The Church is not a Building

Too many "Christians" associate the church with buildings, particular places, and mandated days to meet.

They do not understand that these modern ways were invented by man and have corrupted the church, which is the people. The traditions of men have ruined authentic fellowship.

Mark 7:13 "13 Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.”

Colossians 2:8 "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ."

1 Corinthians 14:26 "What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification."

God never intended us to go and sit facing forward, listening to a long sermon delivered by one man. His intention was that we speak to one another about the Lord and remember Him in His Lord's supper. Each person is contributing.

This is impossible in the modern churches because the people in the pews are expected to remain silent, and just believe whatever the person in the pulpit tells us to believe, because he has been educated by other men.

The people in church gatherings today do not understand that the Holy Spirit is the One Who teaches and leads everyone who is born again.

If we are reading the word and praying at home, we will have something to offer our brothers and sisters in the gathering. Now the modern Christian barely knows their Bibles and operates as though they believe only men educated by other men can be led by the Holy Spirit. Or worse, they don't even think in terms of the leading of the Holy Spirit.

1 Timothy 4:1-3 "Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth."

It is easy to manipulate and control people when they are made to believe they have no authority to speak or wisdom to share.

All born-again believers have the Authority of Christ in them to speak the things of the Lord as they are led by the Holy Spirit. They all have the Authority to challenge one another, encourage, teach, and evaluate what others say.

Hebrews 5:11-13 "11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing. 12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! 13For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness."

I have heard many times in my life statements such as: "I have to ask my pastor.", Rarely have I heard: "I have to ask God to hear from the Holy Spirit."

I have even been told I should not speak things of the Lord because I am a woman and only men are allowed to do it. Sadly, scripture is taken out of context to justify a false teaching. Many fall into the trap of ignoring all the rest of scripture for this one idea concocted by people who have their own agenda.

When we read the Word for ourselves and are led by the Holy Spirit, we are qualified to evaluate everything and speak the truth boldly to help one another remain faithful to God's Word.

So the final takeaway is; Listen to one another, evaluate what is said according to the Bible, and speak the truth of God boldly.