Why do we need the local church?

[LadyRaven]

This is your only warning people. Keep it respectful or it gets canned.

I'd rather be flash-frozen if you dont mind, it will leave me fresher and with much less sodium...

[traveller]

[LadyRaven]

So, yes both the Methodist and Reformed and Baptists and Lutherans can be right on what it takes for salvation. they can all be right on who Jesus is, on who God is, on the view of the Bible, and still disagree about things that really in the end don

[traveller]

See? I like this part! The coming together of the saints.

[WayneB]

This is your only warning people. Keep it respectful or it gets canned.

Like traveller stated, there is no need for uncivil behavior.

Getting back on topic of why we need the local church, I'll add just from my experience.

I have been in jail ministry for 8 years now and when I can, I hire the good men upon their release. I have seen some men make it and others fall back into the same pattern of behavior, which is why the recidivism rate is so high. One thing that I emphasize when I teach is the importance of Christian fellowship. Fellowshiping with other believers AND holding ourselves accountable to them is critical to spiritual survival for many. Trying to go at it alone is like like going into battle all alone. Paul spoke of the battle not being against flesh & blood but against the principalities of darkness. He spoke of the spiritual battle that we must all fight and emphasized the importance of wearing God's Armor. BUT who in their right mind would go at it alone? You who say you don't need the church can't have ever been in a real battle or you'd know what Paul speaks of and why he chose the analogy of a soldier's armor. Regardless, we are commanded to fellowship with other believers; Paul even devoted three epistles to help Pastors lead and guide His children!

So for those who think they don't need to fellowship with other believers, I strongly urge you to reconsider. The faithful need one another and there is strength in numbers. Yes, we are to be full of the Spirit and wisdom but wisdom directs us suit up in God's Armor AND enter in the battle with our brethren, not against.

Speaking about recidivism? I just fired one on those inmates today for failing his drug test. He had been working in my plant going on 5 years, clean and sober but he stopped fellowshiping with other believers and fell back into a bad crowd. Paul said, bad company corrupts! ...and he was right.

Everyone must make up their own mind. I would suggest, though, that those who argue aggressively against the importance of fellowship may be the ones who need it most.

May the Lord Bless you all richly,

wayne

Edited August 27, 2008 by WayneB

[WayneB]

If I was a unsaved person and I read where a Christian said that most churches were teaching false doctrines, I would never bother to enter into a church again. That is not the message we need to be sending.

I agree. What I tell the men I minister to is to keep their spiritual eyes open and the way to do that is through prayer and the Word of God. Paul said the "sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" and commanded us to pray in the spirit. Furthermore, the Word of God tells us to listen intently to what is taught but then measure it against the Word. I teach the importance of fellowship, church attendance and discernment...a tool the Bereans understood and used.

[Iryssa]

Actually Iryssa, your post was a very good one you should not have erased it. The fact is that no church is perfect. There are many in my church that I have doctinal differences, even my pastor may believe things that I do not totally agree with, that is why I am not a member, but I still show up every Sunday morning,evening and wendsday, and I am submitted to him as my pastor. Some of you have obviously misinterpreted my statements. The fact is as a whole the church teaches as many false man made doctrines as they do biblical truths.

Thanks for the vote of confidence *rueful grin* I didn't like how it sounded. Sounds better this way.

[traveller]

If I was a unsaved person and I read where a Christian said that most churches were teaching false doctrines, I would never bother to enter into a church again. That is not the message we need to be sending.

I agree. What I tell the men I minister to is to keep their spiritual eyes open and the way to do that is through prayer and the Word of God. Paul said the "sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" and commanded us to pray in the spirit. Furthermore, the Word of God tells us to listen intently to what is taught but then measure it against the Word. I teach the importance of fellowship, church attendance and discernment...a tool the Bereans understood and used.

Amen Brother!

[LadyRaven]

See? I like this part! The coming together of the saints.

Yes me too we don't have to agree as long as we love.

Awww, I'm so glad we can lovingly agree that we can disagree.

.......especially since this means we wont have to be canned, or frozen....

[simpleword]

I read Hebrews 10,did you?