Church Attendance: A Biblical Sin Or Not?

is not going to church a sin in the bible

The Bible does not explicitly state that missing church is a sin, but it does encourage Christians to gather and meet with fellow believers. The interpretation of this varies, with some Christians believing that not assembling with other Christians is a sin, while others believe that as long as you are meeting and worshipping with other believers, it doesn't matter if it is not in a physical church building.

Characteristics Values
Is it a sin to not go to church? No, but it is beneficial and recommended.
What is the church? The church is not a building but a body and a community of believers.
What does the Bible say about church attendance? The Bible does not mandate church attendance as a condition of salvation but speaks about the blessing of the church community.
Why is going to church important? Going to church helps to immerse oneself in a community of support, encouragement, and ministry.
What are the consequences of not going to church? Not going to church can lead to isolation and drifting away from one's faith.
Are there exceptions to not going to church? Yes, if one is unable to attend due to circumstances or the unavailability of a suitable church.

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The Bible does not command Christians to go to church

The Bible does not state that Christians must go to church, and it is not a sin to miss church services. The Bible does not mandate church attendance as a condition of salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 states: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast".

Jesus himself frequently contravened religious rules and allowed his followers to do so as well. For example, when confronted by the Pharisees about his followers "doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath", Jesus replied that "the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 12:23-28). This teaches that an ongoing, interactive relationship with Jesus is more important than adhering to human-crafted rules of religious behaviour.

While Jesus gathered a community around him and worshipped at the Temple, he did not need a community of faith to mediate his relationship with God. Therefore, although scripture does not command Christians to attend church, it does emphasise the blessings of a church community. For example, James 5:14-16 exhorts the sick to "call the elders of the church to pray over them" and to "confess your sins to each other and pray for each other".

The early Christians were devoted to prayer, fellowship, teaching, and breaking bread (Acts 2:42), and meeting together was a natural way for them to grow in their faith. However, this does not mean that attendance at a church building is necessary for salvation or spiritual growth.

Christians can still assemble and meet with fellow believers outside of a church setting, and this can take many forms, such as a Bible study group, a prayer group, or even a casual gathering of Christians discussing God. The important thing is to be immersed in a community of support, encouragement, and ministry, rather than isolating oneself from other believers.

In summary, while the Bible emphasises the value of fellowship and community among believers, it does not specifically command Christians to attend church. Christians should focus on their relationship with Jesus and participating in a community of faith, rather than worrying about whether they are fulfilling a church attendance requirement.

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The church is not a building, it's a community

The Bible does not explicitly state that not going to church is a sin. However, it does encourage Christians to gather and meet with fellow believers. This can be interpreted as an instruction to attend church, but it is not a clear commandment. Some Christians may feel that not attending church is sinful, while others may not. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide what they believe is right.

The Bible says that Christians should not neglect meeting with other believers and should encourage and spur each other on toward love and good deeds. This can be achieved through attending church, but it is not the only way. In some parts of the world, it may not be possible to attend a physical church building, but that does not mean that Christians in those areas are sinning. They can still fellowship with other believers online or in other ways.

The important thing is for Christians to be part of a community of believers, where they can encourage and support each other in their faith. This community is often found in a local church, but it doesn't have to be. The church is not just a building; it is the Body of Christ, made up of all believers. So, while attending church can be beneficial and encouraging, it is not the building itself that is beneficial, but the community that is found there.

Christians are commanded to assemble with other believers, and this is definitely beneficial for spiritual growth. However, this does not necessarily have to happen in a church building. Christians can also assemble in small groups, in homes, or even online. What matters is that they are meeting with other believers and functioning as part of the Body of Christ.

The early Christians were devoted to prayer, fellowship, teaching, and breaking bread, and they did this together as a community. This dynamic community of fellow believers is what the modern church should strive for. It is this sense of community that is beneficial to our spiritual lives, not just the act of going to a church building.

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The benefits of church include support, encouragement, and ministry

The Bible does not explicitly state that missing church is a sin, but it does encourage Christians to gather and meet with fellow believers. Attending church is a simple way to meet with other Christians and avoid isolation, which can lead to drifting away from one's faith.

Support

The church is a place where Christians can find support and be equipped to live a life that glorifies God. It is a community that provides physical, spiritual, and emotional benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety. The church is also a place to find godly mentors and like-minded individuals who can offer companionship and accountability.

