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  1. Like
    ... got a reaction from Alan in Praise God for finding this site   
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  2. Like
    ... reacted to swathdiver in Doomed To Be Single?   
    The doctrine of marriage for the New Testament Christian is found in 1st Corinthians 7.  Such a union as you describe is sin and sins can be and will be forgiven and you can continue on in marriage until the Lord calls y'all home.  Obviously the Lord will not call your husband to be a Pastor or Deacon but you can both faithfully serve in other ways.  Don't dwell on it. 
  3. Like
    ... reacted to Pastorj in Doomed To Be Single?   
    Throughout my ministry, I have counseled a number of men and women in the same position. There will be people who disagree with what I am going to say, but Scripture is clear.
    Marriage is permanent. With man, you are divorced. You and your wife are no longer legally married. God's views are different. In God's eyes she is still your wife, which is why you are not eligible to remarry until she departs this earth. This does not mean that your life is over. There are many areas of ministry that you can and should be involved in. I know many divorced individuals who teach Sunday School classes, run bus ministries, start single ministries to help others. God can and wants to use you. Start by getting into a good church and serving the Lord.
  4. Like
    ... reacted to Orval in communication in a post modern world   
    I was just making a post in another area when this thought hit me, that I feel enslaved by technology.  I want to disconnect everything but find I cannot for fear of being isolated.  does this make sense?  People come to our home when we invite them for dinner or lunch and yet it does not seem that anyone just stops by anymore for the sake of friendship.  When we do get together with family and friends no one actually has discussions, references are to funny utube videos, or a movie, or some recent sporting game mostly they just sit around looking at their phone, texting one another while the person they are texting is in the room.  
     
    In the last two years I have not had more that 3 or 4 meaningful conversations with anyone under 30 years of age unless I am teaching and a question comes up.  How is that we can be so "connected" and yet so isolated?  I go to church and (I love our church and pastor and our church family) it seems when the last amen is said everyone over 40 disappears we have a large congregation for a city of twenty thousand.  I get the feeling something is wrong but I can't put my finger on it.  We grow by 20 people per year, we have soul winning and special days, we are often told we are one of the friendliest churches in our area.  Our pastor is a tremendous preacher and teacher and yet with all these positives.  I do not sense the same corporate power of God today I sensed 40 years ago.  
     
    I believe that technology is always calling for our attention right now and consequently we never have the time to get alone with God for a couple of hours, to dwell on what God wants to speak to us about one on one, to read the scriptures for an hour instead of reading a couple of verses and a 300 word devotion so we can get back to our friends who never come by to spend an afternoon or evening talking about the Lord.
     
    I saw a picture on Facebook a few days ago that kind of summed up todays understanding of God and salvation.  The caption stated "yep I am on my way to heaven, I clicked "like" on a picture and typed Amen!"  I am not sure if people under 40 truly understand what "true fellowship" is?  I am not complaining per se just wondering how old I really am.  I realize I cannot go back 40 years but should I have to go back if we are a New Testament church?
    Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
    Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
  5. Like
    ... reacted to Alan in What are the signs of the end times? (Thank you Brother Stafford!)   
    I will forego giving you any particular 'signs' of the end times.
    But, I will give you a passage of scripture that the Apostle gives us to show us a preview of the 'perilous' times that we live in.
    "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, false accusers; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3:1-4
    "lovers of their own selves" would include the narcissism attitude of President Clinton, Obama, and many, many others in our world today.
    "covetous" would include the inspirational preachers, the Charismatic preachers, and many other men, and women, in the ministry for wealth and fame.
    "blasphemers." If a person would search the scriptures very carefully, starting from the Kings of Israel to the multitude of reprobates, heretics, internet theologians, and many others in our age, "blasphemy" includes false doctrine. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, blasphemy includes false doctrine. In our age, as in no other, every doctrine in the scriptures is being questioned, changed, and twisted by multitudes of men and women.
    ""without natural affection." Is not the wilful death, abortion, of ones child 'without natural affection?'
    "false accusers." Check out any newspaper, in any country, for an example.
    "incontinent." The meaning of 'incontinent' is: lacking self restraint, not under control. Our churches are filled with saints and sinners who lack self-restraint in their clothing, their character, their filthy mouth, their slanders against the pastor, their ungodly music (called CCM), multiple marriages, and a lack of personal integrity and character.  We are living in the day of age of where even the saints (much less the sinner), and some pastors in the Contemporary Movement, cannot even dress decently and modestly in church.
    "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." The church is filled with saints and sinners who love the pleasures of this world more than God. In fact, if you checked out the stadiums of the world on any given Sunday, you will probably find many of the church members filing the stands  of the stadium instead of filling the pew at church.
    We are living in the perilous time that the Apostle Paul spoke of.
     
