Can a Christian live without organized religion?

Question

Where does it say that one must be a member of religion to be approved by God? How does one recognize the right religion?

Answer 1

It says in the bible not to forsake the assembling of the saints. To me, that word assembling doesn't just mean to gather together, it means to be put together. Like someone said, a bunch of airplane parts gathered together won't fly too well. They must be assembled. That is the definition of that word here.

I go to church to get connected with my brothers and sisters. To build relationships so that in hard times we can hold each other up. It's hard to live the Christian life alone. Fellow believers can help you with your struggles and help you see where you've gotten off track. The lion picks off the weak stragglers in the zebra herd. The devil is compared to a lion. We must make sure that we remain strong and don't let ourselves get isolated. That is done by building relationships within the body of Christ.

There is also the aspect of the power in corporate worship and prayer. Lots of people agreeing together on a subject. There's power in that place.

Organized religion today makes me want to hurl. It's usually just a bunch of meaningless rituals and corruptions. It has become something other than Christ intended "the church" to be. It's like a social club, a fire insurance card holders meeting. It is often a collection of people who think they're safe because they attend weekly.

Answer 2

You can be a Christian without being a member of an organized religion. A Christian is one who believes certain truths: The Bible is the inerrant, inspired word of God; God sent His Son to die for our sins, he was buried, and on the third day he rose again and now sits with the Father in Heaven; Salvation through Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven; etc.

Being a Christian is living a Christian life, not necessarily being a part of some denomination or organization. The Bible does tell us that as part of our Christian life, we are to worship with other believers - Where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, there I am - but it does not say it has to be a certain religion or organization.


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Answer 3

I have been working on trying to recognize the right religion for years and years now. I don't think such a thing exists. While, I am no longer a Christian I don't belong to any religious institution. I believe what I believe and put my trust in God. That is the best I have found I can do.

Answer 4

Being a Christian is not a religion. It is a way of believing. Yes, one can be a Christian and not be a part of an organized religion or church. Christianity is a statement of faith and a belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who came to earth as a man to give an example as to how we ought to behave/live, and who died a horrible death on the cross in order to pay the penalty that all humans rightly deserve so that when we die, we could live with God forever in Heaven. Jesus rose again from the dead after 3 days to show His conquering of death. If we believe in this, and accept Him into our hearts and ask Him to forgive us of our sins, then we are a Christian. That is all we need to do. The Bible encourages us to worship and gather together in an organized fashion only because it is a way to lift up and encourage one another, as well as to grow in our faith. It is not a requirement however, and God loves us and sees our hearts. One could call themself a Christian and attend church faithfully, but God can see if their heart is really a heart after God or a heart after self. One does not need to be part of an organized religion to be approved of by God. One only needs to accept His Son Jesus Christ and strive to live a godly life.

Answer 5

Matt 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Matt 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matt 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matt 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Matt 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Answer 6

Yes it is. Christianity is a belief not a religion, in itself. Still though if one believes in Jesus, to me, that is all that is required. Don't know the answer as to finding the right one though. That is a hit and miss that you must figure out yourself.

Answer 7

Hebrew 10:25 said "we should not neglect the meeting of one another..." because "iron sharpens iron." As for the right religion, none is right because religion involves politics. But there is always God in the midst of believers, "for where two or three are gathered in my name, There in their midst I will be."

Answer 8

Personally I believe that faith is more important than religion. To me religion are the rituals and rules practiced by a group of like minded people. Faith is the belief that Jesus Christ is your Savior - that He was born, suffered, crucified, died, buried and rose for my sins. Faith and belief in Christ will get me and anyone else to heaven not rituals - not that they are wrong.

Answer 9

You can follow Christ by the Word of God. You don't need to be a member of a Church.

Answer 10

Yea..... alright now, it doesnt! How about that?
It says wherever 2 or more are gathered in my name!
That's fellowship!
Get in with a good bible based church, seeing as how you've already figured this question out! If you believe in the bible, you get with a bible based church.

Often in religion one never even opens the bible.