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What does God's word say about joining a congregation/church, do you have to?
Christian means Christ the same
We would now rather say we are Jesus believers, but it means the same, either we are born of God again or not John 3.
Christian. If you look up definitions of the word, you probably won't find "person who goes to church" as one of them. Being a Christian essentially means following Christ. And what does it mean to follow Christ? The only place to look for true guidance is the Bible.
"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24
You were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you and left you an example, so that you may follow in his footsteps: He did not sin.” (First Peter 2:21-22)
There are many more verses that say the same thing. Being a true follower of Christ is about what happens inside. Jesus was a man like us, but he did not sin once. Because of this, he made it possible for us to overcome sin. Being a Christian means that I walk this path and overcome the sin I am tempted to. External form and custom, the attitude we have towards people, or being a member of a certain church are not things that define what it is to be a Christian.
So do you think it is even necessary to go to church? As long as I have God's word that shows me the life of Jesus, can't I just be a lonely Christian and follow Him on my own?
Body of Christ
While this sounds theoretically possible, the Apostle Paul uses the illustration of a figurative “body” to explain that if we truly want to prosper, we need one another.
"From him the whole body is joined together and held together, each member contributing according to the strength it has been given, so that the body grows and is built up in love." Ephesians 4:16
Here we can see that all true Christians are members of the body of Christ (vv. 11-12) and as such we need one another so that we may progress in the way he opened for us. We may not all have the same role in the body, but when I am faithful to follow Christ in truth and stand firm against the temptation to sin that I encounter in my life, then I am doing "my part." I am complicit in the body's growth. That is why we need to come together and strengthen each other, to stand firm in temptation.
While I know that Christ looks at the heart and that I can get spiritual support from the Bible and other Christian magazines, I also know that I still need the encouragement I get from coming to church. I realize this especially when I don't have the opportunity to come to all meetings because of school or work. It refreshes and edifies me to hear the gospel of Christ spoken by faithful men of God. And when I see the other members of the body of Christ, I am strengthened by the thought that many other people are fighting the same battle as me. Hearing these people testify about the help they have received from God's word and where they have gained victory helps me to gain more light and continue to follow Jesus on the path of victory over sin.
This is the hope that God has for us, as Paul writes: "Then we will no longer be foolish children and be tossed and driven hither and thither by every wind of learning, by the throwing of dice of men, when they cunningly lead us into treacherous ways, but believing the truth in love we must grow up in one and all to him who is the head, Christ.” Ephesians 4:14-15 Not a rule, but a necessity
There are no hard and fixed rules in the Bible about coming to church. However, the writer of Hebrews makes it clear how members of the body of Christ should take it. let us consider one another to incite love and good works, and let us not forsake our own assembly, as some have the custom, but admonish one another all the more, as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)
We need to confess our faith to each other, by which we can inflame each other to love and good works!
A true follower of Christ realizes that they need the church; here they receive help and encouragement from - and fellowship with - those who work to build up the body of Christ.
The congregation/church
God's showcase to the world
The congregation/church is the place where people can see who Jesus is when the congregation functions according to the pattern of the Bible. Ephesians. 3:10 says that God's manifold wisdom should be made known through the congregation.
Show people who Jesus Christ is through the congregation
Especially that the congregation/church loves each other more than just once a week in a building but in everyday life in the homes.
This means that people must see how wonderful Jesus is, what He has done and can do. In other words: the qualities that Jesus has cannot be contained in a single person, but in the congregation as a whole.
What is the local church?
The church is not a buildingng, a religious club, an organization or some meetings/lectures.
The word church comes from the Greek word "Ekklesia" which means a people who are gathered. Throughout the Bible, God has gathered people together for the purpose of worshiping Him. The New Testament uses different images to explain what the church is:
God's people -Ephesians. 2:19
The Family of God - Ephesians. 2:19
God's messenger - 2 Cor. 5:20
Temple of God - Ephesus. 2:2 and 2 Corinthians. 6:16 a.m
God's priesthood - 1 Peter 2:5 & 9
God's body - 1 Cor. 12:27 p.m
Bride of Christ - Ephesians. 5:25-27 and Revelation. 21:2-4
What values and characters did the first congregation have?
See Acts 2:42-47
Stick to it.
This phrase has several meanings in the basic language. Connected - as friends. Faithful - like a dog. Always ready. Busily engaged in - like a job. Continue/endure - like climbing a mountain. Spend a lot of time on - as a sportsperson.
Holiness and purity.
Be a testimony to everyone that Jesus is Lord in your life and be transparent to God and people.
What did they hold on to?
Teachings of the Apostles:
The foundation, biblical teaching for church life.
A church/congregation must therefore prioritize the reading and teaching of God's Word at the gatherings. See it as a very important part that the individual takes time for God's Word and wants to build his life on what God's Word says.
Community: Friendship - they spent time with each other. They gave to each other and to the poor.
The congregation/church must consist of people who will give themselves to each other, as true friends do, also outside church hours. Therefore, it is important that we build relationships with each other and show each other love. It is the community that would like to keep us together and not a building or a meeting.
The church must be a generous congregation.
