Why You Don't Need To Go To Church To Be Saved
Does church provide anything that we cannot get at home?
How many times have you had that age-old conversation about whether one needs to go to church to be a #Christian? I had a version of that classic conversation recently and it got me thinking about the validity of
that position.
“I don't have to go to church to be saved”
I was recently in the park with my children when I ran into a friend from my teens, who was slightly tipsy from drinking alcohol. Suddenly he said, "You're a good guy, you've always been on the #church thing from when you was young. I like how you stuck with it". My wife quickly jumped in and said, "He's not good, it's just the #grace of #God. He had to get #saved like everyone else". I spoke to my friend about God's ability to save anyone through #faith in #Jesus, and eventually I invited him to our church, to which he responded, "I don't need to go to church to be saved. I'm spiritual and I carry God everywhere".
I think he was right!
I just want to focus on that statement, "I don't have to go to church to be saved". Was he right? Do we have to go to a church to be saved? I think he was right. After #pastoring three churches, being a #missionary, and now an evangelist. I think he was right!
A person gets saved by putting faith in the fact that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, atones for their sin, counts them as righteous before God, seals them with the Spirit of God, and provides eternal life in the Kingdom of God (Romans 10:9-10). That can happen anywhere; in the supermarket, on the bus, in school, at the beach, laying in bed. You don't have to go to a church or any specific place for that. My friend was right about that.
So why do we need church then?
Staying saved and growing in Christ are different matters from getting saved. Sometimes people think that they don't need to go to church because they can get what church offers at home or on-line. Some people have had a bad experience at a church and have written off all churches. Many dismiss attending church because they don't really know what the church provides and so they fail to see the importance of attendance and involvement. One of the tragedies of the lockdown was when churches were closed, many moved to on-line services, which was needed at the time but can never replace in-person church attendance.
10 Things That In-person Church Attendance Provides That You Can't Get On-line
So let me give you ten things that in-person church provides that you can't get on-line are at home, which are really ten reasons why you need to go to church.
(1) Spiritual atmosphere and dynamic (Mat 18:20)
There is an atmosphere and #presenceofGod that you get in the corporate setting that you cannot get in the same way at home. There is a presence and move of God in that setting where people are healed and delivered without any laying of hands, as the Spirit moves on people.
(2) Encouragement from believers (Col 3:16, Eph 5:19)
Believers are able to build up and encourage one another before, during and after the service.
(3) Quickening of the Word (Prov 25:11, Prov 16:24)
You can get the sermon through the live stream, but you cannot get the same atmosphere that quickens the
Word and makes it an instrument of instant healing. You also can't speak to the #preacher after the sermon or get personal prayer.
(4) Strength from congregation (Heb 10:25)
In the church service people can come together and strengthen each other in the #Lord to persevere and overcome the battles they are facing.
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(5) Corporate #worship
There is no comparison between worshipping at home by yourself and worshipping with the congregation.
You know I'm right.
(6) Ministry from other Christians
#Ministry at church does not only come from the pulpit. God can encourage you through the greeting from a brother or sister, the testimony of another believer, friendship of believers, a kind word or even a specific word of #revelation from another believer.
(7) #Discipleship (Mat 28:19-20)
We are not called to be idle believers, but to be real disciples. This requires being taught by others that have gone before us to equip us to step into the destiny that God has prepared for us.
(8) Exampleship (1 Cor 11:1)
The example of other believers gives us direction, understanding and help, which facilitates our growth.
We can see how others pray, handle the Word, treat their families, serve in ministry, work with new believers and attend faithfully in the face of great trials. This gives us an example to follow.
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(9) Social inclusion (Psalms 68:6)
The church is family where all people are included. #Socialinclusion is vital for a sense of belonging, acceptance, community and unity. This is also one of the major contributors to good mental health.
(10) Companionship in the battle (Ecc 4:9-12). In the corporate setting we build bonds with others. Some of them will become closer than a brother and will end up being the people that lift you up when you are down,
join arms with you and helps you through battles that you cannot face alone.
These are just some of the reasons why we need to be in #church.
You certainly need the things that God provides through the church
So no, you don't need to go to church to be saved, but you certainly need the things that God provides
through the church to #growinChrist, and remain saved. Before you say I'm being over the top please read Hebrews 10:23-31 and see how things can unravel when the church stops meeting together.
Let's all be in church this week get some of the vital spiritual nourishment that God provides through the
church.
So, how do we get over "church hurt"? We will be looking into that soon.
God bless you.
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