Priority to form a loving brotherhood

There might be people who do not like that others share the love of Christ with each other and do not mind being under Christ instead of being under one or the other organisation.

"Jesus Christ" - NARA - 559041 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In Belgium we might have been under attack and have been surrounded by such a great cloud of unbelievers, having only a small amount of baptised brethren and several whom are baptised under Carelinks who do not get to know us, because their organisation does not bring us to their attention. You might think they could also look for other Christadelphians on the net and come to find us. But that does not seem to happen.

Having in between the battle of two organisations, CBM from the UK and Duncan Heaster with Carelinks on the other site, we got ourselves in trouble and annoied by two groups. Though we totally could understand the reason why CBM is so reluctant to accept Duncan Heaster in their community again.

He also accuses me now of slander because of my postings: Duncan Heaster en Carelinks onverbiddelijke verhinderaars + No reconciliation possible between CBM and Duncan Heaster from Carelinks.
A reply and justification by me shall be placed by those articles and shall needed to be added by the underneath words.

We in Belgium do not like the war going on between CBM and Carelinks, nor the war Duncan Heaster wants to keep going between me, Marcus Ampe.

Our priority is by bringing the Good News of the Gospel of the Kingdom and to form a loving brotherhood. For that reason we want to throw off everything that hinders and could get us into the sin that so easily entangles. Though we might not with many, we do prefer to be with a few who are willing to aim for the same goal. We want to reach people who are willing to believe in what the Bible tells us and who wants to take Christ Jesus as their cornerstone and not any human organisation.

To be able to follow the right path, we wish to find sincere people who are willing to share the Word of God with us. With all those who are prepared to put their own personal selfish "I" away and who want to become like one great family under Christ, we want to give out our hand.

We do want to run with perseverance the race marked out for us and therefore we do want to get rid off all obstacles this world wants to put in front of us.

The few members we do have in our ecclesia all do agree to fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. In him we do trust and want to find the cornerstone of that what has to be build in Belgium.

In case we do have to bear many crosses, we shall not mind to take up our cross in remembrance of the wooden stake Jesus died at. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in, we want to study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed — that exhilarating finish in and with God — he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honour, right alongside God.

Facing the troubles in Belgium and seeing how certain persons try to get division in the community we might find ourselves flagging in our faith, but than we do know we should go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he ploughed through. What a pleasure we may find in the glorious task Jesus has done and has given his followers. That will shoot adrenaline into our souls!” Therefore we invite anybody who is willing to follow Jesus to join us and to look at him who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. May we ask all those who are not sure to consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that they, you nor we, will not grow weary and lose heart.

We do know we do have to endure hardship as discipline and are pleased we may offer ourselves as brothers of Christ or as sisters of Christ, being children of God. Yes because of Jesus his actions the relationship between God and man is restored and Jesus his Father accepted Jesus peace offer and is treating us now as His sons and daughters.

We have all had human fathers, to whom we had to be submitted and who disciplined us and we respected them for it. Christ Jesus broke the chains of the world and the chain of death, becoming a high priest for God and our mediator by God. It is not the human organisation of a company, church firm or denomination that shall give us the key to enter the Kingdom of God. No it is how we personally want to make a good relationship with the people around us, with Christ and with God. The Elohim does not ask you to submit to any worldly organisation, but asks you to submit to His Will and His commandments. It is by submitting to the Father of our spirits that we shall be able to live!

We should come together as brothers and sisters and feel united under Christ!

Therefore we do want to strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees and continue to go forwards, even when we just be on our own (knowing that Jesus would walk with us), with two, three, or a few more. It is not the quantity that counts for God but the quality.

In case we are not with many or in case more want to join us, we want to go together and feel that we are like mountain climbers, able to count onto each other! All ready to make level paths for our own but also for the other feet," {Proverbs 4:26} so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

We decided to make every effort to live in peace with all men around us and to be willing to set-apart those who are willing to share that love of Christ which should bound us in union. Together, even with not many, we will be prepared to see to it that no-one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Trying to protect the flock, being responsible for the Belgian ecclesia, I shall have to keep the bad things out and should avoid that further damage can be done.

I consider it one of my tasks, for the good of what has to be build up, to see that no-one is in no way immoral, or is godless. We may not sell our soul to any person or any organisation. Our soul (= our total being) should be under one leader of the Church and that is Christ Jesus the Messiah.

