Biblical "proof" for attending church

[February]

I have a Protestant friend (very lax Protestant friend; labels himself Agnostic at times) that doesn’t see the point in attending church services. I called him to make sure he was going to attend on Easter, and he said made up some sort of excuse as to why he couldn’t go.

Anyway, this prompted another religious discussion as to why it was even important to attend church. He said that what really matters is what you believe, not if you go to church. I asked him what the Commandments were (aiming the response at keeping the sabbath day holy), and he told me that the Commandments don’t even apply anymore; that was something the Jewish people did.

So, after I got over my shock, I told him they were absolutely important, and that they are referenced in the New Testament by Jesus Himself.

Can anyone help me as to what to tell him? I’m a little lost. Any other scriptural text about the importance of attending? I mean, he’s not Catholic, so the Real Presence isn’t really a factor in attending services every week.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

Hi,

Please look in Hebrews. There is a verse that talks about not forsaking assembly together but I cant find it. Im sorry, but I know it is in Hebrews.

 

[Gratias_Grace]

“Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:19).

“And he argued in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks” (Acts 18:4).

“So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another – if any one is hungry, let him eat at home – lest you come together to be condemned. About the other things I will give directions when I come” (1Cor 11:33-34). (Here is an example on how they meet as a Church for the Eucharistic Meal. It is also an example on Catholic Tradition: St. Paul will instruct them in important Christian topics).

 

[Della]

We also have references to the structure of the Church, which wouldn’t be needed if all we had to do is believe on our own without any formal worship:

Phil.1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philip’pi, with the bishops and deacons…

1Tim.3:1-2 The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach…

Tit.1:7a For a bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless…

 

[Nita]

Hi,

Please look in Hebrews. There is a verse that talks about not forsaking assembly together but I cant find it. Im sorry, but I know it is in Hebrews.

Think this is the passage you’re referring to:

Heb 10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

Think this is the passage you’re referring to:

Heb 10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hi,
That one is good too but there is one talking about not forsaking being together. I dont know maybe that is the verse just worded differently.

Thank you I should just call my minister and ask him where it is.

 

[February]

thanks…hopefully this will help him out a little. it’s not easy convincing a semi-agnostic to attend church…

 

[thistle]

I have a Protestant friend (very lax Protestant friend; labels himself Agnostic at times) that doesn’t see the point in attending church services. I called him to make sure he was going to attend on Easter, and he said made up some sort of excuse as to why he couldn’t go.

Anyway, this prompted another religious discussion as to why it was even important to attend church. He said that what really matters is what you believe, not if you go to church. I asked him what the Commandments were (aiming the response at keeping the sabbath day holy), and he told me that the Commandments don’t even apply anymore; that was something the Jewish people did.

So, after I got over my shock, I told him they were absolutely important, and that they are referenced in the New Testament by Jesus Himself.

Can anyone help me as to what to tell him? I’m a little lost. Any other scriptural text about the importance of attending? I mean, he’s not Catholic, so the Real Presence isn’t really a factor in attending services every week.

scripturecatholic.com/sunday_worship.html

 

[Soldier4Christ]

Colossians 3:12-17 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Timothy 3:15 But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.

 

[Holly3278]

(Douay Rheims) Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.

This verse basically tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. There is a reason that worshipping on Sunday or Saturday vigil is an obligation of Catholics.

2192 “Sunday . . . is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church” (CIC, can. 1246 § 1). “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass” (CIC, can. 1247).

 

[mmortal03]

Any other scriptural text about the importance of attending? I mean, he’s not Catholic, so the Real Presence isn’t really a factor in attending services every week.

Is he really agnostic or not? If he is agnostic, I don’t think general scriptural verses are going to convince him of anything. It is going to have to be some form of logic to do it. What really speaks to me in this situations, though, is that when people say that they don’t go to church because what really matters is what one believes, I think they have a bit of growing to do to really understand for themselves the bigger questions, and why they believe what they believe in the first place.

