CHRISTENDOM Series: Anabaptist / Amish

AMISH

(Mainline Protestant/Anabaptist/Mennonite)

Wherefore come out from among them,
and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; 2 Corinthians 6:17

The Amish began as a schism in 1693 among the Mennonites in Switzerland. The Amish were named after their leader, Jakob Ammann. They are much more stricter, and communal, than the Mennonites in their living standards. The Amish introduced foot washing as a ritual. Many Annabaptists are Amillennial on eschatology & Arminian in soteriology. Baptism is by the deacon pouring water into the hand of a bishop-who then sprinkles it 3 times on the head (for the Father, Son & Holy Spirit). Divorce is not permitted.
Most old order Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch (a Swiss-German language dialect) except around Adams County, Indiana, where they speak Swiss German.
Amish buggies use black tops in Indiana & Ohio, gray tops in Pennsylvania & brown elsewhere.

---4 Main types of Amish---
Beachy Amish - they have no centralized structure, as a result, some groups differ in

characteristics. They participate in modern life for the most part. They no longer speak Pennsylvania Dutch. Moses Beachy, a bishop, was their founder, by allowing for the use of automobiles in 1927. in the late 20th century, they were caught up in a revivalist movement of tent preachers - and began to blend Amish, Mennonite & Evangelical Protestant thought.
New Order Amish - broke away from the Old Order Amish in the 1960's to form

Sunday Schools. But also to be more strict in the dating habits of the youth, which they thought the Amish in general were being to lax about. Some will use electricity.
Old Order Amish - reject electricity, modern living standards & dress, meet in houses for worship, hold worship services every other Sunday (the other Sunday is used for personal Bible study, etc.) and stop education at the 8th grade level. They have a publishing house in LaGrange, Indiana.
Swartzentruber Amish - split in 1917 from the Old Order Amish. They are very strict to the point of not even using gravel for their drive ways (too vain) so they have dirt drives. Also refuse to use orange triangles on their buggies (of which both the horse & buggy have to be all black to avoid standing out).

---other little splinter groups---

Byler Amish - 1849, use yellow tops for their buggies. Renno Amish - 1863, men are only allowed to wear one suspender. Troyer Amish - 1942, split from Swartzentruber Amish over the use of brim hats. They reject their use. Tobe Amish - 1940's, split from the Troyer Amish by opposing Amish to be able to communicate between sects of Amish. Andy Weaver Amish - 1952, split from the Swartzentruber Amish so as to allow alcohol & tobacco use.

CHRISTENDOM Series Outline Link:
http://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2015/06/christendom-series-outline.html

Creation Moment 6/26/2015 - on 2016

"Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal announced his candidacy for President yesterday, and he faces a challenge .... you can bet he'll have the Louisiana Science Education Act thrown in his face by the media.
Here's the headline at the Guardian: "Bobby Jindal: Republican who brought creationism into schools to join election."

The New York Times reports:

Mr. Jindal, who was raised by Hindu parents but converted to Roman Catholicism, supports abortion restrictions, has raised doubts about evolution and signed the Louisiana Science Education Act, which critics say opened a back door to teaching creationism in public schools." EN&V

 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Genesis 1:3

Papal Notes - Atheist False Prophet

"St. Francis of Assisi’s hymn Laudato Si’ spoke of “Brothers” Sun and Fire and “Sisters” Moon and Water, using these colorful phrases .... These sentimental words so touched Pope Francis that he named his encyclical after this canticle (repeated in paragraph 87 of the Holy Father’s letter).
....a self-professed atheist and scientific advisor to the Vatican named Hans Schellnhuber appears to believe in a Mother Earth.

Gaia

The Gaia Principle, first advanced by chemist James Lovelock (who has lately had second thoughts) and microbiologist Lynn Margulis in the 1970s, says that all life interacts with the Earth, and the Earth with all life, to form a giant self-regulating, living system.

This is what we might call “scientific pantheism,” a kind that appeals to atheistic scientists. It is an updated version of the pagan belief that the universe itself is God, that the Earth is at least semi-divine — a real Brother Sun and Sister Water! Mother Earth....

Mother Earth gets the flu and instead of white blood cells and a rise in temperature to fend off the infection, it sends white ice and a decrease in temperatures. How? Geophysiologically! I remind the reader that our author, writing in one of the world’s most prominent science journals, does not use these propositions metaphorically. He proposes them as actual mechanisms."
FALSE PROPHET as PAPAL ADVISOR....

