8 Reasons Why Church is Important [According to the Bible]

Should Christians go to Church?

Should Christians go to church?

I can say my opinion here, but my opinion doesn’t matter. And I’ll say, with love, that neither does yours.

Our opinions on this topic don’t matter, because according to the Bible, we didn’t make the church — God did.

And God is so good and gracious to speak to us, and tell us exactly what He thinks about this idea of church.

In this article, I’m going to cover 8 reasons why church is important, as well as what we should be doing when we go.

What does “church” mean exactly?

The word “church” itself is hardly used outside of religion. As I’ve studied the Bible, unique words only used in Christianity like “baptism” and “church” make it really difficult to even know what they mean.

The issue is — language evolves. You may already be aware, but there are a lot of words that are called “loan words”. Words that are borrowed from other languages. The most famous example of this being the French word “resume”, meaning “a summary”.

According to etymonline.com the word we now have as “church” had an interesting journey of evolution.

As you can see on their chart, it began in Greek as literally “the Lord’s house”, then was borrowed and changed into Proto-Germanic (whatever that is), then Old English, and finally Modern English.

Sometimes etymology can be exhausting, but the point is if you follow “church” to its root, we find “the Lord’s House”. Amazing!

What does the Bible say about church?

We looked at what the word itself means, but what does the Bible say about church?

It says we are the church. We are the body of Christ. If church means the “Lord’s house”, and the Bible teaches that He dwells within believers… then we are the Lord’s house!

If you belong to Jesus, then you and me, individually are a piece of the church. Together, when we assemble, we are the church. And all around the world, all believers are collectively the church.

We don’t always speak of it that way. Often when we say church, we mean the gathering together on a specific day of the week. As we saw above, words evolve. It just happens. When God speaks of the church, He means both.

So let’s dig into our list!

#1 Church should be a place that glorifies God

…to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:21

Paul wrote to the Ephesus church so that they would be unified in love.

They were doing all the right things mechanically, but Paul was encouraging them to be unified at their core so that God would be glorified.

The epistle to the Ephesians is a great letter to study if you want to know what it means to be a unified, loving church.

The first 3 chapters are good doctrine, and the second 3 chapters are how we should walk in this world.

#2 Church should be a place for prayer and healing

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

James 5:14

I love this verse. It is so direct, but it can be misunderstood, so let me take a moment to dive into this one

Leaders of a church should be servants first. Just as Jesus has called all of us to serve Him, He then turns us to serve others.

James in this chapter is pointing everything to God. Complainers, the cheerful, the suffering… We, too, should have that heart that we take everything to the Lord.

Thirdly, “anointing with oil” is often a religious phrase, with spiritual meaning. Being anointed with oil is often associated with the Holy Spirit coming upon us.

But here it’s different… It still implies the power of the Holy Spirit, but the words used are more medicinal.

James is saying take your sickness to the leaders — pray! Trust God! But also get the best medical treatment you can.

#3 Church should be a place of truth

…if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

1 Timothy 3:15

Paul sent letters to church leaders as well as to churches as a whole, so that the leaders would stay on track.

He is telling Timothy here in Chapter 3 what a leader in the church should be like. I love how he concludes these thoughts with “It’s important leaders act right, becacuse the church should be a strong foundation of the truth.”

We live in confusing times full of lying, manipulation, gossip, rumor… the quickest way to dispel these things is the truth.

It needs to be spoken, and it needs to be from the local church, in love and grace, and rooted in God’s word.

I think it was Adrian Rogers who spoke of speaking with grace and truth.

He made a habit of leading with truth when he was speaking to a crowd.

But leading with grace and love when speaking to a person.

The church, too, must be a pillar of truth, but must exercise wisdom, when to lead with grace, and when to lead with truth.

#4 Church should be a place for good works

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

James 2:15-16

In context, James is speaking more about faith than he is of works.

He is not saying that works are required for faith, but he is responding to some issues people were having.

Paul was speaking of saving faith during this time. That our faith in Jesus Christ alone saves us. We are cleansed and renewed in His blood, and are born again with Him in his rising — all through faith alone.

James is pointing out that faith should produce good works, and if it doesn’t, it’s an empty faith. It’s like telling a homeless person “Go in peace, be warmed and filled”, yet they have no food or clothes. It’s just some empty words.

If a church is full of people with saving faith, then they will be producing good works as a symptom of this.

