Won't membership create a 'them' and 'us' situation. Non members seen as less important and not to recieve the same level of pastoral care from the pastor, not being able to vote at an agm, always being classed a visitors etc
In order for a church to have tax exempt status, they must have at least three founding members who are not related, and a membership list of members who are not associated with any other church or denomination (IRS Code 501 (c)(3)). I'm not anti-church, definitely not anti-Christian, nor anti-membership, but that is why a lot of churches push for membership.
bringing money in to the equation! I know that many churches depend of the faithful giving of the attendees. But when we start taling about Tax, I dont know!
Thank you for this video. I agree. With what you're saying completely. My question is if a church is asking you to sign a written document as a covenant with a varying responsibilities. How do you feel about going to the extent of signing an actual document? Thank you.
Pastors , elders, and deacons are supposed to be servant leaders. The problem arises when they start thinking theyre OVER the congregants with a servant attitude. I will NOT sign a contract to " join" a church- I believe that's authoritarian and against what Jesus would want in a church.
Being a Christian is necessary and when you become a Christian God adds you to the body of the saved, the church of God, the church of Christ, the bride of Christ at the same moment.
Hey am soo glad u did this video... i used to join churches and then afterwards i was like ok big deal now what? so i kept leaveing and joining other chruches. its didnt mean much nnot even to them because they never asked me what happened,, so now i began the approach to not join because i am already bornagain and can already recieve from God without being a church member.. only in spirit i am part of His body. And ur right about we can not let everyone be our pastor we cant bear everyones burdens, but it does depend on what church u join if ur gonna join because if they have messed up limitations and wont step outside there box or comfort level u might be a memeber but ur gonna have real problems trying to obey the real gospel. am still not convinced i should join any church at this point.. but am glad ur wise an giving this thought because i have thought about this issue also..am not shure pastors should be asking or making a call for members. people can do that on there own if they realy want to but there heart should be to be ministering to the ones who showed up that day and equiuiping them now today is the day of salvation. i believe we should love Jesus Christ more than a church. if u love your church more than u love Jesus then nowonder it gets too religious and feels like a social club.. ya am not interested in that...Pastors that love there chruch more than they love Jesus are not ready to minister to the one lost sheep or speak that one message they need to speak for fear of offending the current members.. ya am thinking membership is not good..
Michael First I would like to say, I think it’s awesome your are listening and genuinely considering his words even if you don’t agree. I would start by saying marriage is an example of Christ and the church. The husband should be representing Christ and the bride should represent his church. Therefore saying that the church is extremely important. I would also challenge you to think about your bible in context. All the epistles were written to churches. Paul’s letters while they may have addressed certain people specifically, it was all for the church. Philippians, Galatians, Thessalonians etc. We were meant to be in community with other believers. There are many passages in the Bible about elders and deacons and how older women teach the younger women and older men teach the younger men. That is in context of the church. We were not meant to do this on our own. Our church is our family, our accountability, the people who build you up and you build them up. I understand not all churches are perfect. People aren’t perfect but it is a good idea to know the doctrine that church stands on. And if they get the gospel right then I would say it’s a pretty safe bet. There’s also a website called 9marks that can help find a bible believing church in your area.
Yes, I agree with what you said, however. I shouldn't receive a badge saying I'm a member or be uplifted in saying I'm a member. That caused a division, and you're not to cause division.
My pastor put it this way: you don’t have to go to church to be saved, but you do have to go to be OBEDIENT. If you love God you keep his commandments and that’s not just the 10 commandments.
