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I'm Christian and I believe in God, but I have not been to church for several months. and before that several years. Is that wrong?
I recently met a man that says he lost his salvation... due to church.
Radical... yes.
True... Yes.
He is nearly 70 years old, and I have prayed for him, that he will find the truth, and not believe a lie.
Our salvation, is not based on church.. it is based on Jesus Christ.
Much happens in church.. that lead people astray.
If you are fortunate not to have this happen... this is wonderful, consider youself blessed indeed.
The believers are the body of Christ.. and we are the church.
The temple not made with hands.
We are to follow the Living Christ... in spirit, and in truth.
Where he goes, we are to go.
If you have your eyes upon the church, or the pastor, or the name above the door, or the religion, etc... then you have missed the point.. Jesus wants our attention... all of it.. and he does not want it divided into sections... I am this group, or I am of that group... no... we are the followers of Christ. We are not divided... we are one, with him and the Father, just like he prayed before he left here.
He did not come to set up a formal religion... he came to save lives.
He wants our hearts, and our minds, and our souls.
Church ... the bricks and morter, the rules, the dress codes, etc. often stand in the way of a person coming to Christ.
Jesus met with his followers outdoors.
Today, if someone tried to do that, they would be labeled ... a cult...
How many people do you know that trust in their church, instead of in Christ?
How many people put him first, in everything they do?
How many believe their duty lies in occuping their particular seat, everytime the door opens, but, won't lift a hand to one in need?
How many look down their noses at others... in self righteous indignation, over matters that are trivial, instead of loving that person and helping them?
How many put billions of dollars in buildings... while children die of hunger?
How many pass the homeless man on the street?
Which church person would take one of them home with them, like Christ commanded?
With all the churches, why do we even still have homeless people?
OR hungry people?
How many church people search the scriptures daily... as we are commanded to do?
How many just listen to the sermon, without trying to implement it into their lives?
How many come to make a show, and will stab you in the back in a heartbeat?
How many live the bible 24/7?
How many even tithe... every estimate that I have heard, is around 20%... carrying the load, while the rest float.
I think if we closed the church doors, and met outside... and got back to really trying to live like Jesus commanded, we would see the biggest revival the world has ever seen.
The Bible tells us that we need to attend church so we can worship God with other believers and be taught His Word for our spiritual growth (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:25). Church is the place where believers can love one another (1 John 4:12), encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13), “spur” one another (Hebrews 10:24), serve one another (Galatians 5:13), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), honor one another (Romans 12:10), and be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32).
When a person trusts Jesus Christ for salvation, he or she is made a member of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). For a church body to function properly, all of its "body parts" need to be present (1 Corinthians 12:14-20). Likewise, a believer will never reach full spiritual maturity without the assistance and encouragement of other believers (1 Corinthians 12:21-26). For these reasons, church attendance, participation, and fellowship should be regular aspects of a believer's life. Weekly church attendance is not required for believers, but someone who has trusted Christ should have a desire to worship God, be taught His Word, and fellowship with other believers.
You should also read about this study. http://www.sundaysoftware.com/stats.htm
One of the answers above quoted a bunch of verses stating the need to go to church. Remember the bible has been translated and translated by many PRIESTS, And where do priests want you to be? Thats right church. Now I believe the most important parts made it through and we get that today, but I also know that things have been changed to help the church keep attendance. Also if the bible is stories written by people that god talked to, don't you think he had a couple pretty important things to say to Jesus? I find it strange there is not a book of Jesus in the bible. Back to the attendance thing, do you realize that Christ was not born in December? From stories I have read it seems to me that it was more around April or May, remember the baby animals in the manger? When are baby animals born? Always the spring time. The Catholic priests needed a way to get people into church so they decided to celebrate the birth of christ at the slowest time of the year, the end of december. So basically no, you don't have to go to church to have faith.
Jesus said that the church has become so curropt and sick. I totally agree.I have 4-12 people gather at my house and we have our own study.I listen to recorded church sermons each week from my church.I listen to Joyce meyers and I read the bible for about 2 hours a day.I'd read more but I want to be able to take it in and understand.I don't like church because now days there are lots of sinful things there too,wether it's because people are forced to go that don't want to or they don't catch it.So that said I feel happier having meetings at my house or on the phone w/my grandpa who's been a pastor for 43 years.I don't feel the need to go to church b/c I make up for it with my own bible study.If you don't do anything and just say your a follower of christ than you really should look at your self and figure out some kind of worship.,
Chayla
ok first if youre a true christian why would not want to go, I am a christian and I go all the time, it refreshes you and you get help, I mean your soul gets fed, you don starve yourself at home then why would you your own soul? thats why many people who are lost dont want to get saved b/c christians dont live up to what they are supposed to be, I can understand not going every once in a while but flat out not going...no, sorry but I just dont see how you can profess to be a christian and love GOd and not go to church yes I understan you can worship him anywhere but GOd gave us a place to come together and worship and you shun (sorry dont know how to spell it) it and turn it away, the reason the church age is dead is b/c people stop going, like I said I dont see how you can make it and really feel good bout not going to church somethings not right, if you want to talk more to me bout this you may funmail me
like I said I dont see why you wouldn , yes there are many translations but the only true one is KJV the new ones are WRONG, if you dont understand the KJV, thats why you attend church...yes its a choice, I agree but not going is a BAD choice..like I said I dont understand why you wouldn well theres couple of reasons, 1) youre too lazy to go 2)You dont want God to deal with you so you dont have to change your ways 3) you dont care (which is a shame) and 4) you may not be really save...because a true christian would want to be with other christians and be at a place to get revived and help and worship God, youre not going to get that sitting at home watchin the tv or listening to the radio
Actually Lish the only true one is the original greek if you want to see it that way. I understand the KJV which is an update of the KJV1611. . I also find the NIV, ASM, and ESV among others to say the same thing in more modern language which is understandable and the were not under threat of death for saying something the king did not agree with when making those translations. You should read about the translation proccess in the front of most bibles. You would find it interesting. And read here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_translations Also the KJV is English only if it is the only one true that means Bibles in French,Spanish, German, Russian, Ect. are all wrong.
