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Post by What Hat on Nov 1, 2009 21:45:55 GMT -5
J is close. I haven't read every single one closely though.
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Post by ScholarGal on Nov 3, 2009 11:28:35 GMT -5
No. 8 Believers - Christians
What is the F&W's belief about the Believer's Responsibilities – The Christian Walk – The Christian’s Service?
Which of the following statements best describe the beliefs of the F&W?
I'd have to say option K is probably a common belief in the F&W. [/b] K. We believe that, wholly apart from salvation benefits which are bestowed equally upon all who believe, rewards are promised according to the faithfulness of each believer in his service for his Lord, and that these rewards will be bestowed at the judgment seat of Christ after He comes to receive His own to Himself. (1 Cor 3:9-15; 9:18-27; 2 Cor 5:10.)[/quote]
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Post by Jesse_Lackman on Nov 3, 2009 13:26:10 GMT -5
If you take the best of 2x2ism man, you get something pretty good. If you take the worst of 2x2ism man, you get quite the opposite. ~ Re. Cooney these people have an interesting viewpoint; -->> SARAH RANDLE, NÉE STEPHENSON << (.pdf file)
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Post by Jesse_Lackman on Nov 3, 2009 13:42:19 GMT -5
I've found some of that article to be quite entertaining; In her old age, twice widowed and bereft of a son, Sarah, like all too many of our ancestors, fell into eccentric Protestantism. In her case it was Cooneyism, a lopped-off branch of Irvinism (not to be confused with the much more significant frenzy called Irvingitism, the cheekily-named ‘Catholic Apostolic Church’).
We do not greatly admire the underworld of Dissenting sects, spawning and pullulating as they do like earthworms – uncountable, uncouth, grotesquely varied in their deformities yet almost indistinguishable, being always blind, slimy, pallid and soft; nibbling at the rot of much larger bodies; wriggling over and about each other in the cramped darkness, obscurely loathing each other but unable to bite, unable to change, unable, after their first obscene spurt, to grow, twitching even when chopped in pieces; unable to die."
However, genealogy is a stern discipline, and little as we enjoy digging up nests of Irvinites or Cooneyites, we steel ourselves against nausea, we record the truth. After all, Cooneyism was a brief mania in our family history, while the even more disgusting sect of the Salvation-army held our ancestors in thrall for generations. "Cooney was cast out by Irvine in 1928." Interesting the driving concern seems to be about the money.
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Post by sharon on Nov 3, 2009 21:15:10 GMT -5
Frankly, Cherie, I didn't find one of them come that close to the F&W's or at least what I've been taught all my life. Is there one that comes close to what you believe, Sharon? O. We teach that out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior. We also teach that separation from all religious apostasy and worldly and sinful practices is commanded of us by God.
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Post by What Hat on Nov 4, 2009 11:36:52 GMT -5
No. 8 Believers - Christians
What is the F&W's belief about the Believer's Responsibilities – The Christian Walk – The Christian’s Service?
Which of the following statements best describe the beliefs of the F&W?
I'd have to say option K is probably a common belief in the F&W. [/b] K. We believe that, wholly apart from salvation benefits which are bestowed equally upon all who believe, rewards are promised according to the faithfulness of each believer in his service for his Lord, and that these rewards will be bestowed at the judgment seat of Christ after He comes to receive His own to Himself. (1 Cor 3:9-15; 9:18-27; 2 Cor 5:10.)[/quote][/quote] J and K seem to deal with different issues. J with gifts here on Earth; K with reward in heaven. Do you see it that way? I think K is a very good statement also.
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Post by CherieKropp on Nov 10, 2009 21:28:56 GMT -5
No. 9 The Church - The Family of God - Ministers, Evangelism
What is the F&W's belief about the Church, the assembling of believers?
Which of the following statements best describe the beliefs of the F&W? Your beliefs? ________________________________________
The Church - The Family of God - Ministers, Evangelism
A. We believe Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, His Body, which is composed of all men, living and dead, who have been joined to Him through saving faith. God admonishes His people to assemble together regularly for worship, for participation in ordinances, for edification through the Scriptures and for mutual encouragement. B. We believe the church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue the task of reaching the lost and discipling the saved, helping them become fully devoted followers of Christ. C. We believe that the church is the body of Christ, a spiritual organism of born again believers who are called to be identified with Christ in baptism and to remember His death in the Lord's Supper. D. We believe the church is the bride of Christ, and the body of Christ. The local church governed by godly men known as elders or bishops. The purpose of the church on earth is to fulfill the last command of Jesus known as The Great Commission.
