These Bible verses about going to church make it clear that the Lord has not called us to walk alone in faith.
Though our relationship with Christ is very much personal, individual spirituality is a nonexistent concept in the Bible. Remember that we are the church!
Each and every born again Christian is part of the church body. Going to church is not about the building, but the fellowship, lifting each other up, and helping fight our battles together on our knees in prayer.
Bible Verses about going to church KJV
The Bible makes it abundantly clear that we are all a part of the body of Christ. However, according to a recent study, only about 20% of Americans attend church weekly.
So what Bible verses are there about going to church? Lets look at what the Bible says about attending church and the significance of it in our walk with God.
Hebrews 10:25
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.
This Bible verse is one of the most direct ones when talking about going to church and the value of it. We are the church and we are directly told not to neglect getting together as some will do.
I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t want to be a part of the “some” that do exactly what God is saying not to do.
We are then told that we should actually be attending and assembling even more as we see the day of the Lord approaching.
Matthew 18:19-20
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Jesus is speaking here and emphasizing the power of gathering together in His name! He is saying “I will honor and reward the assembling together with my presence”.
It is a privilege to be in God’s presence, and any Christian who has been through a dry and silent season in their walk with God will tell you so!
Jesus also refers to the condition of the heart here when he gives the prerequisite saying “if two of you shall agree“. In order to tap into the mighty power of God, we absolutely must be kingdom minded.
We need to set aside our differences, and realize that God’s business is serious business. Coming together to worship, pray for one another, help carry each other’s burdens, lift each other up etc. At the center of it all must be Jesus and nothing else.
Acts 11:26
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
This is the first (and one and only) time in the entire King James Version of the Bible that the word “Christians” occurs (the singular form “christian” appears 2x).
And they were only called Christians after they had been assembled together with the church and taught. Notice the wording “assembled with the church”. Going to church is assembling with other believers.
Although you can arguably be a Christian without going to church, this verse alone shows us that there is no church without the believer.
And the standard set by the disciples is that a Christian is someone who follows Christ everywhere (and wherever). They looked for a personal relationship with God first. Then they found others walking with, seeking, and serving Christ. They stuck together praying for one another and serving alongside one another.
*Note that they did not call themselves Christians. Others called them Christians as a result of their behavior. The assembling together, praying, teaching, lifting each other up, and caring for one another is what earned them the title of “Christians”.
It was more of an insult, or name-calling as they got together to worship and teach God’s word.
Acts 2:41-44
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Pay attention to the sequence of events here. They received his word (slavation), they were baptized (a profession of faith), and they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship.
The verse then defines this as breaking of bread, and in prayers. As a result of obedience and coninuously seeking Christ (even seeking the Christ in others), the Lord blesses them with faith, and empowers the apostles to do signs and wonders!
“And all that believed were together, and had all things common”. Now this is just unheard of. God was blessing the condition of their hearts! They were not worried about who wore what to the assembly or who’s daughter was wayward, or who was tithing and who wasn’t!
God blessed the purity of their hearts to just seek Him. All of them together, were just wanting more of Jesus. The more Christ we seek, the more Christ-like we become. The more Christ-like we become, the more we have in common with others who are just seeking more of Jesus.
Acts 2:46-47
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, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Are you noticing a pattern yet?
- Continuing daily
- With one accord
- Breaking bread
- Praising God
We won’t ever get to one accord by saying “well I don’t go to church because people are hypocrites” or “because people gossip” or whatever the excuse may be. Going to church to check off a Sunday task is exactly what will lead us to see everyone’s flaws and want nothing to do with it.
You put God first in your life, you find Jesus, and don’t stop looking until you do find Him. After you are submitting to the Lord in your heart, He will guide you to others who also have their heart set on Him.
That is when things go from just ‘going to church’ to check off that sunday box, all the way to breaking bread, with one accord, and praising God with people that you can continue this journey with daily.
The Lord blesses the assembling together (going to church) when His people are kingdom minded (in one accord) with genuine Joy in your heart and adding to the church! The love of Christ, joy, and peace He gives is infectious!
Hurting people see it, and gravitate towards it! It is the greatest desire to love, be loved, and find genuine joy and peace. They want what you have not because of you, but because of the Jesus they see within you. They see the fruits!
Pin me for later!
Ephesians 4:11-12
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
When we got saved, we became part of the body of Christ, and we are equipped with gifts and talents “for the edifying of the body of Christ”.
Matthew 16:15-18
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 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.
This is the very first time in all of the Bible that the word “church” is mentioned. The very phrase next to it is “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”.
Based on the first mention of the word church, and the first mention of the word Christians in Acts, it is clear that when God’s people unite and assemble with the right heart and mind towards the things of God, He blesses it, grows it, fortifies it, and empowers it.
Most importantly, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. There is no telling how far God can take a group of Christians seeking nothing more than Christ himself. Do not focus on the fact that other’s aren’t kingdom minded. Just ask God to blind you to their faults and set your eyes on Him and His guiding hand.
Acts 20:7
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
By this point in the book of acts, the assembling of God’s people had already been a thing. They’ve already been called Christians.
With or without recognition, with or without certain people or members, they were coming together to break bread and preach! And they were already ready to continue on tomorrow! (and we complain about the 1-2 days a week for a couple of hours).
It was a personal burden between them and the Lord, not for who else showed up, what people would/wouldn’t say, or would/wouldn’t do. They are there for God and nothing and no one else.
Romans 12:4-5
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
God has equipped you in a unique way for the edifying of His church. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 goes into clear detail about the church body needing each and every member in order to function at its best.
Psalm 84:10
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
It was personal! No matter what the people were doing in His ‘courts’, a single day in the presence of God is better than a lifetime elsewhere.
It doesn’t matter if I am cleaning toilets, watching babies, teaching teenagers, or handing out flyers, I’d rather be with God! Every. Single. Time. Hands down.
And you simply won’t get the “I’d rather be with God attitude” until you learn to put God first in every aspect of your life! It won’t happen overnight.
The Bible says that if we draw closer to God, he will draw closer to you. He is meeting you halfway. He will see your efforts, guide you towards Him, and meet you where you are!
So today, I want to encourage you to first, pray for discernment. Then lay aside your past hurt, anxieties, fear of judgement, look beyond others and their flaws, and go searching for a church home!
Look for Jesus and don’t stop going until you find Him! When you find that, you’ll look around and see that you’re surrounded by other kingdom minded people. Here is where you will likely find your church home, your church family, and the best friends who will help carry you through the darkest seasons of your life.
That is what going to church is all about. Jesus himself, Jesus within you, and Jesus for others who don’t know Him yet.
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