Do you need to go to church to believe in GOD?

Question

I dont go to church because of reasons that I don't want to explain but I believe in GOD whom I feels lives in each and everyone of us. I don't feel that you must go to church in order to believe in GOD but my ex-girlfriend used to tell me that I couldn't believe in GOD unless I go to church and became a member. I didn't feel the same way about it, was i wrong?

Does it really matter if I spell GOD with all capital letters Steve? OMG!!!

Answer 1

No, Church is an assembly of people who believe in God. People like to make "Church" into something like a Temple. Our bodies are now our Temples where we worship. Church is just someplace where our bodies are assembled.

Jesus said "where ever two or more are gathered in my name I am there." Thing is, Jesus is an Anglican interpretation and we don't know for sure what the Messiah's name was, although it was probably Yeshua, we just do not know for sure. So everyone who gathers together under the name Jesus does not gather together in his name, they just think they do.

That said, Jesus does not say "ONLY", as in "ONLY when two or more are gather together in my name am I there."

So yes, the Holy Spirit can talk to you by yourself. In fact Paul was led by himself. Paul was kind of separate from the other 11 Apostles and while he did work with them occasionally Paul often worked alone. Sometimes with just a couple of people around, but, often alone.

Jesus went alone out into the Desert and John the Baptist went alone out into the Desert.

Being around other people is a good idea when God leads you to witness or be witnessed to.

Being alone is a good idea when God leads you to be alone.

Answer 2

The short answer is no, but there is more to it than that... here are some details on the subject.

I answered a question like this about 3 minutes ago, so sorry for the brief cut and paste:

If you have people that obey Jesus, then you have the church. That is the biblical definition. Not a building, or an organization, simply a group of people who have faith and obey God.

Should you go to Church? Yes, but only for 2 or 3 reasons.

1. The bible says to worship God, church is a good place to do this.

2. Gather with other Christians, another directive from the big guy upstairs.

3. A place to share the Gospel with others.

If you really want to get to know God, simply pray and read the bible, if that gets you interested, join a bible study.

Hopefully, you can use this answer and answer your X.

Answer 3

Of course not. Jesus did not preach a religion or that you had to go to church and become a member. Anyone who thinks this way is just religious. Jesus tried to get people out of being religious like the Pharisees. You are not wrong at all. I think church is good for some people but as for myself I feel like I never really learn anything there. When I go I feel like I'm there out of obligation but I do love God. I have grown so much more spiritually from reading the Bible on my own and reading about other people's experiences with God on the internet.

Answer 4

In my opinion, no. You can have a relationship with God without going to church. I grew up going to church on a regular basis and I currently attend a church on a regular basis, hoever there was about a 7 year period between the two when I never went to church. I have had the same beliefs and relationship with God my whole life. Church does not change that. I started going again with my husband. But at the same time I dont think it is necissary. Some people arent comfortable with settings like that. Just be confident in your beliefs and never lose your relationship with God. Thats what is important.

Answer 5

Just because you believe in God doesnt mean youre going to get saved.

Jesus used the word church 2 times.

1. Once to tell Peter that he would be involved with the building of the church (Matthw 16:18)

2. To instruct people how to deal with a believer that wont confess his sin. (Matthew 18:17)

Jesus never said our church is within us. That is more a gnostic belief and for people that want to try to get out of going to church and giving back to God. That simply isnt Biblical

On the other hand, the church is very Biblical.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." -Matthew 28:19-20

Do other organizations out there make disciples of Jesus other than churches? baptize new believers? Bible teaching?

Gods will is done through todays church. Some of them may be corrupt, but that is our challenge is to make church a great place where Gods will is done, we fellowship with one another, we worship together, give back to God, take communion, make new believers, and take care of peoples needs. How does all that stuff get done "within you?"

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. -Hebrews 10:25

Answer 6

There are thousands of answers that could be argued right and/or wrong. It's like asking which religion is the right one and why? Picking up a book and praying is just reading words. Giving to charity, thinking of others, being a good person is doing the things that are expected of you, in most religions. Your Ex belives that going to church is the extra and that is good for her and I do belive prayer is a big one, but it is mainly what is in your heart that matters. If you go to church and feel that you don't belong there, you probably don't but, keep looking. There is a place for everybody.

Answer 7

The universal Church—the Body of Christ (Romans 12:5)—is composed of all true believers in Christ. Non-believers are not part of the Body of Christ; therefore, it would seem that God keeps a “membership list” of who is in the Church. We see just such a list in Revelation 20:12, the Lamb’s book of life. If the universal Church has a “membership roll” in heaven, it would be appropriate for local churches to maintain a list of members on earth.

“And the Lord added to them day by day those that were being saved” (Acts 2:47). This verse indicates that salvation is a prerequisite for being “added” to the church. Churches today who require salvation before membership are simply following the biblical model. See also 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

Membership in the local church is strongly implied in Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians to “put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Corinthians 5:13). The preceding verse speaks of those “without” and “within” the local church. Such language is meaningless without a clearly defined group of members.

Why is church membership important? Church membership is a way of officially identifying yourself with a local body of believers. Church membership is a statement that you are in agreement with that local church and are a representative of it. Church membership is also a good way of determining who is allowed to vote on important church decisions and/or who is involved in official church positions / functions. Church membership is not required of Christians. It is simply a way of saying, "I am a Christian and I believe '...' church is a good church."

Answer 8

Although you do not have to go to church to believe in God ( i.e. even the demons believe and tremble, and they don't go to church ), the Word of God says "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." ( Hebrews 10:25 )

This means, in essence that you need to fellowship with other Christians ( Holy Spirit filled Christians ) to gather strength in your faith through the uplifting of the Spirit.

I do not know your reasons for not being a part of a church, but I do know this - you cannot stand alone. Instruction in the ways of God, when done by spirit-filled Christian leaders is vital in your walk with God. Most people do not want to change to accomodate God, but change is what it is about. We must die to our will, and be reborn to the will of God. This is done much more effectively in fellowship with a church that you are a part of. ( A church building is only a building, YOU are the church, along with the other people that are part of your church. ) Good luck, and may you truly find God through Jesus Christ.

Answer 9

To believe in God has nothing to do with church? I believe there is an Almighty God. But that won't help me unless I get to know him? For example read John 17:3 to see what you get in return if you truly know him? There is only one place that is available that can help you get to know him. That's his word the Bible. To study the Bible takes just a small effort, and I am not talking about just reading it? Take a word subject and find all the scriptures you can about that one subject. ask questions? if you have a question about any Bible thought or subject, ask and I will guide you to the scripture that you need to ponder over. Example what happens to us when we die? See Eccl 9:5,10, Eccl 3:19. [e-mail]

Answer 10

No.If she believes that then she might be in some type of church that tries to show them that they are the only way for salvation or a cult.Tell her that it is by faith we are saved.Remember believing means you are repenting from you sins and trying to perfect yourself and stay away from sin.Jesus is the way not church.You can become a church of god and know what is of god but first you must know what god preaches and that is love.But you must live it to understand it better.