Why Should I Go To Church?

[Fireinfolding]

In that case I guess I have a confession to make.... I murdered Gordan Brown.

Nah I think he's still alive it defines us as such (ie a murderer) just not in the outward act of literally killing a person. But ofcourse I dont believe its "limited to" it if you actually did (then you'd have a dead body). In this case Gordan Brown

 

[Cain Spencer]

Nah I think he's still alive it defines us as such (ie a murderer) just not in the outward act of literally killing a person. But ofcourse I dont believe its "limited to" it if you actually did (then you'd have a dead body). In this case Gordan Brown

If hatred towards another person is a sin, then do you think alot of us wil die with unrepented sins?

 

[Fireinfolding]

If hatred towards another person is a sin, then do you think alot of us wil die with unrepented sins?

I never question things like that, its just given us "to know" that he that hateth his brother is defined as a murderer and that no murderer (one who hates his brother) has eternal life (which is defined as "Knowing God") in him.

Sorta like knowing where they "abide"

1John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Like passing from death unto life its where we abide after spiritual truths. But we were all in death but know that we have passed from death unto life evidenced by our love for the brethren, whereas its just given us "to know" that he who does not love (even hates his brother) where he yet abides (which is in death) until now (after that truth). He has yet passed from where we all start is all.

 

[Cain Spencer]

I never question things like that, its just given us "to know" that he that hateth his brother is defined as a murderer and that no murderer (one who hates his brother) has eternal life (which is defined as "Knowing God") in him.

Sorta like knowing where they "abide"

1John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Like passing from death unto life its where we abide after spiritual truths. But we were all in death but know that we have passed from death unto life evidenced by our love for the brethren, whereas its just given us "to know" that he who does not love (even hates his brother) where he yet abides (which is in death) until now (after that truth). He has yet passed from where we all start is all.

I see what you are saying. Like when Jesus took a child and said that if you cannot love this child then you will not know my Father. Loving others is a sign of grace.

 

[bbbbbbb]

I see what you are saying. Like when Jesus took a child and said that if you cannot love this child then you will not know my Father. Loving others is a sign of grace.

CFR. Exactly where did Jesus say that?

 

[Cain Spencer]

CFR. Exactly where did Jesus say that?

What is CFR?

 

[Leah]

*sigh*

Here's an idea: just ask God to help you find a good church home that teaches the bible. Do you think He won't?

With all do respect, I'm getting tired of way too many christians talking and complaining about all these churches that have something wrong with them. Has it ever occured to anyone that maybe.....just maybe...the problem is not the church, but it could very well be you and your way of thinking?

Yeah, I know there are churches out there that teach lies but there's also churches that teach the truth. I know because I happen to attend one that does and I'm thankful to God for that. Unless God wants to take me elsewhere and I end up moving to a different state, I'd be a fool if I ever left that church.

If we (christians) complain and find fault with church, then should it be any wonder that the world looks at us and really won't take us or God seriously because they see that we're, somehow, not even satisfied!

The reason some of us aren't satisfied is because we simply don't ask God for help in things that are important to Him........like going to church on a regular basis. Why? Because we (christians) need each other! Its good and necessary for us to fellowship with one another and all the more as we're seeing prophecy being fulfilled right before our very eyes!

Besides, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. IOW, we need to quit making all these excuses and take our butts to church. We make time for everything else in our schedules, right?


I love ya'll.

 

[New_Wineskin]

I don't think you read what I said. I am not promoting anyone being an island but that we do have a responsibility for a home congregation. You can read scripture and see that yourself.

Yes , I did read what you wrote . And , here you write it again . You are promoting groups being islands - you call those islands "home congregations" and writing that one cannot be effective without one .

The Scriptures do not promote denominations in any sense - let alone responsiblities for them . The Scriptures do not mention passing assembly after assembly on your way to the one you like .
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As for "fellowship" I don't know what you are talking about. We the body meets more than once a week and we see each other constantly, and if we are not seeing each other, we are in constant talk to each other through social media or phone calls, so we know what is going on with each other. Many of us do hang out with each other, a fellowship is 2 or more Christians coming together--there you will find Christ. As for the idea that fellowship is being only once a week, I don't know what church you attend but please don't make that generalization for everyone else.

You are in the minority . I didn't make generalization for everyone else . How about *you* not saying "a good percentage" and "most" is the same as "all" ?

I am aware that there are groups where most of the members meet more often . And , fellowship is a higher priority . I was involved with a couple . That is why I couldn't and didn't make a "generalization for everyone else" . They are , however , a very small minority .
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My church put on a bible camp in the summer, we attend other bible camps (I don't because of work, but others do), do mission works and go internationally for mission works, we also put on other events just so we can be with other Christians in different congregations all the while trying to spread the gospel (and I hope this doesn't sound like bragging, I'm just saying what the church do through because of Christ that is in us). So, I'm sorry that you feel that people in church only fellowship once a week, but I for one know that is not the truth. Please don't think that's all we do, I am only thinking of things that involves fellowship with other Christians.

