2007-07-22 03:46:29 · 33 answers · asked by Dovey 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Do You Have To Go To Church To Be A Christian?
2007-07-22 03:47:05 · update #1
Yes, as there are many reasons an individual may not be able to attend church. The Bible says we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Many interpret that to say church attendence is a requirement, but the point is that we need each other for edification and accountability, so we need fellowship with other Christians. We are the body of Christ, and a body must function together. It doesn't necessarily have to be on Sunday mornings at a church. Being a Christian should be a daily way of life anyway.
2007-07-22 06:06:52 · answer #1 · answered by beano™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You absolutely can be a Christian and not go to church. After all, are you suggesting they aren't Christians the other 6 days and 23 hours of the week? Church is an option.
2007-07-22 03:52:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
When a person trusts Jesus Christ for salvation, he or she is made a member of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). For a church body to function properly, all of its "body parts" need to be present (1 Corinthians 12:14-20). Likewise, a believer will never reach full spiritual maturity without the assistance and encouragement of other believers (1 Corinthians 12:21-26). For these reasons, church attendance, participation, and fellowship should be regular aspects of a believer's life. Weekly church attendance is not required for believers, but someone who has trusted Christ should have a desire to worship God, be taught His Word, and fellowship with other believers.
Recommended Resource: The Church: Why Bother? by Philip Yancey.
2007-07-22 04:32:34 · answer #3 · answered by Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do not have to go to church to be God's child. Christ Himself did not go to the tabernacle on a regular basis. And nowhere in the Scriptures is there the commandment to go to church. It says you should have fellowship with other Christians. You can do that at church, online, at work, at home, or anywhere else 2 or more Christians come together.
2007-07-22 04:03:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what you mean by church. the building No never. but gathering with other CHristians 2 or 3. Well I think if you do not gather you can be lead away. We need fellow Christians to hold us accountable, share knowledge, and to grow with. If we do not have that then the only thing left to make us Grow is the world and it knows nothing of heaven. So although I believe it is not necessary to be saved on Christ can do that. it is important in keeping us on the right track so to speak.
Great Question :) thnx
2007-07-22 03:54:18 · answer #5 · answered by Michael M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
christians don't go to church, christians are the church. with that said I think we have up in our head a western culture that condems us if we don't assist regulary to a christian community. Life as a christian its supposed to be a little different than that. the bible teaches about getting together as a church to worship God, to equip as a Church and to evangelize the world like God Said but that doesn't mean to be in a temple 24/7 or think that going to a 4 wall building its going to save you.
I think that as a church you just need to be with other people that are part of this church and youll have to stick to the bible's Doctrine. God its a God of order and I dont think he would like to have "christians" with diferent doctrines all over the world (because doctrine its the teaching of JESus and its really the escence of christianism).
I think this is why this western culture teaches people to go to a place to reunite, but the first christians from back in the day, were not obligated by no one or any organization to be a part of a group, they just did it because they had known Jesus and they got together in a voluntary way... (I hope you understand my point)
2007-07-22 03:58:48 · answer #6 · answered by Z 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can be a Christian without going to church.
One is not obligated to attend church.
You can pray at home, in your heart, anywhere.
But, going to church might just make you feel closer because there are others there to help out.
I am of a different religion but I do not go to the places of worship regularly like many others do.
That does not make me less of a person.
I will only go there if and when I feel I want to.
God understands, right?
------peace------
2007-07-22 04:00:00 · answer #7 · answered by winterlotus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Being a Christian" is nothing we can do on our own. Even the "faith" Blessed Paul the Apostle talks about in Eph. 2:8-9 is a gift of God. Once you are Baptized, you are marked, ontologically, by God the Holy Spirit, for all time.
You are then a "Christian".
If you do not go to church, you may very well be a very bad Christian...but - you are a Christian none-the-less.
2007-07-22 03:52:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
absolutely yes they can be and are Christians that dont go to church,church is mainly for fellowship//actually the church is the body of Christ meaning all believers makeup the church
2007-07-22 03:56:31 · answer #9 · answered by loveChrist 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are people around the world who have never been to church, or heard of Christianity who live by the same principals Christians do, They love their fellow man, honor each other, and care about each other
2007-07-22 03:51:47 · answer #10 · answered by bgee2001ca 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