Are You Required to go to Church?

Posted on August 27, 2020 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

The Bible does not tell us that we must go to church. What is says is, “…not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…” (Heb. 10:25) This is not a demand, it is a helpful reminder. I need medication. I often neglect to take it, especially in the morning. My wife says, “don’t forget to take your medicine”. She didn’t demand it, she reminded and encouraged me because she cares for me.

People need support and encouragement. Psychology and psychiatry prove it.

In the OT, the Jews worshipped faithfully on their Sabbath. Once some of them accepted Christ as their Messiah, they were persecuted and began to band together meeting daily in various households (Acts 2:42-47, especially 46) for support and encouragement in their new-found faith. Alcoholics Anonymous folks continue to meet together to encourage one another.

We need one another. If you become very interested in some thing or event and surround yourself with people of like thinking you will feel accepted. Once you begin to leave that group, unless you find another one, you will begin to lose interest in that thing or event.

Think about it this way, if you want to stay hot, get close to the fire. Or, they tell me that geese can fly 47 times more distance when in their “V” formation and exchanging leaders than if they fly solo. And they say that the honking is encouraging one another. If you do not go to church, you will lose and interest in “church”.

Think of this, water seeks its own level. People of certain characteristics tend to band together: white with white, black with black, rich with rich, poor with poor, etc. Thus, it is logical that Christians should/would band together. This happens perhaps most often in “church”.

Let’s try one more saying, “Walk with a skunk, smell like a skunk!” The government vets people in part by determining their associations. If you want to be like a Christian, walk with Christians; if you want to be a drunk, walk with other drunks!

The Bible does not tell us we must go to church, it tells us that as Christians we need to band together for our own good.

 

Written By Neil Fichthorn: Rev. Neil Fichthorn is a seasoned conference and camping servant having served at Gull Lake Bible Conference, Sandy Cove Ministries as President, and an interim Executive Director at Pinebrook Bible Conference. He also served in church music for decades as a choir director and arranger. He has been Bill Welte’s mentor and friend for over 45 years.

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Think About This: “Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.” – Corrie Ten Boom

The Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 36-39| You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: ⁹ not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. -1 Peter 3:9

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.