Do you have to go to church to be a Christian?

Question

I want to be a Christian (my family is not Christian) Do you have to go to church and be baptized to become a Christian? I've been reading the Bible for a while, but I don't know any Christians around me.

lightbulb27 · Accepted Answer

you don't have to. Your start is John 3:16... that is having faith in Christ and believing. Do that every day and renew yourself daily. You can do this by praying to God, going to church, and growing in faith... so that you you represent the spirit of Christ here.

Being with other believers in some way, can help you grow in faith. I listen to worship music as one way to do so and listen to onlien messages. Praying is another way. I can provide links if you like to listen to some.

The goal is to be like Christ in your actions.

My family wasn't Christian either. I had to learn it all on my own.

Glad for you and I pray you make an incredible mark on the world, one person at a time! There is so much to be done, to lift up the broken hearted in this world and heal.

You don't have to do, but I find... i want to go, it renews me and lifts me up, which is what we should be doing for others that don't believe in Christ... giving them a positive reference... for so many in the world are enslaved to the emotional damage.

Love peace joy happiness contentment... the fruits of the spirit!

ManOnFire · Accepted Answer

Nah, church is not necessary for faith. Many Christians might try to make you think so, but you're not required for it to be a believer. Imagine if you lived in the mountains with no one around for miles, or a desert island and all you had was your Bible or even the faith in your heart, you'd have no church to attend, right? Do you think God would reject you on those grounds? No.

What a lot of Christians still aren't getting is that faith will require actual work with or without church. Many are going to church thinking that this alone will satisfy God or be enough, or makes them feel pious and like they're doing their faithful deed, but these people are often lacking in meat and are still eating bread and milk, what Paul said you are eventually supposed to move on from as you grow in faith.

Bottom line: you still have to weld out your own faith even when no church is around.

Daniela1982 · Accepted Answer

You don't have to in order to be saved. The belief that baptism is necessary for salvation is also known as "baptismal regeneration." It is our contention that baptism is an important step of obedience for a Christian, but we adamantly reject baptism as being required for salvation. We strongly believe that each and every Christian should be water baptized by immersion. Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-4 declares, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” The action of being immersed in the water illustrates dying and being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection. But just remember, Jesus himself was baptized by John the Baptist. But attending church is mostly for fellowship and is not a prerequisite to be saved.

Alice18 · Accepted Answer

I think faith in God is in the heart, in the soul. And the church and religion are the work of people. The church is good, but it is not necessary to be a part of it to be a Christian. The main thing is to believe in Jesus Christ

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Baptism and church attendance is very common. It brings us Christians in contact with each other and as a result is helpful to exchange opinions and experiences, and also to get (perhaps) answers from fellows.

But both also are often just done because 'everyone else does it', and I have often seen people who don't do it full heartedly.

I also see a ''risk'' to be manipulated into behaviour patterns or thoughts that are -emm- debatable.

Myself, I come from a Lutherian (Protestant) background, but here in Thailand the Christians mostly follow ''Baptism'' style churches; I see and hear stuff that does not convince me.

So I decided to ask Jesus directly (somehow) and try to understand his cleaned up message the way it was meant some 2000 years ago. My conclusions can not be precise - and so I keep interacting with people of differing opinions.

In the end ''the Boss'' will judge me - not some preacher :)

ChiTown33 · Answer

No. But going to church and engaging in fellowship is how you're supposed to grow in your faith. People can help you, you can help other people.

If you don't go to church might I recommend the podcast "The Bible in a year". It was helpful for me. Just like it's name it breaks the Bible down into 365, 15 to 20 minute segments so you can listen to one a day. Where he,(the narrator Father Mike schmitz) reads from scripture and then talks about what that day's reading means

BCRanger10 · Answer

Is your family opposed to you being (or wanting to be) a Christian?

Makeushiver · Answer

From what I've seen in the bible belt areas of this country the only requirement is hating some group of people and acting as hypocritically as possible.

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

Pick a side: Catholics Protestants Orthodox Cultists Unaffiliated

jshm2 · Answer

Yes. More or less. Though why you want to go full retard and be a Christian is beyond me.

LiamJHayden · Answer

No, but we should if possible and practical.

llorando · Answer

No, there are plenty of Christians, myself included who doesn't go to church.

strateguy632 · Answer

No, because of grace, neither are needed, but they help, if you have opportunity.

Jennz6 · Answer

No, just believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior

jahaims · Answer

It's all made up. Make your own rules

zombiewoof · Answer

Nope

Do you have to go to church to be a Christian?

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