Do Christians need to belong to a church?

Romans 8

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 16, 2019
1,410
1,151
Canada
✟114,753.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I've heard different views from, "Yes, there is no exception or excuse", to, "No, you are the church". Are there verses in the bible that dictate we must go? If we're Spirit filled and pray on our own, is that considered ok?

I'm not attempting to get out of going to a church. I currently attend one twice a week and two others now and then, but my lifestyle changes and so does my job. Also, sometimes I go through stages where I just don't want to be on a hectic schedule. What say you?
 

archer75

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Nov 16, 2016
5,930
4,649
USA
✟253,749.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
Do Christians need to belong to a church? - thread title

Are there verses in the bible that dictate we must go? - in post
If we're Spirit filled and pray on our own, is that considered ok? - in post

"Belong to" and "go" are not the same thing. Then you ask whether being Spirit-filled and praying on our own is okay.

There are no Christians outside the church. Whether you are formally enrolled as a member of a parish or go to services is another question.
 
Last edited:
  • Useful
Reactions: ac28
Upvote 0

Tone

"Whenever Thou humblest me, Thou makest me great."
Supporter
Dec 24, 2018
15,128
6,906
California
✟61,140.00
Country
United States
Faith
Messianic
Marital Status
Private
Born again Spirit filled believers are the called out ones and as Hebrews 10:25 says:

"And we should not be forsaking our meetings, as is the custom for each person, but plead with one another all the more, as long as you see that day drawing near."

We should assemble at the appointed times and daily fellowship is also excellent.
 
Upvote 0

Romans 8

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 16, 2019
1,410
1,151
Canada
✟114,753.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Do Christians need to belong to a church? - thread title

Are there verses in the bible that dictate we must go? - in post
If we're Spirit filled and pray on our own, is that considered ok? - in post

"Belong to" and "go" are not the same thing. Then you ask whether being "Spirit-filled" and praying on our own is okay.

There are no Christians outside the church. Whether you are formally enrolled as a member of a parish or go to services is another question.

The question is regarding the the brick and mortar, not body of Christ which we all belong to regardless.

There are a few questions in there but I don't think it's that difficult to understand.
 
Upvote 0

HTacianas

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2018
8,458
8,966
Florida
✟321,755.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
I've heard different views from, "Yes, there is no exception or excuse", to, "No, you are the church". Are there verses in the bible that dictate we must go? If we're Spirit filled and pray on our own, is that considered ok?

I'm not attempting to get out of going to a church. I currently attend one twice a week and two others now and then, but my lifestyle changes and so does my job. Also, sometimes I go through stages where I just don't want to be on a hectic schedule. What say you?

Without attending a Church one cannot participate in the sacraments. That begins with baptism. For a person to be "Spirit filled and pray on [his] own" can be found nowhere in the new testament.
 
Upvote 0

Romans 8

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 16, 2019
1,410
1,151
Canada
✟114,753.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Without attending a Church one cannot participate in the sacraments. That begins with baptism. For a person to be "Spirit filled and pray on [his] own" can be found nowhere in the new testament.

Sorry, if the Christian has already been baptized, and Spirit filled at a church, can he relax a little on the attendance?
 
Upvote 0

HTacianas

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2018
8,458
8,966
Florida
✟321,755.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
Sorry, if the Christian has already been baptized, and Spirit filled at a church, can he relax a little on the attendance?

There are monks and hermits who live solitary lives but who gather with others for confession. It's something a monk's spiritual father decides.
 
Upvote 0

anna ~ grace

Newbie
Supporter
May 9, 2010
9,071
11,925
✟108,146.93
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
It is best to fellowship with other Christians if you can. If you're in a very difficult or dangerous situation, e.g. you are a hidden / invisible Christian in a predominantly Muslim society who still pretends to be at least nominally Muslim to stay safe, then fellowship may not be possible.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Romans 8

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 16, 2019
1,410
1,151
Canada
✟114,753.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
There are monks and hermits who live solitary lives but who gather with others for confession. It's something a monk's spiritual father decides.

I'm not a monk or living a solitary life. I'm just looking for some insight here ;)
 
Upvote 0

Tone

"Whenever Thou humblest me, Thou makest me great."
Supporter
Dec 24, 2018
15,128
6,906
California
✟61,140.00
Country
United States
Faith
Messianic
Marital Status
Private
There are monks and hermits who live solitary lives but who gather with others for confession. It's something a monk's spiritual father decides.

Vows of solitary...like the vows of poverty?
 
Upvote 0

Romans 8

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 16, 2019
1,410
1,151
Canada
✟114,753.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
It is best to fellowship with other Christians if you can. If you're in a very difficult or dangerous situation, e.g. you are a hidden / invisible Christian in a predominantly Muslim society who still pretends to be at least nominally Muslim to stay safe, then fellowship may not be possible.

How many times a week? This church I go to meets 2 or 3 times a week :o

I don't think I can keep that up. Originally I wanted to meet more than once a week, but after a couple of months I realize that it's not practical. I'm afraid I'm going to burn out and drop out all together if I try to keep this up. I got a couple text messages from the Pastor when I skipped sessions (for mostly legitimate reasons), but I don't really want that kind of pressure.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Albion

Facilitator
Dec 8, 2004
111,138
33,258
✟583,842.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
I've heard different views from, "Yes, there is no exception or excuse", to, "No, you are the church". Are there verses in the bible that dictate we must go? If we're Spirit filled and pray on our own, is that considered ok?

I'm not attempting to get out of going to a church. I currently attend one twice a week and two others now and then, but my lifestyle changes and so does my job. Also, sometimes I go through stages where I just don't want to be on a hectic schedule. What say you?
Yes, we should attend church. Whether that means every Sunday or that a formal membership is necessary is another matter, but the New Testament is clear about the coming together with other believers, so that a person who simply swears off such participation and considers himself to be a church until himself really is not taking a defensible position about this IMO.

It should also be said, though, that this does not mean such a person is denied salvation or is not a real Christian or anything along those lines. Still, if the question is asked if church attendance should be part of ones life, that has to be answered in the affirmative.
 
Upvote 0

anna ~ grace

Newbie
Supporter
May 9, 2010
9,071
11,925
✟108,146.93
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
How many times a week? This church I go to meets 2 or 3 times a week :eek:

I don't think I can keep that up. Originally I wanted to meet more than once a week, but after a couple of months I realize that it's not practical. I'm afraid I'm going to burn out and drop out all together if I try to keep this up. I got a couple text messages from the Pastor when I skipped sessions (for mostly legitimate reasons), but I don't really want that kind of pressure.
Sunday worship should be just fine. If you feel pressured, or feel like you're in danger of burning out, reel it back a little. It's ok to just do Sunday morning. And pray at home the rest of the week.
 
Upvote 0

Romans 8

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 16, 2019
1,410
1,151
Canada
✟114,753.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Sunday worship should be just fine. If you feel pressured, or feel like you're in danger of burning out, reel it back a little. It's ok to just do Sunday morning. And pray at home the rest of the week.

Thank you, I wanted to hear that. I have to pick up a puppy tomorrow morning so I don't really have much choice but to pull back the throttle for a while now anyway.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums