Christians - do you attend church on Sundays?

[URAVIP2ME]

I attend Saturday afternoon. But anytime between Friday Sunset and Saturday Sunset would be fine.
Yes I do. God was very specific which day He wanted us to remember to keep holy and cease from work (Ex 20:8-10; Heb 4:9). Humans have no authority to change procedures, times, or seasons God has ordained as holy. Those who did, God was less than pleased (Nadab and Abihu, King Jeroboam). The Sabbath is one of the 10 commandments. James tells us, as far as God is concerned, you break one and its equivalent to breaking them all (Jas 2:10-11).
If Christians today are forbidden from practicing idolatry; taking God's name in vain; dishonoring their father and mother; murdering; committing adultery;stealing; lying; and coveting, it stands to reason they should be forbidden from keeping any other day holy but the Sabbath, which historical and astronomical evidence tells us it is Saturday or more precisely Friday Sunset to Saturday sunset. Jesus even alluded to the notion the Sabbath would be kept by his end-time disciples (Mat 24:20).

Please keep in mind that Matthew 24 has both a minor and a MAJOR fulfillment.
Those 1st-century Christians - Matthew 24:16-20 were part of that limited fulfillment when the Romans armies proved to be the abomination of Matthew 24:15 in the year 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed.

Before the time of Moses the Law regarding the Sabbath was Not given - Deuteronomy 5:1-3; Deuteronomy 5:12-14
The Sabbath keeping Law was Not given to any other nation but only the nation of ancient Israel. Psalms 147:19-20
Exodus 31:16-17
Besides the weekly Sabbath, Israel had many more Sabbaths they were commanded to keep:
- Leviticus 16:29-31; Leviticus 23:4-8; Leviticus 25:4,11; Numbers 28:26
Gospel writer Luke wrote at Acts of the Apostles 15:28-29 with No Sabbath keeping mentioned for Christians.
The apostle Paul also put emphasis on Not observing special days - Galatians 4:9-11
Who is the end of the Law ( the temporary constitution of the Mosaic Law ) - Romans 10:4 _______________

 

[URAVIP2ME]

I am quite sure that God has no concerns about when we worship him. However it seems he would rather we did worship sometime, than did not at all. For many prayer and worship has always been a daily event.
There is little if any evidence that Christians ever worshipped exclusively on the Jewish Sabbath.

Yes, 1st-century Christians did Not set aside any special day for gathering in worship.
'Sun'day was the day set up for worship by pagan sun-worshiping Constantine Not by Christ.
Constantine set up 'Sun'day ( Not 'Son'day ) as a day of rest for all except for farmers.
That is how come Sunday became a day set aside for worship within the realm of Christendom.

 

[james2ko]

But didn't the Pharisees get caught up in 'the law?'

1. The Pharisees "added" their own rules and traditions to the Sabbath, placing great burdens on the people of which Christ took much offense. The law is made up of three components--moral, civil, ceremonial. Most of the civil and all of the ceremonial laws have been suspended, until Christ returns to set up his government on earth. However, the moral law--the ten commandments- was never eliminated and is binding on God's people today.

Jesus came not to abandon or dismantle the law, but to teach us not to be enslaved to it.

2. He came not to destroy the law. Ironically, that is what many Christians believe. He actually came to "fulfill" [pleroo] the law. The Greek term means to render full or to make full. He fulfilled the law by bringing it to its full expression, thus revealing its complete spiritual meaning and intent. This is evident in the examples He illustrated in Matthew 5.

He healed on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees scolded Him for it. So, while what you say is relevant and true, it reminds me of that.

3. Every single Sabbath confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees revolved around "how" the Sabbath should be observed, not "if". I believe the 4th commandment is still binding on Christians today. All the verses quoted by critics, which they claim to do away with the Sabbath, are taken way out of context and/or misinterpreted. I have discussed them ad naseum with several members on this forum. However, I do have time to address any one of them to someone who has not made up their mind.

 

[james2ko]

Please keep in mind that Matthew 24 has both a minor and a MAJOR fulfillment.Those 1st-century Christians - Matthew 24:16-20 were part of that limited fulfillment when the Romans armies proved to be the abomination of Matthew 24:15 in the year 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed.

