Can one still be save and learn the right teachings of God without being a church mem

JTKIRK said:

I ask the title question, 'Can one still be saved and learn the right teachings of God without being a church member'.

One member, asked on another thread why I was not a member of a church. so I have started this thread to see what people thoughts are in relation to my belief. I have been going mainly to an SDA church here in Townsville (Australia)where I live but am not a member.

I often feel my walk with God is and has been a very lonely one, rarely do I feel he is next to me and often I see myself talking the wrong path. However I do know he is there and I firmly belive in him.

I mainly do see SDA using the scriptues but sometimes not and it does worry me. Thus why I have gone to other denominations churchs, inc RCC, Uniting, Baptise, AOG, CoE etc to listen to their sermons etc. I have yet to find one that I am completly happy with, the SDAs have been the closest to the mark.

Do others feel like this in relation to their church/denominatio, Maybe it is just me?

I read history, inc Relgious History and can see sometime when these faiths are not truely using Gods word, the Bible in their sermons. Many churchs keep Sunday and only after pushing admit, Saturday was the Sabbath, Biblical evidence and historical research, points to it being the Holy day. Thus why I have been going to SDA, however I was baptised, in a Christen Bretheren church in Bundaberg (I now live in Townsville 12,000km away from that church). Intrestingly enough, the Christian Bretheren church there had 2 services a week Friday night (Sabbath) and Sunday and they did actually admit they had Friday night service to honour the Sabbath and Sunday because it was more traditionally accepted by its members, esp the new ones who come from other churchs/denominations, in the area.

I believe, I have learnt more truths here from some peoples posts (esp when they are referenced, because I look them up and read), then in some of the churchs I have gone too.

Hey all, I never said I was an easy study, and I have very strong opinions on what is right and it comes from Gods word.
JTK

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Everyone has at some point felt that their denomination is missing the mark. There is no perfect denomination.

Just be wary when they start creating their own doctrine and are elevating it as equal to God's word.

And you are commanded to not forsake the assemblying just as you are called to remember the Sabbath and to keep it holy.

Perhaps if we keep them ALL holy, and place Christ at the head of everything, we won't have a problem.

I think going to church strengthens my faith in the fellowship that encourages me, in the teachings that I hear that provoke thoughts and understandings of God word and in the praise of many gathering with one voice to exhault his name. I think I would be less matured in my faith without church. That said, I don't think its necessary to be member of a church, as Christ can minister to you anywhere, he's not confined by 4 walls, but for me, I find my faith strengthened. I also find that I get a sense of spiritual fullness.

Lets start by asking a question. Being born into humanity is that all you ever needed? I don't think so. You need a home and family to be nurtured in the flesh. Well being born as a Christian you need the same, also with that said we join in the church as broken people with broken lives, so lets be real about things. Its going to be a journey to get things right. In the Church people are going to let you down for they are in the same boat as you, but in the Church we are a family. As some stated to me in kindness and humility. He said if you are looking for the perfect Church and you find it. Don't join for you will screw it up. lol

Yes, but you will not receive the benefits of church membership.

JTKIRK said:

I ask the title question, 'Can one still be saved and learn the right teachings of God without being a church member'.

One member, asked on another thread why I was not a member of a church. so I have started this thread to see what people thoughts are in relation to my belief. I have been going mainly to an SDA church here in Townsville (Australia)where I live but am not a member.

I often feel my walk with God is and has been a very lonely one, rarely do I feel he is next to me and often I see myself talking the wrong path. However I do know he is there and I firmly belive in him.

I mainly do see SDA using the scriptues but sometimes not and it does worry me. Thus why I have gone to other denominations churchs, inc RCC, Uniting, Baptise, AOG, CoE etc to listen to their sermons etc. I have yet to find one that I am completly happy with, the SDAs have been the closest to the mark.

Do others feel like this in relation to their church/denominatio, Maybe it is just me?

