A personal relationship with Christ matters most, but a relationship with a local gathering of His body, which is called a church, is also indispensable.
A Physical Assembly
The word we translate “church” in the Bible is “ekklesia” and literally means a physical assembly of people. It’s the same word we sometimes use to describe the universal Church. We spell this with a capital “C” when used in this instance, though in Greek the word is not capitalized. In other words, without churches, the Church does not exist. The Church has never existed without churches. This is because the Church (the Great Assembly) exists as local assemblies of Christians. One day the Great Assembly will truly assemble as one in the new heaven and earth. One day we will all be able to be truly gathered together as one, not in separate groups. We will also certainly not meet “remotely” with video software across the internet. If an actual gathering is clearly the eternal end-goal, shouldn’t it be our aim to emulate that physical gathering today as much as possible?
Qualifications for a Church
Many people understand that the Church is not a building, but the Church has most usually involved buildings. This is because while believers do spread out into the world, we also regularly gather together. And it is difficult to regularly gather without being able to plan around hot or cold weather, rain or snow. So, many churches have met in church buildings. Others have met in synagogues, or homes and other places. But while many places have become churches, we can become tempted to think every place is a church. Jesus, though, has shown us precisely what a church looks like through the writings of his “sent ones,” the apostles. God has gifted churches with qualified “pastors” or “elders” to lead them (Ephesians 4:11). Churches are where the Bible is regularly preached and God is worshiped. Churches are where baptisms regularly occur and where communion regularly happens. Churches are where Christians are held accountable for walking the Christian life. Without a qualified local church, 1 Corinthians 5 could not be obeyed. If someone has sinned and keeps doing so, there is no way to “Let him who has done this be removed from among you,” (1 Corinthians 5:2) since there is no way to establish who is in a church or who is outside a church without clarifying exactly who counts as being “among you.” Without knowing who is part of a church and who is not, a church cannot vote, and it appears that voting is also a part of being a church. The expelling of the immoral brother was called a discipline “by the majority” in 2 Corinthians 2:6. If a person can’t be removed from a church, or at least certain functions of the church, how can they be considered part of the Church? Such a person can live however they please, call themselves a follower of Jesus, but never be held accountable by anyone. Is that really the freedom Jesus has called us to?
The restoring of a brother back into the church in Corinth was encouraged because he completed his disciplinary program, a program which was implemented “by the majority” in 2 Corinthians 2:6. So even if it’s not a congregation of members taking a vote on church membership, even if one solo elder is making the decision about who to restore, that elder would be considered the “majority” in that case. The main idea is that it was clear when someone had been restored or not. That’s not really possible if we are unsure who is part of the church and who isn’t. One of the important ways this plays out is making sure that church discipline is not implemented on those considered outside the church. (1 Corinthians 5:12) If a church building is not the church, then “outside the church” doesn’t simply refer to those outside the building. It may refer to those inside a church building who are not part of the church. The gospel is preached in church buildings to all people whether they are considered in or out. But accountability for being a believing Christian is reserved for believing Christians, and God’s Word teaches that we are able to do our best to discern and declare who is who.
Interdependence of Every Member
As Christians we are to love all people, but “especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10) Fifty-four times in the pastoral epistles and other letters we’re told to love “one another” referring specifically to members of local churches. How can we love “one another” without knowing the many unique members of His body in our towns and cities? As believers we understand we are all members of His body. (Ephesians 5:30) We cannot therefore say to any member “I don’t need you.” (1 Corinthians 12:21) Yet this is what we’re all tempted to do, and is why we need this encouragement from Scripture.
Weekly On Sunday Morning
Since its first gatherings the Church has gathered on Sunday morning, the first day of the week. While certainly Christians have met on other days, Christians across the globe have historically commemorated Sunday morning as the day and time Jesus rose from the grave. Sunday is when Christians took communion or broke bread: “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7) Sunday is when Christians gave to the church: “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside…” (1 Corinthians 16:2:) The phrase “When you come together” is used six times in 1 Corinthians alone, showing that the regular gathering of this local church of Corinth was assumed. The Apostle John, referring to Jesus as the Lord, called it “the Lord’s day.” (John 1:10) And knowing that we Christians would be tempted to think we don’t need to gather regularly as a local church was anticipated by God in His Word to us from Hebrews 10:24-25: “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.”
None of what is being said here is meant to condemn anyone who is not attending a local church, in fact, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2) Likewise we’re not to look down our noses and pass judgment on anyone regarding the time and place and day they meet with other Christians. Colossians 2:16 says, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.” Christians are right not to be legalistic, or attend a church simply out of obligation. Like financial giving we are to gather together as a church cheerfully, from our heart, and not because we think it makes us right with God. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. And there may be exceptions for attending church for those who live in very remote areas for example, or are homebound due to an illness, but if we’re being honest the truth is that many of us would like to think of ourselves as an exception when we are probably not. Being part of a local church is not simply about a believer missing out on all God has for them, it’s also about the rest of that local church missing out on that believer. You don’t simply need your local church, your local church needs you! It’s also our duty to serve one another, but like many duties God gives us in this life, it can also be a privilege and a joy.
If you’re looking for a church, Google may not always be the best way to find a church. Here are a couple tools that may help you find a church in your area: 1) https://www.9marks.org/church-search 2) https://founders.org/church-search/ If you know of other tools let us know!
Adorn the Gospel 