House Church Talk - Re: Yet another newspaper article...

[DanG]

Jeff wrote:
Or, is our hope in
> Jesus and His ability to purify each of us, to remove the enmity for His law and
> bring in perfect love, to bring peace where there was punishment and guilt and
> fear because of our sins, and to justify us by His blood and help us remain
> just by His righteous life? Which ever it is, I think you will find it to be our
> main theme. By our fruits they will know us. By the things we present most
> often, others will judge as most valuable to hc. Thus, our discussion topics
> will manifest our outward character to the world as a witness.
> 
> I realize this is long. A lot longer than I had intended for it to be. I
> don't write often, but this question has been on my mind for years.
> 
> I also want to thank David for providing this forum for so many years and
> attempting to do a good work by encouraging unity via the communications vehicle
> of the Internet to these dispersed groups of believers around the world. May
> God be our guide.
> 
> (If you would like to respond to this post, the question is "What Biblical
> reason do we have for leaving the IC? Is it based solely on the hierarchy of the
> IC, or their teachings?" There may be other opportunities to respond but this
> is my focus. Please make the answer to this question your primary focus if
> you wish to respond to me. Thanks.)
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> Jeff in Richmond, VA

Jeff, others:
This is a good topic.  We were discussing this at home recently also,
and now it comes up at hctalk - interesting how God weaves things
together for each of us, eh?

So, in understanding this querie, it seems the assumption is that men
gather with men and that is the assembly meant in the Hebrews 10
verses.  I guess I am not so sure of that, since as Jeff is pointing
out, the argument falls apart real quick and we are back to men
meeting with men - somehow.

Perhaps we should look at what else the Bible sez about fellowship?

1Jo 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye
also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the
Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.

I am not detecting man to man as a first point of focus.  The result
of correct focus on the first part then leads to man to man, it seems.
 I cannot be dogmatic on these things - we are in dialog on this,
therefore I will uphold these thoughts as I express them and then
defend them as I understand them - not dogma, tho...

Also, I clipped your message Jeff.  I agree with your phrase "enmity
for His law"  However, I think it is abundantly clear in other areas
of scripture that law does not have anything to do with us - we are
removed from the law and fount in Him, i.e. Ro 5:1 - you have seen me 
put this verse up here before - one of my favorites.

Ro 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith
into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of
God.

I find no solace in peace within the law - none, by definition. 
However, this verse speaks huge words to me - that being, peace with
God - WOW!!!

Okay, so, I like the law, because it is good, and it is a way that God
has defined as pure and right - but there still remains enmity between
me and the law.  I guess I mean to say that remove the word law from
your phrase - and we agree, I think...

Anyhoo, it seems to me that fellowship is first and foremost man to
God - as established by God.  Then there is a potential for fellowship
one with another, but it seems that the direction of this dialog is
heading from man to man and trying to find how to make this man to man
thing better or more fulfilling.  In my estimation - that ain't gonna
happen.  That constitutes psychology and counseling, if that.
DanG ChicagoArea