How valuable is online fellowship?

[Hidden In Him]

Just talk to them, bro. Am I allowed to say that?

As the Spirit leads, good sir. And yes, you are allowed to say that : )

 

[AlexDTX]

(If this thread is in the wrong forum, please let me know and i'll ask staff to move it, thank you.)
How valuable is online fellowship?
Is Gods Spirit present while we fellowship online?

.

I don't know if it is correct to call online communication, "fellowship". I think the communication is valuable and I know God uses the communication for his glory. As for God's Spirit being present while online, that is misleading. If you are born again, God's Spirit is always present because he said that he would never leave us or forsake us. I partake in house church fellowships and this community likes to quote Matthew 18 to justify the small gathering when Jesus said when two or more gather in my name I am present. Even though I meet in homes, that is a misuse of the Lord's statement. If you read the context of chapter 18 you can see the Lord is talking about reconciliation. Therefore when two or more gather to reconcile, he is there. In other words, he is there to facilitate the reconciliation. His presence is always with us.

So why do we say that the Lord is present in fellowship gatherings? Simply because we are paying attention to the Lord. We become aware of his presence when we are thinking about him. This is important because there are times when we are praying or thinking about him and his presence is not evident. This is a matter of faith. Whether we are aware of his presence or not does not change his promise that he is there.

Finally, getting back to your first question about online communication, the Bible says that God watches over his Word to perform it and that the Word of the Lord never returns void. Anyone who speaks the Word of the Lord is bringing ministry to those who need to hear it. If John the Baptist can proclaim the coming of the Messiah in the wilderness where there was no one, yet God brought the people to John to hear the proclamation, then God will do the same through online communication. I have prayed over the telephone for a person to be healed, and they were healed. Aren't computers still fancy telephones?

 

[381465]

I'm new to this forum stuff.
Maybe I'm cynical, but I can't take it too seriously and I believe it has limited value.
I just wonder how many are involved just to antagonize and how many are not what they claim to be.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

QUOTE="Luca Lalsie, post: 71116487, member: 397083"]a black plastic

C U B E

that bobbles and in return, people from all nations and that of all ages can communicate and talk with one another.[/QUOTE
....
.... " resistance is F U T I L E "
....
...... " y o u . . w i l l . . b e . .a s s i m i l a t e d ....."
.
.
.

....
.... " .... 1 0 00 1 01 11 0 0 0 1 110 0 11 01 0 1 1 0 "
.....

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I'm new to this forum stuff.
Maybe I'm cynical, but I can't take it too seriously and I believe it has limited value.
I just wonder how many are involved just to antagonize and how many are not what they claim to be.

COOL,
on a scale of 1 to 12,
about 144,234,987.1415926579 ....................................
.

 

[Far Side Of the Moon]

I think it is amazing how one can simply put a little pressure on a black plastic cube that bobbles and in return, people from all nations and that of all ages can communicate and talk with one another.

I could see it being valuable but I would think there would be times where it would not always bear good fruit and thus, becoming invaluable. If you were to forsake your prayers in replacement of sitting behind your computer, for example. Or allowing for an addiction to manifest. Or, even perhaps succumbing to one of the seven deadly sins: pride (something I need to work on).
However, as with most people on this site, the positives far outweigh the negatives and it poses as an outlet for followers of Christ, a warm welcoming environment where people can aid each other with their walk with Christ but not only that: we all share that walk together!

Whether a step or three behind, we are not walking this path alone.

I get what you're saying.,,but you could forsake prayer watching tv, hanging out with friends or even studying the bible more than you pray, everything in moderation

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Some folks experience the Holy Spirit on these forums. Thats hardly robotic.

....
The GOOD SHEPHERD knows HIS SHEEP, and HIS SHEEP hear HIS VOICE. ..............
do we
have a baaaaaaaa d connection or a good one ?

hahahahahaha
I'm SOooooooooo baaaaaaa d ........

 

[-Luca]

QUOTE="Luca Lalsie, post: 71116487, member: 397083"]a black plastic

C U B E

that bobbles and in return, people from all nations and that of all ages can communicate and talk with one another.[/QUOTE
....
.... " resistance is F U T I L E "
....
...... " y o u . . w i l l . . b e . .a s s i m i l a t e d ....."
.
.
.

....
.... " .... 1 0 00 1 01 11 0 0 0 1 110 0 11 01 0 1 1 0 "
.....

I submit, you can take me!
Just leave my wife alone! Wait a second, I don't have a wife.*proceeds to get dragged by the arm*

 

[Far Side Of the Moon]

Also, I don't think we not not go to church either.

 

[-Luca]

I get what you're saying.,,but you could forsake prayer watching tv, hanging out with friends or even studying the bible more than you pray, everything in moderation

Perhaps so! In fact I do agree with you but for myself personally I would be metaphorically treading in the Devil's playground (Wait! Does he actually have one!?) I have only just recovered from masturbation and pornography (a problem since age 12), and I am not allowing any leeway for that Devil, who I hate so much!

 

[brinny]

How valuable is online fellowship?

(If this thread is in the wrong forum, please let me know and i'll ask staff to move it, thank you.)



How valuable is online fellowship?

Is Gods Spirit present while we fellowship online?

.

Both.

Both in life, and on here. The Holy Spirit is not constricted by boundaries or any constructs, but DELIGHTS in being smack in the midst of where two or more are gathered in the name of the living God. He's been POWERFULLY present right here on CF. Especially when praises are pouring forth...why it's like He can hardly contain Himself hahaaaa

DELIGHTFUL.

