Why Should I Go To Church?

[Melethiel]

Baptism is baptism. It's between a person and God. It's a symbolic gesture of dedicating yourself to god and washing yourself clean. Period, end of story.

Not according to Scripture. I'll go into detail later, although I'm sure someone else will as well.

 

[Yarddog]

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.

Hello Lisa,

Yes. I agree. The world is our Church and we should not exclude God from any place that we may be. I talk to God where ever I feel the need to talk to him. But I also believe in the need for us to come together and worship as one, as a community.

I was raised a Baptist but quit in my early teens because I didn't like the message. (Nothing against Baptists intended)
I spent the next 14-16 years not in a church but during that time I received the Holy Spirit in my bed room one night. God blessed me in many ways but then told me to get baptized and fellowship with other Christians. That is when I joined the Catholic Church and God has blessed me in many ways since.

God will bless what belongs to him whether we belong to an organized Church or whether we go it alone. If he chooses to guide you into a Church, that is for him to do.

Keep God close wherever you are and go where he leads.

God Bless,
Yarddog

 

[Lisa*Lisa]

Not according to Scripture. I'll go into detail later, although I'm sure someone else will as well.

Look, this is just more judgmental attitude stuff, which I don't buy into. Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians, whether or not you believe it. I was a member of that group for 7 years and they are christians and the majority of them are very good people. Better people then I've ever found in the local churches, and that's the truth. I left for my own reasons, but not because they were not christians. They are God loving people.

If you want to get into splitting hairs about just exactly who is a christian and who isn't, save it, I'm not interested in that either. God knows who his people are, He is the reader of hearts. He is the judge, He knows all. It is not my place to judge who is a christian and who isn't. It's not your place to either.

I know plenty of "christians" who attend church all of the time, but they are the biggest jerks on the planet. And I know people who never attend church who are genuinely nice people. So whether or not you attend church has no bearing on what kind of person you are, or how dedicated to God you are. My husband is agnostic, and he shows more of a "godly attitude" then most christians I know. Church is a social function.

 

[JamesAH]

Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians

Sorry to burst your bubble but they aren't Christian. They don't believe in the Nicene Creed and they don't believe in the Trinity. Plus they believe in other nonsense that is totally non Scripture.

 

[Lisa*Lisa]

Sorry to burst your bubble but they aren't Christian. .

And they would say the same thing about you. Guess what? Nobody has the 100% accurate truth, nobody. Everybody is wrong to some degree, so stop pointing fingers.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

There's a difference between being a JW and a Jesus witness. One is christian and the other isn't.

 

[tadoflamb]

Nobody has the 100% accurate truth, nobody.

Is that in the bible?

 

[Melethiel]

I'm sure they're very nice people. I also know Buddhists that are nice people. Hate to break it to you, but being Christian is not the same as being a "nice person."

As for church being a "social function" - have you ever attended a traditional, liturgical church?

 

[SummaScriptura]

Dear Lisa, Lisa,

You cannot have church with yourself at home. By definition, church is a gathering of those who know Jesus Christ for the purpose of prayers, praises, the preaching of the word and fellowship with like-minded believers in Jesus.

However, there is no command in Scripture that mandates you go. There is the example of the early Church which met together at regular times and seemingly whenever else they could.

There is also this sound counsel in Hebrews, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

I hope you can find a good church and discover the value which is there for both yourself and the others with whom you bless by your participation...

 

[Lisa*Lisa]

I'm sure they're very nice people. I also know Buddhists that are nice people. Hate to break it to you, but being Christian is not the same as being a "nice person."

As for church being a "social function" - have you ever attended a traditional, liturgical church?

When did I say that being a christian is the same thing as being a nice person? Stop twisting my words.

 

[ECHELON]

Alright, if you like.



No one has said that, but I can't understand why you called his commandment a "little rule" that reminded you of the Pharisees.



That is correct.



I don't believe anyone has directly said that, either.



Yes, a number of people have objected to your cavalier attitude towards your body on theological grounds.



Yes.



Hmmmm, most will disagree there.




By your own words in post #39



You missed the point that you can't serve yourself the Sacraments.



People who disagree with you, you mean?



Because Scripture orders you to? Even if that means you have to "subject" yourself to the company of people that disagree with you?



