A better Christian???

Question

Do you honestly feel that going to a church, makes you a better Christian? If so, how?
Can you be a Christian without attending one particular church?
If you attend a church, have you proved it's doctrines to yourself?
If you were to disagree with something important, would you question it, and would you stay or leave, if the answer wasn't the truth?
I really want to know whether Christ and God are the bottom line in your decision, or whether your church is...
Sincere answers only, please...Thanks

Answer 1

JoJO,
We are told that theearly Christians met on the first day of the week. They gave as they had been prospered and partook of the LORD's SUPPER on that day. We are told that they met with one another, they prayed, they sang, they read scripture, and that many were baptized to become Christians. These are things that are mentioned in the scriptures. I read, study, and obey the HOLY SCRIPTURES as we are told to do. I have attended the same Church for over twenty years because I find no fault in their religious following of the BIBLE Practices. If I found fault in it then I would approach an Elder of the church and discuss it with them prior to leaving that day. I want to honor GOD as the first century members did in the BIBLE. That is what HE wants us to do. Have a wonderful week.
Thank you,
Eds, Christian


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Answer 2

Well first off I myself have been a christian for almost 11 years so I believe that going to church makes you a better christian because you will learn about God with others people in other age groups instead of in your room alone which works too but it's better when your with other people. No you don't have to be apart of a particular church to be a christian. You become a christian when you ask God into your heart and sincerely mean it. Well if you don't agree with something then yeah definitely question it but if YOU yourself don't think that the answer is right then you should ask an adult and see what they say or you can ask God about it. And yea God is the one who decide if you go to Heaven or Hell not your church don't listen to all the negative stuff and just stay focused on God and he will help you through it all.

Answer 3

I am a better Christian because I go to church because that is where God feeds me and I need God in order to be a better person. I am Catholic and I did the whole leave the Church thing and tried other religions etc. I actually went to college and winded up changing my major to Theology. For four years I sat in a desk and asked every question I had and found more answers that I could ever possibly communicate to you. I did disagree with everything important and found out that the Church was right and I was wrong, but only because I kept asking and asking and asking until I learned the truth. I am still not full, there is so much I want to learn and understand about God, fortunately for me He is infinite! My advice to you is keep on asking and don't take anyone's word on it, priests and pastors are sometimes wrong when explaining what the Church teaches. Jesus told us to "ask and you shall receive" not to believe everything that someone else tells us!

Answer 4

Do you honestly feel that going to a church, makes you a better Christian? If so, how?
Yes, because by going to Church, i'll learn more about God and his commandments and makes me mingle and share stories with people and how they have experienced God in their life.

Can you be a Christian without attending one particular church?
It can be but in order to grow in faith, man needs other people in his journey of faith.

If you attend a church, have you proved it's doctrines to yourself?

I didn't get yur question here. but i attend the Church in the spirit of faith and prayer.

If you were to disagree with something important, would you question it, and would you stay or leave, if the answer wasn't the truth?
It depends. Of course i will question it but also I would pray taht God will lead me to the truth and make me understand why.

I really want to know whether Christ and God are the bottom line in your decision, or whether your church is...
Yes, God is the first in my decisions and as for my Church, I cannot speak for them for I cannot read the minds of the people attending it.

Answer 5

The answer to your first ? is yes ! Because as true Christians
you look for opportunities to advance the Kingdom of God .
Were do people go when they feel a calling to know about
God !! , they go to church to find direction in their search . So
true Christians have the opportunity to express the truth &
Love of God to them and , invite them to their homes and
develop real friendships by Gods Grace and expand the
family of God ,etc. which helps sanctify us to become more
and more like Jesus . (?#2) Yes , but ! you must ask yourself,
is what I'm doing helping to advance Gods Kingdom & how ?
Some where along this line you will end up preaching Gods
Word whether it be by your acts or labor or by the Gospel to
others or with others . (?#3) Yes , you must become familier
with the Bible and what it teaches us . Even have it open in
the churuh you are attending , making sure that the Word is
not being perverted in any way and sending the message that
God intended , plus , checking the mission of the church as well , is it in line with the teachings of the Gosple ? .(?#4)Yes Stay , and bring the truth out in the open where it belongs , ( as it is said , the darkness always is trying to hide the light and from it , because once the light is on out in the open there is no place for darkness ) .
Jesus Christ is My Savior , My Great High Preist , My King ,
My Friend and Brother . He is the Only Way to My Father in
Heaven , Who has made me by His Hands . There is not any
line for me any more , I Crossed it some years ago .
Sure I still Sin and am a Sinner , make misstakes from time
to time . But when I fall , I have Jesus to catch me and I give
all my burdens to Him daily and , all day long . I could go on
because it is truly a love story when comming to know God .
I now have complete trust and faith in Him , He is Soverign .
I leave you in Gods peace , Amen .....