We have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." {Exodus 19:12,13; Hebrews 12:19-20}

I shall continue to bring people to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God, even when other individuals or organisation may want to  have me trembling with fear. {Deuteronomy 9:19} For me the main issue is to bring people to Jehovah God, not to make them another member of a human organisation.
Though I do know we do have to have order and law, and are bounded by forms of organisation; but that organisation or church should be under direction of Jesus Christ his commands and not of personal gain.

I would love to bring more people together in an environment where they can feel at home and where they can share their ideas in peace. I would love to bring more people to come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant. I am not willing to see any battle going on.

No blood I would like to see, but the blood of Jesus who liberated us. In remembrance I would love to take the symbols, the bread and the wine, so that we who want to come together may confess in Jesus name. Created things can be disturbed and shaken but we may trust that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for or our "God is a consuming fire." {Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:28-29}

As such I would like to call all those who are willing to unite with the ones who keep on loving each other as brothers. I also would say we shall not forget to entertain strangers and will remember those in other parts of the world, but also those in prison as if we are their fellow-prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if we ourselves were suffering. {Hebrew 13:1-3}

Though one or more persons, might do all the work to get us divided, we shall try to see over all persons and organisations and shall not fall in the trap of the love of money. Therefore, although our community in this small country may not have many means to survive we shall be content with what we have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." {Deuteronomy 31:6}

There are people in this world who would like to frighten us. To them I would like to say they may perhaps do a lot of terrible things to us here on earth, but we have a better future and hope and believe in what God has promised to them that stay faithful to Him.
So we, in this small country which is not old yet and perhaps can fall in pieces very soon, say with confidence, "Jehovah, the Elohim and Only One God, is my helper; we will not be afraid. What can man do to us?" {Psalm 118:6,7}

I and my fellow brethren shall remember our leaders, who spoke the word of God to us and consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith when they lived according to the commandments of God. And we shall not let us be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.

To keep the teachings clear, we know the importance of gathering, the need of meeting with each other on regular times. It is at such meetings our hearts can be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name. As brothers and sisters we should feel united under Jesus his name. We as brothers and sisters do find it important that we do good to each-other and do not keep things away from our other brethren and sisters. Those who intentionally do not allow other brethren and sisters to join with each other we consider have other priorities than to unite people under Christ. As brethren and sisters in Christ we may not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

It is important that all those who want to follow Christ can come together and that they help eachother to grow in the faith. Those making it not possible to share the faith we can not consider to be good at heart and having the right intentions nor the right heart to be a brother or sister in Christ.

We should pray for them and for the whole community that they may receive the heart of Christ and try to live accordingly.

As responsible for the ecclesia in Belgium I from my site have the responsibility to protect the community for false teachers, bad and false influences. Those in charge of the ecclesia do have  to take their responsibility and keep watch over those men and women who are willing to come under Christ and to be a member of the community, knowing that at the end all of us must give an account.

I would like to ask you also to pray for me and for our ecclesia, that we always shall obey God and that we may have a clear conscience and desire to live honourably in every way.

Let us all pray that those who want to follow Jesus Christ  may be guided by the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, and that He might equip us with everything good for doing His will, and that He may work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The UK album cover for the 1969 release of Jesus Christ Superstar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Preceding:

Not words of any organisation should bind you, but the Word of God

Continue reading:

Disciple of Christ counting lives and friends dear to them

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Please do find additional reading:

