Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 3/21/2005

Question
Hello,
I was just wondering if there are any strong verses in the bible that talk about the absolute need of having to go to church. I'm just wondering if Jesus or anyone ever said that everyone MUST go to church. Or any verse that says anything to the effect that anyone who believes in Jesus has to go to church or should prove it by going to church, etc..
Also, do you know the verse that says something like a hypocrite prays out in public, but a righteous man prays by himself in a room with the door shut. It's something like that but I can't remember. And also, if there is a verse like that, does it in anyway contradict the one that says, where two or more gather then there am I?
Thanks,
Mark

Answer
Hi Mark,

Thanks for this great question.

First of all it was Jesus that established the concept of a church.  

Matthew 16:18
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

The Greek word for church is a "called out assembly"  There are some that teach the concept of a universal or invisable church...but that is inconsistant with the meaning of the word...a church is a local assembly organized to carry out the great comission of its founder Jesus Christ.

Now let us consider the practice of the New Testament Christians.  What did they do when they became Christians?

Acts 2:41-47
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

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

As people were saved they were added to the church, or the local assembly that met in Jerusalem.  Sometimes the church assembled in the Temple, sometimes they assembled in houses...but it is a Biblical pattern that when one finds Jesus as Savior, they join a local assembly, that is, a local church.  Now let us see a command about that assembly:

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.

The assembly of believers ( the church) is not to pray...we can pray anywhere... it is not to read scripture...we should read every day...   The local church is a support group for recovering sinners!  We assemble, hear the WOrd, give testamonies, sing, take communion, and respond to invitations in order to encourage each other to do right.  One could say...I don't need to go to church ...I can pray in the woods while I hunt....sure...but you must go to church to receive that help that is only found in the assembly of believers.  

1 Corinthians 12:25-27
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this is a help to you.  

Oh yes... the other verse for which you seek:

Matthew 6:5-7
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you,  They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

In Christ,
Pastor Don