Do you have to go to church?

[SpirallingInMyMind]

I hope this is the right place to post, I know that there is a philosophy and religion board but I'm really hoping to learn from Christians and there seem to be some very thoughtful and knowledgeable Christians here!

Even though I was raised in a Christian house, I turned from god at an early age and am not very knowledgeable. Lately I have been longing to learn and would really like to have a relationship with god and grow my faith in Jesus. My biggest trouble is that I suffer terribly with social anxiety. Even the school run is a huge strain on me and I really don't think I'm going to be able to make the leap of going to a church. Deep down I would love to go and I have lovely memories of that feeling of community and togetherness in the church but I feel completely trapped within these feelings and it's only getting worse.

So my question is, as a Christian, do you think attending church is a necessity in being Christian and having a true relationship with god?
Also another question I have is regarding the bible and how you read yours. Do you read yours like any other book, start to finish? So genesis through to revelation. Or do you pick a particular book to read through before moving on to another book? Or just search for chapters/verses each day that you feel will help you?

I'm so sorry if these are silly questions but I don't have anyone in my life I can ask and I'm sorry if I've worded my post poorly, I also get anxious posting and my mind goes blank! But I really appreciate anyone who can offer any insight.

I haven't been for a while but try and watch service on livestream on YouTube

One speaker said Christianity isn't a spectator sport but....

No but I do 3 zooms per week and they are all very different. I talk daily with christians in fb groups

It's not my opinion. I love not having to go there

As Christians we should meet with other Christians, to discuss our faith, study the bible, make plans for mission etc but no one said that has to be on a Sunday at 10:30am.

As a church elder I've only been to Sunday service 3 times since the start of December & I missed the last 2 advent study classes, but I have kept in touch with people & my faith or relationship with God hasn't waned due to me missing a few services.

I haven't read the whole thread, but the church I attend would welcome you. You could "attend" services by watching online. This started when no one could attend in person due to COVID restrictions and has continued as an option ever since. We also have a buddy system called Running Mates, where you get together with one or at most 2 other people (your choice whether 1 or 2) to chat about life, faith, the Bible and anything else you want to talk about. I think running mates meet every 2 or 3 weeks, or monthly. There are also weekly home groups. These are much smaller than church congregations. A maximum of 8 people meet in the group leaders house. You choose which one you think you'd like to attend. I make my decision on whether it runs on an evening I'm free and what theme will be addressed. They run during term time & you can change groups after a term, or stay with your group. I think, most importantly, the church minister would chat to you about how the church can best meet your needs and then facilitate you becoming part of the fellowship by meeting those needs.
I wish you every success renewing and expanding your faith.

I think it's pretty tough to be a Christian, to grow your faith and learn about being like Jesus if you're not in any kind of fellowship. Maybe a home group or online church would suit some people more, particularly at first.

Going a little off topic to the original post, and this perhaps should have a thread of its own, but after many years of arguing about the existence of ‘gods’,etc, blah, blah, blah … after a very unexpected conviction by the Holy Spirit and being metaphorically on my knees in repentance and weeping grateful thanks, to our Saviour, Christ, I was baptised by full water Immersion.

It took me some time to do the baptism, because I needed to be sure that after the emotional reaction to the Holy Spirit, that it was real and that with God’s help I could sustain this new path.

As an adult, therefore, a couple of years later, I was baptised by full water immersion. I recall coming up out of the water and the whole church just erupting in almost deafening joyful song. My non-believing family were also present.

That is such a lovely thing to share. Thank you for sharing it.
I am sure many of us here have been baptised and have our experiences. I was baptised firstly as a child so I could enter a Catholic school. I just had a bit of water put on me. Later as a teen I received the gifts of the Holy Spirit which became obvious in my life.

Some people will argue online that you can receive the comforter at the point of just acceptance of Jesus as our Lord. Some people of the clothe to do differ on this and argue that this also comes from a Baptism of Spirit at the same time when you are baptised.

Baptism will lead to spiritual growth and the indwelling comforter I would say is a necessary for most Christians also.

It can get a bit concerning when you can read some have no intention of attending Church, then I started to think what about Baptism etc. I haven't regularly attended Church services due to my health in my life, but I have done at some points and try and do so regularly today.