Knavar and he was wrong. The majority of Christians have been deceived by the devil into following Old Testament ways that no longer apply. In the Old Testament you had the temple and the high priest and that is where you went to worship God. But once Jesus came He presented us with a New Covenant and a new way to worship Him. Jesus related to us in John 4 that the new and the only new way to now worship God was in our Spirit and in truth and that it was neither at a place or at the temple in Jerusalem. But yet the majority of believers still worship at a temple (church) and they fail to understand that this Old Covenant way, no longer applies. “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”” John 4:21-24 NIV The worship places all over this earth prove once again how mankind has gone astray. These man made structures are not of God and they are just another deception concocted by the devil. KJV Bible translators changed the Greek word Ecclesia which meant a body of Christians who congregate into Kuriakos which in Old English was known as churche or now in its present church. Today’s Christian fail to understand that Jesus is your high priest and mediator, and it is not some misguided man preaching at a local church or religion. Just think how many religions and churches there currently are and then ask yourself why they all deliver a different message. So do you honestly believe that a God of order would ever establish such a travesty? No, they are simply of the devil, the god of confusion who desires to lead you astray. “Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings-external regulations applying until the time of the new order. But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” Hebrews 9:1-15 NIV In scripture Jesus stated that we were not to be like the hypocrites who went to the synagogues (temples or churches) or who stood on the streets so that others could see. He instructed us to be alone in our rooms and here we were to pray. So what was the reason for us to worship like this? Because you were to talk to Him and worship Him in your Spirit and to use His word of truth, since your body is now the temple of God and Jesus dwells within. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” Matthew 6:5-7 NIV Jesus dwells inside every believer and He will now teach and guide you through His Holy Spirit if you understand how to test the Spirits. So any Christians who worships at a church or ministry fails to realize that they are deceived, and they do not understand that their body is now the temple of God. And so they display their ignorance of scripture and they prove why they are of the many who have chosen the road to destruction. “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” John 6:45 NKJV “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.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” I Corinthians 3:16 NKJV “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.” Acts 17:24-25 NKJV “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built Him a house. “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: ‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?’” Acts 7:44-50 NKJV “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV In closing there is not one scripture where God ever commanded or articulated that His followers should go and worship Him together on the first day of the week! Sunday church services are simply man made traditions.
Thanks for your opinion on church membership but next time tell people it's your opinion or back it up fully with scripture if you can't leave God out of it. God bless you
NO. Only the Pastor & the church leaders have any legal status as "members" laypeople have no official status 'members' in the eyes of the law. The union with other believers is invisible & spiritual requiring no formal written or oral contract
No body said anything about a contract. Legal status isn't the issue and was never discussed. While our union is invisible and spiritual "requiring no formal written contract"... the fact remains that this union must be lived out practically. The responsibilities and benefits of being a functioning member of a local expression of the body of Christ should be taught and can't be assumed. Any believer who is not actually a practically & relationally connected member of a local expression of the body of Christ is missing out.
@@AndyHayner Is taking an oath of obedience to a human 501(c)3 corporation necessary for salvation? Under PCA church order is there really any accountability for church leaders or are members just asked to leave if they disagree with the leadership? Please recommend an updated video so that I can understand better because my wife joined a PCA church and I am hesitant to take the oath of obedience after having a previous bad experience as a member in an unaffiliated Reformed Baptist church from which I was de-membered from the corporation after disagreeing with the Elders about changes to the State corporation by-laws. Sincerely looking to understand this issue. 😇 Have a great day!
@lynntoytrainmuseum8973 Absolutly NOT. The body of Christ is a spiritual reality that is relationally expressed. Human worldly orginizational structures are cheap imitations. Many people that are considered "members" of "church" are totally disconnected from any practical fellowship that allows for sharing the life of Christ together. But, in the same way, many of those who have seen that these 501c3 organizations that call themselves churches are NOT what Jesus had in mind, sadly many of these saints distance themselves from true interconnected fellowship in, through, and for Jesus Christ... pointing fingers at the faults of the institutional system without pushing forward to live in the fullness of Christ together with all the saints.
If you are already a member of the body of Christ, you don't need a church membership from any church organization...God will never tell you to join a church organization, because you are already a member of the body of Christ...In the new testament, the saints were called the churches of God...True fellowship is with the Father and the Son...Jesus said where 2 or 3 gather in my name there I am in the midst...A church organization and a gang organization, they both have members...Church membership is a man made doctrine.