E. We believe that all who are united to the risen and ascended Son of God are members of the church which is the body and bride of Christ, which began at Pentecost and is completely distinct from Israel. Its members are constituted as such, regardless of membership or non-membership in the organized churches of earth. We believe that by the same Spirit all believers in this age are baptized into, and thus become, one body that is Christ's, whether Jews or Gentiles, and having become members one of another, are under solemn duty to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, rising above all sectarian differences, and loving one another with a pure heart fervently. F. We teach that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church the bride of Christ of which Christ is the Head. G. We teach that the formation of the church, the Body of Christ, began on the Day of Pentecost and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture. H. We teach that the church is a unique spiritual organism designed by Christ, made up of all born again believers in this present age. The church is distinct from Israel, a mystery not revealed until this age. J. We teach that the establishment and continuity of local churches is taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures and that the members of the one spiritual Body are directed to associate themselves together in local assemblies. K. We teach that the one supreme authority for the church is Christ and that church leadership, gifts, order, discipline, and worship are all appointed through His sovereignty as found in the Scriptures. The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and over the assembly are elders (also called bishops, pastors, teachers and deacons), who must meet biblical qualifications. We teach that these leaders lead or rule as servants of Christ and have His authority in directing the church. The congregation is to submit to their leadership. L. We teach the importance of discipleship, mutual accountability of all believers to each other, as well as the need for discipline of sinning members of the congregation in accord with the standards of Scripture. M. We teach that the purpose of the church is to glorify God by building itself up in the faith, by instruction of the Word, by fellowship, by keeping the ordinances and by advancing and communicating the gospel to the entire world. N. We believe the local church exists to proclaim God’s truth, to administer the ordinances, to stimulate growth toward maturity, and to bring glory to God. Believers are called to faithful membership in a visible, local congregation for the purpose of mutual encouragement and spiritual growth. As the family of God, a healthy local church is marked by God-glorifying worship, Scripture-centered teaching, intimate fellowship, and vivid expressions of the church’s faith, hope, and love through evangelism, disciple-making, financial support, and service. O. We believe that, until the return of Christ, it is the Christian's privilege and duty and the supreme task of the Church to evangelize the world. P. We believe the Church is an elect company of believers baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body; its mission is to witness concerning its Head, Jesus Christ, preaching the gospel among all nations; it will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air ere He appears to set up His kingdom. The Church of Jesus Christ is a distinct entity from Israel in the ongoing program of God. Further, this universal Church consists of all who possess saving faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ from Pentecost to the Rapture of the Church and which will represent every language, people and nation.
Subjects covered in Statement of Belief: 1. God (only ONE god, God the Father, creator, attributes, etc.) Pg 5, Post #125 2. Standard of Authority: Bible (inspired, inerrant, Word of God, etc) Pg 1, Post #3 3. Jesus (virgin birth, atonement, substitute, life, death, resurrection; relationship to God, etc) Pg 8, Post #196 4. Holy Spirit (personality and work; indwelling, illumination, relationship to God) Pg 10, Posts #267-268 5. Man & Sin (fall of man, depravity, sin, free will/agency) Pg 11, Post 295 6. Angels (Elect & Evil; Holy & Fallen) Pg 24, Post #662 7. Salvation (repentance, regeneration/born again, adoption, saving faith, belief, grace, justification, etc) Pg 26, Post #716[/color] 8. Believers Responsibility (good works, sanctification, security, conduct, evangelism; great commission)Pg 27, Post #746 9. The Church - Family of God, Assembly, Ministers, EvangelismPg 28, Post #756
The doctrines below will follow soon... 10. Ordinances ( baptism & communion, footwashing) 11. The Eternal State (Heaven & Hell) 12. Last Things/The Future (end of world, judgment, rewards, 2nd coming of Jesus, resurrection of the dead, etc)
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Post by emy on Nov 10, 2009 22:18:47 GMT -5
You must have read my mind... I was just wondering if you had quit the topics.
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Post by CherieKropp on Nov 10, 2009 22:46:04 GMT -5
Just been busy...I have 3 more to do and then I will be finished.