Hebrews 10.25

Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.

Should a Christian-Seeker, that is your faith icon, be teaching others adamently about what the church is and the sacraments? Me thinks you should change your faith icon to what church you really are a member of. Or are you another non-church goer who is preaching to someone how wrong they are for not going to church?

 

[talitha]

Yes, most people do stay. When I got my first computer I started doing alot of online research about the watchtower organization, and found some stuff that I didn't like, which got me to thinking about other teachings, practices of the JW's and I eventually left. It's a long story, but that's the short version.

Well, that is wonderful. I hope that when you fully recover from the after-effects of all that, you will bless others with the knowledge and wisdom-from-experience that you gained during all of that. It must have been a somewhat painful experience.

bless you
tal

 

[SummaScriptura]

Well, that is wonderful. I hope that when you fully recover from the after-effects of all that, you will bless others with the knowledge and wisdom-from-experience that you gained during all of that. It must have been a somewhat painful experience.

bless you
tal

 

[Melethiel]

Baptism is baptism. It's between a person and God. It's a symbolic gesture of dedicating yourself to god and washing yourself clean. Period, end of story.

Regarding why baptism is more than symbolic, and why it is certainly more than "just between a person and God", I thought a confessional statement could say it better than I can:

Although God is present and operates everywhere throughout all creation and the whole earth is therefore full of the temporal bounties and blessings of God, Col. 1:17; Acts 17:28; 14:17, still we hold with Scripture that God offers and communicates to men the spiritual blessings purchased by Christ, namely, the forgiveness of sins and the treasures and gifts connected therewith, only through the external means of grace ordained by Him. These means of grace are the Word of the Gospel, in every form in which it is brought to man, and the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and of the Lord's Supper. The Word of the gospel promises and applies the grace of God, works faith and thus regenerates man, and gives the Holy Ghost, Acts 20:24; Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 1:23; Gal. 3:2. Baptism, too, is applied for the remission of sins and is therefore a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, Acts 2:38; 22:16; Titus 3:5. Likewise the object of the Lord's Supper, that is, of the ministration of the body and blood of Christ, is none other than the communication and sealing of the forgiveness of sins, as the words declare: "Given for you," and: "Shed for you for the remission of sins," Luke 22:19, 20; Matt. 26:28, and "This cup is the New Testament in My blood," 1 Cor. 11:23; Jer. 31:31-34 ("New Covenant").

 

[Lisa*Lisa]

Regarding why baptism is more than symbolic, and why it is certainly more than "just between a person and God", I thought a confessional statement could say it better than I can:

Although God is present and operates everywhere throughout all creation and the whole earth is therefore full of the temporal bounties and blessings of God, Col. 1:17; Acts 17:28; 14:17, still we hold with Scripture that God offers and communicates to men the spiritual blessings purchased by Christ, namely, the forgiveness of sins and the treasures and gifts connected therewith, only through the external means of grace ordained by Him. These means of grace are the Word of the Gospel, in every form in which it is brought to man, and the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and of the Lord's Supper. The Word of the gospel promises and applies the grace of God, works faith and thus regenerates man, and gives the Holy Ghost, Acts 20:24; Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 1:23; Gal. 3:2. Baptism, too, is applied for the remission of sins and is therefore a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, Acts 2:38; 22:16; Titus 3:5. Likewise the object of the Lord's Supper, that is, of the ministration of the body and blood of Christ, is none other than the communication and sealing of the forgiveness of sins, as the words declare: "Given for you," and: "Shed for you for the remission of sins," Luke 22:19, 20; Matt. 26:28, and "This cup is the New Testament in My blood," 1 Cor. 11:23; Jer. 31:31-34 ("New Covenant").

Baptism is baptism. The person who baptized me was also a christian. God knows the truth, I don't concern myself with what other humans think.

 

[laconicstudent]

Look, this is just more judgmental attitude stuff, which I don't buy into.

Christianity is pretty judgmental. It claims to be the only Way, and condemns all others as sinful. You you have to expect us to have some standards.

Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians, whether or not you believe it. I was a member of that group for 7 years and they are christians and the majority of them are very good people. Better people then I've ever found in the local churches, and that's the truth. I left for my own reasons, but not because they were not christians. They are God loving people.

