have seen thousands of years of turmoil).
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#364. To: sneakypete (#360)
Idiot. Now go prove your statement that the founding fathers changed their opinions or religion.
You said there were founders that for expedient sake went along to get along and changed their minds on their Christian beliefs later. Prove it.
You are so blinded by your hate that you deny evidence through out the ages. You're too foolish for words.
Are you for "fag marriage" Fred?
Do you deny homosexuals exist, have existed and will continue to exist? Do you want to stone them to death, Mr. Taliban?
Do you want to stone them to death, Mr. Taliban? No don't deny it exists. Why the dumb question? No I don't deny it will continue to exist. Another dumb question. No I don't want to stone them to death. Taliban?? Don't be stupid. Now answer my original question. With the additional question if you think teachers in school should teach your grand kids that it is normal.
If they want to be as miserable as most married couples, let them have at it.
Is that your serious answer?
He is totally insane and in love with his strange rationalizations. He has no brains to back up his hubris with.
He's run all of the wimmens away. He's a total loOser.
Prove it. Prove God exists,retard.
"It is impossible to talk reason with those who can only parrot Party Slogans." sneakypete Sept 2011 Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs Steve Jobs,life-long Dim,and major Barry Soetoro supporter.
Which one of us has a life that revolves around a mythical character and believes in virgin birth,life after death,etc,etc,etc? Guess what,Buckwheat. When you die they bury or cremate you,and that's the end of it for you for all of eternity.
"It is impossible to talk reason with those who can only parrot Party Slogans." sneakypete Sept 2011 Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs Steve Jobs,life-long Dim,and major Barry Soetoro supporter.
I get you now. You are one of those evolutionists that like to fuck monkeys. Ok monkey fucker.
What does that make you,one of those thumpers that likes to fuck the children of God that were created in his image? Do you make them shave first? Does God know about this?
"It is impossible to talk reason with those who can only parrot Party Slogans." sneakypete Sept 2011 Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs Steve Jobs,life-long Dim,and major Barry Soetoro supporter.
If we are a nation of laws in which every INDIVIDUAL is subject. It doesn't matter race, religion, or the desire to screw the same sex. I've also noticed the .gov wants to know what I've had for breakfast...and color of my feces. (I NEVER check THAT box, lol). You're right - in a nation of individuals demographic info like financial, race, color, sexual preference, and creed mean nothing....except that this info helps politicians find out who mostly to pander.
And Stone is "Mr. Taliban"...why, again? Because he's Christian OR won't bend over as you demand, Fred?
Fred where are you today? Stone...seen Fred today?
I'll believe that a corporation is a person 1 second after Texas executes one...
Hey Sneak...drinking a PBR right now...
I'll believe that a corporation is a person 1 second after Texas executes one...
They still make that stuff??? I figured you would drink some some of the local fare like Ithaca or Checker Cab....
Political Bumper Stickers: The fastest way in the world to let people know you are a total dumbass.... Total number of Obama 2012 bumper stickers I've seen so far......5.. Total number of Romney 2012 bumper stickers I've seen so far...0.. Total number of Obama vs GW Bush 2012 bumper stickers....2!!
Hey,yourself. ..drinking a PBR right now...<< Couldn't find anything else? Yeah,it's better than Budweizer,but so is everything else. Next time look around for some Miller High Life in a frosty bottle.
"It is impossible to talk reason with those who can only parrot Party Slogans." sneakypete Sept 2011 Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs Steve Jobs,life-long Dim,and major Barry Soetoro supporter.
I could maybe give Ithaca a shot,but sane people drink beer named Checker Cab? Do they have a specific amount of urine and vomit in each bottle?
"It is impossible to talk reason with those who can only parrot Party Slogans." sneakypete Sept 2011 Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs Steve Jobs,life-long Dim,and major Barry Soetoro supporter.
If it was brewed in the back seat of a Checker Cab then I would have to say yes!! LOL....
Political Bumper Stickers: The fastest way in the world to let people know you are a total dumbass.... Total number of Obama 2012 bumper stickers I've seen so far......5.. Total number of Romney 2012 bumper stickers I've seen so far...0.. Total number of Obama vs GW Bush 2012 bumper stickers....2!!