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Post by sharon on Nov 11, 2009 9:32:02 GMT -5
C. We believe that the church is the body of Christ, a spiritual organism of born again believers who are called to be identified with Christ in baptism and to remember His death in the Lord's Supper.
I think this best fits the f&w's!
I've heard it said more then once that the fellowship is an "organism" NOT an organization!
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Post by CherieKropp on Nov 11, 2009 19:04:22 GMT -5
No. 10 - ORDINANCES – some believe there are 2 while others believe there are 3. Baptism, Emblems (aka Lord's Supper, Eucharist, Communion) and Food Washing of the Saints.
What is the F&W's belief about the Ordinances?
Which of the following statements best describe the beliefs of the F&W? Your beliefs?
NOTE: wine vs grape juice; unleavened vs leavened bread not discussed here ________________________________________
ORDINANCES. Baptism, Emblems (aka Lord's Supper, Eucharist, Communion) and Food Washing of the Saints.
A. We believe Baptism symbolizes dying to self and coming alive in Jesus. We practice full immersion baptism because by being fully buried beneath the water we symbolize that God's grace fully fills us with His new life for the future. Through baptism we are truly born again in Jesus.
B. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ instituted the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper to be observed until His return.
C. We believe that the two ordinances of the church are baptism by immersion for believers only and the Lord’s Supper as a memorial.
D. We teach that two ordinances have been committed to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Christian baptism by immersion is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life. It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible body of Christ. E. We teach that the Lord's Supper is the commemoration and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination. We also teach that whereas the elements of communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, the Lord's Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ who is present in a unique way, fellowshipping with His people.
F. We believe the ordinances for the believer are water baptism by immersion and the Lord's supper as a memorial. They are, however, not to be regarded as a means of salvation. But both of which are an evidence of obedience and fellowship with the Lord
G. We believe that baptism is immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; setting forth the essential facts in redemption the death and resurrection of Christ; also essential facts in the experience of the believer death to sin and resurrection to newness of life; and that the Lord’s supper is a commemoration of the Lord’s death until He comes again.
H. We believe that footwashing, also called the ‘washing of the saints’ feet’, is to be observed as an ordinance. It is based on the express command and example of Jesus, who washed His disciples’ feet at the Last Supper (John 13:1-17), and on the statement by Paul (I Tim. 5:9-10) that having washed the saints’ feet was a qualification for a widow’s acceptance into the church widows’ group.
J. We celebrate Jesus’ victory in our lives when we participate in the Lord's Supper. This meal includes three symbols: Foot washing (which symbolizes our commitment to love others as Jesus loves us), bread ("This bread is my flesh," Jesus said, "which I will give for the life of the world," John 6:51), and wine or grape juice ("Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life." John 6:54)
Subjects covered in Statement of Belief: 1. God (only ONE god, God the Father, creator, attributes, etc.) Pg 5, Post #125 2. Standard of Authority: Bible (inspired, inerrant, Word of God, etc) Pg 1, Post #3 3. Jesus (virgin birth, atonement, substitute, life, death, resurrection; relationship to God, etc) Pg 8, Post #196 4. Holy Spirit (personality and work; indwelling, illumination, relationship to God) Pg 10, Posts #267-268 5. Man & Sin (fall of man, depravity, sin, free will/agency) Pg 11, Post 295 6. Angels (Elect & Evil; Holy & Fallen) Pg 24, Post #662 7. Salvation (repentance, regeneration/born again, adoption, saving faith, belief, grace, justification, etc) Pg 26, Post #716[/color] 8. Believers Responsibility (good works, sanctification, security, conduct, evangelism; great commission)Pg 27, Post #746 9. The Church - Family of God, Assembly, Ministers, EvangelismPg 28, Post #756 10. Ordinances ( baptism, communion, footwashing)Pg 28, Post #760
The doctrines below will follow soon... 11. The Eternal State (Heaven & Hell) 12. Last Things/The Future (end of world, judgment, rewards, 2nd coming of Jesus, resurrection of the dead, etc)
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Post by sharon on Nov 11, 2009 19:08:25 GMT -5
G. We believe that baptism is immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; setting forth the essential facts in redemption the death and resurrection of Christ; also essential facts in the experience of the believer death to sin and resurrection to newness of life; and that the Lord’s supper is a commemoration of the Lord’s death until He comes again.
