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Can I still go to heaven even if I dont go to church but as long as im a good person and helps the ones in need?
Heb 10:23-26 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (24) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, (25) not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (26) For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together - That is, for purposes of public worship. Some expositors have understood the word rendered here as “assembling” - ἐπισυναγωγὴν episunagōgēn - as meaning “the society of Christians,” or the church; and they have supposed that the object of the apostle here is, to exhort them. not to apostatize from the church. The arguments for this opinion may be seen at length in Kuinoel, in loc. But the more obvious interpretation is what is commonly adopted, that it refers to public worship. The Greek word (the noun) is used nowhere else in the New Testament, except in 2Th2:1, where it is rendered “gathering together.” The verb is used in Mat23:37; Mat24:31; Mar1:33; Mar13:27; Luk12:1; Luk13:34, in all which places it is rendered “gathered together.” It properly means an act of assembling, or a gathering together, and is nowhere used in the New Testament in the sense of an assembly, or the church. The command, then, here is, to meet together for the worship of God, and it is enjoined on Christians as an important duty to do it. It is implied, also, that there is blame or fault where this is “neglected.” As the manner of some is - Why those here referred to neglected public worship, is not specified. It may have been from such causes as the following: (1) some may have been deterred by the fear of persecution, as those who were thus assembled would be more exposed to danger than others. (2) some may have neglected the duty because they felt no interest in it - as professing Christians now sometimes do. (3) it is possible that some may have had doubts about the necessity and propriety of this duty, and on that account may have neglected it. (4) or it may perhaps have been, though we can hardly suppose that this reason existed, that some may have neglected it from a cause which now sometimes operates - from dissatisfaction with a preacher, or with some member or members of the church, or with some measure in the church. Whatever were the reasons, the apostle says that they should not be allowed to operate, but that Christians should regard it as a sacred duty to meet together for the worship of God. None of the causes above suggested should deter people from this duty. With all who bear the Christian name, with all who expect to make advances in piety and religious knowledge, it should be regarded as a sacred duty to assemble together for public worship. Religion is social; and our graces are to be strengthened and invigorated by waiting together on the Lord. There is an obvious propriety that people should assemble together for the worship of the Most High, and no Christian can hope that his graces will grow, or that he can perform his duty to his Maker, without uniting thus with those who love the service of God. But exhorting one another - That is, in your assembling together a direction which proves that it is proper for Christians to exhort one another when they are gathered together for public worship. Indeed there is reason to believe that the preaching in the early Christian assemblies partook much of the character of mutual exhortation. And so much the more as ye see the day approaching - The term “day” here refers to some event which was certainly anticipated, and which was so well understood by them that no particular explanation was necessary. It was also some event that was expected soon to occur, and in relation to which there were indications then of its speedily arriving. If it had not been something which was expected soon to happen, the apostle would have gone into a more full explanation of it, and would have stated at length what these indications were. There has been some diversity of opinion about what is here referred to, many commentators supposing that the reference is to the anticipated second coming of the Lord Jesus to set up a visible kingdom on the earth; and others to the fact that the period was approaching when Jerusalem was to be destroyed, and when the services of the temple were to cease. So far as the language is concerned, the reference might be to either event, for the word a “day” is applied to both in the New Testament. The word would properly be understood as referring to an expected period when something remarkable was to happen which ought to have an important influence on their character and conduct. In support of the opinion that it refers to the approaching destruction of Jerusalem, and not to the coming of the Lord Jesus to set up a visible kingdom, we may adduce the following considerations: (1) The term used - “day” - will as properly refer to that event as to any other. It is a word which would be likely to suggest the idea of distress, calamity, or judgment of some kind, for so it is often used in the Scriptures; comp Psa27:13; 1Sa26:10; Jer30:7; Eze21:5; notes Isa2:12. (2) such a period was distinctly predicted by the Saviour, and the indications which would precede it were clearly pointed out; see Matt. 24. That event was then so near that the Saviour said that “that generation would not pass” until the prediction had been fulfilled; Mat24:34.(3) The destruction of Jerusalem was an event of great importance to the Hebrews, and to the Hebrew Christians to whom this Epistle was directed, and it might be reasonable to suppose that the apostle Paul would refer to it. (4) it is not improbable that at the time of writing this Epistle there were indications that that day was approaching. Those indications were of so marked a character that when the time approached they could not well be mistaken (see Mat24:6-12, Mat24:24, Mat24:26), and it is probable that they had already begun to appear. (5) there were no such indications that the Lord Jesus was about to appear to set up a visible kingdom. It was not a fact that that was about to occur, as the result has shown; nor is there any positive proof that the mass of Christians were expecting it, and no reason to believe that the apostle Paul had any such expectation; see 2Th_2:1-5. (6) the expectation that the destruction of Jerusalem was referred to, and was about to occur, was just what might be expected to produce the effect on the minds of the Hebrew Christians which the apostle here refers to. It was to be a solemn and fearful event. It would be a remarkable manifestation of God. It would break up the civil and ecclesiastical polity of the nation, and would scatter them abroad. It would require all the exercise of their patience and faith in passing through these scenes. It might be expected to be a time when many would be tempted to apostatize, and it was proper, therefore, to exhort them to meet together, and to strengthen and encourage each other as they saw that that event was drawing near. The argument then would be this. The danger against which the apostle desired to guard those to whom he was writing was, that of apostasy from Christianity to Judaism. To preserve them from this, he urges the fact that the downfall of Judaism was near, and that every indication which they saw of its approach ought to be allowed to influence them, and to guard them from that danger. It is for reasons such as these that I suppose the reference here is not to the “second advent” of the Redeemer, but to the approaching destruction of Jerusalem. At the same time, it is not improper to use this passage as an exhortation to Christians to fidelity when they shall see that the end of the world draws nigh, and when they shall perceive indications that the Lord Jesus is about to come. And so of death. We should be the more diligent when we see the indications that the great Messenger is about to come to summon us into the presence of our final Judge. And who does not know that he is approaching him with silent and steady footsteps, and that even now he may be very near? Who can fail to see in himself indications that the time approaches when he must lie down and die? Every pang that we suffer should remind us of this; and when the hair changes its hue, and time makes furrows in the cheek, and the limbs become feeble, we should regard them as premonitions that he is coming, and should be more diligent as we see that be is drawing near.
