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Important Things You Should Know About Church Before You Go Back!

11/3/2010

16 Comments

 
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Church Is Not A Building.
Most of us know this, but how do we typically answer the question, “Where's your church?” Without thinking we usually say, “Oh, down the road across from the hardware store...” We give directions to a building, right? Is that how we'd answer the question, “Where's your family?” Think about it.  The church is the family of God!

Church Is Not A Denomination.
Does the Bible talk about or endorse denominations? No it doesn't. Denominations are a man made creation that in the end elevates men and separates groups of believers from other groups of believers.  Have you ever talked with someone who seemed proud they were Baptists or Pentecostals, Catholic, Independent, etc.,? Proud of our corporate identity. What's that all about?

The Church Is People!
The church Christ came to build is made up of believers who've received Christ according to the scriptures. Each believer is a member of the body of Christ, placed in that body according to his design. Each member has purpose and gifts to edify others.

Jesus Christ is the Foundation and the Head of the Church.
Some folks believe that a pastor is the head of the church like a CEO of a corporation. This isn't scriptural either. Jesus Christ is the foundation and the Chief Cornerstone upon which the church is built.  We are the lively stones of that building.  Additionally, we are the body of Christ and he is the head of that body. Christ is the Alpha and Omega!  If the head is gone, the body is a door stop. There is no second in command. A man may be head of an organization, but the church of Jesus Christ is not an organization. It is a family!

                                                 Important Questions About Church

What Does the Bible Say About The Leadership Structure of the Church?
Jesus tried to instill the heart of church leadership in Matthew 23. In essence he told them to not be like the world. Don't seek titles or positions. Seek to serve! He said, “One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren.” Later, Paul taught Timothy and Titus about elders or bishops in a plural sense, not as single leaders. Elders are to be examples to believers, protectors of doctrine, preachers of righteousness and always apt to teach others to teach. In the natural world, parents raise children to become healthy, productive adults, who become parents also.  It should be the same spiritually in the church.

How Many People Make Up A Church? Is There A Certain Number?
The short answer is no, the Bible doesn't specify a number. But Jesus said, that wherever two or three are gathered together in his name, there is he in there midst.

What About A Constitution And By Laws?
These things are trappings of man made organizations and governmental requirements of corporations. The church is not a corporation. The Bible is our Constitution, By Laws and guide for life!

Is House Church Or Home Church Biblical?
Absolutely! But don't take my word for it.  Read some scriptures about it yourself...

Acts 5:42  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Acts 8:3  As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Romans 16:5   Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

1 Corinthians 16:19  The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Colossians 4:15  Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Philemon 1:2  And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

The church of Jesus Christ is the dynamic and flexible family of God. It is not subject to the whims of man nor relegated to a fixed date, time or place. It's bigger than any denomination, able to withstand poverty, prosperity and even the gates of hell! Wherever two or three are gathered together in his name to worship God and to edify one another, there is Christ in the midst! Let's not reduce church to a Sunday morning program! Rather, let us BE the church, the light of the world, that city set upon a hill, until he comes to take us to ever be with him!

Was this helpful? Please leave a comment and pass it along to others!

16 Comments
Allen Kirk
11/4/2010 10:07:31 am

Excellent... as always!

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Gerard link
9/7/2016 11:48:51 am

I'm starting house church E meet and developing friendships firs over coffee not a temple made with hands this year 12000 institutional churches are closing we need to get back to making disciples one on one

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Benoit Couture link
11/4/2010 10:28:06 am

--Please Lord Jesus-Christ, clear up our vision, understanding and living of You, according to Your vision and understanding...Amen to Your Yes in us all...

http://housechurch.org/cgi-bin/bbcgi_hc/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/24/108#000000

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Pastor. Isaac and Naom
11/6/2010 01:14:35 am

Thank you for interesting biblical teachings on the web. I have found it most interesting on my part. In fact am using your teachings to share the word of the lord in my orphanage and please consider sharing with us the circumstances surrounding the deaths of early apostles.
Thanks

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Dolly
11/26/2010 01:41:37 pm

I'm glad we're friends and I can be honest....I think mostly "yes", but a little bit of "no". =)

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Patty Tillerson
12/29/2010 12:00:19 am

BLess your heart. YOu might find my published book interesting. Through my research I came to understand that GOd is within each one of us, our soul, and throughout life, me must nurture our soul to please God in all that we do---and of course, as a Christian, I believe that his son, Jesus Christ was sent no only to save us but to teach us how God expects us to live. My book, published under my maiden name to honor the spirituality of my parents:
Patty Sue Patton: Eternal Threads: A JOurney Towards Discovery. Authorhouse, 2005. The Library here in Pagosa Springs has a copy. Thank you for your writings!

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Sean Shepherd
6/4/2011 10:20:35 pm

In tears as I read here...not new, just true. Thank you for hearing God's calling on our hearts and obeying.

