I have a friend that insists that I attend a Church, actually I have quite a few friends that say I should come back to my former church or at least attend another church.
Most of them mis-quote Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching".
I just got an email from a Christian friend who just sent me the above mentioned scripture.
No how are ya? No nothing...just this scripture.
And here is my reply:
I DON'T THINK YOU WILL READ MY REPLY, BUT HERE IT IS ANYWAY.
Ok...I just had this discussion today. First you have to realize WHO was speaking and to what group of people he was refering.
He was talking to NEW christians and others interested in the Good News about meeting together to talk about Jesus. There were no churches and they met at HOUSES. They shared a meal and EACH person could speak and give his or her thoughts.
In the "church" of Corinth there were only 150-200 Christians and if they stopped meeting it could cause problems spreading the good news. Paul wrote a chastizing letter to the christians in Corinth and they realized they were wrong and repented by correcting the problem in the group.
We seem to forget that WE, as Christians are the Church now. Church is not a building WHERE we meet. Church is the christians WHO meet! And if you want scripture, try this...Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. KJV
He does not say to meet every Sunday, or Tuesday or any day. He simply states that we should meet and encourage one another.
Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
And how can we encourage one another when we don't even know 3/4 of the people in some churches? Man has made clergy and laity two separate units. One person who went to school tells us what he learned. There is no discussion amongst the congregation, we have to just shut up and listen.
And if we disagree with the "church" policies, well, we had just better look for another "church" to attend. And you know that is true. "Churches" disagree on policies, doctrines, beliefs and a jillion other things, but they all agree on one thing...thithing, which is not in the New Testament.
It is important to remember that every believer in Jesus Christ is a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit of God. Every true believer is God's "building."
While unity of the Holy Spirit in the local church is to be desired, but seldom achieved and while Christ's Church (the organism) is not a visible building, we have achieved that unity in the Holy Spirit..
There is an unseen church, comprised of Christ's followers, who remain true to the teachings of Christ and to the leading of His Holy Spirit. The unseen or invisible church lives in the Grace of God, just as the early church did, despite the physical location of its members.
Christ's Church is not a building with programs. Christ's church is comprised of those who have a true relationship with our Lord and Savior. We may not have been a witness to the miraculous signs and wonders, or other powers of God that were apparent in the early church, but Christ's church remains alive and well. IN US!!!
Not some building that demands tithes, special offerings for the new building, And let's not forget the paychecks for all the "staff". Did you know that over 80% of the collection goes to staff paychecks, building maintaince, taxes, utilities, office supplies "the new building fund" etc..Not much left for ministry is there? But I digress.
The early "church" was made up of people who got together and helped each other and stayed in the word and spread the word. Which is EXACTLY what I am doing.
And I don't need a building to do it in.
Blessings
Keith
Most of them mis-quote Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching".
But I get the idea that I am SUPPOSED to be in a building with other people every Sunday!
BALONEYI just got an email from a Christian friend who just sent me the above mentioned scripture.
No how are ya? No nothing...just this scripture.
And here is my reply:
I DON'T THINK YOU WILL READ MY REPLY, BUT HERE IT IS ANYWAY.
Ok...I just had this discussion today. First you have to realize WHO was speaking and to what group of people he was refering.
He was talking to NEW christians and others interested in the Good News about meeting together to talk about Jesus. There were no churches and they met at HOUSES. They shared a meal and EACH person could speak and give his or her thoughts.
In the "church" of Corinth there were only 150-200 Christians and if they stopped meeting it could cause problems spreading the good news. Paul wrote a chastizing letter to the christians in Corinth and they realized they were wrong and repented by correcting the problem in the group.
We seem to forget that WE, as Christians are the Church now. Church is not a building WHERE we meet. Church is the christians WHO meet! And if you want scripture, try this...Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. KJV
He does not say to meet every Sunday, or Tuesday or any day. He simply states that we should meet and encourage one another.
Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
And how can we encourage one another when we don't even know 3/4 of the people in some churches? Man has made clergy and laity two separate units. One person who went to school tells us what he learned. There is no discussion amongst the congregation, we have to just shut up and listen.
And if we disagree with the "church" policies, well, we had just better look for another "church" to attend. And you know that is true. "Churches" disagree on policies, doctrines, beliefs and a jillion other things, but they all agree on one thing...thithing, which is not in the New Testament.
It is important to remember that every believer in Jesus Christ is a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit of God. Every true believer is God's "building."
While unity of the Holy Spirit in the local church is to be desired, but seldom achieved and while Christ's Church (the organism) is not a visible building, we have achieved that unity in the Holy Spirit..
There is an unseen church, comprised of Christ's followers, who remain true to the teachings of Christ and to the leading of His Holy Spirit. The unseen or invisible church lives in the Grace of God, just as the early church did, despite the physical location of its members.
Christ's Church is not a building with programs. Christ's church is comprised of those who have a true relationship with our Lord and Savior. We may not have been a witness to the miraculous signs and wonders, or other powers of God that were apparent in the early church, but Christ's church remains alive and well. IN US!!!
Not some building that demands tithes, special offerings for the new building, And let's not forget the paychecks for all the "staff". Did you know that over 80% of the collection goes to staff paychecks, building maintaince, taxes, utilities, office supplies "the new building fund" etc..Not much left for ministry is there? But I digress.
The early "church" was made up of people who got together and helped each other and stayed in the word and spread the word. Which is EXACTLY what I am doing.
And I don't need a building to do it in.
Blessings
Keith
