IS IT OBLIGATORY FOR CHRISTIANS TO BE GOING TO CHURCH?

resto · Jun 27, 2023

Follow the Spirit and find your place. God will guide you. Ignore the Structure unless there is false Doctrine. Seek To "Learn Perhaps To Teach"(Kansas Lyric). I got saved in The USMC(Aviation Side). It was Gods will to redeploy me around the Planet, Thats what Marines do.
God Called me to it. Everywhere I have been I have found the "Body". After Leaving The Corps I served in Civilian Govt(alphabet Agency) . After Retiring from Govt. I served as a "Contractor"(Dont ask). I still traveled and found Churches that Took me to the next level of Gods Plan for my Purpose. I am now ready for a Unique Mission Assignment. The country I am going to has been neglected by "The American Church Institution", for good reason. The dont understand Buddhism, they think they do but they dont.
I have led Buddhists to Christ. I know what they mean when they speak about Buddhism. Its different is every Oriental Culture I have lived and Operated from The Arizona Desert for 49 years. I thrived in Jungle Work. Now I will leave the Desert, God has worked in my life here and I am Ready to leave. Every Church that I have been in, has had a part in preparing me for this. I can only see it looking back. God spent an exorbitant amount of Time, Money and Lives to get me here.
I said all that to say this: You dont have to in go to Church to Be or Stay Saved. Church is Ministry. Church is where our Gifts develop and are Mastered(Maturity and Fitness for Service). Church is where we do Our Works Based on Our Faith(Our Faith grows in Church, thats Gods Plan). God rewards our "Works" in Heaven and purifies them with Fire. Those works and the intent behind them are Refine in The Gathering. This was my experience and is the "Life Abundant" Jesus Promised. Gathering with Believers is "Going All IN". Its worth it. Its Life Changing. I always wanted to be "Set Aside" and Believe that there was a special Purpose for my life. I found that Purpose in "The Gathering". What I am about to do, is bigger than I could have ever Imagined. God has Given and is Giving The Earnest Desire of my Heart. He Used The Gathering to Prepare me. look for Your Place. You really are Special and you have a special place, just for You.

listenyoumustAll · Jun 29, 2023

OLDMANBORNAGAIN said:

Hebrews 10:25, “do not forsake assembling,” which means we are to assemble, but furthermore, it is a wise word written to protect us . When we assemble as the Body of Christ, we are to stir each other up in love and encourage one other in our faith.

MichaelZ · Jun 29, 2023

I don’t think it is required, but it is very beneficial, as some have pointed out. And it could be a home church too. And the other 6 days are just as important, if not more so!

A related question: Do we have to be official members? Or just committed attendees?

KlND · Jun 29, 2023

I think as Christians we are meant to Worship with and Love others together.
As I've mentioned before i'm introverted, shy and untrusting.
I'm working on this with God's help. Amen!

I would love to find a place where I could physically worship with my Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
I just haven't found it. Too much gossip, judgement etc. in every Church i've been a member at.
I find it distracts me from why I'm there in the first place.
I pray for God's guidance for you and believers in the Trinity.
God knows us, God gets us and he hears us no matter where we are and what we're doing.

listenyoumustAll · Jun 29, 2023

MichaelZ said:

But friend it is required ,I got born again not by attending church myself personally . if you do remember the parable of the lost sheep . Luke 15:4-7(KJV) What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance...do note that Jesus spoke of the lost sheep of a flock which the sheep was returned to .. The believer is called to be a part of a flock and not a solo . God bless .. Likening in the old testament Israel was saved from slavery in Egypt not to free for their own use but to serve God . Exodus 8:1(KJV) And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me. SERVICE TO GOD IS WHAT THE BELIEVER IS GIFTED TO DO .

MichaelZ · Jun 29, 2023

I guess there is a lot left for interpretation here. We don’t lose our salvation by not attending church, nor do we get it by attending. I would hope we all agree on that.

But it probably will be a very frustrating unfruitful walk if we have no fellowship. And I would even dare to say that if we do not want any fellowship with other believers, there is question as to whether we are even saved - that is probably the biggest indicator!

listenyoumustAll · Jun 29, 2023

KlND said:

I pray you do get led to a church where the true word is shared .but do note that even the early churches had a mixed multitude. The body of Christ will be perfect when it behold the Lord Jesus . so I would advise find a church that preaches the good news ..The grace which God has offered through Jesus and you can be edified along side as your study the Bible for yourself privately ..