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Michael
12/11/2011 11:36:36 pm

I wanted to agree with you, but you used true statements to make false assumptions about church. Churches do have denominations, and it is perfectly fine. Even Scripture describes different groups of Christians gathered together. Different interpretations of the Bible lead to denominations. It's a way to gather with like-minded people. Jesus is the head of the church, but that doesn't mean that pastors are not given authority over the sheep. The fact that Paul is writing letters to the churches giving them correction shows us that he had an authority over them. The authority is not a dictatorship but instead mature Christians with the Spiritual gift of pastoring building up the body into maturity. Large Church gatherings are not unbiblical, and I find that attacking the practice of going to a large building for a gathering of church brings disunity and discord. Your true statements do not have to mean that the way we gather as a church body in a building is wrong. The fact that the Bible doesn't specifically say how to gather together as Christians leaves much room for freedom. Thank you for opening up this conversation as I know it is a hot topic. I love you brother, and appreciate you allowing me to disagree with you. Together we walk this journey as we figure these things out.

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Patrick Sipperly link
12/12/2011 12:45:43 am

Hello Michael, thank you for reading and commenting.

Brother, if you can show me from the scriptures where Christ or the apostles endorsed denominations, I might be persuaded. But here's what I've read...

Psalms 133:1 Psalms 133:1 - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

1 Corinthians 3:3 - For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

I read scriptures like that and I don't see where God is in favor of divisions or denominations. I think we naturally bond and multiply or divide by relationships, which is what it is.

Now to authority of elders and gathering in large groups, where did you read that I am opposed to such things? I'm open to both - again according to the scriptures. Authority is not pastor specific. It is given to elders. Pastors are only 1 of the many gifts God has given to the church. Unfortunately, that office is overly emphasized here in America, even to the point where a pastor thinks the church is "his flock." That's not biblical. We must never forget the the flock is God's not a pastor's (Acts 20:17-28)

Gathering in large groups is fine and dandy, so long as the body functions like a body (1 Cor. 14:26). Since most American Christians understand this, many don't realize that a small gathering in a house is equally valid as the coming together of the church. That is why I wrote about this. I believe the scriptures are purposely vague about many topics so it can span many generations, cultures, societies and even preferences. I agree with you and love the freedom I read in the Bible, and despise any organizational teachings that limit our God-given freedoms.

Please allow me to end in like manner. This is a hot topic in many circles but a healthy conversation for us to have. May it drive us all back in to the Word to re-discover a richer and fuller experience in God!

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cambridge dating link
8/26/2012 02:48:32 pm

Took the day off and was just reading up some blogs and thought I would post here

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christian prayer wall link
11/25/2012 07:27:13 pm

You have nicely describe the church.The Church Is Where The Biblical Sacraments Of Baptism And Communion are Performed Regularly.

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morriah
3/13/2014 09:43:39 am

The current churches are (MOSTLY, NOT ALL) DELUDED! No one worships correctly(in spirit and in truth) most don't scare out demons, perform miracles, heal the sick or worship correctly. I go to a church about once a month on average that is a 'mega church' and in comparison to the way I use to worship when I first got saved, it is straight up balogney! The music choir comes out looking like they wanna be in an MTV music video with skin tight pants, way too much make up and their hair is in all the current stylings of the day.... they think they're saved! It's ridiculous. I avoid their worship service like the plague because I can feel the spirit is NOT IN IT! It's a show basically for them to display fashion and so they can be heard singing. Most of the churches are so far off base. I speak in tongues, and most people think when you do, you're demon posessed! Wow, America doesn't stand a chance!

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Scott
12/21/2014 02:38:50 am

Patrick, My wife and I over the last couple of months have been in the process of rethinking the fellowship of believers. I found your site this morning and have been greatly encouraged that there are others seeing the need for a biblical interpretation of how Gods people should function as a body. Thanks so much!

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Patrick link
12/27/2014 01:29:45 pm

Amen and thank you, Scott. I think we all tend to follow what we've been taught - be it good or not so good. Church fellowship according to the scriptures is so different than a typical service here in America.

Until we take responsibility for our own faith and develop a relationship with the Lord through his Word and prayer on our own, we won't have the rich 1-on-1 fellowship with God or each other that we could have. I'm glad to hear you and your wife are pursuing this! Pursue God with all your heart and let him lead you and direct your steps!

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Steve Simms link
10/21/2015 04:01:21 am

Well said. Even the word church is a misstranslation of the Greek word ekklesia -- the lost word of the Bible. Meet ekklesia @ this link: https://stevesimms.wordpress.com/2015/09/08/meet-ekklesia-and-never-be-the-same/

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Godson Chima
3/1/2016 02:28:27 pm

Thanks for the great light you have communicated to me. God has being leading me to think in this direction as a lot of false doctrines are being taught in the body of Christ and using the misinterpretation of scriptures to enslave the gullible

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