Since the Bible states several times that the purpose of the Christian Congregation is for public preaching (Matthew 11:1; 24:14; 28:19, 20; Acts 5:42; 20:20; Romans 10:15, etc), who do you feel are the ones doing this and are they true Christians?
2006-06-28 15:41:25 · 14 answers · asked by johnusmaximus1 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm looking for answers that refer me to denominations.
2006-06-28 15:46:21 · update #1
It seems signficant that the relatively small religion of Jehovah's Witnesses are the ones best known for their worldwide preaching work. Yet Jesus commanded that ALL who would call themselves "Christian" perform this public work:
(Matthew 28:19,20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org
2006-06-28 17:29:02 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Are you talking about street preaching? Cuz I think preaching in church is public preaching. I think it is less important where one preaches and more important what one preaches. There are some denominations in which the average member rarely opens a bible. I will not name any of them here but it is vital that they teach that they bible is the infallible word of God. Otherwise they will start to substitute man's wisdom for God's wisdom. That is the same thing the Jews did before Christ came.
2006-06-28 15:56:09 · answer #2 · answered by unicorn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe the congregation is partly for preaching. But that doesn't mean that only Christians go to Church. And it doesn't mean that if you do not go, that you are not a Christian.
If all apples are fruits, and fruits are apples, are oranges fruits?
If an orange is a fruit and an orange is orange, does that mean that a carrot is a fruit also because it is orange?
The world was once flat. It was a fact and a belief. It was later proved to be an inaccurate fact.
A fact or a truth is only what you believe to be the truth. If you believe they are Christian then they are. If you believe they are not, then they are not.
2006-06-28 15:53:23 · answer #3 · answered by game buddee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Real Christians
One of the most frustrating aspects of conversing with Christians has to do with the definition of the term Christian itself. It's easy for anyone to point the finger at the history of Christianity and show its atrocities…the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Nazis… But it is equally easy for someone else to say, "They weren't True Christians."
Now just what do you say to that? (If you're smart, you say nothing and walk away. But I'm not always smart.)
It seems that every Christian has their own definition of what it means to be a Christian. Silly me, I always thought a Christian was one who worshipped Jesus Christ as his/her savior. But to listen to some people, there's far more to it than that. Now, they can't come to an agreement on what those things might be, but they all insist that anyone who doesn't fit their special little definition isn't a Christian. The bible itself isn't clear on the subject, either. But then, the bible is full of contradictory passages, so this should be no surprise.
Some examples of the modern Christian's perspectives... I know of no Christian who accepts that Hitler and the Nazis could possibly have been Christian, despite Hitler's many speeches and writings, despite his words to friends, and despite the vocal beliefs of many of his followers. Similarly, groups like the KKK "aren't Christian," either, even though they constantly refer to Jesus. Catholics? No, they're not True Christians, according to many Protestants. And vice versa.
I've been told that the behaviors of some "supposed" Christians aren't in keeping with the Scriptures, which teach forgiveness, love, and kindness, blah blah blah…
Well, the thing is, some biblical writings do teach such behavior. However, the "good book" is also full of actual examples of the opposite, and from "godly" men, too. Overall, it's a situation of "do as I say, not as I do." And we all know how well that works.
If one were to approach someone described as not being a "real" Christian, they'd insist that they are as "real" as they come. And in their minds, they probably are. So what point is really made by saying they aren't? It's simply a way to dismiss them, to write them off as being pretenders. But that doesn't change the fact that they are, whether one likes it or not, a representative of their professed beliefs. They may not be representative of the best aspects of said belief, but few people are, no matter the beliefs.
To my way of thinking, if you call yourself a Christian, and believe yourself to be a Christian, then it doesn't matter a bit if others think you're Christian or not. It's just a situation of some Christians not wanting to accept that Christians can be scum, just like anyone else.
2006-06-28 15:47:09 · answer #4 · answered by brianna_the_angel777 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To understand a true Christian you must know what a true Christian is. Read the book of Romans and then the Book of James. A true Christian you can tell it by their actions not what they preach. If Christ is the madel they follow then it will show in there actions. They will live their lives by faith, putting other people before themselves. It truly isn't hard to see, I will show you by my actions what I believe not by words alone.
For with the mouth men tell lies but their action will betray their words and you don't have to wait long to see it.
Dead Man Walking
2006-06-28 15:53:38 · answer #5 · answered by Dead Man Walking 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jehovahs Witnesses are following the command to preach to all the inhabited earth for a witness to all nations---This work is being done in more than 235 lands. We want all meek ones to learn about God's Kingdom and the blessings it will bestow on mankind in the near future. And, yes we are true Christians.
2006-06-28 15:49:16 · answer #6 · answered by Micah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think this is a very questionable interpretation of these passages. The "purpose" of the "Christian Congregation" as you call it (i.e. the Church) is not public preaching - it is the healing of souls and the restoration of the faithful to communion with God first, and also with their fellow men, through the sacramental life in Christ.
2006-06-28 15:48:47 · answer #7 · answered by LDRship 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He ordained the people before he sent them out to preach. Just because you ar christian does not mean you should preach. These were the apostles and paul we are talking about, not people uneducated in theology like the people preching on thestreet corners and on the internet. Just because They could, doesn't mean you should.
2006-06-28 15:52:13 · answer #8 · answered by judy_r8 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Preach the Gospel at all Time and only when absolutly necessary use words" St. Augistine
We all are preaching at all times, most of us are tring to be the best Christians we can be.
"We are an imperfect people serving a perfect God"
2006-06-28 15:47:38 · answer #9 · answered by mike g 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Joel Osteen, Robert Schuller are good.
Martin Luther King was a good example when he was living.
2006-06-28 15:45:20 · answer #10 · answered by Sweetgal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