Subject: Does God want us to belong to one church |
Bible Note: Dear Lionheart, Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Of course this doesn't say that you have to remain in the same church, but it does say we should not forsake fellow shipping together. Of course there are those who do not believe this is true, like Harold Camping, who believes the age of the chruch is over and that you would be better off in a whore house (his words, not mine). However, if we were to take the first century church as our model, then it would seem that folks belonged to particular gatherings, house churches, met regulary, had names of churches they belonged to and so forth. I would take that as my model, that it is a good thing to be in one congregation after a careful search and remain there. The reason is, you will experience the dification and reciprocate it to your brethren of the body of Christ over a prolonged period of time and that is essential to your growth as a Christian. If you dont' belong to a particular church, and you are going about from church to church you may become like a waterless cloud, lacking sound foundations for lack of a consistent diet on consistent doctrine and consistent relationships where you will be required to engage in the working out of your salvation. Fellow ship in one congregation is essential to the full Christian expereience in my experience. I was in a church for 6 years and then left out to go see about other churches and church hopped for 4 years because I was having trouble with my family in church. I left a good church and was never satisfied with the doctrinal teaching I exposed myself to and went back despite family problems and will never be leaving again, it has been 4 years since I went back to my church home. There is one other very good reason not to go floating around as a husband and wife, or even as a single believer, accountability to the body of Christ to follow Christ. When you as husband and wife, or even as a single person stay in one place you are accountable for your actions as a Christian to the body of Christ and not just to Christ. God's Day to you, Tamara |