Going to church and 'gathering together'.

[Praising4eva]

Does not forsaking 'gathering together' have to mean going to church? If I go to a mother's group for Christian women and get my fellowship there, does it matter if I'm not going to services on Sunday or being involved in my local church? Thoughts?

 

[freyajem]

Does not forsaking 'gathering together' have to mean going to church? If I go to a mother's group for Christian women and get my fellowship there, does it matter if I'm not going to services on Sunday or being involved in my local church? Thoughts?

Right now, I do not gather with anybody but I am close with God.

I believe that wherever you find closeness with God, especially within a group of people wherever you may meet, that is church and God is there blessing you.

Sometimes we would go camping on the weekend and church for me was the beauty of God's created woods and water surrounding me that was church.

 

[repentant]

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them

 

[Fireinfolding]

Me neither, I dont "go to" Church. I'm ever so thankful for freinds God has given me in Christ. Where two or three are His there (and so He IS! ).

The most awesome fellowship and worship of God has always been (for me) on a smaller scale among those God has brought into my life. Less (in my case) has been so MUCH MORE. Those God puts you together with has yeilded the strength of Iron in regards to fellowship. I never knew anything could be so darn wonderful. God knows just how to knit us together. When He does this glorious work by His Spirit, what an awesome thing that is!

Im very thankful to God as I am and so very grateful to Him (also) for the greatest freinds (I never knew I could find) in Him. How faithful He is! Those who love our Lord are truly blessed indeed! <---They dont go either lol

Peace

Fireinfolding

 

[Mick116]

Does not forsaking 'gathering together' have to mean going to church? If I go to a mother's group for Christian women and get my fellowship there, does it matter if I'm not going to services on Sunday or being involved in my local church? Thoughts?

This is fine, only don't forsake the eucharist.

 

[indagroove]

Does not forsaking 'gathering together' have to mean going to church? If I go to a mother's group for Christian women and get my fellowship there, does it matter if I'm not going to services on Sunday or being involved in my local church? Thoughts?

Good Fellowship for yourself is always a good thing, and I am first to go where I am feed the best.

But there is a bigger picture in the fullfillment of the Great Commission. Communities are rarely revived or reformed when we hide out at the kitchen table.

Let God lead you in this area. He will show you how to best use your resources to Glorify Him?


Praise God.

 

[TamiinKS]

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them

I think this verse is taken out of context way too often, or totally misapplied.

It says where those two or three are gathered in His name, there he'll be. I don't think Jesus regularly hangs out at WalMart just because several of us believers are there. There's a purposeness needed.

Also, fellowship is only one of the things "gathering together" is about. There's learning, edification, worship and praise, giving. Picking and choosing what we want to get out of it isn't exactly holding to the spirit of the word.

 

[ArcticFox]

Some people will tell you about their concept of "church;" nature, a couple friends, a bunch of buddies on bowling night. Whatever they present, I urge you not to buy their stories. They may mean well, but the end is dangerous.

If your "church" doesn't administer the sacraments, it's not a true church. Yes, we understand that situations can and do arise where that is not possible, such as in remote locations, imprisonment in harsh conditions, etc. However, no one resists baptism by claiming that "if I were locked in a sterile room with no water I couldn't be baptized, so I guess I don't need it."

Additionally, how do we put into practice Jesus' call for ostracism in Matthew 18 if we are just "chilling with nature" for church? How do you hear the preaching of the gospel if no one preaches? How do you fill the commandment to go out into the four corners of the world if you are chilling at home in nature? You can neither worship with missionaries, nor can you fund them, nor can you go yourself (cause you don't know and aren't there to hear).

1 John says that they knew who was really a believer because they remained "with us." How can one remain "with us" if there is no "us?"

Stronger evidence of our need for the assembly of God's people is found in the whole of the epistles -- their basic commands and advice require a gathering of believers to be applicable! A couple friends hanging out fishing does not qualify as the "gathering" that we need.

No time table is set. How often does this gathering occur? Exactly what kind of liturgy is there? These are issues to be decided by Christian minds (that have been renewed in the Word of God; Romans 12:2). Many aspects of how this church looks and behaves are up to the individual congregations. However, not having a congregation is a problem.

So, even if you do hang out with a couple friends, does that qualify as "church?" I would ask the following:

1) Is there the sacred preaching of the Word?

2) Are the sacraments administered? [Baptism, Communion]

3) Are there recognized deacons/elders (or comparable positions with different titles)?

