IS NOT GOING TO CHURCH A SIN?

IS NOT GOING TO CHURCH A SIN?

Is it acceptable to God for a person to worship under a tree or for the able-bodied person to sit in a rocking chair in his or her own home? The simple answer can be found in Hebrews 10:25, which says:

"Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together as the manner of some is."

The New International Version says it in a more current language: 

"not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." 

This is not a suggestion. The building is not the church. The people are the church. And there were churches established after Jesus ascended into heaven. Paul wrote letters to most of them: the church at Corinth, the church at Ephesus, the church at Thessalonica, the church at Galatia, and the church at Phillipi. The church at Antioch is also mentioned many times in Acts. 

The book of Acts is about the acts of the Apostles who started the church, the church being the assembling of peoples together. For a while they had to meet in caves and homes and such because they were persecuted but when the persecution ended they could meet in more convenient places. 

How many people who don't attend church actually do worship on their own? How do they learn the truths of the Bible without hearing the preaching of the Word? What about others who are influenced by their appearance of not having a relationship with Christ, especially if they have children? What about baptism, tithing and taking Communion? What about meeting on the first day of the week? 

"On the first day of the week we came together to break bread." (Acts 20:7) 

Regarding tithing, I Corinthians 16:2 says:

"On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made."

Also regarding tithing, Malachi 3:8 says:

“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ 'In tithes and offerings.' "

The method of baptism is controversial but Acts 2:36-41 is pretty plain. It says:

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah."7 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."

Regarding not raising your children in the church, Malachi says in chapter 2, verse 15:

"Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth."

Consider the verses I've provided and decide for yourself if not attending church is a sin. Romans 12:4-5 says:

"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."

If one member is cut off, it affects all the other members. Every church member is important and is expected to be in church.

--Becky Wall