The Definition of "Church"

Post by **_TK** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:47 am

I am curious how the CUs out there define the term "church" (not the building!)

TK

Post by **_Mort_Coyle** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 9:20 am

Why do you think Christian Universalists might define "church" any differently?

Post by **_STEVE7150** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 9:30 am

I am curious how the CUs out there define the term "church" (not the building!)

The followers of Christ who believe him to be their Lord and Savior.

Post by **_TK** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:13 am

i really didnt mean to be mysterious; i am just curious as to whether CUs believe that those who have to be "corrected" after death will become part of the "church," or do only those people who follow christ while alive comprise the church?

TK

Post by **_STEVE7150** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:21 am

i really didnt mean to be mysterious; i am just curious as to whether CUs believe that those who have to be "corrected" after death will become part of the "church," or do only those people who follow christ while alive comprise the church?

Well i don't know about anyone else but i go by Rev 22.17 which is an invitation to whosoever from the "Spirit and the Bride" to join them and IMO the invite is to folks in the LOF. Just my opinion though.

Post by **_Paidion** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 1:54 pm

I am a believer in the reconciliation of all things to God.

I believe that presently the Assembly of Christ ("Church" is an institutional term) is comprised of all who have been regenerated IN THIS LIFE, in other words "the little flock", who, in my opinion, (and I've been challenged as well as ridiculed on this opinion from some in this forum) comprise less than (probably MUCH less than) 1% of all who have ever lived.

Whether or not those who will be in Gehenna, will ever become part of the Assembly of Christ after they have been reconciled, I do not know.
That has not been revealed. It's God's business.

Post by **_Rick_C** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 3:04 pm

edited

Post by **_Homer** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:13 pm

There is much wisdom in this sermon, by a powerful preacher of the 19th century, which informs us of who we should consider as fellow members of the Church:

[What Men Must Believe To Be Saved]

One can only imagine what it would have been like to hear this man preach!

I have a more optimistic belief about the number who are in the Church than some do.