Church for salvation?

[donovan]

Greetings to you brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord

I have a question

There are many churches and they have their own man made rules and far from biblical teachings. My question is do you have to go to church in your oppinion to be saved? Where does it say you must?

The bible does tell us fellowship is important but that can be done in many other ways

1) Online
2) In groups
3) In family prayer

Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ."

Most churches do not accept gay people they reject them, they commit the same sins of Sodom by rejecting the needy and helping those in strife.

Is church attendance NECESSARY ACCORDING TO BIBLICAL SCRIPTURES to be SAVED

[Daniel]

Church, or no church, what is this business with being 'saved?" Saved from what? Being gay? I really don't like where you are going with this.

[donovan]

No Daniel
I am not saying you must be saved for been gay

I am gay myself and very proud of that. I believe that Jesus accepts all of those who believe in him, also those that change the word of God to hurt gay people are going to get what they deserve. Now we all need to be saved? Saved from what you say? From Sin, Jesus paid that price.

What i am asking is it needed to go to church to go to heaven?

[antiochian]

Hello there. I know a little bit about this stuff, as I've belonged to several churches, two of which claimed to be the only true Church. I've been Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox. Two of these 3 say they're the real deal.

There was a time I agreed with Cyprian of Carthage, who wrote, "He cannot have God for his Father who does not have the Church as his Mother."

I've changed in these last few years. Today, my beliefs are a hodgepodge of various religions. I venerate nature. I chant and drum. I try to imitate Christ's message of unconditional love and mercy. And I attend an Anglo-Catholic parish. And while the Bible contains some beautiful poetry and much truth, I don't worship it as the "only" source of truth.

Which religion has it right? All of them and none of them. Our finite minds aren't capable of deciphering a power far higher than ourselves.

I believe that I will see my Christian loved ones in heaven. And my Wiccan friends, and my Buddhist friends, and my aetheist friends (who will be pleasantly surprised!). We are not "saved" from bowing to the right god, and following the right rules, but by living a life of kindness.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by donovan

No Daniel
I am not saying you must be saved for been gay

I am gay myself and very proud of that. I believe that Jesus accepts all of those who believe in him, also those that change the word of God to hurt gay people are going to get what they deserve. Now we all need to be saved? Saved from what you say? From Sin, Jesus paid that price.

What i am asking is it needed to go to church to go to heaven?

Glad to hear that you aren't a homophobe.

Since the Kingdom is Within, church is rather beside the point.

[bnmoore]

Someone I consider wise once said " We must be careful not to rob people of their God unless we can give them a better one, for that is the most destructive thing in the world. I would rather see someone with a poor idea of Deity than to see them have no concept of Deity at all, because we must all interpret God through our perception of Divine Being."

Are you familiar with the school of thought that says that Jesus spent the missing years in India, Nepal, and Tibet?

Has anyone ever read Paramahansa Yogananda's discourses on the four gospels?

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by bnmoore

Someone I consider wise once said " We must be careful not to rob people of their God unless we can give them a better one, for that is the most destructive thing in the world. I would rather see someone with a poor idea of Deity than to see them have no concept of Deity at all, because we must all interpret God through our perception of Divine Being."

Are you familiar with the school of thought that says that Jesus spent the missing years in India, Nepal, and Tibet?

Has anyone ever read Paramahansa Yogananda's discourses on the four gospels?

Haven't read the discourses, but did read the autobiography. Also visited his house in Encinitas California. My guy grew up not a stone's throw away. And I have to say, the first time I was there- about 10 years ago- there was something- a presence- of the man still about.

[BrianB]

It is not strictly necessary for salvation but Hebrews 10:25 says this:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.


It doesn't have to be a church building. In fact, we are assembled here from a certain point of view. I think as long as you are in communication with other people that believe it's fine.