Seems more in line with the f&w's or as far as I've been taught.
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Post by CherieKropp on Nov 11, 2009 19:15:53 GMT -5
No. 11: The Eternal State: Heaven-Hell
What is the F&W's belief about The Eternal State: Heaven-Hell?
Which of the following statements best describe the beliefs of the F&W? Your beliefs?
No. 11: The Eternal State: Heaven-Hell[/color]
A. We believe that heaven is a real place where the saved will dwell forever, and that hell is a literal place of torment where unbelievers will suffer forever.
B. We believe that Christ will one day return and judge all people (1Thes 4:13-18). Unbelievers will be separated from God's presence in Hell and believers will be welcomed in God's presence in Heaven.
C. We believe at physical death, the believer enters immediately into eternal, conscious fellowship with the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his body to everlasting glory and blessing. And we believe that at physical death, the unbeliever enters immediately into eternal, conscious separation from the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his body to everlasting judgment and condemnation.
D. We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind -- receiving true believers to Himself and condemning the rest to eternal torment in Hell.
E. We believe that at death, the spirits and souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation pass immediately into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the glorified body when Christ comes for His own, whereupon soul and body reunited shall be associated with Him forever in glory; but the spirits and souls of the unbelieving remain after death conscious of condemnation and in misery until the final judgment of the great white throne at the close of the millennium, when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.
E. We teach the bodily resurrection of all men, the saved to eternal life, and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. We teach that the souls of the unsaved at death are kept under punishment until the second resurrection (Luke 16:19-26; Rev 20:13-15), when the soul and the resurrection body will be united (John 5:28 29). They shall then appear at the Great White Throne judgment (Rev 20:11-15) and shall be cast into hell, the lake of fire (Mat 25:41-46), cut off from the life of God forever (Dan 12:2; Mat 25:41-46; 2 Thes 1:7-9).
Subjects covered in Statement of Belief: 1. God (only ONE god, God the Father, creator, attributes, etc.) Pg 5, Post #125 2. Standard of Authority: Bible (inspired, inerrant, Word of God, etc) Pg 1, Post #3 3. Jesus (virgin birth, atonement, substitute, life, death, resurrection; relationship to God, etc) Pg 8, Post #196 4. Holy Spirit (personality and work; indwelling, illumination, relationship to God) Pg 10, Posts #267-268 5. Man & Sin (fall of man, depravity, sin, free will/agency) Pg 11, Post 295 6. Angels (Elect & Evil; Holy & Fallen) Pg 24, Post #662 7. Salvation (repentance, regeneration/born again, adoption, saving faith, belief, grace, justification, etc) Pg 26, Post #716[/color] 8. Believers Responsibility (good works, sanctification, security, conduct, evangelism; great commission)Pg 27, Post #746 9. The Church - Family of God, Assembly, Ministers, EvangelismPg 28, Post #756 10. Ordinances ( baptism, communion, footwashing)Pg 28, Post #760 11. The Eternal State (Heaven & Hell) Pg 28, Post #762
The doctrine below will follow soon... 12. Last Things/The Future (end of world, judgment, rewards, 2nd coming of Jesus, resurrection of the dead, etc)
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Post by sharon on Nov 11, 2009 20:56:42 GMT -5
None of those fit the f&w's or what I've been taught.
What I've always been taught was at death from earthly life, the spirit goes back to the Father and enters into "rest" or "asleep in Jesus" and will reunite with a resurrected body when Jesus comes to claim His own and gathers them with Him in the meeting in the air.
Also have always heard that "death and hell" will be overcome...that those who do not believe on Jesus Christ, will be tossed into the lake of fire and this is the "second death". A suffering condition for all eternity. Also that the rich man and Lazarus is a picture of eternity for the unsaved...the rich man begged for a drop of water....so there will be great suffering, but I'm not of the understanding that that eternal suffering is hell, but a lake of fire. Some have gone so far as to explain the lake of fire as a overwhelming desire to be with God and no capability of ever changing their place.
