Clearing up the parable challenge and Christanity and autism

[Rachie]

I will come forward with this, and then I hope to have some break online.

Now I would be bold to say. Ok I have clearly read the dissent on here.

There is this thought autism-limited degree of imagination...some may be won't get the true meaning of a parable therefore without perhaps some unpacking. This will never be the case for all. Yes I have a limited degree to fiction by my scores. I can do the fact and talk in fact.

Now I have read this in my time on here by autistic or not I have no idea. On here though this forum.

We are the Body of Christ and what you will never find the Holy Spirit in a church and don't believe it if they so say and you can worship in your own house in your own home body without moving anywhere near a church.

Now one may wonder what about baptism and being blessed of the spirit which is usually obtained by many via at a least a church in their life. Those hands that laid hands on you mere human at that and carrying out the work of Christ in church blessed by the Holy Spirit of their gifting and the holy oil which was anointed can you get you get this at home. Did I not recieve some healing in the pathway from the Sacracments after all to one of my complaints in the body. Can I obtain this at home.
Many will say that unified in the Sacraments. "Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink the blood of his body, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood , and that we may evermore dwell in him , and he is in us"

No, I am not going to say you never take can time out through illness or personal situations and watch online. You was instructed to go and where so else would you get that personal blessing one if you wanted one for you and your family?

This needs to be untangled and then it becomes easier.

It needs to be pinned down. Yes you can be baptised with the Holy Spirit to receive gifts to serve the church and for your life...the body of Christ let us break this down...Christ is the head of the church, tell it from the heart. Everyone else is a part of the body as members who accept Christ as Lord and Saviour and it is agreeable to be baptised on your journey for spiritual growth. The Holy Spirit can work in church and even out of church as well.

So there is a worship in the home and in the church as well.

I think someone can do a much better job simplifying it that me who is solid and is confident in teaching those who need to grasp topics.

Then there is the parable on the vines and branches. You are the vines and who is the branches you may wonder. You do can do this role or that role or which is which some may add.

I get them at heart and I write on confirmed experiences and understandings.

We all have our clear service though some are some ideal for teachers and some are good for something else.

I think something is being used wrong. For who said these the body of Christ..it was Paul who verhemently supported the church body. So Paul against Paul in my book doesn't make any sense. Don't use against himself against himself on any account. The disciple who lost his life for the cause as well. Paul did not once speak never attend a physical church and serve your gifts just in your home.

So the Body of Christ which is clear in your explaination

The vines and brances and anymore feel free to add.

Spirituality is important to me. I feel it needs to be with being cleared up with for it circulates far too much and in defence of what should not be attempted to be.

 

[NB79]

Like someone that is observant of things sometimes, i would say being filled with the Holy spirit is the meaning of life, the reason we exist is meeting Him. I am seeking it again after some lows in life.

 

[Rachie]

Like someone that is observant of things sometimes, i would say being filled with the Holy spirit is the meaning of life, the reason we exist is meeting Him. I am seeking it again after some lows in life.

I am glad youf feel led to do this at this point of your life.
I wish you well.

 

[Rachie]

We are the temple, it is in you -you do not need to attend a worship
God is not to be found at church- this is not true.

We all have personal experience and journeys all which causes us to grow in knowledge in faith but this a good example of classic things being found online by numerous people but are not biblically sound or whole which diminishes church attendance.

I have seen it being written that in our bodies that we have a Temple which is God’s spirit and therefore we do not need to go to church as God is not present in any church’s and we have our own Temple inside us. It does bother me when I read such things as it is clear misinformation. The correct information is important so people can form proper informed choices for themselves.

It is clearly wrong what is circulating social media on this. In fact Paul a founder of the early Christian church is being used against himself to argue this when people use this argument. Paul was however a strong supporter of the Christian church and a follower of Jesus Christ.

This needs to be cleared up. Some people use it to justify no longer going to church with this inaccurate information.

Yes, we do have our Temples which contains the Spirit of God and our spirit. However, unless you are baptised as a Christian with the Holy Spirit at Baptism you will not be a member of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23) and are not a Christian born of Spirit.

May be this will help some of you as well.

We are born with our spirit which also contains the Spirit of God. "Thy sendest forth thy spirit, they are created." We are born with our spirit which also contains the Spirit of God (Psalm 104-30) "Thy sendest forth thy spirit, they are created." From the Father- " But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him" (Psalm 4).

Jesus stated that, "Truly, truly, I tell you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” This joins us as a member of the Body of Christ.

This is what Paul wrote in the Book of Coritnthians (1 Corinthians 6).
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
What Paul has said about Christians Temples being the body of the Holy Ghost is for Baptised Christians who are a member of the Body of Christ, which Jesus is the head of this body. If you are not a baptised Christian who is part of the member the body of Christ’s body then you cannot use this argument to justify you not going to church.

