bibito3101991 Posted November 10, 2021 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 2 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 10 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 8 Days Won: 0 Joined: 10/30/2021 Status: Offline Share Posted November 10, 2021 My question here, however, is to christians (although it would fit other religions, as well, although not always to the same extent): Instead of 'going to church', why not be an independent christian? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of that? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK1110 Posted November 10, 2021 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 22 Topic Count: 87 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 6,873 Content Per Day: 2.42 Reputation: 9,611 Days Won: 4 Joined: 07/18/2016 Status: Offline Birthday: 11/10/1986 Share Posted November 10, 2021 For one thing, the Bible teaches us to. "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 Notice that the purpose of the meeting is for encouragement. Fellow Christians are to be your friends and allies in this life of struggling against sin and reaching a fallen world. Even the most elite soldiers, like Navy SEALs, operate as part of a team! John goes so far as to say that loving our fellow Christians is the way we know that we are saved. "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." -- 1 John 3:14-18 If we are saved, then fellow believers are our family and we should love them. If we feel no desire to be with them, no sense of togetherness or kinship, how can we say we love them like family? Ask yourself if this is you...try to discern if you feel no affection for the brethren, or rather if perhaps you've had bad experiences in some churches or with some Christians that have turned you off? And remember that "going to church" doesn't need to be going to some big building. The Bible just teaches us to meet. It could be in a small home church in the neighborhood etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
appy Posted November 10, 2021 Group: Royal Member Followers: 23 Topic Count: 133 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 2,864 Content Per Day: 0.62 Reputation: 2,596 Days Won: 2 Joined: 08/07/2011 Status: Offline Share Posted November 10, 2021 Fellowshipping with other Christians is more than just attending a church service, for when we gather together and share each others burdens, we strengthen not only our own faith in God and his written word, but also strengthen others faith in God too. Participation not only gives us the opportunity to strengthen each other but also to demonstrate our love for God and one another. We fulfill the law of Christ when we pray for one another, love one another, help one another when there is a physical or financial need, when we support others who are going through tears or rejoice with those who are rejoicing in triumph. We miss out on these things when we attempt to be lone rangers. God never intended us to live in this world as lone rangers. We are called to have a “shared life”with others with Christ as the common goal. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmuffet Posted November 11, 2021 Group: Royal Member Followers: 34 Topic Count: 1,991 Topics Per Day: 0.48 Content Count: 48,689 Content Per Day: 11.80 Reputation: 30,343 Days Won: 226 Joined: 01/11/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted November 11, 2021 5 hours ago, bibito3101991 said: My question here, however, is to christians (although it would fit other religions, as well, although not always to the same extent): Instead of 'going to church', why not be an independent christian? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of that? If a person has a Church they are comfortable with that is great and that is their choice. But it is ok if you do not attend a Church. Not everyone who attends a Church is a Christian and God can not be contained to four walls. God is with you no matter where you choice to worship Him. As long as God is 100% in control of your life and you have a daily relationship with him in his Holy Word and being obedient to Him. Some people like the fellowship of attending a Church. I have attended several Churches and I was not impressed with the fellowship. Attending a Church is not a salvation issue. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who me Posted November 11, 2021 Group: Royal Member Followers: 5 Topic Count: 17 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 3,300 Content Per Day: 1.72 Reputation: 1,685 Days Won: 0 Joined: 01/27/2019 Status: Offline Share Posted November 11, 2021 10 hours ago, bibito3101991 said: why not be an independent christian? Because there is No biblical mandate for such an unnatural thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enoob57 Posted November 11, 2021 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 35 Topic Count: 100 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 41,190 Content Per Day: 7.98 Reputation: 21,469 Days Won: 76 Joined: 03/13/2010 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/27/1957 Share Posted November 11, 2021 The consideration is not what you want but what Jesus wants in you... 1 Cor 6:19-20 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. KJV When Jesus was in His body here on earth this was His desire... Luke 4:14-16 14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. KJV It is clear from Scripture that Jesus wanted to be in church so now that He dwells in you in Spirit you think that has changed? 2 Cor 13:5 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? KJV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starise Posted November 11, 2021 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 13 Topic Count: 279 Topics Per Day: 0.21 Content Count: 13,083 Content Per Day: 9.76 Reputation: 13,562 Days Won: 149 Joined: 08/26/2020 Status: Offline Share Posted November 11, 2021 21 hours ago, bibito3101991 said: My question here, however, is to christians (although it would fit other religions, as well, although not always to the same extent): Instead of 'going to church', why not be an independent christian? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of that? I understand maybe there are not many Christians in your area. God knows this. He will make a way if you ask Him. As others have said it is both biblical and healthy to meet with other believers if it is possible. Also remember Moses and John the Baptist walked with God in the wilderness alone for a long time. In some special circumstances God pulls men alone to Him. This is not most men. There is a saying, a three stranded cord is not easily broken. The more strands in the cord the stronger it is. We were created to be social beings sometimes. Whatever crowd you hang with will rub off on you. Hanging with a good crowd will help both you and them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willa Posted November 13, 2021 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 68 Topic Count: 186 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 14,242 Content Per Day: 3.33 Reputation: 16,658 Days Won: 30 Joined: 08/14/2012 Status: Offline Share Posted November 13, 2021 Where 2 or 3 are gathered together God is in their midst. It is always better when we can pray with others and agree with them. That is supporting them as well. It binds people very close. A home group that is under the direction of a church is a good place to be. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnthebaptist Posted November 14, 2021 Group: Non-Conformist Theology Followers: 6 Topic Count: 118 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4,361 Content Per Day: 2.31 Reputation: 2,109 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/25/2019 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/03/1953 Share Posted November 14, 2021 On 11/10/2021 at 1:21 PM, bibito3101991 said: My question here, however, is to christians (although it would fit other religions, as well, although not always to the same extent): Instead of 'going to church', why not be an independent christian? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of that? It would seem to me the Lord would like some public recognition for what he does for us. I don't see how you do that if you don't go to church. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billiards Ball Posted November 16, 2021 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 5 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 1,502 Content Per Day: 0.66 Reputation: 662 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/05/2018 Status: Offline Share Posted November 16, 2021 On 11/10/2021 at 4:21 PM, bibito3101991 said: My question here, however, is to christians (although it would fit other religions, as well, although not always to the same extent): Instead of 'going to church', why not be an independent christian? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of that? The NT analogy is the efficiency of a single finger or toe without a supporting body. And how would the independent Christian make disciples who make disciples to reach this world for Jesus? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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