CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

          Often, when confronted with the Gospel, people will ask whether it is necessary to go to church. The question usually goes something like "will I go to hell if I don't go to church?" Nowhere in the Bible is there any indication that one's eternal destination is based on church attendance. Instead, salvation is based ONLY on whether one is Born Again - all sin is repented of and Jesus is made Lord (Master) of one's life. So what does it matter whether one attends church?

          The Bible explains that real Christians belong to the church, the body of Christ. " ..... Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.......For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones." Eph 5:23,30

          Since we are a part of Christ's body, one great way to get to know God better is to have real Christian fellowship. There is a difference between fellowship with Christians and Christian fellowship. You can have fellowship with Christians centering around work, play, or around the Lord. Christian fellowship centers around the Lord exclusively. Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt. 18:20

          God has given certain positions within the church in order to prepare us for our own ministry (service), and to keep us from being deceived by false teachers.... "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Eph 4:11-16

          "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest (Jesus) over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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." Heb 10:19-25

          Does it matter where or which day to meet?

          "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Acts 2:46,47

          "And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in your house:" Philemon 1:2

          "Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house." Col. 4:15

          "The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house." I Cor. 16:19

          "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus..... Likewise greet the church that is in their house......" Rom 16:3,5

          "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you." John 20:19

          "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." Col 2:16,17

          Christian fellowship can be properly had, therefore, either in a dedicated building or wherever two or more are gathered in HIS NAME.... Having the Christian fellowship is what's important!