“What’s up with the Church?”

Maybe if different people were asked their thoughts about the “church,” there would be a variety of answers or opinions. The church is not a building as some assume. The Lord Jesus Christ said: “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). 

“The word “church” (GK. ekklesia, from a verb meaning to call out) is used of any assembly and in itself implies no more than a gathering of people who have been called forth, e.g. the town meeting at Ephesus (Acts 19:41), and Israel, called out of Egypt and assembled in the wilderness (Acts 7:38). Israel was a “church,” but not in any sense the N.T. church—the primary point of similarity being both were “called out” and by the same God” (C.I. Scofield, D.D.).

So then we understand, as Dr. Scofield points out, the church is an “assembly and in itself . . . a gathering of people who have been called forth.” Those who have been called forth are  “born again” Christians, or believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what comprises the church of which Christ is the Head. The Bible says, ”And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22,23).

The Bible also says, “So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:25,26).

Attending church can be subject to different views and beliefs, because people “go to church” for personal and other reasons. Some don’t attend because they are persuaded that watching a live or recorded radio or TV broadcast of a church service on Sundays is sufficient to meet their spiritual needs. That’s not altogether true. There are however, exceptions especially for people who are homebound or incapacitated. Under such conditions, those affected can gain spiritually, and God can be glorified accordingly. 

Granted we can worship anywhere and at any time we choose. However, there is such incomparable awe, beauty, satisfaction, and inspiring experience of “going to Church,” which nothing can replace. In doing so, we gather in a corporate setting to worship God with others who “have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of God and our Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). 

Christians need each other for fellowship, strength, sharing, inspiration, spiritual growth, and maturity in the things of the Lord. King Solomon wrote: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). 

We are also exhorted: ”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. (Hebrews 10:24,25).

Church attendance is essentially part of the Christian faith as it demonstrates “whose we are and the God we worship and serve.” However, no one can be “saved,” that is, being “born-again” by just merely attending church. A person is saved only by repentance and believing in Jesus Christ for salvation.

King David had to be excited about going to the Temple in his day, when he declared: “I was glad when they said to me, let us go to the house of the LORD!” (Psalm 122:1). Obviously David was glad for the great joy of worshipping in the house of the Lord.” 

Sunday is called the “Lord’s Day,” because many people don’t work on Sunday and find it convenient to attend church for worship services. Many churches also have additional spiritual activities during the week such as prayer meetings, Bible study, instruction classes, and young people’s emphasis.           

Church fellowship definitely enhances our “walk” with the Lord. For example, to hear and be instructed in how to “grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). The local Church is an extension of the human family.

The Lord Jesus declared, “For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). This means the Lord guarantees His presence to be with us whenever we meet as a body of believers. Christians make up the body of Christ, therefore we belong to each other.  

There are so-called “underground churches” in countries like China, Russia, and North Korea. The governments of these countries are hostile to God and Christianity. Those Christians are denied freedom to worship God openly and publicly as is the practice in the United States and other countries.

If you are not a Christian and desire to be one, you can invite Jesus Christ into your heart by doing this. The Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9,10).

After doing so, you can start attending a local “Bible-believing” church and talk to the pastor about your interests and  further instructions in becoming a Christian. God will be honored and bless you for your courage and interests.