Is Corporate Worship Important or Necessary?

[Alabaster]

Jesus' teaches me. And His teachings are recorded in scripture.

By the look of most of you're funky doctrine on this and other matters I'd say whoever human teachers you rely on arn't up to the job.

I have had excellent spirit filled and spirit-led teachers since I was 6 years old, to this very day. That is an extreme blessing from God, and I thank Him mevery day for that favour.

Why would I be anti-church?

I sure would like to know the answer to that.

The Church is the Body of Christ worldwide. They are my spiritual Brethren.

Yes, the body of Christ is called the Church, and the way we behave to honour and love Him is to assemble together regularly. He calls us to do that, and so we do it in obedience and the naturally strong desire to be together.

 

[Strangelove]

False. God wants us to pray in our one on one time with Him, but He desires us to join hearts in prayer together when we come together.

Yet you have no scriptural support for this.

You neglect to apprehend that the instruction to closet oneself was so that we wouldn't follow the hypocritical Pharisees in their loud, public prayers. They were not joining hearts with one another--they were seeking self-aggrandizement, which is the reason for Jesus' concern.

Are you're corporate prayers not loud and public? Nothing new under the sun.

Why are you praying together if not for self-aggrandizement? Does it somehow magnify the power of the prayer if you are doing it in a big group?

LOL! They CONTINUED to speak because that is what they were doing IN PRAYER TOGETHER, to start with! THEN---THEY PREACHED!

It just says they prayed. The rest you made up.

 

[Alabaster]

Yet you have no scriptural support for this.

What? That is the instruction that Jesus gave! The churches established by Christ through His apostles all prayed together--and they still do, praise God!

Are you're corporate prayers not loud and public? Nothing new under the sun.

Why are you praying together if not for self-aggrandizement? Does it somehow magnify the power of the prayer if you are doing it in a big group?

Read the articles I posted. It is a waste of my time to explain it over and over. There is power in the prayers of a group.

It just says they prayed. The rest you made up.

You mean like your self-styled denomination of one?

I make up nothing.

 

[Strangelove]

I have had excellent spirit filled and spirit-led teachers since I was 6 years old, to this very day. That is an extreme blessing from God, and I thank Him mevery day for that favour.

Seems to be a disadvantage for you. Men are extremely fallible. Scripture is not.

Yes, the body of Christ is called the Church, and the way we behave to honour and love Him is to assemble together regularly. He calls us to do that, and so we do it in obedience and the naturally strong desire to be together.

Good thing you and me are assembling here otherwise I and others wouldn't be able to show how you are in error in so many ways. What a blessing the internet is. How else would you be able to assemble with Brethren who can show you the utter falsities of dispensational doctrine especially the pre-trib rapture. Look how many people are showing you things in that thread.

 

[Strangelove]

What? That is the instruction that Jesus gave! The churches established by Christ through His apostles all prayed together--and they still do, praise God!

Thats not scripture thats you're own words.

No dice.

Read the articles I posted. It is a waste of my time to explain it over and over. There is power in the prayers of a group.

The article says that corporate prayer does not magnify the power. Maybe you need to read them.

You mean like your self-styled denomination of one?

Better to be in the wilderness alone and righteous than carried away on a wave of mob apostacy.

 

[Alabaster]

Seems to be a disadvantage for you. Men are extremely fallible. Scripture is not.

As I said, I have had many spirit-filled teachers since I was six years old. God given.

Good thing you and me are assembling here otherwise I and others wouldn't be able to show how you are in error in so many ways. What a blessing the internet is. How else would you be able to assemble with Brethren who can show you the utter falsities of dispensational doctrine especially the pre-trib rapture. Look how many people are showing you things in that thread.

This is not assembling. You have the wrong idea about assembling, for sure!

I don't spend my time arguing with fellow believers I worship with. We are of one accord, as it should be.

No one on the internet can hold a candle to those who God has placed in my life to show me His truth and His love.

