Where in the Bible does it say that I have to go to church?

[DaughterofKing]

Where in the Bible does it say that I have to go to church? And must I go to a fellowship or is this forum and chat rooms fellowship enough? where in the bible does it say I have to fellowship ( as in go to a fellowship).

Edited November 30, 2005 by DaughterofKing

[ayin jade]

Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is , but exhorting one another , and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

And given your many questions, you really need to be in with a strong group of Christians who can guide you and teach you. You need church.

[growing]

I'm not going to take the time right now to look up Bible verses (I should be in bed, I'm just suffering from a small case of insomnia), but I can tell you that being part of a physical church is one of the most important parts of my walk with God. Having face to face contact with other Christians is vital to being a strong, maturing Christian. They keep me accountable and they lift me up when I need it. Think of it as an opportunity to develop like-minded friends. We all need friends and God has created the perfect environment to develop friendships.

I truly can't imagine why a person wouldn't want to go to church, so maybe it's not a matter of making yourself go because God said so, maybe it's a matter of finding the right church. Make sure they preach the Bible and they make you feel comfortable. It may take more than one visit to know for sure if it's the right church for you, but look around. God does want you involved in a church and it's only going to help you become more like Christ.

[Arthur Durnan]

Where does it say that a Christian has to go to church? Where does it say that a pilot has to fly a plane? Shouldn't pilots have to stay on the ground all the time? Not much of a pilot, eh, what?

I love it, I love it, but will it play in Peoria?

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

http://arthurdurnan.freeyellow.com

[Guest Ray_Finder]

I'm not going to take the time right now to look up Bible verses (I should be in bed, I'm just suffering from a small case of insomnia), but I can tell you that being part of a physical church is one of the most important parts of my walk with God. Having face to face contact with other Christians is vital to being a strong, maturing Christian. They keep me accountable and they lift me up when I need it. Think of it as an opportunity to develop like-minded friends. We all need friends and God has created the perfect environment to develop friendships.

I truly can't imagine why a person wouldn't want to go to church, so maybe it's not a matter of making yourself go because God said so, maybe it's a matter of finding the right church. Make sure they preach the Bible and they make you feel comfortable. It may take more than one visit to know for sure if it's the right church for you, but look around. God does want you involved in a church and it's only going to help you become more like Christ.

-----------

I think another question could be: How can we exhort, encourage, love, challenge, lift-up, comfort each other when we are never assembled together. How can we receive from the ministry gifts that Jesus gave to the church to perfect (complete) us, if we never go to church? Outside of seeing each other eye-ball to eyeball we will never have meaningful fellowship. In forums like this, we certainly can all say the right things, and others will think that we are fine and dandy. But, if we have the kind of fellowship the early church had (house to house), then you will see my faults, and I yours, and maybe we can help each other get victory over those faults.

Ray . . .

[Ovedya]

It has been said that going to church does not make you a Christian anymore than living in a garage makes you a car. As a believer you are already member of the church, which is the Body of Christ. What you need therefore is not to go to the building, but to be in the work of the building, that is, to be blent together and built up with the members of the Body of Christ. God has ordained the building work of the church to be this way. Therefore, you should endeavor to meet with the saints at all times and in all places.

[aaronjm]

If your outlook on church is it being a burden to you, then G-d wouldn't want you there anyway. Going to church isn't about listening to some guy preach about our L-rd, but to come together to worship our meaning to exist. When I was younger I hated going to church, thus I recieved nothing by going, but now that I love to I get a lot out of church.

Church shouldn't be a chore to keep somebody out of hell, that's not what it's about, it is a gift to us from G-d to gather and recieve his glory. Church isn't required for salvation, but is a wonderful thing if you go in with the right attitude.

Aaron

[hat_town21]

If I remember correctly the first gathering of people in the name of the Lord were those friends on rooftops. When God says we should be in fellowship of believers he isn't meaning the church as we know it as today. We just need to be with those of like mind who can encourage us daily and keep us accountable.

Peace

If your outlook on church is it being a burden to you, then G-d wouldn't want you there anyway. Going to church isn't about listening to some guy preach about our L-rd, but to come together to worship our meaning to exist. When I was younger I hated going to church, thus I recieved nothing by going, but now that I love to I get a lot out of church.

Church shouldn't be a chore to keep somebody out of hell, that's not what it's about, it is a gift to us from G-d to gather and recieve his glory. Church isn't required for salvation, but is a wonderful thing if you go in with the right attitude.

Aaron

[Avodah]

It has been said that going to church does not make you a Christian anymore than living in a garage makes you a car. As a believer you are already member of the church, which is the Body of Christ. What you need therefore is not to go to the building, but to be in the work of the building, that is, to be blent together and built up with the members of the Body of Christ. God has ordained the building work of the church to be this way. Therefore, you should endeavor to meet with the saints at all times and in all places.

[Smalcald]

So the answer is don't go to church if you don't want to? Seems pretty easy to me, a little too easy. There is direct biblical support for the need to be a member of a Christian Church, it is actually assumed.

Why are there very specific requirements for how to run a church given? Why were the qualification of elders, deacons, and Bishops given? How do you receive baptism and communion outside of a congregation of believers?

Why are almost all of the letters including revelation in the New Testament written to Churches? No, attending Church will not save you, but if you are saved why would you NOT go to church and more importantly not seek to be a member of a Christian body?

I don't get it?

Is this where t.v. and the internet has led us, all alone, making it up as we go, unable to get along with real people, with real Christians?