Technology and the church

[B-A-C]

When you read verses like this...

Matt 18:20; "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

Heb 10:24; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
Heb 10:25; not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

I sometimes wonder... is having a "Zoom conference" or Slack or Skype, or Teams, or whatever you use to video chat with....
the same thing as "assembling together". Does this count for "two or three gathered in my name"?

What do you think? Is this Satans attempt at breaking up the church, or is it the same as physically being together?

 

[Dave M]

I think coming together is much more intimate and rewarding when done in person.

I truly think the church will be divided now more then ever (in a sense) (also will become stronger then ever by weeding out the herd sort of speak) , because I believe that in the name of safety they will try to keep the churches closed, and some in the church will agree and obey the law of the Land, but there comes a point that the law of the land is just a opinion of men and if it goes against God word we must take a stance. I see the time for taking a stance fast approaching, but taking a stance for God will now make us look like bad guys because of the way society is being condition.


So Yes to your question I do believe the devil is hard at work trying to brake up the church any way he can.

And a side note about technology, the bible ends with the technology we now currently have, and that is to be able to track every human beings transaction and movement , we now have that technology. All that is left is to get the people to willingly accept it and receive it.

 

[Trevor]

I think coming together is much more intimate and rewarding when done in person.

I truly think the church will be divided now more then ever (in a sense) (also will become stronger then ever by weeding out the herd sort of speak) , because I believe that in the name of safety they will try to keep the churches closed, and some in the church will agree and obey the law of the Land, but there comes a point that the law of the land is just a opinion of men and if it goes against God word we must take a stance. I see the time for taking a stance fast approaching, but taking a stance for God will now make us look like bad guys because of the way society is being condition.


So Yes to your question I do believe the devil is hard at work trying to brake up the church any way he can.

And a side note about technology, the bible ends with the technology we now currently have, and that is to be able to track every human beings transaction and movement , we now have that technology. All that is left is to get the people to willingly accept it and receive it.

Hi Dave
We also use technology, to share on talk Jesus and I don't know about you but I've been moved sharing on here. bless you.

 

[Dave M]

Hi Dave
We also use technology, to share on talk Jesus and I don't know about you but I've been moved sharing on here. bless you.

absolutely God definatley uses technology, I have listened to so many gifted teachers of the word because of technology, but I have also listened to wolfs in sheep clothing because of technology..

technology has finally reached the level needed for the book of revelation to be fulfilled is what I find interesting.

 

[Trevor]

absolutely God definatley uses technology, I have listened to so many gifted teachers of the word because of technology, but I have also listened to wolfs in sheep clothing because of technology..

technology has finally reached the level needed for the book of revelation to be fulfilled is what I find interesting.

Your right Dave, there's a few little nasties been invented, I just pray that the Lord will give us the Grace to refuse them, I take heart from the account of Stephen who was so full of the Spirit, that I don't believed he felt the stones, He was too enamoured by seeing Jesus. Bless you. We haven't seen real persecution yet.

 

[Nicola Jane]

I think coming together is much more intimate and rewarding when done in person.

I truly think the church will be divided now more then ever (in a sense) (also will become stronger then ever by weeding out the herd sort of speak) , because I believe that in the name of safety they will try to keep the churches closed, and some in the church will agree and obey the law of the Land, but there comes a point that the law of the land is just a opinion of men and if it goes against God word we must take a stance. I see the time for taking a stance fast approaching, but taking a stance for God will now make us look like bad guys because of the way society is being condition.


So Yes to your question I do believe the devil is hard at work trying to brake up the church any way he can.

And a side note about technology, the bible ends with the technology we now currently have, and that is to be able to track every human beings transaction and movement , we now have that technology. All that is left is to get the people to willingly accept it and receive it.

yes agree but so glad we have places like this for us to come together but would be even better if we all were in same place together but still blessed for this fellowship x

 

[PloughBoy]

I also have a opinion, and I also thank God I have a opportunity to express that opinion and also to be able to listen or read the opinion of some of my brothers and sisters across the world in dialogue and not a monologue setting. Concerning the written Word of God whose target is the "Revelation of Jesus Christ" our Lord. In whom we are One body, that is impossible to break up or separate by any power that exists and all attempts are futile. For this church I am talking about is built upon the back and life of Jesus Christ , the son of the living God and not a mere man. "The Solid Rock". I will take Bibical dialogue fellowship over force feed fellowship monologue any day..

 

[PloughBoy]

We are creatures that are so easily distracted by one another by practices, and we love the creature more than the creator.

 

[Brother-Paul]

Good topic, many views, but

John 1:3 (NKJV)
All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

God has given humans the ability to use their minds and be creative, to bring Glory to Him through Jesus.