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Post by moralityagain on Nov 13, 2009 16:45:57 GMT -5
A 2x2 Doctrine? Well, it is maybe a good idea to just forget everything that you have read or been taught and just start in with the fundamental things. First we will need a bunch of unwritten rules. Also, we will need things like made up dress codes and hair ideas for the men and women to show that they are a member of the group. Also, it is a good idea to just tell people what to wear and where they can go and whom they can be seen with. The Biblical stuff here isn't too important really. You see it can be readjusted as necessary and of course things can just be made up and we will just say they are revelations from God to the preachers. See how this can work? So, if people want to make up a new 2x2 doctrine I will be glad to help make up ideas and stuff. Of course most of what I want to make up and add to the doctrine will have to do with how right we are and how dumb everyone else is really. I have decided that the way to do this is to not take just parts of verses and put them together to make us seem smart, we need to just get right down to using single words from different passages in the scriptures and then we can put them together however we like. We can say they are from the scripture and just quote where each single word was used. But, we can organize them anyway we want to. I am working on how to make the story of the three little pigs entirely from words used in various places in the Bible for example. Then we can say it is a sort of parable or something.
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Post by CherieKropp on Nov 14, 2009 18:02:34 GMT -5
Sharon: If I'm not mistaken, the belief you described is called "soul sleep." In the attached notes, it would seem that Howard Mooney did not believe in soul sleep. None of those fit the f&w's or what I've been taught. What I've always been taught was at death from earthly life, the spirit goes back to the Father and enters into "rest" or "asleep in Jesus" and will reunite with a resurrected body when Jesus comes to claim His own and gathers them with Him in the meeting in the air. Also have always heard that "death and hell" will be overcome...that those who do not believe on Jesus Christ, will be tossed into the lake of fire and this is the "second death". A suffering condition for all eternity. Also that the rich man and Lazarus is a picture of eternity for the unsaved...the rich man begged for a drop of water....so there will be great suffering, but I'm not of the understanding that that eternal suffering is hell, but a lake of fire. Some have gone so far as to explain the lake of fire as a overwhelming desire to be with God and no capability of ever changing their place. Attachments:
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Post by What Hat on Nov 14, 2009 18:23:21 GMT -5
Sharon: If I'm not mistaken, the belief you described is called "soul sleep." In the attached notes, it would seem that Howard Mooney did not believe in soul sleep. None of those fit the f&w's or what I've been taught. What I've always been taught was at death from earthly life, the spirit goes back to the Father and enters into "rest" or "asleep in Jesus" and will reunite with a resurrected body when Jesus comes to claim His own and gathers them with Him in the meeting in the air. Also have always heard that "death and hell" will be overcome...that those who do not believe on Jesus Christ, will be tossed into the lake of fire and this is the "second death". A suffering condition for all eternity. Also that the rich man and Lazarus is a picture of eternity for the unsaved...the rich man begged for a drop of water....so there will be great suffering, but I'm not of the understanding that that eternal suffering is hell, but a lake of fire. Some have gone so far as to explain the lake of fire as a overwhelming desire to be with God and no capability of ever changing their place. The alternative theory to "soul sleep", if I remember correctly, is that we go to heaven at once when we die. When the new heaven and earth are created both those in heaven and then on earth will receive a new body. I could be wrong in one or two details. The different ideas on the subject are detailed in an interesting little book by John Macarthur (whose name comes up here sometimes) called The Glory of Heaven: The Truth about Heaven, Angels and Eternal Life.
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Post by CherieKropp on Nov 14, 2009 19:20:01 GMT -5
Here are some more interesting notes by Howard Mooney: Three Heavens and Three Hells Attachments:
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Post by CherieKropp on Nov 14, 2009 19:35:00 GMT -5
More Notes: Christ’s Coming By George Walker (spoken at St. Louis Missouri) Attachments:
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Post by sharon on Nov 14, 2009 19:38:12 GMT -5
I couldn't get either one to open...sorry! BTW, for myself I believe this one:
"E. We believe that at death, the spirits and souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation pass immediately into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the glorified body when Christ comes for His own, whereupon soul and body reunited shall be associated with Him forever in glory; but the spirits and souls of the unbelieving remain after death conscious of condemnation and in misery until the final judgment of the great white throne at the close of the millennium, when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the lake of fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. "
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Post by What Hat on Nov 18, 2009 10:58:16 GMT -5
Tell me again why all these statements are better than reading the Bible? The golden calf is symbolic of the human tendency to think that what God has given is not enough.
