Christians Go to Church!
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus approaches Simon Peter and Andrew his brother, “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
In our day when there seems to be such easy believism, it is necessary that one qualifies what it means to be a Follower of Jesus Christ. If someone says they are a Christian that is certainly a step in the right direction. To be a saved child of God a person begins by confessing Christ. Paul gives simple instruction for becoming a Christian in the book of Romans.
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. (Romans 10:9)
Believing in your heart and confessing Jesus is Lord with your mouth is the beginning of our walk with Christ. At this point, God begins a good work in us in the new birth and He continues to help us in our Christian life. God has set things in place so that we may continue to grow in our new life in Him. The primary way that God has ordained for our spiritual development is the Word of God and the local church. The Church is the steward and promoter of Truth. The Bible, is the Truth. The Church is where we receive instruction and direction from the Bible. One might say, “All I really need is my Bible. I have no need for a church.” That is like saying, All I need are books. I do not need teachers, professors or school.” The Bible and church go hand in hand. The interaction between Philip and the Ethiopian describes it best. The Ethiopian eunuch was reading from the book of Isaiah when Philip came upon him. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:30-31) Philip went on to explain that Isaiah was speaking of Jesus. He shared the Gospel with the eunuch and baptized him. Even as the eunuch received help to become a christian, we need help and guidance in order to live a victorious christian life. Many fumble through life without much help or assistance. To ignore or refuse help is a recipe for failure in this life. Going through life having adequate and competent support is far better. Can one do christianity without church? I suppose so but being a part of and having the benefit of the church is the best way to walk in Christian victory. God’s ordained way, the scriptural way, is that we be part of a local gathering of Believers, ie the Church.
Paul said to Timothy describing the Church: “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)
Firstly, this means that God sanctions a place and time where Believers come together. To truly believe is to believe with your heart and mouth AND with your hands and feet. These are the genuine Followers of Christ. Church is where we learn to behave properly in the midst of other Believers. One cannot accomplish this sitting at home.
Secondly, The Church is the House of God. The local church is where God dwells with His children. There is nothing else like it in the world. The Church is a facility uniquely set apart and prepared for hosting the presence of God. It is where genuine Followers of Christ meet with God. It is where Followers of Christ gather to worship in His House.
Thirdly, the local Church is the Church of the Living God. Again, as Followers gather together, they gather in a place where the life of God is evident to those who gather there. The emphasis is on the Living God. God is alive and well in our midst. We gather together at Church to worship the Living God.
Fourthly, the Church is the pillar and ground of the Truth. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (John 14:6) Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) In a world filled with lies and untruths, we can gather corporately at the Church and celebrate the Truth. The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation for Truth in this world. Many identify themselves as being Christian, saved, born again, etc, But it is in the Church that we express to the world that we belong to Christ. By being a part of a local Church we show that we are genuine Followers of Christ. Many identify as Christian but few demonstrate that they are true Followers of Christ. When we are serious about being a disciple of Jesus we go to Church! Christians go to Church! That's what we do!
Pastor Gary Bailey
Light Ministries Church
Lewistown, PA
To contact: email Pastor Gary at gbmin@me.com