Attending
Church
Ekkehardt Mueller
Director asociado del Biblical Research Institute
Today, more and more people are just
concerned about their own wellbeing without caring much about society, family, or
other groups of people. This may also influence Christians and their relation
to the church. On the other hand, people like to meet in clubs, pubs, at
sporting events, etc. because humans are sociable beings. But is it necessary
to attend church?
I. Jesus and His Church
Luke 4:18
|
At the time of Jesus, Jews met
every Sabbath in the synagogue for worship (Acts 15:21). It was Jesus’ custom
to go to “church” regularly on Sabbath.
|
Matt 16:18
|
Jesus established the church. The
church is a group of believers that follows Jesus, believes what Jesus
believed, and does things together.
|
John 10:16
|
Christians are also called His
“flock.” This term implies that Jesus’ disciples are not only isolated
believers but form a group that meets, listens to God’s Word, prays,
proclaims the gospel, etc. Without meeting, sharing a common message, and
being involved in a common task, there is no “flock” or church.
|
Matt 18:20
|
Sometimes the local congregations
may be small, but where two or three are assembled in the name of Jesus, He
has promised to be with them.
|
Jesus emphasized the ordinance of
footwashing (John 13:14–15), instituted the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19, 20), and
gave the Great Commission (Matt 28:18–20). All of this requires a church and
believers that meet regularly—particularly on Sabbaths—to worship God and serve
humanity.
II. The Practice of
the Early Church
Acts 1:15
|
After Jesus’ ascension to heaven,
the believers met in Jerusalem.
|
Acts 2:1
|
While together, they experienced
the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
|
Acts 2:41; 5:14
|
Those who accepted the gospel were
baptized and added to the church. Baptism involves living with the community
and family of Christ—His church.
|
Acts 2:42, 46
|
They enjoyed regular fellowship.
|
Acts 12:5
|
While Peter was imprisoned, the
church was praying for him and a miracle occurred.
|
III. Paul and the
Church
Acts 13:14, 42
|
Paul went to the synagogue on
Sabbath.
|
Acts 16:13
|
On Sabbath, Paul and his
companions were looking for an outdoor gathering place for communal prayer.
|
Acts 17:2
|
It was Paul’s custom to attend worship
services on Sabbath.
|
Acts 18:4
|
This was also an opportunity to
discuss and teach Christian beliefs.
|
Heb 10:25
|
This text contains a clear
admonition to meet together. Christians cannot be people who live in
isolation, unless they find themselves in a place with no other believers. To
meet is necessary in order to encourage, comfort, and strengthen each other;
learn from each other; be more and more grounded in the Lord and His message;
and be prepared to do what He calls His disciples to do.
|
IV.
Christians Meeting over the Centuries
Church history reveals that over the
centuries Christians maintained that they needed to meet on a regular basis.
Even when persecuted, Christians did not give up assembling for worship and
other purposes. They may have fled to other places (Acts 8:1, 4). The Waldenses
moved to remote places in the Alps; others went underground. Christians, Adventists
among them, met regularly.
It was very well understood that it
is not optional to form a fellowship of believers in order to meet as a church.
V.
Adventists and Their Meetings
Adventists meet on the biblical
Sabbath to study and worship. They believe it is necessary to have a Bible study
session in which believers and guests can learn, share their experiences, ask
questions, make meaningful comments, and prepare for their ministry. Jesus
opened the Scriptures on Sabbath morning and shared. Paul taught and discussed
the gospel with people on the Sabbath.
In addition, the Adventist Church
devotes time to hearing God’s message preached in a sermon, singing and praying
to the Lord, thanking Him for His guidance, and bringing tithes and offerings.
However, the life of the church is
not totally expressed by meetings on Sabbath. There are other meetings and
activities on other days of the week. Some churches have official prayer
meetings, meetings for pathfinders and youth, meetings for women and men,
social meetings, etc. In addition, larger churches may have small groups that
meet for Bible study and prayer during the week and for various other purposes.
To join them can be very beneficial.
Conclusion
A Christian in deliberate isolation
is an oxymoron. Believers in Jesus Christ form His church. They refrain from
thinking just about themselves. They form a larger community—a fellowship and
family that lives for the common good, shares the wonderful gospel entrusted to
it, and reaches out to those having all kinds of needs.
Publicado en abril, 2014
Fuente: https://adventistbiblicalresearch.org/sites/default/files/pdf/attending_church.pdf
0 comentarios:
Publicar un comentario