 

[pjt]

But you are not rightly dividing the word of truth. You require someone to teach you.

Your anti-church attitude is very obvious and ungodly, and I can see that you lap up the support from certain members, but neglect to correct them when they miss the fact that you are completely anti-church.

Alabaster, might I emphasize that Strangelove is a new Christian so a certain amount of care and tenderness should be given to new Christians. I have been a Christain for over 31 years and even for me if someone used such harsh words as "you require someone to teach you" or to say I am anti-church when I make statements to indicate otherwise, then I would probably feel hurt. Strangelove seems to be able to take and give a good amount of heat, so I am not concerned that a few harsh words will hurt his feelings and send him packing, but everyone has their limit. From reading this very long thread, I feel he has taken enough of a beating. If he likes this way of debating, then by all means the two of you may continue, but for me as a Christian I now feel uncomfortable with this. I feel we should entreat each other with kindness, patience, and love. If you are the older Christian, then perhaps you should set that example? I understand your arguments, but I think you could express them in a kinder, gentler fashion especially when you know you are speaking to a new Christian. Just a suggestion!

 

[Alabaster]

Thats not scripture thats you're own words.

No dice.

LOL! But we are expected to swallow your words, based on a flawed grasp of scripture!

The article says that corporate prayer does not magnify the power. Maybe you need to read them.

Yes I read that from Gotquestions.org, but I disagree with them on that point. The second article has the best understanding.

Better to be in the wilderness alone and righteous than carried away on a wave of mob apostacy.

God will not ever leave us alone in a wlderness for long. You must ask Him to direct your steps and lead you to a house of God, and there you will have prayer support and people to pray with.

 

[Alabaster]

Alabaster, might I emphasize that Strangelove is a new Christian so a certain amount of care and tenderness should be given to new Christians. I have been a Christain for over 31 years and even for me if someone used such harsh words as "you require someone to teach you" or to say I am anti-church when I make statements to indicate otherwise, then I would probably feel hurt. Strangelove seems to be able to take and give a good amount of heat, so I am not concerned that a few harsh words will hurt his feelings and send him packing, but everyone has their limit. From reading this very long thread, I feel he has taken enough of a beating. If he likes this way of debating, then by all means the two of you may continue, but for me as a Christian I now feel uncomfortable with this. I feel we should entreat each other with kindness, patience, and love. If you are the older Christian, then perhaps you should set that example? I understand your arguments, but I think you could express them in a kinder, gentler fashion especially when you know you are speaking to a new Christian. Just a suggestion!

Then a new Christian needs to sit at the feet of older ones and learn for a time, rather than push his own newly-formed interpretations received on a solitary reading of the word. A new Christian should be asking questions and then listening patiently to the answers, and be grateful for the truth offered up to him. He doesn't bite the hand that feeds him, and exude pride all over the place.

Newbies in Christ need discipling. Without it, they tend to grow crooked. I don't abide those who are prideful and rather bullyish, calling people by insolent nicknames.

There is nothing harsh in my plain words.

 

[pjt]

Then a new Christian needs to sit at the feet of older ones and learn for a time, rather than push his own newly-formed interpretations received on a solitary reading of the word. A new Christian should be asking questions and then listening patiently to the answers, and be grateful for the truth offered up to him. He doesn't bite the hand that feeds him, and exude pride all over the place.

Newbies in Christ need discipling. Without it, they tend to grow crooked. I don't abide those who are prideful and rather bullyish, calling people by insolent nicknames.

There is nothing harsh in my plain words.

Your words may not seem harsh to you and you may not mean for them to be harsh but just reading on this screen they come across as very harsh. This is one reason real life fellowship is better because we can hear the tone of the voice, see the face, and read the body language which makes communication better, but in a forum like this all we can depend on are the words we read, so what one`s intentions are and how one feels cannot always be seen in written posts, but I accept that your intentions are not meant to be harsh. However, as someone reading your words, I think they definitely have a harsh tone even though that is not your intention.

