Is it necessary to do all the things church requires. What’s the point
Water Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, Tithes and Offerings, Prayer and devotions, Evangelism, gathering together of the brethren, and other sacraments should all be seen as acts of consummation in a relationship with God. They are not requirements of salvation. These are participated in for the same reason God has given us physical life to participate in relating to each other just as He gave us His physical Son so we could fully relate to Him. It is apparent our submission to and commission of these physical acts help us relate. For it is through our relationship with God and His body of believers that we can expect to be productive and fruitful in all things pertaining to life and Godliness. The extent to which you get to know God is not unlike the extent to which you get to know any other person. The depth of knowledge in God encouraged in the New Testament is described in the Greek word “ ginosko”. This word implies absolute surety and is compared with the most intimate knowledge between a man and a women. Remember in my blog where I explain how a love relationship must grow and mature if it is to be fruitful. Our participation in such acts should then be encouraged but regulated by our desire for and relationship with God and never by utilitarian purposes. These are acts of obedience serving as means and evidences of a relationship.
If and when you find yourself ready in your heart to participate in these acts you are maturing in your relationship. The act becomes the planting, the watering and finally the fruit… just like recieving salvation.
