[ndigila]

Currently, there is a Christian mindset that separates Christian faith and spirituality from belonging to a church, (i.e. it doesn't matter which church you attend as long as you believe in Jesus, or going to church is irrelevant, all you need is the Holy Spirit and the Bible). Is such a mindset valid or dangerous to Christianity?

[KEMINOKANA]

A very difficult question to answer but I've noticed that alot of the people who make such arguments do so for convenience. For example, I've met some adventists who hepa saturday church coz they say it has too many rules e.g jewelry. I dont think such people's arguments will stand on judgement day. But I do think those who were brought up in their denominations will be held to the standards set by their faith.

[ndigila]

Originally Posted by KEMINOKANA

But I do think those who were brought up in their denominations will be held to the standards set by their faith.

If what you say is true, then why not extend that to the different religions? I.e. Those brought up in different religions will be held to the standards of their religion?

[jasakwa]

Originally Posted by ndigila

Currently, there is a Christian mindset that separates Christian faith and spirituality from belonging to a church, (i.e. it doesn't matter which church you attend as long as you believe in Jesus, or going to church is irrelevant, all you need is the Holy Spirit and the Bible). Is such a mindset valid or dangerous to Christianity?

I agree that it doesn't matter which church you attend ,as long as your have the bible,the holy ghost,and do what is right through faith.

what i don't agree with is that going to church doesn't matter,well it matters,remember what God's will is for the church.He encourages union and fellowship,that is why the holy ghost was given in a meeting of many,and is also why the gifts are given interdependently.

[ndigila]

I agree that it doesn't matter which church you attend ,as long as your have the bible,the holy ghost,and do what is right through faith.

Jasakwa, how do you deal with this Bible verse,
1 Timothy 3:15b "This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth."
when the different churches don't agree on what the truth is? And another problem that exists is that the holy spirit is telling different Christians different things, how do you know who's right and who's wrong?


what i don't agree with is that going to church doesn't matter,well it matters,remember what God's will is for the church.He encourages union and fellowship,that is why the holy ghost was given in a meeting of many,and is also why the gifts are given interdependently.

This statement sort of contradicts your first one. If it matters that you attend church then it matters which church you attend. If God's will really is for the church, then shouldn't that include all churches believing and teaching the same thing? Doesn't union and fellowship not just include individuals but all the churches in general?

[grip_daddy]

I want to ask these questions for logical and rational thinking, so that from there we know about the truth of the necessity to either neglect church attendance, or the possibility of two different people believing in one thing differently.

1. We *all* believe that God is one (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit), thereby implying that He has only one WILL, one WAY to relate with man (through Christ), and one major REQUIREMENT from man, that is, worship. If God through the Holy Spirit goes to person A, and convicts him, and shows him a truth (e.g. that jewelry is wrong or not wrong), is it possible for the same Holy Spirit to convict person B with an opposite message?

2. If the answer of question one is no, why are there conflicting teachings across religions, denominations and faiths?

3. If the answer to question one is yes, are all religions and denomination in existence today working for God? Or just some? Why the need of different religions and denominations with divergent belief systems who only worship one God who has one WILL, one WAY and one REQUIREMENT? Why did God bring these into play yet He could only have one group of believers as seen during the times of the disciples?

4. If the reality of situation three above is God ordained, then is that not a God who creates confusion? (Paul said that our God is a God of order and not a God of confusion).

5. Is indepth study of the bible necessary to know the God's Will, Way and Requirements, and two people who are led by the same Holy Spirit to undertand the same bible required to arrive at same understanding? Would conflicting understandings mean absence of Holy Spirit in either one person or even both (human led reading and reasoning only)?

[t.D.A.]

Originally Posted by ndigila

currently, there is a christian mindset that separates christian faith and spirituality from belonging to a church, (i.e. It doesn't matter which church you attend as long as you believe in jesus, or going to church is irrelevant, all you need is the holy spirit and the bible). Is such a mindset valid or dangerous to christianity?

a church is simply a group of believers who come together to worship based on the principles of the bible. I think as long as you are following the principles of the bible and 'seeking after the heart of god' whether or not you are in a church is of little to no consequence. My two cents.

[ATLian]

2. If the answer of question one is no, why are there conflicting teachings across religions, denominations and faiths?

I think because most churches are based of the intepretations of man of the Bible. Nothing to do with the Holy Ghost. That's why 50 men can read the Bible and each gets a different message. If the Holy Ghost was to actually enter everyone and give them the same message, then there would be only one universalbelief system.

[grip_daddy]

Originally Posted by ATLian

2. If the answer of question one is no, why are there conflicting teachings across religions, denominations and faiths?

I think because most churches are based of the intepretations of man of the Bible. Nothing to do with the Holy Ghost. That's why 50 men can read the Bible and each gets a different message. If the Holy Ghost was to actually enter everyone and give them the same message, then there would be only one universalbelief system.

My thoughts exactly. But since you dont believe in the existence of the Holy Ghost, I'll wait before I give my understanding to the questions I raised; just to get a dimension of thoughts I might not be aware of.

[ndigila]

Originally Posted by t.D.A.

a church is simply a group of believers who come together to worship based on the principles of the bible. I think as long as you are following the principles of the bible and 'seeking after the heart of god' whether or not you are in a church is of little to no consequence. My two cents.

How do you deal with the Bible verse that says that the church is the pillar and ground of truth?