Lucky Day
Daywatch
So now I have started to frequent an evangelical church, part of a bigger congregation that is said to be a bit like pentecostals, except without the focus on supernatural gifts, just on a pure and sober understanding of the scriptures. The service is in an old Baptist church that is also shared with an English-speaking Baptist congregation at a different hour of the day.
The church is small but very cozy, and the pastor is a truly great man, incredibly generous and benevolent, also very articulate and intelligent with a great understanding of scriptures and a knack for vulgarizing. My wife came to the last service and she loved it as well. I came to his bible study earlier this week. I was one of the only two young people but that didn't bother me, the people were great. The wife told me she was kind of relieved that I wouldn't spend evenings with young church girls. She can't help but have a jealous side.
I must say though it is still a stretch to me. It is just incredibly weird to me to see a pastor with his wife and his son, somewhere in my mind it doesn't add up and I hope this man would be a priest instead. It is also strange to see the old testament quoted in the service and cited authoritatively.
Otherwise the service is very very similar to a Catholic service, so I'm not too lost and I appreciate the deeper discussion on the Scriptures. I'll probably be a regular member of the congregation. I'm still nervous that they're going to end up bringing up adult baptism though.
is this thread still going?
concerning marriage . keep in mind what Paul said to Timothy (1 Tim 4:1-3):
"in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. "
Now Paul himself chose not to marry but he makes a point of saying that's just him; not everyone is like him. But as you see he admonished those who did and said it will be a sign of end times. In fact, its well known that the Apostle Peter was married.
The idea of a separate class of priests above a laity does not come from the Christianity; its Plato's idea of a celibate group of Philosopher Kings running society. Its influence was an early one among converted philosophers and they called themselves Neo-Platonists.
This is why its important to read the Bible for yourself. You see already your pastor quotomg from the Old Testament. Without knowing what he is saying I can't say what he is saying is wrong. But I can say the Law has been fulfilled in Christ is and its an important topic that Paul brings up in Galatians and Romans. The entire book of Hebrews is about it too. But don't take my word for it, that's what I encourage.
On this other topic, there's lot's that can be said about the devil appearing as an angel of light. It is pointed out about being wary of "wolves in sheep's clothing" having the appearance of godliness but denying the power thereof, and knowing a Christian by their fruit.