Muslims also love God. That doesn't mean they are part of the True Faith.

If you want to get into splitting hairs about just exactly who is a christian and who isn't, save it, I'm not interested in that either.

Actually, I don't recall arguing whether or not Jehovah's Witnesses are Christian, to be perfectly honest. I argued that the Sacrament of Baptism belongs to the Church. Baptism without the Trinitarian formula isn't a Baptism.

God knows who his people are, He is the reader of hearts. He is the judge, He knows all. It is not my place to judge who is a christian and who isn't. It's not your place to either.

It isn't, that is correct, but I'm not going to sit back and silently accept your assertions that the Baptism of a non-canonical group with such a deeply incorrect Christology can offer the Sacraments, because I think the Sacraments belong to the Church.

I know plenty of "christians" who attend church all of the time, but they are the biggest jerks on the planet. And I know people who never attend church who are genuinely nice people.

Yes, I know, and you seem to be using that as your reason to not attend Church, Scripture aside.

So whether or not you attend church has no bearing on what kind of person you are,

Of course not.

or how dedicated to God you are.

Another matter entirely.

My husband is agnostic, and he shows more of a "godly attitude" then most christians I know.

Ok.

Church is a social function.

No, the Church is Christ's Bride, inaugurated on Pentecost, spread by the Apostles, a foundation for much of modern civilization, dispenser of the Sacraments and the place where we come to know God.


The early Christians thought so highly of the Church that they often said such things as:

"He cannot have God for his Father who has not the Church for his mother." --St. Cyprian of Carthage in The Unity of the Catholic Church

 

[New_Wineskin]

Hey, over 20 years ago (as posted this before) I left the church myself, I had only gone to church the first three months of my walk in Christ since then I been over 20 years out not attending "formally" (seated on a pew and listening to a lecture). The pastor didnt like that I wore jeans and tees but I had just got out of the army, broke, living at home and I didnt have anything to wear but what I normally felt comfortable with (which is why I often declined wedding invitations and never had a formal wedding myself actually ) anyhoo last straw was a sermon directed at me concerning wearing my sunday best (but I had on my best lol).

Nevertheless I have never stopped seeking the Lord and I have learned far more from letting him teach me then letting others teach me, though I have been knitted together with others like me who the Lord is their obsession yet they too dont attend any formal type altar, I prefer it that way, there was never any real fellowship with the person I was seated next too save bumping knees with them..if that counts?

I do prefer the "let two or three" speak and the others judge I get more out of fellowship like that because of participation of the body of Christ, it just seems like theres a lack of that in someway out there.

Great stuff .

I liked the "sunday best" stuff ... contradicts several Scriptures ( for those that it matters ) .

Here is the thing ... even if those like us went to meetings of those that insist on us going , they wouldn't want us there for very long . You gave a good example of that . First , you obey their "going to church" command . Then , seeing that you will obey anything they say , they will heap on another command and another and another . Unless you observe every one , they will tell you to not bother coming . So , you don't bother going . And then , they or someone else will get right back into why you should go .

 

[Lisa*Lisa]

Great stuff .

I liked the "sunday best" stuff ... contradicts several Scriptures ( for those that it matters ) .

Here is the thing ... even if those like us went to meetings of those that insist on us going , they wouldn't want us there for very long . You gave a good example of that . First , you obey their "going to church" command . Then , seeing that you will obey anything they say , they will heap on another command and another and another . Unless you observe every one , they will tell you to not bother coming . So , you don't bother going . And then , they or someone else will get right back into why you should go .

LOL...thats the truth! I"m finding this thread actually quite amusing........everyone thinking that they are the only real christians and everyone else is swine. It's funny and sad at the same time. And people wonder why I just keep to myself.

 

[Lisa*Lisa]

Since JW's aren't "real christians", I wonder if Catholics are? Or Mormons, or the Amish, or the Quakers, and everyone else. This whole "I have the truth and god loves me more then you" stuff is just down right ridiculous. It reminds me of the pharasees so much.

 

[Melethiel]

Lisa,

What do you make of this Scripture?

Hebrews 10

24And(AF) let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25(AG) not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and(AH) all the more as you see(AI) the Day drawing near.