Do You Have To go Church...

[NathanBai]

Just thought you could do alot and still praise God without going to church.... any thoughts
thanks

 

[Redheadedstepchild]

Mod Hat

Thread moved to Christian Advice.

 

[Pal Handy]

Just thought you could do alot and still praise God without going to church.... any thoughts
thanks

What is Christ's church?

Christ's church is every believer in the world.
That being said that Christ's church is people and
not denominations or buildings, we are still told to get together
with others who believe in Christ for our mutual benefit and for
God's purpose and plan to be fulfilled for those in Christ.

Hebrews 10
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 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.

So above we see that we should not forsake our getting together with believers.

Next we see that gifts are given for the purpose of ministering to each other in the body of Christ.

It would be hard to minister your gift or receive from anothers gift if you never get together.

Hebrews 4
11 And he (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and
some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Here are some more gifts...

1 Corinthians 12

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body,
being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

So you can see that it is important to get together with other
believers but it doesn't always have to be what we normally consider a "church".

You can get together with other believers in a home or smaller group
and you would still be assembling yourself together with other
members of the body of Christ.

In China the Christians gather in small groups.
The government has banned the unofficial church and has
created a state church, so the believers must meet in
smaller home "churches" to avoid persecution from the government.

Size is not what is important but to gather together in Christ's name is.
Something very special happens when we come together in Christ,
He shows up.

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in My name,
I am there in the midst of them.”

 

[GA777]

Yes, it's a very important place and it's where Jesus is always present and where the holy spirit remains whole time, and it's even one of the 10 commandments God gave, or the 2 commandments Jesus gave because when someone loves Jesus, he'll visit him, and he's ALWAYS in the church. And it's just 1h in a whole week.

St Padre Pio said: “If men only appreciated the value of a holy Mass they would need traffic officers at church doors every day to keep the crowds in order.”

 

[Boidae]

Yes, it's a very important place and it's where Jesus is always present and where the holy spirit remains whole time, and it's even one of the 10 commandments God gave, or the 2 commandments Jesus gave because when someone loves Jesus, he'll visit him, and he's ALWAYS in the church. And it's just 1h in a whole week.

St Padre Pio said: “If men only appreciated the value of a holy Mass they would need traffic officers at church doors every day to keep the crowds in order.”

Actually, Jesus is everywhere, not just in a church. Where two or three come together, He is there. Doesn't need to be church, just two or three believers.

 

[Incariol]

Just thought you could do alot and still praise God without going to church.... any thoughts
thanks

Yes, you can. And there are a lot of thinks you can't do.

 

[blankCrossfire]

Struggled with this question for a while.
People told me I wasn't a Christian or didn't love God if I didn't go to church which was a huge turn off and made me rage because the same could be said about people who just go to church to get right with God and then do whatever they want for the rest of the week. But I realized after removing myself from a community of like minded people for such a long time that I was kind of going insane.

It's good to be around people who share your beliefs. They will only help you grow. While I believe you can still grow outside of the church, it's pleasing to God that you partake in his word and worship with others.

 

[lovemygod316]

All that was said above is wise council. I'd just like to add that it just feels good to be around other Christians. The world is full of people that think we are crazy at best, and vicious monsters at worst. So it feels good to be with other people that, while they are going through their own lives and have their own issues, are all coming together to worship God and praise Jesus Christ.

 

[ephesians4:2]

Pal Handy did a good job of finding scripture pertaining to this question.

By no means does going to church make you a Christian or saved. However it never hurts to go as long as you've got a good God-fearing pastor preaching the word.

God and Jesus dont dwell in houses built by human hands. They dwell in the hearts of the faithful believers. Your heart is a church of Christ.

Acts 17:24
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands

 

[Hospes]

The Bible also teaches a leadership/authority structure for a local church. It is a necessary ingredient per the scriptures.

 

[Forgiven828]

Going to church, for me, means that I am seeking a better relationship with my Lord. I am putting myself in an environment that is pleasing to Him. By going, I surround myself with Brothers and Sisters who feel the desire to worship as I do. Singing praises to Him lifts Him up and makes my heart soar!

All of this can be done in a building we call church or in the living room of a friend. Wherever we are, He is there with us.

The feeling of His pure Love enveloping you, is what will keep you going back for more!

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

.


The question seems similar to a man asking if he has to kiss his wife....



.

 

[pdudgeon]

there are some things that a person can do in attending and worshiping with a church body that they can't do by themselves...

counsel and receive counsel
teach and be taught
work together
corporate praise and worship
fellowship
testify of God's goodness and mercy
show mercy
be humble towards another
share a meal
pray for another
be prayed for
encourage and be encouraged
weep with someone
be comforted
point another person to God

the list goes on, but there are times in our lives when we need these things.
you will find the counterfit of them in the world, but they will lack God's touch and not be inspired by Him. and so they will be empty gestures and will leave you searching and wanting more.
Ony in God can you be satisfied, can your thirst be quenched and your hunger slacked, and your soul be filled to overflowing.

 

[rwbyus]

Hi, I once heard it compaired to a campfire. If you stack wood together it burns and the pieces of wood on fire generate heat for each other and that helps keep the fire going. Breakup the stack of wood and the individual logs, the fire goes out.

 

[If Not For Grace]

Do You Have To go Church

No, but aren't you glad you get to?

 

[NathanBai]

Wow what a response! Thankyou

 

[seashale76]

Just thought you could do alot and still praise God without going to church.... any thoughts
thanks

I have to go to church- because otherwise I wouldn't be able to partake of the Fountain of Immortality- the medicine for what ails us- the Body and Blood of Christ.

 

[Boidae]

I have to go to church- because otherwise I wouldn't be able to partake of the Fountain of Immortality- the medicine for what ails us- the Body and Blood of Christ.

Not all of us are of the religions that partake of communion each week. Since I have become a Christian I have stayed within the non-denom circle. I have only had communion once and that was on Easter.

Not all believe that you must have it each week.

 

[seashale76]

Not all of us are of the religions that partake of communion each week. Since I have become a Christian I have stayed within the non-denom circle. I have only had communion once and that was on Easter.

Not all believe that you must have it each week.

Yes- I'm aware. I used to be part of that religion where communion was pointless. Christians need the Body and Blood of Christ. Besides we're told in scripture not to forsake assembling with others.

 

[Boidae]

Yes- I'm aware. I used to be part of that religion where communion was pointless. Christians need the Body and Blood of Christ.

I was once Catholic, raised Catholic actually, now that I'm no longer catholic I feel much better, freer in Christ.

Besides, those that take communion are no more healthy than the rest of us Christians. Unless that's not what you're saying.

Besides, I am saved.