That argument is such the default, child-like thinking of an answer that we have heard so many times, that I don’t think it even actually means anything to most people who use it.

 

[February]

Is he really agnostic or not? If he is agnostic, I don’t think general scriptural verses are going to convince him of anything. It is going to have to be some form of logic to do it. What really speaks to me in this situations, though, is that when people say that they don’t go to church because what really matters is what one believes, I think they have a bit of growing to do to really understand for themselves the bigger questions, and why they believe what they believe in the first place.

That argument is such the default, child-like thinking of an answer that we have heard so many times, that I don’t think it even actually means anything to most people who use it.

He has said that past few years that he considers himself agnostic, but is trying to “figure things out”. However, I’m not convinced that he spends much time if any trying to do this; he is for the most part a good person, but is doing some things in his life right now that are not necessarily “moral”. I cannot argue to him that what he is doing is immoral if he doesn’t believe in God in the first place.

No, I don’t necessarily think Bible quotes will be all it takes to convince him, but they might help. Like I said, I’m kinda lost when it comes to him…

 

[lak611]

This verse might be helpful too. From the ESV: “1Co 11:20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.” Paul doesn’t say “if”, he says “when” which implies going to church.

 

[mmortal03]

He has said that past few years that he considers himself agnostic, but is trying to “figure things out”. However, I’m not convinced that he spends much time if any trying to do this;

To use myself as an example, I am personally interested in the answers to these questions, but not everyone is. You would need to somehow get him interested in philosophy.

I would think that he would truly need to be convinced that the Christian God exists to choose to live specifically by the Christian moral system.

he is for the most part a good person, but is doing some things in his life right now that are not necessarily “moral”. I cannot argue to him that what he is doing is immoral if he doesn’t believe in God in the first place.

Yes you can. People don’t have to be religious to be moral. There are moral arguments that are completely independent of religion. I would start there on whatever particular moral issue it is.

No, I don’t necessarily think Bible quotes will be all it takes to convince him, but they might help. Like I said, I’m kinda lost when it comes to him…

Some people do have a respect for the moral teachings of the Bible even if they don’t believe in the Christian God. The only thing is, usually it is only the things they themselves also believe that they respect in it. I guess if he still thinks the Bible has authority over him, then it would have some effect, but it is hard to tell.

 

[mmortal03]

That argument is such the default, child-like thinking of an answer that we have heard so many times, that I don’t think it even actually means anything to most people who use it.

And just to be clear, I don’t mean to be demeaning of him there at all (I am only 22 myself), I am just stating it in a way to give you an idea of where that argument, to me, lies in terms of maturity of understanding THIS particular issue. I used to hear that argument a lot when I was younger, and have come to realize that it just doesn’t do a good job of best articulating the reality of where the person stands, and instead is usually just said to end the debate or conversation.

Regardless of where his thought process or philosophy currently is, I can personally relate to the physical situation that he is in. I currently have a respect for the ends of many of Catholic morals and teachings, but am not convinced of the means. I haven’t been going to church, though I have a big interest in religion. How I describe my current religious views is “sincerely ambivalent (undecided).” If I decided that Christianity was the ultimate truth, I would be Catholic, no doubt, but I am not convinced that that is the case.

 

[jmjclarity]

I have a Protestant friend (very lax Protestant friend; labels himself Agnostic at times) that doesn’t see the point in attending church services. I called him to make sure he was going to attend on Easter, and he said made up some sort of excuse as to why he couldn’t go.

Anyway, this prompted another religious discussion as to why it was even important to attend church. He said that what really matters is what you believe, not if you go to church. I asked him what the Commandments were (aiming the response at keeping the sabbath day holy), and he told me that the Commandments don’t even apply anymore; that was something the Jewish people did.

So, after I got over my shock, I told him they were absolutely important, and that they are referenced in the New Testament by Jesus Himself.