Jesus also asks Christians to take the Sacraments in his memory (Matthew 26: 26-29) and we can usually only do this at church. The Bible also states that we should not give up gathering together to worship as members of the Body of Christ (Hebrews 10:25). "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

Also, the Holy Spirit is present at Church’s if people worship appropriately and has given people miraculous healings and miracles. The Holy Spirit is the 3rd attribute of God and so God is still present in Church and God the creator sees everything and wants us to keep the Sabbath as a Holy day as written in the Ten Commandments.

Me myself, I am a Christian and I am diagnosed with autism and an eating disorder and love attending church and taking the Sacraments. I felt like I had to post though to clear this thing this being misused on social media to try and justify not attending church. Peace to you all.

 

[Rachie]

Jesus is the vine. We are the branches.

Two churches, the one being grafted in to the vine.

Thank you for replying Captian Caveman.
I cannot recollect ever seeing what a vine looked like- It conjures American nature for me really which I know little to none about.
Thank you about vines and branches, so our dependency as Christians rests on Jesus as the vine and we the branches rests on him for the Church.
Any thoughts on the above we are the temple you do not have to leave home as seemingly retold to be used by Paul who supported the body of Christ at it's fullest expression. This is another Parable surely.

 

[NB79]

I am going just to link some I have read on this board where it can mulled over and see what is needed if anything a true interpretation. Now it is not about personal experiences. This about us learning and getting things straight from the scripture, these Parables moreso as is this where confusion seems to creep in the most.
We are the temple, it is in you -you do not need to attend a worship
God is not to be found at church- this is not true but can found better by someone else.

Things that have said by Paul are used being used in ways and circulated all over the internet and justifses against his true intention. You are the temple again is clearly from Paul, foud later to be used against believes the body the Church as members as well to some given gifts to support church and support each other.

Post in thread 'Do you feel the presence of God in your life?'

Aug 28, 2023

Do you feel God's power and presence each day?
Or only when u pray?
Do you feel like He loves you for people who believe and you can seek refuge and comfort in Him?

Or do you get it from Jesus?

Wow, usually you don't see too many speaking of God because it can lead to many different opinions and some people can't take anything other than what they themselves think. You open yourself up to people fighting over what someone else believes.... but in answering your questions in my opinion..... I have studied many different denominations and religions; I know my bible and feel I have a...

• VAW

We all have personal experience and journies all which causes us to grow in knowledge in faith but this a good example of classic things being found online by numerous people but are not biblically sound or whole which demonishes church attendance.

Your body is your temple, but some may need to go fellowship and enjoy the gifts of others and recieve Sacraments and try it set out as Holy for God. Some people are simply God's work which they have been called to do.

More clarity

Yes God is in the soul and spirit and body of christians, but in my experience, is important to go to reunions, because Jesus promised to be there sending his presence, when 2 or 3 gather in his name, i met the Holy spirit in church, and i refresh the presence of God in church, he does not leave you but to keep the fire of the spirit lit reunions are important i believe.

 

[Rachie]

I went out today to my dentist. After I left I saw in the waiting room one of the esteemed rectors that work in my church. I showed her the thread on my thread on my phone. None of the answers have had developed yet when I read the responses.

I do understand the vines and branches myself now and quite simply so. We are all learning.

I was advised the walk away from this thread and told these arguments are not Biblical to use the defence my body is a temple therefore I have no need for a church to worship again etc etc. I posted this for us to attempt to give the proper meaning to the parables for this community and may be she thought this was some debate. These parables I think need to be properly understood if you struggle with them.

I said though to my rector that I would post the evidence from the Bible for the Body of Christ, the Vines and also about being the temple, they are intrinsic to each other.
Also, I will link an article where Paul’s drive for the church can been seen in easy terms. Christians use the Bible alone as the word of God.

If you struggle with a parable I do suggest you do ask a question. If any of the below ones challenge you or something demanding of imagination and understanding I suggest you do ask as well.

Jesus has told us as Christians to receive in his memory the Eucharist with no frequency did he set which in the Bible, which I do like to do myself and it be only received usually now in a Church.

I will now move onto posting the parables in scripture below in the next post. Before I do this though I will say that Baptism goes far beyond the receiving of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to renewing promises which marks the beginning of a new journey with God

I will put the information about Paul and efforts regarding the beginnings of the church.
https://stanthonyshrine.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Temple-and-New-Testament.pdf

 

[Rachie]

Concerning spiritual gifts Body of Christ and being members of the Body-

1 Corinthians 12-31

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

 

[Rachie]

Romans 12 again about the body of Christ about gifts of the spirit.

12-21 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good

 

[Rachie]

Your body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit-
Scripture-who write it, Paul wrote it.

