A new survey of U.S. adults who don't go to church, even on holidays, finds 72% say "God, a higher or supreme being, actually exists." But just as many (72%) also say the church is "full of hypocrites."
Indeed, 44% agree with the statement "Christians get on my nerves."
LifeWay Research, the research arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, based in Nashville, conducted the survey of 1,402 "unchurched" adults last spring and summer. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points....
In a file photo evangelist Benny Hinn, raises his hands in prayer during a service at the Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan. RONEN ZILBERMANBy JUSTIN JUOZAPAVICIUS (Associated Press Writer) From Associated Press January 10, 2008 11:14 PM EST TULSA, Okla. - Two televangelists have resigned their posts as regents at Oral Roberts University, as the debt-ridden school tries to regroup following a spending scandal involving its former president. The university on Thursday also settled with one of three professors who filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the school.
Benny Hinn and I.V. Hilliard resigned as regents, where they were involved in making major school decisions
Its a small world afterall
Benny Hinn and I.V. Hilliard resigned as regents as the debt-ridden school tries to regroup
The love of money This school may not be a church But don't they teach the shepards
It would indeed take a lot of faith to be one of their flock Not to mention AMAZING GRACE
Mike wrote: Terry, you wrote: "I agree, the Bible says there will be tares among, but not the majority Thats what I refer to, EDIT: Space (not talking someone, I mean many) (to my standards, ? from the little you may know of me, by my comments, do I meet your standards) ? Ok, so I go to the sports bar, golf club or sporting events to serve God. foolish What about home churches, good thing? Thanks" Like minded believers, believers being the key word. In the case of Hebrews 10, verse 19 refers to "brethren." V22,23 begin with "Let us.." V24 begins with "And let us.." Followed by the “not forsaking..” v25. Not speaking of tares, but of True believers. Do you meet my standards? No, why should you? My standards are nothing. You have higher Standards to look to than to those of men. Home churches? Yes, a good thing. My opinion. Hopefully there would be someone there that was somewhat mature in the faith. In any case, if you are there in Jesus' name to honor Him, He will be there in the midst of you. (Matt 18:20) If we can't believe that, it's back to milk. PS True believers are the Church. Church is not a place.
Cool Thanks Mike It just stuck me odd when I read it But then very few understand me from what Im told
Mike, you said: "PS True believers are the Church. Church is not a place."
So Right!!! If true believers are the Church, then how can the Church go to Church.
Think we should get our language right.
1Pe 2:4 For having been drawn to Him, a living Stone, indeed rejected by men, but elect, precious with God; 1Pe 2:5 you also as living stones are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
PS Every believer's body has become an ark of God's new covenant!!!
"I agree, the Bible says there will be tares among, but not the majority Thats what I refer to, ? , I am going to forego fellowship with other like minded believers (like minded with who) because of someone in the church is not to my standards (not talking someone, I mean many) (to my standards, ? from the little you may know of me, by my comments, do I meet your standards)
? Ok, so I go to the sports bar, golf club or sporting events to serve God. foolish What about home churches, good thing?
Thanks"
Like minded believers, believers being the key word. In the case of Hebrews 10, verse 19 refers to "brethren." V22,23 begin with "Let us.." V24 begins with "And let us.." Followed by the “not forsaking..” v25. Not speaking of tares, but of True believers.
Do you meet my standards? No, why should you? My standards are nothing. You have higher Standards to look to than to those of men.
Home churches? Yes, a good thing. My opinion. Hopefully there would be someone there that was somewhat mature in the faith. In any case, if you are there in Jesus' name to honor Him, He will be there in the midst of you. (Matt 18:20) If we can't believe that, it's back to milk.
PS True believers are the Church. Church is not a place.
Jessica Dawson wrote: Greetings in Jesus' name Terry, I think that if a person can find a Biblical Church, then they should attend. Yet if they cannot and persons who practice unrepentant sexual immorality are permitted to take The Lord's supper and other gross immoral sins, then perhaps it would be better to worship at home than to join Christ to an harlot. There are ministers who reject creation and embrace evolution, condone divorce on un-biblical grounds, condone sodomy, condone all manner of sexual immorality, or teach that Christ is just one way to God, there are even those who deny the virgin birth. 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASB) Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." 1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 1 Corinthians 15:33 (Young's Literal Translation) Be not led astray; evil communications corrupt good manners; Faith comes by hearing and hearing by The Word of God, yet if there be no Word of God in a "Church"? Should we be opening ourselves up to that corruption? We shall know the truth and the truth shall set us free, yet many Churches don't preach truth and are in bondage and are slaves to sin. God bless!
I think that if a person can find a Biblical Church, then they should attend. Yet if they cannot and persons who practice unrepentant sexual immorality are permitted to take The Lord's supper and other gross immoral sins, then perhaps it would be better to worship at home than to join Christ to an harlot.
