Why should Christians go to Church?

[Obadiah]

I think we might be getting somewhere. You have alot of knowledge in scripture so can you show me anywhere in the NT where a gentile was a prophet. Paul was a Jew. What about after him or before him.


I would be interested to know, if you do know, where gentiles were told to be prophets or where they prophecied in the NT. Or did they somehow magically recieve revelation out of scripture.

How do you know that epistle in ephesis was a direct statement to gentiles. why it says some teachers, some prophets, so on.

God gave apostles, teachers, prophets as it says. The servants as biblical scripture says are the prophets of Isreal. And the prophets of Isreal are the servants.

How many epistles of Paul are there, im sure we dont have all of them, and how many reply letters do you have.

your ephesians verse is taken out of context, read the whole thing. The Most High gave apostles and prophets to teach the gentiles.

Very well. But if you don't think that verse in Ephesians was directed toward the Ephesian church, or that the Ephesian church wasn't a gentile church, I don't think we are going to get anywhere with this. But that's ok because that's not the topic of this thread anyway nor is the subject of whether or not gentiles can be prophets. Perhaps that's something you would like to start a separate thread on.

 

[Ph8th]

I think we might be getting somewhere. You have alot of knowledge in scripture so can you show me anywhere in the NT where a gentile was a prophet. Paul was a Jew. What about after him or before him.

QUOTE]

Galatians 3:25-29 (NASB)

25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if I' belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise

Acts 2:17(NASB)
17 And it shall be in the last days,’ God says,
‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all a]mankind;
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams;

I believe the saints of Corinth were gentiles

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NASB)

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

 

[smaller]

Revelation 19:10
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

 

[Edward]

I think going to church may be more important than is generally realized.
Fellowship, teaching, of course, but any other reason?

One body, one Spirit...all congregating together in the name of the Lord. In Christ, and Christ in us. So the spirits merge together.

When all those people (spirits) come together, I think there's a spiritual effect, sort of a geometric progression, and becomes one voice unto GOD. One voice singing, one voice praying...one voice giving glory and honor to Abba.

Something Iike that.

 

[smaller]

There is a distinct difference between prophecy, which is the testimony of Jesus, and soothsaying/fortune telling, which are attempts to foretell the future, when done for profiteering and manipulations.

Believers often mistake the 2.

Moses wished that all people were prophets. Even "how."

Numbers 11:29
And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!

Having lived through, and survived, some of the earlier years of charismania assemblies, there were powerful moves of God in Christ, which was believers "witnessing Christ" to others and bringing people into faith in Him.

And I saw that turn to manipulation of the masses in all sorts of subsequent madness. Who could "deliver" the biggest spirit(?) show was where everyone flocked to.

Today, it's a pick your pleasure church. Ritualism? Fundamentalism? Freewillism, Determinism? Pentacostal/Charismatic? Social churchism? Messianic? etc. There are so many flavors and flock leaders of any particular popular notions it's hard to keep track of them all.

You basically have to buy into whatever flavor you chose to sit under. Having to sort through all the various slants is no picnic. Initially, if you are a serious student, you find out there are no easy answers, and that most 'sects' have their flaws. And eventually you figure out that you have to most seriously study your own flaws. Which is where a lot of people end up landing on later in their believing life, in preparation for "meeting" our Maker.

I was fortunate to have a lot of Godly people in my family, and I also sought out Godly people all of my life, and learned a lot from many believers from many different walks, whom I considered "sincere" in faith, personally, and what they believed.

Divisions of various sorts have fascinated me from the start. And I sought out "why" this was so, because I did not care to face these various divisions, and enter into that kind of sight.

I believe honest believers will eventually arrive with honest views. It is best for me to see every believer who has called upon Him to save, as saved. And this has done my heart well. Even if this sight is not necessarily popular, it does allow you to see and hope for the best for all believers.

But this sight seems to be kind of bad for the promotions of various christian sects, few of whom seem to desire graciousness to others in favor of their own slants. In almost every sect, sooner or later they take you behind closed doors, and will force you to commit to the damnation of other believers, based on their doctrinal differences. And this "practice" I generally detest, and will not enter into. Nobody is that "right."

 

[JohnDB]

For some of us its a battle field out there.

