Visiting an Evangelical Free Church

[@MJ-nx6vj]

I'm a Muslim. Why am I here? I'll tell you why! Because The Ten Minute Bible Hour is awesome! I love the good vibes man. Cheers!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

You're awesome Kobina! Thanks for being here!

[@convert2islaam500]

God bless you and may God guide you to the truth. 👍

[@apl9999-v3y]

1 timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

[@HammerHeadzzz]

Peace be upon Muhammad!

[@apl9999-v3y]

If you kobina or anyone would like to know more about Jesus and 1 God check out thewordprophet his channel explains everything 😁 may Jesus's peace be with you

[@AwaitHasten]

Whatever you believe, communion is more than an "eh, whatever" thing. "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself." 1 Corinthians 11:27‭-‬29

[@reallifeistoflat]

But isn't that saying that only the person who is making the choice to take communion is the one who can know if they're doing it right/in good faith? The passage doesn't read that only such and such people are allowed to take communion and it doesn't suggest that you should withhold communion from someone. It says that the issues in the church are from people taking communion in bad faith. So in that regard the pastor here was right. He trusts them to be honest and if they aren't then it's on them.

[@RGTomoenage11]

reallifeistoflat Actually on 1st chorintians 11 they went to literally eat bread and drink wine as if it was just food and drink. Paul starts that sermon on chapter 10 “Since I am speaking to those who are prudent, judge what I say for yourselves. The cup of benediction that we bless, is it not a communion in the Blood of Christ? And the bread that we break, is it not a participation in the Body of the Lord? Through the one bread, we, though many, are one body: all of us who are partakers of the one bread.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:15-17‬

[@reallifeistoflat]

@@RGTomoenage11 that passage appears to be referring to participating in both pagan sacrifice rituals as well as Christian communion. 1 cor 10 17,21,28,31 none of 1 cor 10 discusses who should be allowed to take communion or indeed if pastors should withhold it from anyone.

[@RGTomoenage11]

reallifeistoflat I didn’t mention who should be allowed. Read carefully and you shall see some people were going to eat and get drunk. I didn’t say anything about who is allowed and there is not one verse in the whole Bible that says SYMBOLIC.

[@reallifeistoflat]

roger i mentioned it in my original comment because the op seemed to be suggesting that the pastor was downplaying the significance of communion. Instead i think he is just accurately saying that the act of offering communion is the one that he does but that any ill effects of taking communion are on the individual and you can't claim to know ones heart. I read both 1 cor 10 and 11 before responding to anyone here. They discuss conduct in an early church. They don't really speak to if communion is symbolic or not because they were addressing other issues. I'm happy to assume that they aren't symbolic for sake of discussion because it's still irrelevant to the point the pastor made in the video. It's not his place to judge someone guilty of thought crime and deny them communion.

[@katieserra6492]

"High church" Roman Catholic here. This video showed me that there is an intentionality in the "low churches" such as this one that I was not previously aware of. Thanks again.

[@weston06.]

The Evangelical Free Church does NOT speak for all low-church denominations, just so you’re aware.

[@jenninepatterson4302]

As a Christian who grew up Baptist and recently got confirmed as an Anglican, I really appreciate your channel. I really love that as a convinced evangelical you do what you can to engage and understand traditions that are not your own. After spending a significant amount of time in both high church and low church traditions, I've come to see that both of the traditions have something to offer each other. Keep up with the great work and your commitment to teaching the Bible in a clear and winsome way!

[@Gingy786]

As a high church snob I really appreciate the heavy emphasis on the community both in that building and around it.

[@nexoscraff3312]

I'm not an evangelical but I admire the loving community in this space and their dedication to their faith.

[@marionoyahr6077]

@Jonathan Soko how is what catholics and orthodox do idol worship?

[@marionoyahr6077]

@Jonathan Soko have you actually been to a Catholic Church? or are you spouting nonsense that you heard from someone else? go see for yourself. If what you see is idolatry, then feel free to hold onto your belief that catholics are heretics, but if not you should reconsider branding your christian brothers with such a grave term.

[@kathleenkeefe8626]

Thanks. I so appreicate these videos. I am from the high church side....It works for me and can appreciate more informal services.. Still what keeps me at the mainline high church side is the liturgy and the scriptures together rooted witht lineage to the Early Christians, the primordial connection to both God and the Apostles. Liturgy is part of the Word of God along with the scriptures for me. I realize that isnt for everyone. God Bless and cheers to you Matt for helpong us Christians see the similarities and discern the difference!

[@markhorton3994]

@@davidbrogan606 So kissing the Pope's ring is not bowing down? I think that it is showing him respect as God's human representative on Earth. Submitting to the Pope's earthly authority. Bowing down to the Pope as to an earthly king not as to the King of Kings.

[@markhorton3994]

@@davidbrogan606 RCC doctrine is veneration not worship BUT like priestly celibacy it leads the weak astray. I am living in Mexico and while I associate mostly with "Christianos" who are so anti-catholic that they refuse to use a cross as a symbol of faith or recite the Creed or even pray the Lord's prayer I do know many Catholics and see their practices outside the church. Many Mexican Catholics put their faith and trust in Mary or some Saint instead of God. Published prayers posted in businesses ask a patron saint to use their own power to protect the business and its customers. That is idolatry. Not RCC doctrine, but idolatry nonetheless.

[@jamesadams7131]

I went to a church like this for years, but I have to say, I left it because the Eucharist not being present was a huge deal for me. I now go to the Catholic Church in my neighborhood and love it. We have a "parish center" that is the "meeting" place where we have bible study, coffee and doughnuts, as well as all other kinds of activities. Very similar to the entrance of this church here. We also use ours for wedding party's, funeral wakes and such. I love the fact that this guy is a drummer -- so am I -- so I like him already! lol This is a very beautiful church.

[@Anthony-vx6cs]

@@davidbrogan606 I think James' point was that it is a big deal for him. CCC 1324: "The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch."

[@eleisonv3510]

David Brogan it is the biggest deal for all Catholic Christians worldwide. The Eucharist contains the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ. This is the center of our faith. Not just a simple doctrine that was picked up but rather it’s been around since Jesus instituted it and carried forth by the early Church Fathers. One either accepts it or they don’t, many disciples walked away from Jesus when he repeatedly said it in John 6

[@eleisonv3510]

David Brogan Jesus is the paschal lamb. When bread and wine are properly consecrated by an ordained priest, it is, in fact, Jesus made present to be consumed. We won’t see it physically but need to accept His word for it. It is the new and everlasting covenant

[@christophekeating21]

@@eleisonv3510 when you say it like that it's so simple. Why did you guys have to then go and complicate it with all that Aristotelian metaphysics of transubstantiation? Why do we need Aristotle to understand Jesus?

[@jamesadams7131]

@@davidbrogan606 Yes I did pick up on that. I believe exactly what Jesus himself said at the last supper.

[@RustyShacklefordistheman]

You've visited and engaged with the beauty of my Catholic church, I feel I owe some time to hear about your tradition.

[@order_truth_involvement6135]

Max Hangsout Or lack thereof

[@phoenixantis6994]

@@order_truth_involvement6135 being anti-tradition becomes a tradition in and of itself

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

Phoenix Antis absence of tradition can not be tradition

[@phoenixantis6994]

@@ReasonAboveEverything there's no such thing as an absence of tradition. The second you begin rejecting something the older generation does, regardless of whether it's church or not, and begin doing the opposite - that becomes tradition. Rejecting something and not doing anything at all? That's also tradition.

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

Phoenix Antis Phoenix Antis That would be tradition if avoiding tradition was imposed actively. In most evangelical free/charismatic churches main components are worship before priest teaches followed by prayer and possible spesific spiritual warfare meaning praying for individuals who are sick or have other problems. There is no use for anything else. Its a free flow. I quess one could consider concentrating on Holy Spirit as a tradition but that's about that. Not that traditions are bad fundamentally. It's just that they often get in the way of Gods work if humans hold on to them too tight.

