Are we christians if we believe in Jesus and pray at home but we're not church member?.

Hebrews 10:24,25 – “do not forsake the gathering of yourselves together, as some have the custom”

I’m going to tell you right now that no human decides if you get into heaven. If you’re religious, turn to your scripture instead of letting some fundamentalist tell you how to live and what’s going to happen to you. I can promise you, they know just as much as you and nothing more about god and it’s existence.

seems to me faith isn’t about trappings but about genuine belief.

@wonderingwhy Amen to that. You are a Christian if you believe and accept Jesus Christ.

If you believe and accept that Christ died for your sins and is your saviour, then you are saved. The thing about church, it is a gathering of like minded people that have come together to worship God and support each other. They are there to help you understand God’s word, help hold you up in weakness, and give you a sense of community with like minded souls. At least that is what they are meant for.

We used to call them C&E Christians. (Christmas and Easter.)
Everyone is at a different place in their faith walk. I am much more likely to judge a Christian who goes to church faithfully but cheats on his taxes than one who doesn’t go to church but tries to live an honorable life. (Both are Christians in my book and I shouldn’t judge either.)

I’d call someone like that more of a christian than someone who goes to church every week but doesn’t believe in Jesus or pray. Going to church isn’t what makes you a christian. I went to church at least once a week for the first 18 years of my life, plus extra on holidays – so probably close to 1000 times! But I have a hard time calling myself a christian because I don’t believe or pray.

What does the lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

I would say it depends in what context you believe in jesus. was he a normal man, or was he the son of god. if the later, and you follow his words then i would say you are a christian. how many others you know and where you hang out would be irrelevant.

furthermore, if im not mistaken jesus did say you should pray in private.

A church is a building. Period. If you believe in your heart, you’re a Christian.

@jbfletcherfan The church is the members, the building is the building.

Don’t let others tell you how to believe if you truly believe.

@jbfletcherfan A church is not supposed to be a building the church is supposed to be a community of believers who rely on each other for a large number of reasons (community, accountability, learning, support) and I don’t think that it’s possible to be a completely spiritually healthy christian without being in some sort of christian group (not necessarily a church in the formal sense). But you can definitely be a Christian without meeting any other Christians.

@Doctor D, going to church doesn’t make you a christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. You can be a christian without observing the forms but you’re missing the fellowship and discipleship without other Christians. @Ghost_in_the_system got it mostly right except that you have to ask for forgiveness and then try to live your life accordingly. The devil BELIEVES in god, that doesn’t make him a christian. I should clarify that while I converted to Christianity, I’d be a hypocrite to call myself a true christian as I don’t live my life fully the way a christian would. But I know the bible very well and while it does not say anywhere that attending church is a requisite for being a christian, the fellowship, guidance and support is very important to walking the path. Just like it’s easier to stick to your diet if you attend the Weight Watcher meetings. Statistically it is easier to quit smoking with a higher success rate of staying quit if you go to meetings along with an adjunct like the patch or pills. The communal support of like minded people, and mentorship of new Christians by the older members are part of a longevity of being a christian.

John 3:16… It doesn’t say anything about being a church member. I would say, however, that being a church goer is highly important.

I would say that if you believe in Jesus, you would be considered a Christian, but there are some things that you can’t do alone.
(Hebrews 10:24–25) And let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, 25 not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as YOU behold the day drawing near.
(Hebrews 2:12) as he says: “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the middle of [the] congregation I will praise you with song.”
(Romans 1:12) or, rather, that there may be an interchange of encouragement among YOU, by each one through the other’s faith, both YOURS and mine.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11) Therefore keep comforting one another and building one another up, just as YOU are in fact doing.
(Matthew 18:20) For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst.”
(1 Corinthians 1:10) Now I exhort YOU, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that YOU should all speak in agreement, and that there should not be divisions among YOU, but that YOU may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.

Yup you are a Christian. Most everyone covered everything and I am summing it up. If you believe, then you are.

Matthew 6:5–6
5“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

So, it sounds like you don’t have to go to church, which is mostly for show-offs according to Jesus.

But then, the Bible has Jesus going to synagogue and healing a woman on the Sabbath in Luke 13. So, it looks like you can do pretty much anything you want, as far as church attendance goes, and still be a Christian.

Of course. The church is simply ideology, dogma and the work of men, not god.

