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This topic has suggested itself really. Quite a number
of genuine seekers are very against any organised religion. They
have had too many bad experiences. Then, a very recent message from
Saint Francis of Assisi quite
amazed me. Here is one of the favourite saints of the Catholic Church
indicating his disaffection with organised religion. I was so surprised
I went and read his biography.
To answer this question one has to proceed carefully,
as there are a number of issues. Firstly, no one should consider
for a moment that we should not pray. Indeed if you follow the Biblical
minimum, and set aside an hour a week, I think that you are likely
to be very underdone spiritually. So the issue then, is what benefit
can we obtain by praying together, and sharing in spiritual matters.
The Bible also advocates praying in groups - Matthew
18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them." And anyone who has participated
in a group prayer with others will hopefully from time to time have
actually experienced the very presence of the Holy Spirit. So, praying
in groups is good.
This series of messages suggests that there are many
congregations where the members are prayerful, and the minister
inspiring. If you can find one of these, it will do you good. A
lot of good. But if you cannot, you are better off praying alone.
Which is something you need to be familiar with, as Sunday is but
once a week!
| Author |
Title |
Date of Message |
| E. R. Hay |
Hay,
a brother lawyer of Mr. Padgett's, is wondering if the church
of today has any value in helping man to prepare himself to
properly live in the spirit world. |
March 19th, 1916 |
| John |
What
is the reason that mortals will not seek the Love of the Father,
rather than endeavor to believe in the creeds and sacraments
of the church to which they belong or be affiliated with? |
June 4th, 1917 |
| W___ |
W____:
All of the dogmas, creeds and apostolic succession in the world
cannot bestow upon the souls of men the love or mercy of the
Father. |
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| Jesus |
Jesus
attended the church service with Mr. Padgett and commented on
the people's belief. |
August 31st, 1915 |
| Helen Padgett |
Mr.
Padgett and Dr. Stone go to a Presbyterian church for the New
Year's Eve service. |
December 31st, 1916. |
| James |
James
writes about his visit to Church with Mr. Padgett. |
April 28th, 1918 |
| Jesus |
Advice
given by Jesus in attending church service. Jesus was present
with Mr. Padgett. |
August 29th, 1915 |
| John |
John
- What should a man do who is not satisfied with any of the
churches. |
October 19th, 1916 |
| Martin Luther |
Martin
Luther on religious ceremonies. |
June 29th, 1916 |
| Helen Padgett |
In
an early message Helen wrote that Mr. Padgett was too much taken
up with his business matters and does not devote enough time
to prayer to the Father to receive the gift of the spirit. |
November 3rd, 1914 |
| Jesus |
Sermon
6 - Misunderstanding the blood sacrifice. |
October 22nd, 1957 |
| Jesus |
Sermon
7 - The Christian rite called Mass. |
November 4th, 1957 |
| John |
John
has written about a visit to a medium, although the spiritual
forces were not too good, but the message from a four year child,
Rosebud, that was attracted to Mr. Padgett and came home with
him to tell him was absolutely true. |
October 28th, 1915 |
| Jesus |
The
problems of organised religious groups. |
October 20th, 1996 |
| A high Celestial Spirit |
Problems
of organised religious groups |
November 5th, 2000. |
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