[@LindseyMurphy]

"It's all about the people"... *Matt whispers* "someone made eye contact with me" *runs away 😂

[@nannykat1057]

Christianity is rooted in Christ....the Bible is all about Him...concealed, then revealed, and ultimately His assurance of things to come... I'm a third-generation confessing Lutheran (LCMS), with two more generations of our family now growing in Christ. My entire family (from my grandparents forward to mine and my 2 sisters' kids and grandkids...with great-grandkids on the way) have been members of the same church/congregation for over 60 years... I THOROUGHLY enjoy these insights into other denominations/methods of Worship. I believe this....NONE of us have it right...some are closer than others...but, the most important thing is that God alone knows our hearts. I pray our hearts are continually focused on Him above all things. Thank you, Matt, for evangelizing through KZbin...God bless you!

[@oogalook]

Matt, I have big respect for you, Jeff, and your church. Coming from maximum High Church, the informality of this church is kinda scary, but your scholarship is deep and your intentions are pure - this kinda church is such a simple and pure manifestation of Christianity that I really see the appeal. Keep rocking, you EVC guys.

[@anenglishmanplusamerican7107]

Because Jesus was simple and pure. he dined with sinners and poor people.

[@lilstripaRabbit20884]

I would like if you explored different Catholic churches. There are so many variations, all Catholic. All in communion with Rome. Byzantine rite, Marian rite, etc. And some churches are traditional Latin while others are novus ordo.

[@johnlowkey359]

He's gotta go to an SSPX or FSSP!

[@RyanLopezlove]

Manon Fournier I looked at your channel and I like how you have my favorite The Mentors song on your playlist. Cheers to you lol.

[@cjindra74]

As a Catholic, I really enjoy your channel. Keep up the good work, Christ first - always !!

[@cassandraursu3992]

High church vs. low church seems like an either/or. The Roman Catholic Church is a church of both/and. The cool thing about the sacrifice of the mass is that it can be celebrated in a massive cathedral or in a hospital room of a dying person, on the side of a mountain or in a suburb or in a cave. The building is a reflection of the sacred but not essential to the worship. But saying all of this, totally appreciate and respect anyone that can have an open dialogue like these, so keep it up!

[@reecemacaulay1690]

Cassandra Ursu Example the Irish celebrated the Mass during penal times on Rocks in fields and mountains.

[@christoffellner84]

oh yes, it is. As a Roman Catholic i see that those free churches are very interesting, in the sense how the services are organized. The 2nd Vatican Council and the decades that followed up have opened the Church to peoples having a space in the community. But, to be honest, a service that would lack the catholic basics, that would be weird to me.

[@larrysoza2154]

I completely agree with you and you made a beautiful point, but please stop saying "Roman" Catholic, there are 23 non-Roman/Latin Churches or Rites that are of equal respect and dignity and are fully Catholic, fully part of the one-true church. "Roman Catholic" is largely a derogatory term coined by protestants to make Catholics appear less Christian or as "not real Christians..." It does not encompass the religion as a whole... If you were talking about about the Western/Latin Church, Roman Catholic makes sense, but in most cases people use it to mean Catholic Christianity as a whole. We need to use the term Catholic Christianity more! There are even Catholics who use the term Christian to refer to protestants, when in fact Catholicism is the one true and the fullness of Christianity. God bless and god love you!

[@larrysoza2154]

@@christoffellner84 I completely agree with you and you made a beautiful point, but please stop saying "Roman" Catholic, there are 23 non-Roman/Latin Churches or Rites that are of equal respect and dignity and are fully Catholic, fully part of the one-true church. "Roman Catholic" is largely a derogatory term coined by protestants to make Catholics appear less Christian or as "not real Christians..." It does not encompass the religion as a whole... If you were talking about about the Western/Latin Church, Roman Catholic makes sense, but in most cases people use it to mean Catholic Christianity as a whole. We need to use the term Catholic Christianity more! There are even Catholics who use the term Christian to refer to protestants, when in fact Catholicism is the one true and the fullness of Christianity.

[@christoffellner84]

@@larrysoza2154 You might be right, since catholic means universal.

[@lapun47]

Since I'm more familiar with 'high church' than 'low' I really appreciated the questions you asked the pastor.

[@noah_smith03]

I love these videos. I love seeing that as believers, there’s so little that divides us. We all are here for the same reason: to love God and Serve Him. How we express that shouldn’t divide us. These videos show that we can unite with each other past our traditions. Love it

[@potomaccrafter]

This is good. I so appreciate learning about these faith traditions in this respectful and open way. I am Catholic. When I was a child, I lived in a city. My father, who was Primitive Baptist, and my mother, who was Roman Catholic, approached our priest to use the Church facilities to invite the community adults (of any or no faith) to teach free classes to the city kids and teens on Saturday mornings about dance, art, macrame, languages--anything that they had some expertise in. It was a fantastic success, and I remember learning a lot! It was different faith traditions just being involved with each other, and giving to each other. I know that we will all be one again. Why? Because Jesus prayed to His Father that we all be one, even as He and His Father are one. He prayed it. It will happen. Meanwhile, I like to think we are each developing some crucial part of the eventual picture that will make the Church something that is a masterpiece of, and for the Lord. How will we get over our differences? That is really God's work, as we attune ourselves to Him and His plan. Maybe Matt's videos are a part of this!

[@rafaelcarbone1387]

Excellent comment! I agree.

[@charleskelbley385]

Just because Jesus prayed it doesn't mean it will happen. Jesus prayed that he could be spared from the crucifixion. Not according to His will, but if His Father willed it. Jesus ended up dying on the Cross. So what does that mean for us? We may or may not be united as Christians before the second coming. Remember, we do all share a common baptism. Now if only we all could submit to a Universal teaching of Christianity to prove that we are submissive to the Will of Christ...

[@potomaccrafter]

@@charleskelbley385--Thank you for replying. It is true that Jesus prayed that He be spared the cup of suffering, but only if the Father willed it. The Father's will is made crystal clear concerning salvation, in many scriptures--for example ( John 6:40 New International Version (NIV) 40 "For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”) I don't know that we will be united as Christians before the Second Coming...I know that if we are loving God with all of our hearts, minds, soul and self and accepting (when His grace opens the door) His greatest gift of love for us--Jesus--and striving to do the will of Jesus (to love), God can be trusted. That's all. Trust in His mercy. Remember, I am Catholic. That means that I, too, believe in a "universal teaching of Christianity", and feel there is a particular charism to preserve that. But God is the author of the Church--not vice-versa. He might have entrusted the keys to Peter, but the car belongs to Him ;) He can transport anyone, in any way He chooses, to the City of God...

[@franesustic988]

I appreciate the channel and loved this video, and don't want to be a downer, but the deposit of faith is unchanging as is the truth. Getting over our differences and uniting with protestant "churches", that don't have priests or sacraments? Conversion is needed, not unification. Or should we trade dogmas? How is that supposed to go: "keep the real presence but get rid of immaculate conception"? Something like that? Ridiculous. Regarding you reply: Subjectively, God might choose to save all the protestants, but we do not know His plans, nor can you command Him. Objectively, there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church, you as a RC should be aware of that.

[@potomaccrafter]

@@franesustic988--I agree that the deposit of faith is unchanging. It is our limited understanding of it--and our sinfulness--that hopefully will be enlightened by grace as God sends His Holy Spirit on our humble openness. Nothing is impossible with God! The pharisees and the sadducees thought they understood, but they vastly underestimated the plan of God. God is LOVE. Our love is only the merest pittance of His love for all He has created, and He wills to redeem us. It may be true that "There is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church", but what does that saying mean?? The Church is a great mystery. I want to test everything I THINK I know about God against what I DO know: that He is love. I am not required to understand the mystery, to be saved. I am required to love, with all my heart, soul, mind, and self. Has anyone done that? Ever? Only God. No one has the answers, and everyone stands in need of His merciful love. "For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that everyone who believes in Him might not perish, but might have eternal life". We are also solemnly assured that we must "eat His Body, and drink His Blood, or we have no life within us". Both of these things must be true--but there is no place in any of it for presuming condemnation. Perhaps when He meets us--each and every one of us--He will offer the very things we lack--and we will accept them if our hearts are full of gratitude, humility, faith, hope and love. Or reject them, if we are too proud.

[@alyssavela3797]

Catholic here. I've always been curious about other churches. I like exploring theology on your channel.

