• Not all churches dead
• VW's Church Affiliation?
• Fellowship for family
• OK Just being in Jesus Christ?

Comment:
Thank you for sending me your mailings. Plz, keep me on your mailing list and keep up the good work. I appreciate your letters. Just remember not all churches are DEAD and/or of the System. I encourage people if they are in a DEAD church where the Gospel is not preached, get out - you DO NOT OWE those people nothing.

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Comment:
What a good answer. We have been doing home fellowships for the last 20 years, but only in the last eight years totally independant. It is always interesting to me when I get that question, or explaining to the children ( 4 of them ) why we don't go to church in the traditional sence of the word ( unlike the biblical ekkelsia ). Anyway thanks for your sharings. We also share many of them with our handful of like-minded believers.

A.
Yes. People just don't seem to understand that it is even "possible" to "have church" in any setting other than the building with the sign out front. Nor, for many others, that the "Church" is not the "building" ...but the "people in Christ."

Paul exhorts Timothy about 1) Reading, 2) Exhortation and 3) Doctrine. (1Tm4:13) And about 4) singing.(Eph5:19,Col3:16) 5) Praying (1Tm2:8) And then, the two ordinances 1) Lord's Supper (1Cor11:23) and 2) Baptism (Rom6:4,1Cor15:29)

Otherwise, we are given no "order of service" in Scripture, are we. Nor any "creeds" to recite, etc. Just that we are not to "forsake" it.(Heb10:25)

Thanks for your good note. Take courage in His strength!

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Q.
Also we have had a hard time finding fellowship for our family and are strictly at home now together. We have found that even though a church may be closer to the mark then most they still are very lax in their teachings concerning the children. Youth groups and such. We were wondering if any other families have written into you voicing these concerns and looking for fellowship. Looking forward to your reply.

A.
Yes. There are many different ones here and there. There are some who have "no" fellowship nearby. One, who has become a "friend" and we correspond on a regular basis, is all alone. Some fellowship at a distance. And I have some of those, too. For several years I was "going crazy" with the idea that "there MUST BE SOMEPLACE I can fellowship!" But, eventually, the Lord gave me peace on the matter. The individuals and families I know about, have taken it upon themselves to teach their children. Regular Bible reading times. Scripture memory. And even special "dedicated times" during the week for special Bible study...just as though they were "going to" a church. Only, they do it in their homes. It is specifically scheduled, and faithfully kept. So...it might not be the fancy "program" provided by an organization. But, I don't read that Abraham had a local "Sunday school" to send Isaac to. Hananiah, Mischael and Azariah did not have a local "youth program" to attend every week to be with their "buddies."(smile)

There is no reason why you can't do the same thing.

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Q.
Greetings...
We no longer attend a local Church because we are not wanting to participate with Promise Keepers, Pensacola, Toronto Blessing, Unity movements and the list goes on.

I guess we no longer trust Pastors or elders because they seem to have so little discerment. But at the same time we are wondering by not attending some kind of service are we forsaking the assembly, or are we all right just being in Jesus Christ...worshipping Him in are home, as a family...

Could you please give your opinion...
thankyou

A.
When Hebrews 10:25 says not to forsake the "assembling of yourselves together" what is the writer saying? Does "assembling" ASSUME going to the specially-built "building" with the sign out front, with the raised platform? In Rom16:5 Paul speaks of the "church" that was in Priscilla and Aquila's "house." Again in 1Cor16:19. When the Believers were praying for Peter, they were gathered in a "house" belonging to Mary and son, John Mark.(Acts12:12)

While history records the progress of the Catholic and Reformation churches, most people forget about the Church of Christ which was underground. They met in homes, forests, caves...often two steps ahead of the arresting authorities. "of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth." (Heb 11:38)

How "large" were these groups? They varied. But they met faithfully.

Jesus said, ""For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Mat 18:20) "Two" is not a LARGE group, is it. But if Believers meet together faithfully, Jesus promises to be there with them.

As you do this, be faithful in it. Schedule your meeting times, and let nothing interfere...much as you would treat the matter of "going to" some special building some place where somebody "else" was leading it. And let it not be a "casual" affair, either. We meet before a Holy God. The same "reverence" we have habitually come to expect when walking into a "sanctuary" should be the same that we meet together in our homes.

Don't let the lack of a building bother you. As far as a "temple" is concerned, WE (the True Believer) ARE the "temple of the Holy Spirit."(1Cor6:19) And, just as God is "Spirit...those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (Jn4:24) The "location" is not as significantly important.

Be encouraged....there are many in your situation!

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