Why Should I Go To Church?

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Not just any man.

I am relying on God to keep HIS promise through the men that HE appointed.

HIS design... not ours.

Forgive me...

I believe the Holy Spirit was appointed as our provision. He is the guide. If you place the written word of men over the teaching of the HS as guidance then I believe that you are blocking the HS's means of operation.

But traditions have you bound to any new leading. You trip over the building blocks because you can't find the cornerstone of the church, which is the Holy Spirit that says you need no man to teach you.

 

[jpcedotal]

To help build relationships with fellow Christians.

To worship God publicly in a group.

To put into action the truths of the Bible in a loving environment.

To learn love and get along and work with imperfect others......this one should strike home a little.

 

[daydreamergurl15]

While you'll continue to rely on men I'll continue to rely on God.

I don't think OrthodoxUSA is saying that he is relying on men, I believe he was saying that He is relying on God and that God is using men for His purpose.

We are God's instruments and an ambassador for Christ,. there is a reason why the church in Acts came together and was with each other and had all things in common. They exuded love to each other, they met each others needs--not because of themselves but because of Christ working through them. We are here to help each other and when we do as God have commanded us then God uses us to help each other. And that is not relying on man, but on God, because every good we have done is God doing through us.

Philippians 2:12-13

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.​

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I don't think OrthodoxUSA is saying that he is relying on men, I believe he was saying that He is relying on God and that God is using men for His purpose.

We are God's instruments and an ambassador for Christ,. there is a reason why the church in Acts came together and was with each other and had all things in common. They exuded love to each other, they met each others needs--not because of themselves but because of Christ working through them. We are here to help each other and when we do as God have commanded us then God uses us to help each other. And that is not relying on man, but on God, because every good we have done is God doing through us.

Philippians 2:12-13

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
​

Revelation from and obedience to the Holy Spirit.

 

[Melethiel]

And the Holy Spirit can work through men. God has a habit of working through physical things, not a direct act of supernatural power. Slain animals, a baby in a manger, water, bread and wine - and other members of the Body of Christ.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Unless the revelation is a personal revelation it remains hypocritical.

 

[Melethiel]

Unless the revelation is a personal revelation it remains hypocritical.

Why is that? Paul speaks in the Epistles of people being gifted with prophecy, and the Holy Spirit speaking to the community of believers at large. In fact, most of the instances of the Holy Spirit speaking in scripture is revelations to the entire community, not a single person.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Why is that? Paul speaks in the Epistles of people being gifted with prophecy, and the Holy Spirit speaking to the community of believers at large. In fact, most of the instances of the Holy Spirit speaking in scripture is revelations to the entire community, not a single person.

The reason is that the Holy Spirit has to give the truth to you personally. No matter if you get that from hearing someone speak the truth, reading the scriptures or meditating on God, the truth has to ring true. That is what the rebirth is. That is growth. Not hypocritically following a set of rules outwardly that a person has no inner agreement or understanding of. That is the law of tutorship.

 

[Dorothea]

But He did leave the Holy Spirit to guide his Bride, the Church...so yes, while my individual judging is probably me being spiteful, when the Church declares something, it's a good idea at least to listen and think about it. The Church declared long ago which teachings were Christian and which were heretical...and yes, I will judge every group I come across to make sure that I'm not getting mixed up in heresy.

Furthermore, you said these things aren't "loving." Are you saying that Jesus didn't follow his own commandments? God is love...you're saying that God wasn't loving to these people? Or was he in fact being loving by shaking them up and warning them?

And yes, if I see people running down the wrong road, I will warn them, not pretend to be "loving" and let them run straight into hell.

I agree. And we are to love all, Christian and nonChristians, of course. And love our enemies also. For if we do not love, we do not know the Holy Spirit. This can be tough for us to do, but we do our best. And it is the job of us to speak the Truth. The OP was about going to Church. We answered why Church is important and following its teachings that its preserved the nearly 2000 years it's been here. Talking about truth, what is the Way and praxis/orthodox beliefs should not be mixed up with judging someone's heart, which only God can do, or not loving our brothers and sisters in Christ and all mankind.

 

[Melethiel]

The reason is that the Holy Spirit has to give the truth to you personally. No matter if you get that from hearing someone speak the truth, reading the scriptures or meditating on God, the truth has to ring true. That is what the rebirth is. That is growth. Not hypocritically following a set of rules outwardly that a person has no inner agreement or understanding of. That is the law of tutorship.

