GOING TO CHURCH

And so, it occurs to me that there are some who claim that they can be a Christian, without going to church. I’ve done the same, both NOT going to church and saying that it’s not needed. I was WRONG! Some well-known BLOGGERS and others, claim that church is not the ‘traditional’ gathering of saints in a building of some type. I want to show, scripturally, how they are wrong, or more importantly, why ‘going to church’ is important.

Let’s explain some terms first. Church, what exactly do we mean? In the New Testament, church is a translation of the Greek word ecclesia, which simply means assembly. This word is important (the Greek). It is an assembly. That is what I think the Bible is encouraging us to do, ASSEMBLE!

There is no commendation to do it in a brick building, thatched roof, someone’s home or cave. It is the idea of assembling that God wants. It is saints gathering for fellowship, study, worship and even other things.

Here are some verses to prove the point:

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 you see the day approaching.” Here the writer tells us that assembling is needed to exhort one another. Preaching, teaching and even testifying accomplishes this part of our assembling.

Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Fellowship is mentioned here. It is done in being together, eating together and praying one for another. Fellowship is a strength of the Church.

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the middle of them.” We see here, that Jesus shows that the gathering of saints bring his presence. I know Christ is everywhere, always. But, in assembling ourselves we experience that presence in one another.

1 Timothy 5:16 “If any man or woman that believes have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.” HELP. That is part of our purpose in gathering, to be there to help when others need us. If you are doing church any other way, especially being church by yourself, you can’t help those that are in need.

FINALLY-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’ are enlightening words. Jesus, in his youth, early adulthood and as an adult would go to the synagogue. Why is this important? Well, there is no reference, none whatsoever, of a synagogue.

God did not ordain the synagogue. God created, or instituted, the tabernacle and the temple for worship…not the synagogue. Jesus’ practice puts an endorsement on the synagogue. Maybe we should step back a moment.

Synagogue, what does it mean? It means assembly. Synagogues were started between the two Testaments. Many believe the Babylonian captives started them so that there would be a place of worship, gathering and study of God’s Word. It is what God requires, assembly. The principal here is, assembling together that is what God wants. You can’t assemble by yourself (two or three is a minimum), you can’t stay home and be ‘ALONE WITH GOD’, and it isn’t the facilities (or lack thereof) that make it correct. It is assembling that God requires, always has, always will. Think about Jesus even said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3). The ultimate ASSEMBLY.