1. Our relationship with God, Jesus and eachother
2. He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
3. Faith
4. Do not forget the important sign of belief
5. Self-development, self-control, meditation, beliefs and spirituality
6. Not enlightened by God’s Spirit
7. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands
8. Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience
9. Choices
10. Always a choice
11. We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace
12. A person is limited only by the thoughts that he chooses
13. To be chained by love for another one
14. No man is free who is not master of himself
15. Fear and protection
16. Only the contrite self, sick of its pretensions, can find salvation
17. Choose you this day whom ye will serve
18. It is a free will choice
19. For those who make other choices
20. Your life the sum total of all your choices
21. Answering a fool according to his folly
22. You cannot change anything in your life with intention alone
23. What’s church for, anyway?
24. Feeling-good, search for happiness and the church
25. The one who has not had a taste of love
26. Casual Christians
27. Christianity is a love affair
28. The Law of Christ: Law of Love
29. What Jesus did: First things first
30. The first on the list of the concerns of the saint
31. The Greatest of These is Love
32. A treasure which can give me everything I need
33. The task given to us to love each other
34. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love
35. God demonstrates his own love
36. Agape, a love to share with others from the Fruit of the Spirit
37. Unarmed truth and unconditional love
38. Unconditional love
39. The Spirit of God imparts love,inspires hope, and gives liberty
40. No fear in love
41. When we love we do not need laws
42. Love envieth not
43. Love turns one person into two; and two into one
44. Love is like playing the piano
45. Love will cure more sins than condemnation
46. If we love one another, God lives in us
47. Spread love everywhere you go
48. Love and cultivate that which is pure
49. Blessed are those who freely give
50. Those who make peace should plant peace like a seed
51. Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair
52. Work with joy and pray with love
53. Self-preservation is the highest law of nature
54. Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness
55. Growth in character
56. God let my compassionate affection be tolerant and kind
57. Observing the commandments and becoming doers of the Word
58. A Living Faith #2 State of your faith
59. A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
60. A Living Faith #5 Perseverance
61. Parts of the body of Christ
62. Breathing and growing with no heir
63. God loving people justified
64. United people under Christ
65. Small churches of the few Christadelphians

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Related articles

• No reconciliation possible between CBM and Duncan Heaster from Carelinks
• Synagogue, Church or Ecclesia for the Christian
• Not words of any organisation should bind you, but the Word of God
• God & Jesus Christ Keep their 10 + 2 Commandments
• How to Create a Church of the Poor
• Christ Is the Living Law
• Core Values: Brotherhood shown by showing up for brothers
• Jesus taught lesson of humanity, brotherhood, peace: Altaf
• Bible Notes on "Christ Is the Living Law"
• The Love of Christ Compels Us

Democratic principles for the church of today

Several Catholic clergymen did find again the way church has to be build.

Dr Marie-Thérèse van Lunen Chenu 

"The history of the birth of the 1983 code of church law speaks volumes as regards the collusion between magisterium, theology and law. There was not one woman among the 127 members of the Commission for revision of Canon Law (1982 directory) and if some lay people were consulted, how many of those were women? Who chose them? The Roman hierarchy, it is well known, as regards the issue of women, has never agreed to create a structure which would truly give them a voice. Anyone who knows the already lengthy history of the attempts of feminism and women’s associations to dialogue with the religious authorities, would consider they had the right to doubt the true legitimacy of a jurisdiction and a theological function which remains the monopoly of an exclusively masculine authority. The first Convention on the rights of women, adopted at Seneca Falls in the USA in 1848, declared: 'Man has usurped the prerogatives of Jehovah himself, in assigning the sphere of action to woman, when this belongs to the conscience of the woman herself and to God."

Prof Daniel C. Maguire  says " Most Catholic theologians today are scandalously timid in reimagining the new forms the church should be taking today. For at least a century after Jesus the idea of a monarchical bishop in charge of a diocese was not the norm."

From the beginning Jesus envisaged that important decisions should be taken by the whole group of his disciples, by the 'community'. In the case of a dispute between believers which cannot be resolved amicably, Jesus recommends: "Report it to the community" (Matthew 18,15-17). Such common decisions, Jesus added, will be sanctioned in heaven, i.e. by God (Mattthew 18,18; see also Mt 18,19-20).

“And if your brother sins against you, go and reprove him, between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. “But if he does not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word might be established.’ “And if he refuses to hear them, say it to the assembly. And if he refuses even to hear the assembly, let him be to you like a gentile and a tax collector. “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind {1} on earth shall be having been bound {1} in heaven, and whatever you loosen {1} on earth shall be having been loosened1 in heaven. {Footnote: 1 Binding and loosening is Hebidiom for exercising authority (to prohibit and permit).}
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning any matter that they ask, it shall be done for them by My Father in the heavens. “For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there I am in their midst.” (Matthew 18:15-20 The Scriptures 1998+)

 The word used for 'community' in Matthew's Greek Gospel is εκκλήσία - ecclesia in Latin - which soon became the common expression for a Christian community [= church]. εκκλήσία stood for 'the whole community', and more specifically: 'the community in full assembly'. In the hellenistic [= Greek] world of the Early Church, decisions made by an εκκλήσία were made democratically - another Greek word. It means that all members of the εκκλήσία had a vote in the assembly.

