Expert: Scott Talbot - 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.

You asked if there were any verses in the Bible that encourage the believer to attend church. Perhaps the clearest passage is Hebrews 10:24-25, which says, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

The church is Jesus' idea. He invented it. In Matthew 16:18, he says, "I will build my church." There are over 125 references to "church" in the New Testament. This concept is something that Jesus created, not just as a suggestion, but an expected thing.

The purpose of the church is to provide believers a place to belong, to offer encouragement and support as people of like mind come together for worship and growth. It is a place where local Christians can team up to shine as a lighthouse to the surrounding community. It is a place to be served, and it is also a place to reach out and serve others--within the church, in the community, and around the world.

Finding a good church is not always easy. Churches believe differently, and these differences can become a matter of contention. Sometimes the doctrine is good but the "spirit" is not. It may be a dictatorial, legalistic church with more concern for controlling than loving.

Find a church that uses the Bible as it's final authority, and that takes a firm stand on the fundamentals of the faith--salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, the inerrancy and reliability as the Bible as the only rule for faith and practice, a sense of responsibility in carrying out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, etc. Find one in which you feel comfortable. But find one and commit to becoming involved.

No church is perfect, because people are not perfect. Accept this, and don't let this stand in the way of being where God wants you to be. And remember, being part of a church is not only about you and what you can get out of it. It's also about others, and what you can do for them as you serve others in and through the church.

Pray and ask God for wisdom if you are having difficulty finding the right church (James 1:5-8).

I John (John's first letter, not his gospel) talks about signs of faith. One is that a true believer loves other Christians and wants to be with them (I John 3:13-16, 4:19-20). It is natural for us to want to be with God's people. (See also Acts 2:42-47.) If you love someone, you will also accept the people that they love. So it is with God. If we truly love God, we will love God's people.

You asked about hypocritical public prayer. The passage you are thinking of is Matthew 6:5-8. The point Jesus is trying to make here is that our praying should not be done to impress men. Rather, it should be focused on God, the primary recipient of that prayer. This is not to say, however, that public prayer is wrong (James 5:14). He's simply saying that prayer, whether public or private, should be focused on God, and should not be used in a proud or hypocritical way to make ourselves look falsely spiritual.

You also referred to the passage that talks about two or more gathering together. This is Matthew 18:18-20. This verse has often been misinterpreted to say that God is present in a special way when two or more Christians gather together. This is not what it's saying. The Bible teaches that God is omnipresent. He is everywhere at once. God is present when ONE person is there. We can enjoy a personal relationship with our Creator God with no one else around, and He will focus 100% of His attention on us, as if we were the only one on the planet.

The Matthew 18 passage deals with two or more people coming together to make an agreement. The terms, "binding" and "loosing" have to do with contractual obligations, such as are common in business dealings. What it's saying is this. In that day and culture, business dealings were conducted informally, and the parties called God to witness and confirm their agreement. The reminder was that, when two or three would come together in a business dealing and establish an agreement or "contract" between them, God was there as a witness to the event and would hold each party to his end of the deal. In addition to any other consequences enacted by society, God was present, and would act as the ultimate judge. This passage has nothing to do with church or worship.

I'm curious as to why you are asking these questions. Are you having trouble finding a good church? Are you in a church that has issues? I will be happy to help you further, if I can, in finding and settling into a good church.

Scott