He DELIGHTS in being present right here on CF or where ANY believers are gathered with our glorious and precious God being the focus, regardless of the means of communication or the distance: phone, internet, etc.

In that regard, the internet, and CF is a BLESSING and can be mightily used by God.

 

[Hillsage]

I partake in house church fellowships and this community likes to quote Matthew 18 to justify the small gathering when Jesus said when two or more gather in my name I am present. Even though I meet in homes, that is a misuse of the Lord's statement. If you read the context of chapter 18 you can see the Lord is talking about reconciliation. Therefore when two or more gather to reconcile, he is there. In other words, he is there to facilitate the reconciliation. His presence is always with us.

Home church has been one of the bigger impacts on my life in regard to corporate gatherings of the body. Over 20, of my 45 years as a believer, were spent in home church only settings, like you are enjoying even now. And like yours, our last and best home church had a verse we also claimed. It's the only verse we know of giving a definition of 'church' gatherings greater than "where two or more are gathered".

1CO 14:26 What then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

I know we fell short of living up to this, but, for the most part, we were blessed beyond any local 'organized church' membership setting I've ever experienced. That's not to say there may be some out there. But He does lead some to stay in a wilderness for many years.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

QUOTE="Hillsage, post: 71117570, member: 244594"]1CO 14:26 What then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

I know we fell short of living up to this, but, for the most part, we were blessed beyond any local 'organized church' membership setting I've ever experienced.[/QUOTE
Okay, if joyfully ready for this - how, or why, did you fall short as posted above ?

Realizing when I've seen 3 to 100 children joyously together getting along without any fighting, no lying, no violence, no guns, no knives, no cussing, no one hurting another (instead - AMAZING GRACE - when one falls and skins their knee, 3 or 5 or 10 others run right to them , if needed, to see if they're okay/ to help them up/ to drag them back to PLAYING RIGHT AWAY (if they're not bleeding and not hurt too bad ) ......

(this is both literal/physical happening(s) seen and enjoyed in life daily, and
may be seen as an illustration of a wider range of agape in action whenever God's people have gathered together
with no thought for themselves (honestly - no one self-conscience, no one selfish, no one seeking their own; everyone without thought of sharing giving right in the open what ever they have to others spontaneously and not even remembering it 3 minutes later (as if they had any self-importance at all) -- freely flowing , all things)

A little awkward to describe.... when so many have never seen this ...

 

[Bluerose31]

I think God's spirit is present online too and that online fellowship is very valuable because some people are not easily able to make friends in person and online fellowship can be a great support.

 

[W2L]

What is Christian fellowship?

Sharing the word together, loving each other.

 

[W2L]

I think God's spirit is present online too and that online fellowship is very valuable because some people are not easily able to make friends in person and online fellowship can be a great support.

Thank you, i agree.

 

[W2L]

Well if the Holy Spirit rest inside a saved individual, and god is omnipresent then of course he can influence others online. However clearly in person fellowship is always best when it comes to anything. You can get more from god for example at a physical church then an online stream of one

Im not sure i agree that one can get more of God in a Church as apposed to online fellowship, but i thank you for your reply.

 

[W2L]

This is an excellent point. Granted, when heavily denominationally-oriented individuals usually come together on the internet, the result is more often than not strife, contentiousness and bickering. But this is not God's intention, and in reality a complete breaking of His commandments where the edification of the body in love was concerned.

When done properly, were it to be amongst those who truly have ears to hear one another, us answering to one another in matters of doctrine and coming into the unity of the faith through such means is an incredibly powerful dream... if only a dream at the present time.

Yet I could point you to visions that state it will indeed become a reality, not amongst those given to the spirit of strife, but among those who will truly belong to Him.

Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[W2L]

I don't know if it is correct to call online communication, "fellowship". I think the communication is valuable and I know God uses the communication for his glory. As for God's Spirit being present while online, that is misleading. If you are born again, God's Spirit is always present because he said that he would never leave us or forsake us. I partake in house church fellowships and this community likes to quote Matthew 18 to justify the small gathering when Jesus said when two or more gather in my name I am present. Even though I meet in homes, that is a misuse of the Lord's statement. If you read the context of chapter 18 you can see the Lord is talking about reconciliation. Therefore when two or more gather to reconcile, he is there. In other words, he is there to facilitate the reconciliation. His presence is always with us.

So why do we say that the Lord is present in fellowship gatherings? Simply because we are paying attention to the Lord. We become aware of his presence when we are thinking about him. This is important because there are times when we are praying or thinking about him and his presence is not evident. This is a matter of faith. Whether we are aware of his presence or not does not change his promise that he is there.

Finally, getting back to your first question about online communication, the Bible says that God watches over his Word to perform it and that the Word of the Lord never returns void. Anyone who speaks the Word of the Lord is bringing ministry to those who need to hear it. If John the Baptist can proclaim the coming of the Messiah in the wilderness where there was no one, yet God brought the people to John to hear the proclamation, then God will do the same through online communication. I have prayed over the telephone for a person to be healed, and they were healed. Aren't computers still fancy telephones?

Computers are like telephones, yes.

 

[W2L]

....
The GOOD SHEPHERD knows HIS SHEEP, and HIS SHEEP hear HIS VOICE. ..............
do we
have a baaaaaaaa d connection or a good one ?

hahahahahaha
I'm SOooooooooo baaaaaaa d ........

Thank you jeff.