9

What does the Bible say about the necessity of attending church?



    
    

Clarify Share Report Asked November 09 2017 Mini Robert Banks Supporter

Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.

16
Eced7a1f c81d 42f4 95ea 9d5719dce241 Singapore Moses Supporter Messenger of God, CEO in IT industry, Astronaut, Scientist
“Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile"

Bible says our body is the temple of God for we are living in the Church age. God is no longer indwelling in any buildings. Those who worship the lord in spirit and truth are Christians. The true worship is that of the heart and not of or at any particular place (not even the so called Church buildings)

► John 4:18-24

Christ revealed the Samaritan woman that she has 5 husbands (one at a time though).This revelation is by the Holy Spirit's gift of knowledge (1Cor. 12:4- 11). He could see her past and read her thoughts, as He did others (Mt. 9:4 12:25; Lk. 5:22; 6:8; 11:17; Jn. 2:24- 25).

The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. The knowledge about her past life startled her and she concluded that He was a prophet with power. She quickly changed the subject lest he expose more of her life. She said, our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 

Mt. Gerizim, the mount of blessing, just across a narrow valley from Mt. Ebal, the mount of cursing (Dt. 11:29; 27:12- 26 Josh. 8:33). Jotham addressed Israel here (Judg. 9:7). About 332 B. C. Sanballet, governor of Samaria under the Persians, and who opposed Israel under Nehemiah (Neh. 4:7-- Neh. 13:28), went over to the side of "Alexander the Great" who gave him permission to build a temple on Mt. Gerizim like the one in Jerusalem. He built it for his son- in- law, Manasseh, and made him High Priest. The Samaritans established rival worship to Jerusalem and accepted the Pentateuch as their Bible (Josephus, Antiquities, Book 11, 8:2). 

The great controversy between Jews and Samaritans was whether to worship on "Gerizim" or "Moriah". Since Christ's words proved Him to be a prophet, the woman seized upon the opportunity to have this question answered.

Jesus said to her, Woman, believe me, Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

The 6th New Testament prophecy in John (Jn. 4:21- 24, fulfilled). The answer embodies a great principle, that true worship is that of the heart and not of or at any particular place. But we goto Church for the fellowship with believers. Nothing else. During first generation Christians gathered at their homes for breaking breads. 

Heb.10:25 says, “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.” Here assembling of ourselves together means family prayers at our homes and breaking breads. 

Worship The Lord in your heart in Spirit and truth at home or work place or while traveling or at Chruch or anywhere!

November 09 2017 1 response Vote Up Share Report


3
Mini Aurel Gheorghe Supporter
Is church attendance mandatory for salvation? Not at all! There will be people in heaven who did not attended any particular church or denomination - or for some reason could not attend church regularly. 

However, one of the principles of Christianity is that we are saved into the body of Christ, which is the church (Eph 1:22-23; Acts 2:47). When we are baptized, we become part of Christ’s body and enter into His church (1 Cor 12:20).

Why would a person who loves God would not wish to fellowship with His people? One of the reasons God wants us in church is because it has people with similar beliefs. It helps boost our faith and makes us accountable to one another. Yes, there are difficult people in every church, but it’s still the best environment to learn and love one another (Matt 18:20).

It’s important for Christians to be social with fellow believers in corporate worship and gatherings especially that in the Kingdom will do just that – worship God (Isaiah 66:23). Church is part of God’s gift, so Christians should do their very best to find a biblical church in which they can grow into mature members of God’s family (1 Cor 12:12-14).

Jesus knew that the love and unity of the church could be a powerful part of our witness to the world in the last days (John 13:35). The devil is a wolf stalking the flock. He knows that a flock that stays close to the shepherd and each other is hard to devour. But if the wolf can scatter the flock from the shepherd and from one another, he can easily bring down a lamb that has strayed. The devil wants to separate the lambs from the flock (baby Christians who are more vulnerable) so he can destroy them. Staying close to God and each other we can help and be helped to withstand Satan's attacks (1 Peter 5:8). 

In Heb 10:25, we are encouraged to be committed to corporate worship and stay into God's assembly. That is what Jesus did while on this earth (Mark 1:21; 6:2; Luke 4:16; 6:6), just like His early church (Acts 13:14; 13:42;18:4)

November 13 2017 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


Add your Answer

All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.

What makes a good answer? ▼

A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.

  1. Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
  2. Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
  3. Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
  4. Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
  5. For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible
Header
  1. 4000 characters remaining