Why do we need the local church?

[traveller]

And I'm just asking - why does it not?

BTW - I'm all for saints assembling - I think church is a necessary joyful thing that we need.

But - why does "graven image" not apply to those in our churches?

[OneLight]

Neither agreeing nor disagreeing - but I'm asking you - how does/doesn't this apply to our crosses hanging in our churches?

Good question! If anyone sees the cross hanging on the wall, or Jesus on the cross, and thinks it will give them salvation, by misunderstanding what Jesus did on the cross, then it would be idolatry. But, if one see the cross as a remembrance of His work, as we do with what is now known as "communion", which we do in remembrance of Him, then it is not. They are remembering Him. But, this sounds more like this scripture, which would also include any cross we wear.

Exodus 20:4

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

The pictures of what one thinks Jesus looks like, to me, falls under the same, even though we do not have any proof of what He really looked like. I have no idea about other wall hangings you mention.

I see idolatry more when one prays to statues or asking the dead to say a prayer for them. I also see it as having to preform certain rituals, such as saying so many of one prayer and this many of another in order to be forgiven, or even paying so much money for a "special" service to get forgiveness, as idolatry, for it places forgiveness on your effort and not on Him. This, I will agree on.

Yet, it would be nice if man would give us his examples instead of just pointing to scripture. He is talking from what he believes personally. Instead of just pointing to scripture, brother, please tell us exactly what you mean.

In His Love,

OneLight

[simpleword]

Now not all so called churches are a good place to gather,yet we are instructed for our own good,as God instructs us for our own good, Hebrews 10:25,Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

God says we need it ,I am going to goalong with God's advice.

I think that chapter 10 of Hebrews should be a reading assignment today.

Check in if you read it today.

[traveller]

Good answers, keep them coming.

Now - when man comes back from work TALK to him. Don't get rattled. Many believe that the Lord means none - period. If you don't believe that, talk it out but don't get your feathers ruffled. We learn by talking and listening and studying.

[Floatingaxe]

1 Corinthians 1

10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Ingored by the church.

Deuteronomy 4

15 Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire,

16 lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female,

Ignored by the church.

The true Church of Jesus Christ in the world does nothing of the kind.

[Floatingaxe]

1 Corinthians 1

10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Ingored by the church.

if it is ignored by the church then it is also being ignored by you as going your own way does not promote unity, and you are joined with no one.

I have unity with Christ.

But not with His Church who is obedient to meet together. Jesus commanded us to maintain that unity we have in Him. The New Testament is written to the churches. If you opt out, how can you ever hope to speak with authority, and possess unity with the Body?

[Floatingaxe]

One more thing.

I feel some tension in the air. Let's try and get rid of that.

One cannot learn unless they open the eyes and ears of the heart. Don't listen to me, listen to God.

Again, you guys have a nice day.

Gotta run.

Your view is the source of the tension. It is anti-church and anti-scripture. the Church is a people--the people of God. Denominations are like TRIBES of that people group, who all worship the same Jesus, with like expressions becoming one "tribe". One day soon, we will all see Him and meld together to become one holy tribe...in the Kingdom.

[Floatingaxe]

The true Church of Jesus Christ in the world does nothing of the kind.

The idea of "church" has two uses in the NT. One is the universal body of Christ, which I don

[traveller]

The true Church of Jesus Christ in the world does nothing of the kind.

The idea of "church" has two uses in the NT. One is the universal body of Christ, which I don

[hillsong_girl]

Amen to that! I LOVE my local church.