[@acevirtueson997]

Find Him.

[@nemesiszer0708]

@@acevirtueson997 ?

[@cmclovesnkotb]

Catholic here. I like watching the videos and learning about different religions, but all this video really did was give me 100 reasons to stay Catholic.

[@daisybarajas__]

Celena Curcio 100%!!!

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but I will let you know that I had a ton of Protestants tell me the exact same thing about watching the Catholic videos. Our presuppositions are very powerful.

[@GiarcraiGO]

Was raised catholic, but would describe myself an agnostic theist. Ive been watching a lot of Christian channels recently and enjoy watching these videos especially. I'd have to agree the protestant low churches seem very odd to me. Catholicism and orthodoxy both come across as more consistent based on my understanding of theology and history.

[@j.r.r5863]

Celena Curcio Same here hommie!

[@kodingkrusader2765]

@@MattWhitmanTMBH The difference is our presuppositions are established by the Church Fathers. Protestants remove stuff from them.

[@Borzoi86]

I came to Christ in an Evangelical Free Church, met my beautiful wife while we were both students in the denomination's college but now we are active members in a traditional Anglican church. Still love all our memories from our EFC background but anticipate with eagerness each approaching Sunday in our wonderful Anglican church. BTW: we traditional Anglicans typify our worship as neither 'low" or 'high'. We prefer the term 'broad church'. The Gospel is open and essential for the broadest possible humanity. Blessings!

[@Tre86Q]

I just love your open-mindedness, honesty, and genuine respect for the diverse traditions that you so thoughtfully try to understand. Please keep learning and sharing!

[@men.276]

Great video. In my humble opinion as someone from the protestant tradition who is Learning about the Catholic Church in humilty and not with the antagonistic spirit I used to have; The most important difference is the Eucharist. If what we know about what the early Christians and Church Fathers had to say about it truly being the Blood and body of our Lord. Its very hard to not to believe it is.

[@sarco64]

The first Protestants (Lutherans) agree that the Eucharist is a sacrament in which we receive the body and blood of Christ. The major disagreement (as I understand it) is that the Roman Catholic Church has a sacrificial understanding of the Eucharist (a bloodless sacrifice) while the Lutheran understanding is that Christ was sacrificed once and for all time when He died on the cross, and in the Eucharist God is delivering to us from the altar what Christ provided for us in that sacrifice on the cross, namely His body and blood for the forgiveness of sins. When Americans use the term Protestant they usually refer to American Evangelicalism, but the theology of American Evangelicals is as different from that of the original Reformation Protestants as it is from Roman Catholicism. Hopefully this series will include a visit to a Lutheran church.

[@men.276]

@@sarco64Catholics believe it was also one sacrifice for all time. Eternally outside of time it is receieved at Communion

[@cop2998]

@@sarco64 yes this is true. I am part of the church of Denmark (main church in the country) which is a lutheran church and the same church that used to be part of the Roman Catholic church. And we believe in the Eucharist the way you describe it

[@johnbrowne3950]

@@sarco64 There were non-Catholic true believers before Luther and his reformation.

[@jeffking]

As someone in a high-church tradition (who grew up in a low-church context), my understanding of the difference is less one of practice and more an issue of the understanding of the role of the church in the New Covenant. Low-church views the New Covenant as between God and individuals (church is what happens when those individuals gather). High-church views the New Covenant as between God and the church (a formal organization established by Jesus in which individuals participate). All the rest, regarding liturgy and formality of church government, flows from that difference. From the high church perspective, the call to individual repentance is a call to membership in the invisible church (the collective of those with true faith). The call to baptism is a call to membership in the visible church (the collective of those with professed faith).

[@cole141000]

Very good explanation. Thank you

[@TheRoark]

This is an interesting explanation! Would you describe the visible church as those who profess faith even when high church traditions tend to baptise those who do not profess faith?

[@jeffking]

@@TheRoark I would describe the visible church as those who profess faith and their children. Even as Hebrews describes the Abrahamic covenant as a covenant of faith (which included the children into the visible covenant body - Israel - through circumcision). So to, the church (the visible covenant body of the New Covenant) rightly includes our children (in hopeful expectation that they will one day participate in the invisible church through true faith). Another way of looking at it, given my definition of visible church, should not our children participate in church with all the rights and benefits that are also imparted to their faithful parents? Should they not continue in that participation until they either come to faith themselves (or reject the faith - prayerfully not). They are certainly not outsiders on Sunday morning.

[@TheRoark]

@@jeffking gotcha! Thanks for the reply. So in your tradition are children also given communion?

[@jeffking]

@@TheRoark Regarding pedo-communion, there is diversity within the reformed tradition. In my denomination (the PCA), we believe that Paul's admonition to not take communion in an unworthy manner requires faith. So, we hold 2 classes of members. Non-communicant members (typically children who have been baptized) and communicant members (those who have been baptized and have publicly professed faith). Interestingly though, we do require baptism as a prerequisite for communion (something that was never required in my low-church upbringing). This makes sense in the high-church context: communion is for the visible church and entrance into the visible church is via baptism. In the low-church context, this does not make sense: if you are part of the church by faith alone (not making any distinction between visible and invisible), then baptism should not be an impediment to participation in communion. Also interesting, many baptist churches do allow children to participate in communion long before they would consider baptizing them. So there is often (in practice) a reversal of roles regarding the faith requirement between many baptist and presbyterian churches as it relates to baptism and communion.

[@Ampalayas]

“Be authentic, not put on masks and stuff” got a good laugh at the accidental humor there. Love this church and wish there was an e free near me. Thanks for the awesome work you do Matt!

[@SonoranAstro]

had to check the dates hahaha

[@countooten]

I'm catholic and I enjoy watching your videos and share what other christians practice and what kind of church they go to. Thanks for sharing again and sharing our tradition to others. God Bless you Matt.

[@tanyadreschel6040]

I am a Roman Catholic and I have listened to several of your interviews with the different churches. Thank you! Very interesting!

[@WiltonGal]

Wow! wow! Not at all what I was expecting. I have a new and profound respect for evangelical ministry! I wish this pastor had a church near me!

[@Scotter727]

Love love love standing for the reading of the Scriptures! This church does it, my old Baptist church does it, and we do it in the Catholic Church as well. It’s a great practice. Matt, excellent as always. I hope you manage to visit every type of church! Maybe hit up some of the great Korean or Vietnamese congregations!

[@darganism4338]

Scott Walker Yeah I would second that last suggestion...most evangelical churches are going to feel pretty much like the one in this video, it would be great to explore some of the non-western cultural expressions of the church in the West. There are sometimes heartbreaking, infuriating reasons that ethnic groups have had to form their own church body, but also some really cool stories of believers making the best of what they’re given.

[@beautifulspirit7420]

We stand for the Gospel only in the Catholic church, the words of Jesus himself.

[@310McQueen]

I liked pastor Jeff. His love for God's people was pretty evident. He's the sort of pastor I would hope to be if I became a pastor.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

I agree. I think he's excellent.

[@moonan1215]

"Paint with the colors God gives us." That statement resonated with me.

[@handler8838]

*Of the Wind*

[@josephbaier3092]

As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. - I Peter 4:10

[@itsjustme4848]

What if you colors are the whole rainbow?

[@TheMrMKultra]

@@itsjustme4848 You'd have to know when to paint with what color. Not every color is good every time, not every one is needed every time. If someone has many gifts, great! He's now to ask God when to make use of them. Also, gifts are never given to show off. Best would probably be to fill with those colors that others don't have. If most colors are already there, try not to overshadow them because you also have this gift. There is nothing to boast about when everything we have we have received by the giver.

[@ChrisvanderMerwe_cw3]

@@TheMrMKultra Wise words. I hope all sees the wisdom hidden in your little illustration and that all will learn to "run their own race" without crowding out the person next to you or trying to be a copy of someone else. Use the unique gifts God placed inside you and just be a paintbrush in God's hands and allow Him to paint through you a few brush strokes of His masterpiece and tapestry which is this life.

[@jonhenning]

I am not a Christian but I really appreciate the simplicity and fellowship of the prodestent church.

