Does the Bible say we have to go to church?

Question

Nowadays with so many religious programming on television and Streaming Faith videos on the internet, a person can watch church and hear an inspiring message without leaving the comfort of their living room. I still get just as much inspiration from doing this as I do going to church, but I still feel I am disobeying God when I don't go to church.

Answer 1

The point of church is to commune and have Christian fellowship. Watching tv (which is a very good idea) is not the same as attending. If I watch a safari on discovery channel, it isn't the same feeling as being there in africa, next to the lions myself. That isn't to say that you are disobeying God by watching sermons on television instead of in church, because I believe you are not disobeying him. However, you would probably get more out of it by attending a physical church, social necesities, paying tithe (many people don't like to touch the subject of tithe, but tithing is how the pastor feeds his family and how the church pays for repairs, without it, Christianity cannot fund itself, all the tv shows you watch come from tithing and donation) and helping others, all of which we are commanded to do. Without attending physical church, we cannot ask the pastor to annoint us and pray for us when we are in need and we cannot be there for those who are in need because we don't know who they are unless we go out and meet them. Just want to say though, that watching surmons should not make you feel guilty, if you are having this feeling, then listen to it and attend church, there may be something there God wants for you.

Answer 2

Lets see what The Second member of The Godhead Jesus Christ [see Heb.13:8, John 8:58, John 1 for Jesus being God] said about Church, in Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added TO THE CHURCH daily such as should be saved.
So if Jesus thinks its needed to be apart of The body of the Church than the only thing left is to see which church right? Okay lets let satan tell you which one is which, did that sound funny, well read in the bible which one satan's attacks and that is the right on right, in Rev. 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
So satan attacks the "remnant" [church] and it said its the ones that "KEEP" the [all ten] commandments [this includes the fourth about the seventh day sabbath which is from sundown friday until sundown saturday] and has the testamony of Jesus Christ which according to Rev 19:10 is the spirit of prophecy i mantain that The Seventh Day Adventist Church IS that remnant body of believers, and its BE-LIVE not believe, in James 2:19-20 even satan believes and trembles, find out much more free bible lessons www.amazingfacts.org email me also [e-mail] God bless

Answer 3

I am pretty sure that when god said that you have to go to church, he didn't for-see that churches now a days are money hungry, some child molesting, bigots.

If I could find a church that wasn't any of the previous stated examples, I would be in church 24/7.

I am not going to give 10% so that my priest can drive a Bentley while the church I worship at is falling down around me.

Answer 4

Forsake not the assembling of your selves... is scripture. Question is why... True it is improtant to get the message and you can get that over the tv or radio or internet... what you can't get is the smile of the person who's happy you're there... the hand on your sholder when you're sad... the opportunity to see someones need and meet it.

We are pack animals we need eachother and God knows this Of course because he made us. He gave each of us gifts of the spirit which are ment to be used on a regular basis.. to lift up encourage and edify others. God said in the garden "it is not good for man to be alone". If we become lone wolf christians bad things tend to happen. If you have no physical contact with your pastor how is he supposed to know when you need correction. It's about accountablity haveing people in your life you can trust to give you a bop upside the head when you're not acting right or when you're strayin from the path you're supposed to be on.

Finding the chruch God wants you in is hard trust me I know I moved recently. And somedays all you want to do is stay home. But when you do you never know what you'll miss... either something for you good... or someone at church may need you! So go... and be blessed and be used by our Lord :D

Answer 5

you are only disobeying God if he specifically wants you to join a church ,and you are not. In the Bible it says not to forsake fellowship because you can be edified at church, and you have the ability to edify others. You should pray and ask God what would He have you to do as far as a "real" church membership. CAUTION: it will take time. a great church with a strong foundation is hard to find.

Answer 6

That's because God admonishes us not to neglect the gathering together of believers. Part of being a christian is the fellowship. You just can't get that from the television. And frankly, I don't always trust what I find on the media. To be at church and actually know the minister, that is invaluable.

Answer 7

Heb 10:25 does, but if we are to be Christ like then He was in the temple daily, but He was with others and encouraging others. That is what going to church is all about. If you don't want to go to church then start a Bible study in your house, and then you can encourage others, and pray, and you can be followers of Christ. They had Bible study in the home. You also have to be careful who you listen to on TV. There are many false preachers out there, and if you don't know your Bible you will believe everything they say.

Answer 8

The Scriptures states that we are not to forsake the assembling of the Saints. It is good for us to watch the Word Of God going forth over the airways, and I can bear witness to the fact that tremendous Blessings can be obtained in this manner. Nevertheless, God does want us to enjoy fellowship one on one with one another. There is just something about fellowshipping with the saints in Light, that brings more joy as we meet face to face.

Answer 9

If Christ called a Prophet of God and gave him the job of assembling His "One and Only" true Church on the earth today, don't you think that it would be important to find it and join it?

Jesus Christ organized His One and Only true Church on the earth during His mortal ministry. The Bible says that the Church is based on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets (authorities in the Church) with Jesus Christ, himself, as the chief cornerstone of that foundation. The Apostles then started to build on that foundation that Christ organized. People in the NT times were expected to be baptized by these servants who held true priesthood authority from Jesus Christ. Read Acts and you'll see that it was necessary to call for the Apostles to receive the sacred ordinance of "the bestowel of the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands." Nobody else could perform this.

Christ and the Apostles knew that the Church Christ built up would eventually experience a "falling away" or an "Apostasy." Evil, designing, and corrupt men from inside and outside the Church taught false doctrines and changed the ordinances of Christ's simple and pure gospel. The Apostles were in charge of combating these false doctrines of those "wolves, who lie in wait to deceive." But eventually the Apostles were murdered. The very foundation of Christ's Church was pulled out from under the feet of the members of the Church. Without Apostles to combat them, falsehoods creeped into the pure, unadulterated doctrine of the Son of God. Greek philosophies mingled with Christianity until Christianity became so corrupted that if Christ were to return at that time he would not even recognize the Church that he set up. However, there is good news in all of this. The Apostles prophesied of a restoration or "the times of refreshing" where the gospel shall once again be planted in its purity and the Church re-established again on the earth.

To learn more about the wonderful restoration of the one true Church of Jesus Christ after the Great Apostasy I invite you to visit www.lds.org

I know that Christ set up His Church for the benefit of His saints. We should go to His Church. That's where we can receive help. That's where we can grow. That's the only place where we can receive the saving ordinances like baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by those who hold the "keys of the kingdom" or the true priesthood authority of the everlasting God. I say this in the holy name of my God and your God, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Answer 10

Jesus founded a community called the Church. We join this community at our Baptism. When we gather with others, we give public testimony to our faith which tells us to keep holy the Lord's day. The church helps us do this when we gather together in prayer and to listen to the Scripture and receive Jesus in Communion. I can not do this at home. At home, watching TV, I am not part of the community, the Church.