Johnb "I left several years ago. I was unofficially disfellowshipped. Although there were no specific charges the elders would not use me in any way in a "worship service". I finally left and have attended many places since. I was also an elder in the DoC. I have always said if there was a choice locally within the RM I would be there. We now attend a house church made up mostly of folks who have left the CoC. It is a wonderful experience. We sing we pray we share and add new members (non CoC non Christians) to or assembly nearly every week."
Johnb I have not "disfellowshiped" with you. When the Lord "added" you to His church after you were "baptized into Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38) you were "justified" in His mind as "saved."
I love you as a brother "in Christ" unconditionally!
I have followed most of your "posts" in the past few years......I feel your pain (not to mimic Bill Clinton)
Peter said something in John 6 that haunts me everytime I get down on myself and brothers and sisters in Christ.
Can you see the Lord as He speaks of Himself as the "bread of life," that if any man eat of this bread, he shall
live forever. (John 6:48-58).
These words that He spoke caused many of his disciples to say, "this is a hard saying: who can hear it"?
John, an eyewitness to this account must have seen the anguish on His face as He saw the multitude turn
back and walked with him no more (John 6:66).
John said, Jesus asked the twelve, Will you also go away?
"Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the WORDS to eternal life."
I have often wondered if John recalled Peter's words earlier in Capernaum as he looked
around and Peter was not there in their midst to hear the Lord's final words on the cross....
You and I stand at that cross road every day Johnb....Where do we go?
I stay in the local church of Christ because I believe it is the
Messianic kingdom prophesied in the Old Testament (Dan. 2:44).
I have studied the eschatological theories tossed around about the kingdom "yet to come." etc.
I believe the local church of Christ is the world's last chance; the redemptive work of Christ is
committed to the local church; the local church must understand its own significance, glory,
and responsibility.
Is it perfect? far from it!
With gratitude, I can look to that outfit in Corinth and smile...Why? because I am just like many of em.
As fractional as this church was Paul still called them "brethren."
The local church at Ephesus was FIRST grounded in apostolic doctrine (Acts 20:17, 27),
yet Paul would say to these men, "For I know this, that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter
in among you, not sparing the flock,
Also of your selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things,
to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:27-30).
We read in Revelation 2 that Jesus said to this church in Ephesus, "You have left your first love."
"Remember therefore from whence you are fallen (apostolic doctrine? I believe it is) and repent, and
do the FIRST works (apostolic teaching? I believe it is: note verse 2); OR ELSE
I will come unto you quickly and remove your candlestick out of his place, except you repent" (Rev. 2:2-7).
He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit has to say unto the churches: to him that overcomes will I
give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God" (Rev. 2:7).
Did this church repent? Is this church still in Ephesus?
Did it fall because it lost its first love of apostolic teaching?
I will go to my grave hanging to those words of Peter...
"Lord you have the words to eternal life."
Hang in there Johnb..."Forever" is a long long time...