1. The context of Mat 24 was an answer to a question from His disciples about the sign of his coming at the end of the age (vs 3)-not the end of the century. WE know it refers to the end of the age because vs 14 had yet to be fulfilled in 70 AD. Jesus proceeded to tell them of things that will happen near the end of the age, which is today. And He alludes to the fact His true disciples would be keeping the sabbath today (Mat 24:20).

Before the time of Moses the Law regarding the Sabbath was Not given - Deuteronomy 5:1-3; Deuteronomy 5:12-14

2 Neither were several other of the ten commandments explicitly mentioned prior to Moses. Does that make it permissible to break them?

The Sabbath keeping Law was Not given to any other nation but only the nation of ancient Israel. Psalms 147:19-20
Exodus 31:16-17

3 I agree. That is one of the reasons why I believe true Sabbath keeping Christians are witting and unwitting descendants of the 12 tribes.

Besides the weekly Sabbath, Israel had many more Sabbaths they were commanded to keep:- Leviticus 16:29-31; Leviticus 23:4-8; Leviticus 25:4,11; Numbers 28:26

4. That's true. That's precisely why Paul admonished the mostly gentile Corinthians to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. (1 Co 5:8)

Gospel writer Luke wrote at Acts of the Apostles 15:28-29 with No Sabbath keeping mentioned for Christians.

5. I don't see lying, cheating, stealing, in those verses either. According to your logic, that would make these acts permissible.

The apostle Paul also put emphasis on Not observing special days - Galatians 4:9-11

6. The Galatians were mostly gentiles that never observed the sabbath in the past, How could Paul be admonishing them about returning to something they never observed?? It is obvious Paul was referring to the Galatians returning to celebrate their old "pagan" days, months, times, and years.

Who is the end of the Law ( the temporary constitution of the Mosaic Law ) - Romans 10:4 _______________

7. I guess I will go rob a bank tomorrow; kill my neighbors husband; run away with his wife and still hold on to my one way ticket to the kingdom, after all Christ ended the law, right

 

[Deidre]

It's weird, but I haven't seen some of you ever on here, until I started this thread, so thank you for coming here and sharing with me.

I agree with you @james2ko ... to a degree. I guess we will have to agree to disagree on some of it.

 

[Sundance]

I'm a permanent revert to the Christian faith, but I do not attend a specific church....yet. In my neighborhood, there are churches from a few different denominations. Though, I'm partial to two options: the United Methodist church and the Assembly of God church up the street from my house. Decisions, decisions...

 

[nazz]

Just curious. I have been attending Catholic mass, as it's all I really know, and it's not like I'm afraid to 'try' a different church setting, but just don't know how to go about it. I have asked a few people and I guess I could just visit different non denominational ones on the weekends. I don't go regularly, and not practicing Catholicism, my return to Christianity, is more non-denom than anything right now.

Wondering if you attend church on the weekends?

I try to but often don't get up in time. But I generally go to a midweek evening service.

 

[David1967]

Just curious. I have been attending Catholic mass, as it's all I really know, and it's not like I'm afraid to 'try' a different church setting, but just don't know how to go about it. I have asked a few people and I guess I could just visit different non denominational ones on the weekends. I don't go regularly, and not practicing Catholicism, my return to Christianity, is more non-denom than anything right now.

Wondering if you attend church on the weekends?

Yes I do Deidre. Every Sunday.

 

[Deidre]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. Life's been busy offline lol which is good but then I don't get a chance to come on here as often. I miss you and will reply when I have time. Nice to see the support and advice

I remember when I used to sometimes attend daily mass in the Catholic Church, a very different mass than the one on Sunday. Somber, no singing. In some ways, I liked it better. I don't like all that singing.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

It was Not until after the death of Jesus that the Constitution of the Law Covenant (contract ) was taken away - Colossians 2:13-14

True, Jesus did say - Matthew 5:17 - he came, Not to destroy, but to ' fulfill ' that Law.- Ephesians 2:15; Romans 10:4
To fulfill:
When a builder has a contract to complete a building, not by ripping up the contract, but by finishing or completing the building structure. Once the building has been completed to the client's satisfaction, then the contract is fulfilled and the builder has No more obligation to the contract. Likewise, Jesus did Not break ( or rip up ) the Law, but rather Jesus fulfilled it by keeping it perfectly.
Once fulfilled, that Law ' contract ' (covenant) was No longer binding for those who became Christians.
That is why Christians today do Not keep the Mosaic Law contract which was only temporary for the one nation of ' ancient ' Israel. - Colossians 2:16-17. Christian are under a " New Law " the -> " Law of the Christ " - Galatians 6:2

