Originally Posted by budsfarm:
Then why do educated people also refer to the building as a church? There is the Assembly of God. Can you name another that has cross meaning?
I do get your point, KC, hence my misuse of Mathew 18:20. An assembly.
If say the Methodist church, I can mean the Methodist assembly or I can mean the Methodist Church at a particular location. I'm pretty sure my preacher got it right. The works of God and the works of man - physical and spiritual. All inclusive. The way it ought to be. IMHO.
BTW, I'll bet Semi, in a New York second, can quote scripture faster and more accurate than I but when it comes to spiritual versus physical structures, when Christ said to Peter in Mathew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it., was he talking about
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter's_Basilica
Yet that's what we did.
My steeple is higher than yours. And that makes the assembly better, how?
As if God cares.
I apologize to KC any anyone else if this rant seems directed at KC. It's not. It's the topic.
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Is there anyone, educated or un-educated, that doesn't refer to the building as a church? I've always thought a church was used as a place to worship God. Be nothing wrong with people worshipping outside in the open but most everyone prefers to go inside the building or at least that's where they go. 
Bud, I don't read KC (blocked) & have no idea what her post said but why do you think you misused Mathew 18:20? (For where two or three are gathered together unto my name, there am I in the midst of them)
Hebrews speaks of "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together". Which I always took to mean that Christian people should assemble together to encourage each other & build one another up, not to build up your social standing within the community because it made you look good. Wherever two or more are gathered together in His name means that He will be there. I think that could be anywhere & anytime. Doesn't have to be in church on a certain day.
A lawyer told me one time that when he first moved here, he started to church because he thought it might help his business. He goes because of his social standing, that he never gives a thought to God.
As far as my quoting scripture faster & more accurate than you isn't true. Anyone can quote scripture. 
