What is one thing most Churches have in common?

[Timothy]

Tithing! 

 

[Biker]

Yep!

 

[brianb]

And the rest have Bingo.




That's a joke, son.

 

[Timothy]

And the rest have Bingo.




That's a joke, son.

Well ... actually ... now that I think about it ... most Churches also have a modern bathroom.

That might be the one universal similarly to all modern Churches.

 

[HeDied4U]

What is one thing most Churches have in common?

Sinners?

( Yikes, I just realized that sounds like a Glory Land answer )

 

[Izdaari]

What is one thing most Churches have in common?

Sinners?

( Yikes, I just realized that sounds like a Glory Land answer )

A church without sinners would be a church without any people.

 

[Biker]

A church without sinners would be a church without any people.

Probably close to it
I believe there are a few Saints sprinkled in here and there 

 

[Castor Muscular]

Doctrinal error?  A breathable atmosphere? 

 

[Torrent v.2]

Tithing! 

No they don't. I am sure there are churches where no one tithes.

 

[OZZY]

Tithing! 

No they don't. I am sure there are churches where no one tithes.

Hence the word Most in the OP

 

[Torrent v.2]

Tithing! 

No they don't. I am sure there are churches where no one tithes.

Hence the word Most in the OP

I don't even think it is common in most.  Include all mainline and evangelicals.  The only common thing is people.

 

[Izdaari]

A church without sinners would be a church without any people.

Probably close to it
I believe there are a few Saints sprinkled in here and there

I think so. I've met some of them. But even they would not claim to be sinless. Only one person ever walked the Earth who was.

 

[Torrent v.2]

A church without sinners would be a church without any people.

Probably close to it
I believe there are a few Saints sprinkled in here and there

I think so. I've met some of them. But even they would not claim to be sinless. Only one person ever walked the Earth who was.

And that is the truth.

 

[Timothy]

Tithing! 

No they don't. I am sure there are churches where no one tithes.

You are right, some Churches don't believe in tithing. My parents attend such a Church.

But - from denomination to denomination, from liberal to conservative, from cult to Bible believing, and anything between you find Churches that teach their people to tithe and be blessed.

You can walk into a Baptist Church that is KJVO, no pants on women, anti-CCM, we are the best crowd ... you will find tithing preached from the pulpit. Down the street at the Non-Denominational Church that is bring any Bible you can find, shorts are allowed, hard rock praise and worship, we are just happy for Jesus ... you will find tithing preached from the wooden stool.

Additionally - this is the one doctrine universally preached expecting conviction (second to the gospel). From Church to Church you will find different approaches to the gospel, spiritual growth, reaching the lost ... some just preach love and peace ... and yet, even when they tell their people not to judge they also teach that their money is needed, 10%, and giving it will bless their life. Many preachers ignore preaching about sin, but they still preach tithing. Many people ignore their sins, but they still tithe.

 

[rsc2a]

[quote author=Timothy]Additionally - this is the one doctrine universally preached expecting conviction (second to the gospel).
[/quote]

I could either

a) ask why giving back to God wouldn't be part of the gospel

or

b) ask if you know what "universally" means

or

c) ask why you are focused on conviction as a/the end-all/be-all

or

d) point out truths that are actually taught universally, provided you go to an orthodox church.



Your choice. 



[quote author=Timothy]Many preachers ignore preaching about sin, but they still preach tithing. Many people ignore their sins, but they still tithe.[/quote]

Many preachers ignore preaching about tithing, but they still preach about sin. Many people ignore tithing, but they still repent of sin.

 

[Timothy]

[quote author=Timothy]Additionally - this is the one doctrine universally preached expecting conviction (second to the gospel).

I could either

a) ask why giving back to God wouldn't be part of the gospel

or

b) ask if you know what "universally" means

or

c) ask why you are focused on conviction as a/the end-all/be-all

or

d) point out truths that are actually taught universally, provided you go to an orthodox church.



Your choice. 



