House church or excuse?

[shazeep]

Originally Posted by thephnxman

...we are edified to a certain point, but not sufficiently taught how to work
the ministry (of the church), and our perfection is minimal.

or in some cases, perhaps many, as "prostitutes and tax collectors are beating you into the kingdom" attests, possibly even illusory.

[Dante]

The poster known as Cracker barrel is a crack head!

[shazeep]

that seems pretty uncharitable, wadr.

[Cracker Barrel]

Originally Posted by Dante

The poster known as Cracker barrel is a crack head!

Your picture looks like feminin boy, wearing earbud. Why would a man want to look like Aikāne?

[thephnxman]

Originally Posted by shazeep

or in some cases, perhaps many, as "prostitutes and tax collectors are beating
you into the kingdom" attests, possibly even illusory.

Friend, I doubt you sincerely missed it:

those who were PREVIOUSLY Gentiles but have now BELIEVED and OBEYED
the gospel are the "prostitutes and tax collectors" that have entered into the
kingdom of God ahead of the Pharisees and Saduccees. The ENTERING into
God's kingdom has transformed us (true believers) into His priests!

The persons who have yet to believe and obey the gospel of the Lord have
remained "prostitutes and tax collectors" even until this day. By ignoring the
gospel (some willfully, most unwittingly), they still prostitute their faith and
obey false doctrines and religiously tax their proselytes.

I can see that you are not illiterate: so I must assume that you are deliberately
playing the devil's advocate.

"...it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching (the TRUE GOSPEL)
to save them that believe."

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Cracker Barrel

Your picture looks like feminin boy, wearing earbud. Why would a man want to look like Aikāne?

Excuse me?

That is Dante Alighieri.

Sorry, but not everyone is into Don Ho and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

[shazeep]

Originally Posted by thephnxman

Friend, I doubt you sincerely missed it:

those who were PREVIOUSLY Gentiles but have now BELIEVED and OBEYED
the gospel are the "prostitutes and tax collectors" that have entered into the
kingdom of God ahead of the Pharisees and Saduccees. The ENTERING into
God's kingdom has transformed us (true believers) into His priests!

The persons who have yet to believe and obey the gospel of the Lord have
remained "prostitutes and tax collectors" even until this day. By ignoring the
gospel (some willfully, most unwittingly), they still prostitute their faith and
obey false doctrines and religiously tax their proselytes.

I can see that you are not illiterate: so I must assume that you are deliberately
playing the devil's advocate.

"...it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching (the TRUE GOSPEL)
to save them that believe."

no, i really like that analogy, actually. Doesn't mean that it's the only interpretation, i don't think. The same analogy might hold true for today, depending upon how one defines "us."

[Aquila]

To "house church" or to start/attend a traditional church is a very personal question. Many are in house churches because they have "issues" and just want to beat up on traditional churches. Many are in house churches because they have "issues", but those "issues" are being slowly healed in a more personal house church environment. Some have been hurt by traditional church and house churches feel safe. Some have experienced such mental, emotional, or physical abuse that traditional church triggers PTSD, and "house church" is a place of peace wherein they can be spiritually fed. Some are fundamentalist and truly believe that "house church" is the only biblical form of church.

The reasons why people choose house church are varied.

[Godsdrummer]

Originally Posted by thephnxman

Friend, I doubt you sincerely missed it:

those who were PREVIOUSLY Gentiles but have now BELIEVED and OBEYED
the gospel are the "prostitutes and tax collectors" that have entered into the
kingdom of God ahead of the Pharisees and Saduccees. The ENTERING into
God's kingdom has transformed us (true believers) into His priests!

The persons who have yet to believe and obey the gospel of the Lord have
remained "prostitutes and tax collectors" even until this day. By ignoring the
gospel (some willfully, most unwittingly), they still prostitute their faith and
obey false doctrines and religiously tax their proselytes.

I can see that you are not illiterate: so I must assume that you are deliberately
playing the devil's advocate.

"...it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching (the TRUE GOSPEL)
to save them that believe."

So if I understand what you are implying, it takes a ordained preacher to preach the gospel in order for someone to get saved. If that is what you mean I must disagree. The work of the ministerial gifts were never given to herald the good news, they are given to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to edify the body of Christ till all come in the unity of faith.

We are al called to herald the good news, not just those called to minister to the body of Christ.

[Godsdrummer]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

God will take care of the facilities if we take care of the kingdom. Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness and all these other things will be added unto to you. Martha was cumbered about many things, but Mary chose the good part. Facilities are necessary, but it must not be the objective.

I personally think many misunderstood what cracker barrel was implying. We should be extravagant when it comes to God. That doesn't mean that we are to be vain, but instead that we should put our money where our mouth is. If I proclaim that God is first in my life then it should be proven by fruits in my life.

I know some who if their spouse hints that they want something then they run to get it. I think that is part of a love relationship (of course within reason) We should seek the favor of God. P.S. I am not insinuating that God desires big buildings.

Where do we get the idea that God desires building at all? Or that we should be extravagant, when it comes to God, and put our money where our mouth is.
Yes put your money where your mouth is! But not into buildings, rather proclaiming the good news to the world. How many millions of dollars are spent to pay for extravagant buildings and paid priest. (preachers)

Act 7:44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.
Act 7:45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
Act 7:46 Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
Act 7:47 But Solomon built him an house.
Act 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Good point. We are commanded to not forsake the assembling and there is no frequency described. We should be faithful to assembling no matter the frequency. Even the more as we see the day approaching. I don't think that the early church had a Sunday and Wednesday routine as we do today. They probably were more connected than that. They where the church.

The church should realize their identity and be the church. Our church families should be yoked together with cords that cannot be broken. We need one another for fellowship and productive ministry. Thank God for the church!!!