Feel at Home with the Christian Faith but not the Christian Church? (women, preaching)

[HotinAZ]

Originally Posted by Fundamentalist

No...don't you get it. You see they want no rules or standards. Everybody reads and interpret the bible the way they want to. Whatever you interpret is right

No, you don't "get it". You see, I love the rules and standards set forth by Jesus Christ and our Father who art in Heaven. I abhor man's dominion, and the need to feel power over another men. This INCLUDES religion of any kind. Relationship is found IN CHRIST, and until it is found, how do you share it? And when you share, this most glorious, beautiful, Holy experience, to whom do you share it with? Do you build relationships, and fellowship where ever the Spirit leads you? Does this NEED to be in a building called church? Was Jesus in a church, on a hill side, in a garden, in a house? Jesus witnessed where ever He went. He sent His disciples to do the same.

And interpreting the Bible? The sad part is, it is hard for people to learn to walk that narrow road, once they find it is actually NARROW. In other words, it is we, alone, doing the walking towards God. We MUST take those steps, not for any body else, but for Jesus our King alone. This is the Glory we give, as we have been given! And still it isn't enough for myself. There is absolutely nothing I can do to merit the Love shown to me, except to accept this Love.
This gift, beyond ALL gifts.

God knows the hearts of men, no matter how they try and decorate them up for others to see. So if understanding is given to those who have journeyed farther down this Path, then say, those who haven't as of yet; They see them for "fallen or apostate Christians", because they lack the understanding given. How rude and unloving. Where is the testing of the spirit? Where is the understanding? Where is the Love?

We must love. Not just the word, but the actions moved from the heart, through our mouth and our deeds. Humble ourselves before His Majesty, and realize that this life we have, we have given it to Him, and unless we are a reflection of THAT LIFE, then how does He really KNOW US??

[Fundamentalist]

Originally Posted by HotinAZ

No, you don't "get it". You see, I love the rules and standards set forth by Jesus Christ and our Father who art in Heaven. I abhor man's dominion, and the need to feel power over another men. This INCLUDES religion of any kind. Relationship is found IN CHRIST, and until it is found, how do you share it? And when you share, this most glorious, beautiful, Holy experience, to whom do you share it with? Do you build relationships, and fellowship where ever the Spirit leads you? Does this NEED to be in a building called church? Was Jesus in a church, on a hill side, in a garden, in a house? Jesus witnessed where ever He went. He sent His disciples to do the same......

It is really beautiful what you write but what verse or verses is that? I am "solas scriptura" without scripture your rebuke is man made and with no merit nor authority.

[HotinAZ]

Originally Posted by Fundamentalist

It is really beautiful what you write but what verse or verses is that? I am "solas scriptura" without scripture your rebuke is man made and with no merit nor authority.

I would have to quote the entire Bible to back that up,,sorry. You see, it is a love letter designed to bring you home. It shows us the Path to take, and it shows how many have strayed off the Path, and while some were nudged back onto the right Way, others fell away to their own demise.

And while I would agree that it was written by a more primitive man, they still lacked the Truth in understanding of the things Spiritual, so they saw it in a carnal light, instead of his Light.

But you see, that was by design. God could have just had Jesus show up on top the mountain with Moses, come down with him, and then give us His ministry, and let someone sacrifice His Body for our Sins.

But that was not the design, for the carnal temple had to have been built. The carnal rules had to be given. The order of the priesthood had to be issued. But though they were carnally given, they didn't understood the spiritual magnificence, until Jesus. Why? So that when Jesus fulfilled it, you could SEE it in it's Spiritual completion. A New covenant, mirrored after the shadow of the old. I am part Jewish, but not a practicing Jew. I never will be, for I am a Christian. But the Torah holds a special place for myself, as it is the "keys" to the Kingdom.

This is why not one jot nor tittle can pass away. The Old covenant must forever stand as our Spiritual guide, and the awesome wonder and design of God FOR us and His Son.

