AboutRev C.Brian Ross Expertise I am happy to offer answers to anyone with a question that refers to the Christian Faith in its widest possible sense. I believe that the Bible is the living Word of God, and seek to base all of my life on its teaching. I also have some knowledge of some of the cults, and of Islam and Judaism. Of course, my answers are just one man's thoughts, and I would always advise a questioner to check with others, and with the Word of God.
Experience Served as a full-time parish minister in Scotland for about six years, and then spent the last thirty as a teacher (now 'retired') of Religious Education in Secondary Comprehensive schools (ages 11-17) while continuing my own preaching and teaching ministry. I also believe that learning is a life-time process, and have recently completed a Master's degree in Divinity.
Organizations Former Presenter on Revival FM - a local Christian, community radio station, broadcasting in west central Scotland, and online at revival.fm Involved with a number of organisations that support Christians who are currently suffering persecution in some 70 countries around the world.
Publications Various articles in Christian magazines. I also have two blogsites - www.crazyrev.blogspot.com and (with audio messages) www.revcbross.blogspot.com
Education/Credentials Diploma of The Bible Training Institute, Glasgow;
Licentiate in Theology of the University of Glasgow;
Associateship of The Philosophical Society of England;
Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons) in History from The Open University;
Post-grad Certificate of Education - Religious Education and History;
Post-grad Cetificate in Learning and Teaching;
Post-grad Diploma in Management and Learning in Education;
Master of Science Degree from the University of Strathclyde;
Master of Divinity Degree (Hons) from Trinity College and Seminary (accredited by the University of Liverpool)
Question Hi,
I have this friend who is a Christian. when i asked him if he went to church he told me no and then asked me if there were any verses in the bible that tell us that we have to go to church. when i told him Hebrews 10:25 and Matthew 18:20 he said that they did not specifically say that we as believers had to meet under a church building. i am very confused and i want to give him a good answer.
Answer Hi Ishmael,
Thank you for your very interesting question.
The responses that you have already given to your friend are exactly the ones that I would use myself - if I were merely looking for "proof texts".
However, the question actually goes much deeper than that, and I find myself agreeing, in part, with both your friend and yourself!!!
Your friend is quite correct in saying that the New Testament does not specify a church building. Indeed, in the very early days of the church (as the body of believers - the correct interpretation of 'ekklesia') they met in the Temple, and in the synagogue (see Acts 3:1; 13:5 etc.) They also met in private homes (Philemon:2 etc). However, the important thing to emphasise, and where I agree with you, is that they met!
The better question to put to your friend might be "With which group of believers do you regularly meet?" The location is of much less importance, and I have pastored, and attended, groups that did not have a fixed building that they could call their own, but were no less active, and certainly no less "church" for that.
I trust that this will have been helpful, but please feel free to come back to me if I can be of any further assistance.
Blessings,
C.Brian Ross