As for how new Christians should learn, I would not want to force them to sit at my feet and listen. I would want a very active exchange in Bible study where everyone is participating. Through participation people learn a lot. It is like giving children a bunch of blocks. We can let them grab them and start building and playing and they will have a great time as they learn. Or we can hoard the blocks for ourselves, explain and demonstrate how to build, allow them to ask questions on building techniques but not actually let them play with the blocks until we feel they understand how build just like we told them. The kids in the latter case will be bored silly and lose all interest. The kids in the former case will have fun and want to play again and again as their skills sharpen each time. New Christians are like this too. We can let them learn by jumping in and experiencing on their own or we can strictly restrain them and curb their interest. Of course, new Christians are often passionate and firey so we just need to be patient with them. If you take offense with Strangelove calling you "duckie" then you should tell him that that hurts your feelings or feels insulting to you and hopefully he will apologize and stop doing it. Maybe like you, his intentions were not as they came across but he will have to answer that himself.

 

[Strangelove]

As I said, I have had many spirit-filled teachers since I was six years old. God given.

Ya...you've made you're reliance on fallible men very clear.

This is not assembling. You have the wrong idea about assembling, for sure!

The main idea I have about assembling is COMMUNICATION. that is the key thing I feel. You like to assemble to pray (unscriptural) and to perform lots of dubious 'manifestations of the spirit'. (unscriptural)

I don't spend my time arguing with fellow believers I worship with. We are of one accord, as it should be.

Of course you dont argue with them. You've all been programmed in the same cell church. You are of one accord 4sho, but is it the right accord?

No one on the internet can hold a candle to those who God has placed in my life to show me His truth and His love.

So why are you here?

 

[Strangelove]

Alabaster, might I emphasize that Strangelove is a new Christian so a certain amount of care and tenderness should be given to new Christians. I have been a Christain for over 31 years and even for me if someone used such harsh words as "you require someone to teach you" or to say I am anti-church when I make statements to indicate otherwise, then I would probably feel hurt. Strangelove seems to be able to take and give a good amount of heat, so I am not concerned that a few harsh words will hurt his feelings and send him packing, but everyone has their limit. From reading this very long thread, I feel he has taken enough of a beating. If he likes this way of debating, then by all means the two of you may continue, but for me as a Christian I now feel uncomfortable with this. I feel we should entreat each other with kindness, patience, and love. If you are the older Christian, then perhaps you should set that example? I understand your arguments, but I think you could express them in a kinder, gentler fashion especially when you know you are speaking to a new Christian. Just a suggestion!

No I dont like debating with Alabaster. I hate it. But I take exception with people judging my heart by saying i'm an unbeliever solely on the strength that I dont attend an organized church building.

If she wants to continue to condemn me for unscriptural things like this then I will continue to defend my position which is scriptural.

 

[Strangelove]

LOL! But we are expected to swallow your words, based on a flawed grasp of scripture!

The verses I've posted in this thread speak for themselves. They irrefutably support my position and debunk yours. It's Jesus' words you need to swallow not mine. Bon a petite!

Yes I read that from Gotquestions.org, but I disagree with them on that point. The second article has the best understanding.

Maybe don't post stuff you disagree with? Just a suggestion?

God will not ever leave us alone in a wlderness for long. You must ask Him to direct your steps and lead you to a house of God, and there you will have prayer support and people to pray with.

I may be in the wilderness but God has provided me with a means of fellowship.

Why would I want people to pray with when Jesus tells me to pray in private??

Why are you teaching the opposite of what the Lord teaches?

 

[Strangelove]

Then a new Christian needs to sit at the feet of older ones and learn for a time, rather than push his own newly-formed interpretations received on a solitary reading of the word. A new Christian should be asking questions and then listening patiently to the answers, and be grateful for the truth offered up to him. He doesn't bite the hand that feeds him, and exude pride all over the place.