Sex is more then a perception of how reality should be. Without consent it is a crime of violence. I don't see where I ever called for rape to be legal, Stone. Two adults freely involved in a relationship enrages you if you do not approve of it. You sit there and wish violence on people and express hatred of them because you disapprove. But your disapproval and hatred is a form of cultural perversion every bit as distasteful and uncalled for as murder is. You fall down on the point of the difference between the two things you compare. Murder will never be acceptable; neither will the concept of people forcing their ideas of what constitutes a bond between two people in a meaningful and enduring way on them by others. Basically Stone,if you don't want a relationship with another man, by all means, don't have one. And if others are led there by their own passions and hearts, put the weapons of hate and intolerance down; the only one sounding and acting like a cruel and hateful in any discussion here on this topic is you. Get out of the bedroom of other people. What you do in regards to wishing to strong arm control of others by any means necessary is
Sex is more then a perception of how reality should be. Without consent it is a crime of violence. I don't see where I ever called for rape to be legal, Stone. Two adults freely involved in a relationship enrages you if you do not approve of it. You sit there and wish violence on people and express hatred of them because you disapprove. But your disapproval and hatred is a form of cultural perversion every bit as distasteful and uncalled for as murder is. You fall down on the point of the difference between the two things you compare. Murder will never be acceptable; neither will the concept of people forcing their ideas of what constitutes a bond between two people in a meaningful and enduring way on them by others. Basically Stone,if you don't want a relationship with another man, by all means, don't have one. And if others are led there by their own passions and hearts, put the weapons of hate and intolerance down; the only one sounding and acting like a cruel and hateful in any discussion here on this topic is you. Get out of the bedroom of other people. What you do in regards to wishing to strong arm control of others by any means necessary is what the problem here is.
When queer freaks try to pass it off as normal to kids. They deserve the death penalty. That includes you.
That is why the NIGGER you did vote for has murdered people with drones and he is for child murder like most all democrats.
To: Ferret Mike Would you change your name to the faggot crusader? Would you change yours to stupid dipshit?
Thanks, could use you back at LP. The Orthodox crowd misses your perspective:)
As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. -Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV)
And of course you cede defeat, given you have nothing in which to respond to my comments. Insults don't count bubba.
As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. -Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV)
It's a propaganda piece,comrade! Some of those men were genuinely true believers their whole lives. Others were believers of convenience in order to get along without persecution,and others changed their minds later on. And of course no church newsletter is going to include any of this. There is plenty of white space here, so show quotes where they denounced their faith or were later to be called liars.
As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. -Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV)
Isn't that another claim you are making? Do you REALLY think this is the first time I have seen that shit? Must have been the first time pete, because what you post shows you did not have a clue.
As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. -Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV)
Yeah,your perception is truly amazing. I guess it must have escaped your limited attention,but I have never came to accept your delusions as truth,even though I firmly believe you have a right to them if that's what makes you happy.
"It is impossible to talk reason with those who can only parrot Party Slogans." sneakypete Sept 2011 Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs Steve Jobs,life-long Dim,and major Barry Soetoro supporter.
Why? You will just deny it. You deal in faith,not facts.
"It is impossible to talk reason with those who can only parrot Party Slogans." sneakypete Sept 2011 Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs Steve Jobs,life-long Dim,and major Barry Soetoro supporter.
Lol, truly
. Ahhhh... Do sneaky and I get your panties in a wad and make you cry, champ? Boo-hoo... Sniffle, sniffle.
Are you laffing because you don't believe in immaculate conception? Why can't you just believe and shaddup? What is wrong with you? The devil got your soul?
To: Fred Mertz, A K A Stone You just went to #1 on my a-hole list. He should ban you too. Maybe we should call you RimJob Lite, champ.
As a combat veteran who was in an elite combat arms unit, Pete has earned the right to speak his piece. What you hate about Pete is he comes about his opinions honestly by actually using his mind to absorb information and talking intelligently about it. To a party hack one horse pony who squeaks the rightie line, such a man would be an afford to you. I feel your pain ToCo , and don't give a rip you suffer it.