And who here has suggested that going to church is just about following the rules?

 

[Dorothea]

And yet GOD chose to set man in charge. Even from the beginning. Adam was in charge of the garden.

Why do you think Christ chose Apostles? Why not just write a book HIMSELF, in HIS own words and leave it.

Why did Christ teach the Apostles everything in the scripture pertaining to HIM after his death and before HIS resurrection?

And where are those teachings? They are not recorded in the scriptures.

Fourty days he taught them in detail.

Christ God set up a community of believers.

Find them... and join yourself to them.

Forgive me...

True. Your parishioners are part of your family. We have a benevolent fund at our tiny, little church, and we donate money towards it at the priest's request for those struggling. Also, God brings people into our lives all the time for a purpose, with which we usually figure out later down the line.

 

[BRISH]

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.

So..........what's the point? Please explain it to me since I seem to be the oddball around here.

Unless I can find a scripture that says we have to routinely go to a building, I'm not going to try to convince to.

I'll just give my opinion from my experience. I don't feel you have to go to church aka a titled building. I do go though, because I get a feeling of being spiritually refreshed from hearing from a leader of God, from the brotherly and sisterly fellowship, and from the mere experience of being around other believers who are praying with/next/for me. I like it. That's why I go.

 

[tadoflamb]

I do go though, because I get a feeling of being spiritually refreshed from hearing from a leader of God, from the brotherly and sisterly fellowship, and from the mere experience of being around other believers who are praying with/next/for me. I like it. That's why I go.

I go because I experience Christ in His people, in His Word, in the words of His minister and most of all in the Holy Eucharist.

 

[Hammster]

I hear about fellowship, but what if a person doesn't want it? My aunt and my cousins all go to this "fantastic church". My cousin told me a few years back a homeless man walked in and sat down during the sunday service. He had some body odor and his clothes were dirty. They walked over to him and asked him to leave because he smelled bad and people were looking at him.

No kidding. My cousin was ashamed, but she didn't say anything, and they all still attend that church.

I would have followed the homeless man out and offered to buy him lunch and a new outfit. Instead, he was booted out and humiliated. I find things like this totally hypocritical and I can't deal with it. It actually damages my faith, not builds it up.

What other wonderful, ministry-minded things would you do if you were part of a local body of believers? We can't wait to hear about all of your potential service.

 

[Hammster]

I wonder to whom most of the epistles were written to? Hmmm

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I believe the Holy Spirit was appointed as our provision. He is the guide. If you place the written word of men over the teaching of the HS as guidance then I believe that you are blocking the HS's means of operation.

But traditions have you bound to any new leading. You trip over the building blocks because you can't find the cornerstone of the church, which is the Holy Spirit that says you need no man to teach you.

The Holy Spirit was sent upon the Apostles. Do you deny this?

The Apostles were sent out into the world. Do you deny this?

The cornerstone is Christ Jesus. Not The Holy Spirit. Get your facts straight.

You DONT ATTENT THE LITURGY? ...then I believe that you are blocking the HS's means of operation.

Forgive me...

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Originally Posted by maid in His image

The reason is that the Holy Spirit has to give the truth to you personally. No matter if you get that from hearing someone speak the truth, reading the scriptures or meditating on God, the truth has to ring true. That is what the rebirth is. That is growth. Not hypocritically following a set of rules outwardly that a person has no inner agreement or understanding of. That is the law of tutorship.
​

And who here has suggested that going to church is just about following the rules?

I wasn't suggesting that tutorship/lawgiving was the only reason for church buildings before rebirth/baptism. People like to gather to worship also, and to hear the Word spoken. All edifying.

 

[Tangible]

"I hope no reader will suppose that 'mere' Christianity is here put forward as an alternative to the creeds of the existing communions - as if a man could adopt it in preference to Congregationalism or Greek Orthodoxy or anything else. It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think, preferable. It is true that some people may find they have to wait in the hall for a considerable time, while others feel certain almost at once which door they must knock at. I do not know why there is this difference, but I am sure God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for him to wait. When you do get into your room you will find that the long wait has done you some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. But you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. You must keep on praying for light: and, of course, even in the hall, you must begin trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. And above all you must he asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and paneling. In plain language, the question should never be: 'Do I like that kind of service?' but 'Are these doctrines true: Is holiness here? Does my conscience move me towards this? Is my reluctance to knock at this door due to my pride, or my mere taste, or my personal dislike of this particular doorkeeper?'

