I’m reading Romans and am continually blown away by it. What an amazing book. I’ve read Romans before, but something is clearer this time. Its teachings are profound and challenging, and so relevant to all believers.
Romans 12:3-8 is important as we consider how Christians should engage in fellowship with one another and serve one another.
Let’s hear from Romans 12:3-8,
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Verse 3:
“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought” is about being humble, but it’s not just about being humble. In context with the rest of the passage, this verse is saying: look you are a part of a bigger whole called the body of Christ.
Together, when we are doing the work of our Lord to love and serve one another, we can do amazing things.
Verse 5 is equally profound:
“so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others”. We BELONG to one another. This suggests an interdependent relationship where we are to both give and receive from the body of Christ; one another.
Some people think it’s ok to be a lone-ranger Christian; a Christian who avoids fellowship with other believers or avoids going to church and being a part of a local body of believers. Many reasons are expressed, but the reality is that the body of Christ is weaker when Christians live in isolation.
Lone-Ranger Christian
The lone-ranger Christian is weaker because he/she doesn’t have the support of fellow believers, and the body of Christ is weaker because we can’t receive what you have to offer. Lone-ranger Christians don’t serve the body, and also prevent fellow believers the opportunity to serve them.
The rest of the passage is simple. Use your gifts to serve the body. Go to church (and fellowship with other believers) not solely based on what you receive, but for what you are uniquely gifted to give. If you are an encourager, and you don’t encourage the body, then there is a disease within the church. If you are a teacher and you don’t teach, there is a disease within the church.
The cure for the disease is to engage in fellowship and service within a local body of believers (aka “the church”). Pour out your life in humble, loving service to one another.
About R. Brad White
I see the point about permanent Lone Ranger living, but even Jesus found it advisable to go off by himself to pray. He needed 40 days; might some others need more?
Great points and a good reminder. Christ is so great that not any one of us can display His fullness in this world, it takes a body. There is not one character in the Bible who fully displays all of Christ, except Jesus. . . not David, not Paul, John. . . While there is a course laid out by God for each of us individually, and our spiritual growth into Christ is often alone with Him, yet there will never come a time where we can say that we are whole apart from others. That kind of individuality that is satisfied being apart may only disguise pride that refuses to be challenged by others. . . there is a risk in being together that what we hold as most basic is merely a stepping-stone to something more, or that we are wrong. The hard times of being together, and needing and finding the grace to truly be loving, is the better thing. Often it is easier to leave hard things rather than let God lead us thru them.
Being part of the body is not “going to church.” Believers ARE the church. They go to a building. Some believers are sick to death of the backhanded bull&*%$ that goes on behind the scenes. In case you haven’t guessed by now, I’m one of them. I tried to stick it out even though things were really, really bad. It was literally the worst 15 months of my entire life. The only way I’m going back to the institution is if God tells me to go, and it won’t be as wolf food, either. It will be as Moses returning to the slaves in Egypt, with a loud cry to Pharoah and the rest of the suits, “LET MY PEOPLE GO!” I’m writing a blog response, BTW. Thanks for this post. It does contain a lot of truth and relevance, but it is so totally wrong about equating Christian fellowship with church attendance. The wineskin is bursting, friend.
