Is it Sinful not to be part of a local church?

[Yeshua1]

In order to come under teaching and accountability of godly pastors and Elders?

 

[alexander284]

In order to come under teaching and accountability of godly pastors and Elders?

Not if the local church teaches false doctrine or heresy.

 

[Yeshua1]

Not if the local church teaches false doctrine or heresy.

True! I just was wondering though if our friend has no decent Baptist churches in area!

 

[canadyjd]

Does “be a part” mean “be a member”? Or does it mean be involved in ministries with other Christians?

peace to you

 

[Nicolaus Mourer]

Does “be a part” mean “be a member”? Or does it mean be involved in ministries with other Christians?

peace to you

The only thing that comes to mind is the verse in Hebrews, "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together as the manner of some is.." I think it's definitely a commandment to go to church. If in the breaking of commandments we commit sin, then perhaps it is. But it is better to walk alone then be apart of an apostate church.

In general, I think it's a case-by-case basis. I have a godly, doctrinally-sound church that is 20 minutes from where I live - if I don't go to church, then for me it is sin. Say another person lives in a rather remote area and the only churches close by are unbiblical ones - for them not to go would not be sin, I wouldn't think. In fact, it would be sin TO go and be apart of them.

Edit: as for the ministry part, a Christian can partake or work on ministry in whatever aspect God has called them to whether they go to church or not. Church just helps build support for that ministry, I would think.

 

[alexander284]

I like what John MacArthur has to say on the subject, "Better to spend your time sitting in a bar, than spend your time sitting in a church that teaches false doctrine."

 

[Yeshua1]

Does “be a part” mean “be a member”? Or does it mean be involved in ministries with other Christians?

peace to you

means to be meeting together with fellow Christians in a local assembly!

 

[Yeshua1]

The only thing that comes to mind is the verse in Hebrews, "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together as the manner of some is.." I think it's definitely a commandment to go to church. If in the breaking of commandments we commit sin, then perhaps it is. But it is better to walk alone then be apart of an apostate church.

In general, I think it's a case-by-case basis. I have a godly, doctrinally-sound church that is 20 minutes from where I live - if I don't go to church, then for me it is sin. Say another person lives in a rather remote area and the only churches close by are unbiblical ones - for them not to go would not be sin, I wouldn't think. In fact, it would be sin TO go and be apart of them.

Edit: as for the ministry part, a Christian can partake or work on ministry in whatever aspect God has called them to whether they go to church or not. Church just helps build support for that ministry, I would think.

One needs to find a local church body that is teaching sound doctrine for sure, but some seem to just take the approach that music style never right, teaching never right, as if looking for excuses not to go!

 

[Yeshua1]

I like what John MacArthur has to say on the subject, "Better to spend your time sitting in a bar, than spend your time sitting in a church that teaches false doctrine."

Good news is that most of us do have the option of a bible preaching/teaching church!

 

[Salty]

I like what John MacArthur has to say on the subject, "Better to spend your time sitting in a bar, than spend your time sitting in a church that teaches false doctrine."

At First - it might sound good - but is actually bad advice

 

[Rob_BW]

The way the question is phrased, you can "what-if?" it to death. Yes, we're all aware that circumstances might preclude church membership.

A better question would be: If acceptable churches are extant in your area, is it sinful to forgo church membership?

 

[Salty]

The way the question is phrased, you can "what-if?" it to death. Yes, we're all aware that circumstances might preclude church membership.

A better question would be: If acceptable churches are extant in your area, is it sinful to forgo church membership?

If there is not a Bible believing church within a commuting drive -
I probally would attend -
Who knows, there might be some in that church that would want
it to return to a Bible Believing church.
Years ago - I was asked to preach at an ABC church -
after the service - one man came up to me as said
it had been years since he heard preaching like that!

well first - Why did you move there?
Second - at a minimum I would start a home Bible study
Be in prayer and see if the Lord might make you the
disciple to to see a new church planted.
If you feel you cant be a pastor - there are plenty of
home mission boards that would be able to send a missionary.

Those who have something to do - find a way
Others find an excuse.

 

[Rob_BW]

True, but I don’t think the OP was directed at planting or establishing churches, but rather whether avoiding discipline by skipping membership is sinful.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

In order to come under teaching and accountability of godly pastors and Elders?

Generally speaking, yes, it is sinful not to place oneself under the authority and discipline of a church. However, we have one dear lady in our church who has come from a background that did not have church membership. Her late husband was very active in our church but never became a member, and in deference ti him, neither has she.

We love her dearly; I am not going to say that she is sinning. But she is wrong, and she is missing out.

 

[Salty]

Makes me think of that family who came to our church in Germany (English speaking SBC) They would be there for four years -
but they were member of First Baptist (city) in the states - so they did not see a need to join our church.

 

[Yeshua1]

True, but I don’t think the OP was directed at planting or establishing churches, but rather whether avoiding discipline by skipping membership is sinful.

You are correct, if there is a bible teaching Church in your area, would God require us to attend if physically possible?

 

[Yeshua1]

The way the question is phrased, you can "what-if?" it to death. Yes, we're all aware that circumstances might preclude church membership.

A better question would be: If acceptable churches are extant in your area, is it sinful to forgo church membership?

better way to phrase my OP! Need not be a Baptist, but one teaching truth of scriptures!

 

[Yeshua1]

Generally speaking, yes, it is sinful not to place oneself under the authority and discipline of a church. However, we have one dear lady in our church who has come from a background that did not have church membership. Her late husband was very active in our church but never became a member, and in deference ti him, neither has she.

We love her dearly; I am not going to say that she is sinning. But she is wrong, and she is missing out.

I was thinking more like those who find fault with any church, as in bad music, teaching, not set up as I would like etc!

 

[Yeshua1]

Makes me think of that family who came to our church in Germany (English speaking SBC) They would be there for four years -
but they were member of First Baptist (city) in the states - so they did not see a need to join our church.

I was not seeking membership even, just attending faithfully!

 

[Salty]

I was thinking more like those who find fault with any church, as in bad music, teaching, not set up as I would like etc!

better way to phrase my OP! Need not be a Baptist, but one teaching truth of scriptures!

Interesting consideration --- So I am not KJO - I am pre-trib dispensation, I am Open communion, I don't believe a woman is sinning if wearing pants to church.
So lets suppose the only church within 100 miles has the opposite view on those three items.
So I attend that church - I meet wit the pastor -I inform him that I disagree wit the church of those four items.
Shortly after, I notice, that each week the pastor "throws in at least 1 of those four items - and how you need to confess your sin
if you are not abiding by the churches position on those four items.

So would you keep attending -
or what?