Tithing and other questions
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Is tithing mentioned in the NT?Originally posted by shade343:It is mentioned that tithing was a tradition practiced in the past. However, it is not a must. But you can still do so if you wish to. -
I think bluewinged can do it.Originally posted by shade343:As for speaking in tounges....Im not sure about it. My friend from CHC is able to do it...but Im sure that every church might have a different view on the subject of speaking in tounges.
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I dunno...but when was the NT written?Originally posted by Icemoon:Is tithing mentioned in the NT? -
Some years after Jesus' ascension and the end of the 1st century.Originally posted by shade343:I dunno...but when was the NT written? -
Originally posted by surfbabe:
1. no. but those who does, says u'll be cursed if u dun. or at least u wun be as blessed as those who do.
Is this [b]compulsory for all churches in Singapore?
Cell group - is this only practised in Singapore?
I'm still uncomfortable with the tongue-ing and praise+worship songs in pentacostal churches like CHC. Am I weird?[/b]
2. praise + worship songs are popular in the western parts of the world. ever heard of televangelists? like the moron who said venezuelan preseident shld be murdered. well, its juz songs. -
so NT is still quite old...Originally posted by Icemoon:Some years after Jesus' ascension and the end of the 1st century. -
Originally posted by Ito_^:1. no. but those who does, says u'll be cursed if u dun. or at least u wun be as blessed as those who do.
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depends on your definiton of old. There is a gap of a few hundred years between last OT book and the NT.Originally posted by shade343:so NT is still quite old... -
praying in tongues is a gift to show that u are baptised in the Holy Spirit.everyone can do it as long as u relli wan to n relli take a step of faith ask of the Holy Spirit. i heard from my catholic fren that some ppl in his church can also pray in tongues. so its not only restricted to charismatic churches..
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erm from the catholic view from 65AD - 90ADOriginally posted by shade343:I dunno...but when was the NT written?
first was either Mark or Matthew... i forgot all of a sudden.. that was between 65-75 AD. Luke i think 75-85AD ah ..... and john was the last 1 ... 90 AD. this is just based on memory though ... might be a bit wrong ... but i am quite sure its between 65-90AD -
When you pray in tounges, do you go into a trance?Originally posted by bluewinged:praying in tongues is a gift to show that u are baptised in the Holy Spirit.everyone can do it as long as u relli wan to n relli take a step of faith ask of the Holy Spirit. i heard from my catholic fren that some ppl in his church can also pray in tongues. so its not only restricted to charismatic churches.. -
its more of like u dunno wad u're talking but u're speaking in a new language.sort of a trance u could say.Originally posted by shade343:When you pray in tounges, do you go into a trance? -
Originally posted by M©+square:
Can someone please explain what's pentacostal and charismatic?
Praying/speaking in tongues, unknown language - Yes most pentecostal practice it. Those which strongly believe in 'tongues' as a doctrine in Christian living are Charismatics.Singing and Praise and Worship Songs - Not all churches practice the same expression of hymns and verbal worship onto God.
I discovered that some churches sing old traditional hymns (e.g. Wesley Methodist Church) unlike CHC which sings rather modern pop-like praise and worship songs. Personally I feel holier when singing the traditional hymns than the praise and worship songs, which make me feel like I'm attending a concert rather than a church service. Guess that's why I don't really feel holy at CHC unlike at Wesley Methodist Church. But the sermons at CHC are more lively and interesting.
No, it does not restricted/limited to only pentacostal churches.About tithing - i suggest that you read up more on Charity, offering, tithing? If church made it compulsory, and believers follow without the condition of the heart to give onto God. They are missing the whole point of pleasing God and Christian walk completely. And unfortunately, it becomes a ritual and religion. But for the sake of answering your question. Yes, some sick churches do ask for commitment of 1/10 of payroll from believer.
I've always thought that tithing meant making an offering in the bag that is passed around during church service. But compulsory tithing is now auto-deducted from bank account through GIRO. And the churches which make tithing of 1/10 the salary, are usually the rich ones.Those churches which have Cell Group/care group/fellowship are considered cell church. It depends on the function of the church.
Are you saying that not all churches are cell churches?I presume you're a christian? Not all churches practise Cell Group foundation. Every House are specially created by God.
Yes, I'm a newly converted Christian with lots of questions. Still unfamiliar and in some cases, uncomfortable with the practise of being a Christian.Regarding those Christian who went to CG and not church regularly, you may wish to ask yourself, what is Church to you?
What I meant is, I have friends who go to church regularly but do not attend CG. To me, church service is definitely more important than CG but I have been told that it's important to develop fellowship with fellow Christians.
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its more of like u dunno wad u're talking but u're speaking in a new language.sort of a trance u could say.
Yeah, that's why I freaked out on my first visit to CHC. It gave me goose pimples...felt like I was in a cult. -
cell group is more like a time for u to fellowship. look at it this way, in church when the sermon is being prepared, the pastor have to keep in mind that he is abt to bring for the word of God to 5-yr christians 10-yr christian 2-month christian. therefore, usually the message is rather general. but in a cell group, your leader can address the msg to the cell group's needs. the idea of cell groups originated from korea from the biggest church in Asia, it has 1M members in total. the church size is so big that each member can only go for service 3 times per month. therefore cell groups were being set up. perhaps another reason for cell groups is that, wad if, one day the govt bans christianity and decide to close down all churches? where do all the christians go? thats why we have cell groups at home cuz at home we are free to do wad we wan isnt it.?
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yar..it can be quite scary at 1st but den when u know the cause of ppl speaking in tongues i guess its easier for u to get use to it?
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Someone once told me that at one point in time, it was considered illegal to have a gathering at home with more than 3 people in Singapore, so for that period, people stopped holding cell group gatherings.
