A question that’s being asked by more and more people is “Why church?” What benefit is there in church involvement?
The only reasonable answer to this question is that the church’s message is true. Jesus really is the Christ, the Son of God and savior of the world.
If this is true then what he said is true. He is present whenever two or more people gather in his name (Matt. 18:20).
Later the apostles would understand why. They would see that the gathered body of believers is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16-17) and as such is the body of Christ on earth (1 Cor. 12:27).
They saw that God has chosen to work with a group. They knew that God calls us as individuals, but the call is to come to him, and he is found in a group.
Think about when Jesus walked the earth. He called individuals to follow him but when they followed him they became part of a group. They could have Jesus in their lives only if they had him in the group. That’s how he chose to work. The same is true today.
In the midst of severe persecution early Christians were tempted to quit getting together. It was safer that way. In spite of the danger the biblical book of Hebrews tells them “do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together, as is the habit of some” (Heb. 10:25). Not even persecution should keep us from church.
It is said that the early Christians were “devoted … to the fellowship” and that they gathered every day (Acts 2:42, 46)! They knew the importance of church fellowship. Do you?
You will never be the Christian you’re meant to be apart from the church.
No church is perfect and there are bad churches, but that shouldn’t keep us from finding a body of believers with which to share our lives.
Perhaps God is calling you to Salem. We’d love to have you join us! If not, he is calling you somewhere. Are you heeding his call?