#5 Church should be a place for encouragement

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:24-25

This verse is one of the most used verses for going to church. I love what the author says here, though:

“Don’t neglect meeting together,” he says, “but encourage one another.” The Greek word for encouragement (parakaleo) literally means to call someone to your side. This can be teaching, instructing, comforting, and many other things. It’s a word that says “You are alone, and I’m calling you to not be alone.”

“You are alone in your thinking, let me correct your thinking, so you come to know the truth.”

“You are alone in your despair, come to my side and be a part of me.”

“Come on, let’s go do something good in the world together.”

Jesus will one day return, so let’s be encouraged, and busy in the meantime!

When the Master returns, do you want Him to find you hiding in a corner? Or serving in a church.

#6 Church should be an example to the world

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

Believers should individually be the light of the world. Unbelievers living in darkness should look to our lives, see everything (because it is fully illuminated), and give glory to our Father in heaven.

How much more so, then, should us gathering together be the same?

One candle flame may only dimly light a room, but if you have 3, or 5, or more! How bright it will be!

#7 Church should feel like home

So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

Hebrews 13:12-14

We are not of this world. Our home is with God, and the Christian life is a dual life. A) We are here in the world, fulfilling the great commission, being ambassadors. B) We’re homesick.

If you were an ambassador of France living in America, you would constantly be reminded you weren’t home. Yet, let’s say, multiple times a week, you have a meet-up with other men and women from France. It’s like getting a taste of home through your fellow countrymen.

It’s the same with Christianity. We are living in a world that is not our home. Yet, when we gather with our fellow countrymen, we get a taste of home.

People who are comfortable staying at home, never assembling with other believers are diminishing their local church by being absent, but also diminishing their own joy of being around their fellow countrymen.

Or worse, aren’t homesick, and are very comfortable with this world. This latter one causes me to doubt if the Holy Spirit is working in their life.

#8 Church needs you!

As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

1 Corinthians 12:20

The final point of why going to church is important… is all of the reasons above, combined into this one:

If church is a place of encouragement, and truth, and good works, it’s a place that needs people to go!

And if you belong to Jesus, that means you and I.

We are parts of a whole. Paul speaks of this in 1 Corinthians 12 and 13.

We aren’t perfect, though, and we need one another. We only understand in part, the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13, and we are waiting for Jesus to return. Then we will understand fully.

There are Christians in the world today, who love God, but are isolating themselves. They are a part of the body, separate and alone, like Thing from the show The Addam’s Family. (A disembodied hand that lurks around)

Conclusion

So there you have it! In this article, I shared with you 8 reasons why going to church is important as a believer. There are so many more reasons throughout the Bible, but these are the ones I felt God laid upon my heart for you.

God is not a God of isolation. Though sometimes we may have to walk a path by ourselves, we are not alone. There are others out there just like you, who are born again, serving God, and we must find them.

Because we need them, and they need us. We make each other better, and we bring glory to God when we do.

This is only a small list of reasons why the church has value, and why we should be a part. Throughout this article, I’ve said “should”, because no church organization on this side of heaven is going to be perfect.

Churches all around the world need help, and need to grow, and that can only be done through the saving work of God.

But if you find an imperfect church that is serving God, truly loves God, and truly loves people… watch the Holy Spirit mold and shape that church, and you, into one body that is Christ’s.

A final note to those who have been hurt by churches: I am so sorry that happened. I’ve heard of leaders in the church exploiting people for money, and other scandals that see the light of day.

These are real issues. I pray you find healing in Jesus, but more importantly that you find a church that is doing right. It will be that place of light, and salt, and encouragement you need.

A church organization does not define what a church is, the Bible does. It needs more kind-hearted people to attend. People who love God, and love others.

A Life Changed

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, I encourage you to do so!

If you have any questions about salvation, I encourage you to contact me, or reach out to a local church.

I can’t vouch for every church, but I can vouch for God’s Holy Spirit, and I trust He will lead you closer to Jesus, the way you need it. If you don’t have a bible, your local church may be able to help you.

There is a prayer called the sinner’s prayer, that if you have not accepted Jesus people will walk you through, but it’s only words. The words itself do not save you. It’s a change of heart that saves.

So read over this prayer below, and pray it out loud to God, but if you don’t understand and mean it with all your heart, then it is in vain.

If you’ve accepted Jesus, please contact me! I’d love to hear your testimony, and see you in a local church!

Thank you

Ken

Salvation Prayer

God, I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sins. But, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection is your plan for my forgiveness, and I trust in Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior.

Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!