Attending Church

[Carbon]

Do you believe a Christian must attend church or is it okay to watch it live at home?

 

[Sereni-tea]

Do you believe a Christian must attend church or is it okay to watch it live at home?

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

It is vital that Christians gather together. Watching live at home is a poor substitute for the reality.

Of course there are valid reasons why a person may not be able to make it to church either for a short term or long term - such as health reasons, or living in a remote location, etc. In which case watching church at home can be an immense blessing.

But where a person can attend church they should.

 

[Carbon]

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

It is vital that Christians gather together. Watching live at home is a poor substitute for the reality.

Of course there are valid reasons why a person may not be able to make it to church either for a short term or long term - such as health reasons, or living in a remote location, etc. In which case watching church at home can be an immense blessing.

But where a person can attend church they should.

I absolutely agree.

 

[GeneZ]

Do you believe a Christian must attend church or is it okay to watch it live at home?

Faith comes by hearing............ Romans 10:17​

​

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ​

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." Hebrew 10:24-25​

Back then there was only one way to hear the word of God as to grow in faith.
Nothing was recorded. You had to go hear it for yourself in an assembly.

As far as exhorting one another? We can get that here and other forums.

As far as attending church on TV?
A bad church is no better than a bad church on TV.
Churches on TV do not attract good teachers for the most part.
Its more entertainment and preaching what one already knows.
Can not grow that way.

A good church will have a message that requires spiritual intelligence to think with in the Spirit.
A good church will challenge you to grow. Not be told you are just fine.

It all depends upon how God has you located. We now have various means to hear it for ourselves.

I have been attending an excellent teaching church since 1981.
Attending daily. Not just twice a week. Jesus used to teach daily.

"Give us our daily bread."

I used to attend to hear with cassettes. Now, with either MP3 CD's or thumb drives.

God always provides for those who desire what He agrees with.

I just do not attend a church for attendance. The teaching must be good.
If there is no good teaching where I live? God brings the assembly to you via modern technology.

..............

 

[Carbon]

I just do not attend a church for attendance. The teaching must be good.

Amen to that

 

[Marilyn C]

Do you believe a Christian must attend church or is it okay to watch it live at home?

By `Church` do you mean man`s organisation that presents a public meeting?

I believe the scriptural definition of Church, ekklesia, is the `called out ones,` the Body of Christ. And the Lord Himself said that where 2 or 3 are gathered in His name there He is in the midst.

So probably I`m addressing the format of the question as it implies that a believer has to go to an organised public meeting. That format has subtly come to mean the church, whereas it is just a public meeting organised by man.

 

[Sereni-tea]

By `Church` do you mean man`s organisation that presents a public meeting?

I believe the scriptural definition of Church, ekklesia, is the `called out ones,` the Body of Christ. And the Lord Himself said that where 2 or 3 are gathered in His name there He is in the midst.

I agree with this.

So probably I`m addressing the format of the question as it implies that a believer has to go to an organised public meeting. That format has subtly come to mean the church, whereas it is just a public meeting organised by man.

However I disagree here. 'Church' (as in the meeting) is more than just a public meeting organised by man - it is about coming together to worship. And yes, 2 or 3 can do it together, but how much better when 20 or 30, or 50 or 100 or more meet together in worship. Does this not better reflect the reality from Revelation that we are looking forward to where a mulitude beyond counting worship Jesus together?

Don't get me wrong. I am not keen on the modern day 'megachurch' idea. But I do believe worshipping together in public as God's new creation was an important part of the New Testament church and so should be an important part of our experience today. We were saved to be a people of God, a royal priesthood, a holy nation - this involves togetherness. It is our role as God's new covenant people to reflect God into the world and to reflect the praises of creation back to God. Meeting together in public worship is one means of doing that. We gather to sing praises to God, pray together and hear God's Word read and explained. Doing this corporately is a vital part of being the Body of Christ, giving us an opportunity to serve, and be served by, each other. A local church doesn't always get this right but when it does it reflects God's love and grace into a world in darkness and it is beautiful.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Carbon]

By `Church` do you mean man`s organisation that presents a public meeting?

