There are people out there telling other Christians not to go to church because their argument is that it is mostly religious and corrupted. This is a bad message and a bad teaching. The first question you must ask them is this. "Who gave that person the authority to say whether you should go to church or not?" We are to ask God to lead us to corporate worship and many times they are churches. Do many have problems? Yes they do but this is where you can still be fed milk.
When Jesus walked the earth while correcting and rebuking many Pharisees, He did not tell His people to stop going to the synagogue. In fact, that is where He would go preach a good deal of time. Scripture also says when He came back from the wilderness full and under the POWER of the HOLY Spirit he conducted a course of teaching in their synagogues.
Luke 4:13-21 And when the devil had ended every [the complete cycle of] temptation, he [temporarily] left Him [that is, [a]stood off from Him] until another more opportune and favorable time. 14Then Jesus went back full of and under the power of the [Holy] Spirit into Galilee, and the fame of Him spread through the whole region round about.15And He Himself conducted [[b]a course of] teaching in their SYNAGOGUES, being [c]recognized and honored and praised by all.16So He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and he entered the SYNAGOGUE, as was His custom on the Sabbath day. And He stood up to read.
17And there was handed to Him [the roll of] the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened (unrolled) the book and found the place where it was written,18The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],19To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day [e]when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.20Then He rolled up the book and gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were gazing [attentively] at Him.
21And He began to speak to them: Today this Scripture has been fulfilled [f]while you are present and hearing.
No one has the authority to tell anyone to leave a particular church or not to go. We must receive permission and be led by the Holy Spirit on all occasions. If the Lord tells us and it is confirmed, then the Lord gives authority to leave. You must go or stay as the Lord leads.
Yes, there may be some seasons when one is not in a specific church. Some may be in their wildernesses alone. However, such situations are usually temporary. Yes, sometimes it is not a physical traditional building as many may perceive it to be. Some in persecuting countries or areas may assemble at homes but they are regardless assembling corporately. But regardless, we are to ASSEMBLE together!
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider and give [a]attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, 25Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.
I see two deceptions at work. There are deceptive messages telling Christians to worship on Saturdays. The other is to tell Christians they do not have to go to church. If you do not go to church, one is not likely to tithe. If you break the 4th commandment or steal from God and do not repent, you will be subject to His judgment.
If God has you in a particular church and you do not agree with some things, perhaps you were put there to PRAY FOR THEM. Pray asking God to lead you to a good church or group to assembly with one another.
Fire of God
No comments:
Post a Comment