Why Church Matters

Many people follow their acknowledgement of Christian belief with the admission that they never go to church. Then they are quick to follow up with an excuse or defense. Excuses include busy lives, uninterested family, and past hurtful behavior. They defend themselves as believing in God, being sure of salvation, or praying often.

Some of these people are almost surely saved, but have had little Biblical teaching. I suspect many don't know enough about God to understand salvation. The Bible is clear that church matters.

First, the Bible commands faithfulness to church. "Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:25).

Second, the structure of the New Testament centers on the church. The epistles were written to churches in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, and Thessalonica. Hebrews, James, and the epistles of Peter were written to scattered believers who were establishing new churches. Timothy and Titus are written to pastors. Revelation is addressed to seven churches.

Third, the content of the New Testament supports the importance of the church. The book of Acts is consumed with the establishment, growth, and outreach of local churches. The epistles give instruction about how to resolve problems in the church, how to set up leadership in the church, and how to work together in the church. They additionally reveal the purpose and expected actions of the churches.

The fourth consideration stems from the third: many things that Christians are supposed to do are made possible through the church. Granted, some of these could be done by individuals, but they are intended to be done through the church and are more effective through the church.

Praising God. Believers serve God in the church for this purpose: "So that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ" (I Peter 4:11). "I will give You thanks in the great congregation; I will praise You among a mighty throng" (Psalm 35:18).

Serving God. God gives Christians gifts and abilities designed to be utilized in the church. "Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality" (Romans 12:6-8).

Giving. "On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper" (I Corinthians 16:2).

Praying. "So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God" (Acts 12:5). "Devoted to prayer" (Romans 12:12).

Observing the ordinances. "So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added [to the church] about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41). "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes" (I Corinthians 11:26).

Interacting with other Christians. "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another" (I Thessalonians 5:11). Any effort is easier when others come alongside. The epistles are filled with actions that church members are to do for one another: be devoted, give preference, be of the same mind, love, build up, accept, admonish, greet, wait for, have care for, serve, bear burdens, show tolerance, be kind and tenderhearted, forgive, be subject, bear with, teach, comfort, stimulate to love and good deeds, confess sins, pray for, be hospitable, show humility toward, and fellowship with. Believers certainly cannot do these things effectively without being together with other believers.

Maturing. God established roles within the church for the purpose of aiding in Christian growth. "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Receiving truth. The church is the venue through which God's Word is taught. "Preach the word; . . . reprove, rebuke, exhort" (II Timothy 4:2). "They met with the church and taught" (Acts 11:26).

Being protected: The Hebrews 10:25 command concludes a sentence that begins, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering" (10:23). Jude and Galatians were written specifically to guard the churches against false doctrine. Alone, it is easy to be deceived; the church is the place to be adjusted and returned to the truth.

Meeting needs. "Contributing to the needs of the saints" (Romans 12:13). The early church set an amazing example (Acts 2:45; 4:34-35; 6:3-6).

Spreading the gospel. This is the essence of the book of Acts. "When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, 'Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life'" (Acts 11:18).

Responding to the pastor. "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls" (Hebrews 13:17). "Appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work" (I Thessalonians 5:12-13).

The New Testament overflows with support for being part of a local church. God describes the church as the body of Christ, united and interdependent; He also describes it as a family, where spiritual brothers and sisters can surpass the role of biological family. To those who attend church already, I encourage continued faithfulness and challenge an appreciation for the value of what happens through the church.

To those who don't attend regularly, I urge a commitment to this important aspect of Christianity. Find a church where the Bible is routinely opened, carefully explained, and accurately taught. Then, rather than deciding on a week-to-week basis, make the decision once - to attend church whenever the doors are open. Such a decision will be life-changing.