Good thread and discussion. We've reached the point where honestly I would be outside of the scripture and that's not where I am led.
To a Protestant images of Jesus are Iconography and don't take it personally. The very church I have recently joined has images of Jesus in a few places.
Orthodox and Catholic churches have even more iconography and it definitely is against the scripture to do so.
Liturgical is fancy for I'll read this for you.
Christ definitely is against much talking publicly for show.
Matthew 6:5 KJV “¶And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Truly we need to look at the fruit of the messenger.
Matthew 7:15-20 KJV “¶Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
Look at the places where the church is a powerful
We are not just winging it. We study the gospel and we have made it open source.
Jesus has performed miracles for me this year and he's working through me every day. The Church is the body of Christ and we are party of it. Not in ecumenism but in experience, faith and study. We are also purposely separated to prevent false powerful churches from hiding the Word of God.
Matthew 23:9 KJV “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.”
That eliminates all the "priests" who want to be called Father and specifically:
Mat 23:9 Byzantine “και πατερα μη καλεσητε υμων επι της γης εις γαρ εστιν ο πατηρ υμων ο εν τοις ουρανοις”
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