Does anybody here know in what chapter and verse of the bible does it say the part of having to go to church?

I just find having to go to church uneccesary, I mean how does it make any difference whether you go to church or not? Its not like god tells the people there how to run it. They dont just get a phone call from god every week telling em what to do next.
That and how do you know the people running are really trustworthy? I mean they're just people like you and me, how does putting on a weird suit and being celibate make them any holier? I find that reading the bible and worshipping in private is enough. I don't see the point in having to deal with a buncha people who probably have largely different interpretations on the bible than me. So if anyone could just refer me to that part about the church, it would be awesome, thanks.

I guess if you want to call yourself a specific type of Christian, it would be good to hang out with people from that particular sect. Each specific Christian cult has it's own set of rules and values that it's followers need to adhere to, and their own set of rituals that need to be performed. And the best place to do all that is at their church.

But if you just want to read the bible, and decide for yourself what to do, knock your self out. You can call yourself a Christian, but thats about it.

Well, thats my interpretation, anyway.

It doesn't.

It says your body is a temple, and you don't need to go to church.

Worship is bowing down before the Almighty God.
Though we can do that anywhere, the Bible also teaches us that Christians are to meet together on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:2). We cannot do all God has given us to do unless we meet together (see Ephesians 5:19; I Corinthians 16:2). Neither, can we follow the example of the early Christians in the Bible (I Corinthians 11; I Corinthians 14). To watch a worship service on television is not the same. It is in no way a substitute for God-ordained corporate worship.

When we miss the scheduled corporate worship times, we are rejecting God-ordained leadership authority. Is God pleased with our coming just on Sunday mornings? Do we really HAVE to come on Sunday nights and Wednesday nights, or Gospel Meetings? The Bible doesn't specifically say we HAVE to come those times. But, He does ordain the leadership of elders (or men in the absence of elders until qualified elders are appointed) in the church, specifically elders ,who decide when we need to get together for worship. When we choose to disregard the authoritative decision that has been made concerning worship, we disregard the authority of God (I Peter 5:1-5; Romans 13:1).

Source (http://biblesays.faithsite.com/content.asp?CID=52283)


As you can see, it's not very clear as they make conflicting statements. I've also looked at a (Christian) forum where someone posted this same question and there were about three pages of bullshit. Even they didn't know what they were talking about.

Its pretty much every book from Acts to Jude(not EVERY single verse talks about it but you know what I mean) it dosnt say its "required" it just states it is better for you.

It doesn't. All the NT tells us is that the early christians met every day and visited the synagogue on saturdays. The whole sunday/church thang came in much much later.

Most Christians don't even know that Jesus said that it was unnecessary to pray at all, and that people who pray in church do it only for the praise of others, and will receive no reward from God for doing so. Same for people who speak about there charitable works, or purposely inform others that they are fasting. I don't think most Christians ever even read their Bibles, they're just a bunch a sheople following the church.

Most Christians don't even know that Jesus said that it was unnecessary to pray at all, and that people who pray in church do it only for the praise of others, and will receive no reward from God for doing so. Same for people who speak about there charitable works, or purposely inform others that they are fasting. I don't think most Christians ever even read their Bibles, they're just a bunch a sheople following the church.

l.o.l

Originally posted in 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 ye see the day approaching.

Next!

the same part were it tells priests how exactly to possision little boys in front of them

Most Christians don't even know that Jesus said that it was unnecessary to pray at all, and that people who pray in church do it only for the praise of others, and will receive no reward from God for doing so. Same for people who speak about there charitable works, or purposely inform others that they are fasting. I don't think most Christians ever even read their Bibles, they're just a bunch a sheople following the church.

Well, I am going to have to say that is probably one of the worst interpretations I have heard yet. Jesus never ... ever said that it was unneccesary to pray. Mat 26:41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." I do not think any more needs to be said about that. He did not say that people who pray in church do it for the praise of others Mat 6:5 "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." This is clearly stating that when you pray it should not be in a boastful way. Just because he suggests praying in private does not mean that is the only way to pray. It is the exact same for the charitable works and fasting. Please do not just read a small section ... because all of this is located in the same vacinity in the gospels, and then claim that you have found that "those silly christians have been doing it wrong for centuries. As for the original post i believe that Argon Plasma has nailed it. It is not required for Christians to go to church, but it is encouraged and looked on as a good thing in scripture. It is also a place where you can recieve the full benifits of Gods gifts, mainly his word and sacraments. This is not to say that you can not worship outside of church, but church is a place where the entire body of Christ might come together and worship the true God as the community of saints they are.