WHAT ABOUT THESE STATEMENTS?

[post]

i know a man in the midwest, who i met on another Christian forum, who has tried every church in his area, and been forcefully ousted out of many of them, because he is strongly opposed - with sound scriptural arguments - to requiring tithe from believers as if it were a law, and disagrees with the idea of paid ministry as a vocation. he has a circle of friends with whom he regularly meets in his house for bible study and is very active in online circles with other believers, proclaiming salvation through Christ alone and the glory of God. 

does that make him "not a believer" since he doesn't attend a building with a steeple on sundays? 

[post]

going to church on a sunday does not make you saved, 
and not going to a church building on sunday does not prevent God from showing you the mercy of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

[Guest Thallasa]

On ‎30‎/‎01‎/‎2016 at 7:27 PM, Willa said:

According to the Amplified Bible, "believe" means to cling to , rely on, adhere to.  It is not just mental assent or acknowledgement as the demons do. 

Regular church attendance helps to establish new believers in the basics of Christianity.  There they will probably be baptized and through fellowship some of the rough edges will be removed.  They help to encourage each other during trials and most importantly we pray for each other.  Our weird ideas fall away as the truth is preached in power from the pulpit.

Together we are a temple of the Holy Spirit.  We are living stones being fit together to make one body, just as our living cells make up our bodies.  We learn our place and function in the Body of Christ.  We also learn to respect the functions of other members even though they differ from our own.  We learn how much we need each other and grow in brotherly love.

Older established Christians need to be functioning in a body to disciple new Christians, to teach and to love the new ones who are still struggling.  This love for them, just as they are, goes a long way to heal the wounds of the former life so that they can become more like Jesus.  Often the older Christians find that they have a lot to learn from the new believers as well.

So I don't believe that Christians who are not in church will grow properly or be as useful to God.  They may be less fruitful.  They may grow cold and not be diligent in their Bible reading, prayer and fellowship with God.  It is easier for them to conform to the world when they are not surrounded by godly Christians.  Like minded people tend to seek out each other to strengthen each other.  

This is excellent ,but I live in a country where there it is very hard to find a church which is not RC where  there is no discusion of the bible and I need that . I need to have  relationship with God where we read the bible and discuss it ,and for that I have to travel nearly two hours . So here I am stuck with Worthy which suits me fine at the moment .

 

[Guest Thallasa]

10 minutes ago, post said:

i have a close friend & brother in Christ who is in prison in solitary confinement 23 out of every 24 hours. through correspondence school he's earning a divinity degree, and we write back and forth regularly to talk about life and what God is doing for both of us. 
i am sending him another letter tomorrow - shall i tell him that he's not a Christian since he doesn't go to church on sundays? 

ugh. 

What an absolutely wonderful thing you are doing . May God bless you and your ministry .

[SavedOnebyGrace]

On Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 5:57 PM, opportunitykenny said:

 

 

"You can be coming to church and at the same time you are not a christian BUT you cannot be a christian and not coming to church"

 

"All believers are not christians BUT all christians are believers"

 

 

I don't agree with either statement.

[Willa]

Your friend is correct about tithing not being a New Testament requirement and is an Old Testament law.  But Paul said that a laborer is worthy of his hire.  1 Tim. 5:17-18 NKJV  Let the elders who rule well be worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, "you shall not muzzel an ox while it treads out the grain." And "a laborer is worthy of his wages."  Luke 10:7  in the words of Christ also say the latter in regard even to missionaries.  Permanent ministers of the church were to be paid.  Many in small churches must help to support themselves because the income in inadequit to pay the utilities and expenses as well as his wages.   But this means he is a part time pastor.  

As a traveling missionary and church planter, Paul received support from the Phillippeans in Phil 4:11-18, but admits to going hungry at times.  He did not solicit these gifts but those in Phillipi had been faithful to God to contribute.    2 Cor. 8 and 9 concern giving to empoverished churches, and the right attitudes toward giving, as does Matt. 6:3-4 concerning giving in secret.    

My husband also refused to join a church because they made tithing a requirement of membership.  But he attended it regularly for 15 years.   

On 2/1/2016 at 8:44 AM, post said:

i know a man in the midwest, who i met on another Christian forum, who has tried every church in his area, and been forcefully ousted out of many of them, because he is strongly opposed - with sound scriptural arguments - to requiring tithe from believers as if it were a law, and disagrees with the idea of paid ministry as a vocation.  

 

[opportunitykenny]

4 hours ago, post said:

why do you make that assumption, just because i refuse tverily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.nt with other believers on this forum? 

you have no idea what my weekly life, and regular habits are like. what if i informed you that i regula

4 hours ago, post said:

why do you make that assumption, just because i refuse to condemn as heathen someone who doesn't regularly attend a traditional organized weekly assembly? 

especially as here i am, assembled together at this moment with other believers on this forum? 

you have no idea what my weekly life, and regular habits are like. what if i informed you that i regularly meet at least 6 times a week with other believers, to pray, to praise, to serve, and to study the scripture? 
and what if 4 out of those 6 times, i meet with some brothers and sisters who rarely if ever appear in a traditional sunday-morning 'church' service? next week, would you like me to condemn them for you, in your absence? 

1John 2:3-6

We understandably know some things that: you do not expect somebody who is sick, having psychological problem, a prison inmate etc to find it easy to come to church. This category of people may be exempted. However, whatever excuse you are given for going against Heb. 10:25 hope such is acceptable unto God?

Edited February 1, 2016 by opportunitykenny

[opportunitykenny]

4 hours ago, post said:

going to church on a sunday does not make you saved, 
and not going to a church building on sunday does not prevent God from showing you the mercy of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

Some of your posts could have been joined together as one because of their similarities. This one seems to be quite different from the rest. Let us look at it. "Going to church does not make you saved" I do not know the point for repeating this. This has been said over and over at least it is clearly stated in the statement that brings this discussion. That is why it is said that it is by being born again and through repentance that you become a child of God because all have sinned and come short of His glory. Again, after you have been saved then total obedience is very important that you do according to His words. Be ye doers of the words and not the hearers decieving your soul, that is God's words. God bless.

[opportunitykenny]

4 hours ago, Saved.One.by.Grace said:

I don't agree with either statement.

Only through devine (divine) intervention can a man (who has made up his mind not to agree) agree with Holy word of God because atimes it does not go with our expectation. 

[enoob57]

8 hours ago, opportunitykenny said:

Meaning? Not clear please

It was a chiding toward the flower girl