     
  6. Like
    ... reacted to Pastorj in Divorce and Remarriage (The Exception Clause)   
    It's always difficult to have this conversation since there are 3 basic positions
    1. No Divorce under any circumstance
    2. Divorce is allowed for Fornication
    3. Divorce is allowed for any reason
    There are many passages, but the two key passages are found in Matthew and 1 Corinthians, which have already been referenced above.
    Jesus said "Except for Fornication". - To understand this passage, one must understand Jewish Marriages. We have an "Engagement Period" today in which a ring is given, but no vows are given. In Bible times, Joseph and Mary were Espoused according to Luke and Married according to Matthew. Is this a contradiction? Luke is looking at it from a physical standpoint and Matthew the legal. Joseph and Mary were "Legally married" as they were espoused to each other. However, they had not consummated the marriage yet which is why Luke uses the word "Espoused Wife". During the Espousal period, a couple are legally married and it is during this time if one were to "Cheat" on the other, God allowed the divorce. It is important to notice that Jesus used the word "Fornication" instead of "Adultery". During the Espousal period, if one "Cheated", it would have been "Fornication". However, once the marriage is consummated, it is no longer "Fornication", it is now "Adultery".
    1 Corinthians is a little more difficult to explain, but I will deal with that one later.
  7. LOL
    ... got a reaction from HappyChristian in .   
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  8. LOL
    ... got a reaction from HappyChristian in Note To Self: Game   
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  9. Like
    ... reacted to Alan in Note To Self: Game   
    knot too selfve;;fixxx the wooord cker on cumputer
  10. Like
    ... reacted to Alan in The Local Church.   
    Acts 8: 1-3 and 9:31, “Persecution against the Local Church”
    Acts 8:1-3, “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.”
     “… great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;”
     After the martyrdom of Stephen, Acts 7:54-60, Saul, with the direct authority of the Jewish religious leaders, enacted a period of great persecution against the saints at the church at Jerusalem. As the saints went into hiding, even in their homes, Saul brutally persecuted them.
     “… and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
     Except for the apostles, the saints from the local church at Jerusalem scattered.
     The Meaning, and Description, of a “Local” Church
    A local church is where Christians assemble for the preaching, teaching, fellowship and evangelism. A local church is “regional.”
     The Region of Judea and Samaria

    Map is the courtesy of
    ConformingToJesus.com
    When the saints fled from the persecution of Saul some of them went to the region of Judea and Samaria. Judea is the region that surrounds Jerusalem and Samaria is north of Judea and Jerusalem.
     The saints that fled Jerusalem in the area surrounding Jerusalem preached the gospel and established churches in the various cities in the region surrounding Jerusalem.
    The saints that fled to the northern region of Jerusalem preached the gospel and established churches in the northern region.
    The assemblies of the saints were local, or regional, in location.
     The Apostle Paul, and Regional, or Local Churches
    “For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.” 2 Corinthians 10:14-16
     The Region of Corinth
     
