The New Testament urges believers not to give up meeting together (Heb. 10:24–25) and speaks of the Church as the Body of Christ, in which each person needs the others. It does not establish rules such as “every Sunday is mandatory,” nor does it link salvation to attending a church building.
What does the Bible say about this?
- The author of Hebrews urges believers to be attentive to one another, encourage one another to love and good deeds, and not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but to encourage one another (Heb. 10:24–25).
- Paul compares believers to one body made up of many parts: all are baptized by one Spirit into one body, and when one part suffers, the others suffer with it (1 Cor. 12:12–14, 26–27).
- Christ appointed apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to build up the Body of Christ; the Body grows as each part does its work according to its measure (Eph. 4:11–16).
- Acts 2:42–47 describes how the first believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayers, and were together every day; this is a description of the life of the first church community.
This brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the verse texts are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
Key Scriptures
5 Scriptures · Father’s Blessing Bible
Hebrews 10:24–25
24 And let us consider one another, encouraging one another to love and good deeds. 25 Let us not forsake our assembly, as some are accustomed to do; but let us encourage one another, especially as you see the Day drawing near.
1 Corinthians 12:12–14
12 For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body does not consist of one part, but of many.
1 Corinthians 12:26–27
26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and individually you are His parts,
Ephesians 4:11–16
11 And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the Body of Christ, 13 until we all attain unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, becoming mature, attaining to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 so that we are no longer infants, tossed back and forth and carried about by every wind of teaching, by the cunning of people, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming, 15 but speaking the truth in love, we will grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. 16 From Him the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love as each part does its work.
Acts 2:42–47
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles in Jerusalem. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved.
