Saturday, June 9, 2012

Why Go to Church?

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

The original Greek word translated "church" in the New Testament means assembly.  God desires that all believers come together as oftern as possible, to gain a better understanding of His Word, to encourage eachother, and to have fellowship with one another:  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ...  Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, ... So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

But the main reason for going to church is to become firmly established in our faith. The Word of God is eye witness accounts and God given information, that has been proven accurate and hasn't changed in over 4,000 years. For the word of God is living and powerful... (Hebrews 4:12) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of lifethe life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (I John 1:1-4)

God anoints or empowers certain people to be leaders and teachers within His church:Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28) But He also warns that it is a great responsibility, and false teachers better beware: just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. (II Peter 2:1)  There are churches with bad leaders, but we should not let that cause us to stop going.  There are many churches with good leaders, and God will lead us to the church He wants us to become a part of: ...seek, and you will find;...(Luke 11:9)

Lastly, one of the most reassuring things about going to church is knowing that there are others who believe what you believe, and that they are praying for you and your success in your Christian walk: Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,  do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,  the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,  and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power  which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,  far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:15-22)

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