Can one be a good Christian and not go to church?

[blueapplepaste]

I was just thinking aimlessly the other day and started thinking about church and where it fits in for Christianity. I got to thinking whether or not attending church was a necessity for being a "good" Christian. Do you think that one who doesn't attend church can still be a good Christian?

 

[kahtar]

What is a 'good Christian'?
Look, God has provided gifts to each of His children, whether they know it or not. Are those gifts given to them to edify themselves, or to be able to say 'look at me, I have this gift'?
No, He gives His gives to men (and women) in order to minister to each other. Each has a gift that the others need.
A person who is ill needs one with the gift of healing, and one with the gift of faith, and of prayer and intercession.
A person suffering from addiction or some inheritted malady needs someone with the gift of deliverance.
If YOU do not go to church, YOU will not benefit from the gifts of others, and, THEY will not benefit from your gifts.
Do you think church is just a social club? If so, you are right, we don't need it.
But God told us not to forsake gathering together. He told us that for a reason. We need each other, physically, emotionally, spirtually.
So why would you not go to church? Are you selfish, and refuse to share what God has given you? Are you so self-sufficient that you have no need of others?
Perhaps you don't want to go because the people there are not perfect, and have faults, and are generally rather hypocritical? Well, of course they are. You won't find a church filled with perfect people.
Church is for those who have been lost and are finding their way, for those who have stepped out of thier corruption into the light, and are learning how to walk in it, for those who are spiritual babies still learning how to get off the milk and onto veggies and meat.
It is for those who think they are so much more mature than the rest. They need it perhaps most of all.
In short, we all, each of us, including you, are in the position of needing what the church, the gathering, provides.
My advice? Go to church, if not for yourself, then for them.

 

[blueapplepaste]

*note* Just playing a little devils advocate. I was just thinking about this and am curious as to others' thoughts.

If YOU do not go to church, YOU will not benefit from the gifts of others, and, THEY will not benefit from your gifts.

Why should someone limit their gifts to church? Can't they also share their gifts with the whole world? Why limit it to church?

But God told us not to forsake gathering together. He told us that for a reason. We need each other, physically, emotionally, spirtually.

Ok, but why is church required. One can get that outside of church.

So why would you not go to church?

Lots of reasons.

Are you selfish, and refuse to share what God has given you? Are you so self-sufficient that you have no need of others?
Perhaps you don't want to go because the people there are not perfect, and have faults, and are generally rather hypocritical? Well, of course they are. You won't find a church filled with perfect people.

Again, how is it being selfish of someone by not going to church? What if they share those gifts elsewhere?

Church is for those who have been lost and are finding their way, for those who have stepped out of thier corruption into the light, and are learning how to walk in it, for those who are spiritual babies still learning how to get off the milk and onto veggies and meat.

Agreed. Never said church didn't serve a purpose.

In short, we all, each of us, including you, are in the position of needing what the church, the gathering, provides.
My advice? Go to church, if not for yourself, then for them.

So am I correct in saying that you do not think someone can be a good Christian and not go to church?

 

[Doko]

God sort of requires us to go to church we dont go to church beacuse of ourselves or we have ourselves in mind(we want to, dont want to , dont like it etc.) we should go to church to worship God and to pray and show him we love him sure somtimes we dont like the church we go to beacuse it smells or some other stuff like that( i hope your getting my point) but you SHOULD go tochurch for God not for youself

 

[Asinner]

For some Christians who believe everything is symbolic (Holy Communion, Baptism, ect), then no, "church", IMO, is not necessary.


However, if the Eucharist is not symbolic, but our medicine of immortality; if baptism is regenerative, us literally being buried with Christ; if all the saints and angels (Church Triumphant) are present with us during Worship; if God's Grace is abundant during these times . . . then I wouldn't miss it for ANYTHING!

God Bless

 

[simonthezealot]

I was just thinking aimlessly the other day and started thinking about church and where it fits in for Christianity. I got to thinking whether or not attending church was a necessity for being a "good" Christian. Do you think that one who doesn't attend church can still be a good Christian?