I've listened to your answers and compared them to scripture. And they are incorrect. They are therefore not truth. Why should I be grateful?

You want me to sit at your feet and learn Duckie? Uhm....nah! You're all over the place with your theology. I prefer teachers who make sense.

Newbies in Christ need discipling. Without it, they tend to grow crooked. I don't abide those who are prideful and rather bullyish, calling people by insolent nicknames.

What is this discilpling thing? Do you think you are an apostle?

Newbies in Christ need His Word. It works just fine that way, always has.

Would you rather I called you Al?

I did before but that was before you (rudely) corrected me of yer gendre via PM. I can revert back if you like?

You can call me Dipstick if I can call you Duckie!?

 

[Strangelove]

Your words may not seem harsh to you and you may not mean for them to be harsh but just reading on this screen they come across as very harsh. This is one reason real life fellowship is better because we can hear the tone of the voice, see the face, and read the body language which makes communication better, but in a forum like this all we can depend on are the words we read, so what one`s intentions are and how one feels cannot always be seen in written posts, but I accept that your intentions are not meant to be harsh. However, as someone reading your words, I think they definitely have a harsh tone even though that is not your intention.

I think she would be exactly the same in real life PJ. this is the product of what happens in the militant cell church structure. Anyone who disagrees with the pastor's 'vision' of the church are hounded, pressured, and even condemned to hell for their differing social views. This is how the emrging transformational church works to control Christians.

I'm discussing it over here:

http://www.christianforums.net/f15/church-transformation-purpose-mission-driven-church-32255/

Although Al doesn't seem to be interested in talking about it.....

 

[Alabaster]

Ya...you've made you're reliance on fallible men very clear.



The main idea I have about assembling is COMMUNICATION. that is the key thing I feel. You like to assemble to pray (unscriptural) and to perform lots of dubious 'manifestations of the spirit'. (unscriptural)



Of course you dont argue with them. You've all been programmed in the same cell church. You are of one accord 4sho, but is it the right accord?



So why are you here?

You speak of things you do not know.

 

[Alabaster]

I may be in the wilderness but God has provided me with a means of fellowship.

Why would I want people to pray with when Jesus tells me to pray in private??

Why are you teaching the opposite of what the Lord teaches?

God doesn't teach us to pray solo only. This is where you need to be corrected, yet you reject it. That is what we call an independent spirit, a stiff neck...an attitude God is not pleased by.

 

[Alabaster]

I've listened to your answers and compared them to scripture. And they are incorrect. They are therefore not truth. Why should I be grateful?

You want me to sit at your feet and learn Duckie? Uhm....nah! You're all over the place with your theology. I prefer teachers who make sense.

The truth doesn't make sense to the less open heart.

What is this discilpling thing? Do you think you are an apostle?

Christians are to be disciples and disciplers.

 

[Alabaster]

I think she would be exactly the same in real life PJ. this is the product of what happens in the militant cell church structure. Anyone who disagrees with the pastor's 'vision' of the church are hounded, pressured, and even condemned to hell for their differing social views. This is how the emrging transformational church works to control Christians.

I'm discussing it over here:

http://www.christianforums.net/f15/church-transformation-purpose-mission-driven-church-32255/

Although Al doesn't seem to be interested in talking about it.....

Once again, you don't know whereof you speak. What a lot of bunk!

PS: In real life, I'm a peach.

 

[jasoncran]

Then a new Christian needs to sit at the feet of older ones and learn for a time, rather than push his own newly-formed interpretations received on a solitary reading of the word. A new Christian should be asking questions and then listening patiently to the answers, and be grateful for the truth offered up to him. He doesn't bite the hand that feeds him, and exude pride all over the place.

Newbies in Christ need discipling. Without it, they tend to grow crooked. I don't abide those who are prideful and rather bullyish, calling people by insolent nicknames.

There is nothing harsh in my plain words.

agreed. and paul did that with TIMOTHY!He called him his son in the faith!

and i have been here myself.