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CHURCH-GOING

By Cornelius R. Stam

There is an important passage on church-going in He-
brews 10:23-25:

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering....
And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is... "

We are often urged, these days: "Go to the church of your
choice." The implication is that one church is as good as
another -- just so you go to church. But this is not so.

The Scriptures teach that the true Church is composed of
those who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
as the Savior who died for their sins. Such are told to "hold
fast" the faith which they have professed, without waver-
ing. This must come first, for it is only those who have first
exercised such faith who can meet together with unity of
mind and purpose to encourage each other "to love and to
good works."

It is a truly blessed experience for those who have been
saved by the grace of God, to assemble to express their
praise together in song, to lift their hearts together in prayer
and to join together in the study of God’s Word so as to
"grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ."

In these days of tension and confusion there is a tendency
for even the most sincere Christians to be so occupied with
temporal things that they deprive themselves of the encour-
agement and spiritual uplift that comes from getting to-
gether with other Christians. But these are just the times
when true believers need the encouragement of each other’s
company and should particularly remember the admonition
of Scripture not to forsake "the assembling of ourselves
together, as the manner of some is."

<:)))><

amen , brother love

BL;
Can you give us a short (or long) biography on C.R. Stam?
I can't find anything on the link you posted.  I know you paste in a lot of his stuff, and I like to "know" my teachers.
Thanks!
JN

Hello!!

This is my first time here.   :)

I have heard somewhere that Church is Ecclesia in Greek.  It means "Called Out."  We think we are choose our own church, but the Lord has called each one of us to be where we belong.

We are all under the sovereignty of God.  If we try to keep our faith dearly, the Lord lead us to the right way.

Hiya and Welcome Faith1210 to Christian's Unite!! ;D


Yes we are under the Sovereignty of God, Thanks to Jesus who died for all our Sins YaY!!

Blessings,  \o/

KristiAnn

Thanks to Jesus who died for all our Sins ALL sins PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE


<:)))><

GOOD POST BL    ;D

Brother,

Isn't the issue more about church 'choosing'?

See, that's my problem. How does one choose the 'right' church? Which practices in a particular church can one overlook? Do we have to be in 100% agreement?

If I believe that baptism is not a necessary ordinance does that keep from attending every Baptist church (or any church that baptizes for that matter)? Does that make me Quaker?

As a dispensationalist I could never attend a Covenant Reformed/Presbyterian Church for I would never hear the dispensationalist truth preached.

So how does one choose...do I church-hop until I find the right one? That dosen't appear to be be practical or spiritually helpful....Is there a future in home-churches? Anabaptists without local congregations will sometimes meet that way.

Just some random thoughts...but darn..YOU got me thinking!

Appreciate any clarification you might be able to provide.

Regards,
Henry (looking for community of faith)

JudgeNot:
As one that has gotten to know Pastor C.R.Stam personally, I felt a great loss at his passing last year at the age of 94.

At the time of his passing his hearing was almost completely gone as well as his eyesight. However, his mind remained clear to the end.

I met him in late 1964 when he was the president of the Berean Bible Society; which he founded.

At the time I met him he was filling in at a small Church in Riverdale, Ill that did not have a pastor at that time. Also, I had gone unchruched for many years the first time I attended that church.At the time I attended that church Pastor Stam started a series on the book of the Acts. In one sermon, he caused me to become a dispensationalist. I had never even recall hearing that word before.

This series lasted several Sundays, in that time I did get to know him personally. Also, later I had moved to Sioux Falls, S.D and we would make yearly visits to our church. It was always a joy to see and hear him.

I do have, and read all of his writings. Many of them several times. Everytime I do read his books I keep seeing more and more of God's Grace. Also, when I read his books; I can almost hear him speak the words, because he wrote and spoke in the same manner.

Pastor Stam did not have any college or seminary training. He aquired his writing skills as a result of his father incouraging him to read quality literature, and his father had him write "thank you" notes to the contributos of the Star of Hope Mission, which his father started in Patterson, NJ.

His father was born in Holland and was a comedian by trade, and not a Christian.

At the Star of Hope Mission, Pastor Stam was able to hear the great pastors of that day preach at the mission. He listened in on many of the discussions that his father held with those men.

Whether I give you a long or short history of Pastor Stam, I could never do him justise.

The Berean Bible Society published a 131 page book "The Memoirs of Pastor Cornelius R. Stam". It was published last year as a one time publication. It is an inspiring read, and I am willing to loan it to you or anyone else who would like to read it. It is a remarkable story. I will mail it to you at my expense and trust you to return it.

In order to be able to mail it to you, or anyone, I would need to know your mailing address. I [PROMISE I will not mail any other literature that is not requestd.

My e-mail address is: jellema@alliancecom.net

God Bless.
Live Well, Laugh Often and Love the Lord.

Sorry Big D...As good as anyone's intentions are, you may never get that book back. If it means something to you...do not loan it out. Things happen sometimes Big D...you could lose it, so if you are going to loan it out...loan it out with the attitude you are actually giving it away so that you will not be disappointed if it is not returned.

I am not a pessimist ...but a realist.

You are certainly a good hearted man!

Berean posted:

Berean:
I have loaned Pastor Stam"s books our for years. In fact I have ordered 3 complete sets of his books because they just never came back.