@@lizm5991, I don't know if you know this or not, but almost every pastor or preacher is using the levitical priesthood law of God to receive tithes and offerings from the church, and sometimes from unbelievers. Pastors, and preachers have no authority from God to receive tithes and offerings from jews or gentiles, because God ordained the tribe of Levi to receive tithes and offerings from the children of Israel, according to the law [ Hebrews 7:5 ]. The true church of God is supposed to say to the pastor, or to the preacher to the face, you cannot receive tithes and offerings from jews or gentiles, because you are not from the levitical priesthood tribe of Israel, and if the pastor or preacher neglects to hear the church, Jesus said, let him be unto you as a heathen man and a publican [ Matthew 18:17 ]. Can the pastor, or the preacher, or the church congregation be justified by the law in the sight of God? NO. Because it is written, but that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that do them shall live in them [ Galatians 3:10-12 ]. Can the church tithe to gentile pastors, or preachers? NO. Because God ordained the tribe of Levi to receive tithes and offerings from the children of Israel, according to the law [ Hebrews 7:5 ]. Can the pastor or the preacher, eat and drink of the gospel for doing the work of the Lord? YES. For the labourer is worthy of his hire [ Luke 10:7 ] & [ 1 Timothy 5:18 ]. Can the church give freely to the poor? YES. Because it is written, freely you have received, freely give [ Matthew 10:8 ]. Did Jesus say, it is more blessed to give than to receive? YES. [ Acts 20:35 ]. Did Paul say, for God loves a cheerful giver? YES. [ 2 Corinthians 9:7 ]. If the church tithes, do they have to keep the whole law of God? YES. For it is written, cursed is everyone that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them [ Galatians 3:10-12 ]. Farewell in Jesus name.
@@christhayer5034 sounds like you are in a man made church organization. If you are a seventh day adventists, or a baptist, or a Jehovah witness, or a pentecostal, etc. You are in a man made church organization. No one is keeping the law of God. Romans chapter 7 And no one is justified by the law in the sight of God. Galatians 3:10-12 The question is, who would want to join a false church organization?
I think this 2. I remain open to be proven wrong. Not happened yet though. There is a ceremony in many chruches that needs to take place as part of becoming a member. Very intimidating if you are a bit of an introvert (like me). But many churches make the membership ceremony a must for thoes who want special pastoral care, who want a vote at the agm, otherwise you are not classed as 'committed' to the church, not recognised as part of the family etc or no matter how long you have attended that same church (as a non-member) you will always come under the category of being visitor. This creates a them and us sitution - entitled and unintitled (unless you become a member, sign the book, speak in front of the church for 3-5minutes and then wait for a show of hands)
Analyze and dissect, question, study and processing thoughts it's all apart of learning and teaching the problem is mass majority of all Christian churches claim they teach but the moment these actions take place from persons who coming to Consciousness about certain things dealing with the religion or faith Church elders and leaders discouraged other people from doing rational research. so it becomes an issue of what is the purpose of the church to individuals who have a Consciousness opposite of what Christians teach? most Christians de converted in their heart but are stuck in Tradition for therapy
Mass majority of teaching preaching AKA sermons are re-cycle reiterated messages that majority of congregation has already heard so there's really not a lot of advancement outside of the indoctrination for interpretation and versions of the Bible and versions of Life ethics the individual Church elders preach ...not teach. And bible study oh my God what do you pastors do when the information and facts proven that are in the consciousness of the people you lead but is completely opposite of what you teach from the Bible?
The reality is Pastors have to keep reminding people that this religion does not boil down to evidence but off of faith AKA interpreted as imagination ( many pastors today surprisingly has faded away from apologetics) sure they say by faith it is true but that's not how things really work so why is there so much energy in time trying to convince and keep others convinced on this system of faith? Real question not rhetorical....
"And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision." Gal 2 : 9 (They fellowshipped based on "perceived grace".) "But I say unto you, Swear not at all..." Matthew 5 : 34 (Also read, Ecclesiastes 5) "Know ye not that your bodies ARE the members of Christ?..." 1 Cor 6 : 15 "NOW ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." 1 Cor 12 : 27 "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And YE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power: Col 2 : 8-10 "They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them." Gal 4 : 17 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Gal 5 : 1 "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you." Galatians 5 : 7-8 If you are in Christ, then you are already a member of his Church. Ecclesiastes 5 is clear that you do not have to make vows to God, and in fact it can be quite dangerous to do so. God wants you to be free in Christ. If God has told you that you are free to not make vows, then no pastor or elder has the authority to command you to do so by using Hebrews 13.