Karlon · Jun 29, 2023

MichaelZ said:

if a home church, who's getting the tithe?

OLDMANBORNAGAIN · Jun 29, 2023

Would having fellowship with other Christians here, be the next best thing to going to a Church?

ResidentAlien · Jun 30, 2023

OLDMANBORNAGAIN said:

In my opinion, no.

OLDMANBORNAGAIN · Jun 30, 2023

ResidentAlien said:

@ResidentAlien : And why's that?

FollowingtheWay · Jun 30, 2023

OLDMANBORNAGAIN said:

I believe God desires a butts in seats kind of participation. There is a personal walk with God which is important but then there is also community. There is something beautiful that happens when a body of believers gather in community worship. Could be in a modern building with hundreds of attendees or a mud hut in Africa with 5 believers . God doesn’t care. When we gather together though in the same proximity the manifest presence of God will move among those gathered as we worship Him. There is an energy and zeal for worshiping God that can’t be replicated individually. This forum is helpful for community but Screen names give a distance and an anonymous feeling that you won’t have in a church body. Something unique happens when we are known and seen for who we are. Jesus approached people very personally and individually but He also gathered the 12 and likely the72 together In personal fellowship often . The last supper comes to mind. I’m going to cliche here into a 90s tv sitcom intro

Community worship is —- “where everyone knows your name”😁

ResidentAlien · Jul 1, 2023

OLDMANBORNAGAIN said:

"Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away." Proverbs 27:10

Tall_Timbers · Jul 1, 2023

I don't see going to church as obligatory, but I do think it is good to do so. Additional fellowship in other places is good too with brothers and sisters in Christ, like here at ChristianChat.

jb · Jul 3, 2023

OLDMANBORNAGAIN said:

It is not obligatory, but Christians really do need good spiritual (and social) Christian fellowship, especially in the "last days" of this age, because of the great evil that's in the world! Heb 10v24,25

OLDMANBORNAGAIN · Jul 3, 2023

Thank you so much, for these excellent replies!!

OLDMANBORNAGAIN · May 3, 2024

jb said:

@jb : GREAT ANSWER, jb!!

blueluna5 · May 4, 2024

OLDMANBORNAGAIN said:

Yes, because we are looked at as a group with christ at the head. We are all a part of the group. Individuals is an American thing, it's not Christian.

No man is an island. Not biblical, but truth. We are not made to isolate.... speaking as a very introverted person.

From a practical perspective you need to be with other Christians to make more of an impact. Think of a movie... you have the producer or 2, editor, actors, fashion designer, marketing, film crew....I don't even know all of them, but they play a part. So by the end you have this amazing production. The church is similar to this and can make the most impact by more people. Would you have a food pantry in your house? Maybe if you're rich, but probably you would rather give some cans or your time volunteering. It only works bc of the numbers and because everyone has different talents and passions.

As far as church itself the main parts are worshipping and learning from the Bible. Obviously worshipping.... we don't even know the impact that makes. Maybe 1 war goes away everytime. 🤣 idk but I do think it has an impact. The more churches you have the less crime, evil, etc in the world. Learning from the Bible.... although I'm a big believer in reading on your own and not just accepting other views. However knowing the history or tying in old/new testament can save you years of your own time researching it.

This verse also comes to mind. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” there's something miraculous about having multiple Christians together.

Underwhosewings · May 5, 2024

Mem said:

Amen.
I don’t advise going to denominational “churches”
If you gather for the word of God and prayer with others.
And actually obey Gods word,
your home will become too small, like ours did. You will have to expand upwards and sideways.

With obedience, comes increase.

Matthew 19:29 KJV
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Acts 1:14 KJV
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Jesus said…..
Matthew 18:17 KJV
And if he shall neglect to hear them,
tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear
the church,
let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Revelation 2:7 KJV
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 1:11 KJV
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto
the seven churches which are in Asia; unto
Ephesus, and unto
Smyrna, and unto
Pergamos, and unto
Thyatira, and unto
Sardis, and unto
Philadelphia, and unto
Laodicea.

Burn1986 · May 5, 2024

OLDMANBORNAGAIN said:

Actually a good question. Paul says to “not forsake the assembling of yourselves together…” But the fact is that it’s tough to find a church you feel comfortable in, or that is accepting. The best we can do is ask God to open up the right church, and then try some out.

IS IT OBLIGATORY FOR CHRISTIANS TO BE GOING TO CHURCH?

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