为什么要去教会?自己信不行吗?
Why go to church? Can't I just believe on my own?
简答 Short Answer
基督徒的信仰不是个人独修,而是在基督身体中共同成长。教会是神设立的,提供敬拜、教导、团契、问责和互相服侍——这些是独自信主无法获得的。
Christianity isn't solo spirituality but growing together in Christ's body. The church is God's design, providing worship, teaching, fellowship, accountability, and mutual service — things impossible to experience alone.
详细解答 Detailed Answer
「我自己读圣经祷告就行了,为什么要去教会?」这是一个很常见的想法,但它反映了对信仰本质的误解。
1.【教会是神的设计】基督「爱教会,为教会舍己」(弗5:25)。教会不是人的发明,而是基督用自己的血买赎的群体。上帝拯救人不是让他们做独行侠,而是把他们加入一个新的家庭。
2.【身体的比喻】保罗将教会比作基督的身体(林前12:12-27)。一只手不能对脚说「我不需要你」。每个信徒都是身体的一部分,彼此需要。离开教会的基督徒就像一块燃烧的煤从火堆中取出——很快就会熄灭。
3.【教会提供什么】 - 话语的教导:牧师蒙召忠心地传讲和教导圣经(提后4:2) - 圣礼:洗礼和圣餐是在教会中施行的 - 团契和彼此相爱:新约有59条「彼此」的命令,无法在独处中完成 - 属灵的问责:有人在你偏离时纠正你,在你软弱时扶持你 - 使用恩赐的机会:你的恩赐是为了服侍别人而赐的
4.【圣经的命令】希伯来书10:25直接命令「不可停止聚会,好像那些停止惯了的人」。这不是建议,而是命令。
5.【教会不完美】是的,教会有很多问题——因为它是由罪人组成的。但上帝正是在这样不完美的群体中工作,磨炼、建造我们。逃避教会就是逃避上帝塑造你的一个重要方式。
'I can read the Bible and pray by myself — why go to church?' This is common thinking, but it reflects a misunderstanding of faith's nature.
1. **Church is God's design**: Christ 'loved the church and gave himself up for her' (Eph 5:25). The church isn't a human invention but a community Christ purchased with His blood. God saves people not as lone rangers but as members of a new family.
2. **The body metaphor**: Paul compares the church to Christ's body (1 Cor 12:12-27). A hand can't say to the foot, 'I don't need you.' Every believer is part of the body, needing each other. A Christian apart from church is like a burning coal removed from the fire — it quickly goes cold.
3. **What church provides**: - Biblical teaching: Pastors are called to faithfully preach and teach (2 Tim 4:2) - Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper are administered in community - Fellowship and mutual love: The NT contains 59 'one another' commands, impossible to fulfill alone - Spiritual accountability: Others correct you when you stray and support you when weak - Opportunity to use gifts: Your gifts were given to serve others
4. **Biblical command**: Hebrews 10:25 directly commands 'not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some.' This isn't a suggestion but a command.
5. **Church isn't perfect**: True — because it's made of sinners. But God works precisely in such imperfect community, refining and building us. Avoiding church means avoiding one of God's key instruments for shaping you.
📖 经文引用 Bible Verses
📚 推荐阅读 Related Readings
- •Life Together (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
- •Why We Love the Church (Kevin DeYoung)
- •The Compelling Community (Mark Dever)