The Mosaic Law had over 600 laws besides the first main 10 commandments. There was a number 11,12,13 etc. up to over 600.
Jesus' followers, on the other hand, would constitute a ' New Nation ' - Matthew 21:43; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Peter 2:5
So, from Pentecost onward the ' New Nation ' would be a ' spiritual nation' founded or based on two basic laws - Matthew 22:36-40
Through Jesus - Galatians 3:23-25 - Christians are No longer under the old. The old led to the ' new ' under Christ which does Not include a Sabbath keeping, but just to Not forsake gathering together - Hebrews 10:24-26

 

[Deidre]

Yes I do Deidre. Every Sunday.

For some reason, I knew this already...

 

[David1967]

[QUOE="Deidre, post: 450183, member: 55994"]For some reason, I knew this already... [/QUOTE]
Now what gave you that Idea Just kidding. Thanks for the kind words Deidre.

 

[james2ko]

It was Not until after the death of Jesus that the Constitution of the Law Covenant (contract ) was taken away - Colossians 2:13-14

True, Jesus did say - Matthew 5:17 - he came, Not to destroy, but to ' fulfill ' that Law.- Ephesians 2:15; Romans 10:4
To fulfill:
When a builder has a contract to complete a building, not by ripping up the contract, but by finishing or completing the building structure. Once the building has been completed to the client's satisfaction, then the contract is fulfilled and the builder has No more obligation to the contract. Likewise, Jesus did Not break ( or rip up ) the Law, but rather Jesus fulfilled it by keeping it perfectly.
Once fulfilled, that Law ' contract ' (covenant) was No longer binding for those who became Christians.
That is why Christians today do Not keep the Mosaic Law contract which was only temporary for the one nation of ' ancient ' Israel. - Colossians 2:16-17. Christian are under a " New Law " the -> " Law of the Christ " - Galatians 6:2

The Mosaic Law had over 600 laws besides the first main 10 commandments. There was a number 11,12,13 etc. up to over 600.
Jesus' followers, on the other hand, would constitute a ' New Nation ' - Matthew 21:43; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Peter 2:5
So, from Pentecost onward the ' New Nation ' would be a ' spiritual nation' founded or based on two basic laws - Matthew 22:36-40
Through Jesus - Galatians 3:23-25 - Christians are No longer under the old. The old led to the ' new ' under Christ which does Not include a Sabbath keeping, but just to Not forsake gathering together - Hebrews 10:24-26

I see you want to discuss this further. Since this is not a debate thread, I took the liberty of continuing our discussion in a old debate thread that is on topic:

http://www.religiousforums.com/thre...th-is-for-christians-too.121252/#post-4500488

starting in post 18. Hope to see you there.

 

[Glaurung]

I've just moved state and I'm fortunate enough to be only a few minutes from the diocese cathedral. It's a much more edifying experience to hear Mass in such surroundings. However I'm planning on attending the Ordinariate parish (Anglican use) that my sister attends as I'm told that its liturgy is quite the step up from the Ordinary Form that I'm used to. Which is what I've been seeking for quite some time.

 

[Desert Snake]

No,

 

[Unification]

Just curious. I have been attending Catholic mass, as it's all I really know, and it's not like I'm afraid to 'try' a different church setting, but just don't know how to go about it. I have asked a few people and I guess I could just visit different non denominational ones on the weekends. I don't go regularly, and not practicing Catholicism, my return to Christianity, is more non-denom than anything right now.

Wondering if you attend church on the weekends?

I don't think that church was ever meant to be a literal building, systematic, organized, or anything of that nature.

For me, going to church occurs within oneself. The human body is the building and the mind is the temple.

Days aren't literal days, and sabbath means seven which are to keep the seven "spirits" of "God/Good" holy/whole within you.

 

[roger1440]

no

 

[atpollard]

I would suggest visiting a mid-week service somewhere as well.
They are often far less formal and have a distinct 'character' that can be very different from the more formal services.

Small congregations and large congregations also have a different feel at the Sunday Service.
Finding where you feel comfortable is important.
So is 'clicking' with the people you meet.
There are a lot of 'one another' verses that are hard to do all alone.