Does A Christian Have To Attend Church?

Frequently Asked Questions

Leon Mauldin
12/04/12 - Worship

Question: How do you answer a person that says, "I don't have to go
to church to be a Christian. I'm as good as any of the preachers,
deacons, elders, that I know."

1. My first observation would be that the circle of your
acquaintances is no doubt very limited.

2. But so what if that were true: Others are not the standard. What
you have done is not wise. 2 Cor. 10:12,18.

3. Instead of examining others, need to examine self (2 Cor. 13:5).
cf. 1 Cor. 4:4.

4. The statement betrays a misunderstanding of the church, and of
its importance in God's plan.
     a. The church is the spiritual body of Christ. It is made up
of men and women who have gladly received the Gospel, and have in
faith obeyed.
     b. Christians within a given locality are to work and worship
together in the capacity of the local church. This is God's plan.
He in His wisdom knows our need to be with one another, to
encourage one another (Heb.10:24). The church has an important
mission and work assigned to it by God: evangelism and edification.
          1) Worship in spirit and in truth is a great privilege.
          2) While it is true there are things you do individually
and privately, that does not take the place of coming together with
the church.
          3) God does not need our worship to make Him better. It
does not diminish his Greatness when you withhold your worship. I
pity those who have such a misunderstanding of worship, and of
those who have such a bitter and sour attitude. David said, "I was
glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord."
(Psa.122:1).
          4) I know of those who worship with great difficulty.
There are many to have to ride public transport for one or two
hours each way to meet with the church to worship. What do you
think is God's attitude toward those who could meet with Christians
within a five minute's drive from their home, but instead murmur
and complain as their favorite pass-time?
     c. The statement amounts to saying, "I don't have to do what
God said to be a Christian." No the church does not save you.
Christ is the Savior. But He is the author of eternal salvation to
all those who obey Him (Heb.5:8,9). cf. Jno. 12:48.