You as yet have not shown any facts to back your thesis what so ever. So I guess we must go on 'faith' that you know what you're talking about. lol
I don't think you understood TooConservative at all. But, tomorrow the sparklers go off!
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Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestAnd there you have it. To the believers is about faith,not being right or wrong.
#365. To: sneakypete (#360)
#366. To: sneakypete (#361)
will convince people who operate off of faith
#367. To: Fred Mertz (#362)
#368. To: A K A Stone (#367)
#369. To: Fred Mertz (#368)
Do you deny homosexuals exist, have existed and will continue to exist?
#370. To: A K A Stone (#369)
Now answer my original question.
#371. To: Fred Mertz (#370)
If they want to be as miserable as most married couples, let them have at it.
#372. To: Fred Mertz (#362)
"You are about as abnormal as they come, Stone." '
#373. To: Ferret Mike (#372)
#374. To: SJN (#365)
You said there were founders that for expedient sake went along to get along and changed their minds on their Christian beliefs later.
#375. To: SJN (#366)
You're too foolish for words.
#376. To: sneakypete (#374)
Prove God exists,retard.
#377. To: A K A Stone (#376)
I get you now. You are one of those evolutionists that like to fuck monkeys. Ok monkey fucker.
#378. To: SJN (#363)
(Edited)
Every application or document I fill out, or have filled out for the last decade I refuse to mark my race. Have you noticed that usually it is anything to do with the Gov. that want's to know your race? Census, etc.
#379. To: Fred Mertz, A K A Stone (#368)
Do you want to stone them to death, Mr. Taliban?
#380. To: A K A Stone, Fred Mertz (#371)
(Edited)
#381. To: sneakypete (#377)
#382. To: war (#381)
Hey Sneak...drinking a PBR right now...
#383. To: war (#381)
Hey Sneak.
#384. To: CZ82 (#382)
I figured you would drink some some of the local fare like Ithaca or Checker Cab....
#385. To: sneakypete (#384)
Do they have a specific amount of urine and vomit in each bottle?
#386. To: A K A Stone (#359)
"There are murderers who are living normal lives with jobs, school and everthing else the same as everyone else with the small exception of a different perspective on if killing someone is right. After all some in society say killing babies is ok. So killing adults is ok too right?"
#387. To: A K A Stone (#359)
"There are murderers who are living normal lives with jobs, school and everthing else the same as everyone else with the small exception of a different perspective on if killing someone is right. After all some in society say killing babies is ok. So killing adults is ok too right?"
#388. To: Ferret Mike (#386)
Two adults freely involved in a relationship enrages you if you do not approve of it. You sit there and wish violence on people and express hatred of them because you disapprove.
#389. To: Ferret Mike (#387)
Murder will never be acceptable;
#390. To: A K A Stone (#155)
#391. To: SJN (#336)
#392. To: sneakypete (#341)
The true meaning of tolerance is this: you have a position, I have a position, we do not agree with each other's position but depart peacefully. What comes after this is called acceptance. Acceptance would be we have opposing views and one of us backs down and "accepts" the other's position as their own. That's the same place my eyes glazed over before. It's moronic.
#393. To: sneakypete (#342)
More copy and paste bullshit "snap shots in time" of various letters written during these mens long lives to highlight a religious belief. Churches have been pushing this propaganda since the country was founded.
#394. To: sneakypete (#344)
WOW! And all of that is original to you,huh?
#395. To: redleghunter (#392)
And of course you cede defeat,
#396. To: redleghunter (#393)
There is plenty of white space here, so show quotes where they denounced their faith or were later to be called liars.
#397. To: sneakypete (#395)
Yeah,your perception is truly amazing.
Say hello to your grandma for me.
#398. To: TooConservative, sneakypete (#182)
And people like pete bring their gay buddies like meguro along for the ride.
#399. To: Biff Tannen, sneakypete (#397)
#400. To: TooConservative (#199)
#401. To: TooConservative (#182)
"It transforms free speech into primarily a freedom to blare their hate speech at everyone."
#402. To: sneakypete (#396)
Why? You will just deny it. You deal in faith,not facts.
#403. To: Ferret Mike, TooConservative (#401)
To a party hack one horse pony who squeaks the rightie line
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