Here are some: "But I say unto you, Swear not at all..." Matthew 5 : 34 "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?..." 1 Cor 6 : 15 "NOW ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." 1 Cor 12 : 27 "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Col 2 : 8-10 "They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them." Gal 4 : 17 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Gal 5 : 1 "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you." Galatians 5 : 7-8
@@victorbennett5414 again the actual word 'membership' isn't metioned. It might be implied, allouded to but I have found no clear scripture that mentions it
@@stevemoffat2272 "And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship..." Gal 2 : 9 Peter, James, and John could tell Paul had received the grace of God and considered him a brother and offered him fellowship based on that perceived grace. My favorite scripture on the matter is Colossians 2 : 8-10. I'm complete in Christ, already a member of his church through faith and the working of the Holy Spirit. What else is needed? "They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them." Gal 4 : 17 Modern day Pharisees are everywhere...
I would like to be in your church. The last time I joined something went wrong. Then the next time I seen church. There were 20 or so people who wanted to join. And I never in my life seen the all the pastors come out and say to the members who came. forward and say now if anyone disagrees with this person being a member speak now. So you see Something is going on. It says in the bible we will all pray in secret. Now I know that means one thing but it can also mean another. To all believers.
The majority of Christians have been deceived by the devil into following Old Testament ways that no longer apply. In the Old Testament you had the temple and the high priest and that is where you went to worship God. But once Jesus came He presented us with a New Covenant and a new way to worship Him. Jesus related to us in John 4 that the new and the only new way to now worship God was in our Spirit and in truth and that it was neither at a place or at the temple in Jerusalem. But yet the majority of believers still worship at a temple (church) and they fail to understand that this Old Covenant way, no longer applies. “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”” John 4:21-24 NIV The worship places all over this earth prove once again how mankind has gone astray. These man made structures are not of God and they are just another deception concocted by the devil. KJV Bible translators changed the Greek word Ecclesia which meant a body of Christians who congregate into Kuriakos which in Old English was known as churche or now in its present church. Today’s Christian fail to understand that Jesus is your high priest and mediator, and it is not some misguided man preaching at a local church or religion. Just think how many religions and churches there currently are and then ask yourself why they all deliver a different message. So do you honestly believe that a God of order would ever establish such a travesty? No, they are simply of the devil, the god of confusion who desires to lead you astray. “Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings-external regulations applying until the time of the new order. But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” Hebrews 9:1-15 NIV In scripture Jesus stated that we were not to be like the hypocrites who went to the synagogues (temples or churches) or who stood on the streets so that others could see. He instructed us to be alone in our rooms and here we were to pray. So what was the reason for us to worship like this? Because you were to talk to Him and worship Him in your Spirit and to use His word of truth, since your body is now the temple of God and Jesus dwells within. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” Matthew 6:5-7 NIV Jesus dwells inside every believer and He will now teach and guide you through His Holy Spirit if you understand how to test the Spirits. So any Christians who worships at a church or ministry fails to realize that they are deceived, and they do not understand that their body is now the temple of God. And so they display their ignorance of scripture and they prove why they are of the many who have chosen the road to destruction. “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” John 6:45 NKJV “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.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” I Corinthians 3:16 NKJV “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.” Acts 17:24-25 NKJV “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built Him a house. “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: ‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?’” Acts 7:44-50 NKJV “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV In closing there is not one scripture where God ever commanded or articulated that His followers should go and worship Him together on the first day of the week! Sunday church services are simply man made traditions.
There is a ceremony in many chruches that needs to take place as part of becoming a member. Very intimidating if you are a bit of an introvert (like me). But many churches make the membership ceremony a must for thoes who want special pastoral care, who want a vote at the agm, otherwise you are not classed as 'committed' to the church, not recognised as part of the family etc or no matter how long you have attended that same church (as a non-member) you will always come under the category of being visitor. This creates a them and us sitution - entitled and unintitled (unless you become a member, sign the book, speak in front of the church for 3-5minutes and then wait for a show of hands)
Very good summary saint Lee. Koinonea. Partnership in the gospel. Members of one body. Faithfully following Jesus means joining with his people.
Won't membership create a 'them' and 'us' situation. Non members seen as less important and not to recieve the same level of pastoral care from the pastor, not being able to vote at an agm, always being classed a visitors etc
In order for a church to have tax exempt status, they must have at least three founding members who are not related, and a membership list of members who are not associated with any other church or denomination (IRS Code 501 (c)(3)). I'm not anti-church, definitely not anti-Christian, nor anti-membership, but that is why a lot of churches push for membership.
Why even register at all? Can't private citizens pool money for their own charitable desires?
bringing money in to the equation! I know that many churches depend of the faithful giving of the attendees. But when we start taling about Tax, I dont know!
