Why Christians should go to Church no. 1 - As a reflection of the Gospel

Christians who refuse to fellowship with other believers are acting in denial of the gospel.

The body of Christ reflects in a physical way what the Gospel has done in a spiritual way: it has brought us together under Christ. We were separated, but now we are joined in him. To remove yourself from the body in a physical way and say you only want to remain in it in a spiritual way is a non sequitur.

I believe the Bible indicates this big ‘C’ Church (ie the worldwide body of believers) expresses itself in local congregations. The Church, if you like, manifests itself through the many local congregations (ie small ‘c’ churches).

If you are a Christian, you are in the Church whether you like it or not; God has put you there. You are in the body.

However, we would be wise to listen to the words of former Sydney Anglican Archbishop Donald Robinson on the matter:

The truth of this is easier to grasp if we constantly bear in mind that church (ekklesia) in the biblical sense connotes meeting or assembly rather than society, institution or organisation in our modern sense. Thus, it is that which actually meets which is the "one body". He who does not meet "in the church" is not a member of that church at all.¹

To read that makes the mouth a little dry. Robinson was on to something which was in its infancy in the 1960's but which is flourishing now: the concept of Christianity manifesting itself completely and utterly outside the Christian congregation.

Not since Jesus walked the earth has every believer in the world been in the same room at the same time, so of course I am not suggesting we are not a real church if there are Christians missing from our meeting. Quite the opposite.

I think the Bible teaches that wherever Christians gather, they are the Church. ie they are a localized manifestation of the global Church in one particular area.

In addition, we do need to recognize the validity of the ‘household’ churches described in the New Testament. Whatever they were, they were Christians with the desire to meet together.

This gathering of God’s children is taught throughout the Bible and especially the New Testament as we look toward the end of the age when the Lord will gather them finally and completely to be with him.

And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24:31)

Therefore we are to anticipate this great gathering by meeting together now. It will be an eternal reality, so we should start acting that way in the present. After all, eternity starts now.It is the physical act of doing now, no matter how feeble and faulty, what God has in store for us for all eternity.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-26)

It is for our benefit that we meet together. The days are difficult and we need encouragement, so we meet together, unlike some who have formed the habit of remaining isolated from the body.

And this should become more important as we near the great day of the gathering.
 

References

1. Robinson, D.W.B, 1965,  The Church of God - Its form and its unity, Jordan Books, p.11. (Ephasis in original)