Many feel that church attendance is an optional thing that people can do or neglect to do at will. Many people think that church attendance is unessential. Others feel that church attendance is essential during the Covid-19 pandemic and is prudent and acceptable. They nobly want to protect others. But are they genuinely protecting anyone? Could they even be causing harm to people? In the next few paragraphs, I’ll explore the need for live, in person, church services. I’ll also discuss the harm that can manifest without live, in person, church services.
Church Attendance is Essential
Acts 2:41-42
“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.”
This fellowship was the result of Pentecost. The people from many lands gathered together to hear the Apostles, and each heard the Gospel in their own language. Then three thousand people believed and accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, and they steadfastly followed the doctrine of God taught by the Apostles. They gathered in fellowship, had meals with each other, and gathered for prayer.
Hebrews 10:23-25
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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.”
People assume that Paul wrote this letter to the church in Israel because the author does not identify himself. So, Paul wrote that the followers of Christ should hold fast to their faith, encourage each other to love one another, and do good works. Then gently commanded them to gather together, especially when “the day” approaches. “The Day” is the second coming of Christ. This day occurs after the rapture of the church and the 7-year tribulation. We are currently seeing tremendous signs of the pending Ezekiel 38-39 war that will happen before or start soon after the tribulation begins. So, since the signs are manifesting, we should assemble together that much more! We need to get as many people saved as possible!
Church Attendance is Essential for Bringing People to Christ
At Pentecost, three thousand were saved. Today, on any given Sunday, hundreds or even thousands of people were getting saved globally. Then this pandemic shut the churches down temporarily. Or so the “powers that be” stated. But now, in many Democratic-controlled states, church assembly has become illegal. But even in Republican states, many churches are fearful of opening their doors. This fear of assembling is clearly not Biblical, kind, or helpful. Allow me to share with you why, but first, take a look at our US Constitution 1st Amendment.
First Amendment
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Church Attendance is Essential for Prevention of Harm
CDC Report Finds that 1 in 4 Young Adults Considered Suicide Due to Coronavirus Pandemic. Amid Pandemic, More U.S. Adults Say They Considered Suicide. Suicide is a trend throughout our population. People are losing everything and becoming so desperate that they contemplate suicide. Suicide has been an increasing plague on society for decades but has now spiked to an unprecedented level. Churches provide a place where people can fellowship with other believers and find support. They need to dismiss their thoughts of suicide. Assembling for church doesn’t prevent all suicides but prevents many.
Church assembly also keeps people from causing harm to others. As people learn from scripture and fellowship with other believers, they tend to be better people. They more readily follow Biblical precepts. Now, can you learn to be good by studying the Bible without assembling with other believers? Yes. But can you develop the Biblical principals of learning to get along with your fellow born-again believers? No. You need to assemble to develop certain skills, attitudes, and relationships with your fellow believers. Without that assembly, you lose these fellowship skills.
Church Attendance is Essential
God, through the inspired writers of the Old and New Testament, speak of assembling. Assembling is a commandment, an act of worship, and a privilege provided by God. That sweet fellowship is imperative, necessary, precious, and required. Therefore, I agree with the pastors that are rebelling against governmental authority and assembling according to God’s will. We have the right to assemble, the responsibility to assemble, and the privilege to assemble. We should not forsake the assembly of ourselves together. Some will rebuke my statement with Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” And that is fine for small groups and families, but still doesn’t fulfill the Biblical mandate of Hebrews 10:25.
Others will argue that assembling is potentially dangerous to the people assembled. Well, that’s just a lie straight out of Hell. Covid-19 kills only about .03% of those it infects. The survival rate is almost 100%. Very few die from this disease. It is contagious, so those that are particularly susceptible to respiratory diseases should stay at home. But all healthy people who have no symptoms should attend, in person, church services. So, we must be about our Father’s business, and we cannot bring people in and get them saved and trained as disciples without the fellowship of assembly. We have the right to assemble, the responsibility to assemble, and the privilege to assemble. We should not forsake the assembly of ourselves together.