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I'm sorry, but that just doesn't make sense. A "grace" church sounds as if it is simply one that has enough finances from wealthy people that it can afford to present that image to its members. Since it obviously is not as pressured for finances.
What does the teaching of "God's word" even mean? All I can see is that it means spreading a message of believing a doctrine.
But to what end? Why would God just require people to "believe" something in order to be saved? Don't you see that that has no rationale whatsoever?
Shouldn't our salvation depend upon how we treat each other and our environment? And how we live out our lives?
I'm sorry, but that just doesn't make sense. A "grace" church sounds as if it is simply one that has enough finances from wealthy people that it can afford to present that image to its members. Since it obviously is not as pressured for finances.
What does the teaching of "God's word" even mean? All I can see is that it means spreading a message of believing a doctrine.
But to what end? Why would God just require people to "believe" something in order to be saved? Don't you see that that has no rationale whatsoever?
Shouldn't our salvation depend upon how we treat each other and our environment? And how we live out our lives?
The reality of the existence of grace oriented churches, of which three have been provided as examples, doesn't make sense to you? If the Lord wishes a particular local church assembly to keep its doors open then He will provide the means. If on the other hand the Lord shuts down some particular church assembly, nothing will keep it open. There are many churches where members of the congregation are motivated to financially give without threats or pressure, but out of love. And those churches do just fine.
You ask ,''What does the teaching of God's word even mean?'' Simply go into the websites of Country Bible Church and Austin Bible Church and view their doctrinal studies and see for yourself.
Why, you ask, would God require people to believe something to be saved, namely the gospel message that Jesus died for your sins and rose again? Because God requires a volitional response on our part with regard to the work on the cross that Jesus did in order to make salvation available to the human race.
No, our salvation should not, cannot, and does not depend on anything that we do. Salvation is by grace through faith in accordance with God's standards and requirements. Our eternal salvation depends entirely on what God has done for us. Not on anything we do for God or for others. Works have a legitimate place in the life of a believer, but works have absolutely nothing to do with receiving eternal life which is a free gift. God gives eternal life as a free gift. A person simply takes possession of the gift through faith in the finished redemptive work of Christ on the cross.
We have now gone off topic. Your OP's contention was basically that 100 percent of (the pastors of) Bible believing churches would pressure their congregation to give. I provided three examples that show that not to be the case. Not being able to accept that you imagined there to be veiled threats in the statements which were provided. There are none.
Why, you ask, would God require people to believe something to be saved, namely the gospel message that Jesus died for your sins and rose again? Because God requires a volitional response on our part with regard to the work on the cross that Jesus did in order to make salvation available to the human race.
The "Salvation" made available doctrine has no merit.
The premmis of the church is based on Paul, not Jesus.
Jesus provided the Holy Spirit to teach in His place .
Jesus directly instructed the disciples NOT to be called master , father or Rabbi (teacher)
So long as you are taking direction of men (or self) you are not getting direction of Jesus, hence, you cannot honestly call Him Lord.
Matthew 7;21,22,23, Jesus establishes where the accountability is. Obedience to God
Obedience can only be know through the Holy Spirit, Jesus provided .
As promised Jeramiah 31;31,32,33, fulfilled John 14;15; Acts 2; the evidence 1John 2;20, and in the lives of those that have genuinely recieved the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
How a person behaves in God's approval is based on their obedience to God real time . Not cherry picking scriptures to one's own satisfaction.
God knows the heart and your actions if they are in obedience or self govern.
Doing what is right ones own eyes, is how Israel fell ,repeatidly.
The "Salvation" made available doctrine has no merit.
Yes it does. One verse is all that is necessary to demonstrate that fact. And that is John 3:16. But as always, you reject it.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Eternal salvation is available to all, but is appropriated only by those who believe on Christ Jesus. Those who do not believe on Christ will perish (which refers not to annihilation, but to eternal residence in the lake of fire) and will not have eternal life (which refers to life in a saving relationship with God).
I'll not waste my time arguing with you about it because you have made it abundantly clear many times in the past that you don't and won't believe it.
I am certain that for any Bible-believing church, their standard of true faith for any member is not based on what the person believes (as the preacher might say from the pulpit or teach in another setting), but rather on what the person gives to them. If you don't believe me, imagine these two scenarios:
1. Church member meets with the pastor. He says that he is unsure of his beliefs about Jesus, and needs assurance of faith. But this member gives a faithful tithe and even beyond.
2. Another member meets with the pastor. He tells him that he has absolute faith in Jesus and the Bible. But he feels that the tithe has been misinterpreted by the churches, and so he only gives a couple of dollars, only on the occasions when he attends. And he believes that the main giving should go directly to those in need, without the need of a church to redistribute it.
How would the Bible-believing pastor respond to each? To the first one who had spiritual doubts, he would assure him that his heart was actually in the right place due to the money he was giving. To the second, he would warn him that he was not a true believer because his giving would be the true evidence of faith.
I believe this would be the case in 100% of Bible-believing churches. If not money, then they would request some type of work or service for the church.
Do you think this is valid or not? If not, how should the pastor respond to either of these members?
It is not the pastor's business to judge his parishioners. God judges people by the quality of love in their hearts and the deeds that love moves them to perform, and God tells us 'By their fruit you will know them.'
'The fruitage of The Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Mildness, Faith, Patience, and Self-control.'
We are not under the OT Law today, but each one should give (NOT NECESSARILY THROUGH A CHURCH) according to the dictates of his conscience.
Jesus tells us, 'By this men shall know that you are my disciples; that you have love amongst yourselves.'
The whole Bible boils down to us loving God and loving one another.
Yes it does. One verse is all that is necessary to demonstrate that fact. And that is John 3:16. But as always, you reject it.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Eternal salvation is available to all, but is appropriated only by those who believe on Christ Jesus. Those who do not believe on Christ will perish (which refers not to annihilation, but to eternal residence in the lake of fire) and will not have eternal life (which refers to life in a saving relationship with God).
I'll not waste my time arguing with you about it because you have made it abundantly clear many times in the past that you don't and won't believe it.
He was sent to open your heart and mind, it's not about being self-righteous.
What is rejected is the "us" and "them" mentality of religious indoctrination.
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