2007-01-12 08:33:36 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It shouldn't even be an option. We don't need idols to help us through with our prayers or with our worship
No one has seen God and lived. So how can we say that the one in front of us is God? To remind us of God? Do we need to see a picture or image of our love ones in order to remember them?
I am no atheist but I studied & read that idols are of pagan tradition.
2007-01-12 11:52:51 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear Robespier,
The church age ended in 1988. You will not hear this in any church (no doubt, right?) but the Bible gives us this information. You see just as Israel departed from the ordinances of God and went after false gods so the church of today has done the same thing. They have taught a flase gospel that cannot save anyone and yet people believe they are saved. In 2 Thess. 2 the Lord tells us that the Holy Spirit is no longer in local churches to save anyone. Satan is now ruling in the churches with his ministers. God has commanded the true believers to leave the churches (Matt 24:15, 16; Revelation 18:4) and go directly to Christ. People have been drilled to think that being with other people equates to worship but read carefully Hebrews 10:25. We are to fellowship with God, not man! We worship God and fellowship with Him when we bow down to Him (obey His commandments). You can sing praise hymns right in your own home. You can have everyone sit down and discuss a Bible verse or chapter. Later you can all go out and pass out Gospel tracts to people at a nursing home or on the street. There is a lot more information that I do not have room to tell you here but see the references.
2007-01-12 08:52:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know whether they fully appreciate it. The thing is, despite worshippers being told not to worship idols, this is exactly what they do.
Society has conditioned faiths to believe that attendance at church is not an option. Christians and other faiths are more 'state controlled' than they realise. Perhaps you should give a sermon in a church one day... what do you think???
2007-01-12 08:52:41 · answer #3 · answered by Just me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not that I can think of. Most of the ones I know seem to think simply going to church makes you a Christian. They barely know anything about their own religion. I'm not saying anything against Christianity; just that a lot of people should really learn to understand their religion better. Sure, going to church is helpful, however, you can be a very spiritual and devout Christian without ever going to a church in you life.
2007-01-12 08:37:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think they do. Often the only way they know anything about the Lord is a few words they hear in church. They have more of a relationship with the church folks than the Lord.
2007-01-12 08:39:21 · answer #5 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, actually the Lord wants Christians to go to Church so that they can fellowship and be ministered to. Also Christians learn in Church as well as being alone with the Lord because there might be something in a sermon that the Lord will touch your heart with.
"And let us consider one another in order to *stir up love and good works,*"
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much as you see the Day approaching."
This is Hebrews 10:24 & 25. It says that the reason we go to church is for fellowship: with God first, and then with each other. And God wants us to do it to stir up good works and love for each other. It says forsake not the assembling of ourselves - if we disobey this clear admonition, we are, in a sense, rebelling against the Word of God.
Also, the true sign that you have salvation, and the only assurance that you have in fact been saved comes in your fruit - "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we *love* the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." 1st John 3:14. If you are truely saved, as you say you are, you couldn't wait to go to church! If you have no drive from the Holy Spirit that says go, then you should ask yourself if you truely do have salvation.
The Bible actually clearly states that you're in danger of losing your salvation on Judgment day if you neglect the Church, the people that compose the body of Christ. (Please Read Matthew 25:40.) Jesus states in Chapter 25 of Matthew that when you give a cup of cold water to a brother/sister in Christ, or perform another good work, you do so to Him. And when you don't do that, you don't just not do it to your brother, you deprive Christ.
God has given those saved a spiritual gift. When you're not present from your place of fellowship, you don't suffer - the brothers and sisters in Christ who need your gift to minister to them suffer. And so you will have to give an account of this on the day of Judgment.
Please see needGod.com, for better information.
2007-01-12 09:30:07 · answer #6 · answered by mrly_d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes church is optional. I go because it makes me feel good but you can be a christian without church
2007-01-12 08:37:44 · answer #7 · answered by suzy-Q 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christianity has disappeared up its own bottom. It used to be about love, fellowship and following the teachings of Jesus - now it is just a Sunday social club for most people.
2007-01-12 08:38:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you trying to destroy the `flock mentality`? Attendance at Church is part of the ritual, to be seen believing gains more points than faith alone.
2007-01-12 11:32:42 · answer #9 · answered by ED SNOW 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first of all, every member of the body of Christ is the Church of God.
The curch you refer to is just a building we gather in.
The bible says that it's of MOST IMPORTANCE to gather in fellowship with other believers, get encouraged, pray in agreement, and learn from each other.
You capatalize too much.. hehe
2007-01-12 08:38:33 · answer #10 · answered by Doug 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