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Post by CherieKropp on Nov 29, 2009 19:45:07 GMT -5
No. 12: Last Things/ The Future (Eschatology) (end of world, judgment, rapture, tribulation, 2nd coming of Jesus, resurrection of the dead, 1,000 year reign, Satan’s release, etc)
What are the F&W's belief about Last Things?
Which of the following statements best describe the beliefs of the F&W? Your beliefs?
No. 12: Last Things[/color]
RETURN of CHRIST:
A. We anticipate our Lord’s promised return, which could occur at any moment. According to the Father’s plan, Jesus Christ will one day return in power to bring completion of salvation and rewards to believers and judgment and wrath to unbelievers.
B. We believe that according to the Word of God the next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy will be the coming of the Lord in the air to receive to Himself into heaven both His own who are alive and remain unto His coming, and also all who have fallen asleep in Jesus, and that this event is the blessed hope set before us in the Scripture, and for this we should be constantly looking.
C. We believe in the imminent, visible and bodily return of Christ to this earth to set up His kingdom and to judge the world in righteousness.
D. We believe in the personal bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:9-11) to set up His kingdom (Titus 2:13).
E. We believe in (a) the personal, visible, bodily return of Jesus Christ to earth; (b) the bodily resurrection of the just to eternal abode in the glory of God's presence; and (c) the bodily resurrection of the unjust to judgment and everlasting punishment in the lake of fire.
F. We teach the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ [before/during] the seven year tribulation (1 Thes 4:16; Titus 2:13) to translate His church from this earth (John 14:1 3; 1 Cor 15:51-53; 1 Thes 4:15-5:11) and, between this event and His glorious return with His saints, to reward believers according to their works (1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor 5:10).
G. We believe that all who have died will be brought back from beyond—believers to everlasting communion with God and unbelievers to everlasting separation from God. Though a believer’s spirit is ushered into the Lord’s presence immediately upon physical death, the fullness of salvation awaits Christ’s return, when He will resurrect believers in glorified bodies like His own immortal body which can never die. While all believers throughout history will enjoy eternal life in perfect paradise, unbelievers will be resurrected to suffer eternal conscious punishment for their sins.
RAPTURE: The term “Rapture” refers to the return of Jesus in the clouds with angelic activity, trumpets, heavenly signs, to gather the saints out of the world. The primary passage describing the Rapture is 1 Thes 4:15-17, in which Paul cites "the word of the Lord" about Jesus returning to gather His saints (vs 17: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught uptogether with them in the clouds). The word "Rapture" is borrowed from the Latin Vulgate Bible and appears in the English Bible as "caught up."
The Rapture, according to most of its proponents, has these elements. (1) The return of Jesus; (2) resurrection of saints; 3) rapture of living believers; (4) reunion with loved ones, with the Lord, and being taken to heaven. The debate regarding the Rapture is about the time, when it will take place. There are pre-, mid- and post- tribulationist positions.
PRE-: Some believe there will be two separate events, the first unseen, and the second public. They hold that the first event IMMEDIATELY PRECEDES the period of Tribulation (this view is called Pre-Tribulation); MID-: Others believe the rapture will come in the MIDDLE of the Tribulation (this view is called Mid-Tribulation). POST-: Others believe there will be a single, public event (this view is called the Post-Tribulation view).
The Pre-Tribulation position holds that Jesus will rapture His church prior to His return to earth (the Second Coming).
The Mid-Tribulation position holds that the Rapture will occur at some point in the MIDDLE of the Tribulation period. The Tribulation is typically divided into two periods of 3.5 years each. Mid-Tribulationists hold that the saints will go through the first period, but will be raptured into heaven BEFORE the severe outpouring of God's wrath in the second half of the Tribulation. Mid-Tribulationists refer to Daniel 7:25 where the saints will be given over to tribulation for "time, times, and half a time," which they interpret to mean 3.5 years. At the halfway point of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will commit the "abomination of desolation" by desecrating the temple in Jerusalem (to be built on what is now called the Temple Mount also known as Mount Moriah and by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary).
The Post-Tribulationists believe the Rapture and Second Coming, are one event when the raptured are taken up just for a moment and at once return to earth with the descent of Christ.
In summary: Post-Tribulationists believe the Rapture will take place at the end of the seven-year Tribulation; Mid-Tribulationists that it will be in the middle and Pre-Rribulationists are sure that rescue will be at the start.