Answer 6

Yes we gain strength from strength. It also says forsake not the assembling of yourselves. To be a Christian means to be Christ like, so even if it is possible to be a christian without church,(Jesus attended temple) it's not a good idea. Yes we have read and researched the doctrine of our church and agree with it. We changed churches a year ago as a result of the pastor beliefs and teachings. We are all responsible for our own choices so if you set under a minister you don't have confidence in it's your choice and you will have to answer for it. We should remain loyal to our church, but be more loyal and steadfast in our own salvation. Be willing to take correction, if it is biblical. Christ and God are the basis for my Faith not a church .

Answer 7

Hi JoJo-

If I were a Catholic I would tell you that going to church is part of the sanctification process and is extremely vital to your spiritual health.

As a protestant, I agree with the Catholic position but to a lesser degree, allow me to explain.

Church is where you find 1) fellowship with like-minded believers, and 2) food for your soul (if the church is a good, Bible-focused one that has Biblical teachings).
So, to answer your first question, yes, I do believe that by going to church, learning the Word of God and interacting and discussing the Bible with other believers does make have a closer walk with the Lord, in essence, a "better Christian."

Second question - No, you do not have to go to a particular church to be saved, nor do you HAVE to attend a church at all, it's just very strongly recommended in the Bible (do not forsake the gathering of yourselves together).

Third question - Yes, the church I attend preaches straight from the Bible. Occasionally I will disagree with a minor piece of interpretation, but it's nothing to walk out over.

Fourth question - Yes, I would question it (first to my husband, then to my fellowship friends, then to the church elders, then to the pastor himself). If I really felt it was a matter of salvation importance, my husband and I would probably leave that church.

Yes, my relationship with Jesus Christ is at the bottom line of every decision I make. God bless!

Answer 8

Christ and Our Father God are the bottom line for me. All churches are headed by men(read people) who are fallible and unreliable. Christ and Our Father God are constant and true.

Yes - one can be Christian without attending one particular church. The promise of eternal life is based on Jesus and His sacrifice - there is not mention of any particular church or sect. It is wholy based on belief in Him - nothing else.

We are asked to fellowship together and I do believe it is good for us to attend service and hear the Word of God. I don't know that it necessarily makes one a "better Christian" -because essentially - we are all the same. Being a "better Christian" is something internal - a changing of the heart.

Anyone who seeks wisdom and understanding from The Lord receives it. Whether we are at home or in service. Although service allows for a more "formal" presentation of reverence and respect to The Lord.

I don't feel the need to prove anything set by man. And God proves Himself and His Word - so I have no need to prove anything there either. With regard to doctrine - I believe the Spirit reveals truth. If there are tenets that I don't understand or agree with - I go to the Spirit of God. Sometimes I find that I am mistaken - other times, I am blessed to understand what man intended vs. what God is saying to us.

I've had opportunity to be in a position when I was placed in a position of prominence in our church. I knew (and still know) that I was given a gift from The Lord of truth in certain matters. I was fought and fought and eventually left that position because people in the church didn't "cotton to my kind of Jesus". Most people would have left the church entirely based on the situation. I did not. I stayed and watched as God revealed that "my kind of Jesus" was correct on the matters at hand. People (including the pastor) gave testimony to the truths that they so vehemently denied to my face. If we leave when things are rough (based on human differences) - often times we "miss" the blessing of seeing God at hand.

Thanks for the opportunity to answer. It serves as a timely reminder.

Answer 9

People are go attend Church because they are obeying what God tells us to do.

Numbers 10:3 And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

The "door of the tabernacle of the congregation is the Church."

You can visit as many churches as you can, until the Lord tells you that you have found your home Church.

The only way you can prove it's doctrine to yourself is if you study the Word of God daily, and if you hear anything that is taught that is not according to God's Word, you will know it emediately.

What is important is that you do question anything that is taught in Church that goes against the Word of God. And if the Pastor does not see that what he has taught was incorrect, you need to leave and seek out another church.

2 Thessalonians 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

God and His Son is the only reason I attend Church. I once attended a Church that had a deacon try to teach Sunday school, and the first thing he said was "I no longer have faith in God, because I dont' need it". I went straight to the Pastor and told him that he needed to remove that man from the pulpit and from teaching. His response to me was " I'll pray about it". I told him " Well, while you are praying about it, I'll be looking for another church", and I left and never looked back. God tells us that we are to walk by faith...

2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Answer 10

Patience and kindness are spoken of by Christ as being symptomatic of love and since He tells us to love our neighbors I think that fellowship is important for us. I personly have not attended church in a long time and I feel wrong for not doing so. I do not believe denomination of Christianity is as important as some may make of it. When you are aware of the beauty in mom's and children, sunrises and sunsets, pets, selflessness, flowers, etc... I believe a communion with God IS occuring and that your expressing concious awareness of His Presence and role in your life is something like going to church... but it does not change the fact that we do need to attend. Acknowledging beauty can turn even the hardest person back into a beautiful child. I will share something so valuable with you and I hope you will always treasure it... there is a formula for bringing a wonderful peace into your life and it is simply this: "to have an attitude of gratitude". Being thankful to anyone for even the smallest thing embodies beauty and has effects farther reaching than we can imagine. Try to apply this in your life and you'll see.