I believe the scriptural definition of Church, ekklesia, is the `called out ones,` the Body of Christ. And the Lord Himself said that where 2 or 3 are gathered in His name there He is in the midst.

So probably I`m addressing the format of the question as it implies that a believer has to go to an organised public meeting. That format has subtly come to mean the church, whereas it is just a public meeting organised by man.

I agree with you. But I thought it was obvious what I was talking about by the way I framed my question.
Maybe not?

Sorry.
I'm talking about the church, the assembling together of believers.
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Heb 10.

 

[GeneZ]

Are you gathering with others?
When we can do so today in a way that was impossible at the time that was written?

It was a warning against neglecting hearing the teaching of God's Word as it was being taught.

Could they hear Paul's message that was given in the morning? Later that evening via a recording?
No. It was impossible. Did not even enter their mind.

It was a warning against failing to get your Bible teaching straight from the teacher's mouth.
And, not to neglect getting the teaching.

Legalism is to be avoided.

By the way... What we see on TV? If you were present in the audience while it was being taught?
It would be just as bad and superficial if the teacher is of poor quality. Makes no difference.
Problem is... TV preachers 99% are lousy teachers to begin with with a glory lust to be well known.

If the teaching is great? And, was not banned by the media?
That teaching captured live via recording would astound you.

"For faith comes by hearing." That is why they had to gather. To hear it for themselves.

grace and peace ..........

 

[Carbon]

Are you gathering with others?
When we can do so today in a way that was impossible at the time that was written?

It was a warning against neglecting hearing the teaching of God's Word as it was being taught.

Could they hear Paul's message that was given in the morning? Later that evening via a recording?
No. It was impossible. Did not even enter their mind.

It was a warning against failing to get your Bible teaching straight from the teacher's mouth.
And, not to neglect getting the teaching.

Legalism is to be avoided.

By the way... What we see on TV? If you were present in the audience while it was being taught?
It would be just as bad and superficial if the teacher is of poor quality. Makes no difference.
Problem is... TV preachers 99% are lousy teachers to begin with with a glory lust to be well known.

If the teaching is great? And, was not banned by the media?
That teaching captured live via recording would astound you.

"For faith comes by hearing." That is why they had to gather. To hear it for themselves.

grace and peace ..........

Thanks for sharing.

 

[prism]

'Must attend or TV'?
I would take attendance any day.. Although, there were missionaries (as an example), interned by the Japanese living under extremely brutal conditions for two or three years that remained faithful to Jesus, even though 'Church attendance' and bibles weren't allowed.
Nevertheless, I would take Church attendance over TV any day.

 

[EarlyActs]

Do you believe a Christian must attend church or is it okay to watch it live at home?

You should go in person, as far as fellowship goes. If you are just doing research, you may be better off at home. Almost all group commands of the pastoral letters assume that you are with other Christians; there is no other way to practice them.

 

[Carbon]

You should go in person, as far as fellowship goes. If you are just doing research, you may be better off at home. Almost all group commands of the pastoral letters assume that you are with other Christians; there is no other way to practice them.

Amen. I agree we must not neglect to assemble together.

 

[GeneZ]

I attended Church daily at a Bible college I had attended for three years. Graduated in 1981 with honors.

It was right down the street from where I was living. I was free to remain attending certain courses played on video for the evening class.

One night I heard a class that was given by the president of the college. He kept driving home a new theme in his message.

The theme went like this....

(He kept passionately driving this point home...)

"Anyone living in area of their life without Bible doctrine?... In that area? ​

He is a liar! We need Bible doctrine for every area of our life!"​

I was stunned. I never heard the term Bible doctrine used in that way before.

When class was over we all got up and walked out into the hallway.
As I was walking out the doorway I prayed a very quick simple prayer up to Heaven...