Non stop witnessing, dodging evil people who wish us harm and careful generosity.
Then when I find a fellow Christian its such a welcome relief...A moment of shared prayer and all is good.

I don't know how to do this alone. I don't think anyone can. Anyone who claims they can aren't really doing anything. (In my experience)

I wonder why people don't want to go to church? Are they really one of us?

 

[WIP]

I would add that there is strength in numbers. When we fellowship with other Christians we reinforce our Christian bond not only with ourselves but with our Lord, Jesus, and that promotes growth in our faith for ourselves and our children. As we grow in our faith we put on and strengthen the armor of Christ against the adversary, Satan, who will stop at nothing to get his foot in the proverbial door of our hearts.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

For some of us its a battle field out there.

Non stop witnessing, dodging evil people who wish us harm and careful generosity.
Then when I find a fellow Christian its such a welcome relief...A moment of shared prayer and all is good.

I don't know how to do this alone. I don't think anyone can. Anyone who claims they can aren't really doing anything. (In my experience)

I wonder why people don't want to go to church? Are they really one of us?

There are several reasons I've come across. Some of those reasons are that they haven't found the right church, or are burned out in trying to find it and conclude that there is no good church in their area. One reason is availability to go to church. If a person is no longer healthy enough to make it to church, and they don't find a way or others to help them, they can't go. Another reason I know of is making time to go to church, but that also just might make it infrequent instead. But a growing reason I see is a philosophy against organized religion, so personal search is the one and only way that is used. The last reason I can think of is kind of a culture shock. Not being used to a church, they don't want to go back. That's also for people who are trying to switch churches too.

I agree that it is a welcoming feeling to be around other Christians. Perhaps that's also because of being apart of a welcoming church. However, I don't think less of or more of a person if they don't go to church.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

I think going to church may be more important than is generally realized.
Fellowship, teaching, of course, but any other reason?

One body, one Spirit...all congregating together in the name of the Lord. In Christ, and Christ in us. So the spirits merge together.

When all those people (spirits) come together, I think there's a spiritual effect, sort of a geometric progression, and becomes one voice unto GOD. One voice singing, one voice praying...one voice giving glory and honor to Abba.

Something Iike that.

Good thought. Probabley true. When two or more come together in Jesus's name, Jesus said he is there among them.

 

[Blake]

For some of us its a battle field out there.

Non stop witnessing, dodging evil people who wish us harm and careful generosity.
Then when I find a fellow Christian its such a welcome relief...A moment of shared prayer and all is good.

I don't know how to do this alone. I don't think anyone can. Anyone who claims they can aren't really doing anything. (In my experience)

I wonder why people don't want to go to church? Are they really one of us?

Thank you for being bold enough to say it. We should examine ourselves often to see if we're ineffectual. Nominal Christians make up probably 80% of the churches today, and it's easy to get comfortable when comfort is the norm. Zeal upsets peoples complacency and it leads the idle folks into calling you a fanatic or zealot. So be it.

The only thing that frightens me about it is that people call ME too extreme, and I am completely wretched. I go to church because I simply begin to lose my spiritual fervor if I stay away for too long. Church sharpens me and keeps me ready for the next lap. Without it, I would fall off by the wayside.

 

[Corn Pop]

Galatians 3:25-29 (NASB)

25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if I' belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise

Acts 2:17(NASB)
17 And it shall be in the last days,’ God says,
‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all a]mankind;
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams;

I believe the saints of Corinth were gentiles

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NASB)

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

How did i know you were going to throw me a galations 3:28.

Out of context again. Study that scripture and you will find the true meaning. Otherwise Paul contradicts himself when he says first the jew then the greek.

That verse is talking all who are baptised in Christ are one body. One body in Christ. Thats all its saying.

In that body are many parts as Paul explains.

 

[Ph8th]

How did i know you were going to throw me a galations 3:28.

Out of context again. Study that scripture and you will find the true meaning. Otherwise Paul contradicts himself when he says first the jew then the greek.

That verse is talking all who are baptised in Christ are one body. One body in Christ. Thats all its saying.

In that body are many parts as Paul explains.

