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Guys, what's the problem?
Is there something wrong with assembling for fellowship outside of the traditional "church" setting?
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.![]()
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.![]()
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 )
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!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
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.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!