It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
Schism is the refusal of submission to the Supreme Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.
Full visible communion between our two churches cannot be achieved without mutual recognition of sacraments and ministry, together with the common acceptance of a universal primacy. [Italics are mine]
I have been advocating mutual acceptance and co-operation, but I will be the first to admit that human nature frequently makes this difficult.
originally posted by: DISRAELI
a reply to: SeaWorthy
I do apologise. Was it a P.M..? I don't remember the occasion, and perhaps it escaped my attention.
originally posted by: SeaWorthy
a reply to: DISRAELI
I have been advocating mutual acceptance and co-operation, but I will be the first to admit that human nature frequently makes this difficult.
As a Christian who recognizes your superior learning in the matter, I once wrote you a note with a question and received no response.
I personally have tried to find true Christians in various organizations and have failed to find them so we are left without that fellowship and have prayed to find a place if it is indeed God's will.
Originally posted by DISRAELI
Maintaining a separation from the rest of the Christian community is a trap, especially if the separators are treating the rest of God’s people with hostility, because it goes against God’s purpose for his people. To a degree, it amounts to a separation from God himself.
Many Christian groups have been guilty of this fault. The Roman Catholic community separating themselves from those who don’t accept the authority of the Pope (and always the first to accuse other groups of schism). Believers in adult baptism, believers in the seventh-day Sabbath, and so on, separating themselves from those who don’t.
People need external standards to measure by. We need to feel safe and secure inside a pack that all looks, thinks, and acts exactly as we do.
English Standard Version Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
The problem is there are many who start or join for money or friendship but who are not true believers.
originally posted by: Joecroft
But those differences that separate believers, are caused by their differing denominational perspectives and beliefs…They are no more trying to be different/unique from one another than your own denomination is…
All those differing denominational Christian groups are not trying to be deliberately unique from one another. They have become that way because of their many different interpretations of the scriptures.
But at least the separation is normally the result, though it may be an unwarranted result, of genuine doctrinal differences.