Purpose of modern church

Hi MLYTM, are there any examples of persons in the Bible who chose to live a "solo" life of faith, IOW, "churchless" Christians attempting to live the Christian life apart from the teaching and authority of the visible church, and the regular fellowship of other believers in the church?

Thanks!

--David

I get it you hate church service lol.

Why is church only to service you? Do you not want to fellowship with your brother and sisters for just two hours of your time, or do you just sit there unimpressed by everything. Do you ever consider to minister to the person to the left or right of you, who may have needed to be among those that share the same faith? Did you offer to sit next to the person stumbling in the service to not make them feel lonely? How's your picture-perfect ministry doing?

See the sad part is that, no matter if you are going out there, or you stay inside a big church, or your in a home gathering, as long as your bitter towards things that are trying to bring God's glory, the heart will still be the same. Selfish in endeavor, bitter in speech, and lazy towards the things of God. The structure is there to serve and equip the people. Yes, it got corrupted, but not because of the system, its because people's hearts are not towards the things of God. That's from the pews to the congregation.You got fuzzy people, fuzzing about other fuzzy people, meanwhile, you got people out there longing for a community like that.

Nobody put guns to people's head and force you to assemble. And praise your God that you have that choice because people in other countries risk their lives to gather for two hours.

Stop complaining. Over privileges.

MyLordYeshuaTheMessiah said:

Can you avoid church other than for communion & baptism?

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Sure a person can, but should that be the norm? Are there not other spiritual benefits to be had from gathering with like minded believers?

MyLordYeshuaTheMessiah said:

First answer: is church a diet or a medicine?

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Most likely depends on the particular Church, varies from one congregation to another.

MyLordYeshuaTheMessiah said:

Once you find the truth, do you go and share it like the apostles? Or sit in a church for the rest of your life, listening to the same message over and over: "be good".

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The truth found me. I think the idea is to take what is gained from learning at Church and taking the message to the world. As flawed as it is, as much as we fail at the task, it does not take away from our daily need for the Gospel. We need the Gospel every single moment of every single day, which isn't "be good", it is closer to God is good.

MyLordYeshuaTheMessiah said:

If you have the Spirit, that guides you, then what purpose does that leave for churches?

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If a person has the Spirit and they submit to God, to His leading, all that matters is whether or not God commands it, not to mention the promise of where two or three are gathered in His name. Going to a good solid Biblical Church, can do great things for the soul that a person may not experience elsewhere. For one, it can provide focus, and time to reflect, and time to give thanks to God. In the presence of other believers, things can be encouraged to uplift the soul to God. In the presence of other believers, pride can be demolished and hearts broken, tenderized for the purposes of God. At the same time I realize there is such a thing as "spiritual pride", and I have witnessed it. However, the pride of men cannot prevent God from accomplishing His sovereign will.

MyLordYeshuaTheMessiah said:

You can say, "to learn". In this day and age, anyone can learn anywhere. 2000 years ago, few people could read, so they would go to 'church' to listen and learn.

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Very true, we are blessed to live in an age of information, and widely available information, with no shortage of information, at the same time that can also have drawbacks, but I think the pros outweigh the cons. The challenge today is more what am I going to teach about and how can I condense this great amount of information into a short period of time.

MyLordYeshuaTheMessiah said:

Is God really in your church? Is your church a holy temple of God? Or is he wherever there is 2 or 3 who gather in his name?

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God is omnipresent and He dwells where He chooses, among His people.

MyLordYeshuaTheMessiah said:

Why force yourself to go to church? Why allow others to guilt you into going every service? Whats the difference between your house and the church? The pews? The cross on the wall?

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I think I've covered those questions so I will not repeat. While you have a point, there are other good reasons to go attend Church services. One I did not mention is creating friendships with other believers, to strengthen and build each other up in the faith. Contrary to what some might think, the social benefits can be edifying and good for the soul. Of course this can be just the opposite, but people are people no matter where you go, and we happen to be people ourselves, so cutting others slack is the gracious thing to do.

MyLordYeshuaTheMessiah said:

Is church a modern social institution that has arose from culture, rather than scripture teaching? Perhaps people are too scared to speak out against it.

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Since the body of Christ is the Church, since it consists of individual believers in Christ, why in the world would Christ be divided against Himself, or why would the body be against itself? I would encourage a lengthy study of Church history, it may provide an appreciation for her, I know I am thankful to God for her, despite her flaws and shortcomings, I see the faithfulness of God through her, I see THE Light of the Word shining brilliantly through her.

MyLordYeshuaTheMessiah said:

Sure there's nothing wrong with church. But why do you have to force it on others, as part of your religious system?