[@traumamama2007]

Really appreciate that the pastor acknowledges the historical roots of his brand of evangelical church, that of Martin Luther & the Reformation. It seems that many (not all) evangelical churches do their best to distance themselves from that. The “Saved by grace alone, not good works” resonates with my LCMS beliefs. Thank you, again, for this important series.

[@JBB685]

*finally goes to a church where it’s normal to wear a t shirt* *wears a button-down* haha

[@Jeffrey-Flys]

I thought the same 😀

[@JBB685]

David Brogan it was a joke, man

[@nashvillestage9854]

"He who doesn't joke will never have the last laugh."

[@JBB685]

David Brogan unfortunately, I am not Chinese - therefore, mine was simply a joke

[@kodingkrusader2765]

I go to mass in a tshirt and jeans. As long as it's not a high mass.

[@joekosmack9642]

St. Ignatius of Antioch was a disciple of St. John. The same St John who writes the Gospel of John. John 3:16. So Ignatius would now how to interpret John 6. Take note of those who hold heterodox opinions on the grace of Jesus Christ, which have come to us, and see how contrary their opinions are to the mind of God...They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, flesh that suffered for our sins and that the Father, in his goodness raised up again. They who deny the gift of God are perishing in their disputes. [Letter to the Smyrnaeans 6-7 (c. A.D. 110)]. Pretty sure Ignatius knows how to interpret John 6. You know since the guy who wrote John 6 taught him. God Bless!

[@Thicknchunky]

I was thinking of this exact thing. The Patristic Fathers saw the Eucharist as something a whole lot more than it being just a symbol of remembrance. Thank you for sharing this.

[@MegaVIDEOGAMEVIDS]

@@Thicknchunky The Eucharist is first and foremost, in my opinion, a mystery. There is a clear indication that it is the flesh and blood of Christ AND that Christ is speaking of spiritual realities. We must also remember that Christ, upon his resurrection was in a glorified, "spiritual body" but that body was yet still a physical tangible thing. St. Thomas touched the Lord's wounds and the Lord himself ate with the disciples. In my opinion, understanding the Eucharist from a post-resurrection perspective gives us a greater understanding of the mystery. The bread and wine still look and taste as such, Christ's body was truly physical and real. The bread and wine are truly the flesh and blood of Christ, Christ's body was truly glorified and spiritual and it isn't just a "man's flesh and blood" but rather the flesh and blood of God. Along with St. Ignatius of Antiochs writes we see St. Paul also stresses the importance of being wary of who and how one partakes in the Eucharist, clearly it isn't merely a symbolic thing.

[@glintoflightonbrokenglass9473]

@@MegaVIDEOGAMEVIDS It doesn't record that Thomas touched Jesus' wounds. He may have or he may simply have done as recorded, that he stated Jesus was Lord and God. John 20 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe {5661}. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: [then] came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust [it] into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed. However, the Greek for seen doesn't include any physical touch, so that event most likely transpired as written - without Thomas having touched Jesus. *◄ 3708. horaó ►* *Strong's Concordance* horaó: to see, perceive, attend to Original Word: ὁράω Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: horaó Phonetic Spelling: (hor-ah'-o) Definition: to see, perceive, attend to Usage: I see, look upon, experience, perceive, discern, beware. *HELPS Word-studies* 3708 horáō - properly, see, often with metaphorical meaning: "to see with the mind" (i.e. spiritually see), i.e. perceive (with inward spiritual perception). [The aorist form (eidon), is discussed at 1492 /eídō, "see." The future tense, and middle-passive form, are discussed under 3700 /optánomai, "see."] *NAS Exhaustive Concordance* Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to see, perceive, attend to NASB Translation appear (2), appeared (21), appearing (1), behold (3), beware (1), certainly seen (1), do (2), look (5), look after (1), looked (12), perceive (3), recognizing (1), saw (180), see (129), seeing (20), seen (63), seen...see (1), sees (2), suffer (1), undergo (3), underwent (1), watch (2), witnessed (1).

[@MegaVIDEOGAMEVIDS]

@@glintoflightonbrokenglass9473 that passage literally says Thomas touched Christ. When Christ says: 27 "Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing." Did Thomas not obey what the Lord said?

[@glintoflightonbrokenglass9473]

@@MegaVIDEOGAMEVIDS Again, it's not recorded whether Thomas touched or didn't touch Jesus. It can be interpreted either way, so it's important to check out what it says in Greek. The Greek for "seen" doesn't imply physical contact unless Jesus meant "look after" - by the surrounding context, it's obvious He didn't mean that. My meaning here is, such a detail is a matter of conjecture and neither interpretation should be taught as solid truth. Because we simply don't know.

[@maddlibby4062]

I was excited to hear that you have been talking to people from my faith tradition I'm looking forward to that video when it comes out. As always I really enjoyed this video thank you for the work you do

[@CDC39A]

We are a "High Church" in our observance of Scripture, Means of Grace, Worship. We are "Low Church" in our community, interactions, space. We hold the sacred things as sacred. We hold common things in common. The true church can have both and it be beautiful.

[@Apriluser]

One of my friends once commented “No wonder we close our eyes when we pray, there is nothing to inspire our worship”. It made me rethink about how the space is ordered where we worship God.

[@charliexoxox]

nothing to inspire our worship... except... God? i don’t mean to be rude but i don’t think we should be relying on what we see around us (built by men) to worship God

[@Gruenders]

Dixie Hall EXACTLY

[@MegaVIDEOGAMEVIDS]

​@@charliexoxox Psalm 19:1 | "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Romans 1:20 | "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." The physical things around us can point us to God. Of course one shouldn't rely entirely on external things but to say that external things are not important is to enter into a weird "antiphysical" type belief which puts you close to Gnosticism. We worship God with instruments, instruments were built by men. Should we then not use instruments? God gave specific directions on how the tabernacle ought to have been laid out. Old Covenant/New Covenant stuff to the side, God uses the physical world and chooses things specifically not randomly. So yes, physical space design and layout are important. If one has time to put time into those things one should.

[@benm9901]

That's my church!! What!! My mom was in that meeting!! I've been going for 15 years!! The church is almost 57 years old!! And the sign that says the date is on the east side of the building

[@abrammartin151]

Now you need to cover the other wing of the reformation. You need to visit a mennonite/Anabaptist church?

[@bkane573]

Indeed. He should do a tour of Pennsylvanian.

[@austintong3501]

I formally went to a Evangelical Church. It ‘could’ have even been this vary denomination infact. It was nice in a small way for awhile but, it just didn’t compare what came after..my eventual exposure to and conversion into the Catholic Church. Everyday of my life is now a journey and in a serious and passionate faith. I don’t see things the same way anymore.

[@vitaliytereshchenko5722]

Austin Tong *formerly

[@Velakowitz]

I was raised a cradle catholic but I lost the faith as soon as I got to high school and college. It wasn’t until I became a Protestant evangelical that I “understood” the gospel. You could blame poor catechism or something else, but I do appreciate the Protestant way to share the faith feverishly. Today, I am Roman Catholic again after being “steep” in history, and just because Protestantism is deeply married with Zionism, Capitalism, and I now see the theological problems with the Protestant church. I pray one day we will become one again and these sad divisions that divide us will vanish.

[@Velakowitz]

Calvin Klein it’s the best thing I have ever done. Glad to be back home.

[@georgeibrahim7945]

Nathan Choi can I suggest downloading the Catholic answers app on your phone and listening to former protestants now Catholic such as Jimmy Akin, Tim Staples and Steve Ray I learnt a lot from these guys

[@susan-ku5py]

I grew up a traditional Anglican but my family moved to a town where there was no Anglican churches so we attended an Evangelical church. I didn’t like this church because, as you stated, it was rooted in politics and zionism and the worship was like being at a concert which didn’t feel appropriate nor authentic to me.

[@garyh5225]

How do you arrive at Catholicism from going deep into history?

[@merum3692]

Welcome back home!

[@sdm101869]

I like this guy...! People are more important than the building..... what a concept!

[@shantijamilah8688]

Amen to that!

[@rh10033]

Yes!!!

[@larcejorgenson2381]

OHHHHHH, I could say so much. As a convert to Catholicism from so many different "denominations". NUMBER ONE, receiving the fullness of the Word and the Body, Blood soul and divinity of Jesus Christ is the ONLY WAY.

