Which is more important??

[gwyyn]

Which is more important as a christian? Going to church and having fellowship with others, or having a personnel relationship with God where you learn what it is what God wants you to learn.

Just wondering????

gwyyn


if it's ok can others post their point of views on this issue also?? i would really like to see what others have to say about this issue.

 

[unworthyone]

I'm gonna stick my nose in and say:

Personal.

God will exist and be personal even if every church that has ever existed was wrong.

 

[Josephus]

Well, Jesus responded when asked what is the greatest commandment:

"Love God." Then he said, "The second is just like it: Love people." It's interesting to note that Jesus said the second one when he wasn't even asked for it. And it's interesting to note that he says that "and on these two, the whole of the law rests on."

In summary, I would say that to love God INCLUDES loving people. Therefore, loving God is always the one single command we should all live by. If we do, then loving people becomes a natural part of that love, for then we begin to love people as He loves people.

 

[amie]

Originally posted by gwyyn

if it's ok can others post their point of views on this issue also?? i would really like to see what others have to say about this issue.

Hi gwyyn! I think that a personal relationship with God is the more important of the two. One could easily go to church every Sunday and NOT have a relationship at all with God. However if you have a relationship with God, I think it helps to also go to church...to come together with other people with similar faith and worship together. That is important too, but if I had to choose one, I say it is the personal relation with him that truly matters. just my opinion guys and gals...
Amie

 

[gwyyn]

So by having a personnel relationship with God, we can go into fellowship with others with no reservations??

this helps alot, for i have inferiority complex (misspelled i know, have a problem with that too)

 

[Othniel]

The Bible says we are not given a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power! So yes, you can enter into fellowship with believers free from fear for "there is no fear in love."

The relationship with God is more important. God was in relationship with Himself before man was even around, ie the Trinity, so...He is the model. It's a tough concept, but a beautiful one.

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[Gamecock]

Which is more important as a christian? Going to church and having fellowship with others, or having a personnel relationship with God where you learn what it is what God wants you to learn.

Just wondering????

gwyyn


if it's ok can others post their point of views on this issue also?? i would really like to see what others have to say about this issue.

Not sure about this personal relationship thing I keep hearing about. I don't know where that is written.

I do know that I must profess that Christ is Lord and submit to his will. (Thsat is written)

 

[joyinchrist]

I think its important to know God, once you do that, the rest will come

 

[joyinchrist]

Josephus! LOVE the dancing banana!

 

[Jinn_Ku]

Personal relationship, hands down. After all, Abraham did not come to know God by attending church.


Gamecock,

That puzzled me for a long time also. I don't know your theology but a book that helped me was "The Heavens Opened" by Anna Roundtree. I don't know what anyone else here thinks of her books (or if anyone here has heard of them), but they helped me.

The Bible doesn't mention a personal relationship in a point-blank way like it does the 10 Commandments. It is more intertwined throughout the New Testament, with the talk of the Spirit of God and all. It is more like the theme of the New Testament, rather than any specific written words.


Have a nice day all.

 

[chilehed]

The question poses a false dichotomy.


"The Church is both visible and spiritual, a hierarchical society and the Mystical Body of Christ. She is one, yet formed of two components, human and divine. That is her mystery, which only faith can accept." CCC, par. 779


You can't have a personal relationship with God without having fellowship with other believers.

 

[Salsa_1960]

Loving God is essential, but if you say you love God and yet you don't love others, is there really any meaning in your love for him?

As for fellowship, though, I've attended churches where I didn't feel the fellowship-- but I didn't stay. To that's essential.

Someone once told me that Christianity is vertical (our relationship to God) and horizontal (our relationship to each other). When you combine the two, it makes the sign of the cross. I think that's a neat way to remember what Christ taught (recorded in Mark 12:28-31):

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" Jesus answered, "The first is, `Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."




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[Stanfi]

Which is more important as a christian? Going to church and having fellowship with others, or having a personnel relationship with God where you learn what it is what God wants you to learn.

Just wondering????

gwyyn


if it's ok can others post their point of views on this issue also?? i would really like to see what others have to say about this issue.

Going to church is important. Church is God's House. You build a personal relationship with God by reading the bible (Studying God's Word), praying (Talking to God), and going to chruch (going to God's house), The top priority in your life should be your relationship with God. God loves you more than anyone on earth. The purpose of going to church is not seeing other christians, but you should be there to worship God. One you put God first then if you need other Christians in your life God will supply them.

 

[suzie]

Which is more important as a christian? Going to church and having fellowship with others, or having a personnel relationship with God where you learn what it is what God wants you to learn

You are asking as a Christian....so that means you already have a personal relationship with God, correct? So what you are asking is should you grow by praying and reading His Word alone, or grow through fellowship and church.


I place equal importance on these. I believe God speaks to us individually through our prayers, Scripture and by seeking Him in all things. However, the Bible shows me that it is important to also pray and be discipled by those who are like minded in Christ and can keep me on track and accountable.

 

[wonder111]

.

 

[wonder111]

personal relationship! I go to church because our minister is incredible, and we have long silent prayers, and the power with everyone there is great. However, my relationship is sometimes at its best when I am with Him and His creation, like hiking in the mountains or by the ocean. Although sometimes I'm surprised, and I could be in a waiting room.