There are ministers who reject creation and embrace evolution, condone divorce on un-biblical grounds, condone sodomy, condone all manner of sexual immorality, or teach that Christ is just one way to God, there are even those who deny the virgin birth.
1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASB) Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."
1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
1 Corinthians 15:33 (Young's Literal Translation) Be not led astray; evil communications corrupt good manners;
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by The Word of God, yet if there be no Word of God in a "Church"? Should we be opening ourselves up to that corruption? We shall know the truth and the truth shall set us free, yet many Churches don't preach truth and are in bondage and are slaves to sin.
Jessica Dawson wrote: Luke 6:39 And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? Hebrews 13:12-14 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Acts 20:28-30 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
Amen conducted the survey The margin of error is, A JOKE So sad, you can get the same inside many churchs today. A few in the Bible said watch
Mike
When I say Don't abandon the assembling could be only 2 or 3 could be a church, not sure
Im not talking about the true church of Christ, thats what goes with this verse, but it doesn't tie it to a church I think the chuch is scattered, (few)small groups
Luke 6:39 And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?
Hebrews 13:12-14 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.
Acts 20:28-30 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
Matthew 7:14-16 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mike Hebrews 10:25[/QUOTE]terry Forsake also means abandon I agree, also for this verse, thanks. But I don't see gathering as a church What I see, the writer talks about Jewish worship, mostly with the sacrifice and offering, and to avoid this stuff Hebrews 10 5Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me 11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins 14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified
Here, he starts talking about Christ 19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh 24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works
Consider one another, Help one another A lot of fear back then, most likly would die as a beliver, and again in end times.
25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching
Don't abandon the assembling could be only 2 or 3 could be a church, not sure
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching"
I for one has left the Church. I attended a local Baptist Church [big Bob Jones fan] for years. I was involved in various aspects of the Church.
But it wasn't until I left the Church system that I really started to grow into the Word.
Every Sunday same old songs, same old message, same old babies milk bottle.
What did I do? I quit the whole Church system, studied for about 7 years. I got into the meat of Yahweh's Word, then started my own radio and TV program.
For me the Church system is not. Maybe for you it is.
It seems to me, that the average Church is more about numbers then saving souls. And of course we know according to Rick Warren, that the more numbers, the more money flowing into the pockets of the ministers.
terry evans wrote: Good point Never thought of that, really I'll reread and get back to you
Mike Can't find the verse to forsake the gathering, you know the verse Do you know?
thanks....(Hebrews 10:25, cool, thanks)
Wise I agree, the Bible says there will be tares among, but not the majority Thats what I refer to, ? , I am going to forego fellowship with other like minded believers (like minded with who) because of someone in the church is not to my standards (not talking someone, I mean many) (to my standards, ? from the little you may know of me, by my comments, do I meet your standards)
? Ok, so I go to the sports bar, golf club or sporting events to serve God. foolish What about home churches, good thing?
This information is given out out about every ten years or so. People who continue to say the Churches are filled with hypocrites are using it as a copout. Let's get this straight, I am going to forego fellowship with other like minded believers because of someone in the church is not to my standards? Ok, so I go to the sports bar, golf club or sporting events to serve God. Man, you either or, or not a Christian. I do not even entertain people who start to spew that type of garbage.
Mike wrote: "Would someone show me that in the Bible And please don't use to forsake the gathering, you know the verse Im sure. Forsake means just that, don't prevent, encourage against, Does not mean GO, NT, Thanks terry" Forsake also means abandon.
Good point Never thought of that, really I'll reread and get back to you
"Would someone show me that in the Bible And please don't use to forsake the gathering, you know the verse Im sure. Forsake means just that, don't prevent, encourage against, Does not mean GO, NT, Thanks
Garden wrote: The growing Liberalism in many churches in towns and cities across the land, is one of the reasons for real Christians to reject the local "buildings" One couple I heard of went to eleven churches in their city and found them all to be of Liberal persuasion. What then is the real Christian to do? (Some have started house churches)
Amen Yet alot continue to attend and tithe at a church were they don't agree with doctrine.
I mean they say they must go to church
Home churches are Biblical, must only teach the Word. Home churches should keep other home churchs informed of their teaching. That way it helps keeping docturne sound its a great way for fellowship.
Most so called churches are full of tares, most teach some sound doctrine, most could care less about you and your spiritual walk(your just part of the crowd), most have at least one thing someone must do to prove there saved.
Would someone show me that in the Bible And please don't use to forsake the gathering, you know the verse Im sure. Forsake means just that, don't prevent, encourage against, Does not mean GO, And what about a christian who does not attend a "formal" church. Are they saved? NT, Thanks
John wrote: Interesting article, and informative too; but it trys too hard to promote the idea that churches are somehow accountable to the people attending them more than they are to the God who established them in the first place....
James Lewis | 7/9/2008
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