Think about "church" as described below and then reevauate your question.


The Word Church

The word "gospel" is often used in an ambiguous way, and the same thing can be said of the word "church". This can mean (1) a building for worship, (2) a denomination, (3) professing Christendom as a whole, (4) a called out company by God, of His redeemed children, irrespective of their earthly Christian label. In the N.T. the word is never used in the first three senses. It is applied to the original assemblies of believers formed through ministry and missionary journeys. This is the way it is used during the period covered by the Acts of the Apostles. After this time the sense given under (4) is the chief meaning of. the word "church", that is, it designates the Body of Christ. Yet, as we have before pointed out, the Scriptures do not limit the word to this Church. The word basically means a called-out company of people, so there is nothing strange in Stephen describing the people of Israel as "the church in the wilderness" (Acts 7:38), for they were redeemed and separated by God from all other nations. What we must do is be precise and Scriptural in our usage of the word. Too often speakers and writers use it of their own particular sect, or of Christendom as a whole, and apply statements to these which are only true of the real Church, the Body of Christ. This also causes misunderstanding and confusion, so once more we must test what we hear and read concerning the word "church" by the way it is used in the Word of God.
There was a general falling away from the Truth before the Apostle Paul died and its has been a long gradual recovery down through this age. Even today the fullness of the Truth given by the glorified Lord Jesus through the apostle is little known in our pulpits. This is a potent reason why these riches are not received and enjoyed among the people of God. Another stumbling block is for Christians to approach the Bible from the wrong end, so to speak. Instead of first of all seeking an understanding of the purpose of the ages in the large and seeing it as a whole, and then finding the place in it that God's Love and Redemption has secured for them, they approach the other way round and become so taken up with themselves and their own needs that many of them never advance beyond this point. Consequently they know little or nothing of other callings and imagine that God's plans revolve solely around themselves. This is a bondage of slavery to self that we all need to be delivered from. One result of this is to see a part of the revelation of God and imagine that it is the whole.

 

[blueapplepaste]

For a protestant who believes everything is symbolic (Holy Communion, Baptism, ect), then no, "church", IMO, is not necessary.

Thanks for your thoughts!

if God's Grace is abundant during these times . . .

That's what pretty much got me thinking; God's Grace is with us always. He is always with us; what makes a building particularly special over private worship?

 

[blueapplepaste]

Think about "church" as described below and then reevauate your question.

I mean it in the sense of going to a building for worship.

 

[Asinner]

That's what pretty much got me thinking; God's Grace is with us always. He is always with us; what makes a building particularly special over private worship?

Although He may be always present and filling all things, His Grace is not. It is especially made manifest during the Divine Liturgy where Heaven and Earth are singing praises, Worshipping, and partaking of Him.

God Bless

 

[simonthezealot]

And to follow up more directly to your post, I missed being at a "church" this past weekend yet I spent the weekend with 100,000 Christians or soon to be Christians at the Lifelight concert, Our Lords hand was clearly the reason for and was present for 3 days straight, so the point is, if God is central in your actions and life. That is church!

 

[simonthezealot]

I mean it in the sense of going to a building for worship.

Buildings and structures using the name "church" have nothing to do with worship. Truly, read His word and pray and give praise to our Lord and our Lord only. That is worship.

 

[£amb]

I was just thinking aimlessly the other day and started thinking about church and where it fits in for Christianity. I got to thinking whether or not attending church was a necessity for being a "good" Christian. Do you think that one who doesn't attend church can still be a good Christian?

Yes, you can still be a christian in or out of the church....but....

Even believers in a church mess up, but I have the encouragment of other people that God put in my life to help me. It's not that God couldn't do that for himself, but we are part of His family...we are His children. I'm going through an extremely rough time right now. My mother is very ill. I thank God for the believers within the church I attend that lift her name up in prayer on a daily basis. Within the church is not all about clapping hands, singing and running down the aisles (just kidding)...but it's about being encouraged and edified by people who love and serve God also. I can study God's word with other believers and to pray for them as well.

