Throughout the Bible, Old Testament to New Testament, people have gathered to worship God. So in the time period we are living in now, is it still relevant for us to go to Church? Why do we attend Church in the first place? Let’s talk about it!
Why go to Church?
- The Church is a body of fellow believers. The first modern day, New Testament Church as we know it started in the book of Acts, chapter 2. There was a great “revival”, and many were saved, baptized and added to the CHURCH. (Acts 2:47) Where else can we go today to be encouraged, refreshed by, and taught from the word of God? Look around you in your day-to-day living. You are most likely outnumbered by people who do not care for the things of God. You should be a light to these people, but in order to be strengthened/encouraged in your walk with God you need the fellowship of other believers.
- Christ loves the Church, and gave himself for it. Ephesians 5:25 says “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”. He came, lived a despised life, and died a cruel death, all for the Church. Some people will try to tell you this “Church” is simply a Christian. Like we are each little churches. However, this word “Church” is defined in the original greek language as “a gathering together in one place, or a body of multiple believers”. Jesus loves his local Church. It is important.
- We are commanded to assemble together. Because the Church is important to Christ, he commands us to assemble together. He wants us to think the Church is pretty important, too. He bled and died for it, we could at least fight to keep it going. Hebrews 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.” As the day gets closer that we will go to meet Him in the air, we should be more diligent with our Church attendance. We should be more diligent with exhorting (strengthen, encourage, teach, comfort) and assembling together. Do not grow weary in well doing, my friend!
The Church and the people who make up the Church are to be the loving, teaching, healing extension of Jesus here on Earth. A place where Christians pray for one another (James 5:13-16), and where scripture is read and taught (Colossians 4:16), and where things are done decently and in order (1 Timothy 3:15, 1 Corinthians 14:40).