Again , you are in the minority . You would know that if you were not in your island .
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We understand that there are Christians all over the world and we have meet them from all over the world and when we come together we have a common love for each other because of Christ. But take a look at the scriptures and read about the churches, and you can truly see, that these people meet daily (meaning there were the same people meeting each other--think about it, someone from Jerusalem couldn't meet up in Corinth daily, the walk would have been too long, but no one said it is wrong for someone to go and visit each other from time to time.

You know that I am not discussing that . I am discussing the fact that there are many groups in the same community - not in different towns . However , people will even go to different towns nowadays than go to meetings right across the street from where they live . There is no "meeting daily" with them .
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And as for being effective, there is no way in the world you can tell me that someone who go from church to church every Sunday, meeting only once a week, is being very productive in every church they go to.

Again , you are using a definition of "effective" or "productive" of which I know nothing . Obviously , according to your definition of "productive" , you can't see an unaffiliated person as being such . Since I don't know what your definition is , I can only say that I obviously disagree with whatever that definition is since I don't see how meeting with a variety of other Christians is a bad thing .
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But you seem to think that we Christians are someone ignoring each other if they are not in our own congregation, that's not the case, I've hung out with many Christians who do not attend my congregation, we are still bound together by a common love for Christ.

That may be somewhat true . However , you consider that to be secondary to your affiliated group as you don't see it being effective *as is* without the affiliated group being in place . I see what you wrote above as "being the Church" all by itself with nothing else needed . *That* is primary for me with anything else being secondary .

 

[bbbbbbb]

What is CFR?

Call for references.

 

[Cain Spencer]

Call for references.

So you would like me to show you some scripture?

 

[Lisa*Lisa]

*sigh*

Here's an idea: just ask God to help you find a good church home that teaches the bible. Do you think He won't?

With all do respect, I'm getting tired of way too many christians talking and complaining about all these churches that have something wrong with them. Has it ever occured to anyone that maybe.....just maybe...the problem is not the church, but it could very well be you and your way of thinking?

Yeah, I know there are churches out there that teach lies but there's also churches that teach the truth. I know because I happen to attend one that does and I'm thankful to God for that. Unless God wants to take me elsewhere and I end up moving to a different state, I'd be a fool if I ever left that church.

If we (christians) complain and find fault with church, then should it be any wonder that the world looks at us and really won't take us or God seriously because they see that we're, somehow, not even satisfied!

The reason some of us aren't satisfied is because we simply don't ask God for help in things that are important to Him........like going to church on a regular basis. Why? Because we (christians) need each other! Its good and necessary for us to fellowship with one another and all the more as we're seeing prophecy being fulfilled right before our very eyes!

Besides, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. IOW, we need to quit making all these excuses and take our butts to church. We make time for everything else in our schedules, right?


I love ya'll.

Why is it necessary to "fellowship" with eachother at church? I've attended many churches and I didn't see any fellowshiping going on. You just sit there, listen to the sermon, drop your money in the pot, and then leave.

Why not just read, study and pray on your own? Many people here say that you need to be part of a church to grow. Every church that I've ever attended didn't help me grow, it actually helped me to stumble.

Many here say that the church is needed to preach, and christians need to be part of that. Well, my husband and daughter are not christians, and I spend alot of time preaching to them, they need me. I also spend alot of time building up my mother, on a daily basis. I see this as more important then attending a social function on sunday mornings that I probably won't get anything out of other then maybe a few new friends, which isn't really likely anyway because I"m somewhat antisocial anyway. Other couples wouldn't want to associate with me and my husband because he's an agnostic and most single women are either way younger then me, or way older then me.

So again, what's the point? I talk to God myself on a daily basis.

 

[talitha]

Why is it necessary to "fellowship" with eachother at church? I've attended many churches and I didn't see any fellowshiping going on. You just sit there, listen to the sermon, drop your money in the pot, and then leave.

Some churches, sadly, are hard to break into, fellowship-wise. In general, though, I've found that you get out of it what you put into it.

Why not just read, study and pray on your own? Many people here say that you need to be part of a church to grow. Every church that I've ever attended didn't help me grow, it actually helped me to stumble.

The number one way in which we need to grow is the ability to show God's love. This is the greatest manifestation of the presence of God in our lives. If we keep our Christian circle limited to family and friends, we never learn to love people who have different personalities and backgrounds. Learning to love is not always a relaxed, happy experience. Sometimes we fall down and get back up. Sometimes the Lord uses others to bring out the worst in us, so that we realize it's there.