"When you have reached your own room, be kind to those who have chosen different doors and to those who are still In the hall. If they are wrong they need your prayers all the more; and if they are your enemies, then you are under orders to pray for them. That is one of the rules common to the whole house."

- C.S. Lewis, in the preface to Mere Christianity

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

The Holy Spirit was sent upon the Apostles. Do you deny this?

The Apostles were sent out into the world. Do you deny this?

The cornerstone is Christ Jesus. Not The Holy Spirit. Get your facts straight.

You DONT ATTENT THE LITURGY? ...then I believe that you are blocking the HS's means of operation.

Forgive me...

Do you deny the HS to all believers? Or that the Spirit of Christ is also the Holy Spirit? I have my facts straight. Going to church or not is not a prerequisite of the Holy Spirit. Neither is the laying on of hands as your suggesting or a facsimily of it.

 

[Paul.]

Why Should I Go To Church?

When you use the word church, I take it you mean the institutionalized westernized Christianity that gathers in a building on any given Sunday, where you probably sing three songs and listen to a guy (it generally is a male) preach a sermon. Now before anyone sees this opening as just another slur against regular Sunday church attending Christians and jumps quickly to their keyboard to defend those who do, be assured that I am one of you. I have not missed a Sunday at my local church since before I became a member of these forums and I am very involved in that church. This is not a badge of honour, nor does it make me a better Christian than those who have not attended every Sunday over that time period. It is simply a statement of fact. In theory, when Christians go to church, they come together to encourage each other and be strengthened in the things of God, helping to build each other up in the faith, showing compassion and forgiveness while walking together in the love of God. Unfortunately this dos not always happen and as I am a regular church attendee I understand your frustration with local churches. I do not believe the Bible requires us to attend a church every Sunday but what I do believe the Bible requires is found in Hebrews 10:25.

I understand this verse to be instructing Christians to regularly get together with other Christians to encourage and help each other continue in the faith. I choose to fulfill this instruction by attending a local church on Sunday where there are usually two hundred other Christians also. Some people I know, choose to fulfill this instruction by getting together in a group of five to six people on a Wednesday for a Bible study at one of their homes. You do not have to go to a church on Sunday to fulfill the instructions in this verse. Does this verse require a weekly gathering? No, it does not specifically say weekly. The reason I think weekly is a good idea, is because the pattern in the Bible was for Jewish people to gather every Sabbath and early Christians seemed to preach every Sabbath. Monthly or fortnightly feels like too long of a gap between getting together with other Christians, so I feel gathering together on a weekly basis is ideal. I did notice that in one of your posts that you considered this verse as optional and not a commandment.

I see that as an option, not a commandment.

In this regard you and I do differ. As stated, I find this verse to be instructional for all Christians, as I believe the entire Bible is, within the proper context. In order to fulfill the instruction in Hebrews 10:25 you can think outside the church box. In your posts you have mentioned your mother and it seems she is near enough for you to have regular contact. You, your mother and your husband if they were interested, could set aside a regular time to get together to read and discuss the Bible. This would easily fulfill the instructions of Hebrews 10:25. Another out of the church box option is to get together with a person from the church your mother is currently attending (if they are as nice as they seem) and discussing Christianity and the Bible with them on a regular basis. You could even go to a small study group if they have one, where you would be more free to discuss Bible interpretation and where you agree or disagree with their doctrines. These last two options may not be feasible as some people are so programmed with the “must be at Sunday church” attitude, they will nag you to attend on Sunday even if you have made it clear you do not intend to. I did however put them forward because I personally have found that when discussing the Bible with people I disagree with, I learn more by being forced to check the validity of my own interpretations and by encountering interpretations I would not hear when only speaking to those who already agree with me. While I acknowledge that you and I do not agree on Hebrews 10:25 being a requirement for Christians to follow, I would like to encourage you to consider what I have said. I hope this has been helpful and that I have not strayed too far from your question. Since this is a long post, I would also like to thank you and anyone else who has taken the time and effort to read it from start to finish.