Technolgy is a wonderful tool, but so was the wireless, the B&W then colour TV, the telephone then mobile phone, even the internet, the web.

But for everything, the above is a small example, they were initially created for the good, then the devil got through the door. All of the above is useful, all of the above have excellent sides to them, all of the above include sin, sin, sin. Flashing the flesh, sex, lusting, coveting, porn and more.

So is technology good, the answer is yes. But, whether it be in any of the above, or in zoom, video chat or otherwise it is down to the users whether it is for good or for bad, we all responsible for our actions and our sins. What we do, think and say, to whoever, where ever.

And when two or three come together in Jesus Name, He is there in the midst of them. Whether they be in the same place, room or building, whether they are connected any where in the world, by phone, internet, zoom or any other means. The Spirit of Christ in in every saved souls heart, how they connect with others doesn't matter, but when two or three come together in Jesus Name, He is there in the midst of us. PTL.

Shalom

 

[Brother-Paul]

When you read verses like this...

Matt 18:20; "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

Heb 10:24; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
Heb 10:25; not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

I sometimes wonder... is having a "Zoom conference" or Slack or Skype, or Teams, or whatever you use to video chat with....
the same thing as "assembling together". Does this count for "two or three gathered in my name"?

What do you think? Is this Satans attempt at breaking up the church, or is it the same as physically being together?

A different angle brother...

Question, will the current systems, or technological options break the church?

Now here it appears we are referring to the place of worship, the kuriakon, the building.

Allow me to try share an example to explain what I see here.

Lets say 200 souls go to a church building, 150 are saved souls, the church, the ekklesia, is 150 souls. Now lets say following the covid-19 shut down not all go back, 150 total go back to the place of worship, called a church, 40 are not saved, that means the church, the ekklesia, is 110 souls, but 40 saved souls continue their fellowship on the internet, is the church referred to here any smaller? The answer is No!!!

To many people get cut up about 'their church'. If the building was raised to the ground, the true church, the ekklesia, will still be the same size.

Now don't get me wrong we need fellowship, it is right to come together in person, in Jesus Name, to pray, rejoice, give thanks together, a personal connection will never be replaced totally, but there are 1000's of reasons people do not go to a places of worship, yet they still come together in houses, online, anywhere, and when two or three born again from above believers come together in Jesus Name, He is there in the midst of us.

Let us give thanks for technology, that is used to bring Glory to God through Jesus. One day we may require these types of communication more than we can imagine. As we edge towards and into the Tribulation Periods it will be time to realise what the church is, what the ekklesia is, and be grateful that we can come together in Jesus Name, His Church, His living stones, even without a purpose-built place of worship. The early Christians met in each others homes, the saved souls, the ekklesia, met where ever they could, they were still part of the worldwide Church, in which Jesus is the head.

There were no denominations in the early church, man created them following the Reformation. There are still no denominations in our Lord's Church, the ekklesia, the Body of Christ, The Bride of Christ. Thanks be to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in Jesus Name. Amen

 

[Nicola Jane]

We are creatures that are so easily distracted by one another by practices, and we love the creature more than the creator.

aha yes i agree

A different angle brother...

Question, will the current systems, or technological options break the church?

Now here it appears we are referring to the place of worship, the kuriakon, the building.

Allow me to try share an example to explain what I see here.

Lets say 200 souls go to a church building, 150 are saved souls, the church, the ekklesia, is 150 souls. Now lets say following the covid-19 shut down not all go back, 150 total go back to the place of worship, called a church, 40 are not saved, that means the church, the ekklesia, is 110 souls, but 40 saved souls continue their fellowship on the internet, is the church referred to here any smaller? The answer is No!!!

To many people get cut up about 'their church'. If the building was raised to the ground, the true church, the ekklesia, will still be the same size.

Now don't get me wrong we need fellowship, it is right to come together in person, in Jesus Name, to pray, rejoice, give thanks together, a personal connection will never be replaced totally, but there are 1000's of reasons people do not go to a places of worship, yet they still come together in houses, online, anywhere, and when two or three born again from above believers come together in Jesus Name, He is there in the midst of us.

Let us give thanks for technology, that is used to bring Glory to God through Jesus. One day we may require these types of communication more than we can imagine. As we edge towards and into the Tribulation Periods it will be time to realise what the church is, what the ekklesia is, and be grateful that we can come together in Jesus Name, His Church, His living stones, even without a purpose-built place of worship. The early Christians met in each others homes, the saved souls, the ekklesia, met where ever they could, they were still part of the worldwide Church, in which Jesus is the head.

