article-The Church and Salvation

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes church as a building for public and especially Christian worship. However, if you recall the words to the elementary school-aged song “We are the Church” the chorus simply goes, "I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together. All who follow Jesus all around the world. Yes, we're the church together." This song defines church as many Christians do, not as a building, but as the people. But, before I begin, let me say that I am not telling you that just because you attend church means that you automatically go to heaven and those who do not attend church go straight to hell. In fact the Bible tells us in John 3:16 (NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, and whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse means that for our salvation you must believe in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and have a relationship with Him. However, I believe that as a Christian it is our responsibility to attend church because it is essential to our spiritual growth. Junior, Eric Schnabel says I feel as a Christian that it is my duty to God to congregate with His family to praise and worship Him. By attending church you are honoring one of the Ten Commandments, which is "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” Exodus 20: 8 (NIV). By keeping the Sabbath holy Christians are supposed to fellowship in celebration of Christ’s resurrection, worship, pray and study the Word of God together with other Christians. The church not only provides a place to worship for Christians, but supports local outreach programs. Many churches in the Kokomo area support local outreach programs like Bridges Outreach Program, Habitat for Humanity, Kokomo Rescue Mission, Kokomo Urban Outreach, Nesting Doves, Samaritan Caregivers and many more. This allows churches to reach out to those receiving help through these programs and offer them a new life in Christ. Junior, Elise Duncan said that she attends church because she feels “Everyone needs to believe in a higher power and it comforts me to know that since I chose my higher power to be God then, I have something to look forward to.” By attending church it allows Christians to be spiritually fed through the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. Every believer knows what it is like to face spiritual conflicts to their faith, and must realize the importance of being fed spiritually so that they can overcome the challenges. Church also provides Christians a place of accountability and support. Junior, Rachel Dishman said, “My relationship with Christ is on my own, but church is a support system that I can rely on to give me strength. It is a big accountability system for me. Scripture tells us, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts” 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (NIV). This tells us that as Christians we should worship as a body of Christ. By combining Christians together as one body of believers it allows us to learn from each other by our different spiritual gifts and grow as a community of believers. Church is not only a place to worship Christ, but also a place to discuss your faith and struggles with other Christians. By doing this it allows us to carry one another’s burdens and encourage one another. Attending church does not save me, because my salvation does not come from what I do, but rather from faith in Jesus Christ, but in a sense it does save me because it allows my relationship with Jesus Christ to strengthen. Therefore, for believers, there is no substitute for attending church. The Church and Salvation