GRACE (CHRISTIAN) LIVING, Why should I go to church?

Why should I go to church?

WHY SHOULD I GO TO CHURCH?

by Shawn Brasseaux

When you talk about people going to church, the first verse that comes into people’s minds is 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 ye see the day approaching.” This verse, however, has absolutely nothing to do with attending weekly church services. It has absolutely nothing to do with anyone living today. Rather, Hebrews 10:25 is very important to Israel in the end times. You can learn more by referring to our Bible study on Hebrews 10:25 (find the link at the end of this article).

If you want a verse that talks about “going to church,” you can try Acts 20:7: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” This specifically talks about members of the Church the Body of Christ assembling for fellowship and Bible study. Paul’s instructions to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:13 are: “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

As grace believers who understand what God is doing today in this the Dispensation of Grace, we go to church:

  • To fellowship with God’s people (1 Corinthians 11:33).
  • To study the Holy Bible (King James Bible) (1 Timothy 4:13,15,16).
  • Not to gain God’s blessings (Ephesians 1:3).
  • Not to be entertained (2 Timothy 4:1-5).
  • Not to keep the Sabbath (Colossians 2:16).
  • Not to obtain salvation (Titus 3:5).
  • Not to “be in God’s presence/house” (2 Corinthians 6:16; cf. Acts 17:24).

According to Paul’s epistles, “going to church” is not assembling in some million-dollar auditorium, where wheelbarrows are pushed around as “collection plates.” Neither is “church” a place where we go to feel “emotional highs” and to enjoy “ear-tickling motivational sermons.” Nor is “church” a time where we crank up loud music in order to appeal to the world. Yes, that is today’s average (so-called) “‘Bible-believing’” (!) church, but God’s definition is otherwise.

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy regarding the local assembly of the Body of Christ: “[15] But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. [16] And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1 Timothy 3:15-16).

As people who have trusted in Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, we are one body, the Body of Christ. We are united forever because of the eternal life we all now have in Christ. We gather in local assemblies to study God’s Word rightly divided (dispensationally), so we can then scatter throughout the region and share with others sound Bible doctrine (the Gospel of Grace to the lost, and Pauline dispensationalism to the saved). One of the assets that Father God has given us is the ministry of the local church. These are a group of saints dedicated to the work of the ministry. They desire to cooperate with one another to share the Gospel of the Grace of God with this lost and dying world, and to share the Message of God’s Grace with other Christians so they understand what God is doing today.

The Bible describes the ministry of the local church in Ephesians 4:11-16: “[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: [14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: [16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

A FEW WORDS ABOUT GRACE BIBLE CONFERENCES

Grace Bible conferences are also a great time of fellowship and edification. It is nice to see old friends in the ministry as well as new ones. It is nice to fellowship with each other around our Saviour (Jesus Christ), our final authority (King James Bible), and our apostle (Paul). It is nice to have delicious food for the (temporary) outward man to enjoy, but more importantly, strong spiritual meat on which the (eternal) inner man can feast forever!

Again, we saints are not assembling to feel religious, but rather to be reminded of God’s life in us. We saints are not assembling to be entertained, but rather to be edified by God’s Word rightly divided. We saints are not assembling to fill our minds with complex denominational doctrines, but rather to fill our hearts with the simple doctrine that is in the King James Bible. We saints are not assembling to exalt preachers, but rather to encourage one another to continue in sound Bible doctrine. We saints are not assembling to tell God the Holy Spirit what He should be doing in the present-day, but rather to let God the Holy Spirit tell us what He is doing so we can by faith do that as well.

It is because of 1 Timothy 4:13 that, at our Bible conferences, we “give attendance” (or, pay attention to) “reading,” “exhortation [encouragement/advice],” and “doctrine [teaching].” Very rarely is the Bible actually read in “Christian” churches today. They read novels, commentaries, and Greek grammars, but not much Bible (unless it fits the system the denomination promotes). Oftentimes, the “encouragement” in “Christian” churches today is some feel-good message instead of a sound (“healthy”) message. Very rarely is “doctrine” mentioned in most “Christian” churches today. “Boring” Bible study and “divisive” doctrine have been replaced by moving, jumping, and singing. No need to wonder why the professing church is so impotent and functionally dead!

Above all, we meet together to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ, right now, and forever! At the local grace church, there is sound Bible doctrine to be learned and saints with whom to fellowship. They are a great source of encouragement and refreshment for you, so please attend grace Bible conferences and grace services whenever you can! I say that from personal experience!

Also see:
» Does Hebrews 10:25 mean we should go to church?
» Should women serve in the ministry?
» Should we observe the Lord’s Supper?

NOTE: The 10 messages from the 2016 Slidell Grace Bible Conference are now on YouTube and are available for viewing!