Good point laureth. I am glad that you added Luke 13 in your answer. I think that the point of Matthew 6:5–6 is that God does not answer hypocritical prayers. “When you pray,” said Jesus Christ, “you must not be as the hypocrites; because they like to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the broad ways to be visible to men. Truly I say to you, They are having their reward in full.” Jesus added: “You, however, when you pray, go into your private room and, after shutting your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; then your Father who looks on in secret will repay you.” (Matthew 6:5, 6) By saying this, Jesus did not rule out all public prayers, for he himself prayed audibly in the presence of others. (Matthew 14:19) But Christ was showing that it is wrong to pray in public solely to be seen and heard by others and to receive their praise.
Jehovah does not answer insincere, repetitive prayers. Said Jesus: “But when praying, do not say the same things over and over again, just as the people of the nations do, for they imagine they will get a hearing for their use of many words. So, do not make yourselves like them, for God your Father knows what things you are needing before ever you ask him.” (Matthew 6:7, 8) Many in Oriental lands think that each time they spin a prayer wheel (a drum into which written prayers are put), the petitions are repeated. Millions of others use Rosaries or recite prayers from prayer books. But those wishing to be heard by God will avoid repetitive prayers and will pay attention to Jesus’ further instructions.
(Proverbs 18:1) One isolating himself will seek [his own] selfish longing; against all practical wisdom he will break forth.

Of course you’re Christian. You just aren’t a practicing Christian.
Look at it this way: you love your dad, right? So, when you grow up, are you just going to call him on the phone and send Christmas letters, or are you actually going to visit him.
Same concept with church: yes, pray to God your Father at home. But go see Him.
But like I said, if you believe in Jesus Christ, His Passion, and everything else, then you’re Christian.

Only you can decide if you’re a Christian™ or just a run-of-the-mill Christian. (Personally, I get along better with the run-of-the-mill Christians, if that matters.)

You are definitely still a Christian, but you ARE missing out on a blessing by not being part of a congregation.

@texasescim – hypocritical people praying may still pray real prayers, just really loud so everyone knows they’re very holy people.

Yes. The church is a place of worship and congregation of fellow spiritual members but by no means defines our faith in the lord or by not being a member states we are no less spiritual then someone who actively goes to church. I know people who are devoted to god and lives justly but does not go to church hardly ever. They prey, are charitable, and do various things for others and the community. They are by no means any less christian that goes to church but dosn’t live right, dosn’t really talk to the lord outside of church, and uses the church to justify unholy activities in their personal life.

Yes. Church is optional. But sometimes it helps. And we are social creatures after all.

Sure we are! Even better than those going to Church just to have a talk!

I rarely go to church (although I don’t mind going it’s just a time issue) but I believe in God and try to be as decent a person as possible. Going to church doesn’t automatically make you a good person and I think a lot of people hide their faults by the fact they regularly attend church.

Thank you so much for all of you!,it’s so relieving to hear all your toleration,your contribution,and your constructive answer. Now I really find out the truth of being a real Christian!,may The God bless all of you my friends!.

To be a Christian you must go to church.

@jackm – which church?

Jackm, in line with eponymoushipster,s answer, Hebrews 10:24,25 – “do not forsake the gathering of yourselves together, as some have the custom”, to be following the scriptures, you should be part of a congregation, but “Christian” has a broad definition these days. In this thread I was going with the definition of one that believes in Christ. But there are alot of things that seem hard to do without a Congregation.
Romans 15:1 We, though, who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those not strong, and not to be pleasing ourselves
Hebrews 13:7 Remember those who are taking the lead among YOU, who have spoken the word of God to YOU, and as YOU contemplate how [their] conduct turns out imitate [their] faith
Galatians 6:1–2 6 Brothers, even though a man takes some false step before he is aware of it, YOU who have spiritual qualifications try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness, as you each keep an eye on yourself, for fear you also may be tempted. 2 Go on carrying the burdens of one another, and thus fulfill the law of the Christ

@laureth
Depends on your flavor of Christianity. But if you want to follow the bible then yes you need to go to church.

I do not see what going to church has to do with what you believe

I’m with @Ghost_in_the_system . Many can understand that, like a person crazy over gardening will want to join a garden club, so a Christian may desire to gather with like minded people. It’s not a requirement but encouraged.