Topical Bible: Church: Worship of, to be Attended

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The concept of attending church for worship is deeply rooted in the biblical tradition and is considered a vital aspect of Christian life. The church, as the body of Christ, serves as a gathering place for believers to come together in worship, fellowship, and the study of God's Word. The New Testament provides numerous references and instructions regarding the importance of communal worship and the role of the church in the life of a believer.

Biblical Foundation

The early church set a precedent for regular gatherings for worship and teaching. Acts 2:42 states, "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This verse highlights the commitment of the early Christians to communal worship and the importance of teaching, fellowship, and prayer as central components of church gatherings.

Hebrews 10:24-25 further emphasizes the necessity of attending church: "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This passage underscores the importance of regular assembly for mutual encouragement and spiritual growth, especially in anticipation of Christ's return.

Purpose of Worship

Worship in the church setting serves multiple purposes. It is an opportunity for believers to express their adoration and reverence for God, as seen in Psalm 95:6 : "Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker." Worship is also a time for believers to be edified through the teaching of Scripture, as Paul instructs Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:13 : "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching."

Additionally, worship in the church is a communal experience that fosters unity among believers. Ephesians 5:19-20 encourages believers to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." This passage highlights the role of music and thanksgiving in corporate worship, promoting a spirit of unity and gratitude.

The Role of the Church

The church is not merely a building but a community of believers who gather to worship God and support one another in their spiritual journeys. The Apostle Paul describes the church as the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12:27 : "Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it." This metaphor illustrates the interconnectedness of believers and the importance of each member's participation in the life of the church.

The church also serves as a place for the administration of the sacraments, such as baptism and the Lord's Supper, which are essential elements of Christian worship. In Matthew 28:19 , Jesus commands His disciples, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The practice of the Lord's Supper is instituted by Christ in Luke 22:19 : "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'"

Encouragement for Attendance

Regular attendance at church is encouraged as a means of spiritual nourishment and growth. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often commends the churches for their faithfulness and encourages them to continue steadfastly in their worship and service. In Colossians 3:16 , he writes, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

The practice of attending church for worship is not only a biblical mandate but also a source of strength and encouragement for believers. It provides an opportunity for communal worship, spiritual growth, and the building up of the body of Christ, as believers gather to glorify God and support one another in their faith journey.

Nave's Topical Index

Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

On Attending the Church Service
... occasion of observing what the dealings of God in his Church have been ... if they did
not wholly refrain from the public worship, yet they attended it with pain ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 104 on attending the.htm

A Diet of Public Worship in the Time of Knox.
... celebrated the parties presented themselves in Church before the ... to regulation, until
the close of the public worship. ... by the father, who was attended by one ...
//christianbookshelf.org/johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter iv a diet of.htm

Letter viii. Public and Social Worship, and Sabbath Employments.
... If he denies any of these, his church becomes the synagogue of Satan, and ... He attended
habitually upon the regularly constituted public worship of the ...
/.../letter viii public and social.htm

The Church under the Roman Empire
... refinement were employed to render the Worship of Almighty ... officially {70} acknowledged
by the Church of England ... at Nicaea in Bithynia, and was attended by 318 ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter vi the church under.htm

Rev. Mr. Hart's Address.
... maintaining unity of faith, doctrine, discipline, and worship with the Church from
which ... Bishop Seabury's successor present at that time, attended by some ...
/.../the sermons and addresses at the seabury centenary/rev mr harts address.htm

History of the Mt. Byrd Church. When Established. Where. Charter ...
... In 1867 they built a new house of worship, about a ... in the fifteen years I preached
for that church, not a ... it was that a large number of old people attended. ...
/.../chapter xiii history of the.htm

False Brethren and False Principles in the Church: Spirit and ...
... of your skill." [320:3] By denouncing image-worship the early ... a heathen was cut off
from Church privileges ... if a religious ceremony is to be attended, never does ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii false brethren and.htm

The Church in Theology and Literature.
... the subject of the conduct of worship will become ... a subject of study in the American
church in all ... the discussions thereon arising will be attended with strong ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xxi the church in.htm

The Catholic Apostolic Church (Called Irvingites. )
... on their return, held prayer-meetings in private houses, attended by devout ... the Jewish
tabernacle as a type of the worship of the Christian Church in the ...
/.../ 113 the catholic apostolic.htm

Sells Out at Alexandria. Moves to Crittenden. Preaches There and ...
... On account of not having discipline attended to as strictly ... a few years they built
a house of worship. The church has generally been in a prosperous condition. ...
/.../chapter xii sells out at.htm