Some doubt whether attending church services is really necessary in a Christian's life. They can keep the Sabbath holy from home; why bother driving all the way to church every week if it doesn't really matter?
The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ., however, says plainly that it does matter. Some individuals are genuinely unable to attend services, but to those who are able, the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says, "Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together , as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25 [24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
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As the end of this age draws closer, Satan will be going after God's people with more and more intensity (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 12:12Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
See All...). The simple fact of the matter is that we need each other—for exhortation, for getting stirred up and passionate about God's way of life. The iron-sharpening-iron effect talked about in Proverbs 27:17Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
See All... is simply impossible when we intentionally separate ourselves from our brethren. The benefits of weekly fellowship (support, encouragement, mutual growth, friendships and so on) are innumerable, and verses like Hebrews 10:24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
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