Go to church!!
62Ezekiel's vision.
There seems to be a popular concept rising among believers of Christ that organized religion is not needed, but how can the body be edified if they refuse to be united? I say if you do not believe that religion can be organized then you believe that God is not organized, and this is a falacy. The one true being in existance that created the uinverse and all of the inhabitants therein, the sun, the moon, the stars, he alligned the planets and caused the light to shine out of the darkness, and created numerous worlds of which we know nothing about, and may never discover.
By his command the children of Israel were commanded to build a temple to perform sacrifice, and give praise to him for all that he has done, to honor the sabath day by gathering together and learning of his precepts. And now in this day we are commanded to partake of his sabath by being baptized and entering into sacred covenants to have his spirit to be with us always. And oh how we need that blessing in this day and age!
I believe that the hardest thing in life is to have that constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, and keep it every minute of the day, for when we offend it's nature or ignore it's call, the spirit is grieved and recoils in offence. The spirit now being gone from that man leaves him to wander through life to kick against the pricks untill he is ready to get on his knees and offer up suplication to the Lord.
And how can we renew those covenants which we entered into at baptism accept we recieve his sacrament. Thus the holy mountain of the Lord as so eloquently put by Isaiah is the gateway to growing, and learning, and building up of the human spirit. It is by the spirit of prophecy that those words came, to warn, and instruct, for the perfection of the saints or any man who desires to have the power of God manifest in their lives.
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the lord's house shall be established in the mountains, and shall be exhalted above all of the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it."-Isaiah
"The church must be forever building for it is forever decaying from within and attacked from without; For this is the law of life; and you must remember that while there is time of prosperity the people will neglect the temple, and in time of adversity they will decry it."-Elliot
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Onusonus, LOVE this hub! It speaks volumes to those who are truely saved. God said for us not to 'foresake the assembling of yourselves together'. Which means simply.....go to church! I get so much out of meeting with other believers. It's so edifying to me. We (my family) looks so forward to going to church. No matter how bad things are going, it always uplifts me. And there are fellow Christians there who pray with us that helps to lift each others burdens. It's a strengthening to attend church regularly. God blesses us who do that. That I can testify to!! I don't know how people get through tough times in life without a church family. I praise God that He saw fit to give us that huge blessing. It's worth more than gold or any amount of money. In the Old Testament, like you wre talking about, it was a priviliege to to go the Temple. And David, because he had blood on his hands, was not allowed to help build it. This was a punishment for him. And it's something that hurt his heart because of what it meant to be involved in that. To me, that says so much about how important meeting and worshipping with each other is. God wouldn't have given us ministers, preachers, pastors etc had there not been a place for them to practice. We are to follow God's command from Matthew 28, then to bring those people to church. That's one of the places we grow and learn more. We can ask, discuss and grow there. We have a ladies Sunday School class with about 15 of us in it. I get blessed every Sunday when we meet. Going to church also challenges me to be a better Christian. Thanks for doing this hub and showing Scripture that proves what you say is true. No one can argue with Scripture and win since it's God's Word. No one can argue with God and win. I know, I've tried. It's sad now days to see so many not attending church. It's their loss when they don't. I don't think I've ever seen a time when people don't go and try to justify it. Sign of the times maybe? I have gotten away from Him at times, and out of church. Only to see things in my life go wrong. Thankfully, He is there with His unconditional love to welcome me back again just as the prodical son came home to his father, I came back to mine. And one of the things that helped was getting to be with church famliy. I'm so thankful He forgives me and welcomes me back into His fold. I hope many people read this and are blessed like I am.
So true ASU, the body must be united to be edified. And to recieve proper instruction from the light communicated from heaven!!
LG, of course the body is a temple, this means to keep your body clean, cleanse the inner man, and sanctify it in church.
So you are calling Jesus a liar then?
You are calling Isaiah a liar? This is like a paradox, people want to believe that faith is more important than works, ore vice versa, when infact the two go hand in hand. James wasn't against Paul, they compliment eachother, so what is one without the other,? Nothing!
From Matthew 18:
"18": Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
"19": Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
"20": For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Very nice article. One thing I love about it is how you show that God is organized and doesn't leave things to chance or in chaos. The stars are where they are because He put them there, and they are not removed from their place. That is organization.
Psa 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psa 133:2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
Psa 133:3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
Glory to God \o/
Good grief! I didn't realize my post was so long! Sorry.
Thank You Londongirl.
The church is important for it is the body of Christ built up together of which Jesus is the head. The different parts of the body like the eyes, the ears, the mouth, all have a part in the body of Christ. Without the eyes, the church will be unable to see, without the ears, the church will be unable to hear the words of God and without the legs, the church will be stagnant and unable to walk or go out to evangelize.
However, the body of the individual Christian is the temple of God, which he or she must keep holy, but together they make up the whole body of Christ.
Praise God for His wisdom. God bless.
Einron, great analogy of 1 Corinthians 13..............we all are the body of Christ and I don't think that the Bible mentions the internet as being a church just by people coming together, but it is. there is no such things as you have to have a physical building to be a church.
London Girl; those are some of my nearest and dearest scriptures, It reminds me of a man who saw God and restored the priesthood.
Sir Dent; Thanks for the compliment, I most honestly believe that the body cannot function without a tabernacle to bring them together, to uplift and edify and to perfect in worship. How else can we come together in such great numbers and influence the world with the sheer goodness of Christ, to bless the less fortunate with our tithes, and feed the hungry with salvation,
"Strengthen the stakes and legthen he chords!!"
ASU; your post was heavily inspiring to me when you speak from the heart, you bless those around you. You uplift and inspire me!!