4) Do you apply the standards of Titus and other passages to these elders/deacons?

5) Are you regularly giving to the Lord's work (collecting tithes and offerings)?

There's more, but that's enough for now. I think you'll find that most of these fast and loose claims of "church" fall through when brought to the light.

 

[Rebirth In Flames]

I think this verse is taken out of context way too often, or totally misapplied.

It says where those two or three are gathered in His name, there he'll be. I don't think Jesus regularly hangs out at WalMart just because several of us believers are there. There's a purposeness needed.

Also, fellowship is only one of the things "gathering together" is about. There's learning, edification, worship and praise, giving. Picking and choosing what we want to get out of it isn't exactly holding to the spirit of the word.

I agree with you. I remember when I was at a crusade where the whole baseball stands were packed with people; the pastor who was speaking used this verse and everyone cheered and applauded, while me and a friend of mine who's working on his MDiv both cringed. Whenever I hear someone use that verse out of the context of the verses around it, I like to ask them, "So you're saying that when I'm alone doing devotions, that God isn't there? I have to have someone else present if I want God to be near me?" lol, their confusion on trying to explain it away always leads to me telling them that in context, it's about meeting for church discipline, and not about general worship!!! (=

 

[IamGodslittlegirl]

Right now, I do not gather with anybody but I am close with God.

I believe that wherever you find closeness with God, especially within a group of people wherever you may meet, that is church and God is there blessing you.

Sometimes we would go camping on the weekend and church for me was the beauty of God's created woods and water surrounding me that was church.

Me neither, I dont "go to" Church. I'm ever so thankful for freinds God has given me in Christ. Where two or three are His there (and so He IS! ).

The most awesome fellowship and worship of God has always been (for me) on a smaller scale among those God has brought into my life. Less (in my case) has been so MUCH MORE. Those God puts you together with has yeilded the strength of Iron in regards to fellowship. I never knew anything could be so darn wonderful. God knows just how to knit us together. When He does this glorious work by His Spirit, what an awesome thing that is!

Im very thankful to God as I am and so very grateful to Him (also) for the greatest freinds (I never knew I could find) in Him. How faithful He is! Those who love our Lord are truly blessed indeed! <---They dont go either lol

Peace

Fireinfolding

Thanx so much guys You made my day. So often I think I am all alone in my perspective of what "church" is.

The reason for the church in the NT was to spread the Gospel as new converts needed to hang with other believers for instruction. There is evidence in the NT that the Gospels and letters of the Apostles were being spread around, but not everyone had a copy [no printing press yet ] so they needed to gather in order to hear the Word. Now we have His Perfect Word in completion for instruction, correction, and discipline.

For some it is important to attend an organized church for fellowship and instruction. For some it is not. You should not be condemned for what you doing, but rather we should rejoice that God has lead you into such sweet fellowship with others of like mind. And this is unity in the Spirit - one in the Lord

Shalom!

ps: the Bible does not say that it is necessary for an ordained minister to oversee communion. two gathered to break bread and drink a little grape juice is doing as Jesus commanded.

 

[Rebirth In Flames]

IamGodslittlegirl, are you saying that people can worship in any ways that's good for them? If your argument is indeed that relative, are you then saying that it's no more beneficial for me to stay home and read the paper than to go to bible study and church, if I feel that reading the paper will bring more glory to God?

My "feelings" of reading the paper being more beneficial, though sincere, are wrong in comparison to all that I would learn and get from a gathering of believers. I argue that there are better things for a Christian to do.. going to to a body of believers to receive instruction, encouragement, and fellowship, is one of them.

 

[Your Neighbor]

Just don't be at these gatherings:

Revelation 19
17: And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
18: That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

Revelation 14
18: And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
19: And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

 

[IamGodslittlegirl]

IamGodslittlegirl, are you saying that people can worship in any ways that's good for them? If your argument is indeed that relative, are you then saying that it's no more beneficial for me to stay home and read the paper than to go to bible study and church, if I feel that reading the paper will bring more glory to God?

My "feelings" of reading the paper being more beneficial, though sincere, are wrong in comparison to all that I would learn and get from a gathering of believers. I argue that there are better things for a Christian to do.. going to to a body of believers to receive instruction, encouragement, and fellowship, is one of them.

I don't believe that either person was saying that they could read or watch anything thinking they were worshiping God. Both freyajam and fireinfolding said they gathered with other believers to study the Word of God. That is "church".

