Acts 2.36-47
Some believe attending church is unnecessary, thinking they can be a follower of Jesus Christ on their own, worshipping God anywhere and growing in faith through their personal reading of the Scriptures. In some regards, those who make these statements are absolutely right. Church is not essential to salvation; believing in Christ is (Acts 16.31). Worship should take place wherever we are, for our lives should be in continual worship of God; we should always be able to grow through personal and careful study of and obedience to the Scriptures. However, the Lord gave us the privilege of church, uniting believers together, for very specific purposes.
Following Pentecost, the pattern is clearly established in the early church as believers devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2.42). They came together, and were devoted to, intent on being together; they were fully committed to each other as a body of believers to worship the Lord. Specifically, they came together to learn the Scriptures, to grow in their understanding of the Lord and His design for their lives; they united in fellowship, in sharing with each other their heart concerns, their possessions in helping one another, and enjoying their new relationship as the redeemed children of God; they came together to remember Christ and His redemptive work, as they shared at the communion table; they came together to pray, to unite their hearts together before the Throne of God’s Grace. They did not isolate themselves from each other but rather grew in faith, encouragement, and strength with each other. The local church is God’s design; He loves His church, and it must not be neglected, ignored, or scorned now. Believers, may we meet together, not with judgment but with joy, with the expectation of God working and in through us, and in and through His Church, for His glory.
Being part of His Church – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry
My Morning Desk 