Did a traumatic experience make you unchurched?

Catechumen said:

Exactly! The burden of proof is on those who feel that church attendance is necessary.

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Yes . And , they would need to show that they *know* that the Lord told *me* that it was necessary . All they have is doctrine . They have no proof .

Exactly! The burden of proof is on those who feel that church attendance is necessary.

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New_Wineskin said:

Yes . And , they would need to show that they *know* that the Lord told *me* that it was necessary . All they have is doctrine . They have no proof .

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I'm having a problem with these statements.

Heb 10:24 Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good.
Heb 10:25 Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.

If this is doctrind it is the Lord's doctrine, not man's.

I recognize that we are each one of us the church, and that in a gathering of two the Lord is most certainly with us. I also recognize a need for assembling together. More than just two is what is encouraged in this portion of scripture. What kind of proof do you need?

Qidron said:

Heb 10:25 Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.

If this is doctrind it is the Lord's doctrine, not man's.

I recognize that we are each one of us the church, and that in a gathering of two the Lord is most certainly with us. I also recognize a need for assembling together. More than just two is what is encouraged in this portion of scripture. What kind of proof do you need?

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That scripture is often mis-used. But remember the bible was talking about believers meeting together in houses anyway. Jesus gave the criteria as two or more meeting together in my name. Are we not meeting here in Jesus name?

Going to a church building and coming 'under' the 'authority' of a priest or vicar is not meeting together. Its meeting 'under'.

I don't care WHERE we meet. A house if fine. I have no intention of coming under the AUTHORITY of a priest...WE ARE the priests. (and maybe that's why I'm not received well in the more formal congregations...) My point is that while two may be great for intercession, it is not an assembly. We neeeeed to gather together, and that's what that scripture encourages us to do. I posted that our little family is not going to survive without some sort of gathering with others...and right now that just ain't happening. I've got to do something.

"Meeting here" as in this forum...is that what you mean? Well yeah, this is why I come here...it is my fellowship...it isn't enough.

Qidron said:

"Meeting here" as in this forum...is that what you mean? Well yeah, this is why I come here...it is my fellowship...it isn't enough.

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Well as a wise man once said, The Lord is enough. Meeting with believers, any other believers is a great bonus but if it comes down to just you and the Lord, you are in the same boat as Ezekiel, Elijah, Moses, even Jesus.

Unity is not about quantity but quality. Not the quantitiy of persons but the quality of relationship and every season has a reason!

I've been in this season for 6 years. I understand to wait on the Lord. I am blessed continually. God is amazing. I also understand that the scripture is clear that we are not to forsake the assembling together and I don't understand why that is being brushed over here.

Qidron said:

I'm having a problem with these statements.

Heb 10:24 Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good.
Heb 10:25 Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.

If this is doctrind it is the Lord's doctrine, not man's.

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I understand your doctrine and write the following with all due respect . These are my thoughts when I read/hear that doctrine :

Actually , that is your interpretation of that passage , not the Lord's doctrine . The quoting of that passage in such a way throws out one of the major themes of that writing of "Hebrews" . It is really amazing that people do such . The author has already dismissed that way of interpreting that passage . That interpretation also contradicts much of Paul's writings about righteousness based on works of the law .

I recognize that we are each one of us the church, and that in a gathering of two the Lord is most certainly with us. I also recognize a need for assembling together. More than just two is what is encouraged in this portion of scripture. What kind of proof do you need?

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There is no mention of "two" in that passage . And , as those who quote a certain passage for their "go to church" doctrine ... "two or three come together in my name" - *not* "two or more" . Now , if two or more is fine , so is three or less .

The proof *I* need is the Lord telling me . I am a part of the New Covenant - the way of the Spirit and not the way of the written code . The Scriptures also state that one should put to death those who break the Sabbath as the Sabbath is to be celebrated according to the Scriptures . How many of those that quote the passage in the book called "Hebrews" obey *that* passage concerning the Sabbath ? If they allow themselves any reason to disobey a single command from the Scriptures , they have no right to throw any other supposed "command" in any other's face as if they should obey .

How about proof that the way that people currently "meet" is the way that the author of Hebrews is writing about ? How about proof in saying what exactly is the auther saying is the way they are giving up meeting together ? How about the *fact* that many people will pass by other groups on their way to a meeting ? *That* is forsaking the asssembly for the sake of the others . If there is not an intent to assemble with all in their area equally , there is a forsaking of the assembly .

There is much hypocracy in using that passage . The whole idea of being committed to a singular group is by definition forsaking those not in the group . How about outlining how to exactly fulfill that passage ? How often should one be meeting one another to obtain righteousness ? What consists of a meeting in order to not earn the fires of Hell ? What is the exact criteria of meeting is the author proposing ? If it is a Law , then those questions would be easily answered .