     Map is the courtesy of
    https://bibleatlas.org/corinth.htm
    On his second missionary journey, the Apostle Paul left the region of his local church in Antioch and traveled to the region of Corinth to preach the gospel and start a church.
     “To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.” Every New Testament Church is “regional,” or “local” to the area that it assembles in. The church at Corinth was a regional or local church that was limited to its own area or region.
     The apostle Paul knew that the influence of a local assembly, in this case Corinth, was limited to a particular region; or local in scope and authority.
     The Churches, Plural, are rested from Persecution
    Acts 9:31, “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”
     In Acts 9:1-30 we witness the dramatic conversion of Saul the Persecutor to become Paul the Apostle.
     The scriptures are abundantly clear that the “churches,” plural had rest from persecution. The scripture even names some of the regions that the churches were located: Judea, Galilee and Samaria. Two of the locations, Judea and Samaria, were mentioned previously with the third location, Galilee, the region north of Samaria, mentioned. The scripture is devoid of remarks concerning a “Universal Church.”
      The Universal Church and Acts 9:31
    The King James Version reading of Acts 9:31 is very clear, “churches.” “Church” is singular and “churches” are plural. As mentioned before, the King James Version not only says “churches” but it also lists three distinct regions that the churches existed: Judea, Samaria and Galilee.
     The website, ‘gotquestions.org,’ article, a strong Universal Church proponent, on the question, “What is the difference between the universal church and the local church, states, “In Acts 9:31, the King James rendering of the plural word churches should actually be the singular church, which describes the universal church, not just local churches.”[1]
     The article does not specify a particular writer, nor does it specify a particular version, nor a particular Greek manuscript. The website creator is a para-church ministry of Mr. S. Michael Houdmann. Houdmann is a graduate of Calvary University and Calvary Theological Seminary, Kansas City, MO and uses the modern versions extensively.
     F. H. A. Scrivener’s Greek translation of the Textus Receptus, in Acts 9:31, gives the plural translation of the Greek word: plural: αἱ … ἐκκλησίαι .[2]
     Therefore, the King James translation is correct by word and description: the ‘churches’ plural, had rest after the persecution by Saul ceased.
      [1] “What is the difference between the universal church and the local church?” GotQuestions.org/universal-local-church.html  
    [2] Scrivener, F. H. A., M. A., The New Testament, (The Trinitarian Bible Society: London, England), Cambridge University Press 1894 and 1902. Page238.
  11. Like
    ... got a reaction from Thief on the Cross in I’m scared   
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  12. Like
    ... reacted to Alan in The Local Church.   
    One of (there are several), the reasons why I started this thread is that I noticed two things. One of the reasons lies in the word "corporate." 
    1. Corporate.
    Denominations are like corporations. Businesses are operated  in a "hierarchical" manner  in order to grow a business. The "headquarters" of a denomination or a business is to run the church or the business. The Lord Jesus, and the Apostles, never started a denomination. All denominations are "hierarchical" in nature in order to perpetuate the denomination. A businessman understands the how, and why, a denomination operates.
    Balaam, heretics, the cults, denominational heads, inspirational preachers (men like Joel Osteen), are "covetous" and are in the "religious" business. "And through covetous shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you. whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and  their damnation slumbereth not." 2 Peter 2:3 These men, and women, are in the churches trying to promote themselves," merchandise," and their doctrines.
    One of the main reasons why inspirational preachers, and the Charismatics, have experienced great growth is they realized that a lot of people want to be entertained in a religious or Christian environment. And, one of the main reasons why it is hard to convince the Charismatic brethren that their doctrine,and belief of the Holy Spirit is in error, is due to their emotional involvement in tongues.
    The denominational heads, and inspirational preachers, use this emotional involvement to make huge amounts of money.
    Alan
     
