Local church

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Persuaded

Guest
#1
#1
Heb. 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one onother: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching.


Eph.3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughtout all ages, world without end. Amen.


I have been here a short time and have read very few post. But it seems that some are not members of nor even attend a local church.

I believe that the two verses I quoted teach us that we should not only attend a local church, but should be a member. ie Be a part of it's ministry, support with our money, learn from others, teach others, fellowship with other.

This seems to be God's plan for us to glorify Him.

How does one justify not doing what these verses clealy teach?
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#2
Feb 7, 2015
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#2
I think you already know that ANYTHING can be "justified."
 
notuptome

notuptome

Senior Member
#3
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#3
I've seen and heard many excuses but never a good reason not to attend church. Will be interesting to hear from those who cannot find a church that suits them. Oops

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
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pwrnJC

Banned
#4
Dec 1, 2014
1,430
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#4
Persuaded..I Totally agree with you. One single minded loner cannot accomplish what a group of like minded holy spirit filled CHRISTIANS in one accord, can do as a unit. Yes, sadly, for mental reasons, a lot of folks in here think they are an island and can handle doing mission work for JESUS totally alone. How foolish they are....and rest assured, those loners are not effective witnesses for JESUS....There are NO modern successful Christian hermits in today's world.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#6
Feb 7, 2015
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#6
Well, if a person is looking for the perfect church.... They should not join it if they find it, because they will ruin it.
 
Grace777x70

Grace777x70

Banned
#7
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
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#7
The other thing is that we don't "go" to church..we 'are" the church.

We should be interacting with others of like faith to encourage each other and to spurn us on to love. it doesn't have to take the form of "traditional churches in which our western society put together". The Lord will place us exactly where we are to be. He is the Head..we are a part.
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#8
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
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#8
Persuaded said:
Maybe I should have ask by what Scripture you justify?
Click to expand...
Sadly, the same answer. Just about anything can be (and usually is) justified by selectively picking a suitable Scripture.
 
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pwrnJC

Banned
#9
Dec 1, 2014
1,430
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#9
notuptome...
I have asked that same question. I have gotten lots of reasons given as to why someone does NOT attend a local holy spirit filled Christian church...Do you really want to hear some of them?
1. Uh, I am gay and am not accepted
2. I don't really believe the whole BIBLE..some if it is more like a fairy tale
3. I am a nature partaker..I grow my own pot
4. I am bipolar
5. There is too much division in all churches, so why bother?
6. Churches are filled with hypocrites
7. I disagree with the 'tithing" part
8. I can worship in my living room or in a forest, or by a lake, or anywhere
9. Will they expect me to change?
10. I have very different political views
11. My EX still goes there
12. I get just as much out of watching TV sermons
13. They tell me that my bf/gf and I need to get married

The list goes on, but these seem to be some of the most repeated answers. In short, most non-churched folk want to continue in their chosen lifestyles without anyone telling them differently.
 
P

Persuaded

Guest
#10
#10
Grace777x70 said:
The other thing is that we don't "go" to church..we 'are" the church.

We should be interacting with others of like faith to encourage each other and to spurn us on to love. it doesn't have to take the form of "traditional churches in which our western society put together". The Lord will place us exactly where we are to be. He is the Head..we are a part.
Click to expand...
I realize that there is a lot, to much tradition, when it comes to churches in western society.
To much emphasis is put on brick buildings, steeples, men in suits , ladies in fine dresses, starting times and quitting time.
There is nothing wrong with a church building where necessary, or a store front, or a home, or a hillside.
But what is important is that we unite with others in a local community, neighborhood, city for the single purpose of studying together, learning together, fellowshipping together, and most importantly glorifying God together. There is no place in God's plan for us to be or study or work alone.
 
notuptome

notuptome

Senior Member
#11
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#11
pwrnJC said:
notuptome...
I have asked that same question. I have gotten lots of reasons given as to why someone does NOT attend a local holy spirit filled Christian church...Do you really want to hear some of them?
1. Uh, I am gay and am not accepted
2. I don't really believe the whole BIBLE..some if it is more like a fairy tale
3. I am a nature partaker..I grow my own pot
4. I am bipolar
5. There is too much division in all churches, so why bother?
6. Churches are filled with hypocrites
7. I disagree with the 'tithing" part
8. I can worship in my living room or in a forest, or by a lake, or anywhere
9. Will they expect me to change?
10. I have very different political views
11. My EX still goes there
12. I get just as much out of watching TV sermons
13. They tell me that my bf/gf and I need to get married

The list goes on, but these seem to be some of the most repeated answers. In short, most non-churched folk want to continue in their chosen lifestyles without anyone telling them differently.
Click to expand...
Those are excuses not reasons. In some countries folks walk for hours to assemble together and worship in song and preaching the word of God.

The making disciples of believers is the principal ministry of the local church ministry.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
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pwrnJC

Banned
#12
Dec 1, 2014
1,430
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#12
To the ones dishing out their excuses for not attending a local church...is their REASON for not attending! lol Of course, a 'churched" CHRISTIAN sees it as an excuse, but the reason remains.....there are more unchurched folks today than ever before...the REASON? could it be the beginning of the Great Falling Away?
 