Look at the Lord ... He went out in the desert for 40 days . How's *that* for giving up meeting together ?

Qidron said:

I don't care WHERE we meet. A house if fine. I have no intention of coming under the AUTHORITY of a priest...WE ARE the priests. (and maybe that's why I'm not received well in the more formal congregations...) My point is that while two may be great for intercession, it is not an assembly. We neeeeed to gather together, and that's what that scripture encourages us to do. I posted that our little family is not going to survive without some sort of gathering with others...and right now that just ain't happening. I've got to do something.

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Of course , if *you* need to do such and such , may the Lord be with you . However , *your* needing to do such doesn't mean that *I* or anyone else *needs* to do it . Again , I do desire that your needs are met .

Let us not give up the habit of meeting together...

So simple.

Qidron said:

Let us not give up the habit of meeting together...

So simple.

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Agreed.

Lets do it without the leaders, the jargan, the preach, the tithes and the "meeting".

Lets just meet, beit home, the pub, the shops....

agreed....wait... how do you meet without a meeting?

I don't know how to start. Perhaps it's because I don't have enough going on with the Lord to actually share a psalm or spiritual song...I could share the things he says to me. Don't always have fresh manna tho.

Qidron said:

Let us not give up the habit of meeting together...

So simple.

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as some are doing ...

Not as simple .

How were they doing it ? How were they meeting together ? If not done correctly , one is damned for disobeying the command .

How long for a meeting ? How often ? How many ? Where ? When ? How ? A command must be specific enough or there are consequences .

As is , I could have the habit of saying "hi" to the neighbors down the street once every 5 years . Three seconds of time with a couple of people every five years . That is a habit of meeting together . The author does not give anything specific enough to say that it would be too much or not enough . The Law kills .

New_Wineskin said:

as some are doing ...

Not as simple .

How were they doing it ? How were they meeting together ? If not done correctly , one is damned for disobeying the command .

How long for a meeting ? How often ? How many ? Where ? When ? How ? A command must be specific enough or there are consequences .

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Your dispute is with the scripture then....that's not my problem. The encouragement to meet is there and I want to move with it because I need to. I do feel stuck because I don't know how to proceed. It's evident to me that the Lord has a plan, I just wish I could understand it so that I could move in it. That's my problem, and I was hoping someone here could help me with that.

Qidron said:

Your dispute is with the scripture then....that's not my problem.

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Incorrect . My dispute is with your interpretation and with your placing a law on me attempting to make it a problem for me .

The encouragement to meet is there and I want to move with it because I need to. I do feel stuck because I don't know how to proceed. It's evident to me that the Lord has a plan, I just wish I could understand it so that I could move in it. That's my problem, and I was hoping someone here could help me with that.

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Ah . That is great . Yet , you claim that *we* have a need - which is incorrect ..

You have a need and I can understand that . May the Lord supply that need . I have no problem with anything like that .

New_Wineskin said:

Incorrect . My dispute is with your interpretation and with your placing a law on me attempting to make it a problem for me .



Ah . That is great . Yet , you claim that *we* have a need - which is incorrect ..

You have a need and I can understand that . May the Lord supply that need . I have no problem with anything like that .

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I don't see a law here in the first place...and I am NOT trying to put anything on you at all. I posted seriously hoping to understand how to accomplish this assembling together. You do what you like. You don't have to try and answer something you don't have an answer to.

So you don't have a problem with anything. OK fine.

I did leave the church due to a traumatic experience when I was 14, I don't even know if I can post what happened as it might violate the "appropriate" topics for the forum, so I will just leave it at that.

I DO want to meet with other Christians,but am wary of churches. It has been over 10 years and I have only found one other chruch I liked since then, but I don't live anywhere near it anymore. Hopefully I will find a new meeting place soon.

ChamomileFriend said:

I did leave the church due to a traumatic experience when I was 14, I don't even know if I can post what happened as it might violate the "appropriate" topics for the forum, so I will just leave it at that.

I DO want to meet with other Christians,but am wary of churches. It has been over 10 years and I have only found one other chruch I liked since then, but I don't live anywhere near it anymore. Hopefully I will find a new meeting place soon.

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I'm not wary of "churches". It's just a fact, there are pitfalls everywhere. I totally expect this. No place is safe. I also know how much I need to focus in on Christ in each professing Christian I meet. Overlooking the offenses that are sure to come. I hope you find a meeting place soon too. Praying with you on this.

the phrase of interest is,"meet w/other Christians".
What does that mean? is my question.
Not to be facetious, just wondering...
what do you expect, require, & hope for in such a meeting?
I don't mean to be implying anything, I am just curious.

Fook the "meeting place".

Go be in community.