  13. Like
    ... reacted to Jim_Alaska in The Local Church.   
    Excellent lesson Alan. I especially like this part: "Furthermore, the name of the individual who baptized the Lord Jesus was John. The title of John was, “the Baptist.” For a New Testament church who decides to fully follow as a disciple of John, and Jesus Christ, and call them themselves, “the Baptist Church,” is a good statement of where the church stands in relationship with John the Baptist and in doctrinal matters."
    This is something that most leave out of lessons and even just plain conversation. They never identify a Baptist church, in name, as being identified with John the Baptist.
    I have recently taught this concept, both in my church and here on OB.
    For a New Testament church to take the name "Baptist" is an affirmation of the lineage of the church that Jesus built. It also identifies with the teaching, ministry and person of John the Baptist.
    It is also not without great significance that John's title of "The Baptist". was given to him by The Lord himself:    Mt 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 
  14. Like
    ... reacted to Alan in The Local Church.   
    Acts 2:41-47, “The Church at Jerusalem”
     “Then that that gladly received his word was baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:41-47
     Baptism
    “… was baptized:” The converts were baptized with physical water, being fully immersed, after salvation.
     Baptism after Salvation
     Baptism is a solemn picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ; Romans 6:1-5 Baptism is one of the two ordinances given to the church. The church at Jerusalem is a perfect example of how baptism is to be accomplished after salvation, not before, and not a sacrament for salvation.
     The sacrament of infant baptism by the Roman Catholic Church, and the practice by the Church of Christ in order to be saved, are both grave errors and are not a New Testament church ordinance.
     John the Baptist
    “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone.” Ephesians 2:19 & 20 John the Baptist, as a prophet, and the forerunner, and baptizer, of Jesus Christ, is included as the foundation of the church.
     The Apostle Peter in Acts 2:22 stated, “Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.” The Apostle Peter, and the other apostles, clearly followed the teachings of John the Baptist concerning baptism. The baptism of John was by immersion: Matthew 3:13-17 and Acts 8:26-40
    A New Testament church will follow the baptism of John. The practice of sprinkling, or pouring, by the Roman Catholic Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church, and any other church, is not a New Testament church method of baptism.
     Those churches that reject the baptism of immersion as practiced by John the Baptist are going against the practice of the first church at Jerusalem. Furthermore, they are like the Pharisees who rejected the baptism of John the Baptist and therefore rejected the counsel of God. “And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.” Luke 7:29 & 30
    Therefore, to reject the baptism of John the Baptist, immersion, after salvation, is a rejection of the counsel of God.
     Furthermore, the name of the individual who baptized the Lord Jesus was John. The title of John was, “the Baptist.” For a New Testament church who decides to fully follow as a disciple of John, and Jesus Christ, and call them themselves, “the Baptist Church,” is a good statement of where the church stands in relationship with John the Baptist and in doctrinal matters.
     “about three thousand souls”
     The first church at Jerusalem was a soul-winning church. A New Testament church is a soul-winning church. A church that is not a soul-winning church is not following the example of the first church at Jerusalem
     “in the temple“
    Also, “ … and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.” Acts 5:12. Solomon’s porch was part of the Temple at Jerusalem.
     The first church at Jerusalem met in the Temple at Jerusalem. The Temple was a physical structure, ordained by God Himself, for public worship. For a local church to met in a building, a physical structure, for the worship of the Lord Jesus as the head of the church is following the practice of the first church at Jerusalem.
    Therefore, the first church at Jerusalem assembled in a building. The common practice of Baptist assemblies calling the physical structure that they meet in a “Temple” is also in accordance to the assembly location of the first church at Jerusalem.
     “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
    ‘Church’ is in the singular as there was only one church in Jerusalem at the time of Acts 2:41-47 Therefore, the Jerusalem assembly was local.
     The preaching of the gospel, and the salvation of souls, and the addition to these souls to the church, continued on a daily basis.
     “apostles’ doctrine and fellowship”
    As a part of the foundation of the church, the Lord gave the apostles the doctrines of the New Testament that the assembled church was to believe and follow. As the New Testament was not fully written, the apostles were the instruments that the Lord Jesus used to keep the early church doctrinal correct.
     The So-called, ‘Apostles Creed’
    The so-called, Apostles Creed, is not the “apostle’s doctrine,” as written in Acts 2:42.
    The Apostles
    Along with the other Apostles, the doctrines of the early church are more developed as Paul, Peter, James, and John, write their epistles through the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The doctrine of the General Assembly, the Bride of Christ, the Body of Christ, brethren called saints, the church as part (not replacing) of the elect of God, are more fully developed, and understood, as the Apostle Paul reveals these other aspects of the church more fully.
    Until the complete New Testament is written, the local assemblies listen, and follow, the teachings of the apostles. Not one time do any of the Apostles refer to a ‘Universal Church,’ or a denominational headquarters.
  15. Like
    ... got a reaction from Doc Flay in BEING 100% RIGHT WITH GOD   
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  16. Like
    ... got a reaction from Jim_Alaska in I’m scared   
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  17. Like
    ... got a reaction from *Light* in I’m scared   
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  18. Like
    ... reacted to swathdiver in Evolution is 'unscientific' Creation is SCIENTIFIC   
    Every year the earth ages 21 million years so the evolutionist can say blind chance had time to form.  They cannot explain the Law of Entropy,  stops them dead in their tracks every time.  It's a scary thing to be on the side of Hitler and Margaret Sanger!  I'm so thankful that I'm now on the winning side with my Savior by my side!
  19. Thanks
    ... got a reaction from Jim_Alaska in BEING 100% RIGHT WITH GOD   
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  20. Like
    ... reacted to Alan in Bubbles.   
    Bubbles
    by Alan
    As one goes through life,
    troubles, like bubbles,
    arise and flow,
     
    Turmoil and woe,
    Friend and Foe
    Alike flow like bubbles,
     
    Bubbles, like troubles,
    are the woe on man,
    The curse of sin,
     
    Bubbles, like time,
    wax and wan,
    rise and fall
     
    Though big and complex,
    like the throes of life,
    meet man alike
     
    Bubble like troubles,
    are strong and weak
    to all they meet
     
    A wind shall carry,
    all alike,
    from start to finish.
     
