Is it a sin to not go to church?
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:08 pm
I'm hoping that guy calls back and that there is a lengthy discussion about it.
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Very good. I hope it continues.Suzana wrote:Some more good discussion today, hey? Might even be continued tomorrow. :- )
I guess one way for me to articulate my thoughts is to be a little autobiographic, with a note that in a year I'll probably have changed my mind.christopher wrote:Weird, this topic just came up in my last prison study. Interesting how much passion it provokes in some people. What were your thoughts Michelle?
Yes, it sounds like the title of a great book. Can you imagine how a book with that title might be very encouraging to someone really thinking about this subject?christopher wrote:So, you don't want to go to church anymore? (sounds like a good book title eh? )
Hi Homer,Homer wrote:In the book "A Gathered People", by Hicks, Melton, and Valentine, the authors point out that Hebrews is generally thought to have been originally an oral sermon, and that Hebrews 10:19-25 should be read as one long sentence, as in the Greek. The sentence divides into two ideas: the basis of assembling and the encouragement to assemble.
In the text, the three "let us" are all present tense subjunctives. The participle "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" modifies all three of the subjunctives and thus identifies the purpose of assembling - to draw near to God, to profess their hope, and to care for each other:
Hebrews 10:19-25 (New King James Version)
19. Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20. by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21.. and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22. let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25. not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
The presence of God among His gathered people, through Jesus, is stated in Matthew 18:20:
Matthew 18:19-20 (New King James Version)
19. “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Although the context is church discipline, I think Jesus' statement is of general application. It would be very odd if His presence only occured regarding discipline of the wayward.
You make a good point here, Tim. The thing of it is that I don't think I could just sit at home doing needlepoint and say that I'm doing the things that the church is exhorted to do. How do you stir up love and good works, or encourange and share each other's burdens like that? I am convinced that some assembly is required (another great title! ) but the question is what exactly does this assembling look like? Does it need to be prearranged? Do bulletins need to be printed in advance? Can it happen spontaneously when you gather with brothers and sisters just for work or fun? What I think is that it can happen in a variety of ways - however the Spirit leads. I've been amazed when I've just left it up to the Lord which people he connects me with to serve and glorify Him.Murf wrote:Since you are the Church, I'm not sure how you can stop going (or start for that matter) to church.
tim