Can a Christian be part of the body of Christ and not go to church?

Question

I still pray and read the Bible daily(almost) and play Christian music in my car with the volume up.

Answer 1

I believe you can. The bible does say: "forsake not the assembling together of yourselves..." Does that mean in a "church" building? Could it possible mean just fellowshipping w/ other Chrisitians and talking about the goodness of God? I think perhaps that is quite plausible. I have been born again for approximatley 14 years now. I've been to church, I have been lead of the Lord to leave that same church. I tried to go back and it still didn't work. Nothing against the folks. No hidden agenda or lurking grudges. I have many misgivings in general when it comes to "organized religion". I have a healthy relationship w. Jesus and I still pray about a church home. In the meanwhile I pray, read and build myself up in the most Holy Faith and teach my daughter to do likewise.
Hope that helped sister...

Be Blessed.

Answer 2

I would find a church that taught the word verse by verse and believed it literally and start attending. I recommend the Calvary Chapels but there are many other good churches. Just make sure they emphasize the teaching of the Word of God. You're asking if you can be a Lone Ranger christian. I suppose it's possible but not healthy if you want to grow as a chrisitian and not end up backsliding and living as a non-believer. 1John 3:10 says " By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother". Loving your brother in that passage is not talking about loving other human beings in general(although that's taught in the bible too). This is a special love for other chrisitans. That passage gives us 2 tests as to how we can know that we are not true christians even if we think we are: 1)If we are not living in a righteous manner 2)If we don't have a love for other christians. If either one of those are true then we might suspect that possibly we are not a true believer. A true believer will always want to be around other true believers. There is just something special that we have in common that attracts us to others who have that same faith in Christ. The best way to find other believers is to find a good church and start attending. When I see a person who doesn't want to do that, I begin to question whether he has that special love for other believers. Find yourself a good church and start going. Pray that the Lord will lead you to the right one.

Answer 3

Yes!

We are not to forsake the assembly.

Where two or more are gathered in His name, He is in the midst of them.

Just because one goes to church, says they are Christian, doesn't mean they are.

For Jesus tells us there will be many who will say, Lord, Lord did I not do this in your name... or that in your name?

Many think the "assembly" is going to church because that is where many gather. As I stated above, the scriptures tell us "where two or more are gathered". That is fellowship... that is NOT forsaking the assembly.

Many that attend a church only do so for "looks".

If you have Christ in your heart, you can "worship" Him any where you want as long as it is a place that you give respect to God.

We can worship God, seven days a week, not just on Saturday or Sunday.

WE should fellowship daily with other believers, so not to forsake the assembly.

The true church is the body of Christ.. you, me, and others that have confessed we are sinners, we repent of our sins, ask for forgivness, and allow God to change us. WE are no longer the old self, we have put on the new self.

Don't let peer pressure make you feel less of the family of God because you have opt not to attend. Paul didn't say to attend an "organized" church. He told us not to forsake the assembly.

The church is just a building with a roof and four walls. In today's world most have turned from sound doctrine.

Listen to your heart, let God lead you to the assembly, not mere man.

Answer 4

You were born into the Body of Christ upon baptism. Unbaptism to get out of the Body does not work. In church or out of church, you are a part of the Body. But there is much benifit in being a part of a church. Learning, support, prayers, activities, Its a good place to spend an hour or so once a week. Think on it.

Answer 5

It's all about your heart and what it holds.
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
However the Body of Christ in the new testament is the Church. If you don't go to church then you can still be a Christian, but you are not an active member of Body of Christ or the Church Body, which is the same thing.

Answer 6

In the early church, all the believers were part of the Body of Christ but they NEVER went to church. You see, they never entertained the lingo of "going to church", because they WERE the church! And being a believer means being joined together in the body. If one part says "I have no need of you" then that part cuts itself off from the life of the Body and will soon die. So I encourage you to be part of a fellowship of believers who gather around the Lord and not around the traditions of man.

Answer 7

The church is the body of christ.

"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Eph 1:22-23)

"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church." (Colossians 1:24)

If you have seperated yourself from the church, then you have seperated yourself from his body because the church is the body and the body is the church.

There some are things we are commanded to do that cannot be done alone. These include encouraging one another, singing to one another, teaching one another, fellowship, and being an example.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another."

Answer 8

Yes, we can still use our spiritual gifts outside of the church. I have very little to do with the church that I attend because they don't really accept me. They are a very elitist church and only let some people serve. So, consequently, I have found ways of serving outside of this particular group. I go to nursing homes and hospitals to visit and I also write to prisoners and sponsor many children around the world.

Answer 9

Yes, I believe so. I believe that it comes down to the person you are in your heart. And--I know I'll get slammed for this--but, the Bible actually says not to worship in a built place. Matthew chapter 6 starts- Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen by them, otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in Heaven. Matthew chap. 6:1-6. If God is God, doesn't He know you believe where ever you are? I think you're going to be okay.

Answer 10

Of course...
but Paul said you should go and here is why -
Jesus was in and among people and we are to be too, we need to minister and be ministered to - support and be supported, be part of a community making a difference - you cannot have all of the things, the benefits of church life - by yourself.
Also - it is much harder to stay strong by yourself. You learn from others, you hear teaching, you see others modeling and living faith. By yourself it's you and harder to stay on track over the long haul.
However ... hey I love the loud Christian music in my car too.

God Bless.