And many false prophets shall rise,

and shall deceive many. Matthew 24:11

"Schellnhuber, a one-time quantum physicist who turned his attention to Mother Earth late in his career, ...asked select scientists their gut assessment about the arrival of various “tipping points.” Tipping points are a theme of Schellnhuber’s research.

Tipping points are supposed moments when some doom which might have been avoided if some action had been taken, is no longer possible to avoid and will arrive no matter what. Tipping points have come and gone in climate forecasts for decades now. The promised dooms never arrive but the false prophets never quit.  Their intent is less to forecast than to induce something short of panic in order to plead for political intervention. When the old tipping point is past, theorists just change the date, issue new warnings and hope no one will notice.
One of the tipping points Schellnhuber asked about was the melting of the Greenland ice sheet, depending on what the temperature did. All of the selected experts (who answered the questions in 2004 and 2005) gave moderate (~15-25%) to quite high probabilities (50-80%) for this event to have occurred by 2015. The ice did not melt.

Schellnhuber is most famous for predicting that the “carrying capacity” of the earth is “below” 1 billion people. .....he then repeated the same claim, saying, “All I said was that if we had unlimited global warming of eight degrees warming, maybe the carrying capacity of the earth would go down to just 1 billion, and then the discussion would be settled.”  And he has often said that this temperature tipping point would be reached — unless “actions” were taken.

Global warming research is characterized by an insider’s club. If you believe, you’re in. If you doubt, you’re out. This is also so at the Pontifical Academies of Science where Schellnhuber was appointed by Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo. The bishop locked scientists with contrary views out of the process scientists he has repeatedly dismissed as “funded by the oil industry.” TheStream

CHRISTENDOM Series: Anabaptist / Mennonite

MENNONITE (ANABAPTIST)

(Mainline Protestant)

Buried with him in baptism,

Mennos Simon

wherein also ye are risen with him..
Colossians 2:12

Anabaptists were originally part of the "radical reformation" wing of the Reformation. Their main focus was originally baptism at the age of consent. Of the 3 big reformers (Luther, Calvin & Zwingli) they were most heavily influenced by Zwingli through the Swiss Brethren.
Groups of Anabaptists include Mennonites, Amish, Hutterites, Brethren & the Christian Apostolic Church.
The name Anabaptist, means "one who baptizes again", was given to them by others in reference to the practice of re-baptizing converts. As for the "radical reformation", the Anabaptists of the time who were caught up in it included dancing and speaking in tongues as well as dabbling in mysticism. The Anabaptists developed into a pacifist religion. Heavy focus is on the New Testament.

3 Types of Mennonites -
1- Old Order (similar living standards as Amish)
2- Conservative (use electricity, phones, some have computers, but shun worldly entertainment & strictly follow Mennonite faith)
3- Progressive (can't tell them from the world around them)

---Main Church---

 Mennonite Church USA -  2002,

Consists of a merger of several Mennonite denominations. (Mostly made up of Dutch, Swiss & German Mennonites who came to colonial America.) Some of the Mennonite conferences are in rebellion over gay marriage & allow clergy to perform them. They no longer live in communities with strict dress codes, but live among the general populace around them. About 97,000 members.

 
---Others---
Franconia Mennonite Conference - 1683, organized in Pennsylvania & claim to be able to trace their line of bishops back to 1527. Has become a very liberal branch of the Mennonites, having gay & transgender laity & gay clergy. About 7,000 members.

Lancaster Mennonite Conference - 1711, by Swiss immigrants to Pennsylvania. Allows women ordination today.
River Brethren - 1770, Swiss settlers along the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. About 11,000 members.
Old Order River Brethren - 1778, in Pennsylvania, with only about 300 members left.
Reformed Mennonite Church - 1812, they use cars & send their children to public schools but still dress as they did in the 1800's. Started by Francis Herr who was kicked out of the

Mennonites larger body because of his preaching against their straying away from pure Mennonite teachings. Less than 300 members left.
Virginia Mennonite Conference - 1835, Mennonite organization for the southeast & border states.
United Zion Church - 1855, followers of a bishop who was kicked out of the River Brethren. About 1,000 members.
Bible Fellowship Church - 1858, Started as a revival for evangelizing, which was frowned on by the bishops. About 7,000 members.
The Church of God in Christ, Mennonite - 1859, started as a revivalist

movement for more focus on church discipline & child training. Also, men wear beards & women head coverings. They also consider themselves to not only be closer followers of Mennos Simon (founder of the Mennonite faith) but also spiritually tied to the Waldenses. Their education stresses Creation science. About 22,000 members.
 US Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (USMB) - 1860, by Ukrainian & Russian Mennonites who were influenced by Lutherans & Hussites before coming to America. About 2,000 members.
Mennonite Brethren Church - 1860, broke away from main Mennonite bodies over the Lord's Supper with some of the not-fully sanctified members. Made up of German speaking