​

1 Corinthians 6

Do Not Sue the Brethren 1Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4If then you have [a]judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 5I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? 6But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! 7Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 8No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor 10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were [d]sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Glorify God in Body and Spirit 12All things are lawful for me, but all things are not [e]helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of [f]any. 13Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. 15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [g]and in your spirit, which are God’s.

 

[Rachie]

John 15 Branches and Vines parable
--
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.

23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

 

[Rachie]

Like someone that is observant of things sometimes, i would say being filled with the Holy spirit is the meaning of life, the reason we exist is meeting Him. I am seeking it again after some lows in life.

I wish you well and are capable of much great things for the Kingdom.
We are all as capable as each other.
I think you can truly love God and Christ in your heart before you even get near a church im your journey and some people will have to worship online and take breaks and God knows their circumstances as well for I have been through it myself.
I'm just simply looking for protection in my life and forgiveness. I don't know about you and do not say a thing. Some of us may attempt to pray to remove the autism. I have no idea if you so desire so for example but I believe God is capable of anything and if you are to be one of those who serves God through your autism he will alro equip you as well. God can never be limited.

I have been thinking and the more I look at this it is seeming to me thr need to br part of that body of Christ and you need to be baptised to enter such and receive a Biblical indwelling. Baptism at 8 and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit at 17.

The book of Ephesians 1:22-23 also says that Jesus is the head of the Church.

 

[Rachie]

I think for myself I have figured it all out now and this thread was helpful for me. We all have to do our own figuring out as it natural also.
I even added a bit on the branches and vines today in my own words to my journey of my faith.

"Jesus is the vine and I am dependent on him for my for my life".

The stem/vine is the middle and the branches/leaves (off shoots),

Ephesians 1:22-23
"22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."

 

[Rachie]

There was once a tabernacle, then a Temple then there was a Synagogue which Jesus himself used to visit on the Sabbath to worship his Father (Luke 4:16-21). The great explemar that he was. Anna used to worship in the Temple with the other Holy women in the New Testament and there was a Church and early Church which Disciple Paul was intrinstic in forming.

Now this Baptised members of one Body which Christ make up a church.

However, there still exsists the physical building of a Church, whether a small building or a room or the centuries church where people will gather to worship.

We know this it is sometimes appearing so if that is not used it seems to be suggested at times,

How do you set the the members in union making the church versus the physical Church.

I end up on the below-

Hebrews 10:25 in the New Testament ​

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

[Rachie]

Ok for me I think I have my answer.

There is indeed repetition on Body of Christ, being a member and Jesus being the head and responsible for the church all together making one body in Jesus which is indeed a Church.

Then you also have the gathering, place of worship, assembley or meeting point and this is the church.

The very end quote goes to the word church which is the gathering point the church.

The below is from the Book of 1 Corinthians 12-31 King James version.

...
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
..
Some have said online that the Bible says nothing about going to church or gatherings or meeting points (church) and that is not the case as supported in the Book of Hebrews in my post above post also.

 

[Rachie]

The inner Temple

Christians post Baptism of the Holy Spirit are reminded to keep their Temples clean which contains the Holy Spirit, not just at church but in their whole of their lives as a living duty service to God and the people of God are prompted to be upstanding.

The entry in Corinthians see how it is titled-Your body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit-1 Corinthians 6 King James version

A curious mind I read we are made in God's image, but to activiate the Holy Spirit needs Baptism.

Now we go through challenges and all of those can move me and bad experiences do move away some people away from the church. Your own Sound of the music family is more challenging to get ready than a solo self and especially if you are not recieved unfortunetly by some well. This though does not make an untruth.

With me the times I couldn’t go to church for sometimes I felt imprisioned in my own self. Oh dear how have I gained this que breakdown and so so may be thinking more untruths stirred up by the sin of the world. Those times I was too weak to get out of the door let alone years away in hospital not expected but just do what I can. Does it make someone better person de facto no. Now my health is not what it used to be and we have had meetings.

A truth must remain at a truth.

 

[Rachie]

The Bible comes with an exception. Some people love to speak like this I know too and when stop I am glad when it passes I am relieved and we go down to straight talking and this bas been going for decades.

The vineyard and brances is some considered by some and to ne a parable now cleared.

I think there are more I do get am thinking may not be as pressing for some groups to unpack.

The lost sheep parable-Who would want to lose their own sheep and not be looking for it. I think this works to with the Prodigical son as well.

Will flick through some more....

 

[Rachie]

We know and it is as clear as day that in the New Testament that we were encouraged as Christians to gather together and to worship in a place of worship. There are enough references.

Moving on

I was so shocked to go my local Anglican church and for two weeks running the reading was on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit now in 2025. One uploaded will suffice.Now in 1990 active use of the Holy Spirit was like a new phenomenon in London church’s. Now it used in Anglican church’s up and down the land such as in the Healing and Wholeness services where the laying of hands is given and the Holy Spirit is received and Healing and Wholeness through the minister gifts of the Holy Spirit (healing, miracles) it is taking place and still going. This is great for me to see.