I read history, inc Relgious History and can see sometime when these faiths are not truely using Gods word, the Bible in their sermons. Many churchs keep Sunday and only after pushing admit, Saturday was the Sabbath, Biblical evidence and historical research, points to it being the Holy day. Thus why I have been going to SDA, however I was baptised, in a Christen Bretheren church in Bundaberg (I now live in Townsville 12,000km away from that church). Intrestingly enough, the Christian Bretheren church there had 2 services a week Friday night (Sabbath) and Sunday and they did actually admit they had Friday night service to honour the Sabbath and Sunday because it was more traditionally accepted by its members, esp the new ones who come from other churchs/denominations, in the area.

I believe, I have learnt more truths here from some peoples posts (esp when they are referenced, because I look them up and read), then in some of the churchs I have gone too.

Hey all, I never said I was an easy study, and I have very strong opinions on what is right and it comes from Gods word.
JTK

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You are "saved" by your decision for Christ Jesus. A building has nothing to with it. The Apostles laid out the guidelines for a life IN Christ.

What is important, is to notice that what we call "Christianity" in the most general and commonly held idea of it, is a European influenced set of ideals.

And notice also, how what we have IN the New Testament, goes against much of what european influence has done TO The Church and what the Apostles set down about belief in Christ Jesus.

JTKIRK said:

And these great benefits are?

(I am sure, KC would also like to know)

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Prayer warriors, Sunday School lessons, some counseling direction, help in time of trouble, song training...

LittleNipper said:

Prayer warriors, Sunday School lessons, some counseling direction, help in time of trouble, song training...

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Start with a Sunday School lesson about the desire to want to be a lost sheep? Doesn't seem a Christian perspective when directed at Church fellowship.

Now of course, one does not become a lost sheep when one rejects the world and its ways. You become a found sheep.

JTKIRK said:

I ask the title question, 'Can one still be saved and learn the right teachings of God without being a church member'.

*snip

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IMO, it's apples and oranges, really. Should you go to church? It helps. It's hard to stay on task without being with others who are doing likewise. Can one exist without the other? ...depends on what you mean by "church member". If you mean joining your local church, then of course you can be saved and learn the Bible without becoming a member of your local church. I'm not a member of the church I regularly attend. But, I was saved over 30 years ago. And, I fully admit that going to church does not ensure adequate study of the Bible. It usually is not nearly enough, even in a really good church, to really get into the Bible, you have to study it independently of church going.

But, if you mean "churchood of the believer" aka the "universal church" aka the "body of Christ", then no. Salvation automatically makes you a member of that "church".

If someone was stranded on a desert island, would they then be condemned to hell?

I don't know of any Christians who would affirm that.

Arkanin said:

If someone was stranded on a desert island, would they then be condemned to hell?

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It depends on the desert island. You COULD finish up on the desert island that has the Bible that contains only the Old Testament, the 4 Gospels, and Revelation as per the thread on this forum of the same title. THEN you'd have an entirely different brand of Christianity ...NOT this Pauline stuff of today.

Ironically, CCD was one of the first things that made me question the Catholic religion.

Look. Paul has his uses, especially if read properly and in the context that he was writing. The problems begin when people are trying to put their own religious bent on his writings and thus, more often than not, getting the gist of it wrong. I don't think we need to throw out the Pauline epistles, or the other epistles (the book of James is a really good one) for that matter. We need to learn how to interpret their meaning more accurately and without a particular denominational bent.

I have to bypass the "saved" part of your question, because there is something in that concept that confuses me.

A friend of mine once made the comment that church is where one often goes not only to learn but to realize their self as a part of something greater.

Where do you go to find that? Or have you already found that awareness without church membership?

Arkanin said:

If someone was stranded on a desert island, would they then be condemned to hell?

I don't know of any Christians who would affirm that.

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NO MAN has an excuse.

18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For 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 men are without excuse. Romans 1:18-20