Mennonites in Russia who then came to America. About 26,000 members.
Fellowship of Evangelical Churches (FEC) - 1866, withdrew from the Amish to join the Mennonites. Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Strong ties to Berne, Indiana. About 5,000 members.
Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches - 1889, organized in U.S. by Russian Mennonites. About 4,000 members.
Groffdale Conference (Wenger) Mennonite Church - 1927, Mennonites who use electricity, but shun modern standards of living & use horse & buggies. About 1,200 members.
Horning Church (or Black-bumper Mennonites) - 1927, called "Black Bumper" for being the first Mennonites to openly use cars, but they hold to their old ways on other living standards.
Weaverland Old Order Mennonite Conference - 1927, use of cars, but hold to traditional living standards. About 4,000 members.
Bible Mennonite Fellowship (BMF) - 1958, tiny group started in Oregon.

Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference (EMMC) - 1959, only 2 congregations in U.S.
Illinois Mennonite Conference - 1st Mennonite group to ordain women, considers itself to be multi-cultural with various racial backgrounds in denomination. About 6,000 members.
New York Mennonite Conference - 1973, a loose confederation of NY Mennonites with independent organized congregations.
Hopewell Network of Churches - 1970's, known as Mennonite "holy rollers", charismatic Mennonites (speak in tongues). About 2,000 members.
Alliance of Mennonite Evangelical Congregations (AMEC) - 2002, a more conservative group of Mennonites who resisted the merger that led to the Mennonite Church USA, because they felt they were watering down the authority of Scripture.

CHRISTENDOM Series Outline Link:
http://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2015/06/christendom-series-outline.html

Creation moment 6/25/2015 - Magnetic "Glue"

Magnetic ‘glue’ helps shape galaxies

Map shows how patterns align, suggesting way to keep spiral arms stable SN

Now if you found something with any kind of glue, holding something together that was organized - wouldn't you assume (logically) that there was an intelligence behind the gluing of it - and an intelligence that made the glue?

Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven?

Job 38:33

Like an Iceland Geyser

Waiting for the adoption.

  Romans 8:23

"Even in this world saints are God's children,

but men cannot discover them to be so,

except by certain moral characteristics.

The adoption is not manifested,

the children are not yet openly declared.

Among the Romans a man might adopt a child, and keep it private for a long time:

but there was a second adoption in public;

when the child was brought before the constituted authorities its former garments were taken off,

and the father who took it to be his child gave it raiment suitable to its new condition of life.

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be."

We are not yet arrayed in the apparel which befits the royal family of heaven;

we are wearing in this flesh and blood just what we wore as the sons of Adam;

but we know that "when He shall appear" who is the "first-born among many brethren," we shall be like Him, we shall see Him as He is.

Cannot you imagine that a child taken from the lowest ranks of society,

and adopted by a Roman senator, would say to himself,

"I long for the day when I shall be publicly adopted. Then I shall leave off these plebeian garments, and be robed as becomes my senatorial rank"?

So it is with us today. We are waiting till we shall put on our proper garments, and shall be manifested as the children of God. We are young nobles, and have not yet worn our coronets. .....

our joy, like a swollen spring, longs to well up like an Iceland geyser, leaping to the skies, and it heaves and groans within our spirit for want of space and room by which to manifest itself to men."

Charles Spurgeon

CHRISTENDOM Series: Wesleyan

WESLEYAN

(Mainline Protestant)

And rend your heart, and not your garments,
and turn unto the LORD your God:
Joel 2:13 Wesley was right


The Wesleyan movement was started as a movement to reform the Church of England (Anglican) from within by John Wesley. Especially in colonial America, it separated itself from the mother church and is different from Anglicanism in a major way--Wesleyan theology is Arminian (Free Will heavy emphasis) vs. the sacramentalism of the Anglicans in England.
The Reformation focused heavily on Justification by Faith (not by the sacraments of the Church) - Wesley took it to the next level - Sanctification has to follow Justification - for Justification doesn't exclude you from your path of Sanctification (changing your ways because

your heart is right with God).
From out of the Reformation sprung Christian piety (living a strict, organized lifestyle). This was especially pushed by Calvin (mostly because one could see what would happen if you believed in predestination-if you joined the Church, hence you were meant to be saved, then one might live however they pleased. So Calvin pushed piety to counter it). But Wesley pushed Christian Holiness (The idea of living a Christian lifestyle because your heart is right with God-in other words, becoming truly Sanctified on the inside-thereby reflected on the outside.
They engage in infant baptism & baptism by sprinkling in general.