I like to be in my lived world where I can say freely that a church exists today as a physical meeting point. I like to be taught as well.
..
I tweaked a few things...pretty much the same as above but I had some parts I could not miss out in. The full version in my journey of my faith which should be in my signature I think. I have the cropped the below have added a bit to seen from than above. Btw, on matters of this nature I use the King James version of the Bible.

Best wishes as well

Gifts of the Holy Spirit and Church Life

[cut]

I feel also more connected to my faith through attending church and taking the blessed Eucharist helps me with this feeling of being more connected with Christ. Jesus told us to do this in his memory (Matthew 26: 26-29). For your own reasons you can also receive a Blessing in a church instead of the Eucharist.

I have found my church leaders to be an invaluable source of support to me spiritually and psychologically. In our gatherings as Christians also we can support each other (Esslesiastes 4:9-10) (Hebrews 10:25) "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." So yes, there is indeed that Body of Christ composed of Christ as the head and the members of the church to form one body and there is clearly also a meeting point where we gather together to worship.

I am also mindful on Sunday of the Sabbath which I choose to mark at church and worship God. Jesus would attend the synagogue on the Sabbath to worship his Father as was custom (Luke 4:16-21).

To make this clear, yes, I have experienced difficulties as an autistic in a different church with a different style of worship. The service I attended I must say was extremely good. It is just that the church I attend today is more suited to my needs as an individual who has autism also. The worship style is more suited to me so therefore I do not need to expand on those difficulties that I have resolved in my search to settle at the church that is right for me today and more than two years on also.

We can go between different churches to settle at the right church for us and I have found the right place for me now and I am extremely comfortable and it would not be God honouring for me to focus on resolved difficulties I once had. I have further needs in communication and imagination and if in any doubt I discuss things through with my church leadership and others using their gifts and the situation is understood. God has simply equipped me to cope which has circumvented my weaknesses and shone a light into what strengths which he only has given to me to sustain me through my journey and that is what I must focus and expand on. I have found ways to manage my difficulties sufficiently.

The Church Body

(1 Corinthians 12 27-28)-Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular and God have first set some in the church, first apostles.

The Church Body (members of the church) Jesus is also the head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23 ) and as baptised Christians we are all part of that body and have a purpose to fulfill in the church (1 Corinthians 28). When we take the Eucharist we are being unified with Christ. Jesus is the vine/stem and I am dependent on him for my life. The Holy Spirit has the potential to be active in any church that worships God in truth and Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit for example such as the gift of healing, truth and wisdom. Each spiritual gift works in harmony and has intrinsic value. There are 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit in (1 Corinthians :1-31) (Romans 12) the Bible and the gift of the Holy Spirit is usually received today at church through the laying on of hands or baptism. The Bible closely links Baptism to the Holy Spirit. Baptism goes far beyond the receiving of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to renewing promises which marks the beginning of a new journey with God. If you are interested in being baptised it is best to discuss this with a Church minister and I suggest reading reputable information from the Church.

We should also remember that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit is God's power at work and not an indication of human achievement and that we should always worship and thank God for the use of these gifts in our lives. God knows truly what is right for all of his children.

I will now end this section with the below.

Your body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit which appears in the Bible-(1 Corinthians 6). Christians post Baptism of the Holy Spirit are reminded to keep their Temples clean which contains the Holy Spirit, not just at church but in the whole of their lives as a living duty service to God and the people of God. This expectation is given to Baptised Christians who carry the Holy Spirit and who Jesus is their Saviour and Salvation as well. These are however good values for anyone wishing to follow as well and we all have a journey before we reach this point. No, we will not get it right always as Christians and we look for forgiveness and mercy from God as well. We need to remain focused on Jesus.
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If you want to read my witness account in full you can click on my about to find the web address. I am not looking for personal comments though.

 

[Rachie]

Have you explored the parable of the sower?

Good fun and serious business lol.
For when I read the question I was going around my kitchen I left school time ago as well, around the same time as you I remember lol.

We all have our niche areas shall we say. With my limited imagination it is not usually my first go to, but is safetly guarded in mine the true meaning.
It is good as well to keep things simple at times when you need to. Love for God incarnate and trust and good and fair treatment to all. With a few additions.

Now I am the getting on the job the Parable of the Sower appears in the King James Bible in Matthew 13 1-23 and tomorrow I will read it in my Bible hard copy to freshen my mind up on it and write in my words how it speaks and you be ready with yours perhaps as well.

I love the factual.

If anyone wants to join in, they know what to do.

 

[RemyZee]

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Makes me think about Van Gogh and his incredible paintings of The Sower.