[quote author=Timothy]Many preachers ignore preaching about sin, but they still preach tithing. Many people ignore their sins, but they still tithe.[/quote]

Many preachers ignore preaching about tithing, but they still preach about sin. Many people ignore tithing, but they still repent of sin.
[/quote]

The gospel is faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Giving is nice, and one should give, but it isn't essential for salvation. i say universal as a way of expressing a phenomenon that is shared from denomination to denomination. Tithing being in the spotlight - I believe it comes after one develops a better love for God. I have experienced personally different denominations teach tithing and I see the same error many times - the listener can get the idea that robotic giving will produce a blessing. Only giving from the heart will be adequate praise unto God. Week after week as the offering plate is passed guilt is also passed. Universally I see this happen. So many still live as carnal Christians, since this topic never is addressed well, but they still give. How can one give with a pure heart and still be carnal?

I believe in guilt or conviction from the Lord as we mature in Christ. A pastor will provide information to help this happen, along with the Bible.

 

[rsc2a]

[quote author=Timothy]The gospel is faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.[/quote]

That's reductionism to the point of absurdity. Seems like the NT authors used a whole lot of words if the gospel is only "faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation".

[quote author=Timothy]Giving is nice, and one should give, but it isn't essential for salvation. i say universal as a way of expressing a phenomenon that is shared from denomination to denomination.[/quote]

Because a church teaches something does not mean it representative of what the denomination believes.

[quote author=Timothy]Tithing being in the spotlight - I believe it comes after one develops a better love for God. I have experienced personally different denominations teach tithing and I see the same error many times - the listener can get the idea that robotic giving will produce a blessing.[/quote]

"Tithing" for a NT believer is not a practice that should necessarily be practiced at all. It most definitely shouldn't be something that one thinks is the identifying fruit of "one [who] develops a better love of God".

[quote author=Timothy]Only giving from the heart will be adequate praise unto God. Week after week as the offering plate is passed guilt is also passed. Universally I see this happen. So many still live as carnal Christians, since this topic never is addressed well, but they still give. How can one give with a pure heart and still be carnal?[/quote]

Broad generalities that don't reflect reality at all...

[quote author=Timothy]I believe in guilt or conviction from the Lord as we mature in Christ. A pastor will provide information to help this happen, along with the Bible.[/quote]

Then, frankly, you are in error. As you mature, you should have more freedom from guilt, not feel more of it. That's the whole point of the cross.

 

[Timothy]

[quote author=Timothy]The gospel is faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

That's reductionism to the point of absurdity. Seems like the NT authors used a whole lot of words if the gospel is only "faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation".

[quote author=Timothy]Giving is nice, and one should give, but it isn't essential for salvation. i say universal as a way of expressing a phenomenon that is shared from denomination to denomination.[/quote]

Because a church teaches something does not mean it representative of what the denomination believes.

[quote author=Timothy]Tithing being in the spotlight - I believe it comes after one develops a better love for God. I have experienced personally different denominations teach tithing and I see the same error many times - the listener can get the idea that robotic giving will produce a blessing.[/quote]

"Tithing" for a NT believer is not a practice that should necessarily be practiced at all. It most definitely shouldn't be something that one thinks is the identifying fruit of "one [who] develops a better love of God".

[quote author=Timothy]Only giving from the heart will be adequate praise unto God. Week after week as the offering plate is passed guilt is also passed. Universally I see this happen. So many still live as carnal Christians, since this topic never is addressed well, but they still give. How can one give with a pure heart and still be carnal?[/quote]

Broad generalities that don't reflect reality at all...

[quote author=Timothy]I believe in guilt or conviction from the Lord as we mature in Christ. A pastor will provide information to help this happen, along with the Bible.[/quote]

Then, frankly, you are in error. As you mature, you should have more freedom from guilt, not feel more of it. That's the whole point of the cross.
[/quote]

Let me reduce it with scripture then, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." ... the simple gospel.

Okay, perhaps denomination is a bad word ... how about just Local Assembly, or Assembly.