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Personally I do not emphasize Church attendance with others, never have to be honest. And to be honest I have been struggling with Church attendance myself for quite some time for various reasons. Neither do I forsake the assembly or promote it to others, I feel quite the opposite. The challenge for one such as me is finding a similar minded Church in this area where I am stuck, so it would seem until the day I die. I hope and pray God will change the situation my family is in, so that we may gather with similar minded believers, so my son can learn and grow through a Church.

MyLordYeshuaTheMessiah said:

Put yourself in the days of Jesus. You are part of the crowd that followed him. You watched him be crucified and later hear or resurrection. After he ascended, would your first instinct be to go sit in a church, and listen to "be good" messages for 2 hours?

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None are good except for God. God is gracious, merciful, forgiving and loving towards His people. Because of this, because of the Spirit, being "good" should be the result of being good trees that God planted in His garden for His purposes for His glory.

Acts 2.41-42 tells of what the early Christians did in terms of their activities.

Mskriskris said:

I get it you hate church service lol.

Why is church only to service you? Do you not want to fellowship with your brother and sisters for just two hours of your time, or do you just sit there unimpressed by everything. Do you ever consider to minister to the person to the left or right of you, who may have needed to be among those that share the same faith? Did you offer to sit next to the person stumbling in the service to not make them feel lonely? How's your picture-perfect ministry doing?

See the sad part is that, no matter if you are going out there, or you stay inside a big church, or your in a home gathering, as long as your bitter towards things that are trying to bring God's glory, the heart will still be the same. Selfish in endeavor, bitter in speech, and lazy towards the things of God. The structure is there to serve and equip the people. Yes, it got corrupted, but not because of the system, its because people's hearts are not towards the things of God. That's from the pews to the congregation.You got fuzzy people, fuzzing about other fuzzy people, meanwhile, you got people out there longing for a community like that.

Nobody put guns to people's head and force you to assemble. And praise your God that you have that choice because people in other countries risk their lives to gather for two hours.

Stop complaining. Over privileges.

Click to expand...

Acts 2.41-42 speak of the early Christians having 'gladly received his word' and of having 'continued steadfastly'. Why not us also?

Church is neither diet nor medicine but community of people, and we can't be that on our own.

Hebrews 10 (NASB)
24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some,
but encouraging "one another";
and all the more as you see the day (of the LORD) drawing near.

assembling together...Greek 1997...episynagōgē...
1.a gathering together in one place
2.the (religious) assembly (of Christians)

encouraging "one another"...
Greek 3870...parakaleō...
1.to call to one's side, call for, summon
2.to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.
1.to admonish, exhort
2.to beg, entreat, beseech
1.to strive to appease by entreaty
3.to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort
1.to receive consolation, be comforted
4.to encourage, strengthen
5.exhorting and comforting and encouraging
6.to instruct, teach

THEME:
HOW SHOULD the fellowship/assembly of BELIEVERS / Christ-followers in the "Body of Christ" / "CHURCH" relate to "One Another"?

Matthew 24:10...Jesus:...on the Tribulation of the End Times
..."At that time (Tribulation), many (believers) will "fall away" (apostasy) and will betray
ONE ANOTHER and hate ONE ANOTHER...(the BAD NEWS!)

Jesus:...SEE: lesson on "salt" and "light"....Matthew 5:13...[ Disciples and the World ] ...“You are the salt of the earth;

Mark 9:50...Jesus:
...be at peace with ONE ANOTHER...." (the GOOD NEWS!)

>>PAUL...PETER...JOHN...JAMES...advice to the "churches"<<

1 Corinthians 12:25
...so that there may be no divisions in the body (of believers), but that the members may have the same care for ONE ANOTHER...

1 Thessalonians 5:13
...Live in peace with ONE ANOTHER...

Ephesians 4:32
...Be kind to ONE ANOTHER, tender-hearted, forgiving EACH OTHER, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you....

Colossians 3:13
...bearing with ONE ANOTHER, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone;
just as the Lord forgave you , so also should you (forgive)....

James 5:16
...confess your sins to ONE ANOTHER, and pray for ONE ANOTHER so that you may be healed.
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much....

Galatians 5:13
...through love, serve ONE ANOTHER...

1 Peter 4:10
...As each one has received a special GIFT , employ it in serving ONE ANOTHER
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God....

1 Peter 4:9
...Be hospitable to ONE ANOTHER without complaint....

1 Thessalonians 5:11
...Therefore encourage ONE ANOTHER and build up ONE ANOTHER,...

1 John 3:11,23
...For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love ONE ANOTHER..
...This is His commandment,
that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and
love ONE ANOTHER, just as He commanded us . (SEE also: John 15: Jesus: "I am the vine; you are the branches.")