H. TRIBULATION: We believe that the translation of the church will be followed by the fulfillment of Israel's 70th week (Dan 9:27; Rev 6:1; 19:21) during which the church, the body of Christ, will be in heaven. The whole period of Israel's 70th week will be a time of judgment on the whole earth, at the end of which the times of the Gentiles will be brought to a close. The latter half of this period will be the time of Jacob's trouble (Jer 30:7), which our Lord called the Great Tribulation (Mat 24:15-21). We believe that universal righteousness will not be realized previous to the second coming of Christ, but that the world is day by day ripening for judgment and that the age will end with a fearful apostasy.
J. SECOND COMING: At this future moment in time, all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever.
K. SECOND COMING: We believe that the period of Great Tribulation in the earth will be climaxed by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth as He went, in person on the clouds of heaven, and with power and great glory to introduce the millennial age, to bind Satan and place him in the abyss, to lift the curse which now rests upon the whole creation, to restore Israel to her own land and to give her the realization of God's covenant promises, and to bring the whole world to the knowledge of God.
L. TRIBULATION & SECOND COMING: We teach that immediately following the removal of the church from the earth, the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world and that these judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth. At that time the Old Testament and Tribulation Saints will be raised and the living will be judged. This period includes the seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy (Dan 9:24 27; Mat 24:15, 31; 25:31, 46).
THE MILLENNIAL REIGN - Millennium is simply a word derived from Latin that means “one thousand years.” Biblically, the “millennium” refers to a thousand-year reign of Christ on earth in Rev 20:1-6. It is sometimes referred to as the “Millennial Kingdom” and the “Millennial Reign of Christ.”
M. We believe in the Millennial Reign of Christ when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. This Millennial Reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.
N. We teach that, after the tribulation period, Christ will come to earth to occupy the throne of David and establish His messianic kingdom for a thousand years on the earth (Rev 20:1-7). During this time the resurrected saints will reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of the earth. This reign will be preceded by the overthrow of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, and by the removal of Satan from the world.
O. We teach that the kingdom itself will be the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel (Is 65:17-25; Ez 37:21-28; Zech 8:1-17) to restore them to the land which they forfeited through their disobedience (Deut 28:15, 68). The result of their disobedience was that Israel was temporarily set aside (Mat 21:43; Rom 11:1, 26) but will again be awakened through repentance to enter into the land of blessing (Jer 31:31-34; Ez 36:22-32; Rom 11:25-29). We teach that this time of our Lord's reign will be characterized by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life (Is 11; 65:17-25; Ez 36:33-38), and will be brought to an end with the release of Satan (Rev 20:7).
AFTER THE MILLENNIAL REIGN:
P. We believe and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. Believers will live and dwell with Him there forever, following His Millennial Reign on Earth. 'And so shall we forever be with the Lord!'
Q. SATAN’s RELEASE: We teach that following the release of Satan after the thousand year reign of Christ (Rev 20:7), Satan will deceive the nations of the earth and gather them to battle against the saints and the beloved city, at which time Satan and his army will be devoured by fire from heaven (Rev 20:9). Following this, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone (Mat 25:41; Rev 20:10) whereupon Christ, who is the Judge of all men (John 5:22), will resurrect and judge the great and small at the Great White Throne judgment. We teach that this resurrection of the unsaved dead to judgment will be a physical resurrection, whereupon receiving their judgment (Rom 14:10 13), they will be committed to an eternal conscious punishment in the lake of fire (Mat 25:41; Rev 20:11-15).
R. SATAN’s RELEASE: We teach that after the closing of the Millennium, the temporary release of Satan, and the judgment of unbelievers (2 Thes 1:9; Rev 20:7-15), the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God, after which the elements of this earth are to be dissolved (2 Peter 3:10) and replaced with a new earth wherein only righteousness dwells (Eph 5:5; Rev 20:15, 21-22). Following this, the heavenly city will come down out of heaven (Rev 21:2) and will be the dwelling place of the saints, where they will enjoy forever fellowship with God and one another (John 17:3; Rev 21-22). Our Lord Jesus Christ, having fulfilled His redemptive mission, will then deliver up the kingdom to God the Father (1 Cor 15:24-28) that in all spheres the triune God may reign forever and ever (1 Cor 15:28).