There were no denominations in the early church, man created them following the Reformation. There are still no denominations in our Lord's Church, the ekklesia, the Body of Christ, The Bride of Christ. Thanks be to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in Jesus Name. Amen

well said brother paul x your a shining light you are in christ to us x

 

[Brother-Paul]

aha yes i agree

well said brother paul x your a shining light you are in christ to us x

I am a humble servant sister.

Christ is in me as He is in every saved soul, let OUR light, the Light of Christ in EVERY believers heart, shine before all men (and women) to the Glory of God the Father.

 

[PloughBoy]

I still believe that most of my brother and sister do not truly understand what true "biblical koinonia" really is. And the true purpose of "The Gathering of a unadulterated assembly of only "born from above" creatures" and text after text , has. Given "us" prime instructions and examples in doing so. But we have, as true Christians went our own way to do it better than the plain prescribe way in the collected printed "text"! Which it is sum up when, Jesus had the conversation with the "Samaritan woman" at the well. And the Two man, traveling on the Road to Emmanus .
And let us not forget , the destruction Jesus prophesies that would take place in "70 AD".

Religious people, always makes "worshipping" God, so complicated. I guess we always will have the; "Nadab and Abiquiu"

I know it is hard for some to cut loose the delicacies of the entertainments of Egypt. So many claim that it is fellowship they want, but in actuality it is to be entertain by the curtain stage or the created atmosphere of "The Arena" with "Christianity" as The Main theme! For the entertainment of the senses and not the entrance into the "Holy of The Holies"

So in essence, let us stop reading more into a text of scripture that is not there, for our own sense of yearning and satisfaction.

 

[Brother-Paul]

I still believe that most of my brother and sister do not truly understand what true "biblical koinonia" really is. And the true purpose of "The Gathering of a unadulterated assembly of only "born from above" creatures" and text after text , has. Given "us" prime instructions and examples in doing so. But we have, as true Christians went our own way to do it better than the plain prescribe way in the collected printed "text"! Which it is sum up when, Jesus had the conversation with the "Samaritan woman" at the well. And the Two man, traveling on the Road to Emmanus .
And let us not forget , the destruction Jesus prophesies that would take place in "70 AD".

Religious people, always makes "worshipping" God, so complicated. I guess we always will have the; "Nadab and Abiquiu"

I know it is hard for some to cut loose the delicacies of the entertainments of Egypt. So many claim that it is fellowship they want, but in actuality it is to be entertain by the curtain stage or the created atmosphere of "The Arena" with "Christianity" as The Main theme! For the entertainment of the senses and not the entrance into the "Holy of The Holies"

So in essence, let us stop reading more into a text of scripture that is not there, for our own sense of yearning and satisfaction.

It's here brother

Acts 2:42

The church, that is the ekklesia, is not what it was in the early church, we should be looking back and comparing where we are and what we do together in fellowship with the early church.

Acts 2:42-47 (NKJV)
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

I love the word hesed.

 

[PloughBoy]

It's here brother

Acts 2:42

The church, that is the ekklesia, is not what it was in the early church, we should be looking back and comparing where we are and what we do together in fellowship with the early church.

Acts 2:42-47 (NKJV)
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

I love the word hesed.

you are so right the church is not what it use to be in the early church,

1. they had no bibles,, 21 letters was written to them.

a. The church in Rome was corrupted. Paul wrote a "epistles to the Romans"

b. The church in Corinth was so corrupted and sinful, 2 letters had to be written to them, bunch a of fornicators up in there. full of idol worshippers too. they would not take care of their parents and relatives there. and much more.

e.The church in Galatia was as corrupted as all of the idol worshipping others. early new testament churches .


Just take a look at "ASIA MINOR" churches of the NT era right now, of the trail of pass history, look at the middle east. Just look at the "Roman road", Turkey, Syria, Iran, Crete, Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Rome and what happened to Ephesus [western Turkey], and all of the 7 churches in Revelation John wrote to. The corruption ran great in the NT churches organizations so it was then so it is now, Before Jesus proclaim these words "upon this Rock [meaning Himself] I will Build "MY Congregation" and the gates of Hell will not "prevail" He did not say "UPON this "Circe" meaning [church] like the pagan Temples were called. during that era. They called their "assembly" a "Circe" meaning "church". and Jesus said: in essence, you go to your "Circe" [church]. and I got my "Assembly" HIs "Congregation". not made with man made hands like yours! And nothing can destroy it! for yours are many, and mines is ONE! One faith, One Lord, One Baptism, One Body. But your "Circe" or churches are many!

Idol worshipping all of them, just like today, christians worship buildings, women, and Goddesses, Greek Gods, programs, the work of their own hands. "The parallels" are frightening! Idol worship in the "Institutionalize church" is running around like a mad dog in heat"! and christian are stuck in a corner debating whether you ought to be "dunk, dip or sunk in a Baptismal pool. They worship their leaders, birthdays, anniversaries, Las Vegas trips, titles of "The 1st lady" Nothing but a den of thieves that has Jesus as the top drawing card. And they toss out a hand full of bread crumbs and a few pieces off fish to the "crowds' that cheer them on.