When we read the Acts of the apostles we can see that a sort of democratic process was the rule in the formation of the meetings and in the working together of those who wanted to follow Jesus. To the community, never was demanded to follow one person in particular.

Torchlit procession to mark the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council at the Vatican (Photo credit: Catholic Church (England and Wales))

It is very significant that the apostles addressed their inspired letters to the whole community - εκκλήσία - in a particular town. “For instance: 'I, Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle, sends greetings to the church (εκκλήσία) of God in Corinth, to the holy people of Jesus Christ . . .' ” (1 Corinthians 1,1-2.) Several priests and bishops are now aware that "Church" denoted not the hierarchy, nor an institution but the People of God. They say that the Second Vatican Council stressed this notion again in Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium § 9-17. And the Council reiterated that all members of the People of God share in responsibility, and therefore in a measure of authority, for the whole community. Every baptised person carries authority as priest, prophet and queen/king with Christ and takes part in Christ's universal mission.

“The faithful who, by baptism are incorporated into Christ, are placed in the people of God, and in their own way share the priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ, and to the best of their ability carry on the mission of the whole Christian people in the Church and in the world.”
Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium § 31.

At last they know that Each member of the People of God shares responsibility for the good of the whole community of faith. In the community it is not just one person who is responsible for all the others or who can lead all the others telling them what to do or what not to do.

"By divine institution Holy Church is ordered and governed with a wonderful diversity. "For just as in one body we have many members, yet all the members have not the same function, so we, the many, are one body in Christ, but severally members one of another"(Romans 12,14-6). Therefore, the chosen People of God is one: "one Lord, one faith, one baptism"(Ephesians 4,5); sharing a common dignity as members from their regeneration in Christ, having the same filial grace and the same vocation to perfection; possessing in common one salvation, one hope and one undivided charity. There is, therefore, in Christ and in the Church no inequality on,the basis of race or nationality, social condition or sex, because "there is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all 'one' in Christ Jesus"(Galatians 3,28; cf. Colossians 3,11).
If therefore in the Church everyone does not proceed by the same path, nevertheless all are called to sanctity and have received an equal privilege of faith through the justice of God(cf. 2 Peter 1,1). And if by the will of Christ some are made teachers, pastors and dispensers of mysteries on behalf of others, yet all share a true equality with regard to the dignity and to the activity common to all the faithful for the building up of the Body of Christ. "
Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium § 32. 

For I say, through the favour which has been given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he should think, but to think soberly, as Elohim has given to each a measure of belief. For as we have many members in one body, but all members do not have the same function, so we, the many, are one body in Messiah, and members each one of one another. Now having different gifts, according to the favour which was given to us, let us use them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of belief; if serving, in the serving; or he who is teaching, in the teaching; or he who encourages, in the encouragement; or he who is sharing, in sincerity; he who is leading, in diligence; he who shows compassion, joyously.
(Romans 12:3-8 The Scriptures 1998+)

Brothers, as a man I say it: a covenant, even though it is man’s, yet if it is confirmed, no one sets it aside, or adds to it.
(Galatians 3:15 The Scriptures 1998+)

But the Scripture has shut up all mankind under sin, that the promise by belief in יהושע  {Jeshua} Messiah might be given to those who believe. But before belief came, we were being guarded under Torah, having been shut up for the belief being about to be revealed. Therefore the Torah became our trainer unto Messiah, in order to be declared right by belief. And after belief has come, we are no longer under a trainer. For you are all sons of Elohim through belief in Messiah יהושע . For as many of you as were immersed into Messiah have put on Messiah. There is not Yehuḏite nor Greek, there is not slave nor free, there is not male and female, for you are all one in Messiah יהושע . And if you are of Messiah, then you are seed of Aḇraham, and heirs according to promise.
(Galatians 3:22-29 The Scriptures 1998+)