    Though alike in form,
    the end is not norm,
    for all bubbles.
     
    To prove the fact,
    the truth may be known
    All bubbles are not the same.
     
    Though flimsy and flighty,
    the race is not in the bubble,
    'tis the wind.
     
     
    Though not swift,
    nor strong in might,
    'tis the wind.
     
    'Tis wind my friend,
    the determines the end,
    of the bubble.
     
    ' that the race is not,
    to the swift,'
    'tis the wind.
    Ecclesiastes 9:11

    Photo by Mrs. Alan
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  21. Like
    ... reacted to Jordan Kurecki in THE DANGER OF STANDARDS   
    Just because people can act the part on the outside while being dirty on the inside, does not mean that the outside should be dirty if the inside truly is clean. 
    Standards should be a reflection of inner holiness, if someone refuses to watch things certain movies or TV shows because they violate Psalm 101:3 "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes", then that is not an abuse of standards, that is someone seeking in that area of their life to walk in holiness using God's word as their guide. Pastor Markle already pointed at that the law is holy. therefore we should live by the law as a guide and aid to us in reflecting the holy character and nature of God, but not as a means for which to attain salvation. And while yes the Law does not make us holy,  it still, however, is a guide and measuring rod for us. 
    Again though, I will point out that just because some may conform to external rules while neglecting the inside, does not mean that the problem is with having rules and principles from the word of God guiding our lives.
    I believe what you are presenting here is called an "either or" fallacy, whereby you present two options as if they are the only two options. it is a false dichotomy.
    Maybe I am misunderstanding you, but that's what I am seeing.
    Now I will grant to you that I think sometimes IFB do make up their own PERSONAL applications of biblical principles and pass them off as if they were the biblical principle or law itself. 
  22. Like
    ... reacted to Pastor Scott Markle in THE DANGER OF STANDARDS   
    Here is something to ponder --
    1.  The character of God's Law is holy.  Thus it is in perfect unity with the perfect holiness of the Lord our God.
    2.  The character of God's Spirit is holy.  Thus he is in perfect unity with the perfect holiness of the Lord our God.
    3.  If by character God's Law directs us in a perfect standard of holiness, and if by character God's Spirit directs us in a perfect standard of holiness, in what manner does God's Law and God's Spirit contradict each other?
  23. Like
    ... reacted to Pastor Scott Markle in THE DANGER OF STANDARDS   
    This subject is so easily complicated because so many things are either mis-defined or mis-combined.
    For an example of mis-defined -- With some the Law of God now seems to referenced as if it were a "bad thing."  Yet the New Testament Scriptures clearly teach that the Law of God is holy, and that the commandments of God's Law are "holy, and just , and good." (See Romans 7:12)
    For an example of mis-combined -- With some the commandments of men are sometimes referenced as if they were the Law of God.  Yet our Lord Jesus Christ clearly taught that following after the commandments of men can cause our religious walk to be spiritual vanity. (See Matthew 15:9)
    For another example of mis-defined -- With some the New Testament truth that we have freedom in Christ is employed to teach that we may now do whatever we desire.  Yet the New Testament Scriptures clearly teach that our liberty in Christ is NEVER to be used for an occasion to our selfish flesh. (See Galatians 5:13)
    For another example of mis-combined -- With some the New Testament truth that we are to walk after the Spirit, not under the Law, is employed to teach that the righteousness of the God's Law no longer matters in our Christian lives.  Yet the New Testament Scriptures clearly teach that walking after the Holy Spirit will LEAD us to fulfill the righteousness of God's Law. (See Romans 8:4)
    So then, do the commands of God matter for the New Testament believer?  Most certainly!  For we can only walk in loving fellowship with the Lord our God AS we walk in obedience to His commandments. (See John 15:9-11)  (Note: Not ALL of the Old Testament commandments are applicable unto the New Testament believer.  Some ARE, while others are NOT.  Biblical and Spirit-filled discernment is definitely required in this matter.)
  24. Like
    ... reacted to Jim_Alaska in THE DANGER OF STANDARDS   
    Adam and Donald, do you think that these verses enter into the subject of "standards" or as you called them, "rules"? How would you reconcile what has been said  in this post with these Scriptures?
     Mt 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 
     15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 
     16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 
  25. Like
    ... got a reaction from wretched in What would you do?   
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