Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 7/10/2010

Question
hi i am a non-christian who beleives in jesus..i beleieve that jesus dies for our sins and and i believe that God sent jesus to earth.I also believe God does miracles in our life.Nothing is impossible with God.But do we have to go to church daily to be God's children..can i miss going to church when i am buys but just pray to lord from home?

Answer
Hi Fana,

Thanks for this great question.  I am so sorry for my late response.  Church is a gift to believers.  Yes, you can and should pray at home.  You should read the Bible at home too.  God has given church as a tool to encourage and motivate us in the things of God.  It is not something you HAVE to do it something you GET to do.

Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

So to answer your question, in order to be a born again believer, you need to ask Jesus to save you from your sin, believing that He died on the cross for you.  Church attendance or any other work is not required to inherit eternal life.

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 5:8
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 10:9-10,13
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Once you have asked Jesus to save you, your sins are covered.  Heaven is already secured.  If you miss church, you still have heaven secured... but your life will be better and more fulfilled the more often you get to church to hear the preaching of the word and fellowship with the believers.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don

PS... I am so very sorry for my late response.