Someone doesn't make great efforts for their salavation and find out they should have been baptisedl

I have been doing some thinking, God is light and God is truth. As Christians we need to be in that light. That light I think is given by the Holy Spirit which is usually obtained through church. I think to be a Christian and not be in that light of God incarnate is missing something of the experience. It appears to be requirment of God for us be children as light as well. Again it is not a case of me saying you need to attend church all the time. It is though a case of me thinking it is a strong case for being baptised. Who wouldn't want a child of light.

I am certain many among us have seen pictures of the disciples with those halo's, I would tend to think that was a manifesation of being blessed and under that light which are all capable of being.

^
I myself really like Psalm 27 and it is one that I do use from time to time.

It opens with

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Here I am using my own experience at 17 when I recieved the Holy Spirit a part of that transformation is that I was aware in the manfesitation of God's grace that I speak of above.

Do some research I would always would suggest that.

I do wish you all well

There is something called online Biblical truths these as opposed to Biblical truths that unfortunetly many of us will see. These are some of them. You do not ever need to go to a church for is the church with your own Temple. They then may use the work of Saint Paul who was a vehement supporter of the church against himself quoting him as the Temple body for no need to go to a church. Some people do not understand the Body of Christ and may perceive themselves in it when the Bible they are not quite there yet. Also, there may be confused if a physical gathering point is indentified as a church. The vine and the branches so in parts of the world the term vine isn’t may have not idea what it is. It is a vine/stem which off shots the branches. See the picture attached as well.
I have removed my personal experiences from this snapshot below. For this is about Biblical truths I am not here to write my own. I have sent this to two rectors to clarify if I myself had it correct and there was no corrections given. Yes, there was personal narratives before this. This is not about a personal narrative and whether we can always attend church and if you need exceptions, but it is about setting some Biblical truths but can be used in defence for times faced online untruths.

What I wrote-

I have found my church leaders to be an invaluable source of support to me spiritually and psychologically. In our gatherings as Christians also we can support each other (Esslesiastes 4:9-10) (Hebrews 10:25) "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." So yes, there is indeed that Body of Christ composed of Christ as the head and the members of the church within to form one body and there is also a meeting point where we gather and this is the physical church as well.

We can go between different churches to settle at the right church for us and I have found the right place for me now and I am extremely comfortable and it would not be God honouring for me to focus on resolved difficulties I once had. [removed]

The Church Body

The Church Body (members of the church) Jesus is also the head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23 ) and as baptised Christians we are all part of that body and have a purpose to fulfill in the church(1 Corinthians 28). When we take the Eucharist we are being unified with Christ. Jesus is the vine/stem and I am dependent on him for my life. The Holy Spirit has the potential to be active in any church that worships God in truth and Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit for example such as the gift of healing, truth and wisdom. Each spiritual gift works in harmony and has intrinsic value. There are 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit in (1 Corinthians :1-31) the Bible and the gift of the Holy Spirit is usually received today at church through the laying on of hands or baptism. The Bible closely links Baptism to the Holy Spirit. Baptism goes far beyond the receiving of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to renewing promises which marks the beginning of a new journey with God. If you are interested in being baptised it is best to discuss this with a Church minister and I suggest reading reputable information from the Church.

We should also remember that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit is God's power at work and not an indication of human achievement and that we should always worship and thank God for the use of these gifts in our lives. God knows truly what is right for all of his children and we are only but One Body in Christ as Christians.

I will now end this section with the below.

Your body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit which appears in the Bible-(1 Corinthians 6). Christians post Baptism of the Holy Spirit are reminded to keep their Temples clean which contains the Holy Spirit, not just at church but in the whole of their lives as a living duty service to God and the people of God. This expectation is given to Baptised Christians who carry the Holy Spirit and who Jesus is their Saviour and Salvation as well. These are however good values for anyone wishing to follow as well and we all have a journey before we reach this point. No, we will not get it right always as Christians and we look for forgiveness and mercy from God as well.

See link for picture of a vine and branches.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTtOM5WhZfOWgCi3rRX3mHy6dIPI6HWjsalag&s

Good points @Justmerach

I’m thinking about church a lot these days as I’m looking for a new one to be part of following a house move. This thread just came to my attention again, so going to share a couple of thoughts.

