Why the Church Gathers

Do I have to go to church, or do I get to?

The New Testament never fields the question of minimum attendance. Hebrews roots the gathering in what Jesus already finished, so the invitation reads less like a rule and more like a door standing open. The writer is talking to people who had every reason to stay home.

Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, and having a great priest over God’s house, let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our body washed with pure water, let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful. Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:19–25

They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together, and had all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42–47

I was glad when they said to me, “Let’s go to Yahweh’s house!”

Psalms 122:1

Who am I actually abandoning when I skip church?

The preacher's picture is a baby left in a cardboard box on a doorstep. Hebrews uses the word for forsaking, and it is aimed at people, not a building or a service. Anthony and Zoe in New Jersey make the image concrete.

Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24–25

For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now they are many members, but one body. The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant modesty, while our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

1 Corinthians 12:12–26

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone? If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

How do I spur someone else on instead of just getting fed myself?

The Greek behind the verse is the word for a rodeo spur, and the picture is a small girl driving a big horse toward the finish. It means deliberately thinking about how to make someone else run harder after Jesus. That turns church from a plate to a table.

Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,…

Hebrews 10:24

Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.

Proverbs 27:17

…doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

Philippians 2:3–4

Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

What does it mean that we come into God's presence together and not alone?

Hebrews says we have boldness to enter, and the pronoun is we every time. Under the old covenant, women, men, priests and the high priest stood at different distances. The torn curtain flattened that, and the writer says the access belongs to the gathered people, not to a private devotee.

Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, and having a great priest over God’s house, let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our body washed with pure water,…

Hebrews 10:19–22

Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.

Matthew 27:51

For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in his flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility through it. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 2:14–18

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9