Subjects covered in Statement of Belief: 1. God (only ONE god, God the Father, creator, attributes, etc.) Pg 5, Post #125 2. Standard of Authority: Bible (inspired, inerrant, Word of God, etc) Pg 1, Post #3 3. Jesus (virgin birth, atonement, substitute, life, death, resurrection; relationship to God, etc) Pg 8, Post #196 4. Holy Spirit (personality and work; indwelling, illumination, relationship to God) Pg 10, Posts #267-268 5. Man & Sin (fall of man, depravity, sin, free will/agency) Pg 11, Post 295 6. Angels (Elect & Evil; Holy & Fallen) Pg 24, Post #662 7. Salvation (repentance, regeneration/born again, adoption, saving faith, belief, grace, justification, etc) Pg 26, Post #716[/color] 8. Believers Responsibility (good works, sanctification, security, conduct, evangelism; great commission)Pg 27, Post #746 9. The Church - Family of God, Assembly, Ministers, EvangelismPg 28, Post #756 10. Ordinances ( baptism, communion, footwashing)Pg 28, Post #760 11. The Eternal State (Heaven & Hell) Pg 28, Post #762 12. Last Things/The Future (Eschatology) (end of world, judgment, rapture, tribulation, 2nd coming of Jesus, resurrection of the dead, 1,000 year reign, Satan’s release, etc) Pg 28, Post #770
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Post by sharon on Nov 29, 2009 22:07:48 GMT -5
B. We believe that according to the Word of God the next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy will be the coming of the Lord in the air to receive to Himself into heaven both His own who are alive and remain unto His coming, and also all who have fallen asleep in Jesus, and that this event is the blessed hope set before us in the Scripture, and for this we should be constantly looking. "
Pretty much what I've been taught all my life in the fellowship!
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Post by CherieKropp on May 3, 2014 9:04:20 GMT -5
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Post by pianoman2 on May 12, 2014 2:58:08 GMT -5
If you are going to write out 2X2 doctrine, my experience is you better write it in invisible ink. Different rules for different ones.
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Post by speedy22 on Dec 17, 2014 4:29:14 GMT -5
Haha good luck with that!! I am amazed at all the objections to compiling a simple statement of belief. What is so difficult about writing down the fellowship's beliefs about these things? If an F&W were asked a question about any of the items in the list below, they would likely be able to give an answer as to their beliefs concerning that subject. For example: If asked, "Do you believe in heaven or sin or angels?" You would probably have a ready answer... Generally, Statements of Doctrine or Belief include brief summary about the following subjects. F&W certainly hold particular beliefs about each of these subjects... It should be an easy task to write them down in a simple format, using the following samples taken from Belief Statements found on the internet. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Presupposition: God’s existence underlies all other Bible doctrines. Without the existence of God all other Bible doctrines would be meaningless. The Bible begins by assuming and declaring the existence of God, without undertaking to prove it. #1 As an independent, nondenominational church assuming no name… WE/I believe... 1. God (only ONE god, God the Father, creator, attributes, etc.) Pg 5, Post #1252. Standard of Authority: Bible (inspired, inerrant, Word of God, etc) Pg 1, Post #33. Jesus (virgin birth, atonement, substitute, life, death, resurrection; relationship to God, etc) Pg 8, Post #1964. Holy Spirit (personality and work; indwelling, illumination, relationship to God) Pg 10, Posts #267-2685. Man & Sin (fall of man, depravity, sin, free will/agency) Pg 11, Post 2956. Angels (Elect & Evil; Holy & Fallen) Pg 24, Post #662 The doctrines below will follow soon...7. Salvation (repentance, regeneration/born again, adoption, saving faith, belief, grace, justification, etc) 8. Believers Responsibility (good works, sanctification, security, conduct, evangelism; great commission) 9. The Church/Assembly, Ministers, Evangelism 10. Ordinances ( baptism & communion, Lord’s Day) 11. The Eternal State (Heaven & Hell) 12. Last Things/The Future (end of world, judgment, rewards, 2nd coming of Jesus, resurrection of the dead, etc) Why not take these items one by one and work out your personal Statement of Faith or the F&W Doctrinal Statement?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2017 20:21:58 GMT -5
Lots of men have "doctrinal statements" that encapsulate their church's position. Who in scripture had such an all encompassing doctrinal statement?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2017 19:40:46 GMT -5
Looks like the question above killed the conversation.
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