Thank you debator for your civil discourse:
Yes actually I do think we are locked into gathering together as a religion or congregation. Otherwise you make the whole of the greek scriptures pointless and Jesus choosing oppostles who created the congregations and appointed elders, overseers, deacons etc for them. Paul's 25 books of instructions on how to guide and protect the flocks in all these congregations, is a waste of inspired words? If all you have to do is a give a nod to God and go on your way.
I deal with the scriptures even knowing that there is every reason to believe that they are not always God's word--they are sometimes a man's. Paul's books of instruction often note when he gives his opinion on a subject and God's word or spirit on it. This of course is the only way to accord with his remark at 2 Cor. 2:24: "Not that we are masters over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, for it is by [your] faith that you are standing."
Throughout 1 Cor. 7 Paul gives counsel on matters between men and women. He is very careful to let the reader know that he often gives his opinion on a matter.
Verse 6 "However, I say this by way of concession, not by way of command."
Then at verse 10: "To the married people I give instructions, yet not I but the Lord, that a wife should not depart...."
And shortly after that at v. 12:"But to the others I say, yes, I, not the Lord..."
Verse 25 says"Now, concerning virgins I have no command from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who had mercy shown to him by the Lord to be faithful."
At last verse 40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my opinion. I certainly think I also have God's spirit."
Paul says at verses 17 and 25"as Jehovah has given each one a portion, let each one so walk as God has called him. And thus I ordain in all the congregations." "In whatever condition each one was called, brothers, let him remain in it associated with God."
The tenor of all Pauls work is never coersive. He fight s the battle for relief from circumcision and then by way of concession lowers the doubter's threshold amon the Jews by circumcising Timothy.
But Paul at 1 Cor. 1 makes a moving plea for unity among individual Christians and among congregations --not at all becoming doctrinaire--vv. 22,23 "For both the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks look for wisdom; but we preach Christ impaled, to the Jews a cause for stumbling but to the nations foolishness."
Every word of Jesus and the apostles describes the great and only evidence of the Holy Spirit's operation among the followers of Christ: their unity and love that is not born of Man. God is their father, Jesus is their brother. They will be a family. That is quite a bit more than a nod to God.