There have been some good answers posted here, and also some very opinionated ones. Before I give you mine, I want to challange you to not simply accept my opinion, or anyone else's foe that matter, without first searching and studying the topic for yourself. Now then, the Bible says in Matthew chapter 7 that "Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will enter into heaven. But he who does the will of my father, the same will enter." Because, every good church person knows that salvation is not of works, thanks to Ephesians 2:8-9, we also have to look at another verse. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with you mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in you heart that God had raised him from the dead, then you shall be saved." One other pasage we will discuss is James chapter 2. These passages of scripture pretty much summarize the Bible's teaching on salvation. In order to be saved, you must repent of your sin, which the apostles preached constantly, and ask Jesus to save you. Since the heart is wicked, according to Corinthians I think, you cannot trust it. Therefore, Jesus said that we would know if we were saved based on our fruits, or the actions and motives in our lives (Matthew 7). James chapter 2 likewise states that "faith without works is dead." Therefore, if you claim to have faith and you do not have works, you are a liar. Therefore, In order to know one has salvation, one must repent, believe, and then constantly examine his life to see if there is evidence of his faith through his thoughts, actions, and motives. To answer your question more directly, entrance into heaven is not based on anything that you do or do not perform, but rather on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The fact of the matter is that historical records show that a man named Jesus from Nazareth walked the earth, had a religious following, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and then placed in a tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea. The only to possible outcomes to these events are that Jesus is either dead, or He has risen from the dead. If He has risen, as I believe, then He is the one true God, and the only way to heaven according to the Bible. If he is still dead, then everthing I just spent 20 minutes typing you is a lie. You must choose what you believe. Just remember that your decision to believe or not to believe in Jesus does not determine whether or not He is God. For example, I can tell you that I believe that the United States does not exist, but that does not change the fact that it does. I hope that this information is helpful to you, and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Just post them.
P.S.- don't just accept or reject what I say, look up my refrences and see for yourself!
First of all, do you profess Christ as Savior? If not, then the answer is no. If you do profess Christ as Lord and Savior then you might, but Scripture says implicitly that," you are not to forsake the gathering of yourselves together as is the habit of some." By having a "church home" that teaches biblical truth, you will grow in your faith and gather friends at the same time. Those are very important, especially if life throws a curve at you, like a crisis of some sort. Friends outside of church are great and can be a comfort, but friends of like faith are priceless.
Up until the 13th century, there was no distinction between our modern concepts of 'heaven' and 'the sky'. The ancients who formed most of the world's modern religions, literally believed their god lived in the sky.
Afterlife religions literally believed people would go up to the sky when they died. That's why Jesus is depicted as floating up into the sky in Acts, and why it is said he will return the same way. (plus endless other sky references related to god in the Bible and other holy texts).
We talked about this already. Going to 'church' (as in the building) isn't a requirement.
Can I still go to heaven even if I dont go to church but as long as im a good person and helps the ones in need?
But I'm not sure the thread topic is about 'going to church' and much as it is about 'practicing religion' ...maybe we could ask leoenis to clarify.
Nah.. no such thing as right, or wrong. Or heaven or hell. Everyone sees things differently in there own eyes so you have no right to say what is correct or not correct. I don't go to church because It scares me, don't ask why. I'm not going to hell though.. and I really don't believe in a god either. Just listen to your heart, and you'll be fine.
Absolutely. I believe more people go to heaven than what the avg. person thinks. God is love, God is forgiving. I believe hell exist for those who continuously reject him. Even for the ones who go there I can't see God punishing them for ETERNITY. If my kids did something terribly wrong.. I wouldn't have them touch a hot stove.
none of those will put you in heaven. you have to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. and you have to accept him in your heart as your Savior and confess to him that you've sinned and need Him in your life. There's a saying, dont act like a Christain, BE a Christain
There is no such thing as wrong or right, or heaven or hell. Everyone believes in different things so you can't assume whats going to happen.. because honestly you don't know. I don't go to church because it scares me, don't ask why, I'm not going to hell though. Lol.
According to some on this board, no. It seems their god is a vain, cruel, merciless SOB, who does care about a persons character, or how well one lives their life. He only cares that you worship and pray to him.
Because, every good church person knows that salvation is not of works, thanks to Ephesians 2:8-9
That verse says nothing about church. What version are you quoting?
As long as you believe Jesus is your savior I will be seeing you in heaven one day.
John 3:16 says it all
I never enjoyed giong to church anyway I belive god can be anywhere you want him 2 be
yes but church is a good thing.peace
