You've probably heard the phrase, "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. (or going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger LOL)" While I do understand the point they are trying to make, there is a slight flaw. While a person cannot become a car or a hamburger, they CAN become a Christian. If you are not a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and have not accepted Him as your personal Savior, there is no better place to move towards a relationship with Him than church. If perhaps you believe in God, but you still have questions or concerns, a good Bible teaching church where people are authentic is the perfect place to get the answers you are looking for. Many people have been hurt by the church or had bad experiences, and it can be difficult to find the right one, but once you do, you will see it is worth the search.
For those who already are born again Christians, I believe attending church consistently is vital. But let's see what the Word of God says about it.
1) Believers are to have fellowship
Acts 2:42, Philippians 2:1, 1 John 1:3, Acts 1:15, Hebrews 10:25, 1 Corinthians 11:18
While there have been times when I have experienced sweet fellowship over a cup of coffee, a dinner party or a park play date (and I do encourage these additional times with other believers), nothing compares with gathering together with a multitude of like minded people worshiping together and encouraging one another. While I have definitely been ministered to at church, there have also been times that the Lord has used to me reach out to someone else. Once I remember a young girl that I had never seen before was weeping while the congregation was singing in worship. I noticed that she got up and left during a song and as I felt the prompting of the Spirit to follow her, I was able to offer her a hug and a prayer. Nothing earth shattering, but an opportunity that would not have happened without the gathering together.
2) Believers are to have unity
Psalm 133:1, John 17:22-23, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Ephesians 4:1-3, Ephesians 4:13, Colossians 3:14
If Christians were not meant to assemble regularly, there would be no call for unity. But since we are expecting to come together for teaching and worship, the Lord gives us directions to strive for unity and how to accomplish this. We can count on there being conflicts in the church, but when we aim for unity, we can overcome them.
3) Believers are to use their spiritual gifts as many different members of one body
Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:11-16
Some are called to be teachers, some to encourage, some evangelists. ALL are called to use their specific gifts "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ". Ephesians 4:12 Just as you have many different parts of your body, so is the body of Christ. If you were missing an arm, or an ear, even a little pinky toe, you would not be complete. The body of Christ is not complete without your active participation.
4) Believers are to love, encourage, comfort, build up, pray for, serve, be kind to, forgive, speak spiritual songs to, be subject to, be devoted to, give preference to, accept, admonish, and be at peace with one another.
1 Thessalonians 3:12, Hebrews 3:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, James 5:16, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4:32, Ephesians 5:19, Ephesians 5:21, Romans 12:10, Romans 15:7, Romans 15:14, Mark 9:50
This is pretty self explanatory. How can we do these things if we are not together?!
One more reason
How to stay safe in the world today:
1.Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20% of
all fatal accidents.
2. Do not stay home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home.
3. Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks because 14% of all accidents
occur to pedestirans.
4. Avoid traveling by air, rail or water, because 16% of all accidents
involve these forms of transportation.
5. Of the remaining 33%, 32% of all deaths occur in hospitals. Above
all else, avoid hospitals.
You will be pleased to learn that only .001% of all deaths occur in
worship services in church, and these are usually related to previous
physical disorders. Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for
you to be at any given point in time is at church!
Bible study is safe too. The percentage of deaths during Bible study is
even less.
FOR SAFETY'S SAKE - Attend church and read your bible...
IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
hahahahaha
In all seriousness, I hope I've given you plenty of Biblical basis for regular church attendance. But I'd also like to share that in my own personal experience, belonging to a local church body has been a very important part of my life. Getting plugged in by joining Bible studies and small groups, attending church events, serving in ministry...all of these things have helped me grow in my relationship with the Lord and I can't imagine the last 10 years of my walk with Him without the encouragement and accountability I have received through my brothers and sisters in my church body.
Whether you are an unbeliever still searching for answers, or a Christian who has been trying to go it alone, I encourage you to find a church where you feel comfortable and where they open up the Word of God and teach from it every week. Allow yourself to truly become a part of the body of Christ.
"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
~Dawn
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