[@patquint3291]

larce jorgenson I feel such sorrow for those followers of Jesus unable or unwilling to believe in ALL God’s gifts, not to receive His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, in His Church.

[@Another_Caesar]

Not real

[@pastorchrisstewart6141]

Once again Pastor Jeff "nails it" Im gonna have to email that brother! Thanks for asking probing, honest, and insightful questions to get the most "bang for the buck" in this video! Chris

[@chinchillaintheheat2641]

I’m a “high church” guy and used to really look down on rock band churches but after hearing how he explained “we paint with the colors god gives us”, I totally understand the reasoning.

[@TonyTones123]

Thats really interesting to here because I went from Low Church to High Church and I felt the same way you did when learning more about High Church teaching. Its kinda cool being able to understand that other side more

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

Remember when those hymns were written they Were the rock & roll of that time.

[@lessthandust]

@@stevenwiederholt7000 that's not true. Hmyns were composed in such a way so that people get in a prayerful athmosphere. It was not about sentimentality and superficial emotion, which you can find now in modern church music

[@darklard]

@@lessthandust And some were bar songs composed to be easy to sing. The writing fits your description better and is a lyrics v composition distinction. That's why Steven is correct in the "rock & roll of that time" comment. I would agree with the criticism about the lyrical content of a ton of the contemporary worship songs though.

[@kitiowa]

I "understand" what his reasoning is, but it falls completely flat. Having pop music allegedly used for the sacred really does come across as profane. It is part of the Tradition of Man. It appears that his "gift" is of greater value than the sanctity of the Church and the sacredness of worship. I understand his reasoning but don't own it.

[@ericratliff4937]

Thanks so much for doing these videos! I'm Catholic and haven't had a lot of exposure to other churches. One observation and I'd love to hear a different perspective on this. I've seen a lot of videos with altars with the words "do this in remembrance of me" (this video included). I was taught the word remembrance has very deep Jewish meaning. The same Hebrew word for remembrance was used to describe how the passover should be celebrated. In the Jewish faith the father of the household tells the story of the passover as if he was a part of it personally. The Jewish root of that word when understood in that context actually transports the person back in time to participate in the same event. Fast forwarding to Jesus saying that, he's telling his disciples to practice and participate in the same sacrifice he establishes. Through future generations people remembered by mentally being transported to the last supper and subsequently to the foot of the cross to participate in the perpetual sacrifice that was enacted by Christ. In Revelation we see Jesus as a lamb that was slain with his wounds still showing. This all reflects the perpetual sacrifice that we are to be part of and remember (but with a jewish understanding). Afterall his disciples were Jews and would have understood his words in that context. We know this because of people that were taught by the apostles themselves (because we have their writings). Anyway. I'd that's my understanding of that word. Feel free to respond with other perspectives. Thanks for reading and God bless!

[@sarco64]

This is similar to the Lutheran understanding, except that Lutherans speak of a one-time sacrifice with perpetual ramifications. Lutherans believe that in the sacrament of Holy Communion, what Jesus accomplished for us with his once-and-for-all-time sacrifice on the cross is delivered to us from the altar, namely, His body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins, and we receive this gift of God's grace through faith. The Lutheran understanding of this sacrament is that it is not primarily something that we do (a "bloodless sacrifice") but it is primarily something that God is doing for us, giving us the body and blood of Christ. What we give back to God (our "sacrifice") is our thanksgiving and praise.

[@jwolsk2]

Wow, I love this genuine, respectful dialogue! I think that's why people of different faith backgrounds crowd here :) I'm Roman Catholic and can see the appeal of a church like this (Especially if this is the church environment someone grew up in). I could (and have) also attend a church service like this to worship. As a Catholic though, I do believe God gave us absolute Truths with a capital T. I also believe it's important to look at fruits of the spirit in regards to the fragmentation of the church since the reformation. In an objective sense, it is highly unlikely Grace church will be here in 100+ yrs. Does that matter though?. The foundation of a church like this falls on the pastor. If the pastor leaves, if he is "wrong", what happens to the belief system/foundation of this church. Is it ok for the belief system to change? How much change is too much change or too far? Currently, I think what this boils down to is absolute truths vs. relative truth. This is True with a capital T vs. this is true for me. I believe relative truth is why we have thousands of denominations. To my non-Catholic brothers and sisters, thank you for loving Jesus with me! And thanks for this video :)

[@patquint3291]

Asia Wu TRUTH. I agree with you. I converted to Catholicism from Methodist 26 years ago. Best thing that ever happened to me. Praise God!

[@beautifulspirit7420]

And once the churches accept that concept how can you criticize secular society from doing the same? Jesus said I am THE TRUTH he didn't say I am A truth.

[@leoem4nuel]

Would like to share with you that Protenstants believe in absolute truth, not relativism. There are different denominations because what Truth according to Bible to one denomination is false to other. But one unifying Truth that all protestants believe is that we are saved by faith in Christ alone. Baptism, eucharists, sacraments, etc are the expression of faith not requirements for salvation. Now I ask you, what Truth do you believe. The Bible, the infallible Word , or traditions? They may be good for teaching of faith, but the main source of Truth is the Bible.

[@teamcrumb]

wonderful! I'm presently exploring/drawn to Eastern orthodox christianity but this video about the Grace church is an incredible living breathing testament to the goodness of free churches. Its rooms were filled with people, how many churches can say that about the space for worship that they have created. Something very incredible to see a highly functioning ministry that doesn't affirm it's own importance via a sense of being steeped in sacred history and sacred traditions. Hats off to Geoff! he spoke so well. Happy for all who attend this hard-working church.

[@quinterbeck]

I'm from a church like this and really enjoyed learning more about high church from the earlier videos. I see some helpful criticisms from Catholics in the comments here, but I also see a lot of Catholics making flippant comments or looking down on Protestants. If you're going to post a comment please pray and check your heart.

[@beautifulspirit7420]

I think that swings both ways, Catholics are used to being attacked from every branch and flavor of Protestant who don't know or understand what we believe. It's normal for people to defend the truth but I do agree with you, it should be with love.

[@joshualeboeuf2926]

I think the value of community is great, but, there's something we're forgetting here. The heart of church, is worship, and the heart of worship, is Jesus. It isnt about us. Let us decrease, so He may increase. HE HAS TO INCREASE!!! Edit: been reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and attending Mass. I guess im becoming Catholic. Honestly, I love it, and I love the reverence brought forth by the parish I've been welcomed into. Beautiful loving people, with a sense of importance for not only the individual but the Church as a whole, wrapping it all up, and making sure to put Jesus at the center of it. Really awesome, loving being a part of this side of the faith honestly, really wasn't expecting to fall in love with the Holy Catholic Church the way that I have. God bless you all!!

[@echobase2000]

This is the faith tradition I come from, so it's a different experience than the Orthodox or Episcopal churches, but still very cool. I really enjoy this series. There's no shortage of places to check out.

[@RaisedtoWalkTV]

The very first church I chose myself to attend as a young adult was an Evangelical Free Church. I loved their focus on community and the solid theological grounding.

[@ConnorTerrell]

I love seeing a church like this used so often! Churches like this in my area(while not technically being Evangelical Free churches per se) are really only active on Sunday or one other day a week. The fact that is used every day is so cool, and I wish more churches in my area would have more events for the community.

[@Grown123abc]

Insurance & the risk of being sued has stopped many churches from opening their doors to the community. This church is not open to the community but is having a women's group lead by & for members.

[@ConnorTerrell]

@@Grown123abc The pastor also said the church was used pretty frequently throughout the week.

[@hicksfamily2589]

@@Grown123abc The church is used by the community on other days of the week,. This video just happens to show the day of the week that the women's Bible Study happens. It is attended by members and non-members of Grace Church.

[@joshuasteele3520]

It's impressive how critical you are of the community closest to you theologically/liturgically, I love it!

[@mr21stallion]

1:25 "...who really do agree overwhelmingly on theological stuff." I understand you're trying to show how similar these denominations can be, but to say most Christians *overwhelmingly* agree on things is wrong. This pastor states around 8:01 that Communion isn't the real body and blood, and a lot of high church Christians would say that's a very important matter. Great series, though. It's super cool that you're so open minded about all this. As a LCMS Lutheran (visit one of our churches!) I've learned a lot so far.

