Do Christians need to belong to a church?

[Thess]

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?

Paul would tell you to "test the Spirit in every believer", for we are not to believe people when they say that they are saved, for what if they are not? We are to test every church, for what if you're considering entering a church that is apostate? Would Christ have that for you? No way. In fact, I'll bet that Paul wouldn't recommend any new believer to attend the church in Corinth or any of the churches is Galatia. However, he would SCREAM at you to go to the church in Thessolonica, for they had "Love" figured out. When he visited that church, he said it was like being amongst children, meaning that he didn't have to be the harsh apostle, but just a normal, regular guy because they were true Christians.

In my opinion, you are better off not being in an apostate church unless you're strong enough to enter the church so as to infiltrate it with the truth.....which would be pretty awesome!

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

Belong as in becoming "official" members of a Church registry? No. There are good excuses such as work obligations, since paying bills and buying food require money, sometimes we may be left with no real choice, I mean starvation and or depending on others to pay bills is probably off the table. But simply not going for not feeling like it is a poor excuse...and I am guilty as sin. The worst part is, the less you attend the easier it becomes to come up with lame excuses. Whether it is "necessary" for us to gather with other believers or not is not the issue, because we should want and try to as often as we can, and consider how we might benefit others, in addition to many other Spiritual blessings which come from being in one mind and accord with other believers. In an atmosphere which truly encourages prayer, where the thoughts of our hearts are tested, where we may need conviction and deliverance from worldly ways and double mindedness. Going to a good Church can be good for soul, and a way of helping other believers at the same time. For pure learning purposes, I've found nothing really touches hours and hours of personal studies, it's simply not possible to condense that type of learning in a forty minute sermon. Many people however, may have too busy of a schedule to spend hours every day reading the Scriptures and studying theology, make that most people. Too often I have been guilty of not spending my time or money wisely also, often I have played the fool, try not to be like me, you'll likely be better off for it.

 

[Caleb23]

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

All I know and can tell you is that when you miss one day it can become very easy to miss another day. I was in Church and attended pretty regular and after things started looking up for me. I missed a day then another one and before I knew it I was so condemned for missing and ashamed I didn't go back. Then now I am back in my same boat I was in years ago and back to attending Church.

It's good to be in fellowship with other believers.

Hebrews 10-25 kjv
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

[timewerx]

Of course not!

If your plane crashed in the middle of a huge jungle, you got stuck there for a year, you missed church for a year.

Would God hold you accountable for that? no.

 

[Romans 8]

Of course not!

If your plane crashed in the middle of a huge jungle, you got stuck there for a year, you missed church for a year.

Would God hold you accountable for that? no.

My plane didn't crash, I didn't get kidnapped by leprechauns, and a 900 pound bunny rabbit didn't sit on me. I have to drop attendance significantly for a few reasons and feel a bit guilty about it. I just want to hear that it's all good. So thanks!

 

[Tone]

My plane didn't crash, I didn't get kidnapped by leprechauns, and a 900 pound bunny rabbit didn't sit on me. I have to drop attendance significantly for a few reasons and feel a bit guilty about it. I just want to hear that it's all good. So thanks!

Watch sermons online and fellowship right here in this forum and you'll be alright. And if you really want to be blessed and be a watchman, observe the moedim, of which Pesach is tomorrow evening!

Exodus 12

And

"Passover (Leviticus 23:5) – Pointed to the Messiah as our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) whose blood would be shed for our sins. Jesus was crucified during the time that the Passover was observed (Mark 14:12). Christ is a “lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19) because His life was completely free from sin (Hebrews 4:15). As the first Passover marked the Hebrews’ release from Egyptian slavery, so the death of Christ marks our release from the slavery of sin (Romans 8:2).

2) Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6) – Pointed to the Messiah's sinless life (as leaven is a picture of sin in the Bible), making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus' body was in the grave during the first days of this feast, like a kernel of wheat planted and waiting to burst forth as the bread of life."
How did Jesus fulfill the meanings of the Jewish feasts?

 

[Jonaitis]

Well, attending church is more than listening to a sermon (though that is one major part of it). You can't replace the benefit of the fellowship of one another in worship in an assembled body, and this includes the participation in the holy sacrament. It is a poor substitute to read a book, or listen to a pre-recorded sermon, or sing hymns in your private dwelling than to assemble with like-minded believers in a local gathering.

