On my last blog I suggested there are times when we should leave a church – if the church and its leaders are not faithful in the teaching of God’s Word and do not accept basic tenets of the Christian faith.
These basic tenets include:
Jesus is the Son of God who came in Human form
Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin.
The bodily resurrection of Jesus.
I was brought up in Anglican churches which regularly said the Nicene Creed. They are the tenets of faith. By saying them we agree that we believe them. Have a look and see if you are in full agreement with these statements. Are your church leaders?
You might say does it matter if those leading the church do not believe these things? Can’t we still be a part of the church? No!
Reading John’s letters the instructions are clear that we are to have nothing to do with those who promote false teaching 2 John 10 -11. Instead of associating with them and seeming to approve of them, we are urged to turn away from them and their teaching, because the one who ‘gives them a greeting participates ‘ in their ‘evil deeds’.
If that is not reason enough to make us get out of a church with false teaching, Ephesians 5:6 warns us ‘Let no-one deceive you with empty words’ and ‘do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them,’ Ephesians 5: 10-11.
Paul urges in Romans 16:17 urges believers to ‘keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.’
We should always check whatever we are taught to see if it lines up with what the bible teaches.
Another time to leave a church as Valorie mentioned is when you know God is calling you out of that church and into new area and new church. Valorie is in the process of this. My husband and I have known this too, when God has clearly called us out of an area where we lived and the church we attended to the one where we currently belong.
What about you? Are you in your church only out of habit, because it’s comfortable? Or are you ready for God to show you if He has a different plan for you and it is time for you to move on?
Bible verses from The New American Standard Version
Please visit these related blogs
Finding the Right Church – Part 1
Finding the Right Church – Part 2
How To Handle Differences of Opinion in Church