Does He have the power to unify and bring back what was once had?
2007-10-21 16:54:45 · 9 answers · asked by scotty_84116 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Let's see . . . Paul and Peter decided to evangelize to two distinctly different groups -- Paul to non-Jews, and Peter to the Jews. So, if Peter established a "CHURCH," as Catholics like to think, then Biblically, he established a Jewish church . . . but that's not what's come down to us through history, is it?
So, if Paul who met the resurrected Christ, and Peter, who knew the breathing and eating Jesus, AGREED to preach to different groups of people, then weren't they BOTH representing Christ -- not a man-made, money-driven, dogma-teaching denomination called a "Church."
So, when was there "unity?" Between Peter and Paul? Or between the disciples, who argued with each other over who got to sit next to Jesus?
The only time Jesus' followers were united was when 100 percent of them ran away when the Romans came to arrest Jesus.
Unity in the Church? We'll only see that when we're in the presence of the Lord.
Godspeed.
2007-10-22 05:22:23 · answer #1 · answered by jimmeisnerjr 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some folks would say that the Church does not need to be restored. There are two ways to look at the issue. Either one form of Christianity is the Church and the others are simply well-intentioned human institutions, or all forms of Christianity make up one huge, disorganized mess. I tend to fall into the first group.
2007-10-21 17:00:04 · answer #2 · answered by NONAME 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
He is Lord of everything.
1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the waters.
( Psalm 24 )
If He can raise Jesus from the dead, do you think that He can also unify His church? Let me ask you this way, Will God answer the prayers of Jesus Himself?
20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." ( John 17 )
God will, Jesus is with Him, and His Spirit is in us. There are a lot of factions within Christianity, but Jesus is to return, who will argue with him then?
2007-10-21 17:07:53 · answer #3 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes he does. Though he gives us free will, and those who have split from his Church choose to partake in their heresy, and ignore his will. Though the Church has never separated itself, but a few have chosen to separate their selves from it. The Church will never be corrupt, as Jesus promised the gates of hell shall not prevail.
2007-10-21 17:00:08 · answer #4 · answered by STAR POWER=) 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The gates of Hell did not prevail. Look up the Orthodox Church.
2007-10-21 16:59:07 · answer #5 · answered by alexandersmommy 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
There is nothing to restore. Christ promised to be with his Church and guide it into all truth until the end of the age. The Church has made mistakes no one denies that. But Christ has been true to his promise not to allow the gates of hell to prevail against it.
Jesus Christ established ONE Church.
"... I will build My church..." (Mt 16:18) (Not Churches)
Jesus prayed that His followers would be ONE.
"that they may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us..." (John 17:21)
St. Paul emphasizes that all followers of Jesus Christ should be ONE.
"Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement." (1 Cor 1:10)
"Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Eph 4:3-6)
Please pray the all followers of Jesus Christ be ONE.
That was His Prayer to the Father.
The history of the Catholic Church shows how heroic people are in their love of God and their saintliness. It also shows how weak people are in their love of self and their sinfulness. Towering above all the saints, divisions and weaknesses are God's love, God's mercy and God's forgiveness.
As we stand on the threshold of the third millennium we are challenged by Jesus' call down through the centuries. Love one another. Forgive one another. Be merciful to one another.
As Catholics, we must acknowledge our sins, and how we have failed God, injured ourselves, our brothers and sisters in Christ and non-Christians and ask their forgiveness. We must also forgive those who have sinned against us.
We must seek unity based on Divine Mercy, Divine Love, and Divine Forgiveness, and Revealed Truth
2007-10-21 17:58:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The church does not need restoring. It is not physical it is all the believers in Christ who follow his word. It is not a building and it is not a denomination.
2007-10-21 16:59:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
Read this short article:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/392554/why_some_christians_hate_the_church.html
2007-10-22 09:30:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
he has.
check this out then e-mail me
LDS.Org
2007-10-21 16:59:12 · answer #9 · answered by Lola cherry cola 2 · 3⤊ 5⤋