Hebrews 10:25 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.
In this text we see strong words used by the Holy Spirit inspired writer.
not forsaking- Grk. (egkataleipo) to abandon or completely desert
habit - Grk. (ethos) a custom, to become accustomed
The same Greek word used here for forsaking is the same Greek word used in Mt 27:46 and Mk 15:34.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is "My God, My God, why hast though forsaken me?"
The same word used to describe the complete and total abandonment that Christ experienced on the cross, when the father turned his back on His Son. To turn your back on the Church purposely and to say I will not look for a church or some type of assembly ever, with no obvious excuse such as poor doctrine, geographical problems , health issues and the like is in the same since of this word used here, turning your back on Christ.What is to be said of someone who encourages others to flee their churches? Because of their whacked out eschatology that states that every church at this time is totally apostate. Which by the way, is what all cults have in common, that they are the only ones who have the truth and all others are completely apostate. Well I have run across such an individual who has a blog and does this very thing. I have watched him post on other blogs other than his own and sway people to his belief.
Here is his link http://blogspot.theinvisiblechurch.ca/
I have had dialogues with him on his blog as well as herehttp://thewomanofvirtue.blogspot.com/
If you view these threads, notice how persuasive he is and how he has swayed some. Also notice how he tries to evade all questions about his "No Church Theology". If you disagree he calls you lost.I do know at some point it becomes a waste of time trying to point out his errors. But I will say it is a good case study on a "cyber wolf".
Thomas Watson's view on the "lone ranger Christian"Satan picks off the one ship that does not sail with the convoy
Spurgeon has the following comments...
For Christian fellowship is helpful to us, and we are helpful to others by it. A Christian is not meant to be a solitary being. Sheep are gregarious, and so are the sheep of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us not be solitary pilgrims along the road to heaven, but join that glorious host of God’s elect who march beneath the guidance of our great Master.Does not every day bring us nearer to the coming of the Lord? Are there not many signs that these are the last days? Well then, so much the more let us stir each other up to love and to good works.Yes; there are some who even make a bad use of what ought to be a great blessing, namely, the printing-press, and the printed sermon, by staying at home to read a sermon because, they say, it is better than going out to hear one. Well, dear friend, if I could not hear profitably, I would still make one of the assembly gathered together for the worship of God. It is a bad example for a professing Christian to absent himself from the assembly of the friends of Christ. There was a dear sister, whom many of you knew, who used to attend here with great regularity, although she could not hear a word that was said; but she said it did her good to join in the hymns, and to know that she was worshipping God with the rest of his people. I wish that some, who stay away for the most frivolous excuses, would think of this verse: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;”
What do you say about those that are leaving the church because of their endtime interpretations?
ReplyDeleteAlso, what about home church?
blessed,
ReplyDeleteTo say that all christians are now to flee the visible church is contrary to scripture.
Those that hold to these types of views cannot prove their position with scripture. As I stated, there are times when someone should leave their church, i.e. poor or heretical teachings. In the letters to the seven Churches in Revelation, there is a common theme of Christ demanding repentance to it's members. Also notice that in the letters there is a common theme " to those who overcome"
Ephesus, Rev 2:7
Smyrna, Rev 2:11
Pergamum, Rev 2:17
Thyatira, Rev 2:26
Sardis, Rev 3:5
Philedelphia, Rev 3:12
Laodicea, Rev 3:21
overcome, Grk-nikao- to conquer, prevail have victory
Not flee......
Home Churches are probably a closer model to what we have in the bible.
But, with that said, we have guidelines on what a 'CHURCH" should look like.
It needs a pastor, elders and deacons.
Discipline needs to be administered as well as the sacraments of babtism and the Lords supper. If these elements are excluded then it is not a church in the biblical sense. If these are non existent then a "church" does not exist. You can call it whatever you want but it is not a "church". I think what typically happens in a lot of Home Church settings is that they soon out grow the home and they begin to look for a building to house all those who attend. So, they become what they have just left. Many intend that to happen anyway as the Lord leads. Anything short of this would be better called a buble study.