Einron; I agree whole heartedly The church is cleansed when the people are clean themselves, and walk upright before God, I do not see how the body can function without it's all too important Tabernacle to move about the earth and magnify it's miracles!!
Lady Guinevere; The internet is deffinately a good start for gathering people to speak of God but I must profess that it is less effective than actually going to Church and partaking in sacred ordinences.
I say with the utmost revrence; How else will one be baptized, or partake in the sacrament, or pay tithes, or offer a fast offering, or feed the hungry, or have hands laid upon their heads to recieve blessings, to give service to the faithful, to annoint the heads of their children, to bless their babes, to recieve instruction, to crowd out the fast moving world around them, to bury their dead, and attend to the afflicted, and comfort the fatherless? Where will they find their shepard, wandering aimlessly in the desert with out any direction?
Therefore tarry in this place and call a solemn assembly, even of those who are the first labourers in this last kingdom.
You mean the doctrines...Jesus said not to do that yet all of you still do that.
What does it prophet you to say that you have faith and not any good works? Even so faith without works is dead. Truely Christ testified of these things.
Never since the foundation of the Churchwas laid, have I seen a greater willingness to comply with the requirements of Jehova, a more ardent desire to do the will of God, more strenuous exertions used, or greater sacrifices made since the lord said "Let the Temple be built by the tithing of my people" The spirit of enterprise, philanthropy, and obediance rests on the young and the old, boys and girls, brothers and sisters, and even strangers, united with an unprecidented liberality in the accomplishment of this great work.
Great hub! You are spot on by saying the believer is edified in church (not necessarily a building) but a collection of believers existing together to praise God in unison (The Psalms!), lift each other up, and hold each other accountable. The true hope of the world IS the local church. Thank you for bringing such a valid issue to light! Blessings brother!
and who are you to say that I don't do good works? Is it man thta judgeth or God?
Joh 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Isaiah 8:9 (King James Version) Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.
YOU WILL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt 7:15-23)
Which means that by the Holy Spirit's leading you can tell what a person is. An apple tree grows apples. That is not judging. It is seeing the fruits on the tree in order to tell that it's an apple tree. It's not judging. It's common sense. God shows us how to judge a person. Would you want your child to spend the night at the house of a known child-molester/rapist? Why? It's because you see his fruit.
Onusonus,
What a great Hub... thank you for you eloquent way of teaching doctrine. When the Bridegroom commeth, I hope the Bride will be ready.
in all things comes opposition, but the church will remain until the last day!!
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Psa 91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide in the shade of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2 I will say to Jehovah: My Refuge and my Fortress, my God; I will trust in Him.
Psa 91:3 For He delivers you from the fowler's snare, from destruction's plague.
Psa 91:4 With His feathers He will cover you, and under His wings you shall seek refuge; His truth is a shield and buckler.
Don't you just love His Holy Word? :D \o/
This is a Great Hub!!
The Words of GOD are so up lifting!
Fellowshipping is the key!
GO TO CHURCH!!
GOD BLESS ALL!!
Psa 31:1 To the chief musician. A Psalm of David. In You, O Jehovah, I sought refuge; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness.
Psa 31:2 Bow down Your ear to me; deliver me quickly, be a strong rock to me, for a house of fortresses to save me.
Psa 31:3 For You are my Rock and my Fortress; and for Your name's sake lead me and guide me.
Psa 31:4 Bring me out of the net that they hid for me, for You are my strength.
Good Morning Friends. \o/
Hello Sir dent! Good to hear from you, the words of the Lord are always uplifting!
Rose; thanks for droping by!!
Psa 118:14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
Psa 118:15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
Thank you for the thoughtful hub, Onusonus! Your writing style reminds me of some of the great classic Christian writers, like Charles Spurgeon.
It's true that we Christ-followers need each other. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to give up meeting together. But there are also 57 instances of the phrase "one another" in the New Testament, commands that cannot be fulfilled except one believer to another. Hubs like this are a great way to connect and encourage, but for me, there's nothing like physically being with other believers for worship, fellowship, and prayer.
Thanks again for your writing.
Sarah; 57 times certainly is a lot to go on. I revel in the organizational skills of God, in the building up of his kingdom on earth!
Psa 41:13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.
Sir Dent; The angels swept through the heavens singing praises, shouting hosana's, and crying aloud, Holy!... Holy!... Holy is the God of Israel!!!
Psa 21:13 Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
Psa 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
Psa 5:12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
Onusonus, Just checking in. I have been out a while. Just wanted to see how you are. I see your hub is doing great. I'm glad! Because it should! I agree with what Sarah said about your writing. You're a wonderful writer. And it's so great that you write so much about the Bible and what God has to say about things. We need more of that nowdays. After all, that's what's most important. Our son looked up the meaning of his name yesterday and found out it means 'Jehovah is our God'. How cool is that? We did a lot of praying before we named him. Guess that always helps. But, we didn't know the meaning of it. For some reason, we thought it meant faith.
ASU I havn't been around lately due to elevated family activity. That is pretty cool about your kids name, what is it?
I have to go work on my car today so I'll see you around!!
Horay for church!!!!!!!!
Thanks dude.
Lady Guinevere Level 6 Commenter 3 years ago
The temple is your body and Jesus said that he will be there in the company of one or where two or more gather. He never said in a building. Yes if you negelct the body it will suffer and it does decay from without and sometime from wthin. When one prays it is supposed to be by oneself and in secret. There are lots of other thing in that Bible that you should read through on your own.
When we areborn we are of God each and everyone of us. Should all the babies in one hospital converge into one building s that they can become a church because they were born on the same day and in the same place?