Where two or three are gathered in my name...

Discussion in 'Bible Chat' started by MommaJenny, Jul 31, 2017.

  1. MommaJenny

    MommaJenny Member

    So, where do you stand on organized religion and getting yourself to church at least once a week? Is it necessary to listen to someone speak who is standing at a pulpit or alter or is a productive Bible study at home with family sufficient?
     
  2. teddyv

    teddyv The horse is in the barn. Staff Member

    We attend a church weekly (not huge, maybe about 250-350 people). I don't see any particular problem either way. We are encouraged to regularly gather together (I suppose that does not have to include church, home or larger). Like most things, both have their strengths and weaknesses.
     
  3. Cloudwalker

    Cloudwalker The genuine, original, one and only Cloudwalker Staff Member

    I am very involved in my local church. Go every Sunday, except if I'm under the weather, and mostly then as well. You can get necessary fellowship elsewhere but it's hard.
     
  4. RabbiKnife

    RabbiKnife Open the pod bay door, please HAL. Staff Member

    I do not currently attend a traditional church or home church. I do not "forsake the assembling together" with believers, but I've reached a point at which I find the current North American evangelical model a profound waste of my time, energy, gifts, and stewardship.

    I've had to find other ways to fulfill my biblical obligations to serve my brothers and sisters.
     
  5. פNIʞƎƎS

    פNIʞƎƎS Connoisseur of Memes Staff Member

    As to the title of the thread, this is probably one of the most used scriptures taken out of context.

    Matthew 18:15-20
    15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
    18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
    19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

    Having said that, I do attend church every Sunday, and I attend a few Small Groups during the week.
     
  6. RabbiKnife

    RabbiKnife Open the pod bay door, please HAL. Staff Member

    Very true, Seeking.
     
    פNIʞƎƎS likes this.
  7. MommaJenny

    MommaJenny Member

    I don't see how asking about Jesus' direction for brotherly love and intervention is taken out of context with the question. Simply put, does it require a congregation of more than a family in front of a pulpit or if it is working for those within a family inside four walls to worship, do you agree with that?
     
  8. פNIʞƎƎS

    פNIʞƎƎS Connoisseur of Memes Staff Member

    I was referring to the verse you cited. Most people assume it's talking about fellowship, but if you read it in context, it's not. After all, if you're alone, is Jesus not with you? Or do you have to find one or 2 other people?
    To answer your question, I don't know. I think God calls us to be a part of the Church. Which is the Body of Christ. I don't believe He wants us to isolate ourselves. I can't recall a scripture where he says to hide out with your family and worship Him. If you look at the first century believers, they met in each other's homes. So in essence they made up a congregation. Small as it may have been. But they met together. But yes, you can worship God with the four walls of your home with your family if that's what you choose. I just think we're meant to be a part of something bigger.
     
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  9. IMINXTC

    IMINXTC Time Bandit

    Think so, also.
     
  10. Athanasius

    Athanasius Life is not a problem to be solved Staff Member

    I don't like church, as most of the time I find it boring and patronising. I treat it as a duty and go anyway, mostly every Sunday.
     
  11. ProDeo

    ProDeo What a day for a day dream

    I am not a member since about 2000, it's not the Church I attended, it's me.
     
  12. פNIʞƎƎS

    פNIʞƎƎS Connoisseur of Memes Staff Member

    Having the misfortune of being involved with 2 cults, it's probably not the norm that I'm still very involved in a church, and truly enjoy the fellowship.
     
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  13. ProDeo

    ProDeo What a day for a day dream

    That's amazing פNIʞƎƎS.

    It's always surprising how different people may respond so different on unfortunate | sad | bad | ugly happenings with other Christians, take HL for example.

    As for me, nothing bad happened, I just tended to fall asleep during the sermon.
     
  14. פNIʞƎƎS

    פNIʞƎƎS Connoisseur of Memes Staff Member

    If there is one good thing I got out of those experiences, it is to make sure I read the Bible for myself and study it too. And not take anyone's word for it blindly.
     
  15. Athanasius

    Athanasius Life is not a problem to be solved Staff Member

    That's the thing, and mostly everyone wants a superficial happy-flappy Sunday friendship. Put me in front of an engaging preacher and I'll happily attend, but with everything else that's required... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
     
  16. Liquid Tension

    Liquid Tension No, it's NOT a fish!!!

    RK's edited [by me] quote reflects my sentiments exactly.
     
  17. פNIʞƎƎS

    פNIʞƎƎS Connoisseur of Memes Staff Member

    I thought you attended the Sacred Bass of Hilo Assembly
     
  18. TrustGzus

    TrustGzus What does this button do? Staff Member

    I think the context is fine. This passage is about church discipline. Tell it to the church in verse 17.

    With no church, church discipline doesn't exist. The church has problems. The church may be a whore. But it's the bride of Christ and the NT is clear we are a part of it and should participate in it.

    I'm sympathetic to those inbetween. I had 5 years where my wife and I weren't in a church. She had beenwounded by the church. I couldn't bring her without risking damaging the wound more.

    But after 5 years I desired to be with a group of saints regularly. I went by myself for 8 months before my wife came with me. She's been healed and the healthiest she's probably ever been spiritually. Her healing happened amongst a body.

    They're out there. You might have to look in denominations you wouldn't normally look at.
     
  19. Dani

    Dani You're probably fine.

    I was just talking to a sister about the "do not neglect to meet together" not long ago.

    We are citizens of the Kingdom of God, under the headship of King Jesus. We have chosen to live by Kingdom laws and principles.

    We also live in countries, cultures, families and societies that often run counter-current to those laws and principles because they do not acknowledge King Jesus nor do they submit to His authority.

    So the "assembling ourselves together" really has a lot to do with the goal of simply encouraging each other to remain loyal to our King and live by the laws of the Kingdom. Because the pressure and temptation can at times become crushing and destructive. Not to mention deadly in countries where believers are actually persecuted.

    I don't think any of it has anything to do with going to church on Sundays or even with Bible study; but has a way more practical application.

    The passage in Matthew actually has to do with conflict resolution and how to treat other believers who do you harm ("2 or 3 witnesses" is a legal context under Jewish law).

    Having said that ... I love my church and have found being a part of it highly encouraging and stabilizing. It's good to have a "spiritual home base" with biblically grounded, spiritually mature people who know how to love and be supportive. I know the church model we have now is far removed from the early days of the Church, but I'm thankful to have an amazing church that I'm happy to attend, albeit not every week.
     
  20. devilslayer365

    devilslayer365 Wazzup?!

    I think that as long as Christians meet with other believers in some fashion they are following the Bible's encouragement. I would never go as far as calling it a command and it being a sin if you don't do it. It comes more across as a message that simply indicates that it's good to do, that it's for our benefit. I go to church regularly. I'm even on the worship team. If I didn' have that foundation, it would be pretty hard for me to find a way to associate with other believers.
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2017

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