[@elijahculper5522]

Andrew Niedbala I’m Catholic, so of course I disagree with this pastor about the Eucharist. But on the whole, we both believe in the Trinity. We believe that God is Love. We believe that Jesus is the son of God who came to Earth and was crucified and rose again. We agree that salvation comes from God and his mercy because he came to die for our sins. We believe that God created us and loves us and listens to our prayers. The list goes on. We have way more in common theologically with our “low church” brothers and sisters than we do with Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, etc. Of course, I pray that my loved ones who don’t believe in the true presence of Jesus’ body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist. I want them to be able to experience that kind of supreme intimacy with our savior because I know they already love Jesus and the Eucharist would rock their world. But I’m much more concerned for the souls of the people who don’t know Jesus Christ at all.

[@tonydugal5275]

I’ve loved many of your videos, but this one is very special-because of your wonderful interview, but also because the pastor and the church are amazing. Thanks.

[@quamobrem]

Mr. Whitman, Your line of questioning and response to said questions, seems to indicate your talk with the Catholic Priest, has placed new , and I would say, better expectations on what a Church should be, teach and represent. It sounds like you are on a slow but certain train to the high church if not the Catholic church. In any case God bless you.

[@Zoko1964]

I can't see Matt exchanging his relationship with Christ for religious idolatry any time soon.

[@brothersamuelrogers8138]

Zoko1964 lol I know right. The Catholic Church has no fruit, they don’t do the great commission and no one is getting saved in that church

[@James-kh8mq]

You might be inserting things you want to see into these, lol

[@jred7]

@@brothersamuelrogers8138 really? You mean they *haven't* gone into all the world and made disciples?

[@glintoflightonbrokenglass9473]

@@jred7 Catholicism is a pagan cult wrapped up in Christianese. Before you object, I'd advise you to research it. Start looking at the connection between Catholicism and Freemasonry (which is Kabbalah for the "Gentiles"). Please do some digging before responding. I'm tired of having to bring the same points out just for people to ignore them.

[@Nantana2211]

Grew up in a low church in Germany and instantly felt at home here. Was a very nice feeling.

[@michaeljefferies2444]

I think it’s important to recognize that Low Church groups exist in traditional denominations as well - Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, etc. all have low church congregations. They provide a simpler service and building with a more relaxed atmosphere and missions oriented approach, like this evangelical church, but often maintain (by order of their respective governing bodies) a greater reverence (and higher theology) for the sacraments, and elements they consider to be essential to their liturgy. It doesn’t have to be fancy tradition vs. simple relaxed atmosphere

[@Anthony-vx6cs]

Good point. From a Catholic perspective, every Mass is theologically the same though - each being sacred by nature. The aesthetics of each Mass, which is worship oriented toward the Father, can and does vary though. There are the Latin churches (making up the majority); these consist of the Extraordinary form of the Mass and the Ordinary form (most Liturgies follow this rubric, though the former is beautiful and reverent). There's the 20 or so Eastern Rites of the Church; these are all part of the Catholic Church, but have different Liturgies according to the way they developed from the first century onward. So predominantly, the Catholic Church consists of the Latin Rite, the Byzantine Rite, the Alexandrian Rite, the Armenian Rite, the East Syriac and West Syriac Rites, as well as some other very small Rites. Many of these Rites outside of the Latin Rite, were formerly Orthodox, but have since come back into communion with the Latin (Roman) Church. It's always wonderful to see Churches enter back into communion with one another. Eventually we'll all be back together again - as one Church. Channels like Matt truly are helping all Christians!

[@misseli1]

I didn't know that Catholic parishes could be "low" church. Fascinating!

[@atanasiogreene8493]

ellie it’s more common in Brazil, Ukraine, and other Latin American countries. It’s not incredibly common in the US.

[@glintoflightonbrokenglass9473]

@@misseli1 My husband attended "low" Catholic churches. He's from Australia.

[@causeimbatmaaan]

The main point of those who use poor terminology like high/low church is the theology. Theology dictates the one and the others. Others being low church or liberal theology. If you believe the body and blood are worthless then you put them on the same level as the folding chairs. If you believe God and believe the words of Christ you revere the sacrament of the alter and place it on the third level, above the pews. Most of the time you can judge correctly the theology of a congregation by it's sanctuary. Low church is believe what you want theology, otherwise they would take God's Word for it.

[@jasonnye1436]

I am Orthodox Christian. This series really helped me to confirm why I left protestantism on a journey to Orthodoxy. I tried other protestant churches, went to catholic church and nothing felt right. It all felt empty to me. Then I found Orthodoxy and have been Orthodox for 4 years now. The practice of being Orthodox on purpose, daily, has a absolutely changed my life! I recommend all people who are interested in a relationship with Jesus Christ to watch this whole series about different traditions and then go and see them. Visit low churches, visit Catholic churches and visit Orthodox churches. This series is a great idea and I think you did a truly decent job.

[@2growdaily181]

Others had your experience, in Roman Catholic, others in Evangelical, others in Lutheran, and so on. Each church meets different needs. I don't feel fully comfortable in any of them.

[@michaelaratnam6517]

@@2growdaily181 each church meets different needs??? But truth is absolute and singular... Only one of them must be true... Which could be the one?🤔

[@catholic4ever447]

Lol. You were asking Catholic questions. He might not have known what genuflection meant.

[@littlemas2]

Most evangelical pastors have at least a cursory knowledge of liturgical traditions. The EFCA has a fairly high knowledge standard for their pastors because of our focus on rigorous Bible teaching. As Pastor Jeff showed we are also pretty open to fellowshipping and interacting with other Christians so that helps us appreciate other traditions even if we don't practice all of them. My guess is that he has some Catholic friends and perhaps even knows a local priest or two. Furthermore, it is not unusual for us to have attended a Catholic wedding or funeral.

[@glintoflightonbrokenglass9473]

I am simply a Christian and I know what genuflect means. I like how you thought about that, though. That view takes into account that people have different beliefs and terminology to describe their beliefs and practices, and it shows some consideration for others.

[@ocalaballa]

You can tell he's slowly becoming Catholic

[@jsharp1701]

@@ocalaballa He knows he has lots of Catholic viewers now. He was asking the question for their benefit.

[@lukeli1]

Roman Catholic convert here. I was raised low church with everything simplified. Sometimes I still miss my old church because of that...Anyway, genuflection does not make or break a Christian; I think of it as an personal gesture to JC and yes, i am free to not genuflect when i don't feel up to it.

[@cfeaston1602]

I really like this guy and his video series. He has an excellent, godly approach to seeking and sharing information about all the churches. He is sincere in honoring God in the process. Christians have spent hours, days, months, years, and even centuries arguing amongst themselves about many things - distracting them from living the gospel. Much of it is generated from from hearing *false* narratives about those different from themselves, and parroting those *false* narratives, without the Love of God. God have mercy on us sinners, and help us to love one another in our differences.

[@codyfontenot9371]

Grace is often a tangible thing as well as an invisible gift. There are several examples of this in Scripture. The most important instance being Communion. As an Orthodox Christian, we don't believe you just receive forgiveness by taking Communion. Obviously, 1 Corinthians 11 speaks about people who taste of the body and blood unworthily are doing great harm to themselves. Grace is totally a gift by God. We can do nothing to earn it. BUT, we must participate in it. We have to open ourselves up to it and do our part in receiving the gift. God doesn't shove it down our throats. Communion is A way that this grace is given to us. And that's truly an incredible gift that we participate in every Sunday.

[@joshk9611]

Could you elaborate on how communion gives grace? I don’t see the connection

[@Antonio-kl6oz]

@@joshk9611 as a Catholic, we believe that taking the body and/or blood (we catholics believe that just the body is sufficient, I think orthodoxes don't agree) we accept Jesus in our souls and He helps us being good christians. Accepting Him, we participate to His Grace. We call the body of Christ the heaven bread, and like the bread or food is nourishment for your body and give you strength, the communion is nourishment for your soul.

[@joshk9611]

Antonio So is communion the only way to get grace?

