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Church is a plural word

This is a heartfelt plea for us to view the Church as Jesus sees it. I have never found anyone who believes that we will carry our denominational labels into the eternal Kingdom. Thankfully God sees us as children and not as multiple sects. Why can't we?

The Church of denominations

As I alluded to in a previous blog (How will we get on in Heaven), the present systems of organisation on earth are important. They provide us with stability of vision and belief. They nurture steady community relationships. They can provide understanding leadership. But God is not influenced by any of these things as He is the originator of them all. His measure of a person is the state of the heart in the light of Christ's person (1 John 5:12-13)

The Church of One Body

The teachings of Paul refer to one redeemed Church and not a multitude of denominations (Ephesians 3:21). This is demonstrated figuratively in Revelation (Revelation 14:1) 144000 = 12 x 12 x 10 x 10 x 10. 12 is the church (Old and New Covenant); 10 is cardinal perfection, 10 x 10 x 10 is Trinitarian cardinal perfection - the perfect number of persons who are the church who can sing the song of a redeemed heart.

The church of St. Me

Perhaps the worst view of the New Testament teaching on the church is the application of 'personal Saviour' meanings. We have fallen into this trap partly because our modern English does not distinguish between second person singular (thou/thee) and second person plural (ye/you). For instance Colossians 3:3 is plural but is mostly read as being addressed to the individual. This is true for the use of 'you' most of the letters. The mindset of 'me' misinterprets the Word which God has given for our help!

The next time you read the New Testament letters try studying them in the plural in which they were written. It is a liberating experience and will certainly make you appreciate the rest of your eternal brothers and sisters from every tribe, tongue and (denomi)nation.

posted: 05/04/2009 01:10pm by 4micah68 View: Backlinks, Permalink Total Views: 172 ShortURL: http://christianblog.com/3c21 Category: Church	Print This Blog Entry
Blog Tags: church, heart, letters, person, plural, redeemed,
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Author: 4micah68
Location: Daventry United Kingdom
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Age: 60
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i am half-italian genetically but british by nationality. i was brought up in a quiet english village. i was able to go to a selective school so left all my childhood friends and learned to engage myself in my own company. my horizons widened at university especially meeting people of... view full biography

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i became a christian in 1966 when i was 17 through the influence of a christian youth group. i did not have a christian home and so church influence was very important for me. at university i experienced the holy spirit in a new way which was a revolution at... view full testimony

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