I don't believe in tithing, just giving.

Again, my poor words, I shouldn't have written guilt. Yes, the cross takes away my guilt. But, I believe in pre-Christian and Post-Christian conviction. I wanted to express myself best, so I found this statement on the web .... "conviction in the believer brings an awareness of sin and results in repentance, confession and cleansing." ... that is what I am thinking when I say a pastor should teach and allow God to convict of sin. I believe this is an important aspect of a pastors ministry to the saints.

 

[rsc2a]

[quote author=Timothy]Let me reduce it with scripture then, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." ... the simple gospel.[/quote]

So no freedom from bondage. No blind gaining sight or lame walking. No lepers cleansed and deaf hearing. No resurrection of Christ. No restoration of all things.

...or, in other words...

Seems like the NT authors used a whole lot of words if the gospel is only "faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation"

[quote author=Timothy]Okay, perhaps denomination is a bad word ... how about just Local Assembly, or Assembly.[/quote]

So teaching the tithe is not a universal concept?  :-\

[quote author=Timothy]I don't believe in tithing, just giving.[/quote]

You said, "I believe [tithing] comes after one develops a better love of God."

[quote author=Timothy]Again, my poor words, I shouldn't have written guilt. Yes, the cross takes away my guilt. But, I believe in pre-Christian and Post-Christian conviction. I wanted to express myself best, so I found this statement on the web .... "conviction in the believer brings an awareness of sin and results in repentance, confession and cleansing." ... that is what I am thinking when I say a pastor should teach and allow God to convict of sin. I believe this is an important aspect of a pastors ministry to the saints.[/quote]

I would agree that, as one matures in Christ, they become more and more aware of their depravity apart from Christ (i.e. conviction). A fundamental part of this maturing is that they continue to run TO Christ (repentance => forgiveness) instead of running FROM Christ (shame => guilt). I find it telling that Paul was constantly reminding believers about the gospel (the whole gospel).

 

[Timothy]

[quote author=Timothy]Let me reduce it with scripture then, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." ... the simple gospel.

So no freedom from bondage. No blind gaining sight or lame walking. No lepers cleansed and deaf hearing. No resurrection of Christ. No restoration of all things.

...or, in other words...

Seems like the NT authors used a whole lot of words if the gospel is only "faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation"

[quote author=Timothy]Okay, perhaps denomination is a bad word ... how about just Local Assembly, or Assembly.[/quote]

So teaching the tithe is not a universal concept?  :-\

[quote author=Timothy]I don't believe in tithing, just giving.[/quote]

You said, "I believe [tithing] comes after one develops a better love of God."

[quote author=Timothy]Again, my poor words, I shouldn't have written guilt. Yes, the cross takes away my guilt. But, I believe in pre-Christian and Post-Christian conviction. I wanted to express myself best, so I found this statement on the web .... "conviction in the believer brings an awareness of sin and results in repentance, confession and cleansing." ... that is what I am thinking when I say a pastor should teach and allow God to convict of sin. I believe this is an important aspect of a pastors ministry to the saints.[/quote]

I would agree that, as one matures in Christ, they become more and more aware of their depravity apart from Christ (i.e. conviction). A fundamental part of this maturing is that they continue to run TO Christ (repentance => forgiveness) instead of running FROM Christ (shame => guilt). I find it telling that Paul was constantly reminding believers about the gospel (the whole gospel).
[/quote]

Each word from John 3:16 can be the foundation for much more commentary. The Bible says much, but the truth is simple - God loves us. Clearly the whole Bible is important, and much more can be said about the gospel and the power of Jesus Christ in our life.

I suffer from a very poor expression of thought and ideas - so forgive me. But, your observations of my inconsistent words regarding tithing are understandable. Let me clarify more: If someone is convinced the Bible teaches tithing, and I can see why they would believe this, I can only see it's importance under a genuine heart for God. But, this also holds true for any form of giving - it comes from a heart of love for God. I trust that is clearer.