[@Antonio-kl6oz]

@@joshk9611 no, it is not. All sacraments bring grace with them. But Eucharist is without any doubt the most powerful. Of course, also prayers and acts of adoration and charity bring grace, but Eucharist is far beyond all of them, because it connects you directly with the sacrifice of the Cross. The Holy Mass is the same sacrifice of Christ, just unbloody, and it is an act outside time and space that brings you underneath the Cross of Jesus. It's one sacrifice, to which you participate all over the centuries. I'm sorry if my english is not perfect, it's not my first language so I don't know if I can explain myself in the right way. By the way, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church you can find all these things explained in the best way possible.

[@codyfontenot9371]

@@joshk9611 No, Communion is not the only way to receive grace. It is one of the many ways to PARTICIPATE in it. Like I said, we dont believe God just imposes His grace and mercy on us. He offers it to us in various forms (Communion and Baptism being only 2 of the various forms), but we have to accept the gift. Just like if a friend offered you a gift, you'd still have the choice of accepting or rejecting it. We accept the gift of Grace by participating in the Faith. In the life of the Church and in our own personal relationships with Christ. Sure, grace can be found in only the personal relationship, but you miss out on so much more by not participating in the Sacraments!

[@vicollins5827]

Thank you Matt. I am watching/listening to all your visit to the different churches. I learned a lot. You are guided by the Holy Spirit in this way.

[@amiria0bay]

This pastor really impressed me - something about his energy is very calming and approachable, even though he clearly knows his stuff he wasn't talking down to us - simply explaining.

[@coldfusionmusical]

Beautiful church! Oh the good old nice evangelical church I used to grow up with. Lots of sweet memories. 😌 Now I'm high church Catholic fellow, but interestingly, my parish does have a hang out place like this as well, contrary to the Gothic type of building, because it's hard to get permission to build new churches in my country, but when we do we're thankful for it even when it's not the traditional rose window kind of church building. In a sense, the church is also about the people for Catholics, but with the reverence for sacred things, the sacraments and so on. Thanks for making these videos with an opened mind and heart. God bless you brother.

[@sch1986]

First off love the channel but just FYI at 9:40 - there would be no reason to genuflect at an evangelical church because they don’t believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist / communion and therefore no tabernacle to store the body of Christ. One genuflects in a Catholic Church towards the tabernacle where Christ that persons “king” is present in the church.

[@rogerhankins9991]

Thanks for the clarification and explanation. Always good to understand the "why" behind different practices.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Some questions are for the benefit of the audience.

[@glintoflightonbrokenglass9473]

The bodies of believers are His Temple. We don't go around genuflecting when we see other believers.

[@FKLinguista]

Also Lutheran. Genuflection is usually for Pastors and some Lutheran pastors do actually genuflect. It depends on whether or not they want to use that motion as part of their liturgy. :)

[@beautifulspirit7420]

@@glintoflightonbrokenglass9473 it's true, we are the Body of Christ but He is always our head. Also we believe Jesus is actually and truly present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity so we genuflect to acknowledge the presence of Jesus in a unique way in the Tabernacle. We always have the red light flickering, just as in the synagogue that the Lord is truly present. The only day it is not extinguished is Good Friday, when Jesus is removed from the Tabernacle and we are reliving the Passion.

[@streetsmartswing]

Pastor Jeff sees the Church as a multi-generational noun and verb. He clearly understands the delicate balance of redemptive traditions and personal application. I'd love to hear one of his sermons.

[@Riverluza]

Finally someone who speaks the truth. The church is the people not the building.

[@beautifulspirit7420]

Noone disagrees with that. As Catholics however we believe that Jesus meant to make sure his church was also visible, not purely spiritual. I am very grateful he did because as an atheist I was able to spot and understand who the Catholic church was because of it's clear visibility. Even atheists know who the Pope is and know that the Catholic church exists. As an atheist I could tell you very little about any of the other churches and I certainly didn't have a clue who their leaders were.

[@merum3692]

The church is extremely important hence why Christ saw fit to build his own church otherwise hed jave said the people were enough.

[@spillerfamily1]

As a Catholic who is more comfortable in what you describe as a 'low church' setting I love these videos you're doing :) I like the discussions and disagreements in the comments because people seem to be behaving themselves (for the most part). But most of all I'm just enjoying you're refreshing presentation style, you frame hard questions in a really non judgemental way and allow people real respect when you reflect what you've heard them say. Thanks Matt, this is brilliant stuff!

[@malgorzatachp]

Don't know if you agree with me, but I've noticed we have all those different "levels" in one Church. There are whole parishes that are really "high-churchy", but also communities more similar to this one, but with preserved main doctrine and meaning of liturgy. I believe different styles of christian life and expressing faith can be found in different communities in one catholic Church.

[@spillerfamily1]

@@malgorzatachp I couldn't agree more! :)

[@J_D_Adama]

This is like my local church in the UK, it's so great to see God's work is the same over the pond.

[@tplon2001]

I loved this video. I grew up in an Evangelical Free church. I felt so at home watching this video, it almost felt like going home. It been several years since I was last there but the church i attended only had hymns during the service, no modern music. I don't know if that has changed or not. I know they have a new, younger pastor now. One thing that wasn't pointed out (or I missed it) is that each church makes its own decisions on how the church is run. The congregation decides on who the pastor will be, what kind of service they will have (how often they take communion, kind of music to use, version of bible to use), and (at least in the church I grew up in) there is an annual vote on whether the pastor will stay.

[@Iffmeister]

This is always awesome. Lutheran, Presbyterian (low and high church), Methodist, coming up? Also if you do Pentecostal or a Black Baptist Church you finna need to go for a service.

[@rose_brier]

Especially for a pentecostal service! I'm not one just have pentecostal family members on my Mother's side.

[@FatherMathew]

I really enjoy these pieces Matt, great to learn about the different religions and churches in America.

[@ZackHarold]

"Haha! I just wanted juice!"

[@kristineopsommer]

I knew I wasn't the only one who wanted to comment on that! Hilarious! Funny thing is it wouldn't be enough to wet the mouth in most churches...🥴

[@nexoscraff3312]

😂

[@streetsmartswing]

Yes, I chuckled to that comment also.

[@danielbeardsley7846]

I'm Orthodox, but right before my conversion I attended a church much like this one, just slightly less Christian in design. The pastor preached (prought?) through the Pauline epistles every Sunday and there was coffee and small groups after the service. I'm sometimes nostalgic for this way of life. The brown walls and carpets, the coffee, the culture, even the format. I'll watch videos like these or read my old 1689 London Baptist confession and remember all the friends who I don't have anymore. I don't regret finding the fullness of the faith in the Orthodox Church, but I miss them.

[@rowkeaton00]

"You can't drum yo hymns" "Yeah I haven't heard that work well" That's because you haven't visited a Pentecostal church yet.

[@HJKelley47]

He did visit a African-American Missionary Baptist Church, but no Christian who fellowships in a Pentecostal Church tradition.

[@anenglishmanplusamerican7107]

And the FCA member here. I cannot be more proud to be a and free evangelist. I really believe that people have rights to worship Lord Jesus Christ however they want to to.

[@primitivaroots]

Summing up: people are more important than the building.

[@christinepalola5148]

However I’ll just say the people are not more important than God. We can not be so free as to make God conform to what we like or want Him to be. That would be making humans higher than the Savior and not accepting God for who He truly is.

[@2growdaily181]

The people themselves are the actual temple, not the building. There is no longer any need for priests or altars because in Christ we are all a Royal Priesthood and the blood of Christ has shed once and for all.

[@merum3692]

The house of worship is extremely important. Hence why Christ found it fit to build his church. If he didnt see the necessity, he wouldve told us that us people are enough.

[@bobkee]

As one who has moved to a liturgical tradition after many years in the Evangelical tradition, it is refreshing to hear these values re-articulated and practiced. "The point of theology is to get into our lives so that we can get into the world to do our mission." Indeed!

[@CFCMahomet]

Seems to me that high church takes itself so serious it forgets to take God seriously by knowing Him through His word.