John 14 : 6
Jesus answered,
I am the way, the truth and the life.
There is no and never was a Jesus
Thank you for this video. I agree. With what you're saying completely. My question is if a church is asking you to sign a written document as a covenant with a varying responsibilities. How do you feel about going to the extent of signing an actual document? Thank you.
So very well said and presented. You helped me to better see and understand the relational membership that I may take for granted. Thank you.
Pastors , elders, and deacons are supposed to be servant leaders. The problem arises when they start thinking theyre OVER the congregants with a servant attitude. I will NOT sign a contract to " join" a church- I believe that's authoritarian and against what Jesus would want in a church.
me 2
This Man inspires me and may the bless him
Daniel kaluba me too
Being a Christian is necessary and when you become a Christian God adds you to the body of the saved, the church of God, the church of Christ, the bride of Christ at the same moment.
Hey am soo glad u did this video... i used to join churches and then afterwards i was like ok big deal now what? so i kept leaveing and joining other chruches. its didnt mean much nnot even to them because they never asked me what happened,, so now i began the approach to not join because i am already bornagain and can already recieve from God without being a church member.. only in spirit i am part of His body. And ur right about we can not let everyone be our pastor we cant bear everyones burdens, but it does depend on what church u join if ur gonna join because if they have messed up limitations and wont step outside there box or comfort level u might be a memeber but ur gonna have real problems trying to obey the real gospel. am still not convinced i should join any church at this point.. but am glad ur wise an giving this thought because i have thought about this issue also..am not shure pastors should be asking or making a call for members. people can do that on there own if they realy want to but there heart should be to be ministering to the ones who showed up that day and equiuiping them now today is the day of salvation. i believe we should love Jesus Christ more than a church. if u love your church more than u love Jesus then nowonder it gets too religious and feels like a social club.. ya am not interested in that...Pastors that love there chruch more than they love Jesus are not ready to minister to the one lost sheep or speak that one message they need to speak for fear of offending the current members.. ya am thinking membership is not good..
Michael First I would like to say, I think it’s awesome your are listening and genuinely considering his words even if you don’t agree. I would start by saying marriage is an example of Christ and the church. The husband should be representing Christ and the bride should represent his church. Therefore saying that the church is extremely important. I would also challenge you to think about your bible in context. All the epistles were written to churches. Paul’s letters while they may have addressed certain people specifically, it was all for the church. Philippians, Galatians, Thessalonians etc. We were meant to be in community with other believers. There are many passages in the Bible about elders and deacons and how older women teach the younger women and older men teach the younger men. That is in context of the church. We were not meant to do this on our own. Our church is our family, our accountability, the people who build you up and you build them up.
I understand not all churches are perfect. People aren’t perfect but it is a good idea to know the doctrine that church stands on. And if they get the gospel right then I would say it’s a pretty safe bet. There’s also a website called 9marks that can help find a bible believing church in your area.
Yes, I agree with what you said, however.
I shouldn't receive a badge saying I'm a member or be uplifted in saying I'm a member. That caused a division, and you're not to cause division.
My pastor put it this way: you don’t have to go to church to be saved, but you do have to go to be OBEDIENT. If you love God you keep his commandments and that’s not just the 10 commandments.
Knavar and he was wrong.
The majority of Christians have been deceived by the devil into following Old Testament ways that no longer apply. In the Old Testament you had the temple and the high priest and that is where you went to worship God. But once Jesus came He presented us with a New Covenant and a new way to worship Him. Jesus related to us in John 4 that the new and the only new way to now worship God was in our Spirit and in truth and that it was neither at a place or at the temple in Jerusalem. But yet the majority of believers still worship at a temple (church) and they fail to understand that this Old Covenant way, no longer applies.
“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.””
John 4:21-24 NIV
The worship places all over this earth prove once again how mankind has gone astray. These man made structures are not of God and they are just another deception concocted by the devil. KJV Bible translators changed the Greek word Ecclesia which meant a body of Christians who congregate into Kuriakos which in Old English was known as churche or now in its present church. Today’s Christian fail to understand that Jesus is your high priest and mediator, and it is not some misguided man preaching at a local church or religion. Just think how many religions and churches there currently are and then ask yourself why they all deliver a different message. So do you honestly believe that a God of order would ever establish such a travesty? No, they are simply of the devil, the god of confusion who desires to lead you astray.
“Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings-external regulations applying until the time of the new order. But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”
Hebrews 9:1-15 NIV
In scripture Jesus stated that we were not to be like the hypocrites who went to the synagogues (temples or churches) or who stood on the streets so that others could see. He instructed us to be alone in our rooms and here we were to pray. So what was the reason for us to worship like this? Because you were to talk to Him and worship Him in your Spirit and to use His word of truth, since your body is now the temple of God and Jesus dwells within.
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”
Matthew 6:5-7 NIV
Jesus dwells inside every believer and He will now teach and guide you through His Holy Spirit if you understand how to test the Spirits. So any Christians who worships at a church or ministry fails to realize that they are deceived, and they do not understand that their body is now the temple of God. And so they display their ignorance of scripture and they prove why they are of the many who have chosen the road to destruction.
“It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.”
John 6:45 NKJV
“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.”
I Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”
I Corinthians 3:16 NKJV
“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.”
Acts 17:24-25 NKJV
“Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built Him a house. “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: ‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?’”
Acts 7:44-50 NKJV
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV
In closing there is not one scripture where God ever commanded or articulated that His followers should go and worship Him together on the first day of the week! Sunday church services are simply man made traditions.
not blindly obedient.
"Going to church" is different than signing a membership covenant.
something is wrong in the churches . We are the CHURCH. I understand that but I think small group is good right now.
Thanks for your opinion on church membership but next time tell people it's your opinion or back it up fully with scripture if you can't leave God out of it. God bless you
I think your comments are good, but what about if the atmosphere in your church is kind of toxic that you're not feeling the presence of God?
You leave
As part of the body try to help out whatever needs to be fixed
you have a choice to leave.
NO. Only the Pastor & the church leaders have any legal status as "members" laypeople have no official status 'members' in the eyes of the law. The union with other believers is invisible & spiritual requiring no formal written or oral contract
Correct
No body said anything about a contract. Legal status isn't the issue and was never discussed. While our union is invisible and spiritual "requiring no formal written contract"... the fact remains that this union must be lived out practically. The responsibilities and benefits of being a functioning member of a local expression of the body of Christ should be taught and can't be assumed. Any believer who is not actually a practically & relationally connected member of a local expression of the body of Christ is missing out.
@JOSEPH Most churches function on the basis of human traditions that have nothing to do with God's Word.
@@AndyHayner Is taking an oath of obedience to a human 501(c)3 corporation necessary for salvation? Under PCA church order is there really any accountability for church leaders or are members just asked to leave if they disagree with the leadership? Please recommend an updated video so that I can understand better because my wife joined a PCA church and I am hesitant to take the oath of obedience after having a previous bad experience as a member in an unaffiliated Reformed Baptist church from which I was de-membered from the corporation after disagreeing with the Elders about changes to the State corporation by-laws. Sincerely looking to understand this issue. 😇 Have a great day!
@lynntoytrainmuseum8973 Absolutly NOT. The body of Christ is a spiritual reality that is relationally expressed. Human worldly orginizational structures are cheap imitations. Many people that are considered "members" of "church" are totally disconnected from any practical fellowship that allows for sharing the life of Christ together. But, in the same way, many of those who have seen that these 501c3 organizations that call themselves churches are NOT what Jesus had in mind, sadly many of these saints distance themselves from true interconnected fellowship in, through, and for Jesus Christ... pointing fingers at the faults of the institutional system without pushing forward to live in the fullness of Christ together with all the saints.
If you are already a member of the body of Christ, you don't need a church membership from any church organization...God will never tell you to join a church organization, because you are already a member of the body of Christ...In the new testament, the saints were called the churches of God...True fellowship is with the Father and the Son...Jesus said where 2 or 3 gather in my name there I am in the midst...A church organization and a gang organization, they both have members...Church membership is a man made doctrine.
Aaaamen!
Exactly!!!!!!
@@lizm5991, I don't know if you know this or not, but almost every pastor or preacher is using the levitical priesthood law of God to receive tithes and offerings from the church, and sometimes from unbelievers.
Pastors, and preachers have no authority from God to receive tithes and offerings from jews or gentiles, because God ordained the tribe of Levi to receive tithes and offerings from the children of Israel, according to the law [ Hebrews 7:5 ].
