Can a person be saved and not be in the church?

I voted no assuming that what is meant by the body of Christ is the universal church. If you mean that can a person be saved and not be a member of a local church then my answer would be yes.

 

If you define church as "Christ's Body" -- as in the poll -- (and you are talking about the true spiritual manifestation of Christ's Body), then no.

If you are talking about the earthly manifestation of Christ's Body, then certainly, there are believers who have not joined a church for one reason or another.

I have some friends who just moved to New Hampshire who are having trouble finding a church. Other than the outright cults and "believe nothing" Congregational churches in the area ("Christian Science" (sic) is popular there), they have their choice of an extremely legalistic pastor-ruled non-denom church or a kick your heels and jump for the ceiling charismatic church with health and wealth tendencies, vigorous tongue-speaking and flaky theology.

They are still looking, but fortunately they will only be there about six months.

[ October 17, 2002, 09:05 PM: Message edited by: Baptist Believer ]

 

A person who is saved will *eventually* attach himself to a local body of believers. I do not believe someone can be saved if he/she does not ever connect themselves physically to a local membership.

[ October 17, 2002, 09:42 PM: Message edited by: Scott Bushey ]

 

Your pastor believes your local church is the ONLY chruch where someone can be saved? That just plain dosn't make any sense. Are you sure he dosn't mean baptist chruches in general? There is no way anyone with any common sense could believe one local church could be the only scriptural church. If he really believes that then he would expect every born-again believer in the world to attend his services every Sunday. That would be a big commute for me, and a bigger one for our members in Canada, UK, etc.

Perhaps he is saying that baptist chruchs which believe the same doctrine are the ony scriptual chruchs. You should talk with him to find out exactly what he believes. If he truly believes that your local chruch is the only chruch then you better start searching for a new chruch. If he believes that then I'm sure he has some other messed up doctrine.

Bill

 

If the only way he defines "church" is as a local NT church, then I would agree with him that a person can be saved and not be a member of a "church". I however believe in the "church" as in all who are redeemed by Christs blood (not just one local assembly) in addition to the church defined as a local body of believers, and I do not think that one can be saved and not be a member of the body of Christ. Clear as mud right?

 

Of course you can have the saving grace of Christ and not be a member of any local assembly. There are many folks who are physically infirm that it would be unwise to immerse who would find it offensive to think otherwise. This could also apply to the mentally incapacitated, infants, and those who for what ever reason haven't chosen to ask for a church home somewhere.

Now, I do believe that when Christ gives salvation to his children they become part of the universal church. I know that one will stir up a hornet's nest, so I am going to find a bunker.

Jeff

 

Brother Jeff is there is room in your bunker for two?... Brother Glen

 

RSR

Thanks for that. I knew I liked you for some reason or another.

Bro. Glen, we are going to have get out those entrenching tools and make a bigger bunker.

Jeff

[ October 22, 2002, 12:31 AM: Message edited by: Jeff Weaver ]

 

The physical church is only a building. The church itself is all believers, sharing Jesus with others. If they have believed, then they are saved.

How could it be otherwise?

Wouldn't your pastor be unsaved when he's at home, or when the church falls into dust and a vacant lot is there?

And, as probably a side note, unless it's what the pastor means (I'm confused a little because it's so absurd) everybody who is part of The Church needs to be part of A church and trying to grow and learn if at all possible .

 

There are some Baptist Churches that believe the only God-ordained institutions on earth are local churches. They do not believe salvation is limited to their local assembly. Many do believe the so-called universal church is a man-made concoction. All movements must stem from the local church. No denomination or organization should ordain, commission or otherwise do the work of the church,,,,,mission societies, TV evangelism and the likes.

These are not my beliefs. I am just saying there are such Baptist Churches.

Cheers,

Jim

 

A couple of thousand years ago there was this thief on a cross and he was never in a church and guess what yep he was saved.
John

 

I agree with others who have said that if the questioner is talking about the universal church than the answer is No. Man is saved and made part of the universal church at the same moment. If he was refering to the local church than yes a person may be out of relationship with a local church and still be saved.

 

Im gonna crawl into the bunker with Brothers Jeff, Glen, and rsr. Of course at this late date Ill probably have to bring my own shovel, and dig my own space.

Bill

 

Hand me a spade as well..... I`m with you guys.
anyone speak Welsh in there??????