When the Messiah, who is our life, is manifested, then you also shall be manifested with Him in esteem. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: whoring, uncleanness, passion, evil desire and greed of gain, which is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of Elohim is coming upon the sons of disobedience,{1 Footnote: 1Eph. 2:2, Eph. 5:6. in which you also once walked when you lived in them.} But now, also put off all these: displeasure, wrath, evil, blasphemy, filthy talk from your mouth. Do not lie to each other, since you have put off the old man {1} with his practices, {Footnote: 1Rom. 6:6, Eph. 4:22.} and have put on the new one who is renewed in knowledge according to the likeness of Him who created him, where there is not Greek and Yehuḏite, circumcised and uncircumcised, foreigner, Scythian, slave, free, but Messiah is all, and in all. Therefore, as chosen ones of Elohim, set-apart and beloved, put on compassion, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other if anyone has a complaint against another, indeed, as Messiah forgave you so also should you. But above all these put on love, which is a bond of the perfection. And let the peace of Elohim rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one Body, and be filled with thanks. Let the Word of Messiah {1} dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing with pleasure in your hearts to the Master in psalms and songs of praise and spiritual songs. {Footnote: 1John 12:48, Dt. 18:19, Rev. 19:13.} And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Master  יהושע, giving thanks to Elohim the Father through Him.
(Colossians 3:4-17 The Scriptures 1998+)

God distributes the gifts of the Spirit to the faithful of every rank. That is why all rightly share in the decision making processes of and for the community.

Ministry of the Apostles, a complex multi-figure icon with a full-height image of Jesus Christ, surrounded by sectors with scenes of His disciples' calling, ministry and martyrdom. Icon from the Yaroslavl Museum Preserve. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When the Church grew and became more organised, it assimilated government structures first from the Roman Empire, then from the secular kingdoms of the Middle Ages. Soon it was to adapt certain pagan rites and ideas as well as holy days, because other-while they would come in trouble with the local governing committees.To make it easier to get in unison with the civil governing official they introduced the civil ruling system and hierarchy.  The exercise of authority became top-down, hierarchical and feudalistic.

Anno 2012 many bishops and priest of the Roman curia find that "While retaining some of the useful organizational tools acquired in the past, the Church of our own time should re-instal the pattern of true universal co-responsibility envisaged by Christ and the apostles. It can do so by adopting many of the excellent democratic principles of the secular societies in which we live."

God does not want us to follow people or institutions. Also Jesus did not to take him as the wonder-doer  or to honour him. He told people to listen to his words but to recognise them as the message from his Father, to whom we also should pray "Our Father". In many of his parables and preachings Jesus clearly showed others he importance of following the One and Only One True God, his Father in heaven.

As the seed of Abraham we should be one united people. We may not be isolated individuals but should be one family and behave like brothers and sisters in Christ. Jehovah God wants us all to be part of the salvation not as a “me and Jesus” thing. Rather, He desires to save us as His Set -Apart or holy, beloved people. Each individual in the Church of God has to submit himself to the Master Builder's hand. Our sacrifices offered to God must be of ourselves; each in our measure must try to follow Jeshua (Jesus) who set himself apart and kept away from sin, living a life according to the commandments of his Father, the Elohim Jehovah God. This anointed one, who offered himself, is the one we should follow.

Because it is contained in the Scripture, “See, I lay in Tsiyon a chief corner-stone, chosen, precious, and he who believes on Him shall by no means be put to shame.” {1} {Footnote: 1Isa. 28:16.} This preciousness, then, is for you who believe; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner-stone,”{1} {Footnote: 1Ps. 118:22.} and “A stone of stumbling and a rock that makes for falling,”{1} who stumble because they are disobedient {2} to the Word, to which they also were appointed. {Footnotes: 1Isa. 8:14. 2See John 3:36, Heb. 3:18.}
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a set-apart nation, a people for a possession, that you should proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light, who once were not a people, but now the people of Elohim; who had not obtained compassion, but now obtained compassion.
(1 Peter 2:6-10 The Scriptures 1998+)

So do not be ashamed of the witness of our Master, nor of me His prisoner, but suffer hardship with me for the Good News according to the power of Elohim, who has saved us and called us with a set-apart calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and favour which was given to us in Messiah יהושע  before times of old, but now revealed by the appearing of our Saviour יהושע  Messiah, who indeed abolished death and brought life and incorruptibility to light through the Good News,
(2 Timothy 1:8-10 The Scriptures 1998+)

All those who call themselves Christian should be followers of Jesus, keeping to his words and holding his commandments, going out in the world preaching the Good News, evangelizing and bringing as much people back to Jesus his Father, Jehovah God.

God nor Jesus never intended Church to be a bureaucracy. It had to be a means to feel united as children of God and to give live structure under the guidance of the Word of God.
All Christians should have a greater awareness that our faith is necessarily ecclesial. The ecclesia should be the home of the people who want to follow Christ and continue their search to come as close as possible to the Father of Jesus, who is also our Father and should be the only Holy Father.
It is in the ecclesia that faith should be celebrated, lived, and shared in brotherly love, with respect and equality for everybody.