This book is one that I probably wouldn't be able to replace, but I have read it, enjoyed it and believe others would enjoy it also. So If I never get it back, I only hope the last one to read it will "loan" it out to another.

Maybe you would like to read it.

Like I have said before: "I may have been born at night, but it surely wasn't last night.

God Bless.

Big D said>>>Like I have said before: "I may have been born at night, but it surely wasn't last night.

LOL...no it surely wasn't... :-X

The book of Hebrews is written to just that...the Hebrews.

Nowhere does Paul command a believer to attend a church building. The church is the Body of Christ and as such true believers are all united one to another. Assembling together with other believers is uplifting, and I do desire it, but I can do that in a variety of ways.

I am with Henry...there is no way I can sit through a church service where the truth is not taught. What am I learning? I have found that only strife is caused when I present what I believe. It is better to find those outside of the church and perhaps start a church, then to try and change a pastor's mind or anyone in a church.

Maybe an ad in your newspaper may bring others of the same beliefs together to start a meeting in someone's home. I know where I live there are enough people for meeting, but no home to accomadate that, and no money to keep up the rent for a bldg. So we wait on God.

Home churches seem to be on the rise these days as more and more churches turn away from God's Word.

Churches are a good place to learn the Word of God and to fellowship. But you are not out of God's will by not going to one. Today we have many means of learning God's Word. His Word is readily available to us...which wasn't the case in Paul's time. Everyone didn't have a copy of the Scriptures, so they would have to gather to hear it read and gather to hear preaching or teaching.

We have many places on the internet to read articles from good teachers of God's Word. We can fellowship on the internet, lead others to the Lord and to learning the Word rightly divided on the internet...all which I have done. I have had some of the best fellowship ever over the internet...laughed till tears were coming down my cheeks and had some of the most serious discussions about the Lord ever. I have made good friends which I have gone to meet in person.

I think church choosing is the most important, not church going.

God bless...

Henry's question was...


Brother,

Isn't the issue more about church 'choosing'?

See, that's my problem. How does one choose the 'right' church? Which practices in a particular church can one overlook? Do we have to be in 100% agreement?

If I believe that baptism is not a necessary ordinance does that keep from attending every Baptist church (or any church that baptizes for that matter)? Does that make me Quaker?

As a dispensationalist I could never attend a Covenant Reformed/Presbyterian Church for I would never hear the dispensationalist truth preached.

So how does one choose...do I church-hop until I find the right one? That dosen't appear to be be practical or spiritually helpful....Is there a future in home-churches? Anabaptists without local congregations will sometimes meet that way.

Just some random thoughts...but darn..YOU got me thinking!

Appreciate any clarification you might be able to provide.

Regards,
Henry (looking for community of faith)


What do you think one should do? What do you do?

Your logic is a bit flawed flawed here. The oldest could possibly have a few barnacles attached and that boat may not be floating right. If the "oldest" church has man made, non-biblical traditions thrown in, it is certainly not closest to the 'truth'. Oldest could mean just that: old, decrepit, and useless. Kind of like stale bread.

 Let me see if I understand this...the archbishop gets naked and lights candles in a tomb that is supposedly holy to get searched by the light of whom?

  :-X

Did no one ever tell him the good news that the tomb is now empty?
Mat 28:5-6  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.

 ;D

<:)))><

Maybe you could find a Good House of Faith here:

http://www.graceonline.org/listings/Churches_and_Ministries.html

<:)))><

This is an trial I am facing as well. For many years in my life my family has gone church hoping due to a problem or two that they found within the church. Well, seeing as I am a young adult now, the decision as to which church I go to is my own to make. There is one problem with this...how do I know which church is right for me? As of the beginning of this month I ceased going to the church I had been attending due to two factors.

1. The preacher was leaving

2. The congregation was becoming divided on account of this action.

There is not a church out there that is perfect, I am well aware, but how does one know when the right message is being sent out? How does one know it is the right church for them?

I was hesitant to leave this church for it was where I received my calling but not long after...everything there fell apart and nothing sat write when it came to that church anymore. Since then I have been taking time out on Sunday mornings to go out with my fiance somewhere where the two of us can be alone, and the two of us engage in our own private bible study.

Once again I ask....how do you know when you have found the right church? Was it wrong for me to leave the one I was at due to the feelings I had?

With Love In Christ,

Danielle

How to find the right church.

1Cr 12:18
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him

Acknowledge by faith that God is the one who will choose the church.

1Jo 2:20
But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

Acknowledge by faith that the Holy Spirit will reveal to us where we should be.

Jhn 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come

Acknowledge by faith that God is capable, willing, and able to lead those who truly desire to follow His will to the place of service where He desires us to be....for whatever reason.

Too many people look at church (which church) from the standpoint of "what am I going to receive," when it really boils down to "how am I here to serve."

We can serve while we learn, and we can learn while we serve, but the service (and willingness to do so) is first and foremost.

I've had to spend some time in churches that were not "agreeable" to me in many ways, but that didn't stop me from continuing there as long as I believed that God wanted me there.....and through it all, remember........

"we know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren"

2 Corinthians 11:14 -15

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

<:)))><

Evangelist,

Thank you for your reply on my question about this topic. For I do desire to serve the Lord the best that I can. Church has been a challenge for me, but seeing those verses may have brought me some light to better clear my vision. I will pray about this. Thank you once again.

With Love In Christ,

Danielle