True to a point.
"and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
The Bible does say we are to assemble together, to disciple others, etc. "And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart." (Ecclesiastes 4:12) We are not to be lone wolves.
It is true; however, that many organized churches have become corrupted and that we shouldn't blindly trust any man that says we have to follow or obey them. No matter how "good" a man seems, his words and actions should be tested by the Bible.
Just because some church leaders have ben corrupted doesn't mean we should avoid the church altogether.
💯% correct. Sorry, I didn’t mean to suggest that we don’t need to gather together in Christ, or avoid churches altogether. Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbors. How can we love our neighbors if we aren’t fellowshipping with them and ministering to their needs? Plus: “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
The truth is that all centralized organizations eventually become corrupt, no matter how pure or noble their intentions were at the onset. But a decentralized network of Followers of the Way — guiding and strengthening each other,and each with an abiding personal relationship with Jesus that’s rooted deeply in their souls — cannot be corrupted.
Gathering in churches is helpful for us in our efforts to live and bless each other, but only Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation.
Thanks for your comment! 💜
“why would you go through a church or fallible (even if well-intentioned) human being to access God?” Accessing God and gathering among fellow believers are two very different things. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that @Jason Hodlers reasoning is to shed some light on the deception of Catholicism? The truth is that Christ Jesus gives us access to God the Father. We don’t need a fallible pope, priest etc. to achieve that. Good insights from both parties nonetheless.
I am not Catholic and I think the current pope is a little "a" antichrist, not even a Christian. I don't know what you are arguing against. You are arguing against a point I didn't make and a belief I don't have.
I know my relationship with Jesus and my going to heaven has nothing to do with `another person or any human organization. That doesn't mean that we should "forsake assembling together" or that attending church is a bad thing. It does mean we need to know our Bible well so we can wisely judge what we are told by people.
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