Encouragement

Corporate worship is an essential aspect of the Christian faith, as salvation is individual, but worship is communal. Gathering with other believers can increase our faith and provide encouragement, especially during difficult times. Regular church attendance can remind us that the trials of this life are temporary and that we are part of a larger community of faith.

Ministry

The church offers opportunities to use our gifts and serve others. It is a place to develop and share our gifts, such as teaching, exhortation, generosity, and acts of mercy. The church also provides access to resources that may not be available elsewhere, such as scholarships, business resources, and mentoring.

In conclusion, while missing church may not be considered a sin, the benefits of attending church are significant. The church provides a community of support, encouragement, and ministry, helping believers to grow in their faith and live a life that honours God.

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Not assembling with other Christians is a sin by commission and omission

The Bible does not explicitly state that not going to church is a sin. However, it does emphasise the importance of assembling and fellowshipping with other Christians.

Sin by Commission

According to the Bible, a sin of commission is a willful act that goes against God's commands, such as lying or stealing. It is committing a sinful act through one's thoughts, words, or deeds. For example, when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they committed a sin of commission by disobeying God's command (Genesis 2:16–17, 3:6).

Sin by Omission

On the other hand, a sin of omission is the failure to do what is right or to follow God's instructions. This involves knowing what one should do but refusing to act on it. An example of this is found in James 4:17, which states, "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." Sins of omission can include refusing to share Christ with others, neglecting to care for those in need, or avoiding prayer.

In the context of not assembling with other Christians, this can be considered a sin of omission. Hebrews 10:25 states, "not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This verse encourages believers to physically gather and fellowship with other Christians. By choosing to isolate oneself and not assemble with fellow believers, one may fall into the sin of omission by neglecting to encourage and support one another in their faith.

The Impact of Isolation

Isolation from other Christians can have negative spiritual consequences. Without the support and accountability of a faith community, individuals may drift away from their faith and begin to believe unbiblical things. Additionally, assembling with other Christians is an opportunity to serve and encourage others, as stated in 1 John 3:17-18: "Whoever has the world's goods and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth."

Practical Considerations

It is important to note that assembling with other Christians does not necessarily require attending a physical church building. For some people, attending a church may not be possible due to various reasons, such as persecution, distance, or other limitations. In such cases, alternative forms of fellowship can be considered, such as meeting with fellow believers in small groups or even through online communities. The key aspect is to actively seek Christian fellowship and encouragement, rather than isolating oneself from the body of Christ.

In conclusion, while not assembling with other Christians may not be explicitly called a sin in the Bible, it can be considered a sin by both commission and omission. Commission, in that one may be actively choosing to disobey God's command to encourage and assemble with fellow believers; and omission, in that one fails to do what is right by neglecting to support and be supported by the Christian community. Therefore, it is important for Christians to prioritise assembling and fellowshipping with one another, whether in a traditional church setting or through other means, to strengthen their faith and effectively serve God.

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God designed you for community

The Bible does not command Christians to attend church, but it does speak about the blessings of a church community. God designed you for community, i.e., to function within a body. The church is not just a place or a building, but an identity. It is the body of Christ, and if you believe in Jesus for eternal life, you belong to the church.

The Bible says that Christians should "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25). The early Christians were devoted to prayer, fellowship, teaching, and breaking bread (Acts 2:42). Meeting together was the natural way that Christians grew in their faith.

The entire narrative of scripture testifies to the importance of community in spiritual life. From the opening movement in Genesis, God’s creative and redemptive identity is linked to the establishment of a holy people. Scripture assumes corporate faithfulness and is rarely addressed to an individual. Instead, the scriptures address a people, a community of faith witnessing to the power and presence of the living God.

The church is beneficial because we become immersed in a community of support, encouragement, and ministry. Jesus may not demand that you attend church, but that does not mean he does not ask you to participate. You can't have fellowship with non-believers; fellowship requires other believers. The church is not a building, it's a body of believers. We are the church, and we make the church.

The Bible says, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them" (Matthew 18:20). If you are able, it is important to meet with fellow Christians, read scriptures together, sing songs to God, and hear God's word from the elders at the local congregation. We need to submit ourselves to God’s appointed leaders. We need pastors and teachers, and we need counselors and fellowship. We need to be unified with other believers.

However, it is important to note that there are toxic communities in the world, and God does not wish for us to remain in them. God desires us to be safe, healthy, and whole. Any church set upon hate and judgment does not represent the body for which Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22). Jesus will never call us to remain in a community that does not lead us into His loving and gracious presence.

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