Going to church?

[Endtime Survivors]

Hi all. Here's a short video about the concept of "going" to church. The video compares modern day "church attendance" to what the gospels (and the books of acts) say about the issue. The video is roughly 15 minutes in length. I look forward to hearing what others think and some positive discussion.

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

imagine if 1 timothy 3 wasn't in the bible..

 

[South Bound]

If you don't want to be a part of a local assembly then don't go. But that says a lot more about you and your relationship with Christ than it does about the Church.

I don't think you could have found a more biased video if you tried. From the scary music to the straw man depictions of the Church to the out of context verses.

I thought it was funny that he criticizes the Church because it's considered rude (at best) to jump up and interrupt the proclamation of the Word of God. Forget the Bible's teaching about the worship service being reverent and orderly. Didn't his parents teach him any manners?

And what do I care what the "first Christians" did anyway? We don't get our doctrine from other men but from the Word of God.

The people who made this video and those who agree with the definitely do not need to go to our church and I hope they don't ever come to our church.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Imagine if 1 John 2:27 was not in the bible or if non-believers did not regard us as 1 Corinthians 4:1 and what if all acted on the word and went out 2 x 2 Mark 16:20 ... too many whatifs

 

[Endtime Survivors]

imagine if 1 timothy 3 wasn't in the bible..

I generally try not to imagine what people might be suggesting, as that usually leads to misunderstandings. Would you mind clarifying what you mean?

 

[Endtime Survivors]

And what do I care what the "first Christians" did anyway? We don't get our doctrine from other men but from the Word of God.

Which begs the question, why did you even bother to post your own thoughts? By your own testimony, why should anyone care what you have to say about it?

 

[South Bound]

Which begs the question, why did you even bother to post your own thoughts? By your own testimony, why should anyone care what you have to say about it?

Because we're not morons who think people will base their doctrine on our opinions.

 

[Endtime Survivors]

Because we're not morons who think people will base their doctrine on our opinions.

It sounds like word salad. Would you mind clarifying, and being specific? Quoting the actual source material would be helpful.

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

I generally try not to imagine what people might be suggesting, as that usually leads to misunderstandings. Would you mind clarifying what you mean?

that chapter is about the qualifications for church officers, namely elders and also deacons. saying there were no such thing as elders who preached and taught(1 timothy 5:17) in the early church is not true.

 

[Endtime Survivors]

saying there were no such thing as elders who preached and taught(1 timothy 5:17) in the early church is not true.

I don't recognize that part from the video. Would you mind quoting it exactly or posting the video time, for further examination?

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

I don't recognize that part from the video. Would you mind quoting it exactly or posting the video time, for further examination?

11:10

 

[Endtime Survivors]

11:10

Hey W. Sorry for the delay. I think you've misunderstood. The narrator suggests that the early church was not like the church we have today in which there are distinct leaders in charge of the church while everyone else are just passive members who's sole responsibility is to show up once a week. He goes on to say that the expectation in the early church was that everyone had a role to play, (whether pastor, prophet, evangelist, teacher etc).

But, I encourage people to watch the video for themselves to make their own assessment.

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

The narrator suggests that the early church was not like the church we have today in which there are distinct leaders in charge of the church while everyone else are just passive members who's sole responsibility is to show up once a week. He goes on to say that the expectation in the early church was that everyone had a role to play, (whether pastor, prophet, evangelist, teacher etc).

I would reiterate that 1 timothy 3 advocates for distinct leaders of the church and that doesn't mean the rest of the congregation doesn't have a role.

 

[1watchman]

Yes, their are elders, pastors (shepherds), teachers, evangelists, etc. in the universal Church and the local assemblies of it, but man has been working to corrupt that testimony by not allowing the Holy Spirit to lead all and minister among the local "holy" and "royal priesthood" of all the saints (1 Peter 2). With all the innovations of men, the full function of the Church is denied. One might see sound ministry on what God intends for His testimony in the world at the dependable site: biblecounsel.net. Further questions can be asked there to learn some fundamentals of the faith.

 

[Endtime Survivors]

and that doesn't mean the rest of the congregation doesn't have a role.

True. Your comments regarding the Bible verse you quoted are accurate. However, the video is suggesting that the church today is not following that standard. The vast majority of the congregation has no role but to fill seats.

 

[Endtime Survivors]

the full function of the Church is denied.

Hi Watchman. Thanks for contributing. I'm curious as to how you'd describe the "full function of the Church".

 

[1watchman]

As stated above, E. Survivor, one can see the full function of God's testimony for the Church universal at the site: www.biblecounsel.net. I recommend you ask questions there about that ministry each month. There are about 20 pages on Bible truths. Serious seekers find it most revealing. Look up always!

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

The vast majority of the congregation has no role but to fill seats.

they do have roles. whether or not they choose to fill those roles is up to them.

 

[spruikah]

It's a good video, and there is a lot of truth there. I'm very much in favour of house churches, rather than the typical buildings and hierarchies of today. I agree that there are church leaders, just as there are people who disciple and people who are being discipled. What is true is that the typical present day model does not reflect well Jesus' teaching that we love one another, that we do not lay up for ourselves treasures on earth, and that we are all brothers and sisters. Something has to change. And I think we really need to get out of our lukewarmness.

 

[Endtime Survivors]

It's a good video, and there is a lot of truth there. I'm very much in favour of house churches, rather than the typical buildings and hierarchies of today. I agree that there are church leaders, just as there are people who disciple and people who are being discipled. What is true is that the typical present day model does not reflect well Jesus' teaching that we love one another, that we do not lay up for ourselves treasures on earth, and that we are all brothers and sisters. Something has to change. And I think we really need to get out of our lukewarmness.

Thanks spruikah. House churches do seem to be what the early church from Acts used. It's a good model for learning how to live in love practically.