What Brings Unity Among Brethren, Part II

[MB]

Loving one another is the only answer I can think of. We do not have to agree on doctrine to still love each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. When Christ said to love your neighbor He wasn't speaking of just those with whom you agree.
MB

 

[InTheLight]

Guys, what's the problem?
Is there something wrong with assembling for fellowship outside of the traditional "church" setting?

No.

Please tell me where, in all of Scripture, a believer is required to participate in something that is styled after the inside of a Roman Catholic church ( without all the statues, priestly garb, hierarchy, altar and a "monstrance" ) and that basically has devolved into a repetitious ceremony where everyone does the exact same thing every time the group gets together.

This is a strawman argument. No Baptist is meeting in a Roman Catholic church stripped of the geegaws.

The Bible is clear:
Heb. 11:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

The early church met daily in the temple (Acts 2:46). The churches that Paul established were started by his preaching in their synagogues. I would say the churches at Ephesus, Thessalonica, Collosae, etc. had physical buildings where they met.

To me, the Twilight Zone atmosphere I'm getting from some of you in here is getting so thick one could almost cut it with a knife.

That's an awesome argument. Nearly as good as the Roman Catholic one you previously employed.

Otherwise, the Bible makes it clear, at least to me, what a "church" really is:

"Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." ( Matthew 18:18-20 )

A church is not the building, not the window dressing, and definitely not the "programs"...it is believers:

" Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." ( 1 Peter 2:5 )

Yes, the church is believers. However, an assembly of believers is surely more than two or three people. Also, considering the church hadn't been established in that passage in Matthew 18 you quoted I'm fairly certain the Lord was not referring to the church.

Sound alien?
That's because it is...at least nowadays.
You see, after the 1st century, people gradually came in and started introducing more and more traditions and "requirements" into the way believers assembled, insomuch that, from my perspective, we've lost track of Who it's really supposed to be about:

Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

No one is arguing any differently.

Honestly, I get the feeling some of you have gotten so used to having it done the new way ( which, after 1,500+ years is now the "defacto" method ), that the original purpose of the assembly has been left far behind... and every gathering of Christ's sheep is now supposed to be done in accord with what we see out on the street corners today.

There is no correct way, no new way, no old way. There is only a regular assembly of believers where things are done decently and in order. (1 Cor. 14:40). A place where the saints can love and serve one another (Gal. 5:13). A place where the various spiritual gifts God gives to the saints can be used to perfect the saints, build up the ministry, and edify and unify the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-13)

Brothers and sisters,

It was never about the temple, the altar, the candlesticks, the curtains, the brasen bowls, the gold, the silver, the instruments or the sacrifices.

Again, no one is saying it is about this.

It's about edifying one another and glorifying God for saving our wretched hides from eternal damnation... by the giving of His only begotten Son.

Accoutrements mean nothing, and buildings have but one function...to put a roof over people's heads.
If you don't understand where I'm coming from, then I cannot help you.

And people need a place to meet so they can edify, instruct, work the ministry, and exercise their spiritual gifts. That place is the local church, and yes, it includes a building.

 

[MB]

I don't think that it's appropriate to scold someone for not participating in a church. I went for two years not going to church for the simple reason there weren't any that believed the same doctrines as I had. Church is where we get fed the gospel. Fellowship is discussing the gospel with those with whom you can agree. This is what builds us up. Don't forget Churches can also tear you down as well. I know this because of looking for a Church. Not all baptist Churches preach the same doctrines. Good Churches are getting harder to find. Believe me I went to more than a few before I found a good one.
MB

 

[Yeshua1]

I don't think that it's appropriate to scold someone for not participating in a church. I went for two years not going to church for the simple reason there weren't any that believed the same doctrines as I had. Church is where we get fed the gospel. Fellowship is discussing the gospel with those with whom you can agree. This is what builds us up. Don't forget Churches can also tear you down as well. I know this because of looking for a Church. Not all baptist Churches preach the same doctrines. Good Churches are getting harder to find. Believe me I went to more than a few before I found a good one.
MB

I think many though end of not attending any local fellowship due to thinking that they are somehow more advanced and matured, so either don't need others, or none are up to their spiritual level of understanding!

 

[MB]

I think many though end of not attending any local fellowship due to thinking that they are somehow more advanced and matured, so either don't need others, or none are up to their spiritual level of understanding!

It might just be the other way around. I've run into more than a few cold shoulders if you know what I mean. Where I live people get shot in churches. This makes a lot of people just stay home. It seems Colorado has more than it's share of nuts. Children get shot in schools and on there way home from school. Some get shot in there own homes by stray bullets. We are a society that has no safety.
MB