"Father! In Jesus name, I ask... Give me Bible doctrine for every area of my life!"​

Within only seconds a sweet lady I knew, walked up to me and asked me if I would like to borrow a notebook that her brother has.
The notebook has 1000 Bible doctrines listed in categories. I was peacefully stunned... without hesitation said, "yes!"

Her brother is a pastor and he was away for ministry work. I was told I could have it for that time.

I lived and worked up the street at a country inn and restaurant as its resident manager. We just entered a slow season, so I was there during the day watching over the place.

I spent days with this notebook in the waiting room between talking with guests and taking the phone.
One after the other.. one doctrine to the next.... I became amazed to learn how much wisdom can be gleaned
from knowing the Word of God in depth and detail.

The notebook was compiled by a Dallas graduate pastor who sat under a very gifted pastor. The doctrines broke down the Hebrew and Greek, and showed correlations of Scripture with Scripture.

Soon after I came under a supernatural demonic attack. Instead of fearing? It made me rejoice to know I was onto something good from God.

A bit later after finishing the doctrinal notebook I decided to begin learning from the pastor whom the 1000 doctrines were derived. At that time his ministry would send you cassettes of classes he gave. I ordered and began listening during the daytime hours in the waiting room at the Inn.

The first message I listened to? I was utterly stunned on how rich and informative it was!
I then said to myself...

"I just graduated from three years of Bible college, having graduated with honors... ​

And, I just learned more from this pastor in one hour more than I learned for three ​

years at Bible college! ​

​

"Stunned," was putting it mildly.​

So? I could have assembled in churches nearby to legalistically follow what it says in Hebrews 10:25.
Considering I had just graduated from a Bible college where we assembled seven days a week!
I was getting much more from hearing the lessons on tape (which were taught before a live congregation,
which recorded their interaction).

So? Do I follow the letter of the Word, and get no life from weak teaching churches?
Or, realize, that in God's sovereignty He provided a means to assemble to hear the Word
of God being expounded by a very gifted teacher?

I will let you decide if I made the wrong choice, or not.

grace and peace ...............

 

[Sereni-tea]

I attended Church daily at a Bible college I had attended for three years. Graduated in 1981 with honors.

It was right down the street from where I was living. I was free to remain attending certain courses played on video for the evening class.

One night I heard a class that was given by the president of the college. He kept driving home a new theme in his message.

The theme went like this....

(He kept passionately driving this point home...)

"Anyone living in area of their life without Bible doctrine?... In that area? ​

He is a liar! We need Bible doctrine for every area of our life!"​

I was stunned. I never heard the term Bible doctrine used in that way before.

When class was over we all got up and walked out into the hallway.
As I was walking out the doorway I prayed a very quick simple prayer up to Heaven...

"Father! In Jesus name, I ask... Give me Bible doctrine for every area of my life!"​

Within only seconds a sweet lady I knew, walked up to me and asked me if I would like to borrow a notebook that her brother has.
The notebook has 1000 Bible doctrines listed in categories. I was peacefully stunned... without hesitation said, "yes!"

Her brother is a pastor and he was away for ministry work. I was told I could have it for that time.

I lived and worked up the street at a country inn and restaurant as its resident manager. We just entered a slow season, so I was there during the day watching over the place.

I spent days with this notebook in the waiting room between talking with guests and taking the phone.
One after the other.. one doctrine to the next.... I became amazed to learn how much wisdom can be gleaned
from knowing the Word of God in depth and detail.

The notebook was compiled by a Dallas graduate pastor who sat under a very gifted pastor. The doctrines broke down the Hebrew and Greek, and showed correlations of Scripture with Scripture.

Soon after I came under a supernatural demonic attack. Instead of fearing? It made me rejoice to know I was onto something good from God.

