things churches do that are not in the bible

First Peter 5:8 warns us to “be self-controlled and alert. If it’s because the Bible says so, we’re always on good ground. BuzzFeed Staff. We do not interpret the Bible in a vacuum. “God tells us about hell to demonstrate to us the magnitude of his holiness. Membership. It can be so easy to say that we shouldn’t do it because it isn’t in the Bible, but the thing is God is still speaking, and acting in the same ways, so we need to really be in communication with Him and act accordingly. Loved reading the info you gathered from Scripture. Great to consider these things. The same goes for Jesus’ words. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. But we do acknowledge that these are not things the Bible prescribes, suggests, or models. Without the Bible, the Western world and a good deal of the Eastern would be completely different today than if the events of the book had never occurred. I am Christian but do not go to church. In the Old Testament, God instructed His people to tithe – give ten percent of their income to meet the needs of the religious, economic and political system of ancient Israel. While it is a sin, for centuries, there has been great debate around the topic of drinking in moderation and even more in recent years. | Your Single Days Are Now Or a salvation. By Cory Barclay Published Feb 23, 2016. And evaluating. How easy it is to equate our experience or tradition with the Bible’s instruction! Thanks, Steve, for your thoughtful input! | Is It Possible to Read the Bible Too Much? Acts 2:45. But spiritual and how things were. Great read and very good thoughts! Worship Sets. ( Log Out /  I have a feeling that those thousands soon met in various homes, but, you’re right, we don’t know exactly how they handled the large crowds. It always seems to come back, for me, to the fact that religion is man-made while God is not. The Bible does say we are not be drunk (Ephesians 5:18), and that elders (1 Timothy 3:3), deacons (1 Timothy 5:23), and respectable older women (Titus 2:3) should not drink too much wine (which some interpret as not drinking alcohol on a regular basis). Power of the Holy Spirit and filled by the Spirit! Read every description of the church’s gathering, and you’ll find no mention of a sermon. And to keep considering. | 5 Reasons Children’s Bible Stories Are Dangerous. You make some challenging remarks! It is the idea that how you live your life will determine the quality of life you will have after reincarnation. Good thoughts. Acts 2:47. It saddens me to see people alone, unnoticed…where my kids don’t take all my attention, I move to pursue. Thanks for sharing at the #LMMLinkup. 4. The “horoscope” is the chart that attempts to describe that destiny. What an intriguing post, Lydia! Karma is a theological concept found in Buddhist and Hindu religions. With the shift toward postmodernism, practices that were once discouraged by the Christian community have been embraced and even promoted. We forget that every good thing comes down from our Father in heaven (James 1:17). Hate the sin. “Believing in Jesus is all it takes to get to heaven” Actually this phrase is Biblical. The Bible could not be clearer on this point. Question: "What are the most common things people think are in the Bible that are not actually in the Bible?" How does this happen? We need the Bible as our guide but these activities that the Church offers, we also need them to grow our faith. The Bible does teach that we are saved by faith, apart from works of the Law. When I was little my parents pastored a little church that started out as a house church: I loved going there…it felt like home. Thank you so much for sharing with gentleness and love. However, if you live a life of selfishness and evil, you will be reincarnated into a less-than pleasant lifestyle. So many Christians look at tithing as a final issue when it’s really a matter of the heart. The more we add to the word of God the more its for us to please ourselves.. and the further we go into our view of worship or how to do things. Have a blessed week, Lydia. Of course, it may have something to do with the fact that this was a gathering of believers who were being taught the Word, not evangelized. If something is helpful (regardless of any supposed demand for ‘Scriptural warrant’), then use it. I really wish everyone would leave their phones at home on Sunday. First Corinthians 6:10 lists drunkards among those who “will not inherit the kingdom of God.”. Sometimes, I believe, that if the true church (if I) walked more “in step with the Spirit,” we might see more of these practices coming out–in sincerity and truth, not merely from form or because they are what a particular denomination “does.” Maybe someday you could write a blog post about that, if the Lord leads you!! When it starts to deviate from that journey is when I grow concerned. I’d love for us to be more of a family…that’s what the church sounds like to me in the Bible. If you are unselfish, kind, and holy during your lifetime, you will be rewarded by being reincarnated into a pleasant life. The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek, not English. I simply think they should evaluate these things on a regular basis. On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. When we get drunk, we are serving a master other than the Lord. We read this verse like this: “I can do all things, that I want, through Christ who strengthens me.” What Paul actually means is this: “I can do all things, that God leads me to, through Christ who strengthens me.” Do … No other book has any such credentials. While the teachings of Jesus only lasted around three years prior to His death, in that short amount of time a tremendous world of truth, myth, legend and superstition was built around Him. If we need a better sounding music a better looking video more lights more fancy things.. That’s telling me that we’re trying to lure people in with a desire for the gospel with things. For 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, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. If it isn’t, then (regardless of tradition, even if based in Scripture) then drop it. