Why The Church? Isn't "Individual Religion" Enough?
Consider these points, and formulate your own answer
* Christianity is first, and last a Community, not Religion. Christianity without Community is not Christianity, it's something else. Individual Christianity is simply a contradiction in terms. People saying this haven't the foggiest notion of what Christianity is. for more
* The Church is not necessarily that ugly building at the corner of first and
main. Nor is it the beautiful Gothic building downtown.
But rather, the Church is that great fellowship of men and women
down thru the ages, the saints, the martyrs, the ordinary stumbling
people like you and me who have committed themselves to God
as he is made known in Jesus Christ, and lived, or are living their lives
in terms of Faith. for more
* As a matter of historical fact, it is by means of the Church that
Christianity has lived and grown. Christianity could not survived in history
without the ongoing Community through which it is proclaimed,
practiced, and propagated. It was not isolated individuals who
accomplish this, rather the Fellowship of Believers.
Wherever the name of Christ is known and acknowledged today, it is
because the Church has been there. Individuals committed to the
cause of Christ. for more
* Christians find that their ethical concerns are strengthened
by their corporate life together. As we do things together, we not
only strenghten one another, but we realize that God himself
strenghtens and undergirds what we do. (provided it's Gods will).
Gamaliel's statement to the Council in Jerusalem, when some
of the first Christians were on trial, has been true ever since..
Acts 5:38-39..If this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail;
but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it. for more
In summary, the Church consists of individuals, their lives lead by Christ, who reveales God
to them, where they corporately implement God's teachings within their lives, and in so doing,
strenghten themselves, and the entire body of believers,
It was said by Margaret Mead, an Anthropoligist who lived in the 1900's speaking about Causes, and Change.."Never doubt the power of small groups to change the World; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has".
You see, God will prevail, the Church will never fail to exist. The message which the Church takes to the World, is from God. That message no matter how many will prevail, simply, because..
Yes, Even The Gates Of Hell, Will Not Be Able To Prevail Against It.
And since the Community of Believers through Faith accept the below scripture
in Romans 8:31-32..the message will continue to spread.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Jesus looked at them and said, Matthew 19:26
"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."