I have heard from several religious figures, including a pastor at a Christian church that just going to church alone does not make you a Christian if you do not maintain a Christian mindset or do certain things outside of church. I have even heard it said by a select few in YouTube
videos that giving money was among the requirements, which would essentially mean that people who are not in a position to give money are not and cannot be Christians. Of course this notion is beyond ridiculous, but even aside from it I have to wonder why it is that any "Christian" even bothers going to church, or why the pastor wants them to go to church if he himself is of the mindset that simply going to church does not make you a Christian.
If going to church is supposed to be one of the requirements among others, then a person can't really be criticized for going to church even if they don't do other things that might be considered necessary to be a Christian because at least they are making an effort. But aside from that, a person may as well practice Christianity outside of a church setting, or do more or less what is done in church but outside of a church if they are doing other things. I do imagine that it must be difficult, in any case, to constantly question if one is doing enough of the right things and in the right ways to be considered a Christian, especially if a pastor is creating doubt on a regular basis. — BBQueue
The Bible is clear "Once Saved, Always Saved". John 15, John 3, Psalm 23, book of James, book of Romans among others. If Jesus Christ thought i was going to do something to lose my salvation in 10 years he would kill me today. When the horse gets a broken leg, the farmer takes it around back behind the barn and shoots it.
Jesus Christ can predict 100% of everything.
This is a religious post about christianity by a christian so i'm authorized to post scripture.
The Bible is clear "Once Saved, Always Saved". John 15, John 3, Psalm 23, book of James, book of Romans among others. If Jesus Christ thought i was going to do something to lose my salvation in 10 years he would kill me today. When the horse gets a broken leg, the farmer takes it around back behind the barn and shoots it.
Jesus Christ can predict 100% of everything.
This is a religious post about christianity by a christian so i'm authorized to post scripture.
Exactly, which is why you don't or technically should not have to go to church to be considered a Christian or to be saved. So the pastor's logic actually goes against what is in the Bible. — BBQueue
I have heard from several religious figures, including a pastor at a Christian church that just going to church alone does not make you a Christian if you do not maintain a Christian mindset or do certain things outside of church. I have even heard it said by a select few in YouTube
videos that giving money was among the requirements, which would essentially mean that people who are not in a position to give money are not and cannot be Christians. Of course this notion is beyond ridiculous, but even aside from it I have to wonder why it is that any "Christian" even bothers going to church, or why the pastor wants them to go to church if he himself is of the mindset that simply going to church does not make you a Christian.
If going to church is supposed to be one of the requirements among others, then a person can't really be criticized for going to church even if they don't do other things that might be considered necessary to be a Christian because at least they are making an effort. But aside from that, a person may as well practice Christianity outside of a church setting, or do more or less what is done in church but outside of a church if they are doing other things. I do imagine that it must be difficult, in any case, to constantly question if one is doing enough of the right things and in the right ways to be considered a Christian, especially if a pastor is creating doubt on a regular basis. — BBQueue
if you can't prove the supernatural is real, why choose faith and make life harder on yourself. — Gregory
I would first question the assumption that this notion of "going to church" is actually authorised and grounded in the Bible or in Jesus' teachings, the founder of Christianity! — Anonymous112
if you can't prove the supernatural is real, why choose faith and make life harder on yourself.
— Gregory
In what way does it make life harder? — Aussie
Who says life is supposed to be easy? — Merkwurdichliebe
Jesus didn't advocate Christianity...Jesus didn't found Christianty, his followers did. And their followers founded the church. — Merkwurdichliebe
...nor was he a Christian. — Merkwurdichliebe
I would first question the assumption that this notion of "going to church" is actually authorised and grounded in the Bible or in Jesus' teachings, the founder of Christianity! — Anonymous112
No one...I think. Not even Jesus, since we're discussing Christianity.
John 16:33
"...In this world ye shall have tribulation..."
But that doesn't answer my question. In what way does "choosing faith" (assuming that's even possible) make life harder? You brought up the idea of easier vs. harder. Not me. — Aussie
I suppose that depends on what you mean. If church is a building then no, Jesus didn't found any of those. If church is a group of individuals assembling together for a common purpose (doctrinal and vocational - which is truer to the word "church" - ekklesia: assembly or group of called out pepole), then the argument seems in favor of him having founded it. — Aussie
how does that remove Jesus from the equation? — Aussie
Of course he wasn't. Christian means a follower of Christ. He would have to be a follower of himself. How would that work? — Aussie
Certainly it is authorized (?) in the Bible.
Heb 10
[24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is...
...and Paul speaks repeatedly of coming together as a church in 1 Cor. Additionally, Acts is rife with examples of the early disciples meeting regularly for teaching and "breaking of bread" (Communion).
And Jesus' rules for excommunication [further assented to by Paul] seem to strongly imply an assembling together. Else, from what is one being excommunicated? Can someone be denied entry to a group with whom they do not associate/assemble?
Matt 18:17
If he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen... [Jesus] — Aussie
Notice how Jesus in the gospels used the word church, despite there being no Christian buildings around... — Anonymous112
For instance, take note of how the early Christians behaved. Read Acts 2 and Acts 4... — Anonymous112
There was no church they went to because they were the church. So then from whom and when did this idea of meeting in a religious building come from? — Anonymous112
...maybe you don't know what Jesus taught. Take a read of Matthew 6, Luke 12, Luke 14 as a start. Please share your thoughts after that. — Anonymous112
Not forsaking the assembly simply means not ceasing to live together, as practised by Jesus with his disciples, and as practised by the early Christians with the apostles. It was only later in Christianity that people stopped living together, and invented a new system to replace it. — Anonymous112
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