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. We would be comfortable with a couple team-teaching some of these things, with the husband taking the lead in explaining doctrinal issues, and the wife contributing her insights into methods or people-skills. If there are ever disagreements among church members, it isn’t whether or not the wording of a service was incorrect. The problem is the churches that are doing all of these things because it is cool or because they have always done it this way, and there is no Bible or scripture being taught or spoken behind this. And it does seem that they met in the outdoors at times, perhaps due to the size of their group. Altar Calls. Which is not. This is very interesting! I like how you said all of this is okay, as long as there is Biblical sound doctrine being taught and that remains the focus. A persons heart it was just not a new testament thing. | Beware of Bible Journaling It is unique. and what we should really be doing. God is the one who established the pattern for “church” with the tabernacle and then the Temple. Why do some churches have a history of church splits? Share Share Tweet Email Comment. But Lutheran and Reformed Christians in particular have taken this to mean that Christians do not in any way participate in their salvation. Beyond that, no “church membership” is distinctly defined in Scripture. Your enemy the devil prowls around like around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”, Getting drunk is prohibited in the Bible. The Bible says, giving is to be done cheerfully, rather than as obligation (2 Corinthians 9:6-7), and not for the purpose of public recognition (Matthew 6:1-4). There were several occasions the thousands were added to the number of believers after a single sermon! Thanks for your input. No shiny offering plates passed by ushers while pretty music is played. Please also opt me in for Exclusive Offers from Beliefnet’s Partners, From time to time you will also receive Special Offers from our partners. You have given much to pray about. My biggest concern is that we get so caught up in man-made methods, that we miss God’s design laid out for us in Scripture. I think the churches that teach the Bible and adopt the catholic ways of the Eucharist and confession of sins where pastors have the Holy Spirit’s power of forgiveness is ok. Oh and calling a Catholic Priest “Father” never made sense. I would say, We need the Bible and the methods it gives to grow our faith. “All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. You are right in a huge respect though, we should be loving, being the Church, right where we are, no building or program required. I did not at all mean to convey that these things shouldn’t be used. Just my own thoughts from my own journey and observations. We like the flesh we enjoy it, we want things that are so far away from God. Or 8am? Great point! Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God’s ways are different from ours. And that the sermons we see today are likely very different in nature/method/practice than the preaching/teaching we see in the Scriptures. God exhorts the Israelites, “You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. They bring their phones and have their heads in them. I’ve always been very weary of the corporate church model which seems to have originated with the Catholics. Not saying I disagree with them all. Their conclusions have been summarized in what we call Creeds and Confessions. In fact, shock of all shockers, you will find no worship leader, no worship team, and no rehearsals. And questioning. The Bible is special. It amazes me the amount of Christians and churches who do not follow the bible correctly. We interpret the Bible as the church. Cursing. The right amount to give may be more or less than ten percent, depending on one's circumstances (Matthew 19:21, Luke 18:22, 21:1-4, Heb. Outside of that, I would be pretty wary. Jeff Titterington says: November 26, 2016 at 9:09 PM. As for sermons, I’m simply arguing that the term “sermon” isn’t used in the Bible. It’s another phantom scripture that appears nowhere in the Bible, but many people think it does. And we think those verses in Genesis and Matthew and Revelation reveal more about the hubris and flawed humanity of the Bible writers (and of Bible believers) than they do about divinity. God says so Himself through Paul. I could go on for hours here on just the flaws in the logic alone, but frankly the article isn’t worth my time. Thanks for sharing your perspective. I’ve seen people and experienced how in the little they had.. physically ,, they had more spiritually.. and that’s the church. Just wondering if the church of today has, consciously or unconsciously, drifted from God’s design, that’s all. I get that. