Must Christians worship in Churches?
Our modern churches have very often strayed from the Biblical Truth once delivered to the saints.
Authentic house churches are rarely respected. They are thought of being poorly trained and poorly led, with inadequate practices.
There is absolutely no reference or command from the Lord God to build church buildings and worship therein. Yet many churches insist that orthodox/correct Christians must worship in churches(buildings) only. Many churches follow precedence and examples of the Catholic churches and Reformed churches(which followed the Roman Catholic Church) to have buildings they grew accustomed into calling churches. When ask where your church is, they mean your building and then your organisation that depends on that building. The idea of asking purely for a body of believers has become unfamiliar, and mostly alien.
We pray that the people of God will humble themselves and seek the face of God, repent from theire wrongdoings, and return to God for His mercies and glories.
The Lord is filled with love as to forgive and accept the meek and lowly. He is full of compassion and mercies, able to save to the utmost.
Matt 10v17
is quoted as a last resort to prove their case.However, when taking into the context of the teaching of Christ and narration of the Gospel, it is easily seen that from Matt 10v1 on it is a matter of Christ Jesus commissioning the 12 to the Jews, therefore to the Synagogues(Jewish assemblies) as well; and not to the Gentiles or to Gentile meeting places and churches.
Matt 10v5
clearly stated:" 外邦人的路, 你們不要走. ""Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not". This concludes that it is not a matter of going to the Gentiles or into churches. Furthermore Matt 10v6:" But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." confirms this to be a Jewish mission.Matthew
馬太福音 Ch1010:1 耶穌叫了十二個門徒來, 給他們權柄, 能趕逐污鬼, 並醫治各樣的病症.
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
10:5
耶穌差這十二個人去, 吩咐他們說, 外邦人的路, 你們不要走. 撒瑪利亞人的城, 你們不要進.These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
10:6
寧可往以色列家迷失的羊那裡去.But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel
.10:13 那家若配得平安, 你們所求的平安, 就必臨到那家. 若不配得, 你們所求的平安仍歸你們.
And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
10:17
你們要防備人. 因為他們要把你們交給公會, 也要在會堂鞭打你們.But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
Some Christians claim they are to build a house for God, and call their assembly space/hall � The House of God.
However, in Biblical reference, the House of God is to be chosen by Jehovah God and not by followers. And there is one house of God in the whole of Israel. When the Maccabim Rabinnical time come there were synagogues(meeting places) everywhere rather than houses of God.
Many Christian churches house articles that are as economical as possible; things such as the cheapest drums and cymbals, secondhanded chairs and sofas, cheap microphones. How does this show reverence and respect to the house of God? The main hall together with auxilliary halls are often used as cinemas as well.
Matt 10vv11-13
那家 the house (family, household) speaks of house church system. Enter a welcoming house and stay there for the Gospel (and there abide till ye go thence.).Many Christians got so used to the idea of church buildings that they are repelled by the idea of worshipping in house churches, regarding them as alien practices, poor, evil and heretical.
The very first question many Christians would ask is - Where is your church(meaning building)? They call you bluff upon hearing that you have an address for an apartment, or basement, or town house.
No
reverence or respect for house church/es, as taught by their leaders.Many Chinese Christians, being ignorant of Bible languages read and trust only the Chinese translation they use and the words of their leaders, look at Matt 10v17 - 公會 and 會堂 and believe that speaks directly to the common establishment of worshipping halls會堂. Little do they read even some English translations. The term synagogues is not used for Christian Churches or Christian church buildings.
The term can mean congregations which compose of just people and no building. Yet this idea does not sink in as they try hard to shut their minds up to just one verse or clause of Matt 10v17. Where is honesty, apart from blind following, and the love of praise and pride from having a secularly recognised building for their activities?
Many fee so proud, as to spit it out, that they are a legally registered body, a charity recognised by the government of the land. Little do they talk about the difference between a body of believers and a corporation of non-salaried governors/directors required by the law for incorporation of charity.
Matt 10v17 -
But beware of men also warn us. Many are not kind or receptive to our Gospel. We are entering dens of wolves as sheep. Must rely on the providence of Almost God, who is able to save sinners.Do Christians scourge people in their churches(as hinted/indicated in Matt 10v17)? Figuratively speaking � YES. Oftern with harsh and evil words. Ex-communication happen from time to time. Hypocritic smiles cover intention for a time. Devious letters and announcment/posting get passed around now and then.
Yet we must rejoice in the Lord, for He will bring every motive to judgment, and comfort us all.
Brethren, worship and praise the Lord God!
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When the Angel was departing he said, 'Pray. Pray. Pray. Teach the people to pray.
Prayer and prayer alone,
much prayer, persistent prayer, is the door of entrance into the heart of God." -END OF VISION.
- JOHN G. LAKE (-1920)
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