I’d have to check with you here. Which isn’t some thing I generally do! I get pleasure from reading a post which will make many people think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment! michael kors fulton
I have several objections in regards to many of your statements that fail to be supported in scripture. These statements you present and I Quote: “Some people think it’s OK to be a lone-ranger Christian, a Christian who avoids fellowship with other believers or avoids going to church and being a part of a local body of believers. Many reasons are expressed, but the reality is that the body of Christ is weaker when Christians live in isolation”. Do have scripture to support part or all of these statements?: “the body of Christ is weaker when Christians live in isolation”, or is this statement just a personal opinion that you are injecting into Paul’s teachings? Please present examples listing the “Many reasons are expressed” ? I am one of few that have refrained from attending institutionalized churches and statements such as these is nothing more than personal opinion with no scriptural support and is also one of the many reasons I too have left institutionalized churches because of these un-scriptural messages preached by so called believers. I fellowship quite often with others of like mindedness who actually seek out scriptural truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and fully understand what Christ had inspired to his disciples when gathering in fellowship in the body of Christ. Mat 18:20 For where two or three are, gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” Doesn’t appear that Christ has any objections with small groups, and yet we are also instructed by Christ’s in how to pray: Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet [That would be alone in “Lone Ranger” mode], and when thou hast shut thy door[in solitude], pray to thy Father which is in secret [“Lone Ranger” mode]; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Why would Christ ever utter such a teaching as that? Didn’t you just mention that this act of isolationism is damaging, and weakens the body of Christ? This undesired isolationism that you suggest, weakens the remaining body of believers? If that is truly the case then why would our Lord Jesus go on to explain where and when we would worship: (John 4:19-24) “The woman said unto Him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye [all the Jews] say, that in Jerusalem is the place [Temple] where men ought to worship. Jesus said unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour comes, WHEN YE SHALL NEITHER IN THIS MOUNTAIN, NOR IN JERUSALEM, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the TRUE worshippers [What kind of worshippers? TRUE ones, not how many or what location] shall worship the Father in SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH: for the Father seeks such to worship Him. God is Spirit [Not A “Spirit”]: and they that worship Him MUST worship in SPIRIT AND TRUTH” [doesn't say in large groups does it or what location]? Now did Christ state that future worshipping would take place in any given small structure, or new multi-million dollar modern day temple of later day Christendom, elbow to elbow with fellow believers? No he didn’t say that did He? After Christ returned to his former glories, the former Saul of Tarsus “Paul” was inspired to make several profound statements on the topic of worship and God’s expectations. Act 17:24-25 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, DWELLETH NOT IN TEMPLES made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and ALL THINGS; Another witness: Act 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet. Well, gee whiz! Paul mentioned this twice in the same epistle and I wonder if this train of thought was of great importance or anything in this teaching? OF COURSE IT IS! One would NOW have to rule out worshipping in physical temples made with man’s hands. If one was to really continue to study on this topic then it would be very difficult to ignore instructions inspired upon the Apostles to share with all the believers of the body of Christ. 1Co 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Notice “members of Christ”, not of members of fellow believers in a building of worship. 1Co 6:19 Or are you not aware THAT YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT in you which you have from God, and you are not your own? If God is giving MEMBERS of the body of Christ this Spiritual Temple then logic and scripture dictate that physical temples are no longer required as in the Old Covenant. The day of the temple gathering, and the slaughtering and sacrificing of animals are now over. Christ has inspired the Apostles to teach that worshiping has now reached a higher spiritual realm then that of the Physical Laws of the Old Covenant and Paul also adds to this reasoning as well: Heb 8:1-2 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum [main point, principle thing]: We have such an HIGH PRIEST, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A MINISTER OF THE SANCTUARY, and of THE TRUE TABERNACLE, which the LORD PITCHED, NOT MAN. Well this is a different structure all together and this structure is erected by the Lord only, not man! This structure is not of the physical realm as that of the tabernacle, and temple during the days of the old covenant. Why does God stray away from a physical structure that were once worshipped in IN THE TIMES OF Moses Law?