So are you saying gentiles are not baptized in Christ? You omitted the other scriptures where when talking to gentiles prophesy will be given as a gift of the Spirit.
By the way if you knew What I was going to say ........ hmmmmmmm maybe you are a prophet

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

Kiwidan, hasn't it already happened with God coming first to the Jews, then to the rest of the world? Why wouldn't that include prophesy to those who aren't among the Jewish heritage? There were prophets in the Old Testiment that were not Jewish. One that was tempted my wealth to try and help the Caninites against Israel, and one that Abraham met on his travels.

 

[Corn Pop]

So are you saying gentiles are not baptized in Christ? You omitted the other scriptures where when talking to gentiles prophesy will be given as a gift of the Spirit.
By the way if you knew What I was going to say ........ hmmmmmmm maybe you are a prophet

My friend. I believe all peoples can be baptised in Christ, thats what scripture says.

As Paul explains in context without contradicting himself is in that body are different parts. Thats where his first the jew then the greek can be explained. Whos the head whos the tail and so on.

Not this galations 3:28.

Who are/were the teachers, apostles and prophets?. Were/are they greek?

 

[jasonc]

Enoch was the first prophet

 

[Corn Pop]

How many Christians?
You'll never know sitting at home complaining that the world is so hard to overcome.

Its alot easier doing my own study. I dont get decieved by multiple people saying multiple things in there own context.

And i dont complain, i just like to make people aware of false teachings, thats all. Nothing to do with complaining.

Should i let this pastor explain this way to me, or another explain it another way, or should i read the bible, precept upon precept, a little hear and a little there, to gain the real understanding.

I tell you why i say this because i have witness many different teachings on same scriptures from multiple churches. There is no half pie with God.

Someone might even say they dont know what it means but this is what i think. There is no think.

Revelation is the perfect example. If people preaching are unsure. Then say nothing.

 

[Free]

Its alot easier doing my own study. I dont get decieved by multiple people saying multiple things in there own context.

And i dont complain, i just like to make people aware of false teachings, thats all. Nothing to do with complaining.

Should i let this pastor explain this way to me, or another explain it another way, or should i read the bible, precept upon precept, a little hear and a little there, to gain the real understanding.

I tell you why i say this because i have witness many different teachings on same scriptures from multiple churches. There is no half pie with God.

Someone might even say they dont know what it means but this is what i think. There is no think.

Revelation is the perfect example. If people preaching are unsure. Then say nothing.

So what what makes you think your interpretation is right and not a pastor's or someone else's?

We go to church because that is what the Bible tells us to do. No other reason is necessary.

 

[Ph8th]

Its alot easier doing my own study. I dont get decieved by multiple people saying multiple things in there own context.

And i dont complain, i just like to make people aware thats all. Nothing to do with complaining.

Should i let this pastor explain this way to me, or another explain it another way, or should i read the bible, precept upon precept, a little hear and a little there, to gain the real understanding.

Brother,
I believe you should study, I believe you should seek God with all you have. But when all is said and done TRUE understanding Of Him comes by revelation and revelation comes from God. Most people ask questions and they ask good questions even the right questions but few wait for God to answers few would recognize His voice. In this day and time people rarely escape the noise of this world. He won't compete with it. You must wait on Him.

When I lay down
when the day
has reached its end
You are there
In the darkness of night
You are there
The world lays sleeping
You are there
In the still of darkness
I lifted my voice to heaven
Your praise is in my heart
You comfort me in knowing
You are there
I long for You
Both night and day
There is joy in my heart
You are there
You are King
Master Teacher
Creator of all things
Where I am
You are there​

peter

 

[Corn Pop]

I make mistakes, many of them talkind scripture, im not perfect, then again i dont claim to be a 'Teacher of God'.

If its ok for teachers to fail, would you then admit the Apostiles possible got it wrong and the prophets got it wrong as there is room for error?

So if a teacher of God in the church gets it wrong its ok.

God is half pie. Gods messengers and teachers are all half pie.

 

[Ph8th]

Brother, Do you believe we are the dwelling place of Holy Spirit? Do you believe Holy Spirit leads us to all truth? One of the greatest sermons preach in the bible was preached by an illiterate man. That sermon was flawless<<< Why? Because Peter submitted to the leading of Holy Spirit. God doesn't need men's strength is needs willing vessels.
peter