Father K - Don't you agree the best church is "two or three gathered in [His] name?"?

Question

Jesus never built a church. He never spoke to his congregation in a church. When He went to the Temple, it wound up as fight between Him and the priests and the money changers. He gathered His flock outside or in friend's homes. Isn't it strange that so many buildings have been built in His name? Even His dad only asked for a tent.

Answer 1

Church is the assembly of the People that God has called together from the ends of the earth.

The "best" church would be every living human being gathered in His name.

In Catholic usage, the word "Church" has three inseparable meanings:
+ The People that God gathers in the whole world
+ The local church (diocese)
+ The liturgical (above all Eucharistic) assembly

The Church draws her life from the Word and the Body of Christ, and so herself becomes Christ's Body.

In the Nicene Creed (from 325 A.D.), the Church is professed to be one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.

The building that we call a church is just a convenient place for several hundred people to gather together in His name.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I do, indeed. But the definition of "Church" I would have would be different than what you propose. Jesus certainly said - clearly - "I will build my Church" (St. Matthew's Gospel - Chapter 16: 18-19). How can you then say that "Jesus never built a church". That's clearly not what he said...and certainly not what history shows us.

Jesus not only promised that He would "build His Church, but: He mentioned the foundation upon which it would be built, He described the ultimate victory of His church and He spoke of great authority that would be given to the Church.

What you propose here is to "do theology", and I'm perfectly willing. It's my job. But, doing PROPER theology (Theos = God - logos = words) means DEFINING the "words about God". "The Church" is NOT a building - the Church (ekklesia) is the Body of which Jesus Christ is the head, and all Baptized persons are the members. It is organic and alive. As for gatherings within the Church...I think that the best model that we have is the early church, where one Diocese had one orthodox Bishop who celebrated the Holy Eucharist...and the Bishop's own Deacons shared in that Eucharist with the "house churches" throughout the regional Diocese.

BTW....can you show me where in Scripture that *any* Priests were involved in Christ's "fight" with those in the temple courtyard? The biblical account specifically calls out that He drove out money changers, and those who sold doves for the sacrifice...no temple Priests are mentioned.

Answer 3

If an enormous group of people gathered in a public area, worshipping God today, what do you think would happen? Police or the military would be called to disperse the crowd. People in the neighborhood would complain.

There were such things as the church at Corinth, the church at Ephesus. There's nothing wrong with the way Christians meet, since there are so many of us living in so many places. And things change. The NT churches didn't gather in a tent like the nation of Israel traditionally did.

Answer 4

I believe that God is anywhere two or more call to and worship him. I don't think God minds churches but I do believe that some Christians go to far with you have to be at church every Sunday and Wednesday or you are not a christian. Then again I believe God can be with just one person because he is with me every day 24/7. God Bless

Answer 5

It is often the case that the followers demand more respect / money / position / etc. than the leader.

I just like to smack people in the head with pointed sticks and wear lots of black leather.

VIS TECUM

Answer 6

they only go to church to buy the preacher a new cadillac, socialize and eat. churches were manmade to make money.