Democratic principles

"We can learn tried and tested democratic principles such as the following:
* creating councils through which people's voice can be heard;
* the fair election of leaders;
* accountability for all entrusted with tasks;
* a limited term for office holders;
* transparency;
* ensuring that all groups in the Church are duly represented;
* due process of law;
* and the separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers."
Len Swidler

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Do find the call on all members of the People of God to assess the situation in the Catholic church.: Due democratic process should be used in decision making. > Catholic Scholars' Jubilee Declaration

Please do read:

1. What and why Ecclesia
2. Meetings
3. Not bounded by labels but liberated in Christ
4. Reasons to come to gether
5. Look for your Refuge by God
6. Minimizing the power of God’s Force the Holy Spirit
7. Position and power
8. Raising digression
9. Politics and power first priority #1
10. Politics and power first priority #2
11. Politics and power first priority #3 Elevation of Mary and the Holy Spirit
12. The Ecclesia in the churchsystem
13. Manifests for believers #5 Christian Union
14. Philippians 1 – 2

 Also of interest:

• A Society pleading poverty

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• How ignoring two little words has devastated evangelization.
• Vatican II and the Ecclesiology of Joseph Ratzinger
• Day #62: Lumen Gentium 60-61
• "The Fundamental Themes of This Moment" - From "Gender" to Evangelization, B16's "State of the Church"
• What does it mean to 'Follow Jesus'?
• Ember and light the ransomed of Jehovah

A call easy to understand

"'Follow me' said the King.

The call is so simple any child can understand it.
Its meaning is so sublime that no philosopher, be he ever so clever, can exhaust the infinite meaning of the mystery — its genius.
It is not misery — it is joy.
It is not doubt — it is conviction.
It is not fear — it is blessed assurance.

Disciples are bond servants, but also friends who know their Master’s will. They are not dragging themselves along reluctantly hoping that their misery may win them some reward. They follow gladly for love’s sake, trusting that because he lives, they will live also.

The genius of discipleship — the transformation — touches every aspect of life.
Being called, conviction, trust, surrender, purity, peace, prayer, service."

- Dennis Gillett
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The New Man
The Genius of Discipleship

Nederlandse versie / Dutch version > Een te begrijpen oproep
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2013 update:

You Don't Understand Me (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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• A darker and stranger place
• A heart in the right place and brightly burning faith
• New Flemish tryptich for those who want to know more about God
• For Dutch speaking readers #2 Second component of triptych

Suffering redemptive because Jesus redeemed us from sin

surrendersacrifice has posted a new topic entitled "Why is suffering redemptive?" in forum "General Theology" on Bible Truth.

Suffering is redemptive because Jesus redeemed us from sin through His suffering.  Jesus invites us to join Him in His redemptive work by allowing us to enter into His suffering (which we encounter while doing His work) (Colossians 1:24).  Therefore, to be worthy of Christ we must deny our self, take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 10:38 & 16:24; Mark 8:34; & Luke 9:23 and 14:27). Even the personal sufferings we encounter in life when suffered with faith in Christ (which means that we believe that God will bring out of our suffering) is redeeming because it produces endurance, character and hope (Romans 5:2-3); enables us to overcome sin; and enables us to share in His life (1Peter 4:1-2 and 1 Peter 2:19-21).  Suffering makes us humble; humility teaches us to rely on God; and reliance God frees us of selfishness (which is the cause of all sins). Quite often we are afraid of suffering, however we must remember that Jesus will lighten our burden (if we trust Him) (Matthew 11:30); and that the sufferings of the present is nothing compared to the glory that awaits those who trust Him (Romans 8:18).

The thought of losing rekindles the joy of having

"The thought of losing
rekindles the joy of having."
- Tom Payne

"Therefore, having been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith
into this grace in which we stand;
and we exult in hope of the glory of God."
Romans 5:1-2

Due to distance ourselves from this world it seems to many that we have a lot of losses.
But by following Christ we win a lot.
We are pleased and grateful that we are justified by faith.
We are pleased that through Jesus Christ we have received reconciliation.
And we are grateful to you God, that you have made all this possible for us poor sinners.

Dutch  version / Nederlands> De gedachte aan het verliezen ontsteekt de vreugde van het hebben

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2013 update:

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