Would you say not going to church is a sin, if you aren't a Christian don't reply!

Would you say not going to church is a sin, if you aren't a Christian don't reply!

No games from any other religions please.

 

Church means assembly, specifically assembly of believers. We are called to assemble, to teach, to learn, and to worship.

You dont have to go to an institutional church, but you do have to gather and meet with other Christians.

In biblical times, there were no churches like there are today, everyone met in homes, when the home became filled, they would split up into another church (house). We are called to fellowship to one another, we are called to teach one another, we are all priest.

If you are not meeting with other Christians, then yes, its a sin.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; (Heb. 10:24)
Not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh," (Heb. 10:25)

 

I think if you are a Christian then it is very apparent that the bible tells us to assemble together. However, I don't believe you have to go to church to be a christian. We know that the man on the cross next to Jesus Christ went to heaven, he probably never spent a day of his life in church. I do think it is important though.

 

Good point, but if we know that the bible teaches us to assemble, than we are held accountable if we do not.

 

I think going to church definently strengthens your relationship with God, I recommend going more if you do not.

 

So, Chrismoney, what do you think?

 

Really? How do you figure that one out?

 

It is a sin to disobey God

"Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation ..." (Leviticus 23:3).

The Hebrew word translated "convocation" here conveys the meaning of a summons to an assembly. It implies an official summons to worship. The New International Version translates this verse: "There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD."

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together ..." (Hebrews 10:24-25).

"For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: 'I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You'" (Hebrews 2:11-12).

 

It depends on which christian faith you come from. Im catholic and while it is mandatory to attend mass every sunday, if your sick or working then its ok to miss it because you have to nurse urself back to health or work to put food on the table for your family, but there is one thing all christians can agree on. We are supposed to be there for each other and to pray for each other.

 

Ask yourself what "going to church" means. Ultimately, ask yourself what church is supposed to be about.

Being a Christian means you were brought into the family of God. You have a spiritual bond with other believers since each believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Joining together with other believers to worship God and to spiritually build each other up, is something you should want to participate in.

The way God designed things, each believer is given a certain mixture of abilities. Those abilities (called "spiritual gifts") are given to help you become a better Christian. Joining together with other Christians is one of the primary ways that you grow and that you bless others.

I know that what is often called "church" today is far cry from what God designed. The Christian life is dynamic, love-filled, and joyful (even when enduring hardship, persecution, and trials). Many churches are just shells of Christianity with no life, no love, and no joy.

Let's settle one thing, one's church attendance is not the basis for one's salvation. You are saved by grace through faith in Christ. Salvation is not based on what you do (works). Does God want you to join with other believers? Yes. Is it wrong to not attend? Yes. Will you go to hell for not attending? No.

By not attending, you are stunting your growth in the Christian life and missing out on one of the primary ways that God blesses and strengthens you.

 

Great post, very well said

 

by what everyone here is saying, it means like 60-70% of so called Christians are sinning. Because i know a lot don't go to church.

 

correction 100% of Christians are sinning, we are all sinners, and we all fall short to the glory of God, this is why Christ died on the cross, he has paid for hour sins, and through him we are seen as righteous. We all try our best, to imitate Jesus, but he was perfect, and we are not.

 

Each christian faith looks at it differently , I agree that you are saved by grace through faith in christ but i disagree in that i can lose my salvation if i dont agree to work together with the lord to keep the gift that he gave me. Like i said each christian sect has different beliefs about salvation.

I can say i accept the lord jesus into my life , then it is also possible to get tempted into a situation that would make a person commit a horrible act. Some christian sects believe that once saved always saved and you can do whatever u want to others and have nothing to answer for. This is life is also a test because if your allready saved why go through this life.
Ill say im saved then i will ask the good lord" to take me away from these wars and suffering".

 

I understand that but just because you believe and you call yourself a chrisitan doesn't get you into heaven. If you can't even make the effort to do what your bible tells you and at least meet up once a week for an hour or two then why should god show any sympathy for you when you reach the golden gates?

Those 60-70% who don't go will make up a bogus excuse to support there laziness. There are probably only 30-40% true real believer christians who try and follow the faith as much as possible, but i hate when people put that cross necklace around there neck and they think they should be rewarded because they show there faith not follow it.

 

My favorite outlook on this is that church is a hospital for sinners not a sanctuary for non-sinners. I think the real question is what are you doing outside of church that is so much more important?

 

That is important also, but when im in church i feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel as if all my problems are briefly taken away from me and i can be reenergized to be there for others again. That is the only earthly way i can describe the feeling.

 

Actually you have this quite back wards, church is meant for believers. Look at all of the new testament churches they were already believers, and they were being taught to go spread the word to non believers, they were being taught how to live as Christians.

The church is an assembly of believers. It is for those that have already accepted Christ.

The church is the believers, not a building. Anywhere Christians gather, is a church. Whether it be a building, a home, or a restaurant.

Well Christians should obey God, thats for sure. Just because the price for our sins has been paid, does not mean we dont have to obey the God that has given us that mercy. To be a Christian, is to love God, to love God, is to obey him. However if we do not obey him, it doesn't take our salvation, we will still go to heaven. But we will be held accountable to our disobedience.

Disobediance to God, can aslo make life on earth misrable, as im sure many christians will testify, that when we slip, it hurts like a knife in the side. The guild for disobeying God, is overwhelming. With God we have peace.

 

who defines "sin"? people, or God?

 

God, the bible contains many commands, breaking them is sinning