You see, when something is brand new to a person, that person is excited for a little while.
Like some people i know households are way over 100,000 a year, volunteers once a year in the church soup kitchen or sometime on Thanksgiving day to serve the poor or needed, Now they contribute that as their good deed of feeding the poor, and a few expired vegetable cans donation a few times a year. And think of nothing for a nice weekly or Sunday dinner price tag way over a $100.00 less the tip.

And no not forget the fellowship at church about the vacations spots to enjoy, that you really cannot afford.


Novelty of events and new things wears off, even in relationships, So it is in Christ if we do not "abide in Him" but only in things related to Him, the novelty wears off. We are to "Abide" in Him then we are in "fellowship" with the whole body of Christ, those present and those who are absent from the body. For this is "true Koinonia"

 

[Hekuran]

Yep.the more closely I look at the church, the more I see self-righteous hypocrites. I praise God I'm better than them.

 

[Brother-Paul]

Greetings brother ploughboy

All those things are true,but the difference, the real difference, other than coming together as groups of saved souls, is in verse 45.

How different things are today, buildings to worship in, with lighting and heating, comfy seats in many, lots with carpets, ministers/pastors on good salaries, houses and cars often in the package, pension schemes. I am not saying these things are wrong, just how different it is to day, yet taken for granted, taken abnormal.

Yet some places of worship encourage giving, again nothing wrong with that, until higher up the line, salaries of bishops and arch bishops not disclosed yet the institution is sat one a fortune. The RCC and the Church of England are just two that come to mind. Some years ago the RCC was investing in porn because it gave a high return for their investment!!! The of E washing to buy Wonga, the pay day loaned.pany, I think it was 400 milion gbp, yet the company was screwing the hard up on high interest and they were to buy it because it gave a high return on the investment!!

With those amounts of money, I appreciate some were assets, should they not practice what they preach and give to the poor.

 

[PloughBoy]

One thing for sure the Bible is familiar with bread crumbs and a few fish and a curse of oil, widows mites, 300 who lap water like dogs, putting their hands to their mouths. And there are so many places where people lives miles and miles from anyone, and God has someway always taken care of them. No church buildings, no fellowship halls, no Television, or internet services or cell phones and God has fellowship with them, that i do believe and never comes up short. and they never becomes bored. Our God is amazing! not one dull moment. For He is The God of the Desert too.

Is it kind of ironic when we had the "Stay at home order" people started to have 'Mental disorder", especially church folks needed to get out and worship.

 

[Hekuran]

One thing for sure the Bible is familiar with bread crumbs and a few fish and a curse of oil, widows mites, 300 who lap water like dogs, putting their hands to their mouths. And there are so many places where people lives miles and miles from anyone, and God has someway always taken care of them. No church buildings, no fellowship halls, no Television, or internet services or cell phones and God has fellowship with them, that i do believe and never comes up short. and they never becomes bored. Our God is amazing! not one dull moment. For He is The God of the Desert too.

Is it kind of ironic when we had the "Stay at home order" people started to have 'Mental disorder", especially church folks needed to get out and worship.

No it's not ironic. It's a very, very difficult situation for many, especially those that have poor mental health. God said, 'it is not good for man to be alone'

 

[Brother-Paul]

No it's not ironic. It's a very, very difficult situation for many, especially those that have poor mental health. God said, 'it is not good for man to be alone'

My wife and myself are in the high risk situation, my wife because she is on a cancer drug for her rheumatoid and osteo arthritis, her blood is monitored monthly, for many reasons one is her disease activity is high, she can catch things easier and cannot take other drugs without first consulting a doctor. Ion the other hand are at risk because I have an allergy to drugs, we do not know which until I have to take them, then it is try and see, I also cannot have anaesthetic, so I have to be very careful. That said I feel we are blessed, we are lucky, we have a bungalow which is ideal for my disability but also have a nice rear garden and sun lounge.

Many people do not have that, those who live in flats were stuck behind four walls during the lock down, not able to go out or sit in a garden, not allowed to a park etc, They were cooped up in a flat, ground floor, first or second floor, or far higher, they were day in day out behind the walls of their flats.

Then we have the disabled, terminally ill, the lonely, and mental health people, stuck behind four walls, and with no visitors.

Life is not meant to be easy, those who preach become a Christian and life is a bed of roses need to re-read their Bibles. The world is full of people hurting, people struggling, people less fortunate. Thank you Brother Hekuran for your words of wisdom

Shalom