Do We Really Need To Go To Church?
Is it important to go to church?
Is church attendance at an all-time low? Research suggests that online attendance has grown, which is promising yet due to recent events physical attendance has declined. Does this matter? Why don’t we see what God has to say about attending church and if it is important to attend church?
It Is Written
- Hebrews 10:25 – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Not forsaking…What does this mean? According to the dictionary, it means to abandon or renounce. Would Jesus abandon us? Moving on to assembling together, this phrase should be self-explanatory. It is when people gather together right? How about the word exhort. Let’s see what that means. Again, according to the dictionary, exhort means to strongly encourage or urge to do something.
This very first verse leads us to see that attending church was very important to Jesus. How about another one:
- Luke 4:16 – And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
As His Custom Was
Jesus had the custom of going into the synagogue on the sabbath day to read the scriptures to the congregation. What is a custom? Again, according to our dictionary, it is a practice, observance, or procedure. Every culture and even every family will have its own customs or traditions they practice; Some good and some contrary to God’s word.
- Acts 2:42 – And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
- Matthew 18:20 – For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Some use this verse to justify staying home to worship within their family circle, forsaking the assembly of the church.)
- Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
- Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
- Romans 12:5 – So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
We Are the Body of Christ
As Christians, we are the body of Christ. In simple terms, this means that the church Jesus formed while He was on earth consists of a congregation of members that He referred to as HIs flock. Even though His members are scattered throughout the world we are still a part of His body and our own bodies become temples for the Holy Spirit to reside once we are baptized into HIs family and follow HIm.
Going To Church Can Relieve Stress
Some people feel that stress is relieved when they go to church, allowing them to sit quietly and focus on the good news of the gospel and leave other worries behind. Singing songs of worship is soothing and hearing Bible truth and the promise of salvation brings renewed hope in these uncertain times we live in.
Fellowship Is Important
Going to church gives us the opportunity to be among fellow believers or our church family. Spending time worshipping with others strengthens our faith and that is what our Savior wants. Jesus came to earth as an example of what a follower of God looked like. Not only is He our Savior but He is our brother as well, sent here to redeem us from the bondage of sin, as Moses was sent to lead Israel out of Egypt.
There is strength in numbers
As a single sheep who remains away from the flock, there is little chance of being protected from the predators who are seeking to destroy us by luring us away from our Good Shepherd:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a [a]hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”
Wondering where to find a church that teaches BIble truth?