Can anyone help me as to what to tell him? I’m a little lost. Any other scriptural text about the importance of attending? I mean, he’s not Catholic, so the Real Presence isn’t really a factor in attending services every week.

I believe the scriptural answer is weaved throughout scripture in the theme of Covenant with God. Covenant connotating both relationship and law. We are called to be in relationship with God. And we have been told by Jesus that no one gets to the Father but by Him. Your friend struggles with his own will vs. the Will of God. God gave us the Church through Jesus. Jesus is the Jewish Messiah. He did not come to change Judaism but to fulfill it. It’s simple, follow Him (Jesus) He gave us the Church and He gave us the Bible through his Church. As far as the statement goes regarding what we believe is what matters. Even Satan believes in God. Satan knows God exists. But he denounces God. We are called to do more than believe in God. We must be moved by knowledge of Him. We are called to participate with Him. That is what the Mass is, a prayer of participation with God, by God’s design not by our own. I think the reason people who are protestant or agnostic don’t have a sense of the sacred is because the Sacred is not found in the traditions of man, but in the Traditions of God. People object to what they think the Catholic Church teaches, not to what it actually does teach. And they let prejudice keep them from seeking the truth. I see all the anti-catholicism as a sign that I am in the right place. Remember they hated Jesus first. Another analogy I once heard about this was relating going to church with bathing with soap and water. “What matters is that you believe soap and water will get you clean, not that you bathe.” *** “I only take a bath on the holidays, Easter and Christmas.” ***“People who bathe think they are so clean.” *** Another way to look at it is in comparison to any other relationship. When we value someone and love someone, do we say “What matters is that I believe I am a good friend, it is not important to spend a bunch of time with my friend.” To be a christian is to be a friend of Christ. When we have a friendship and we love someone we invest ourselves in them. We care for them, spend time with them, listen to them, and tell them we love them. If we applied your friend’s view of church to a friendship, it would wither and die. Your friend would not know you or have affection for you. We are called to respond, participate, and be in Covenant with our Lord. (That does still include the commandments) Tell him to stop listening to the world and start listening to God. Tell him to find out for himself. I dare him to say a prayer to God to give him eyes to see and ears to hear, and wisdom for understanding, and then read the bible.

 

[Hellisreal]

Hi,
That one is good too but there is one talking about not forsaking being together. I dont know maybe that is the verse just worded differently.

Thank you I should just call my minister and ask him where it is.

The irony of this post is amazing.

 

[stephanut]

I have a Protestant friend (very lax Protestant friend; labels himself Agnostic at times) that doesn’t see the point in attending church services. I called him to make sure he was going to attend on Easter, and he said made up some sort of excuse as to why he couldn’t go.

Anyway, this prompted another religious discussion as to why it was even important to attend church. He said that what really matters is what you believe, not if you go to church. I asked him what the Commandments were (aiming the response at keeping the sabbath day holy), and he told me that the Commandments don’t even apply anymore; that was something the Jewish people did.

man, this protestant is giving protestants a really bad name. (kidding!) even if the commandments don’t apply, what does he have to say about being a religious follower who doesn’t go to a place of worship? the hindus, buddhists, muslims all go regularly to their temples, so i don’t see why he shouldn’t.

besides, the more important thing would be that we go to church to worship God. if you believe, you have faith. if you have faith, you will be grateful to Him for all the blessings and mercies He has shown you. and if you’re grateful, you’ll naturally want to worship Him. and that is the reason why he should go to church.

 

[stignatius]

Theres a couple I can think of off the top of my head that I don’t think were mentioned before. Acts 2:42 talks about the early apostolic church having communion/fellowship, and Matthew 18:20 says:

20 For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

 

[Hellisreal]

I am biting my tongue here.

Forget verses right now and maybe the lightbulb will go off.

Think about the ministry of the apostles, what they did and how they did it.

Think about the sacraments and how you cant do them all at home yourself.



I will leave it there for now and check back sometime later.

Bible in full beats verse searching.

You can find the verses after you visualize the situation.