……………………………… Heb 8:5 Who serve unto the example and SHAWDOW OF HEAVENLY THINGS, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN SHEWED TO THEE IN THE MOUNT. This Law of Moses was needed and used for an example in order for God to introduce unto humanity a new covenant AND THIS Law of Moses was a pattern of good things to come. Heb 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Were you not aware of these scriptures Mr. White? Can one be certain that Paul was on the mark with these statements? KJV Joh 2:19-21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up [the Lord’s temple that He pitched Heb. 8:2]. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? V.21 “But he spake of the temple of his body”. Ah yes, the Spiritual temple of Christ is what Paul and John are preaching about but even to this day physical temples continue to be built even though temples are no longer required, and the temple in Jerusalem has long since been destroyed. Yet, modern Christendom calls these temples churches which is un-scriptural and has been confused and translated from Greek word ecclesias. So, when and where did the Apostles, Saints. Believers partake in the assembly? KJV: Act 28:30-31 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. Notice how Paul preached out of his own rented home and also the Gospel was spread by traveling from house to house: Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart…… Concordant Literal Translation is an interesting translation: Act 2:46 Besides persevering day by day with one accord in the sanctuary, besides breaking bread home by home, they partook of nourishment with exultation [lively or triumphant joy] and simplicity of heart…. Not with a group in a structure called the church. The temples became more and more off limits to the Apostles, Saints, and believers as time passed, which lead the Christians to gather privately, not in a Church or temple. Once again: Act 5:42 And daily in the temple [When the temple authorities would leave them alone], AND IN EVERY HOUSE, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Where exactly does the ecclesias gather when worshipping? On the mountain? In the synagogues? In the main temple in Jerusalem? KJV Rom 16:5 Likewise greet the church [ecclesias/ out-called] THAT IS IN THEIR HOUSE. Salute my well beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Another witness to these gatherings is found in: 1Co 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe…………. And: 1Co 1:16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas……………… 1Co 16:19 The churches [ecclesias/out-called] of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church [ecclesias/out-called] THAT IS IN THEIR HOUSE. Another witness: Col 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church [ecclesias/out-called] which IS IN HIS HOUSE. Mr. White, all these gatherings were private and at various peoples homes at times. Who pray tell instructed the early followers to literally build more temples for the new Church of Christ that the Spiritual body of Christ could worship in? I’ll make it easy for you, NO ONE! Does this statement indicate I dislike modern day Christendom and their temples? Yes and no. No, because some good can emanate from the modern day Church in the acknowledgement of God and his Son’s sacrifice and some various local ministries in helping the needy, these things are positive activities, and Yes, due to the many un-scriptural man made doctrines, injected into the scriptures that have been inherited and accepted down through the ages. But that’s another topic of discussion. Look at the etymology and modern definition of church: Etymology: Middle English chirche, from Old English cirice, ultimately from Late Greek kyriakon, from Greek, neuter of kyriakos of the lord, from kyrios lord, master; akin to Sanskrit ś ūra hero, warrior 1 : a building for public and especially Christian worship 2 : the clergy or officialdom of a religious body 3 : a body or organization of religious believers: as a : the whole body of Christians b : DENOMINATION c : CONGREGATION 4 : a public divine worship 5 : the clerical profession Now look at the definition of the word ecclesias whereas early translators horribly defined this word in use: The Greek Linear displays “ekklesia” which means OUT-CALLED and Dr Strong confirms this description as well: G1577 a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both. No definition of members of the body in Christ located in a physical Church that is included in this definition. This “out-calling” or “ekklesia” is found 118 times in the New Testament and this definition does not share the same meaning as of church nor harmonizes with the Greek Linear: Church n. 1. a building for public Christian worship. 2. public worship of God or a religious service in such a building: to attend church regularly. 3. ( sometimes initial capital letter ) the whole body of Christian believers; Christendom. 4. ( sometimes initial capital letter ) any division of this body professing the same creed and acknowledging the same ecclesiastical authority; a Christian denomination: the Methodist Church. 