---Main Church---

United Methodist Church (UMC) - 1968, a merger of the Methodist Church & the Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUB). (The EUB had it's roots in the 1760's during a revival meeting held in a barn of Mennonites & German Reformed. It spread as a unity movement of a church among German immigrants). The UMC is theologically divided. While many in the pews may be conservative, especially in rural congregations, many of the leaders are theologically liberal. They do allow women ordination--but oppose gay marriage, but the gay issue is bubbling up to the point of breaking the Church apart. The UMC generally don't have official eschatology. Some are Amillennial, historic pre-millennial, post-millennial, but very few are dispensational pre-millennial (secret rapture). The church generally has an Amillennial bent at the top, and considers millennialism to be for "fanatics". The UMC did vote a few years ago to adopt theistic evolution. About 7,700,000 members.

---Others---

African Union First Colored Methodist Protestant Church and Connection, usually called "the A.U.M.P. Church - 1813, started as a Methodist Church for free blacks in Delaware then spread out.
Union American Methodist Episcopal Church, which is usually called the U.A.M.E. Church - 1865, split from A.U.M.P. Together with A.U.MP., they are know as the "Spencer Churches" tracing back to their founder.
African Methodist Episcopal Church, usually called the A.M.E. Church - 1816 About 7,500,000 members.
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, or the AME Zion

Church or AMEZ - 1821, started by blacks who split form white churches in the north who felt discriminated against.
Free Methodist Church - 1860, split from Methodist over lax personal standards. Although initially it opposed musical instruments in church, but today allows it including drums, etc. It considered itself the more conservative (based in Biblical hermeneutics), but began ordaining women. More stress on the role of the Holy Spirit. About 77,000 members.
Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) - 1866, started by white Methodists after the civil war for freed blacks in the south so as to have their own Church. About 800,000 members.

First Congregational Methodist Church - 1855, split in the south from the wider Methodist body.
Southern Methodist Church - 1940, split in the south from the wider Methodist body of the time over it's drift into theological liberalism. About 6,000 members.
Fundamental Methodist Conference, Inc. - 1942, splinter group of Methodists who oppose infant baptism. About 800 members.
Evangelical Methodist Church (EMC) - 1946, a conservative splinter group from the larger Methodist body at the time. Headquartered in Indianapolis. About 16,000 members.

CHRISTENDOM Series Outline Link:

http://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2015/06/christendom-series-outline.html

IN the NEWS - Tylenol goes Gay

"Gay and lesbian couples are featured prominently in Tylenol's new #HowWeFamily campaign,

which aims to change the face of the American family. 
A same-sex prom couple and two gay dads with a baby are among those featured in the campaign's first TV ad. A voiceover declares, "Family isn't defined by who you love, but how." 
Tylenol is glorifying all modern family types by stating a family is based on love not traditional marriage, and then showing gay couples with their children. One Million Moms believes family is based on love, but this does not justify normalizing sin. 1MM does not agree with the need for Tylenol to support same-sex marriages or couples." Charisma


Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; ....  
Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 
Luke 17:28,30

Creation Moment 6/24/2015 - For the 1st time...

"For the first time, scientists have observed a chemical reaction as it was

happening at the molecular level, at speeds that previously were too fast to see. The experiment could lead to insights about how complex molecules behave and why they take the shapes they do." LiveScience





Who DESIGNED & made these building blocks of nature? Think about it...

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?

declare, if thou hast understanding.

Job 38:4

Watch the building blocks
To Watch Click On Link Below:
http://www.livescience.com/51298-x-ray-laser-reveal-ultra-fast-molecular-changes-video.html#ooid=MxcDR0dTosEOui_lZ59W5oG2pn1AxQb1

Papal Notes - Pope to Waldensians

"The Waldenses were among the first of the peoples of Europe to obtain a translation of the Holy Scriptures. Hundreds of years before the Reformation they possessed the Bible in manuscript in their native tongue. They had the truth unadulterated, and this rendered them the special objects of hatred and persecution. They declared the Church of Rome to be the apostate Babylon of the Apocalypse, and at the peril of their lives they stood up to resist her corruptions.

While, under the pressure of long-continued persecution, some compromised their faith, little by little yielding its distinctive principles, others held fast the truth. "

Great Controversy p.65, E.G.W.

Now Look What They Are Doing..... 