If you are out in the woods worshiping God - that is no different than David singing psalms to God on the hillside watching sheep. As Jesus said - there will come a day when you will not worship in Jerusalem, but in Spirit and in Truth. We are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, so when we praise God in solitude we are "in church"

 

[Rebirth In Flames]

Gotcha. (=

 

[Fireinfolding]

Thanx so much guys You made my day. So often I think I am all alone in my perspective of what "church" is.

The reason for the church in the NT was to spread the Gospel as new converts needed to hang with other believers for instruction. There is evidence in the NT that the Gospels and letters of the Apostles were being spread around, but not everyone had a copy [no printing press yet ] so they needed to gather in order to hear the Word. Now we have His Perfect Word in completion for instruction, correction, and discipline.

For some it is important to attend an organized church for fellowship and instruction. For some it is not. You should not be condemned for what you doing, but rather we should rejoice that God has lead you into such sweet fellowship with others of like mind. And this is unity in the Spirit - one in the Lord

Shalom!

ps: the Bible does not say that it is necessary for an ordained minister to oversee communion. two gathered to break bread and drink a little grape juice is doing as Jesus commanded.

Your not so alone at all sister! There are many (I personally know 62 other brothers and sisters) online who feel the exact same way (none of these go). They just dont ~say anything~ about it because it can become an argument.

But what we've all discovered (as you yourself might have as well) is real awesome fellowship in the Lord! ~This~ coming OUT OF our OWN individual connectedness TO HIM (First). Its so unbound (in so many more ways) then I can possibly describe. Its Our Great God working in and through each one up-ward in Him and to-ward one another. Praise His Name!

Hey, the greatest desire that could ever be set in our hearts is that which follows after the desire to know Him. To lay hold of the hope held out to us concerning THAT. To THAT we been called sis! For us to comprehend (with all the saints) the incomprehendable ~the great love of God~ in Christ! Theres no reward greater then HIM. Its Our Great God who hath placed this in our hearts. He has seated us in heavenly places together in Him. What amazing fellowship in Our Mighty King

I have witnessed the blessing of Christ (in and through the body) outside of the structure. Thats just from my own personal experience. I never knew it was possible that there be so many in Christ who seek Him away from the majorities eye (so to speak). Not only so but to be so blessed by such. What was more baffling (even to my own thinking) is hearing the same things though we be miles apart. My thinking was, "How can these toot the same sound when none of them (in my thinking) have ever been seated under the same roof to hear that sound? Then it dawned, they are following HIS VOICE and His Sheep do so hear his voice.

HE is NOT BOUND Bless our Lord sis!

Our God COMPLETELY ROCKS HE is SO Faithful and TRUE to us


and with the rightly discerned body...
Wow!

Now I have read what others MIGHT ~THINK~ what (even I) might mean by fellowship is ( as in ballgames, watching TV etc...) Theres nothing FURTHER from THE TRUTH !! Its ones IDEA of what ~others~ might have meant by it and is ~attaching itself~ to you ( thats not what it is in truth). Not at ALL If others mean it THAT way, its NOT at ALL as ~I~ mean by it.

Honestly, the greatest disinterest for ~those sorts of things~ seems to run through the veins of each of those God has led me to fellowship with. Bless HIS NAME !!

God KNITS! Theres none who knits like Him sis' He knits IN LOVE OF CHRIST

What I (personally) know (as has been my experience among them) is that they are near overtaken in their love for Him and the understanding of His words. They want to KNOW GOD. This is their desire and its very evident. Im ~attracted to~ THAT in any brother and sister, I find it absolutely irresistible! We are rarely apart in regards to our coming to a better understanding of what God gives each one of us.

Phonecalls throughout the day are typical and such a blessing. We could at one moment be asking as the disciples did... ~ What MEANETH He when He SAYETH this? ~We understand NOT what He MEANEATH by this ?" and its like ~He breathes on us~ and He gives understanding. He is just so darn Amazing. The LIVING GOD !! HE So LIVES and is ACTIVE in our LIVES... He truly IS

It goes something like this... (The phone rings) HEY! Anything?! O MAN Youll NEVER believe this! Look what the Lord showed me here... THIS IS KILLER!! Check this out...!! You get the picture, the Lord is just so GOOD!

Though I must say rejoicing together as ONE I find SO RARE out there. Wherever you find it, its just a plain wonderful thing (to me). I love them all to peices and I see (even them) as gifts for my own edication in Him. I so appreciate these sorts. Precious Jewels (as I call them). They have razorless lips.

