Let me ask everyone. Are all the folks facing one direction. Toward one speaker. How do u minister one to another looking at the back of someone's head? That's not NT church.
Does that one man have a title in front of his name? That's not NT church.
Has one man or woman quit his job and is paid a salary for a 40 minute sermon? That's not NT church
Is it an open meeting with everyone's gifts in operation, decently and in order? 58 'one to another' verses. Didn't think so. That's not NT church.
Is the only offering taken up for the poor and widows and missions only? Didn't think so. That's not NT church.
Is Christ allowed to be the Head over His body or is everything pre-programmed? Thought so. That's not NT church.
Furthermore, I'm gonna pass out when finally someone gets this! It is impossible to 'go to church'...........we r the church! Let me help you out here. I cannot 'go to Devon'.......I am Devon!!
Furthermore! The word 'church' is a mis-translation. The word is ecclesia, sometimes spelled ekklesia, meaning the called out ones, the redeemed, not a dumb brick building. God does NOT dwell in buildings made by the hands of man.
Nor does He hold to the deeds of the Nicolaitans, nor does He hold to the devouring of widows houses, nor does He hold to religious titles, nor does He hold to salaried ministers other than itinerant preachers, nor does He hold to one man show religion with a muzzled audience. That's not NT ekklesia (church)!
So you ask 'do you go to church?' Not when God has not ordained what we gushingly call 'church'. Yes He loves His own to death and always will but what in the world do you suppose would happen differently if we as the 'body corporate' would actually try obeying God on how we should assemble, how we should conduct our gatherings. Allow Him to have His way! Would there not be a dramatic difference? Do you think?
Go ahead and play 'church'. My wife and I personally are holding out for the real deal! 40 years and holding. We cannot compromise. 2 of us are gathered together....'where 2 or 3 are gathered......'