5. that part of the whole Christian body, or of a particular denomination, belonging to the same city, country, nation, etc. “ekklesia” retains the definition OUT-Called NOT A STRUCTURE that contains a group of believers worshipping in a building. Looking back in time at this definition in the 19th Century Dictionary definition of Church: Webster’s Dictonary 1838 Edition: CHURCH, n. 1. A house consecrated [Not according to Acts 7:48 & 17:24-25] to the worship of God, among Christians; the Lords house. This seems to be [Oh Really? “Seems to be”? What kind of scholarship is that?] the original meaning of the word [Abeit not the same meaning of the word ecclesias at all ]. The Greek, TO CALL OUT or call together, denotes an assembly or collection [But not a building or structure to be worshipped in]. But, Lord, a term applied by the early Christians to Jesus Christ; and the house in which they worshipped was named from the title [Even though ecclesia does not mean church building ]. So church goods, bona ecclesiastica; the Lords day, dies dominica. Brackets and caps emphasis mine. How does Church and the Greek word ecclesias share the same meaning? They can’t and they don’t. Mr. White it is apparent that an understand eludes you, and what makes you so sure that these “Lone Ranger” types are not the Elect that Christ will be calling out in the first place? Do the Lone Ranger types truly have the ability to weaken and overcome the body of Christ with these activities of isolation as you have suggested? According to you, they have this ability. Quote: “the body of Christ is weaker when Christians live in isolation”. This holier than thou finger pointing accusations falls in line with Mat 7:3 Mr.White. You are using one passage only in an epistle in your premise. Not to mention, when teaching scriptures of the gospel, the Scriptures instruct and warns us: “Adding to” or “taking away from” this Word (Rev. 22:18-19). When teaching God’s Word we are to rightly divide (or cut) His Word (II Tim. 2:15-18). We are to ” … distinguish the things that differ” (Phil. 1:10). We are to have a pattern of sound words (II Tim. 1:13-14). In addition to these we are to shun the traditions of men (Col. 2:8) and the wisdom of this world (I Cor. 1:20 & 3:19), and two provide witnesses to interpret Mat 18:16 & Deu 17:6 and: 2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. And during Christ ministries, what references did He use? Luk 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Why the ENTIRE OLD TESTAMENT, not from a single passage like you have. The remaining article that you have composed has been in vain. In Romans 12 Paul is instructing us in this passage of the different talents given to individuals in the “Body of Christ and looking through the verses; v.3 Warnings of boastfulness…. V.4 Members of the Body of Christ with different functions/gifts…… So let’s really take a closer look at V.5 Concordant Literal Translation: Rom 12:5 thus we [That "WE" would be brethren V.1], who are many, are one body in Christ, yet individually [ Greek: one at a time; separately] members of one another. V.5 Has zero implications of the body of Christ becoming weak from believers engaging in isolationism. Show us where you see this? v.6 Different gifts allotted by grace. v.7 Dispensing and teaching of the Gospel v.8 continues from v.7 on utterance of the word with gladness and joy with teaching in simplicity. Nowhere in Romans 12 do the scriptures portray any evidence that the body of Christ becomes weak when fellow believers are in isolation, or when failing to assemble in the modern day church of christendom. You made this up Mr. White! This is noting more than a straw man erected by you in your effort to support an opinion which is not scriptural truths. Since there are no indication at all of this premise of a weaken body of Christ brought about by the “Lone Ranger” or “isolationism” mentality that you claim, one can easily verify in I Corinthians chapter 12 where we read that Paul continues his teachings on the exact same subject of the Body of Christ. Read it Mr. White! Quote: The lone-ranger Christian is weaker because he or she doesn’t have the support of fellow believers, and the body of Christ is weaker because we can’t receive what they have to offer. Lone-ranger Christians don’t serve the body and also prevent fellow believers the opportunity to serve them. Let’s peel back this onion a little further with that comment you made: Concordant Literal Translation: 1Co 12:11 Now all these [body of Christ/believers] one and the same spirit is operating [Doesn’t specify what locations, with whom or how many], apportioning [to distribute or allocate proportionally, divide and assign according to some rule of proportional distribution] to each his own [individually], according as He [That would be God Mr. White, not man] IS INTENDING.”. God’s Spirit which works in the true believers, in the body of Christ, are working as God “IS INTENDING”! This would include the suspected “Lone Ranger” types lurking in the back ground of the body of Christ that you claim are weakening the body in some mysterious fashion. 