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relli? i dunno abt that..sometimes cell groups are better cuz after cell u can get to ask your leader abt certain parts of the sermon which u dun quite understand n stuff like that..cell groups are also for bonding of relationships cuz when u have a smaller group of ppl around u, u have support n help from them n u know u can always count on them cuz they are children of God =)
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In short .. Pentacostal is a denomination and charismatic is a movement. Nowadays the line is blurred somehow.Originally posted by surfbabe:Can someone please explain what's pentacostal and charismatic? -
I think the kind of tongues you are talking about is total nonsense.Originally posted by bluewinged:its more of like u dunno wad u're talking but u're speaking in a new language.sort of a trance u could say.
Where is SIS when I need him? Quick .. show bluewinged that tongues is nonsense.
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Actually hor... whoever from a Charismatic Church inviting his/her friend to attend any church service has every responsibility to mentally prepare his friend for whatever going to take place during the service.Originally posted by surfbabe:Yeah, that's why I freaked out on my first visit to CHC. It gave me goose pimples...felt like I was in a cult.
I got many free thinker friends who turn away from churches because they got frightened by the tongue speaking and nobody explained to them what it was about. And the bad impression remains vividly in their head all these years. If we didn't bring up this topic in our casual talk, I also didn't know.
If last time got ppl explain properly to them what is Charismatic or tongue speaking, they would understand and today maybe Christian already. . -
That time stupid, didn't know kill ppl can make more money.Originally posted by Icemoon:Killer boss wasn't very well off when younger?
Now am a killer boss. Very rich liao -
wah leow .. u work for assassin company?Originally posted by Honeybunz:That time stupid, didn't know kill ppl can make more money.
Now am a killer boss. Very rich liao macham Mrs Smith liddat.
I have a hit list. How much do you charge? -
From gotquestions.com:Originally posted by Icemoon:Is tithing mentioned in the NT?
Answer: Tithing is an issue that many Christians struggle with. In many churches tithing is over-emphasized. At the same time, many Christians refuse to submit to the Biblical exhortation in regards to making offerings to the Lord. Tithing / giving is intended to be a joy, a blessing. Sadly, that is rarely the case in the church today.
Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were give 10% of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle / Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites of the sacrificial system. The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
The New Testament nowhere assigns a certain percentage of income to set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with his income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). The Christian church has essentially taken the 10% figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. However, Christians should not feel obligated to always tithe. They should give as they are able, “in keeping with his income.” Sometimes that means giving more than a tithe, sometime that may mean giving less than a tithe. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Each and every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom as to whether to participate in tithing and/or for how much he or she should give (James 1:5). “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). -
Originally posted by M©+square:
Can someone please explain what's pentacostal and charismatic?
Praying/speaking in tongues, unknown language - Yes most pentecostal practice it. Those which strongly believe in 'tongues' as a doctrine in Christian living are Charismatics.
Like what Icemoon said.
Pentacostal is a 'denomination' which covers their practices mainly onto the Book of Acts.
Charismatic is considered a denomination/movement which was from pentacostal, but added some new theories and uses sensationalism in worship and teaching.
Charismatics are more feelings based.Singing and Praise and Worship Songs - Not all churches practice the same expression of hymns and verbal worship onto God.
I discovered that some churches sing old traditional hymns (e.g. Wesley Methodist Church) unlike CHC which sings rather modern pop-like praise and worship songs. Personally I feel holier when singing the traditional hymns than the praise and worship songs, which make me feel like I'm attending a concert rather than a church service. Guess that's why I don't really feel holy at CHC unlike at Wesley Methodist Church. But the sermons at CHC are more lively and interesting.
No, it does not restricted/limited to only pentacostal churches.
As a new believer. You may feel alot of things.
I hope you'll get pass this phrase and learn to rely on the true spirit which will guide you in your walk.
Some people like Old traditional hymnal kind of worship
Some prefer modern worship.
It doesn't matter much as long as the heart condition is right.About tithing - i suggest that you read up more on Charity, offering, tithing? If church made it compulsory, and believers follow without the condition of the heart to give onto God. They are missing the whole point of pleasing God and Christian walk completely. And unfortunately, it becomes a ritual and religion. But for the sake of answering your question. Yes, some sick churches do ask for commitment of 1/10 of payroll from believer.
I've always thought that tithing meant making an offering in the bag that is passed around during church service. But compulsory tithing is now auto-deducted from bank account through GIRO. And the churches which make tithing of 1/10 the salary, are usually the rich ones.
the bag you see which was passed around the congregation is a gift of tangibles onto God.
Worship - intangible
Offering - tangible
I think i've said before.
If you really love God and want to give Him something to bless Him.
A 10cent which comes from your heart is enough to please God.
tithing is a monthly offering. 10% what you have will be given to Him.
God only asked for 10%. It is one of the way to keep Christian's love onto God in check.Those churches which have Cell Group/care group/fellowship are considered cell church. It depends on the function of the church.
Are you saying that not all churches are cell churches?
Correct. Not all Churches are Cell Church.
Church may have CG
But not all church which have CG are Cell ChurchesI presume you're a christian? Not all churches practise Cell Group foundation. Every House are specially created by God.
Yes, I'm a newly converted Christian with lots of questions. Still unfamiliar and in some cases, uncomfortable with the practise of being a Christian.
My advice to you is stay strong in your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Take heart, take faith.
Only trust your relationship.Regarding those Christian who went to CG and not church regularly, you may wish to ask yourself, what is Church to you?
What I meant is, I have friends who go to church regularly but do not attend CG. To me, church service is definitely more important than CG but I have been told that it's important to develop fellowship with fellow Christians.
I have to agree that CG is more important.
The house of God is equally important.
But ultimately you must know who and what is the most important.