Yet

Yet

Banned
#13
Jan 4, 2014
3,756
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#13
Does it matter which church? How about Kingdom Hall or the Mormon Temple?

You r saying that doctrine does not matter eh? As long as it calls itself 'church', we all best attend!

Can you explain that a little?
 
Yet

Yet

Banned
#14
Jan 4, 2014
3,756
69
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#14
notuptome said:
I've seen and heard many excuses but never a good reason not to attend church. Will be interesting to hear from those who cannot find a church that suits them. Oops

For the cause of Christ
Roger
Click to expand...
Im looking for a gathering that suits Christ. Is that ok with you?
 
P

Persuaded

Guest
#15
#15
Yet said:
Does it matter which church? How about Kingdom Hall or the Mormon Temple?

You r saying that doctrine does not matter eh? As long as it calls itself 'church', we all best attend!

Can you explain that a little?
Click to expand...
I believe I have stated before to you that there are true churches and religious assemblies.
Of course it matters. And while the name out front may give you a clue as to what is going on inside, that is not always true.
I am a Missionary Baptist. All Missionary Baptist are completely independent. Most teach alike. But a few do not. There are some that wear the name Missionary Baptist that I can not fellowship with.

You state that you are looking for a gathering that suits Christ, but in reality you are looking for a gathering that suits Yet.
 
Yet

Yet

Banned
#16
Jan 4, 2014
3,756
69
0
#16
pwrnJC said:
Persuaded..I Totally agree with you. One single minded loner cannot accomplish what a group of like minded holy spirit filled CHRISTIANS in one accord, can do as a unit. Yes, sadly, for mental reasons, a lot of folks in here think they are an island and can handle doing mission work for JESUS totally alone. How foolish they are....and rest assured, those loners are not effective witnesses for JESUS....There are NO modern successful Christian hermits in today's world.
Click to expand...
Were the the prophets of old loners? Was Paul a loner when he said 'at my first answer NO MAN stood with me, but all men forsook me.'2Tim. 4:16
Was he a loner when '...all they which are in Asia be turned away from me'. 2Tim. 1:15

These men of God STOOD ALONE for one reason and one reason only....they refused to twist or compromise God's clear word.
 
notuptome

notuptome

Senior Member
#17
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#17
pwrnJC said:
To the ones dishing out their excuses for not attending a local church...is their REASON for not attending! lol Of course, a 'churched" CHRISTIAN sees it as an excuse, but the reason remains.....there are more unchurched folks today than ever before...the REASON? could it be the beginning of the Great Falling Away?
Click to expand...
The only reason unsaved folks do not go to church is that they are unsaved. If believers would invite them and pray for them they might see that change.

The church assembly is to build up believers in the faith. To teach from the word of God and by example how to live for Christ. That is the testimony the world of unsaved people needs to see.

A "church" that imitates a night club is not going to see souls saved and edified in the faith.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
Yet

Yet

Banned
#18
Jan 4, 2014
3,756
69
0
#18
Persuaded said:
I realize that there is a lot, to much tradition, when it comes to churches in western society.
To much emphasis is put on brick buildings, steeples, men in suits , ladies in fine dresses, starting times and quitting time.
There is nothing wrong with a church building where necessary, or a store front, or a home, or a hillside.
But what is important is that we unite with others in a local community, neighborhood, city for the single purpose of studying together, learning together, fellowshipping together, and most importantly glorifying God together. There is no place in God's plan for us to be or study or work alone.
Click to expand...
Again, Paul did not reject the ecclesias in Asia....they rejected him ....because of his uncompromising stand. The only way anyone can fit into the organized church is to jettison much of the NT and go along to get along. Never question the powers that be, don't rock the leaky boat, just sit and shut up. I cannot do that. I cannot compromise His clear teaching.
 
notuptome

notuptome

Senior Member
#19
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#19
Yet said:
Were the the prophets of old loners? Was Paul a loner when he said 'at my first answer NO MAN stood with me, but all men forsook me.'2Tim. 4:16
Was he a loner when '...all they which are in Asia be turned away from me'. 2Tim. 1:15

These men of God STOOD ALONE for one reason and one reason only....they refused to twist or compromise God's clear word.
Click to expand...
The same Paul who went into the synagogue to preach Jesus?

Ac 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
Ac 14:1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
Ac 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Ac 18:19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
Ac 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Paul taught that we should gather and fellowship together.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
P

Persuaded

Guest
#20
#20
Yet said:
Again, Paul did not reject the ecclesias in Asia....they rejected him ....because of his uncompromising stand. The only way anyone can fit into the organized church is to jettison much of the NT and go along to get along. Never question the powers that be, don't rock the leaky boat, just sit and shut up. I cannot do that. I cannot compromise His clear teaching.
Click to expand...
Yet, You comprimise and corrupt the Scripture with most of your post.
I am so thankful that I am not a lonely, angry, confused man as you seem to be.
I pray that you will find joy and truth in your life before it is to late.
 
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