Scripture references to attending church regularly?

[jackinbox]

I have a Protestant friend who says there is nothing in the Bible requiring someone to attend a church on a regular basis. He was “saved” several years ago at an “altar call” and says that watching Joel Osteen every Sunday is equivalent to attending church. He’s pretty much a sola scriptura kind of guy and I thought that if there were some bible references that I could point to, it might change his point of view. At some point, I would like to try and convince him to attend a mass with me, but I think I’ll have to work on him gradually.

 

[LilyM]

‘Honour the Sabbath day and keep it holy’. How on earth do we keep Sundays UNIQUELY holy and honoured without Sunday church services? Sure, we rest from work - most of us do that on Saturdays too. We pray at home - we should do that every day.

Secondly - good old St Paul. '“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another ” Hebrews 10:25

So* every *meeting together in worship with like-minded Christians - which meetings especially occur on Sundays - is to be encouraged as much as possible and certainly not avoided except for reason of illness or other serious impediment.

 

[Todd_Easton]

Here are a few verses that come to mind:

23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; 24and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25not 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. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

18For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it, (1 Corinthians 11:18)

23If, therefore, the whole church assembles and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? (1 Corinthians 14:23)

One of the reasons Christians habitually assemble as a church is to encourage one another. Who is your friend encouraging by watching TV?

 

[jackinbox]

Those are all great references! Thank you for the help!

 

[Lurgid]

Loosely there is also:

Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Unfortunately, I guess that could also apply to those that are there live at Joel Olsteen’s gathering.

 

[SHW]

Loosely there is also:

Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Unfortunately, I guess that could also apply to those that are there live at Joel Olsteen’s gathering.

Hi,

Matthew 18:18-20 "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Actually, Jesus was speaking to His leader disciples alone (Matthew 18:1) when He said this. In other words, the Holy Spirit is promised to guide the Catholic Church’s leaders. He will be in their midst when they are gathered together for a Church council. He makes no such promise here in this specific Scripture verse to individual members of the Church who happen to gather together to study the Word. In the preceding Scripture (Vs. 18) He also gives them the power to “bind and loose” and we know that this is not for individual members but only for the Pope and Magisterium.

Pax,
SHW