Expert: Phillip Senn - 7/16/2004

Question
Is it absolute necessary to give 10 percent of your income to an organized religeous group?

What is "E" Church?

Can a person participate in an "E" Church and not attend a Church of worship and partake of the Lords Supper and Sing Songs of praise and be living their life in accordance with the leading of the Holy Spirit?

Answer
2 questions, 2 Answers

1. Tithing?

1A. The term tithe means 10 percent. In the New Testament, tithing is mentioned by Jesus to the Scribes and Pharisees. He indicated that they should not cease to tithe, but that they should not forsake the weightier matters of the law. Paul also dealt with the amount to give. He said in 1 Cor. 16:2 that every man is to lay in store "as God hath prospered him" Though he doesn't mention tithing specifically in this passage, the norm was to lay in store a tenth (tithe) of the increase, which would be the prospered amount. I think this indicates that we are to do that today as well.

2. E-church?

2A. "E-church", as some call it, is a fast moving trend by some who are "forsaking the assembling of themselves together". "E-church" is not a Biblical concept of the church. For one, there is no true gathering, just the meeting of people that claim to be believers in Christ over the internet. That would be like saying we can have church over the telephone. Scripture indicates there are several marks of a "church":

1. The church is made up of members who are "called out" to assemble. (Hebrews 10:25)

2. As you indicated, they are to partake in the Lord's table, without schism. (1 Cor. 11:18-22)

3. There is established leadership. (Titus 1:5 & 1 Tim 3:1-15)

4. They are to minister to one another's spiritual needs, as well as their physical needs. (Acts 4:34-35)

There are many other marks of a "church" that meeting together for fellowship online cannot meet. (ordinances, etc)

I hope this has answered your questions. If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to use allexperts.com. Please rate me on allexperts.com so that I may know how I am doing, and areas that I might need to work on. Thanks.

With Love in Christ,
Phillip Senn