Creator, Father, King #256

Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

AFTER THE SPIRIT-FILLED miracle of Pentecost, the apostle Peter preached a powerful sermon in Jerusalem, resulting in about three thousand people coming to faith in Christ and the start of the early church. Ever since then, Christians have been gathering weekly to worship God.

But why? Is attending church just a social gathering for believers, or does Scripture command it?

Today’s verse answers that question!

What’s It Mean?

God’s design is for his people to regularly gather together for corporate worship and encouraging fellowship as we anticipate the return of Christ. The early church provided the model for us in Acts 2, as new believers frequently “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship” (verse 42).

Here are seven other reasons why it’s important for Christians to gather consistently at a gospel-centered church:

1. To grow in God’s Word. We need to regularly hear the preaching of Scripture (2 Timothy 4:2-4) to mature spiritually.
2. To praise God together. The Bible calls us to exalt the Lord in community (Psalm 149:1).
3. To uphold gospel truth. The church is “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), protecting the gospel from heresy. Aligning with a gospel-centered church is to join in this important battle.
4. To build up the body of believers. Christians should use their God-given spiritual gifts to edify the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12).
5. To practice the sacraments. Corporate worship is where Christians can best obey Jesus’ commands to baptize new believers (Matthew 28:19) and observe the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) until he returns.
6. To fulfill the great commission. The local gathered body of believers is the primary vehicle through which we fulfill Jesus’ great commission (Matthew 28:19-20) to “make disciples of all the nations,” equipping and sending people to reach the lost both locally and abroad.
7. To help the needy. A local church body can pool its resources powerfully to minister to those who are struggling in the community (Acts 2:45).

Don’t neglect meeting together at a local gospel-centered church! This is God’s design for every Christian who wants to grow in their walk with Christ.

Now What?

If you aren’t part of a strong, gospel-centered church, join one! If you are, find ways to deepen your involvement.

Did You Know?

The early Christians of Acts 2:42 “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching” because there were no New Testament Gospels or Epistles written yet. Until that happened, early believers learned about Jesus through the disciples’ oral, eyewitness accounts.