The true church of God is supposed to say to the pastor, or to the preacher to the face, you cannot receive tithes and offerings from jews or gentiles, because you are not from the levitical priesthood tribe of Israel, and if the pastor or preacher neglects to hear the church, Jesus said, let him be unto you as a heathen man and a publican [ Matthew 18:17 ].
Can the pastor, or the preacher, or the church congregation be justified by the law in the sight of God? NO. Because it is written, but that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that do them shall live in them [ Galatians 3:10-12 ].
Can the church tithe to gentile pastors, or preachers? NO. Because God ordained the tribe of Levi to receive tithes and offerings from the children of Israel, according to the law [ Hebrews 7:5 ].
Can the pastor or the preacher, eat and drink of the gospel for doing the work of the Lord? YES. For the labourer is worthy of his hire [ Luke 10:7 ] & [ 1 Timothy 5:18 ].
Can the church give freely to the poor? YES. Because it is written, freely you have received, freely give [ Matthew 10:8 ].
Did Jesus say, it is more blessed to give than to receive? YES. [ Acts 20:35 ].
Did Paul say, for God loves a cheerful giver? YES. [ 2 Corinthians 9:7 ].
If the church tithes, do they have to keep the whole law of God? YES. For it is written, cursed is everyone that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them [ Galatians 3:10-12 ].
Farewell in Jesus name.
Sounds like you were thrown out of a church
@@christhayer5034 sounds like you are in a man made church organization.
If you are a seventh day adventists, or a baptist, or a Jehovah witness, or a pentecostal, etc. You are in a man made church organization.
No one is keeping the law of God. Romans chapter 7
And no one is justified by the law in the sight of God. Galatians 3:10-12
The question is, who would want to join a false church organization?
Well said sir
Yes necessary
I think this 2. I remain open to be proven wrong. Not happened yet though.
There is a ceremony in many chruches that needs to take place as part of becoming a member. Very intimidating if you are a bit of an introvert (like me). But many churches make the membership ceremony a must for thoes who want special pastoral care, who want a vote at the agm, otherwise you are not classed as 'committed' to the church, not recognised as part of the family etc or no matter how long you have attended that same church (as a non-member) you will always come under the category of being visitor. This creates a them and us sitution - entitled and unintitled (unless you become a member, sign the book, speak in front of the church for 3-5minutes and then wait for a show of hands)
We are the BODY. What you preach is legalism.
Seriously, man? Convicted much?
Analyze and dissect, question, study and processing thoughts it's all apart of learning and teaching the problem is mass majority of all Christian churches claim they teach but the moment these actions take place from persons who coming to Consciousness about certain things dealing with the religion or faith Church elders and leaders discouraged other people from doing rational research. so it becomes an issue of what is the purpose of the church to individuals who have a Consciousness opposite of what Christians teach? most Christians de converted in their heart but are stuck in Tradition for therapy
Mass majority of teaching preaching AKA sermons are re-cycle reiterated messages that majority of congregation has already heard so there's really not a lot of advancement outside of the indoctrination for interpretation and versions of the Bible and versions of Life ethics the individual Church elders preach ...not teach. And bible study oh my God what do you pastors do when the information and facts proven that are in the consciousness of the people you lead but is completely opposite of what you teach from the Bible?
The reality is Pastors have to keep reminding people that this religion does not boil down to evidence but off of faith AKA interpreted as imagination ( many pastors today surprisingly has faded away from apologetics) sure they say by faith it is true but that's not how things really work so why is there so much energy in time trying to convince and keep others convinced on this system of faith? Real question not rhetorical....
Still confused
hay me 2
"And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision." Gal 2 : 9 (They fellowshipped based on "perceived grace".)
"But I say unto you, Swear not at all..." Matthew 5 : 34 (Also read, Ecclesiastes 5)
"Know ye not that your bodies ARE the members of Christ?..." 1 Cor 6 : 15
"NOW ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." 1 Cor 12 : 27
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And YE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power: Col 2 : 8-10
"They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them." Gal 4 : 17
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Gal 5 : 1
"Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you." Galatians 5 : 7-8
If you are in Christ, then you are already a member of his Church. Ecclesiastes 5 is clear that you do not have to make vows to God, and in fact it can be quite dangerous to do so. God wants you to be free in Christ. If God has told you that you are free to not make vows, then no pastor or elder has the authority to command you to do so by using Hebrews 13.
