The question of the hour- can you be a christian without a Church?

Question

In Mark we learn through the actions of Jesus that he was constantly turning old traditions into new ones. He proclaimed all animals clean, abolishing the belief that pigs and certain tasty critters were unclean (a belief that inflitrated the Jewish every day life) and he healed the sick, sat with sinners, and help the gentils. He went across the lands, preaching about the good of god. But not once did he say, "Follow the traditions of man." Infact he called those who followed the preceps of man to be ignorant and hypocritical. Now, to state my question without sounding like I am bagging on the church- fellowship and support are an awesome thing. Seclusion, homophobia, slander, and envy are not. The church is where brothers and sisters of faith meet to talk of god and how they can better the world. They are not there to force Christianity on anyone. Pagans, islams, homosexuals are not evil, because we are supposed to believe what we preach, judge no one. Is church a building? Or people

Answer 1

God is in everything alive , I feel god as the spark of life itself,where ever I am there is God.

Answer 2

The Church is supposed to be a people called out by God.
For most people it is nothing more than a building where they gather every Sunday.
As a Christian Preacher I have always maintained that Christianity is a way of life. One that is to be lived everyday.
While I believe it is possible for a person to be a good Christian without the benefit of Church I would think it would be difficult to be in the world on a daily basis and never have fellowship with those that believe as you do.

Answer 3

Absolutely rather you are a christian or not, you do not need to go to a specific building to be anything. If you believe in a christian god or any other that relationship is purely between you and god (or whatever intitiy you believe in) Church's can be great places to learn, to meet people with similar beliefs, and to seek answers to those questions you have in your mind and heart. The down side to that is church's can be corrupt, for profit organizations that do not nurture your spirit.

Whatever your belief, you do not need to belong to a certain denomination, or go warm a pew at some building. God created the universe and everything within it. Some building, however pretty or popular means nothing to him. God is only interested in what lies withing the hearts of the individual be it in your car, the shower, the office, the grocery store or out on the beach, in the woods wherever you choose. THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS WHAT IS WITHIN YOUR HEART!!!!!

Good Luck!!! I hope you find what you are looking for.

Answer 4

You can be a Christian without church, but you would be a very disobedient one.

Jesus created the church to be His voice on the earth. There are several passages that Jesus used about His church. Hebrews 10:24-25 specifically tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves.

There are very good reasons for this: When a Christian separates themselves from the Body of Christ, they not only deny the church the gifts that they could bring to the table, they open themselves up to attack.

Satan and his minions are a lot like pack animals. Wolves, hyenas, and the like. They never hunt fairly. They will stalk the weak, the sick, and the lame. When one of these is separated from the herd or flock, that's when the pack attacks. 5, 8, maybe even 10 predators to one. This is why Peter taught us, "Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." (I Peter 5:8) If you allow Satan to have his way with you, your faith will be unproductive and perhaps even die.

So, you can avoid church if you like, but when you do, you are being disobedient. And that being the case, you might consider questioning if you really are in the faith. "Keep examining yourselves to see whether you are continuing in the faith. Test yourselves! You know, do not you, that Jesus Christ lives in you? Could it be that you are failing the test?" (II Corinthians 13:5)

Besides, it has been said that the church is a lot like Noah's Ark. The stench on the inside would be unbearable, except for the storm outside.

Now, as to your saying that "Pagans, islams, homosexuals are not evil...," [sic] I must take exception to that. We're ALL evil. That is why we need a Savior. Jesus said that He was the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Him." (John 14:6)

Without Jesus granting us His righteousness through His atoning death on the cross, we are all without hope in the world. This isn't my idea, it was Jesus'. We are not judging when we say this...we're merely stating a fact. If salvation were possible through any other means, Jesus died on that cross for nothing.

Answer 5

First of all. democratU who told you that everyone in church are extremists who hate freedom and liberty and that Christianity can only lead to your demise is seriously confused. I believe it is possible to be a Christian without going to church but going to church is desirable. In situations such as extreme rural areas where there is no minister available except for maybe once a month (I have a friend who is a minister who takes care of 4 different little rural churches that way...preaches at each one, one Sunday a month) it becomes necessary to worship on one's own or with a group of fellow believer's. However, if you have a church with a minister accessible to you, it is desirable that you worship in the House of the Lord. It may take a while to find a congregation where you feel comfortable. I hate the term "church shopping" but that's exactly what it is. Don't give up just because you have found one particular church distasteful for one reason or another.

Answer 6

What ever is not of God is evil. ( 3 John 1:11)Church is the people. The theif on the cross had no time for church. He was saved without it but Jesus set up His church so we may love one another and fellowship, break bread together and edify one another. ( 1 Cor 12)

Matthew 28:19 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Answer 7

You can be a better Christian without a church. Church is made of people with their own restrictive ideas and rules. Organized religion inflicts these man-made rules on those who choose to join their church. God doesn't require that we attend a service in a certain building a certain number of times per year.

A true Christian follows God, not church or religion. A true Christian lives by God's word of love, offering help, support, fellowship and love to everyone they meet each day, not just those they are scheduled to meet with in a building each week. A true Christian lives a life of compassion for all, not a life of counting good works performed to impress their fellow churchgoers.

Answer 8

Lets pick one wrong thing you said at a time, First in Acts 2 the last verse Jesus Christ the second member of the Godhead added daily TO THE CHURCH as such as such as should be saved so Jesus does concider it important to be in church and in Rev. 12:17 the remnant that satan attacks keeps [all ten]commandments of God and has the testamony of Jesus Christ and according to Rev. 19:10 that is the spirit of Prophecy, that happens to be The Seventh Day Adventist Church and it is the MESSAGE, and NOT the Messanger thats important. investagate and see, now that all animals clean garbage your taking OUT OF CONTEXT Acts 10, and "IF" you will READ the WHOLE CHAPTER you will see its NOT talking about eating at all, investagate what saith The Lord IN CONTEXT in a free on line bible lessons www.amazingfacts.org OR www.itiswritten.com talk to me also [e-mail]

Answer 9

You cannot be a Christian without the Church, not the buildings of course, but the community of believers founded by Christ's apostles after His resurrection. It is only in this faith community that we can be Christians at all.

Answer 10

Simple answer: NO.

The Church is a Body (St. Paul is clear.) Jesus Christ is the head and all Baptized Persons are the members. A person is grafted into that Body, the Church at Baptism.

St. Augustine said it best: "Solus Christianas est nulus Christianus" - - "One Christian is no Christian"

Answer 11

The only traditions of man that He spoke of were those of the Pharisees and Sadducees. He condemned erroneous human traditions, not truths which were handed down orally and entrusted to the Church by the apostles.

He was not condemning all traditions. He condemned only those that made God’s word void.