I have chosen not to join a church because I feel so many times churches and their dictorial doctrinated preachings and teachings destort the true reason and meaning of salvation and having spiritual relationship with God. with all the do's and don'ts and hippocracies, I'd rather read my word and dwell on my personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Am I wrong?
2006-11-30 02:45:17 · 18 answers · asked by weary minded 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Not at all. If you have a good relationship with God, why do you need a middleman to interpret for you? Nowhere does it say that the common man cannot come before the Lord in prayer (in fact, if I recall correctly, it states just the opposite). Even when I was a Christian, I never bought into the idea that I had to go to church to have a relationship with God.
In fact, the divine and I have a beautiful relationship even today. I just happen to see them a little differently than you.
2006-11-30 02:53:15 · answer #1 · answered by whtknt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would be right if you could not find a local church that is teaching the true gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. That salvation is a free gift and that the Lord Jesus Christ died for your sins He was buried and took your sins away and He rose again the third day for your justification. Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. If you truly can't find a church that is teaching sound doctrine, then you should start one. Remembe that in the age of grace God has chosen the local church to get the gospel out. The apostle Paul write to 7 churches and three men and tell them what they sould be doing. The church is the body of Christ and all that have believed are in one church. Ephesians 1: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Ephesians 1: 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
2006-11-30 10:57:56 · answer #2 · answered by Ray W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is strength in unity and encouragement among friends of like belief. Hebrews 10:25. They Bible continually speaks of the church and most of the new testament books were letters to the current church. Now however, with so many variations many think not to join a church but I assure you God still has his church, The Church.
2006-11-30 10:48:47 · answer #3 · answered by Damian 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't belong to a church either. The church that Christ refered to was not a physical one. The temple he refered to was the human body. Consider yourself a part of the universal church, the body of Christ, and conduct yourself that way. Those weekend gatherings are purely for fellowship, which you can get by spending time with your good friends, discussing and honing your faith. So no, I don't think it's wrong or that you're wrong.
2006-11-30 10:49:34 · answer #4 · answered by s0n.0f.m4n 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No you are not wrong, and many people feel the same way as you do.
But realize that when you are with a group of people in a church, there are people who can help you, encourage you, support you and be there for you in bad times, and you can do the same for. That's why God wanted us to attend churches with fellowship.
2006-11-30 10:48:53 · answer #5 · answered by Searcher 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand how you fell, but it is important to go to church.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. We need each other and maybe you need to try a different denomination to be happy. There is no perfect church .
2006-11-30 11:06:45 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to go to church faithfully for years. The pastor of our church moved away, and his replacement was a nutjob. He was under the impression that everyone was demon possessed. If you were sick, you had a lack of faith or were possessed. He hurt many people in that congregation, including my parents that had all the faith inthe world. My parents and family quit going, as did most of the congregation. You do not have to go to a church to have faith in God. You do not have to belong to a church to pray, read the Bible, or practise your beliefs. God is amazingly understanding, and I don't believe that wether you go to church or not affects your relationship with Him.
2006-11-30 10:55:58 · answer #7 · answered by firefly2007 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well church is for fellowship with other believers and to hear the Word of God from other people, and just to be encouraged.
Your not a sinner for not going to church, but why not? Wouldnt you want something postivie to be in your life?
Our life is based on a personal relationship with Jesus, but if you shut out church and think it from a negative point of view, then I think you need to examine yourself and see why you are thinking this way.
2006-11-30 10:49:00 · answer #8 · answered by Encouragement 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you are wrong, but I personally love my church. I know that my pastor is led by God...not by himself. If you ever go to church again, pray for God to lead you to a church and he will. He wants you to grow in him and be strong in him, and I realize you can do that on your own by reading the bible and talking to God and letting him guide and lead you. So as long as you are doing that, then I don't think it matters. At least you are on that path, and that is pleasing to him. God Bless.
2006-11-30 11:05:34 · answer #9 · answered by mcentiremadness 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not only right, you are very right. Organized religion has become a way for the higher ups in the church to make use of the "religion" to forward their personal beliefs. I'm with you, all the way, on this.
2006-11-30 10:48:53 · answer #10 · answered by hbennett76 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