Do believers have to attend church? In reality, this question comes in a variety of forms: “Is it a sin to not attend church?” “Do I have to go to church to be saved?” “Does the Bible command that Christians attend church?” “Isn’t watching online good enough?” “Does having a devotional on Sundays before an event (fishing tournament, hunting, playing sports, etc.) count as church attendance?” This list goes on and on.
The issue is actually found in the wording of each question whose concern is rooted in the concept of attendance, as if church is no different than attending a class or a concert. So, before an answer can be provided, a shift must take place in how one understands “church.” Simply and biblically put—all who believe on Christ for salvation and confess Him as Lord, are the church. The church is not an organization that holds membership cards, but an organism of which all believers and followers of Christ are a vital part. Therefore, since believers are the church, we should not concern ourselves with attendance, but instead we should be concerned about participation in worship, fellowship, and our life in Christ as the church. Why? Because Scripture makes clear that we (the redeemed in Christ) are all part of His body (cf. Rom 12:4-5; Eph 2:16; 4:4; Col 3:15).
But what about this participation? Is it required? Is it sinful if one does not participate with the gathered church? How often must one participate? These are all good and relevant questions, especially in a culture that resists commitment to anyone or anything that is not ourselves. In order to answer these questions, we must all start from the same place with the same standard, otherwise we run the risk of falling prey to the relativistic philosophy that pervades our cultural psyche. So, we must turn to our standard—the Word of God.
Within the pages of Scripture we have a plethora of both concisely written instructions and clearly defined examples of the expectations that exist for a believer regarding worship and fellowship with the gathered church. One of the clearest is found in the book of Hebrews where we read:
Hebrews 10:19–25 ESV
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
As with any portion of Scripture, context is key. We must persue the context to accurately grasp the weight of the verses at hand. In other words, grab your Bible, a cup of coffee, and saddle up for some magnificent and applicable truth. Take note that verse 19 begins with the word “therefore” which indicates to us that the following information is tied to the previous verse(s) or passage. In verse 1 through 18, we find the flow of thought for the text at hand which sets up the context for verse 19.
It is through the covenant that the Lord will establish with His people by putting His Word on their hearts and minds that true forgiveness for sin will be extended by God’s grace to all who would believe. Where forgiveness exists, there is no need for an offering for sin to be made. This is referencing the sacrificial system that was put in place after God rescued His people from Egypt (cf. Leviticus 1-6) and the requirement that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22). Where did this sacrifice take place? It occured in the holy places each day as every priest ordained into service performed his duties at the altar where sacrifices were made (Hebrews 10:11). Unfortunately, the law is merely a shadow of the salvation to come because these continual annual sacrifices would never be able to truly purify anyone from the stain of sin (Hebrews 10:1-4).
Yet, in Christ, who is the once and for all sacrifice given in order to atone for the sin of mankind, no further sacrifices need be made (Hebrews 10:12,14). When Christ died on the cross at Golgotha after crying “It is finished,” the gospel writers record that the earth shook and the curtain in the temple at Jerusalem was torn in half from top to bottom (Matt 27:51; Mark 15:38). That curtain was what separated the outside world from the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant resided and the Spirit of God dwelt. The tearing of that curtain symbolized that from that point forward, mankind would have access to God the Father through Christ the Son who now stands as our Great High Priest, continually making intercession for us (Hebrews 10:19-21; Romans 8:34).
Based on this glorious truth of salvation, what are believers to do? The answer is provided in the three “let us” statements in verses 22 through 24. Believers are to “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” Believers are to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.” Believers are to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together” (emphasis, mine). The word translated “neglecting” can also be translated as “forsaking,” which provides a clearer understanding of the seriousness that is being communicated because a synonym for the word “forsake” is the word “abandon.” Now, apply that line of thinking of the last phrase to all of the “let us” statements. Believers draw near to Christ and to each other as they do not abandon one another. Believers are encouraged to stand firm in the confession of Christ as they do not abandon one another. Believers stir up one another to love and good works as they do not abandon one another. The concept of abandonment should speak volumes because nobody likes to feel as if they have been abandoned.
Then the question arises, “well, are these ‘let us’ statements commands to believers?” No, they are not. The Greek verbs used in these verses are all in the present tense, active voice, and subjunctive mood. The present tense indicates action that is in the progress of taking place with no indication of completion. The active voice indicates that the subject is performing the verbal action and the subject is the audience of believers to whom the letter of Hebrews is addressed. The subjunctive mood is the mood of intention. All of this grammar means that each of these “let us” statements is an action that is taken up volitionally and intentionally by the believers and this is to be an action without definitive completion. In other words, believers are to draw near to Christ and each other, hold fast their confession of faith alongside one another, and stir one another up to love and good works by not abandoning each other as some are comfortable doing. That’s the weight behind the issue of consistently gathering with brothers and sisters in Christ. When a believer chooses to not participate in worship on a regular basis, it is tantamount to an abandoning of the body of Christ.
In addition to this passage of Scripture, the New Testament teaches that every believer is to come under the protection and biblical guidance of the spiritual leaders in the local church who will give an account of their leadership (Hebrews 13:7, 17). Paul provided instructions to Timothy about the gathering of believers in 1 Timothy 4:13, saying, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” All of these are only possible in the context of the assembly of the local church. This was the pattern established by the early church. When they met together “they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).
Therefore, the only conclusion that one can come to after even such a small examination of the Scriptures is that consistent and active participation in worship with the local church is imperative to living the Christian life. There is no other fellowship that provides a believer with the teaching, accountability, and encouragement that is needed to stand firm when the trials of life come. It is not available on the sports field, on the lake, nor in the woods. It is not available at home in front of a screen. It is not available at work. It is only available with brothers and sisters in Christ gathering together so that we might draw near to Christ and each other, hold fast to the confession of our faith, and stir one another up to love and good works. May we be found faithful! See you Sunday!
~Brent
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