Does a Christian have to attend a church, or is it possible to "go it alone" as an independent Christian?
Answer:
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 Bible, however, says plainly that it does matter. Some individuals are genuinely unable to attend services, but to those who are able, the Bible 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).
As the end of this age draws closer, Satan will be going after God's people with more and more intensity (Revelation 12:12). 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 27:17 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 10:24 command us to take part in them.
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