Church=a gathering of Christians, and we "go to church" because it's easier when we have a set date, time, and place when the entire body can get together.  If you're not in fellowship with other Christians, then that's not being a part of the body of Christ.

Lenny Bruce found god in a needle full of heroine.  So it's no wonder he found going to church inconvenient.

Jesus specifically refers to his ekklesia, his Church, as something he himself will build.

If this is so, how is it possible for anyone to go out and start their own church?

The members of the church held their possessions communally, and gave to anyone who had need.

If everyone gave all their possessions to the Church, then everyone in the Church would eventually become poor with all wealth residing in some Church bank account and warehouse.  This Scriptural quote does not justify the anti-Scriptural horrors of socialism and communism.

Charity must be done in liberty.

They met in each others' houses.

I have had Mass in private homes.  Some priests who are particularly gifted evangelists love celebrating the Mass in the family environment of someone's home.

Also, in places such as Alaska where Catholics are scattered all over Sam Hill a priest will fly in every couple of weeks or so and celebrate Mass in a private home.  This is because there are no churches in the bush or on the many islands.

They met in the temple daily, not just weekly.  It's not until Acts 20 that we see them slowing down to once-a-week meetings.

Where there is a priest the Mass is celebrated daily.  I love summer vacation because I can go to Mass every day.  Once a week is starvation rations.

Nice post. I loved it!

mm yes. I've always believed that the Church is the body of believers -- and i still do. and recently I have also been concerned with the many comments I see about people trying to influence others to leave their church, especially without realizing the actual condition of the church in question.

@LoBornlite@xanga - 
I think that one of the reasons that Jesus said that He would build the church himself is because that ALL people must accept their faith THROUGH Christ; therefore, Christ technically HAS created the Church himself.
and, your comment "If
everyone gave all their possessions to the Church,..." does not exactly go with the statement: "The members of the church held their possessions communally, and gave to anyone who had need."


The statement is referring to those in physical need and not necessarily to the whole body of believers/Church.

@LoBornlite@xanga - technical doesn't mean the opposite of straightforward. I agree though, 'People who want to just go out and do their own thing reject Christ's physical Church' -- people kind of live based on their own will instead of God's, sometimes even when starting their own church.

"The members of the church held their possessions communally, and gave to anyone who had need."

It is obvious from this quote that all parishoners reliquished all private property and that they committed acts of charity.'

I think it may be possible that the 'religious' people at that time went and gave up all of their possessions proclaiming their love for God (using quotes because i'm talking mainly of the Pharisees and their
followers who were religious, having vast knowledge yet having no real
spirituality). But, I think what they did was take God's words and make them extreme -- God asked them to be generous and provide for the needy and so they did, sacrificing everything. God usually only asks His children to give up everything if He is 'testing' them. It's also possible that they sacrificed when they weren't asked to. I'd say that these are the people that are sacrificing out of pride, hoping that others will see how 'charitable' they are.

@LoBornlite@xanga - 
i'm sorry. I didn't put the proper emphasis on the word 'everything' - i was trying to get at the fact that a lot of the people beyond what God asks of them (in sacrificing) for reasons other than giving God glory - such as the pride I spoke of earlier. These comments were all addressed at these people, not at people who actually give up everything for the furtherance of God's kingdom.

I agree with the definition of religious in these modern times, but i was using the term in Biblical perspectives, referring to the Pharisees.

'All the rest are lay people.  We must do our
best to acrue wealth so that we may commit as many acts of charity as
possible and also support clergy and religious in their endeavors.'
-I agree and I'd like to add the idea that these acts of charity are used to advance God's kingdom and not just to be little tokens that we can list down beside our name.

I think we can agree that what really makes the difference in each and every situation is the intentional thought behind the actions performed.

@LoBornlite@xanga - 
mhmmm. agreed.

I think we need to consider the meeting of needs.  While the apostles travelled (yet, some did not travel far), and so did lay-people, many stayed and watched over the stuff.  The apostles practiced going to the Temple at the hour of prayer.  Does this not show the importance of having a "where" to meet?

Today, many of the orphans and widows come, to a specific location, to have some of their emotional, social needs met.  They come to church. If there is no "where" that the Church meets, then many of them are neglected in the very needs of their lives, because the rest of us get too busy tending our own lives.

I believe attending a church, at a location, is crucial to meeting the needs of people around me.  Yes, I am the church (and so is every one of us who believe of Christ), and I need to be aware and practice my faith wherever I go.  That includes praying for people, as well as being generous and sharing.  But I believe there is greater wisdom in being with a group of people who I am held accountable before.