1 Peter 4:8
...Above all, keep fervent in your love for ONE ANOTHER,
because love covers a multitude of sins.

Hebrews 10:24
...let us consider how to stimulate ONE ANOTHER to love and (to) good deeds....

1 Thessalonians 3:12
...and may the Lord cause you (believers) to increase (in number) and
abound in love for ONE ANOTHER , and for all people, ....

Galatians 6:2
...Bear ONE ANOTHER's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ ... (Love God + Love Neighbor as Self?)

Ephesians 4:2
....with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for ONE ANOTHER in love ....

Philippians 2:3
...Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit , but with humility of mind,
regard ONE ANOTHER as more important than yourselves...

Ephesians 4:25
...Therefore, laying aside falsehood ... SPEAK TRUTH (EACH ONE of you) WITH HIS NEIGHBOR ,
for we are members (parts) of ONE ANOTHER...(don't gossip!!!)

Galatians 5:26
...Let us not become boastful, challenging or ...envying ONE ANOTHER...

1 Thessalonians 5:15
....See that no ONE repays ANOTHER with evil for evil, but
always seek after that which is good for ONE ANOTHER and for all people ....

James 4:11
...Do not speak against ONE ANOTHER, brethren .
He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against ..and judges the Law...

Matthew 16:18
I also say to you that you are Peter (PETROS=ROCKY), and upon this rock (PETRA=CONFESSION) I will build My "church"; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

church...Greek 1577...ekklēsia ...
1.a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly
1.an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating
2.the assembly of the Israelites
3.any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously
4.in a Christian sense
1.an assembly of Christians gathered for WORSHIP in a religious meeting
2.a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ,
observe their own RELIGIOUS RITES, hold their own religiousMEETINGS, and manage their own AFFAIRS,
according to regulations prescribed for the body for ORDER's sake
3.those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body
>>>4.the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth<<<(BODY OF CHRIST!)
5.the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven

MyLordYeshuaTheMessiah said:

Can you avoid church other than for communion & baptism?

First answer: is church a diet or a medicine?

Once you find the truth, do you go and share it like the apostles? Or sit in a church for the rest of your life, listening to the same message over and over: "be good".

If you have the Spirit, that guides you, then what purpose does that leave for churches?

You can say, "to learn". In this day and age, anyone can learn anywhere. 2000 years ago, few people could read, so they would go to 'church' to listen and learn.

Is God really in your church? Is your church a holy temple of God? Or is he wherever there is 2 or 3 who gather in his name?

Why force yourself to go to church? Why allow others to guilt you into going every service?
Whats the difference between your house and the church? The pews? The cross on the wall?

Is church a modern social institution that has arose from culture, rather than scripture teaching? Perhaps people are too scared to speak out against it.

Sure there's nothing wrong with church. But why do you have to force it on others, as part of your religious system?

"And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?"

Put yourself in the days of Jesus. You are part of the crowd that followed him. You watched him be crucified and later hear or resurrection. After he ascended, would your first instinct be to go sit in a church, and listen to "be good" messages for 2 hours?

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Part of the issue with many believers today is that they are bound up in man’s order and dry religious forms that don’t allow body ministry or mutual edification. And they don’t gather in homes and share the word , fellowship, have a meal together, pray together, or edify one another.

Instead they gather in a man made religious system and in a man made unbiblical “church building” where freedom and edification of one another is not allowed. They are drawn to s man called “the pastor “ who is exalted above all and who they all have to listen to week after week.

Consider these things

Gods Order in the body of Christ

To me, the "church" we know of today is little more than a meeting place for a club. Mind you, there is nothing wrong with that, so I'm not disrespecting them. However, the true "church" is just a group of people who walk according to the Spirit of God.
One negative I do see about the church groups is that they all claim to have the proper bible interpretation and many call others false groups.

I highly doubt this makes Jesus happy at all.

Matthew 10:34
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

=> a SWORD divides "religions".

1 Corinthians 1:10
Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Jude 1:19
These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.

The Church is a hospital, the medicine is God's Word and Sacraments, which are found in His Church. Which is why we come together, to receive God's Word and Sacraments, that we might receive the food and medicine of eternal life.

-CryptoLutheran

I go to church in order to participate in the Liturgy, which, in one manner of speaking, is a participation in the eternal unfolding of the cosmic drama of our salvation. Just as going to a well gives us a supply of water that we can't get from the moisture in the air around us, in the Liturgy ("Mass" is also the historical English word the eucharistic service) we encounter Christ in a way that we do not encounter Him outside of the Liturgy. Even if I "learn" nothing, I have encountered Christ, I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, and have come to know Him that little bit more.