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. I pray when I’m looking for a job and pray for the unsaved daily. That’s why I question the items in this list! I think it’s good for Christians to be reminded to look at the way disciples lived in the Bible and to question the “way things are” today. I doubt if the home churches in the Bible had drums and a keyboard, and an alter, but they are nice at a church building. For example (and I’m coming from a very Conservative background) the “lifting up of holy hands” or “greeting one another with a holy kiss.” (I know that some denominations do practice these things, but many have abandoned them). Thanks for the great observation! People need to study their bibles instead of just listening to what others say. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), 10 Things the Church Has That the Bible Doesn’t, https://journeyoftheword.com/2014/10/02/religion-vs-relationship/, End Times Prophecy Headlines: June 27, 2016 | End Times Prophecy Report, 10 Things the Church Has That the Bible Doesn’t | North Fifth & Grape, | 10 Things the Church Has That the Bible Doesn’t, | The Greatest Showman & The Brainwashing of the Modern Soul, | My Favorite Bible-Study Method {in 7 Easy Steps}. There are a lot of things we do as “church” that were never done in the Bible. Very good post, by the way! It’s easy to get caught up in “that’s the way we’ve always done it” mentality, but that doesn’t make it right. Christians hold the Bible in particularly high regard, but that does not mean that they cannot get themselves turned around. Yes! It’s important that our words and actions align with our faith. Often, we’ll hear someone quote a statement that sounds nice to us, and we’ll begin repeating it as though it’s biblical truth without ever researching it in the Scriptures. No verse demands 10:45am-12noon, and no verse suggests multiple services in a day. But the gospel is simple. We know from Scripture that swearing is a sin. Hope that helps! And it seems we don’t often consider the alternative. Baptism is not a requirement for salvation and many churches do not subscribe to infant baptism Instead, Baptism in the Baptist church is a public expression of faith. Instead of the church being the body of Christ and living day to day as followers of Christ, we’ve raised generations of Christians who think church is a building you go to. The church is not primarily a concert. Man-made ideas aren’t always biblical even if they help us to accomplish biblical purposes. It seems there are a number of passages regarding the church to which the organized church today doesn’t pay any attention. What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. If it’s because it’s the way we’ve always done it, that’s no good reason at all. What an unspeakable gift that we have the Holy Spirit as our Guide, and that He leads us into all truth–the truth of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! There’s some surprises hidden in the story of the beginning. Somethings are understandable because we live in a different time, but others I think are very harmful. Great things to consider today. Thanks for sharing at Together on Tuesdays. Video is the media/language of the day. Who knows how many things occurred in one city, or one house within a city, that did not occur in others. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Something that has always intrigued me (and your post made me think of this!) Once again, it all comes back to “why.” Why do we do the things we do? We also get our picture of the early church from sources describing multiple city churches. As do so many traditions also have similar roots, though not all. Karma is based on the theological belief in reincarnation. ( Log Out /  The criteria for determining which church to attend should not be based on internal feelings or comfort zones. I would like to point out that there were some large gathering in the New Testament. All followers of Christ are members of the same Body. But that way of thinking may not be helpful, true or even Biblical after all. I’ve never visited a home church, but I can see why many families attend them. Thanks for sharing! There is only ONE Father and He is Sovereign. Isaiah the prophet spoke of astrologer’s with derision: “Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you” (Isaiah 47:13). This friend in the second conversation said to me, “There’s a blog post for you. I’m not necessarily disagreeing with my church’s use of them. The Bible is full of wisdom, but it is often misquoted and misunderstood. This core teaching is found most clearly in Paul's letters to the Galatians and the Romans. Or pipe organs. And while these things may or may not be helpful to the practice of our church gathering, they are certainly unhelpful if we can’t let them go. Astrology is the ancient belief that a person’s destiny can be found in the pattern of the stars and planets at the time of one’s birth. And what if they met for 2 hours or more? And i agree with you Lydia. The purpose of the commandments and customs were because we’re really really evil. I’m sure a ton of folks will disagree. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. I pray for guidence and help within my life. Rather than give out of a place of gratitude and joy, we see ourselves as thrifty overseers, doling out scarce resources. Maybe we do, but maybe we don’t. Especially when it comes to the church. Some Christians buy into the notion of karma, but this concept isn’t biblically based. Preaching of the gospel took place outside the church gathering. I’m not saying I’m against these 10 things either. There are multiple versions out there that do not necessarily say the same thing. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. I didn’t come to bring you with flare or with words. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. No other book even comes close. Thank you for encouraging us to question things. — Jonathan YPJ Miller (@PastorYPJ) February 8, 2011. The Bible rejects the idea of reincarnation; therefore, it does not support the idea of karma. Worship: I loved reading about God setting aside a whole tribe for worship (the Levites)…this says to me that God places great value on our worship of Him. There are many types of superstitions in the world, ranging from benign – such as not walking under a ladder – to magic, divination, voodoo and sorcery. | 5 Reasons Children’s Bible Stories Are Dangerous. Most would rather not talk about it at all. I enjoyed your take on the Bible church and thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story. By attending “church” in a building, I have met many wonderful people, and long time friends. Large Gatherings. Something is missing and needs to be restored. Cleanliness: not technically next to godliness. But no biblical prophet ever uttered those words. when the sound doesn’t work for a certain part of the song or the sermon. Today, although I do believe in home cell groups, it is the building were we congregate together to learn, to be encouraged, to agree together in prayer, and to educate our children in the ways of God extra from our family devotions. Can’t help but wonder if they are truly looking up bible passages or something else. Thank you for sharing your words and heart…stopping by from Coffee & Conversation! It’s one of those true-ish statements, but it’s not a Bible verse. Anyway, thanks as always for the feedback. The Bible is clear that it is the responsibility of church members to not only esteem their pastoral leaders highly (if you don't think your pastor merits your esteem, you are in the wrong church), but to actively encourage them both by word and action. Despite how clever or even edifying a quote may be, if it isn’t in the Bible we have no guarantee that it is the Word of God. We home church and have been for 8 years! Even though Christians share a certain set of beliefs that they hold as essential to their faith, there are a wide range of interpretations and opinions when studying the Bible. So not only does it never once say in the Bible that we have to remain sinners, but it also gives us a powerful exhortation to become holy to the same degree as He who called us. Nothing more than an observation in that regard. Not necessarily.” I’m simply asking that these things (and others) be evaluated, as we should with anything we do…rather than simply incorporating them in our churches “because that’s what churches these days do.” That is my point entirely. You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.” As believers, we know we are to study the Bible, memorize it and obey it. When our man-made traditions trump the ways and intents of God, we need to backtrack. In Psalm 119:16, David promises God, “I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.” In Deuteronomy 11:18-19. Certainly, not all growing churches are healthy. I think whatever helps us get closer and further along in our faith journey is a okay with me. There is mention several times in the NT of traditions that are being passed along by word of mouth. Teaching, perhaps. God left us the Bible as written testimony of His Word. It’s very possible that the early Christians often sang in small circles without instruments. Right, so my question would be, “Can a man-made idea which is not commanded, instructed, or suggested in Scripture, ever be truly helpful or edifying?” Personally, I think the answer is “yes.” But I do think we easily accept anything and everything as helpful and edifying when it’s really not. It’s important to know facts about the Bible and that we take God seriously, particularly if you are living by the Word and professing it to others. In other words, you reap what you sew. But do we? But I am sure there must be people who leave having been unnoticed (I had that happen to me in the beginning): horrible thought. Of course, no church is perfect. God wanted to worship Him with ALL our hearts with ALL our mind with ALL our strength. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. | Why I Wore Skirts for 10 Years Interestingly enough, it addresses the concept of “religion” and its relation to “feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, protecting the weak and ill, and simply loving one another.” Hope it’s helpful to you. The Bible was taught more in small circles than in large crowds. There is only one word and truth makes anybody uncomfortable. Thanks for encouraging readers to search the Scriptures and examine why we follow traditions. This is good to keep us thinking on how we should do what the Bible teaches and not just follow traditions. We base our worship to much on things to make it to our liking. | The Value of Colored Pencils I understand your point, though. Bible translations. Thanks for encouraging us to continue to reevaluate and change as needed to be more like our Lord. But over all of this is a filter I like to use: what would God think about this thing or that practice? Have you observed the average evangelical church of today with Bible in hand?

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