I was never really that blessed seated on a hard pew bench (only touching knees with another) and listening to what felt more like a lecture. Its just the truth concerning how it felt. Yet in regards to the fellowship (outside the structure) is where the greatest source of blessing to me. Its (as if for lack of better words) that He can effectually work after this manner (among us anyways). He does what He wants and through whom He wills as only He knows the hearts that seek Him and who are His. He is not bolted down by men (who, in ~some parts~ seek to control Gods working). Its not going to happen, if it does theres always THE DOOR HE is so rightly named.

For others who are indeed blessed within the structure, I would definately say, be blessed in it. I am not as one out to steal anyones joy or blessing. If one is blessed (wherein I or others might not be) does not mean we should judge one another. We should be glad that our Lord is doing great things and is not limited to temples made by hands.

That we do know for sure

Be comforted sis, theres others who feel the same as you.

WHOA!! that was LONGWINDED Sorry sis, (use the printer and read it over the weekend) Others can just utilize the scroll button till it burns out

Peace

Fireinfolding

 

[repentant]

I think this verse is taken out of context way too often, or totally misapplied.

It says where those two or three are gathered in His name, there he'll be. I don't think Jesus regularly hangs out at WalMart just because several of us believers are there. There's a purposeness needed.

Also, fellowship is only one of the things "gathering together" is about. There's learning, edification, worship and praise, giving. Picking and choosing what we want to get out of it isn't exactly holding to the spirit of the word.

Do you go to Walmart to praise and worship God (in His name)?

But what is the ONLY thing in Scripture that unites us with Christ and each other? The Eucharist. So therefore, you can't just sit home and read the Bible and be united with Him, and each other.

 

[MarieRose]

I remember reading an article in the newspaper that said that home churches are actually gaining quite a big following recently. People gathering in their homes & worshipping together with singing, Bible readings, etc.

 

[Rebirth In Flames]

I remember reading an article in the newspaper that said that home churches are actually gaining quite a big following recently. People gathering in their homes & worshipping together with singing, Bible readings, etc.

I went to one home church with a guy whom I had met at a coffee shop. We clicked, he was a Christian and invited me to his "home church", and of course I went willingly seeking fellowship with more Christians.

It wasn't too long after I had been there that after telling them I also belong to an "organized church" in a church building, that they began to show their disgust for it, as it's not as biblical as home churches are. After seeing that he wasn't going to convert me into his home church and thus have me leave also my organized church, he broke contact with me after a few weeks.

This is the danger I see within this new-age shift towards "home churches". I'm sure many are fine, but specifically the ones within the new movement seem to be rather cultish and prideful in the sense that there're many who might think that their way is the most biblical, and then isolate themselves from other believing Christians simply because their church is "organized" and meets in a church building.

 

[Rebirth In Flames]

Do you go to Walmart to praise and worship God (in His name)?

But what is the ONLY thing in Scripture that unites us with Christ and each other? The Eucharist. So therefore, you can't just sit home and read the Bible and be united with Him, and each other.

repentant, keep in mind that many here don't believe you have to do the act of the Eucharist in order to be with Christ; rather, if one has faith and love for Jesus Christ, then one can be with Him wherever they're at, whatever they're doing - even being at home reading a bible, Christ is there too. "Omnipresent."

 

[Fireinfolding]

repentant, keep in mind that many here don't believe you have to do the act of the Eucharist in order to be with Christ; rather, if one has faith and love for Jesus Christ, then one can be with Him wherever they're at, whatever they're doing - even being at home reading a bible, Christ is there too. "Omnipresent."

That would be me too

Though I know others see it otherwise, thats fine if they do.

Communion (fellowship) with those in Christ (who is the bread of heaven) in the House of God ... WE are His house....(House of bread) His Body


1Cr 10:17 For WE being many ARE ONE BREAD, and ONE BODY: for we are all partakers of that ONE BREAD.

Verse before it

1Cr 10:16 ~The cup of blessing~ which we bless, is it not the communion (FELLOWSHIP) of ~the blood~ of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the COMMUNION (FELLOWSHIP) of the body of Christ?

1Cr 12:27 Now YE are the body of Christ, and ~members~ in particular.


2Cor 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the COMMUNION (FELLOWSHIP) of the ~Holy Ghost~, be with you all.


Peace

Fireinfolding