I apologized if I rambled off subject....I've been out of the forums for a few days...

 

[InTheFlame]

I was just thinking aimlessly the other day and started thinking about church and where it fits in for Christianity. I got to thinking whether or not attending church was a necessity for being a "good" Christian. Do you think that one who doesn't attend church can still be a good Christian?

I don't think the bible says anything about having to go to a 'church' building (especially since believers tended to gather in each others' homes each evening) ... it just says things like "don't give up meeting together" and "where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am also". ie... meet up with other believers to encourage and support each other. That's 'church' enough... from a typical Protestant viewpoint, anyway

 

[simonthezealot]

I don't think the bible says anything about having to go to a 'church' building (especially since believers tended to gather in each others' homes each evening) ... it just says things like "don't give up meeting together" and "where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am also". ie... meet up with other believers to encourage and support each other. That's 'church' enough... from a typical Protestant viewpoint, anyway

Well said' though I wouldn't say a typical protestant would ever say ('church' enough).

 

[InTheFlame]

Well said' though I wouldn't say a typical protestant would ever say ('church' enough).Forgive my bluntness.

Hmmm... guess it depends on what you view 'church' as, still? I'm thinking that the things you mentioned fit into 'christian life' as opposed to 'church'. To me, that is. And the 'typical protestant' comment was acknowledging that most protestant churches have a far different opinion of the necessity of meeting together in a specific, official congregational group than Catholic and Orthodox churches... as I understand their doctrine. Are we understanding each other, or kinda talking at cross-purposes?

 

[simonthezealot]

Hmmm... guess it depends on what you view 'church' as, still? I'm thinking that the things you mentioned fit into 'christian life' as opposed to 'church'. To me, that is. And the 'typical protestant' comment was acknowledging that most protestant churches have a far different opinion of the necessity of meeting together in a specific, official congregational group than Catholic and Orthodox churches... as I understand their doctrine. Are we understanding each other, or kinda talking at cross-purposes?

We are united my friend.

I've a NT church compared to church "denominations". chart that i have posted before, if it's of interest I can post again.

Peaqce My Friend.
Simon

 

[kahtar]

Why should someone limit their gifts to church? Can't they also share their gifts with the whole world? Why limit it to church?

Honestly, they should NOT limit their gifts to church. Church provides a good training ground, however, a supposedly 'safe' place to make your mistakes, etc.
But by all means, they should be taken outside the church. They are not intended only for fellow church members.

Ok, but why is church required. One can get that outside of church.

Why is church required? God said to not forsake gathering together. Meaning fellow believers. But, yes, you can get some, albeit questionable, support outside church.

So am I correct in saying that you do not think someone can be a good Christian and not go to church?

No, you are not correct in saying that. Did you notice my question? What is a good Christian?
I think an obedient Christian will gather together with other Christians.
Does that have to be in a building designated as a 'church'? No. You can gather together with other Christians in many different places, tents, parks, camptrips, the mall, whatever.
Does the 'service' as such have to follow the usual prescribed format you find in most churches? No.

 

[Peaceful Dove]

It all depends if you need to be fed or not.
I do.
I need to be fed on Jesus in the procamation of the Word.
I need Jesus is the Holy Eucharist
I need Jesus in the fellowship of the Body of Christ, the community.

I need to be fed and I need to feed.

If you do not need all of these, you do not need to go to Church.

 

[InTheFlame]

We are united my friend.

I've a NT church compared to church "denominations". chart that i have posted before, if it's of interest I can post again.

Would you mind PMing it to me? It's probably a bit too OT for this thread.

 

[tigercub]

I've a NT church compared to church "denominations". chart that i have posted before, if it's of interest I can post again.

Could I have that in a PM too please?

My husband and I are sort of 'floaters' not really having much faith in the structered church or religion.