[RobinD69]

Ok I have been a Christian for 8 years and been a church goer for maybe 5 here and there. I went to the Church were I was saved for a little over 2 years, moved from Florida to Virginia and didnt find a good Church for 2 years. Found a Church and went for 2 and half years. Moved from Virginia to Montana and been going to this Church for a year and a half. I love the people at the Church but have no real desire to go. Been out for a month and not sure if I will go back, and I was a sunday school teacher to boot. I believe my Church is the world and I study my Bible every day and reach out to others every day on spiritual matters. My wife says I need to slow down because I am probably having a mental overload again from all the studying I do. I watch about 10hours of Christian television a week, mostly end times, prophecy, and science. None of this is meant to brag in any way shape or form because honestly I dont believe I do enough in Gods service, so all information I share is in a humble assertion. I would prefer to do nothing but Gods work, but I must pay the bills somehow.

All that said, No you do not have to belong to a Church building but yes you do need Christian fellowship to grow. So invite a few people over a couple of times a week and have your own Bible study like the Apostles did.

[yhwhshalomjr]

You can say that again!!
But the churches today are just like the Apostle Paul taught about
We need more of "Philadelphia" now, I agree with you wholeheartedly when you alluded to "a big bucket of water being dumped over their zeal".We have to put on the whole armor of God to enable us to fellowship in the
congregation, and actively participate, I found out that there are plenty wolves around that run and packs and alone too. in the assembly .their objective, is to devour as many sheep as possible, we have to wake up; and pray that the Lord will send us shepards that are not easily struck', henceforth leaving the sheep to scatter.
My prayer
God Bless

[mshipmate]

Originally Posted by Alpha8207

LOL that was my first thought too.

Is that like a non-breathing live person?

I understand what the OP is getting at and can identify with it totally. I think a lot of folks who are truly Christian and don't go to church may have at one time been really on fire for the Lord and the church dumped a big bucket of water over their zeal.

A Christian without brothers, sisters, leaders, and peers to encourage, correct, and edify them, will be a wilted branch. They may sit at home on Sunday morning and long for the passion they once carried.

I beg to differ with you here. We no longer attend church because we cannot find one in our area that teaches the 'truth', and neither of us has DRIED up, as you say. On the contrary we have both grown in our understanding of the Word and our passion for God, and the 'narrow way', is stronger than ever. Because we love both God and His Word, rightly dividing it, and sharing with each other and others whenever possible, we will continue to grow until the Lord returns.

FYI we tried going back to the last church we attended and found they STILL believed 'the lie' rather than the 'truth', and still didn't want to know the difference between the holy and the profane.

I think you need to be more careful in your assumptions, and in lumping everyone in one category!!

[NoOBama]

We have yet to find a church organization (Christian) that teaches what Jesus taught.
Our children deserve to hear the words of Jesus, the hope, and promise that he came to give the world. He speaks to us everyday of our lives, they are never ending. Our church will always be in our hearts and our home.

[DaniMae1]

Every time I click on the link (nonpracticingchristian) for this post my security software tells me it is blocking a trojan virus....just a warning.

[Towhee]

I have assembled with my brethren at least once a week ever since I became a Christian (over 42 years ago). I cannot understand any one who calls themself a Christian not doing so. I recall John writing that if anyone loves not their brother ( fellow Christian) thay are liars and the truth is not in them. I do not see how never assembling with fellow believers is a sign of love, and I am not talking about having coffee with them at a local cafe'!

"We have yet to find a church organization (Christian) that teaches what Jesus taught."
What a sad statement! Thank God the brethren that we assemble with teach nothing but what Jesus said!

"A Christian without brothers, sisters, leaders, and peers to encourage, correct, and edify them, will be a wilted branch."
This is certainly the truth.

"Or they may meet with other believers and praise God...study the Bible...etc. "

[wilvan]

The Church was translated from the Greek word "ekklesia" meaning the "called out." The true believers, who fear God and obey his Law, are called out from the rest of the World for a mission... to become "kings and priests" to rule the earth with Jesus Christ in the Millennium! It is not the religious denomination or organized groups... but the individuals.

Rev 20:4: And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5: But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6: Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.