1Co 12:18 Yet now God placed the members, each one of them [on an individual basis], in the body according as He [God] wills. There it is, and when it’s time to bring this body of Christ together how does God state he will do it? 1Co 12:24 Now our respectable members have no need, but God[ Who Lone Rangers? Man? No GOD!] blends the body together, giving [That’s God doing the blending and the giving here!] to that which is deficient [Ah yes Mr. White!! The ones who are deficient- lacking some element or characteristic; defective, maybe the Lone Ranger types?] MORE EXCEEDING HONOR There is no doubt in my mine that most people who post essays on Spiritual topics have a heartfelt desire to preach the word of God and obtain a greater understanding and closeness with our Lord, and that includes you Mr. White. But this is not how it’s done! Stop injecting ideas that are totally devoid in the scriptures that you represent. When you state that meager men, or “Lone Ranger Types” have the ability to weaken the Body of Christ by being isolationist is nothing more than a direct insult to God by verbally diminishing His sovereignty and glorious power of our Lord Jesus Christ in their plans for believers and all of humanity and nothing more. What does God have to say about these weaker members in the body of Christ, or the suspected “Lone Ranger” Types Mr. White?: 1Co 12:22 Nay, much rather, those members of the body SUPPOSED TO BE INHERIENTLY WEAKER [Lone Ranger Types that are supposedly dragging down the Body of Christ] ARE NECESSARY. When God completes his giving and blending in exceeding honor to the members of the body of Christ, God then goes on to inspire Paul to preach of the events that will also occur in the body of Christ?: 1Co 12:25 that there may be no schism [division or disunion] in the body, but the members may be solicitous [anxiously desirous] for one another.” Not finger pointing at believers whose actions that you do not approve of Mr. White! What behavior should a true believer in the body of Christ be expressing in regards to other members of the body of Christ’s well being: 1Co 12:26 And whether one member is suffering, ALL THE MEMBERS ARE SYMPATHIZING [Not SUFFERING OR WEAKENING as you suggest Mr. White, nor MAKING ACCUSATIONS AT], continuing v.26… or one member is being esteemed, all the members are rejoicing with it.” See the contradictions here Mr. White with this “Lone Ranger” premise that you are attempting to support that totally lack scriptural support? Do you? God’s plan could never be thwarted by the actions of any puny member of the body of Christ and to even suggest this is nothing more than a sin. God and Christ cannot fail in any of their endeavors, why would you even suggest otherwise? Have you not studied Isaiah 46:10-12? KJV Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. How is God going to achieve any of His plans, desires, or will Mr. White? I have spoken it….. I will also bring it to pass…… I have proposed it……….. I will also do it……… I will do, I will do Mr. White. That is what God says he will do! Second witness: Eze 24:14 I the LORD have spoken it: IT SHALL COME TO PASS, and I WILL DO IT; I WILL NOT GO BACK, NEITHER WILL I SPARE, NEITHER WILL I REPENT; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD. Do all christians of your stature truly believe these scriptures that God will bring about in the body of Christ that will fall within God’s will and no one else can stay His hand? Or could it be that most christians simply do not approve of God’s plan in the first place? Can God accomplish all these things unhindered? Do you have faith Mr. White in these scriptures presented to you? Do you believe in what Paul is teaching us? Where did Paul teach that a weakness among the members of the body of Christ would take place? I’ll answer that for you, HE DIDN’T! God has this plan which is totally under God’s control only. KJV (Ecc. 3:11) “He [God] has made EVERYTHING FITTING in its season; However, He has put OBSCURITY IN THEIR HEART so that the man may NOT FIND OUT HIS [GOD’S] WORK, that which God [NOT MAN nor the Lone Rangers] does from the beginning to the end.” It’s amazing what the power of God and his Son Jesus can do in regards to God’s plan for mankind. No one can thwart this plan Mr. White and I will offer you one more outstanding scripture to prove to you Mr. White that God, nor his Son Jesus, will fail in God’s plan for humanity. It is in my greatest hope of expanding your faith: KJV Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he [That would be GOD] doeth according to his [God’s] will in the army of heaven, and AMONG THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH: and NONE CAN STAY HIS HAND, or say unto him, What doest thou? What the heck, one more witness: KJV (Eph. 1:11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, BEING PREDESTINED [That’s called a P-L-A-N] according to the purpose of him [God] WHO WORKETH ALL THINGS AFTER THE COUNSEL OF HIS [God’s] WILL: Trust the scriptures Mr. White. There is no way Jesus or the Father is ever going to fail in executing any of God’s plan, no matter how many Lone Rangers and Tonto’s you feel maybe running around in the body of Christ. It simply cannot happen, or God is nothing more than a liar. Conclusion: Paul continues in his teaching of the Body of Christ and instructs us that some members of the body of Christ indeed lack in certain gifts: 1Co 12:29-30 Not all are apostles. Not all are prophets. Not all are teachers. Not all have powers. Not all have the graces of healing. Not all are speaking languages. Not all are interpreting. So what happens if one is a believer in the body of Christ and is found lacking in these gifts? What are we suppose to do? v.31 Yet BE ZEALOUS FOR THE GREATER GRACES. And still I am showing you a path, suited to transcendence [going beyond ordinary limits; surpassing; exceeding].” Stick with the scriptures Mr. White and nothing more. It is my greatest hope that God may open your understanding of the scriptures and increase your knowledge in order for you to abandon man’s wisdom and his ways in teaching of the gospel.