I do not think you have to go to church to be a christian. In the bible it does say (not quoted directly) that you must here the word of God. [hunger] for that is how you learn. But I am a christian and I strongly believe that Jesus Christ is my Savior, however I do not go to church I chose this lifestyle based on past experiences. But really I dont think its wrong.. if you are a Christian you should try praying and asking God... and he will let you know what he thinks you need to do. I know your thinking well duh..thats go to church but you might be surprised what you hear. Make sure this is God.. before you take it a step farther.
rnealw: "Did he send out invitations? As a matter of fact He did. . Mat 11:28-30 KJV Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Uhhh... That is not an invitation. That is a line from a book written by men. I want a direct invitation from the sky-guy himself. If I he can't at least show me in some way he exists, why in the world would I. Just because of some acient texts written by superstitious men?
Did he send out invitations? As a matter of fact He did. . Mat 11:28-30 KJV Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Rev 22:17 ESV The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
Toadaly, what version of the Bible are you using? I've got several and if I don't have yours I'll go buy one. . .
Acts 2:42 - 47 - meet together
Hebrews 10:25 - meeting together
Actually the church is not the building toadaly As it comes from the greek word for "Called Out". So Saying you have never been to church is About like saying " I'm a Christian but I'm not." We are told to meet together to build one another up. So all those scriptures are refering assembling together and why.
We need to be supported by our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to learn that we're not some kind of superior, individual Christian who can manage without the petty messes of other Christian's lives. We need to remember to live humbly. A gathering of believers is a church, ('The body of Christ') and, as someone who has missed a lot of church over the last few months, I can say from experience that worshipping together with other believers is necessary for a full Christian life.
Update - I finally got to church this morning! (My parents' church). The church building was the location (and a very beautiful old building it is too) but the community of believers was the church. So most of us go to church in church. The vocabulary allows us to argue it both ways. My sister and her boyfriend went to a church in a pub the other day, though, so sometimes the two things don't coincide.
God is waiting for you to come and if you don't I guess you are offending him seriously. I used to not go to Church and now I see how I have been making myself ill with not having Him in my life completely. If grandma didn't see you and you didn't make it a point to see her wouldn't she be hurt? Same thing with God. He loves us so much and we need to be thankful once a week for all our blessings.
Yes I Do And I know exactly what it means. . . Church does not have to be at a set location. many Churches now have some meeting set up where smaller group 10 - 20 people meet in homes where gatherings are more personal. . . Church attendance can be anytime any place. Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. That is Attendance.
I agree with the above. I am a christian and I do believe in god but I don't go to church very often. In fact I go to church like 'once every blue moon'...if you get what Im saying...Going to church doesn't define who you are once you have your beliefs and standards about God then I don't think you should feel bad about not going to church
*** Uhhh... That is not an invitation.*** Well your free to not except it if you choose. .
*** That is a line from a book written by men. *** as is every line written since the beginning of Time. . But some of us recognize those lines as inspired by God.
*** Actually the church is not the building toadaly
When someone asks "is not going to church wrong", they are clearly referring to ritualized worship at a specific building and a specific time. Don't play dumb. You know what 'going to church' means.
Well, No not going to church isn't wrong and, its your choice. But, it would be only right to hear the word of god and, really, its up to you. I have family who don't go to church. So, whatever you decide, to do, good luck.
"God is waiting for you to come and if you don't I guess you are offending him seriously."
How would one know that god is waiting? Did he send out invitations? I know I never got one.
rneal, not one of those passages refer to attending a church. They all refer to simple gatherings of believers - which can happen in a church, but a church is not necessary for it.
Justwondering, I'd have to say 'yes' it is wrong to not go to church because we as Chirstians need the followship of our brothers and sisters to grow, learn and share with.
um... No, it's not wrong at all. BUT. Church helps to learn more about Christ. Even thought it's not a must do kinda thing... you probably should start going.
Toadaly, it doesn't take great numbers to make up a church gathering. Mat 18:20 Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you.
no, you can believe in God and not go to church. thats what happens to me, I am Catholic and I dont go to church very often. vut I stil believe in God.
no you can still believe but not go to church. most of my family is christian and still does not go to church
one of the things Christ said that didn't make it to the bible was that you didn't need church to worship
If you believe it is wrong, it is. If you don't, it isn't. It is that simple.