"In his last day in Turin, Pope Francis made history by visiting a Waldensian church. It's the first time a Pope visits an Evangelical church of that particular denomination. In doing so, he received a warm welcome.

"PASTOR PAOLO RIBET

Waldensian Church (Turin)

"In this path of individuals and churches, we find brothers and sisters who join us along the journey. Today, with great joy, we find ourselves with you, as a new brother in this journey.” 

In his speech the Pope addressed past persecution. He asked for forgiveness on behalf of the Catholic Church. 

POPE FRANCIS

"I ask for forgiveness for the non-Christian attitudes and behaviors, some even inhumane, that we carried out against you. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, forgive us.” 

Unity, added the Pope, is something they should strive for. Reaching unity though, does not mean uniformity, he explained. 

POPE FRANCIS

"Unity, which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, does not mean uniformity. In fact, even brothers and sisters have a common origin, but they are not identical.”

Before heading out,...the Pope asked them to pray for him." RomeReports

And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death;

and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

Revelation 13:3

CHRISTENDOM Series: Calvinist / Reformed

Calvinist / Reformed

(Mainline Protestant)

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:12 ...for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14:10

Question for Calvinism: WHY is there a judgment, with the books opened, IF Predestination were true?

The Reformed Church is a Calvinist group. Calvinism is called "Reformed" theology. The difference between Presbyterian (Reformed) & Reformed Churches is church polity (structure) The Reformed tend to be episcopate in structure while the Presbyterian look to the Presbytery (their group of elders)for leadership in Europe. But in America, some of the Dutch Reformed instituted a Presbyterian structure.

CHRISTENDOM Series Outline Link:
http://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2015/06/christendom-series-outline.html
---Dutch Reformed Churches in America---

Reformed Church in America (RCA) - 1628, the Dutch Reformed Church in colonial America. Considered today to be theologically liberal, including women ordination &

straying from predestination--but are pro-life and strongly against euthanasia (doctor assisted suicide). But they have been ordaining gay clergy. They were infused early on with Reformed Germans who joined their ranks on the colonial frontier. Their leaders frowned upon participating in the 1st & 2nd Great Awakening in early America. About 150,000 members.
Netherlands Reformed Congregations in North America (NRC-NA) - 1830, a return to piety within the Dutch Reformed Church. They only use the psalms to sing from and have more than one Sunday service. About 10,000 members.
Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA or CRC) - 1857, Split from the Dutch Reformed Church in America, (Today called the Reformed Church in America). They were against private schools and felt that the parent church was not

preaching seriously predestination. The were infused with Dutch immigrants in the early 1900's, especially in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area, who were followers of Abraham Kuyper, Dutch Prime Minister from 1901-1905, who taught a type of "social gospel" in the belief of social responsibility. Also, in the 1920's, they themselves began to water-down predestination with the 'common grace" controversy coming up with the "3 points of grace". Although theologically somewhat liberal they do oppose gay marriage & abortion as well as euthanasia (so-called doctor assisted suicide). But they are supportive of illegal immigrants.As a result, they now have sizeable Hispanic & East Asian congregations. About 250,000 members.

Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRC) or (PRCA) - 1924, split from the CRC in opposition the 3 points of grace controversy so as to hold to more traditional predestination. About 8,000 members.
Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA) - 1950, with a focus on the Church as a Divine institution (by being made of the believers, is the body of Christ & is thus the temple of the holy Spirit). About 4,000 members.
Heritage Reformed Congregations (HRC) - 1993, Followers of  Professor

Joel Beeke. Split from the NRC-NA.
United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) - 1996, a conservative splinter group from the CRC over women ordination & evolution. About 23,000 members.

---other---
There are a small group of Reformed Churches in America of the nations which they represent due to immigration at the turn of the last century--Hungarian Reformed Church, Romanian Reformed Church, Slovakian Reformed Church, Slovenian Reformed Church, Serbian Reformed Church & Croatian Reformed Church.

* The German Reformed Church in America joined with another to form the Evangelical & Reformed Church, which in turn merged with the Congregationalist Church to form the United Church of Christ.

IN the NEWS - "Signs" of state of Christendom

These signs have been posted by an Anglican Church in Australia about gay marriage & Islam. Do you think Christ would post these signs? Do you think Paul would approve?

On gay marriage:

God-

Thou shalt not lie with mankind,

as with womankind: it is abomination.

Leviticus 18:22

Paul-

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?

Do not be deceived.

Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,fn nor sodomites,

1 Corinthians 6:9

On Islam:
Christ -
Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6

Paul-

But though we, or an angel from heaven,

preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you,

let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:8