Before disposing or despise the church in your life, would not be important to see what God says about it? The church (Greek ekklesia) is a group of people called to turn from sin and belong to Christ. Jesus promised to build his church (Matthew 16:18). God purchased the church with his own blood in the sense that he bought every person saved (Acts 20:28; cf. 1 Corinthians 6:20). Paul emphasized the importance of proper procedure in the house of God, which is the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). Although the church does not save, it plays a key role in spreading the gospel. We should value the house of God. When it comes the responsibility to participate in a church, a local congregation, the New Testament leaves no doubt. Plus plenty of examples in the book of Acts and the Epistles references, we find specific instructions that require our participation in the meetings of a church. The author of Hebrews clearly condemns the attitude of people who fail to gather around, because they neglect their important role in mutual edification (Hebrews 10: 23-27). Other instructions require our participation in church meetings to participate in the Lords Supper (1 Corinthians 11: 17-34; cf. Acts 20: 7), to join offers (1 Corinthians 16: 1-3; Acts 4: 36- 37; 5: 1-2) and to resolve issues of sin in the church (1 Corinthians 5: 4-5). Disciples of Christ come together, too, to sing hymns of praise and edification (Ephesians 5: 19-21) and to teach the word of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:26). People who neglect these responsibilities, not participating in congregational worship, disobey God. Sin against the brothers and against the Lord. Be faithful in attending a local congregation. And be sure to examine all to verify that the church congregates where you are really pleasing to God in doctrine and practice (1 Thessalonians 5: 21-22).
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 02:03:13 +0000
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