[@beautifulspirit7420]

That is a very judgmental thing to say. All the devout believers in "high" churches I know read the bible daily and are very familiar with the Word of God in Scripture. Also "high" churches read a lot more scripture at every service than any of the Protestant churches, who often just use a few verses. Traditional liturgy is full of the Word, in what the priest says and the congregation respond. They also say the full Nicene Creed every Sunday so they know what they believe.

[@TrevorSullivan]

"We want to be authentic when we come to worship, not put on masks and stuff." Absolute gold. By the way, nice t-shirt. I live in Lander.

[@MattWhitmanTMBH]

Right on. Great town!

[@icxcnika6827]

ah yes authentic ancient Christian worship >drumset and guitars >invalid eucharist >500 year old protestant theology lol

[@jetc4332]

Hello from a Roman Catholic Christian!

[@m.a.bushling]

It's been while since I've said it, but thank you Mr. Whitman for modeling grace for those of us on the interwebs. Really enjoying this series! Thank you!

[@JohnBender1313]

I really like this style of church. I am used to mostly pretty strict churches like Catholics or more recently Baptists. I am an atheist kind of. But I really want to attend a church and be a member of a community and learn of Christ and try to live that way. Wish there was a nice place like this near me.

[@shaneblake]

Where are you located Justin? I'm sure there's someone on here near there that might could recommend a similar church in your area.

[@8ballpoolking67]

Justin Matthews hope you find one 🙏🏽

[@JohnBender1313]

@@shaneblake Near Tampa Florida. Tbh, I am looking forward to searching out what is right for me myself. But I am open to suggestions. :)

[@David-pf9xe]

@@JohnBender1313 I'd recommend the Orthodox Church. Don't be put off by the nationality that often gets attached. Orthodoxy is the best kept secret in America. Divine liturgy is an experience like no other.

[@JohnBender1313]

@@David-pf9xe if they would only have me...

[@hellosunshine1090]

Knowing the battles the LORD led our spiritual forefathers in the Faith to persevere & win, by His power & grace = Why the 5 Solas of the Reformation matter & gives hope He'll help us win our battles today also ! I'd encourage this Pastor to consider the Motivation for the Now, is how God worked Mightily in the Past - so we learn from 'His-story', instead of repeating the mistakes of the past. Soli Deo Gloria - Love your show Matt keep it up Brother !

[@bloodboughtbigphilr8266]

I attend a church in England very akin to this one in doctrine, practice, ethos and worship style. Even has 'Evangelical Free' in the title. Much smaller building and wouldn't have the same range of facilities. Much enjoyed the vid.

[@nancymoore8026]

Thank you for your effort. Good, good questions. May many find a home in biblical churches you present. 🎶🎶🎶

[@microharman]

"I haven't heard that [hymns with drums] work well" Finally, somebody said it!

[@frankieortega8151]

Joe Forrest listen to citizens they are fire

[@maybaline4757]

I really appreciated the ecumenical approach you’ve taken with these videos. It goes a long way to easing tensions between groups to seek understanding.

[@daviddasilva1965]

Hey Matt all of your videos are great! You are a great ambassador of the Christian faith. Keep up the good work! Please go to a Maronite Catholic Church. They still speak in Aramaic.

[@danthebookhunter]

This video and the other videos like it remind me why I like your channel so much. Thank you again for some more valuable insights into the great diversity in Christian thought and practice.

[@EnieT]

I'm more of a low church kinda girl, but honestly we kinda suck in some ways that the high Church calls us out on. I feel like we need some "medium" churches. Low churches get too relational and honestly watered down while high churches have lovely symbolism that honestly gets watered down as well in reality.

[@thescriptorium1206]

I've found that It depends on the individual parish. The first Anglican parish I visited when I went liturgical was SUPER Anglo Catholic high church (I loved it but was too far away to make into my church home). Conversely the "high church" parish that was way closer feels like a nice medium church. We have a high church Deacon and a low church priest. Some of the music is more modern but it's played to have a historic feel. The clergy wear vestments but we tend to skip the smells and bells. I've found it to be a great middle ground. If your looking for something like that it might take some time exploring to find the exact "flavor" of parish where God wants you. But it's totes worth it if you're feeling a desire to go that direction. God bless!

[@EnieT]

@@thescriptorium1206 I'm in law enforcement so honestly my greatest struggle is finding a church that shares the majority of my beliefs that meets on a day that isn't Saturday or Sunday.

[@thescriptorium1206]

@@EnieT I'll pray for you to find a Godly church that meets at a good time for you.

[@glintoflightonbrokenglass9473]

@@EnieT Check out these channels: ▶️ Israeli News Live ▶️ Revelations of Jesus Christ ▶️ Denoon Institute ▶️ Rachel Stephens

[@beautifulspirit7420]

@@EnieT try the Catholics, they have mass 7 days a week and there is normally a church that offers a 6am Mass for people who want to attend mass before work.

[@sageseraph5035]

I’m very much into high church stuff, but I do appreciate the humbleness of their worship space.

[@drb8786]

Seems like a real nice guy, but the luke warm watered down theology is exactly why i left evangelicalism for the Lutheran tradition.

[@chrisdonian6263]

Just wondering what are some examples of the warm watered down theology

[@ilkka4716]

Lutheran tradition is watered down Catholic tradition. I challenge you to take a look at church history ;) ’To know history is to cease being protestant.’

[@drb8786]

@@ilkka4716 Lutheranism is biblical christianity. Luther didnt want a new denomination he wanted the false Pope's and abusive clergy to repent. He wanted to REFORM the church. Have a good night

[@chrisdonian6263]

@@ilkka4716 But more importantly we need to be following Christ's teaching not mans no matter if your Christain or Catholic for your good deeds cant save you but only Jesus can he gives us the want and need to turn from sin when we get the holy spirit

[@the_polish_prince8966]

@@chrisdonian6263 You know Catholics are Christians too, right? You should've said "Protestant or Catholic" not "Christian or Catholic".

[@elwhizard]

My family goes to an Evangelical Free Church here in the Philippines. What’s shown is mostly the same here. Thank you for showing what it’s like in the other side of the world.

[@seangarvey6551]

Again, a hearty thanks for this series. I so appreciate the openness and sincerity of my Protestant brothers in Christ. But as a Catholic, I have to say it saddens me to see faith communities try to patch together the Eucharist, the True Presence of Christ Himself, with mere “community”, to say nothing of the absence of the 2,000 year patrimony and beauty of our faith. As Flannery O’Conner said, “if it (the Eucharist) is just a symbol, to hell with it!” All that being said, thank you for this series, and please keep them up.

[@cop2998]

Hello brother I would just like to say not all protestant have this view of the Eucharist. I am part of the main church in Denmark which is a lutheran church and we do not believe the Eucharist is just a symbol. Neither does the church of Germany, faroe islands, Norway etc. Which are also lutheran protestant. In some ways my church is more similar to Catholic ones rather than a church like the one in the video. For example we also do the sign of the cross, have figures and paintings of saints, angels, Virgin Mary and Christ

[@rh10033]

I'm a non-denominational protestant and I actually agree with you. I don't believe it is just symbolic, but believe the presence of Christ to be in it. It's not just bread and juice. But I think I am a rarity. I honestly have witnessed both Catholics and Protestants take the Lord's supper in an unworthy manner. When I was a child, my father's family was Catholic and I know how unrepentant of sin they were. They would beat their wife and not bat an eye. Then go receive communion on Sunday. 🤯 But I've also witnessed protestant churches not even making sure someone was even a believer before letting them partake. Both are not biblical practices.

[@seangarvey6551]

@@rh10033 it’s true. As a Catholic I have to always remember that my reception of the Eucharist is always “undeserved” and “unworthy”, given that is the real presence, the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ. And yes, it is a scandal and sadness when we see people unworthily receive, or even irreverently. But I just try to keep my eyes on myself, and my own unworthiness.

[@HarleyPebley]

"Paint with the colors God gives us."

[@ELECTRICBIGE]

14:20-15:00 Have y’all ever heard of the “both/and” Catholic principle? 🤔🤔

[@JLLawrencethe3rd]

I don't know if you'll see this comment but I think it'd be interesting for you to visit a Salvation Army Church. It's very low church in some ways but also has a ton of symbolic things. It is also unique in many ways.