Where does the Bible Say We Have to go to Church?

[teddyv]

I'm hoping that since the almost 6 YEARS ago this was started that the OP got his or her answer.

One can hope.

The zombie apocalypse is among us.

[John 8:32]

I'm hoping that since the almost 6 YEARS ago this was started that the OP got his or her answer.

One can hope.

Even though it is an old thread and the OP probably has an answer by now, it is an opportunity to discuss and learn.

[Watchman]

Nooooooo! Not the zombie apocalypse...not that!

[John 8:32]

The zombie apocalypse is among us.

By the way teddyv, has anyone ever told you that you have the coolest avatar?

[teddyv]

By the way teddyv, has anyone ever told you that you have the coolest avatar?

I think there have been a couple mentions, but regardless, thanks.

[Watchman]

IIRC, the context of this passage is abandoning the body of Christ in the face of persecution...which is what was happening among the Jews of that day. Abandoning, or forsaking, is much different than attendance at a modern service that would have very little in common with meetings of saints then. Going to church is a misnomer. How can we go to that which we are?

In 1 Corinthians, Paul wrote:

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.


We are being built into a spiritual house. God places each one of us in the body of Christ exactly where He knows we belong. If we abandon/forsake each other, then we are not functioning as a body. We cannot bear each others' burdens if we are running away from each other in order to preserve our lives (the case in Hebrews) or if we simply do not associate. Going to church has replaced the organic, relational, full-time nature of the body of Christ. I am not advocating against corporate worship, rather, I am advocating for much, much more than meeting with other saints 2-3 times weekly and going through a preplanned program wherein the Holy Spirit is disallowed from controlling and ordering. We are the church at all times, regardless of what happens on Sundays. The body of Christ is family at all times. Going to church very often dilutes and distorts that truth.

W

Now, back to our previously scheduled program, already (some years ago) in progress.

W

[Theophilus]

By the way teddyv, has anyone ever told you that you have the coolest avatar?

It's the teeth, man...I just can't tear my eyes away.


Uh, wait....did someone say zombie apocolypse? {internal note to self: sharpen katana tonight}

To the OP: The Bible says we must attend church at the bottom of the index page, right after the copyright date. Sheesh, doesn't anyone read the fine print anymore?

[andrew_no_one]

Why wouldn't someone want to attend church? It's the same reason they don't read their Bible, grow in holiness, become separate from the world, witness to the lost, tell the truth, and walk in righteousness: because they don't belong to God.
Those who belong to God enjoy the things of God. We don't have to force ourselves to study His Word or be among His people.
So, I'd say that if you don't want to go to church...stay home. We've got tons of fakers keeping our pastors busy counseling them as it is.

[Watchman]

Why wouldn't someone want to attend church? It's the same reason they don't read their Bible, grow in holiness, become separate from the world, witness to the lost, tell the truth, and walk in righteousness: because they don't belong to God.
Those who belong to God enjoy the things of God. We don't have to force ourselves to study His Word or be among His people.
So, I'd say that if you don't want to go to church...stay home. We've got tons of fakers keeping our pastors busy counseling them as it is.

I have attended many services that are DEAD. Why would one want to attend those?


W

PS: I don't attend dead serivices because I DO belong to God!

[andrew_no_one]

I have attended many services that are DEAD. Why would one want to attend those?


W

PS: I don't attend dead serivices because I DO belong to God!

By church I don't mean a room full of people. Believers are obligated to seek out other believers and assemble.

[John 8:32]

By church I don't mean a room full of people. Believers are obligated to seek out other believers and assemble.

Ekklesia - the called out ones.

[andrew_no_one]

Ekklesia - the called out ones.

Yes. ecclesia militans

[Bandit]

Where does the Bible Say We Have to go to Church?

Please tell me we don't have to go to church in Las Vegas, Nevada. That is just too far of a drive.

[Watchman]

By church I don't mean a room full of people. Believers are obligated to seek out other believers and assemble.

Assemble for what?

[andrew_no_one]

Assemble for what?

Like I said: If you don't want to go...stay home.
Assemble for what? How about fellowship? Proverbs 27:17 says "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" so our social dealings and interactions with others wear off on us. If we spend time in the bar, we'll grow more and more like the others there. We'll "...consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" as stated in Hebrews 10:24. You may also (while your at church) learn something about the Lord, have opportunity to teach someone else or edify another in some way supporting the body of Christ.
If you're not a member of the body of Christ....what makes you think you're a member of the Body of Christ?
Have you ever met those "covert Christians"? They say that they serve Jesus but they really don't do anything. They "follow" Christ in word but not deed. They just kinda do whatever they want....stay home and watch basketball, "knock back a few with the bros", maybe sprinkle a little raunchy movies into their lives to keep things interesting and keep them for "that dusty old book grandma gave me". So what if we listen to blasphemy on television and who cares if God said "He will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His Name"
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
1 John 2:3
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.
1 John 5:3
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,