‘Church’ (ekklesia) is the gathering of people who follow Jesus, not the building where that meeting happens, although in our culture the word ‘church’ is often used in this way.

When the church assembles itself it is meant to be a participatory event, not a spectator event. The only church meeting I’ve ever been in where this happens is in house church. Auditorium style meetings aren’t meant to be the norm in a Biblical church gathering.

Finding a church which operates on the guidelines of scripture is incredibly difficult in Western culture. However I’m remaining hopeful and seeking our Lord’s leading to open up the way 🙏🏻

*typo

Thank you ChristmasStars.

About what I wrote. I wanted to stick with the Bible. I should have added this from 1 Corinthians 12--Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular and God hath set some some in the church.
Right there you can feel it is different in tone it seeming think the latter does not exist that meeting point and there is only just the members not the meeting point.

This chapter also talks about Baptism.

I wish you the best with you finding a new church LeaningOnTheEverlastingArms.
Bouncing of what you wrote.I myself have attended church in a variety of settings. A room in building with movable chairs and it was full of fervour to more ornate rooms to more established churches like Anglican and Catholic and Catholic church's is where I originally began and I am non demoninational and can go to either service today. My local town church is viewable from my window.

Obviously there is that meeting point where the believers and disciples mèt. Originally it was in people's houses were they grouped and then took to receving the Eucharist in a Holy meeting place. Jesus instructed to take this in his memory in the book of Matthew and we do now normally at church.

It was nice to refresh in my mind about the (ekklesia) etc.
Moving on
I was reading in kJV about differences in administration and operations and I was trying to work my head around is what was the administration and what was the operations. I have seen in some sources administration appear under spiritual gifts but it was not listed in the 9 Spiritual gifts.

I am glad to see in my journey starting out in the revival as wee 17 year old. Baptised at 8. However, my own journey I should that saw showing of blessings and many of the world didn't know about it. Here are today and church's like the Anglican are extolling the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. It was in my sermon for two weeks running and we have services once a month for Healing and Holiness involving laying of hands and healing using the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and believing in it.

I'm with you there @LeaningOnTheEverlastingArms I spent years in home church and even now that we are in a bigger church my favourite part is the home group meetings. Our service is quite large but it still has some participation with people sharing from the front or breaking into small groups at points.

Hi everyone, I have looked into this question more since last year and wrote this using the full range of scipture I could find.

I have looked into this question more and found since then more scripture to support church going in the Bible.

May be this will help some of you as well.

The Bible closely links Baptism to the giving of the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16).

This is what Paul wrote in the Book of Corinthians (1 Corinthians 6: 19-20).
Our Body Our Body the Temples of the Holy Ghost/Spirit.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

What Paul has said about Christians Temples being the body of the Holy Ghost is for Baptised Christians who have the Holy Spirit/Ghost through baptism when this is given additionally to those who accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour through faith. Through being baptised this allows one to have the chance to have eternal life. Those who are not yet baptised-can still have Christian values or be early into the faith on their walk and needing to grow-but they are not yet walking their true spiritual journey with Christ that leads to eternal life. Everyone has the choice to be baptised if they do desire to.

Jesus also asks Christians to take the Sacraments in his memory (Matthew 26: 26-29) and we can usually only do this at church.

The Bible also states that we should not give up gathering together to worship as members of the Body of Christ (Hebrews 10:25). "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Christians are strengthened by praying together and for the world and they also strengthened by the Sabbath rest.

Jesus himself would worship his father on the Sabbath as well as standard please see scripture evidence for it- (Luke 4:16-21).

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil (Matthew 5:17).

Jesus was about the spirit of the law to, and if you need to rest or obtain food to eat to heal on the Sabbath/Sunday and obtain healing or medical treatment, then is ok to in Christianity on the Sabbath.

I asked my rector this question and they said that in Christianity Jesus was about healing and miracles. Today our expectation should be that anything that helps us to heal is ok to do on the day of rest. Jesus also doesn't stress how many times we need to take the Sacraments in his memory, and if you are not able to take it regularly at church or (or given to at your place of rest) and are not well enough or unwell for a prolonged period-then watching a church service online on the Sabbath because of God's grace is ok to do so as well.

