Many people today imply that you are not truly following Christ unless you regularly attend a certain church building. But when we look at the Bible itself, we find a very different picture. Salvation and faithful Christian living are based on the Word of God, not on human traditions about buildings and institutions.
Salvation Is by Faith in Christ, Not Church Attendance
The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Romans 10:13 declares, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” There is no verse that ties salvation to being inside a specific building.
In the early church, believers met in homes (Romans 16:5, Acts 2:46), in public places (Acts 5:12), and sometimes in rented halls (Acts 19:9). The church was never defined by a building, but by the people who belong to Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). Hebrews 10:24-25 commands us not to forsake assembling together, but it speaks of gathering for mutual encouragement and growth, not of attending a particular location to be saved.
What Was the Purpose of Assembling Together?
The Bible shows that the purpose of assembling was for teaching sound doctrine, prayer, fellowship, and worship — not for social events. Acts 2:42 says, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” The gatherings focused on equipping believers for godly living and spreading the gospel, as seen in Ephesians 4:11-12, where Christ gave pastors and teachers “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
There is no biblical support for the idea that assembling together was mainly about entertainment, recreation, or worldly activities. It was about building up believers in truth so they could live for Christ and reach others with the gospel.
How Is the World Supposed to Hear About Jesus?
Jesus commanded, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). The pattern shown in Scripture is believers actively going out to where the people are, not just staying inside one building talking to the same group every week. Jesus Himself preached in open public spaces, synagogues, hillsides, and marketplaces (Luke 4:15, Luke 5:3). The apostles preached in public areas, marketplaces, and other gatherings where unbelievers could hear (Acts 17:17, Acts 19:9-10).
The church was never meant to hide inside four walls. Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14). Christians are called to shine the light of the gospel outward, not to remain tucked away inside a building week after week with no outreach.
Gathering in a public place, where unbelievers can hear the Word of God, is fully consistent with the biblical example. The focus must always be on proclaiming Christ to the lost, not on maintaining traditions that have no foundation in Scripture.
What About Preachers on Platforms and Asking for Money?
The Bible commands preaching, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2), but it does not specify that it must happen on a raised platform with passive listeners. The early church often met in homes with teaching that involved interaction (Acts 20:7, Acts 17:2).
As for asking for money, the Bible teaches that giving should be voluntary and cheerful (2 Corinthians 9:7), focused on meeting the needs of the saints and the spread of the gospel, not on building elaborate structures. Paul set an example by working with his own hands so he would not be a burden to others (Acts 20:33-35). The Scripture warns against those who make merchandise of God’s people (2 Peter 2:1-3). Constantly begging for money, especially for building projects, is not the model given in God’s Word.
Conclusion: Follow the Bible, Not Man-Made Traditions
Nowhere does the Bible teach that you must attend a particular building or religious institution to be a Christian. True salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ, and true fellowship among believers is centered on the Word of God, prayer, holiness, and the gospel.
Believers are called to assemble for the purpose of growing in Christ and reaching the lost, not for worldly entertainment or empty traditions. If a “church” gathering does not match the examples and commands of Scripture, then it needs to be corrected or left behind.
God’s people must always remember: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
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