I am convinced that it is one of those means of graces by which our Lord strengthens the Christian and carries him throughout the coming week. There is a lot, I believe, that may be enjoyed in God that is missed if we neglect to come together to meet for worship.

 

[lsume]

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?

If church is hectic in your description, something might be wrong. We are to confess our sins one to another and to not be unequally yoked with non-Christians. The True Church is made up of the children of God The Father. Some may know who they are and some may not have experienced that awakening yet. You might try praying about a fast. If you have tried to seek Christ in a fast, you probably know how rewarding it can be.

 

[ChicanaRose]

God wants you to cheerfully attend out of love for Him, and not because you feel pressured to.

You could try explaining to your pastor that you are in a danger of a spiritual burnout, that this is becoming more of a burden than joy for you. You can tell him that you need to take this season in your life to rest and attend only on Sundays.

Church attendance is never meant to feel like a chore, but more like a date that you look forward to.

 

[friend of]

If we're Spirit filled and pray on our own, is that considered ok?

I guess, but why wouldn't you want to be around other believers?

 

[TuxAme]

Why wouldn't we attend Church? If God is to be the center of our lives, then we must arrange our secular lives around Him, not the other way around. In other words, gathering together and breaking bread (Eucharist) as Jesus commanded must be the most important thing to us.

 

[friendl]

Relax. Go when you can, if you can't the Lord understands.

I agree. Go when you can. I go once every 3-4 weeks for a Sunday service. I enjoy it. I pray mainly at home in a special place in my apartment. I'm sure God will understand.

 

[timewerx]

Watch sermons online and fellowship right here in this forum and you'll be alright. And if you really want to be blessed and be a watchman, observe the moedim, of which Pesach is tomorrow evening!

I don't think these things are absolute and that God would hold you accountable NOR reward you for observing all of them. There are unique situations that would make it impossible.

 

[Tone]

I don't think these things are absolute and that God would hold you accountable NOR reward you for observing all of them. There are unique situations that would make it impossible.

If your plane crashed in the middle of a huge jungle, you got stuck there for a year, you missed church for a year.

Yeah, I see what you mean, but if you see what it is and are able to, you'll know.

 

[PanDeVida]

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?

Romans 8,

YES! We are the church, and who governs this church? The answer is the Church founded on ROCK.

There is the church laity and the Church Hierarchy who governs all in the Church founded on ROCK.

Christ knew that He would leave this world and assume to the Father thus the Church founded on ROCK to Shepperd the church laity.

Pan De Vida

 

[Gregory Thompson]

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?

It really depends on your spiritual gifts/maturity.

Some people are in a part of the body of Christ that has a lot of members in this generation. And some people are part of another organ type that is not common.

For example, If I am like skin, and another congregation is like an internal organ, me getting too close may expose them to dangers God keeps well away from them for a very good reason.

 

[Justified112]

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, Christians need to be plugged into a local church. Those who are the most vulnerable to false teachings like the ones in Mormonism, JWs, etc. are those who are not in a church.

Being part of a church is vital to spiritual growth and it also provides many opportunities to serve others.

 

[Justified112]

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

Why wouldn't you want to meet with others like you, on a regular basis? Why is fellowshipping with other likeminded believers such a chore?

 

[timewerx]

Yeah, I see what you mean, but if you see what it is and are able to, you'll know.

For 20 years, I've tried to keep perfect attendance in the church. Even went Bible Studies on Saturdays, twice per week.

I did it because I liked it not because of rules or tradition.

But a time came where I couldn't go to church for two years. Simply kept my relationship to Christ. I realized it didn't matter. My relationship to Christ, His love, His revelations to me through prayers, dreams, visions, etc, did not diminish one bit. It went on strong.

 

[com7fy8]

I just don't want to be on a hectic schedule.

Your relating with God and His people can feed you grace so you are guided when and how to fit things with each other.

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

Our Apostle Paul had work and troubles and caring for God's people, all to manage and to coordinate how to handle it all. Grace made him strong enough and creative enough, in God's guiding coordinating and timing what he did and how much of each thing.

I'm afraid I'm going to burn out and drop out all together if I try to keep this up.

"'Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'" (Matthew 11:29)

Hebrews 13:17 > I understand this means God has ones whom He trusts to take care of us. And sharing with one another can feed us grace which makes us able to pleasantly handle our practical things.

"Let all that you do be done with love." (1 Corinthians 16:14)

So, I would say pray and grow more, then discover how God has you doing.