The following scriptures are used inaccurately by some people to support no longer having the need to attend church and say that we are under Jesus new law and the Sabbath is no longer required because we are covered by him-

(Colossians 2:16) “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days” This scriptures does not support us breaking the Sabbath rule-but it encourages us not to be put off by those who may ridicule you or try and put you of from upholding it. (Colossians 2:16) is at essence about us avoiding to judge another. This is to supported by ordained ministers who I asked to validate this.

(Hebrews 4:1) “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it”. This scripture is also used to support not upholding the Sabbath. This scripture does not ask us to stop upholding the Sabbath, but it questions us and guides to enter into a deeper spiritual relationship with Jesus rather than just worshipping and not developing your spiritual life.

There is also mention of the 10 Commandments in the Book of Revelations-(Revelations 22:14). "Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city." God in the Ten Commandments asks us to worship on the Sabbath day which is still expected and desirable. “All his commandments. They stand for ever and ever; they are done in truth and equity” as. (Psalm 111) tells us.

The Sabbath continues in this same assembly in the New Heaven and New Earth (Isa 66:23) just as it was on earth for the apostles decades after the Cross following in the example set forth by Jesus.(Acts 13:42), (Acts 13:44), (Acts 15:21) (Acts 18:4) etc commanded by God (Lev 23:3).

Also, the Holy Spirit is present at Church’s if people worship appropriately and has given people miraculous healings and miracles. I have felt the Holy Ghost present at church when they gave me healing in church. The Holy Spirit is the 3rd attribute of God and so God is still present in Church and The gifts of the Holy Spirit are for believers and used to serve the church as well, like with laying on hands, people can receive healing as well. I felt like I had to post though to clear this thing this being misused on social media to try and justify not attending church. Peace to you all.

I would also suggest for the more spiritual personal reasons that you read this article to why Church going is desirable. This document is used internally in many church's to guide people on church going.
www.gospelimprint.com/GI-documents/Leaflets/07-03.15-Back%20to%20Church.pdf

In scripture we read that the gift of the Holy Spirit comes with faith alone and precedes baptism in water.

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
“Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.”
Acts 10:44-48

Sabbath keeping is not a requirement of the New Covenant instituted by Christ at His Last Supper.

The keeping of the Sabbath was the defining feature of the Mosaic Covenant.

Christians are in relationship with God by the New Covenant, not the Mosaic Covenant.

This is why Acts 15 (The Council of Jerusalem) makes it clear that Sabbath observance was not required of Gentile believers in Christ. See v 29.

If a person wishes to observe the Sabbath they are, of course, free to do so.

But they must not put such an expectation on other brothers and sisters.

*edited for typo

Christians are Christian Gentile's as far as I was aware-they are not just Gentile's. I don't think this is aimed at them, but for people outside of the faith non believers. I thought that scripture for those not under Jesus spiritual law.

Acts 15 sets out the requirements placed by the Council of Jerusalem on Gentile believers.

Sabbath observance was not required.

Act 15 has also no mention of the 1st commandment of Jesus and God which is to love God 1st, so I don't think it as it may appear. All the Commandments to are in the New Testatment.
I will ask my rector to clarify this.

I don’t think that my rector is needed to clarify this further. I read the whole of Acts 15.
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
^
This is for new converts to God with no mention of love or respect of another.
I also see no mention that Sabbath keeping is not to be customary in Christianity.

For as much as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

Just for clarity, and since this thread is talking about church attendance, does your church meet on the Sabbath or on Sunday?

I asked my church minister who is a doctor in the faith and runs a church about the Act 15 and this is their speciality. Judging by what the said this seemed to be some proviso thing-
This is what they wrote to me-
Re Acts 15 this part of what happened at the church developed and people worked out what it means to follow Jesus Christ from a variety of different perspectives.

For me my Sabbath is Sunday. I know for Jews it was Saturday. I go an anglican church now as a non demotional which is my local church and just three minutes from my home. I was baptised a Catholic and went to a Catholic school and I think most church's say baptism equals the Holy Spirit. I have heard of some people who get the Holy Spirit outside of church. Most seem to go through church to get this today.