THE COMMUNION
They often ate together, it was whole meals, not just what we call communion. They were faithful in commemorating Jesus' death through the bread and wine. Every church/congregation should do this much more than once a month. We must always remember Jesus' life, death and resurrection. We do this by e.g. through communion. Communion also means eating together and thereby remembering Jesus. Paul teaches that we must show hospitality, therefore it must be quite natural that members of the congregation often invite each other, guests and possibly neighbors into his home for coffee or a meal.
Prayer and praise.
They often prayed together and they worshiped God.
A congregation must be a congregation that prays to God. God himself is the key to growth in all areas and to a change in the country. That is why there must be a lot of prayer, both in our personal lives and in our communal gatherings. Also worship in praise but from a united heart. Praise is worship not a matter of being most perfect or swearing in the way as such. We must not forget the old songs and hymns, they have a living gospel message in them for us today. In the Bible, we have the book of Psalms from which the first Christians sang.
They testified.
The first church told everywhere about Jesus. Many came to faith and then became part of the local congregation. A congregation must be one that tells others about Jesus. The congregation/church must never stand still but, above all, must grow by people coming to faith. A church/congregation must be open to other Christians, not a closed community where neither non-Christians nor other Christians can come. We cannot do like the Pharisees/hypocrites only greet our own, so that people who are already Christians but who are not part of a congregation can become part of the congregation. But they must all respect the principles of the church/congregation, not make a fuss over disagreements but look together at what the Bible says and follow the teachings of the Apostles even today. There they came every day with the same unity, with the same heart/mind.
A Congregation filled with praise, praise and worship.
Jesus says, the Father is looking for worshipers who will worship in spirit and truth John. 4:23 We were created to learn and worship God. The Bible shows that praise, praise and worship have throughout all ages been a way of expressing gratitude and joy to God. Praise, singing and worship are therefore an important ingredient in a congregation. When we turn to God in this way, it is often experienced that the atmosphere changes. Then it is God who comes near. God's presence is liberating and healing.
A Church filled with the Holy Spirit.
A congregation must believe in the necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit in the individual and in the community. Not putting the works and functions of the Holy Spirit into a system, as some churches do, where they have set minutes for one thing or another., that prevents God's Spirit from having free run, saying and doing what His needs right here and now, it often prevents the gifts of the Spirit from operating freely.
In the individual:
The Holy Spirit creates the new man in us. We are born again of the Spirit when we repent and believe in Jesus Christ. This innovation is the reason why we can call ourselves Christians.
At the new creation, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us and He wants to produce gunjudgable character in us. What the Bible calls the Fruits of the Spirit. Galatians. 5:22-23
The Holy Spirit wants to come upon us and fill us so that we can be able to do God's will. It is not just a one-time experience, but that we must again and again seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit, therefore everyone in a congregation should often pray for each other for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. By asking for the power of the Holy Spirit, we also recognize our own powerlessness and dependence on God's power.
In the Community:
The Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit having many gifts from God to the church. They are called gifts such as prophecy, words of knowledge, words of wisdom, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, discerning of spirits, faith, working miracles, and gifts of healing. These gifts are for the edification of the congregation. We want to be a congregation where the gifts of grace are in use, so that we thereby experience the Holy Spirit building up the congregation.
In 1 Corinthians. 14:26 we see the Bible's model for congregational gatherings. Here you can clearly see that it is not just a few who take part, but everyone can contribute, so that the meetings do not become a show, but rather a feeling that the family is together. A congregation must realize the necessity for everyone to contribute with finances, faithfulness and hospitality, etc. but also on the need for everyone to be involved in the community gatherings in one way or another.
A congregation must never be two-headed, but always give the Holy Spirit plenty of space, so that He can have freedom to do His will among us.
We baptize people who believe.
Baptism is a public declaration that one no longer belongs to oneself, but to God. Baptism also shows one's willingness to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is an act of obedience Acts. 2:38
Baptism is a command given by Jesus Christ, and He himself is our example. Matt. 3:13-15 Baptism comes from the Greek word Baptizo which means: to immerse, to dip or to drown. Baptism identifies us with Christ and strengthens our faith.
Leadership in the congregation.
We believe Jesus is the greatest example of being a leader. He was a servant and gave his own life for those he led. This is also how we want all kinds of leaders in the congregation to be. In other words: if someone wants to become a leader, it is a matter of serving, serving and bearing more responsibility for more people. We also want a leadership that is relationship-based and transparent. This means we are friends and friends don't use titles towards each other. When we use words like pastor, elder, congregation servant, worship leader, etc. is it to describe a function.
The Bible shows that the church is led by elders who describe those who are called to account for the truth and holiness of God's church. They must be anointed and called by God to lead the church, and they must lead by example. 1.Peter 5:1-4 and Acts. 20:27-31
By being part of the congregation, one recognizes the elders of the congregation as being one's leadership and at the same time expects their help and care as far as it is possible for them.
This is the basic principle of what the Bible says about congregation/church.
What do you do if there is no such church/congregation in the area where you live? Are you not a Christian if you are not permanently affiliated with a congregation?
Then you can get together with other Christians in the homes, the leading Christians did too, today we have the internet which we can use for teaching and Bible study together. We can also use the internet for Spirit filled songs/praises.
As I said, it is actually important to be in a church built on the teachings of the apostles.