Not one scripture given...why?
Here are some:
"But I say unto you, Swear not at all..." Matthew 5 : 34
"Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?..." 1 Cor 6 : 15
"NOW ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." 1 Cor 12 : 27
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Col 2 : 8-10
"They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them." Gal 4 : 17
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Gal 5 : 1
"Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you." Galatians 5 : 7-8
@@victorbennett5414 again the actual word 'membership' isn't metioned. It might be implied, allouded to but I have found no clear scripture that mentions it
@@stevemoffat2272 "And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship..." Gal 2 : 9
Peter, James, and John could tell Paul had received the grace of God and considered him a brother and offered him fellowship based on that perceived grace.
My favorite scripture on the matter is Colossians 2 : 8-10. I'm complete in Christ, already a member of his church through faith and the working of the Holy Spirit. What else is needed?
"They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them." Gal 4 : 17
Modern day Pharisees are everywhere...
I would like to be in your church. The last time I joined something went wrong. Then the next time I seen church. There were 20 or so people who wanted to join. And I never in my life seen the all the pastors come out and say to the members who came. forward and say now if anyone disagrees with this person being a member speak now. So you see Something is going on. It says in the bible we will all pray in secret. Now I know that means one thing but it can also mean another. To all believers.
The majority of Christians have been deceived by the devil into following Old Testament ways that no longer apply. In the Old Testament you had the temple and the high priest and that is where you went to worship God. But once Jesus came He presented us with a New Covenant and a new way to worship Him. Jesus related to us in John 4 that the new and the only new way to now worship God was in our Spirit and in truth and that it was neither at a place or at the temple in Jerusalem. But yet the majority of believers still worship at a temple (church) and they fail to understand that this Old Covenant way, no longer applies.
“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.””
John 4:21-24 NIV
The worship places all over this earth prove once again how mankind has gone astray. These man made structures are not of God and they are just another deception concocted by the devil. KJV Bible translators changed the Greek word Ecclesia which meant a body of Christians who congregate into Kuriakos which in Old English was known as churche or now in its present church. Today’s Christian fail to understand that Jesus is your high priest and mediator, and it is not some misguided man preaching at a local church or religion. Just think how many religions and churches there currently are and then ask yourself why they all deliver a different message. So do you honestly believe that a God of order would ever establish such a travesty? No, they are simply of the devil, the god of confusion who desires to lead you astray.
“Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings-external regulations applying until the time of the new order. But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”
Hebrews 9:1-15 NIV
In scripture Jesus stated that we were not to be like the hypocrites who went to the synagogues (temples or churches) or who stood on the streets so that others could see. He instructed us to be alone in our rooms and here we were to pray. So what was the reason for us to worship like this? Because you were to talk to Him and worship Him in your Spirit and to use His word of truth, since your body is now the temple of God and Jesus dwells within.
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”
Matthew 6:5-7 NIV
Jesus dwells inside every believer and He will now teach and guide you through His Holy Spirit if you understand how to test the Spirits. So any Christians who worships at a church or ministry fails to realize that they are deceived, and they do not understand that their body is now the temple of God. And so they display their ignorance of scripture and they prove why they are of the many who have chosen the road to destruction.
“It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.”
John 6:45 NKJV
“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.”
I Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”
I Corinthians 3:16 NKJV
“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.”
Acts 17:24-25 NKJV
“Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built Him a house. “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: ‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?’”
Acts 7:44-50 NKJV
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV
In closing there is not one scripture where God ever commanded or articulated that His followers should go and worship Him together on the first day of the week! Sunday church services are simply man made traditions.
There is a ceremony in many chruches that needs to take place as part of becoming a member. Very intimidating if you are a bit of an introvert (like me). But many churches make the membership ceremony a must for thoes who want special pastoral care, who want a vote at the agm, otherwise you are not classed as 'committed' to the church, not recognised as part of the family etc or no matter how long you have attended that same church (as a non-member) you will always come under the category of being visitor. This creates a them and us sitution - entitled and unintitled (unless you become a member, sign the book, speak in front of the church for 3-5minutes and then wait for a show of hands)
nice!!
Maybe if there is less sexual abuse in church people might come back.
so biased these videos. another expected answer from "The Gospel Coalition." of course lol