The purpose of "THE CHURCH"

[Stan]

The purpose of "THE CHURCH" is to what?

Vindicate God's Character? How's that going?

[skyblue888]

"The church of Christ, every individual disciple of the Master, is heaven's appointed channel for the revelation of God to men." Mount of Blessing, 40.

How's that?

[skyblue888]

Stan, are you a deist?

[Overaged]

No. Stan is a Jesuit!

[skyblue888]

Over, I know that but I want to know if he is also a deist :)

[Overaged]

The purpose of "THE CHURCH" is to what?

Vindicate God's Character? How's that going?

Well; my friend; it depends on where we look I guess, eh?

[Overaged]

Over, I know that but I want to know if he is also a deist

[Gail]

I like to think of the church as God's hands of mercy to the world

Stan, you're a hoot.

[skyblue888]

Originally Posted By: skyblue888

Over, I know that but I want to know if he is also a deist

LOL, OK Well; I will answer for him. I am sure he wouldn't mind. No. Stan is not a deist; especially considering that the word is thus defined:

Quote:

A person who believes that God created the universe and then abandoned it

Why would you ask him such a question, especially in light of the OP? Are you serious here? (I was just joking when I called him Jesuit).

A deist: "A person who believes that God created the universe and then abandoned it."

Exactly. Stan started this thread and abandoned it. That's why I asked. hehehe

sky

[Overaged]

I like to think of the church as God's hands of mercy to the world

Stan, you're a hoot.

[Overaged]

Whew!!

[Gail]

Exactly. Stan started this thread and abandoned it. That's why I asked. hehehe

sky

You mean he CREATED it and then left it?

I've never heard him referred to before as the creator!

[John317]

The purpose of "THE CHURCH" is to what?

Vindicate God's Character? How's that going?

There's a war on, and as in all wars, we have "the fog of war." That's what we see now. But if people will look closely, they will see evidence that indeed God's church is vindicating His character.

Vindicating God's character is the same as vindicating His law. That's an unpopular teaching and doesn't agree with the popular gospel in the world today.

You can be assured that by the time Christ returns, the whole universe will see plainly that the church has vindicated God's character. But according to Daniel 12: 10, the wicked will have missed this vindication.

Quote:

God has a church on earth who are lifting up the downtrodden law, and presenting to the world the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. . . . {LDE 43.1}

There is but one church in the world who are at the present time standing in the breach and making up the hedge, building up the old waste places. . . . {LDE 43.2}

Let all be careful not to make an outcry against the only people who are fulfilling the description given of the remnant people, who keep the commandments of God and have faith in Jesus. . . . {LDE 43}

God has a distinct people, a church on earth, second to none, but superior to all in their facilities to teach the truth, to vindicate the law of God. God has divinely appointed agencies—men whom He is leading, who have borne the heat and burden of the day, who are cooperating with heavenly instrumentalities to advance the kingdom of Christ in our world. Let all unite with these chosen agents, and be found at last among those who have the patience of the saints, who keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus. 429 {CCh 240.4}

In the final victory, God will have no use for those persons who are nowhere to be found in time of peril and danger, when the strength, courage, and influence of all are required to make a charge upon the enemy. Those who stand like faithful soldiers to battle against wrong and to vindicate the right, warring against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, will each receive the commendation from the Master, "Well done, good and faithful servant; . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." [Matthew 25:23.]--Testimonies for the Church," Vol. III, pages 320-327.

The same masterful mind that plotted against the faithful in ages past is still seeking to rid the earth of those who fear God and obey His law. Satan will excite indignation against the humble minority who conscientiously refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God. Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith. By false representations and angry appeals they will stir up the passions of the people. Not having a "Thus saith the Scriptures" to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath, they will resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack. To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for a Sunday law. Those who fear God cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the Decalogue. On this battlefield comes the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Now, as in the days of Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people. {5T 450.2}

[Guest]

Amen brother!!!

[Overaged]

No. Stan is a Jesuit!

[Stan]

the old monk outfit still fit.

[Overaged]

the old monk outfit still fit.

LOL; I have to admit, I really guffawed when I saw this...

[skyblue888]

Originally Posted By: Stan Jensen

The purpose of "THE CHURCH" is to what?

Vindicate God's Character? How's that going?

There's a war on, and as in all wars, we have "the fog of war." That's what we see now. But if people will look closely, they will see evidence that indeed God's church is vindicating His character.

Vindicating God's character is the same as vindicating His law. That's an unpopular teaching and doesn't agree with the popular gospel in the world today.

You can be assured that by the time Christ returns, the whole universe will see plainly that the church has vindicated God's character. But according to Daniel 12: 10, the wicked will have missed this vindication.

Quote:

God has a church on earth who are lifting up the downtrodden law, and presenting to the world the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. . . . {LDE 43.1}

There is but one church in the world who are at the present time standing in the breach and making up the hedge, building up the old waste places. . . . {LDE 43.2}

Let all be careful not to make an outcry against the only people who are fulfilling the description given of the remnant people, who keep the commandments of God and have faith in Jesus. . . . {LDE 43}

God has a distinct people, a church on earth, second to none, but superior to all in their facilities to teach the truth, to vindicate the law of God. God has divinely appointed agencies—men whom He is leading, who have borne the heat and burden of the day, who are cooperating with heavenly instrumentalities to advance the kingdom of Christ in our world. Let all unite with these chosen agents, and be found at last among those who have the patience of the saints, who keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus. 429 {CCh 240.4}

In the final victory, God will have no use for those persons who are nowhere to be found in time of peril and danger, when the strength, courage, and influence of all are required to make a charge upon the enemy. Those who stand like faithful soldiers to battle against wrong and to vindicate the right, warring against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, will each receive the commendation from the Master, "Well done, good and faithful servant; . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." [Matthew 25:23.]--Testimonies for the Church," Vol. III, pages 320-327.

The same masterful mind that plotted against the faithful in ages past is still seeking to rid the earth of those who fear God and obey His law. Satan will excite indignation against the humble minority who conscientiously refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God. Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith. By false representations and angry appeals they will stir up the passions of the people. Not having a "Thus saith the Scriptures" to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath, they will resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack. To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for a Sunday law. Those who fear God cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the Decalogue. On this battlefield comes the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Now, as in the days of Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people. {5T 450.2}

"Satan will excite indignation against the humble minority who conscientiously refuse to accept popular customs and traditions."

John, by "the faithful minority," do you think Mrs. White is talking about the SDA denomiation or about a faithful few within the denomination who will even be persecuted by the denomination and the rest of the world?

sky

[skyblue888]

I am asking because if we take a look at the church in the days of Christ, who was vincicating the character of God? Jesus was. And He had to do it opposed by a church which had been called to vindicate the character of God in the earth! Jesus was pretty much alone vindicating the character of God then and when He died on the cross, even His disciples left Him. By leaving Him they demonstrated that even after spending three and a half years with Him they were not yet prepared to vindicate the character of God in their lives, how much less those who composed the Sanhedrin and the majority of their supporters. These did not reflect God's character and yet were sticklers to the law. In such a condition they could never vindicate the character of God even if they had a high regard for the law.

Mrs. White has warned us that we are repeating their history, especially as we enter upon the closing work.

sky