Why Go To Church
Articles have been written on the subject, "Why I don't go to church." Arguments have been advanced and excuses given in defense of not attending the gathering together for public worship. This disposition to justify non-attendance is wide spread; even members of the Lord's church, by their practice, demonstrate indifference to this duty. In this Bible teaching leaflet we raise the question: Why go to church? The expression "go to church" is the popular way of expressing the action which is in the Bible described as "assembling together" or "coming together.
The church exists when it is not physically assembled. ''And when they were come, and had gathered the church together..." (Acts 14:27). This language recognizes the existence of the local church in Antioch before the apostle and his company "were come" to Antioch on this occasion. The phrase "go to church" is therefore used in this paper to describe gathering together for public worship.
Why go to church? An adequate answer to the question, for the person who has sanctified in his heart Christ as Lord, is, THE LORD REQUIRES IT. The New Testament teaches: "And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread..." (Acts 20:7); "For first of all, when ye come together in the church..." (I Cor. 11:18); "Not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is..." (Heb. 10:25). The wide disrespect for the will of the Lord and prevailing ignorance of it is the underlying cause of the empty pew.
Love for the Lord is lacking in the one who does not "go to church." The Lord said "if ye love me, ye will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). The fact of the presence of the Lord in the assembly of the saints is a source of profound encouragement to those who love the Lord. One who truly loves the Lord will see to it that he is where the Lord is; the Lord said, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them." (Matt. 18:20). Why should anyone who loves Jesus not "go to church?"
To fail to "go to church" is to neglect ones salvation and the Bible teaches that no escape is available for the one who neglects his salvation..." for if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward, how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?" (Heb. 2:2)
The significance of the acts of public worship, which the Lord has assigned, points up the need to "go to church." God has ordained that we worship him by singing, praying, giving of our means hearing the word, and eating the Lord's Supper. Each of these exercises provides the blessings that God has connected with them; failure to engage in these acts of worship deprives the one failing of the blessings. Those who do not "go to church" are lacking in appreciation for the sacrifice of Christ.
Luke records that "and so we came to Rome. And from thence the brethren, when they heard of us, came to meet us...whom when Paul saw he thanked God, and took courage" (Acts 28:15). If one fails to be thankful and take courage when he assembles with the saints there is something wrong, either with him or the brethren with whom he is assembling. Association with those of kindred minds and the same goal is a source of joy and strength.
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