Scott, what you’ve just shown is to what lengths MAN will go to justify his own isolation from fellow believers. Scripture: Romans 12:5 “so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” We can’t “belong” to one another if we are not loving and serving one another with the gifts we have been given. You can’t “belong” by yourself. And notice it doesn’t say we belong to just a few folks we happen to like. It says we belong to ALL the others. Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! ” Your comments about the body being the temple, and not needing to worship in a temple, and praying by yourself as Jesus often did, while appreciated, totally misses the point of this entire article. But that’s not surprising. You are trying to justify yourself to men. I don’t disagree with any of the verses you cited, but they aren’t really talking about the same topic of this article. You’ve injected your own definition of what a church is (presuming it to unilaterally mean a large, mega church…based on a large quantity of members). You’ve defined church as an “institutionalized” building of believers. Again, what you’re doing is taking (I presume) a past hurt or human conflict with a local church….which has caused you to reject all “institutionalized” churches, and are now using it as an excuse to not find a body of believers you can worship with and learn and grow from on a regular basis. That’s a speculation, so let me know if I’m wrong. But if it’s true, I’d love for you to share more about how you have been wronged by your local “institutionalized” church, and how or why this has kept from you from finding a different/better one near you that you could “belong” too. Did I say in the article you can’t be a church with a small handful of Christian friends? no. Because that WAS the original church model, and it’s still equally valid today. Scott, you are well read. So, I’m sure you understand from reading the New Testament that the original churches met in one another’s homes. I have no problems with that church model. Where Paul’s letters written to individual people living in isolation? Nope. They were written to the “church…in [fill in name of epistle]“…the body of believers meeting in one another’s homes. I’ve defined a lone ranger Christian this way: “Some people think it’s ok to be a lone-ranger Christian; a Christian who avoids fellowship with other believers or avoids going to church and being a part of a local body of believers.” Notice the “OR”. So, if you are regularly fellowshipping with other believers (outside of a church building), by my own definition you are NOT a lone ranger christian. If you do neither, then you ARE a lone ranger christian. If you AVOID fellowship with other believers, you are a lone ranger christian. 1 Corinthians 14:26 “What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” Notice it doesn’t say “IF” you come together. It says “WHEN” you come together. And why come together? What does it say? “All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” Go ahead and worship in the spirit and in truth. I applaud you for that and encourage you to continue. But as Hebrews 10:24-25 says, do not give up meeting together. And why do that? To encourage one another. Encouraging strengthens the body of believers. And logic and common sense would dictate that if you aren’t encouraging your fellow believers, it is weaker. Lastly Scott, I’m surprised that you, someone who is so well versed in scripture, can come to the conclusion that Christianity is a solo-sport. Yes, we must accept Christ individually. But we are a BODY of believers. We are NOT scattered, isolated, disconnected parts of a body. We are only a body TOGETHER. So, I’m happy to stick with scripture Scott. And I encourage you to do the same. May the peace and blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
I have a question here.. We are all of the same body. How many bodies are there? One. Does that mean that only one (physical) Christian church is the only body there is? No. Does it say that we are only to associate and fellowship with those in one physical body? No. It says uses your gifts to help the body as a whole. Does that mean that we can use our gifts outside of the physical church? Yes. Fellowship with other believers is important but the Bible does not support a particular type of fellowship.
Recently our family left our church after serving in our new community there for 7 years. It was very hurtful and I can see how so many believer’s have given up on the “church” as an institution from this experience. However, I claim to be a Christian and have been to church for the past 25 years, so we immediately went to another church the next Sunday. It has not been easy, I need to be healed over time, but will not give up on God’s people, the church, or myself in this difficulty. Let’s face it, people have a hard time getting along in any setting whether religious or other social organization. Sometimes we might be in the wrong place for our personality, or our time is up and we need to move to the next, or whatever. I trust the Lord with my life an the plans He has for us. I make mistakes and so do other Christians. Sometimes we just don’t get it right and offense is taken or given. I understand hurt feelings very well and it is difficult to overcome, but we must. Because that’s how we grow up in Christ and become mature Christians, hopefully better able to serve because of our experiences. And this is a great way to express feelings and thoughts without taking offense and hearing from others can help us better understand ourselves. Thank you for sharing and letting others share. That is good fellowship:)
Very well said. And I’m sorry for the hurt you experienced at your former church. God refines us through people and the painful challenges of life. Psalm 66:10, “For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.” But I think you have learned a valuable lesson…all people (including church-going Christians) are flawed. Being able to move on and forgive them is the key. Trusting that God will use this experience for good is a sign of a mature Christian as well. So thank YOU for sharing your experience.
Scott, and pardon me for one additional follow-up response. My question for you is this: What is your spiritual gift? How has God gifted you to uniquely serve the body of Christ?