Question for my fellow Christians...?

Question

Tell which Church?

Jesus only founded one Church. So I ask, tell which Church? Which Church is this bible passage telling us to go to?

"If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector." -The Holy Bible (Matthew 18:17)

apmresearch@..., you didn't answer my question. Why would Jesus tell someone to tell "the collective body of Christ"? This would not make any sense.

Why are Protestants reading into this what the bible passage does not say. I think it is pretty straight forward and clear. It's not like it's a parable or something.

Randy G. -all of the easten Churches recognized the authority of the Bishop of Rome and were in full communion with the Bishop of Rome up until the Eastern Church separated from Rome and went in to schism in 1054.

Michael C, this website answers all of your questions:
http://www.catholic.com/

Answer 1

The one Church that has been around since the time of Christ.
The Church that wrote the New Testament, canonized the Bible in the 4th Century and preserved the Scriptures throughout history.
The Church founded by Christ in Matt 16:18 and following.
The Church described in the Apostles Creed;
The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Answer 2

I agree with John.
But not with rmw82
Matt.16:18:" And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
I do not see the catholic church mentioned here at all.

http://www.bible.ca/catholic-doctrine.htm
The following list give a summation of what we have been trying to emphasize. If the Bible is a Catholic book,

1. Why does it condemn clerical dress? (Matt. 23:5-6).
2. Why does it teach against the adoration of Mary? (Luke 11:27-28).
3. Why does it show that all Christians are priests? (1 Pet. 2:5,9).
4. Why does it condemn the observance of special days? (Gal. 4:9-11).
5. Why does it teach that all Christians are saints? (1 Cor. 1:2).
6. Why does it condemn the making and adoration of images? (Ex. 20:4-5).
7. Why does it teach that baptism is immersion instead of pouring? (Col. 2:12).
8. Why does it forbid us to address religious leaders as "father"? (Matt. 23:9).
9. Why does it teach that Christ is the only foundation and not the apostle Peter? (1 Cor. 3:11).
10. Why does it teach that there is one mediator instead of many? (1 Tim. 2:5).
11. Why does it teach that a bishop must be a married man? (1 Tim. 3:2, 4-5).
12. Why is it opposed to the primacy of Peter? (Luke 22:24-27).
13. Why does it oppose the idea of purgatory? (Luke 16:26).
14. Why is it completely silent about infant baptism, instrumental music in worship, indulgences, confession to priests, the rosary, the mass, and many other things in the Catholic Church?

Answer 3

Most Protestants would assume that the "church" in this context means the leadership, not everyone. So it would be the leadership of the local church that the person is accountable to (I.E.: a member of), just like in the days of the apostles.

***Edit***

The Greek Orthodox Church predates the Roman Catholic Church. So, using your logic, all catholics are apostates, because they were excommunicated from the Greek church (the original) by the Bishop of Constantinople in 1472!

***Edit again***

Recognizing the authority of the Bishop of Rome does not make the Easter Orthodox Church a part of the Roman Catholic Church, now or ever, because they have never recognized the primacy of the Pope. And them might be a little offended by someone implying that they were.

But thanks for correcting me on the date. I suspected that I saw somewhere that it was sometime in the 11th century, but I couldn't find it again.

May the peace of Christ be upon you, my brothers! ^_^

Answer 4

That Bible passage is actually refering to someone in the church or aka congregation who is sinning and could possible harm the church(people in it). The verse right before it talks about if he sins agains you, you and him talk it over. Like trying to make him see what he did wrong so he can repent. If he doesnt listen to you bring one or two more from the church to talk to him. 'If he still doesnt listen then tell the church is he refuses to listen even to the church then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector'. So after that you should not treat him or her as your brother anymore, but as just a man of the world. Removing him from the church or congregation as to not let him harm others. Does that help?

Answer 5

1. Jesus started one true Christian religion. So today there must be just one body, or group, of true worshipers of Jehovah God. (John 4:23, 24; Ephesians 4:4, 5) The Bible teaches that only a few people are on the narrow road to life.—Matthew 7:13, 14.

2. The Bible foretold that after the death of the apostles, wrong teachings and unchristian practices would slowly come into the Christian congregation. Men would draw away believers to follow them instead of Christ. (Matthew 7:15, 21-23; Acts 20:29, 30) That is why we see so many different religions that claim to be Christian. How can we identify true Christians?

3. The most outstanding mark of true Christians is that they have real love among themselves. (John 13:34, 35) They are not taught to think that they are better than people of other races or skin color. Neither are they taught to hate people from other countries. (Acts 10:34, 35) So they do not share in wars. True Christians treat one another as brothers and sisters.—1 John 4:20, 21.

4. Another mark of true religion is that its members have a deep respect for the Bible. They accept it as the Word of God and believe what it says. (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17) They treat God's Word as being more important than human ideas or customs. (Matthew 15:1-3, 7-9) They try to live by the Bible in their everyday life. So they do not preach one thing and then practice another.—Titus 1:15, 16.

True Christians love one another, respect the Bible, and preach about God's Kingdom

5. The true religion must also honor God's name. (Matthew 6:9) Jesus made God's name, Jehovah, known to others. True Christians must do the same. (John 17:6, 26; Romans 10:13, 14) Who are the people in your community that tell others about God's name?

6. True Christians must preach about God's Kingdom. Jesus did so. He always talked about the Kingdom. (Luke 8:1) He commanded his disciples to preach this same message in all the earth. (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20) True Christians believe that only God's Kingdom will bring true peace and security to this earth.—Psalm 146:3-5.

7. Jesus' disciples must be no part of this wicked world. (John 17:16) They do not get involved in the world's political affairs and social controversies. They avoid the harmful conduct, practices, and attitudes that are common in the world. (James 1:27; 4:4) Can you identify a religious group in your community that has these marks of true Christianity?

Answer 6

I have no idea...that's why I don't go to church. I refuse to go sit in a man-made building for several hours every Sunday to praise Jesus.

I can praise and worship God and Jesus just as easily in my own bedroom without all the politics and theft of a church.

Now, if I knew exactly which church it was that Jesus founded, I'd love to go there - at least once in my life.

Answer 7

Well since the laws of God are not done away with, then it would be the church that keeps the laws of God. including that one commandment that men have done away with, the forth commandment. men changed saturday or 7th day worship to sunday God did not. And Gods laws also include His Feast Holy Days ,((( Passover,Unleaven bread,Pentecost,Trumpets,Atonement, Tabernacles, and the Last Great DAY.
NONE OF THE LAWS OF GOD ARE DONE AWAY WITH.
Mt 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mt 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Mt 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
7TH DAY SABBATH
Ex 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
Ex 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
IF YOU REALLY AND TRULY SEEK THE TRUTH THEN COME AND FIND GOD.
www.cgi.org

Answer 8

The church that follows Christ and Christ's teaching. Each Christian church is part of the greater body of Christ's presence in the world. Just as toes and fingers have different names but are all part of the body so catholics and protestants have different names, Lutherans and Pentecostals have different names. Each is part of the whole but each is unique in appearance, ability and task. there is none greater or lesser but are to work together to fully manifest Christ in the world.

Answer 9

The word church refers to the collective body of Christ as opposed to a certain denomination or building

Answer 10

The Church that He founded, and the Church that He built on Simon Peter, the Rock and the Church's first earthly head.

In other words, the Catholic Church.