A bit later after finishing the doctrinal notebook I decided to begin learning from the pastor whom the 1000 doctrines were derived. At that time his ministry would send you cassettes of classes he gave. I ordered and began listening during the daytime hours in the waiting room at the Inn.

The first message I listened to? I was utterly stunned on how rich and informative it was!
I then said to myself...

"I just graduated from three years of Bible college, having graduated with honors... ​

And, I just learned more from this pastor in one hour more than I learned for three ​

years at Bible college! ​

​

"Stunned," was putting it mildly.​

So? I could have assembled in churches nearby to legalistically follow what it says in Hebrews 10:25.
Considering I had just graduated from a Bible college where we assembled seven days a week!
I was getting much more from hearing the lessons on tape (which were taught before a live congregation,
which recorded their interaction).

So? Do I follow the letter of the Word, and get no life from weak teaching churches?
Or, realize, that in God's sovereignty He provided a means to assemble to hear the Word
of God being expounded by a very gifted teacher?

I will let you decide if I made the wrong choice, or not.

grace and peace ...............

If I am understanding you correctly, you are saying because you can hear better, more gifted teachers expounding the Word online, there is no point assembling together in church.

Church is not just about hearing the word of God preached, if it was, yes there are many other ways we can do that as today we have free access to an amazing range of very gifted preachers. But as I said above in post #7, we are the body of Christ. It is hard to be part of the body when you don't meet with the rest of the members. Remember Hebrews 10:24-25 says nothing about hearing God's Word expounded (which of course is still an important part of the church gathering). Rather it says:

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

It is hard to stir up each other to love and good works if we are not in fellowship with others.

 

[GeneZ]

If I am understanding you correctly, you are saying because you can hear better, more gifted teachers expounding the Word online, there is no point assembling together in church.

We need to think in terms of what church was like when Hebrews 10:25 was written.


Why did they need to attend? To get what?
What could they not get if they failed to attend?

grace and peace ....................

 

[Sereni-tea]

We need to think in terms of what church was like when Hebrews 10:25 was written.


Why did they need to attend? To get what?

I would start with what the author of Hebrews said as I mentioned above - to stir up one another in love and good works and to encourage one another. There is more but let's start there.

 

[Josheb]

Do you believe a Christian must attend church or is it okay to watch it live at home?

While Hebrews 10:25 need not be limited to weekly worship services, it does tell us unequivocally not to give up the habit of meeting together and in its first-century context that would have necessarily and iescapably read as in-person meeting, not cyberspace. Now there are those who may not, for a variety of reasons be able to meet in-person, but 1) fear would not be one of them and 2) they would all be exceptions to the rule, not the rule.

 

[GeneZ]

I would start with what the author of Hebrews said as I mentioned above - to stir up one another in love and good works and to encourage one another. There is more but let's start there.

Too many churches are stuck in teaching baby Christian level. Hebrews 10:25 would apply very well for the baby Christian.

But where does one go to grow when they want to mature beyond the baby level?
If the teaching in a church can not do that? You are to attend anyway?

There is a time to build each other up. And... Then comes a time to grow up. Where do we go?

To God's provision.... wherever it is to be revealed.

When the Bible was written good Bible teachers were the norm and in a constant state of maturing spiritually.
Over time... churches have been oppressed into ignorance. Look what happened to the Catholic church.

Here is why one (today) must not allow themselves to be hemmed in and chained legalistically to Hebrews 10:25.

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. ​

Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great ​

number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." 2 Timothy 4:3​

Hebrews 10:25 some are using to trap those with spiritual discernment into a go-nowhere type of Christianity.

God will provide the way out SOVEREIGNLY.

For, God decreed that there would come a day when there would be recording devices for playback of a good sound doctrinal messages for those who can not attend the good churches.

Those who have ears to hear will "hear."

 

[Sereni-tea]

Too many churches are stuck in teaching baby Christian level. Hebrews 10:25 would apply very well for the baby Christian.

What!?! You think that "stirring up one another in love and good works and encouraging one another" is for baby Christians?