 

[NeonBlack]

i could care less about going to church..

as long as i have some sort of contact with christian people, and study material im good to go

church is too fake anyways

 

[Rafael]

Learning God's love, Agape, is the business of life. The gem and crowning jewel of history is God's Church, those revealed as belonging to Himself. Learning to love God's kind of love is why we have others to learn this love with, by giving to them and learning to love through the Spirit which God gives us. True love implies that there is more than one person envolved. We cannot say that we love God and not love our brothers and sisters. "Who is our brother", the Pharisee might cry (lawyer), and Jesus will say to love the stranger and even your enemies. To love also implies to give, as God so loved that He gave His only begotten Son. We learn this givng while in this life by showing our care and love with actions and truth.

I JOHN 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children let us not love in words or tongue but with ACTIONS and truth.

LUKE 6:31 If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that Much. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. INSTEAD ... love your enemies & do good, & lend without any hope of return.

I JOHN 3:16-19 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can. the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with ACTIONS and TRUTH. This then is how we KNOW that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.

MATT. 25:31-45 When the Son of Man comes in his glory....He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.....Then he will say to those on his left,'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil & his angels. FOR I WAS HUNGRY & YOU GAVE ME NOTHING TO EAT, I WAS THIRSTY & YOU GAVE ME NOTHING TO DRINK, I WAS A STRANGER & YOU DID NOT INVITE ME IN, I NEEDED CLOTHES AND YOU DID NOT CLOTHE ME, I WAS SICK AND IN PRISON, AND YOU DID-- NOT LOOK AFTER ME.". "Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."

 

[suzie]

Good post raphe.

 

[Salsa_1960]

Why Do I Need A Church?

Why can't I worship God in the comfort of my home, enjoying the best preaching and music TV has to offer?
Why can't I just enjoy being alone out in the woods - just God and I and the pine trees?
Why can't I meet God at the water's edge, wiggling my toes in the warm and surrounded by thousands of sun worshippers?

Do I really need a church?
Why?

I need church because it's a family reunion. Jesus said, "Who is My family? Those who do My will" (Mark 3:33, 35). We are a family - rejoicing with one another, crying with one another, helping each other. We need each other's support.
I need church because it's a classroom. I'm preparing for a mission; I'm on an extended course of study. For the rest of my life I'm enrolled in a course of Christian discipleship. Each week builds on the one before.
I need church because it's a refuge. The sanctuary is a place to get away from the busyness of the world. It's a mini-retreat. It's a place to focus my thoughts on things above, to worship.
I need church because it's like a billboard. As my neighbours see me go down to that building on the corner week after week, they can tell what is important in my life. If all my brothers and sisters are there too, the neighbours may wonder what is going on that attracts people so regularly.
I need church because it's a memorial service. Imagine that I had been in a war and one of my buddies threw himself on an enemy hand grenade to save me - and it killed him.
Suppose I learned there was to be a memorial service for him in my hometown. Would I be there? Of course!
And since Jesus died for me, it is to honour Him that I attend His memorial service. It's to honour Him that I remember His death by taking communion.
I need church because it's a victory celebration. Jesus left an empty tomb. We can celebrate His resurrection together. At least one day a week should be set aside for remembering Jesus' triumph over death and Satan.
Finally, I need church because it's a time to spend with my Father. I'm a child of God. As my Father, He's not cold and aloof. He delights in spending time with me, and I want to be with Him. God wants to reveal His plans to me and I want to get in on the details, to cooperate with Him.
But He's not only my Father; He's our Father. And Christ is not just my Saviour; He's our Saviour. Jesus said that when two or three are gathered together in His name, He is there (Matthew 18:20). And God warned me not to forsake gathering with other believers (Hebrews 10:25).
I need church because I'm a part of a family, I have lots to learn, and I need to have a retreat. I know what my priorities are. I respect Christ's death and am overjoyed by His resurrection. I want to spend time with my Father and other believers.

That's why I need church!


I Should Attend Church Service

Now that I'm a Christian, I should attend church services regularly. Not only will I be obeying God, but I will find my spiritual life strengthened.


Jesus Set The Example

Jesus regularly attended the synagogue - the church services of His day. He is our perfect example. As His followers we seek to please Him. He said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). His commandments included: "If any man will come after me, let him...follow me" (Luke 9:23).


The Bible Commands It

The New Testament Christians had guidelines by which they lived. They became very strong in the Lord and overcame great obstacles to be a powerful church that reached the world for Christ. Their pattern was: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together..." (Hebrews 10:25).
That pattern is our commandment. And it goes even further: "And so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25). In other words, as you see prophecy being fulfilled and the time of Christ's second coming drawing nearer, you need to get together with God's people more often.


You Need Fellowship With Others

You gain strength by associating with people who are strong. Since you face sin and all kinds of evil daily, you need to get together with people who know the Lord and who live Godly lives. Their talking will encourage you. Their faith will inspire you. Their friendship will become valuable to you.


You Worship God With Others

Great blessing comes from joining others in praising and singing to the Lord. The Lord inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3).
As God's people come together in worship, they become a powerful force in helping one another and in influencing the entire community.


Your Family Needs The Influence


Your family needs to see that other families and people believe the same Word of God that you believe. This gives them courage to face unbelieving friends and stand true.


The Preacher And Teachers Have Something To Tell

You should go to church to be taught the Word of God and have your faith strengthened by the preaching of the Word. The pastor and teachers are totally dedicated to studying and praying and helping you know God in a greater measure. That they say is very important. You need to go to church meetings and hear them.


It Is Exciting

Among the thrilling and exciting activities of life, one can be going to church services. Believers rejoice, sing, praise, listen, share, love and go out of the services to share the good news that the Lord has been among them.
The Bible says: "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord" (Psalm 122:1)
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I found this on a website (not my denomination, btw), but still wanted to give it the proper credit: http://www.paoc-wpc.com/attchurch.html