Many here say that the church is needed to preach, and christians need to be part of that. Well, my husband and daughter are not christians, and I spend alot of time preaching to them, they need me.

I find that even after forty years as a Christian, when I don't have any input from outside myself and when I do not worship WITH other people (especially, now that I live in a foreign country, WITH people whose primary language is English), I quickly either dry up or stagnate. Also, Lisa, deception thrives on isolation. I'm not saying you are walking in strong deception, but I'm saying that Christians are easily deceived when they are isolated. Strong leader-type Christians often become deceivers - Jim Jones, David Koresh.....

So again, what's the point? I talk to God myself on a daily basis.

The point of church is not your personally talking to God. Hopefully we all do that, whether we go to church or not.

blessings
tal

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

The number one reason we gather together and worship using The Divine Liturgy, is because we believe that worship is eternal as we have been told.

Heavenly worship is what we enjoin when we pray together in this corporate fashion.

The bible has many places where we see worship in heaven. The eternal worship.

We want to join the angels in singing.

When we die, we desire with our whole heart to be united in heaven with all of mankind worshiping Christ Jesus.

That has already been revealed to us. We know what that is like.

Training our souls to gather before the Lord in worship is a wonderful thing.

Our Christian worship has been revealed to us.

Attend to the Liturgy of Christ Jesus.

Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide [it] among yourselves:


Forgive me...

 

[New_Wineskin]

Excellant points , Lisa !!

Why is it necessary to "fellowship" with eachother at church? I've attended many churches and I didn't see any fellowshiping going on. You just sit there, listen to the sermon, drop your money in the pot, and then leave.

That is what *I* was saying . The few of which I visited that did have fellowship was after the meeting and most but not involved in it . It was secondary to the other stuff . But , many who promote going to these meetings have "fellowhship" as a *primary* reason - not secondary .
.

Why not just read, study and pray on your own? Many people here say that you need to be part of a church to grow. Every church that I've ever attended didn't help me grow, it actually helped me to stumble.

Not omly that but they only have so many themes ... they rotate the same things over and over again . With al lof the preachers and all of the Sundays and Wednesdays and retreats - that adds up to hundreds of thousands of sermons or teachings a year - a million or so a decade . Well , could anyone name *one* new doctrine in the last decade that is either accepted or tolerated by decent percentage of christians ? I expect at least one new doctrine a year with all of that "study" . And , think about it ... "study" is so much easier with the software on the PC's and the internet and resources available to help .
.

Many here say that the church is needed to preach, and christians need to be part of that. Well, my husband and daughter are not christians, and I spend alot of time preaching to them, they need me. I also spend alot of time building up my mother, on a daily basis. I see this as more important then attending a social function on sunday mornings that I probably won't get anything out of other then maybe a few new friends, which isn't really likely anyway because I"m somewhat antisocial anyway. Other couples wouldn't want to associate with me and my husband because he's an agnostic and most single women are either way younger then me, or way older then me.

So again, what's the point? I talk to God myself on a daily basis.

Yep . When all they want is spectators to fill the chairs/pews and not equal participants , there isn't much for those who can think for themselves - those who need no human leader and don't need people wanting to be led by them . Equality is not something the majority of christians in the clubs want . They either want to have people follow them or have someone to lead them .

 

[CreedIsChrist]

What's the point of it? My church is in my home, my backyard, my car, my mother's house, my daughter's house, my church is wherever I am because the kingdom of god is inside me and god is literally everywhere.

The gospel of Thomas recorded Jesus words as "Where there are two or one, I am with him." Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there."

.

Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, eh?


So how was the movie Stigmata?

 

[SummaScriptura]

LL, puleeeze do not go to a church, especially if you find a perfect one!

 

[Lisa*Lisa]

Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, eh?

So how was the movie Stigmata?

What's wrong with the Gnostic Gospels? The words I quoted were Jesus's words.

 

[Timothew]

What's wrong with the Gnostic Gospels? The words I quoted were Jesus's words.

The Gospel of Thomas was not written by Thomas, it was a forgery, written by a person who had a peculiar (gnostic) viewpoint.

 

[Lisa*Lisa]

The Gospel of Thomas was not written by Thomas, it was a forgery, written by a person who had a peculiar (gnostic) viewpoint.

Do you have any proof of that claim? If so, please show me because I'd like to know.

 

[Timothew]

Do you have any proof of that claim? If so, please show me because I'd like to know.

No one really has any proof. The manuscript was written before any of us were alive.

Most scholars believe it was not written by Thomas. The wikipedia article on the Gospel According to Thomas is an interesting read. You could check that out, if you wish.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Thomas

My main source of information, that the Gospel of Thomas was a forgery, is Bart Ehrman, the new testament scholar. He has his own "issues," but he knows a lot about the early christian manuscripts.