Articles
The Bible and Church Attendance
Most church leaders teach the importance of local church attendance. But, is this something we teach because it is a tradition of man or is it the teaching of God’s Word? Is it something we insist upon without Bible authority or does it come with the backing of Scripture? Consider the instruction of Scripture…
Jesus had a “custom” of attending religious special events and synagogue worship. In Luke 2, the family of Jesus takes twelve-year-old Jesus to the Passover Feast. Verse 41 says “His parents went to Jerusalem every year” and verse 42 adds, “...they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.” Clearly, it was the habit of the family of Jesus to attend the Feast of the Passover. Two chapters later, as the ministry of Jesus begins at age 30, Luke 4:16 says, “So He came to Nazareth...And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day…” The Sabbath came every week. Jesus made assembly and participation in the Sabbath assembly a priority. Just as He took the Sabbath seriously, so we ought to make our Lord’s Day assembly a matter of habit (Revelation 1:10).
The early church also made it a habit to consistently assemble together. After the first 3,000 converts were baptized, Acts 2:42 says, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…” Verse 46 tells us where this large group assembled and how often, “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple…” This text helps us understand why the regular assembly of the saints was important. These newborn saints needed continual instruction which led to continual growth (see Acts 2:47). This came from their common assembly together. Just as a physical body needs regular feeding, so the spiritual body of Christ needs a steady diet of spiritual food for growth. Yet, they also wanted to be together “praising God” (Acts 2:47).
This assembly was not to be a neglected priority of the saints. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (NKJV). The purpose of assembly was not just to get one’s name checked off an attendance sheet, but for mutual encouragement. The author of Hebrews is writing to a people who were slipping. They were in danger of apostasy. One of the first signs of a backsliding saint is when the assembly is neglected. Once we allow some other priority to become more important, once one excuse is made, it gets easier to repeat the process over time. Once turns into twice turns into three times turns into complete absenteeism. Be careful not to “forsake” your Lord and the brethren for lesser priorities. That first compromise is often an indication of a spirit of conformity and a weakening love (Romans 12:1-2).
If God is a priority, the assembly of His people should be a priority to us. Jesus calls His disciples to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). The “great commandment” Jesus cites is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:36-38). To be with God’s people ought to be preferred above being with any other group of people. Romans 12:10 says, “give preference to one another.” King Jesus demands no less than first priority of His citizens. He is a greater King than your boss, your professor, your coach, your director, and anyone else who demands your loyalty. Just as there is no greater King than King Jesus, there is no greater family than God’s family. We show we “prefer” them above others when we make assembling with them a matter of principle.
However, we also should be comforted in knowing God understands there are exceptions to the law of assembly. Jesus once asked, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep?” (Matthew 12:11-12). There are occasions when one is providentially hindered from assembling. Yes, one should attend. Yet, a mother and father should also care for their sick child. A sick spouse may need the help of their spouse. A doctor or nurse may be called in to treat the suffering during assembly times. What shall we do when there is a conflict between one command over another? Jesus illustrates this complex decision in Matthew 12:11-12. He quotes a principle from Hosea as well stating, “I desire mercy rather than sacrifice” (Matthew 12:7). Applying this principle can be difficult. So, it is important we be merciful in our judgments and careful in our discernment as we consider such situations. Ask yourself before you absent yourself: did I miss the assembly because this was a humanity issue or was it a priority issue?
How important is the assembly to you? Often, your actions speak louder than your words.
