Answer: No
Is this answer offensive? Will you let me explain? I have friends that I believe to be saved but do not go to church. I have met many people by knocking on doors who say they are Christians but, do not go to church. I work with people who say they are Christian but do not go to church. I feel compelled to deal with this question. I am sure there might seem to be justifiable reasons to not going to church, but what do the scriptures say? Let us examine the scriptures together. This pamphlet will be divided into two sections. There are two types of people who say they are Christians but do not go to church. The first group are those who are not saved; and the second are those who are saved. Before a judgment can be made as to which group you or somebody you know belongs to, read the first section. Before examining the two different groups, let me answer a couple of basic questions.
1. What Does The Word Christian Mean?
We could get a variety of answers and this is a big part of the problem. In 1828, Webster gives 4 different definitions to the word Christian and here they are…
CHRISTIAN, n.
1. A believer in the religion of Christ.
2. A professor of his belief in the religion of Christ.
3. A real disciple of Christ; one who believes in the truth of the Christian religion, and studies to follow the example, and obey the precepts, of Christ; a believer in Christ who is characterized by real piety.
4. In a general sense, the word Christians includes all who are born in a Christian country or of Christian parents.
Number 3, best fits the bible’s use of the word Christian, as we will see. I have always been told and have believed that the use of the word Christian identifies someone as a follower of Christ. Someone who is Christ like would be a Christian. One who not only believes or professes to believe in Christ and /or the teachings of Christ, but one who is saved and follows the very teachings of Christ. Any other use of the word Christian would fall short. Number 3, is how the word Christian will be used by this author.
“A real disciple of Christ; one who believes in the truth of the Christian religion, and studies to follow the example, and obey the precepts, of Christ; a believer in Christ who is characterized by real piety.”
2. Where Do We Find the Word Christian Used in the Bible?
Acts 11:26 26 …And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Acts 26:28 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
1 Peter 4:16 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Three times and only three times do we see this word Christian used in all of scripture. We will examine the context of these three scriptures in our study of the second group.
Let us begin…
I. Group one.
Those who are not saved who call themselves Christians.
The greater concern for these folks is not that they do not go to church but, that they are not saved. I will first answer this: why would someone call themselves a Christian and not be saved? Even if this person goes to church and is not saved we could not call them a Christian. Many, many people who go to church are not saved. Here is why…
1. Wrong Definitions of a Christian.
Let us look again at Webster’s dictionary. The 1st, 2nd & 4th definitions are the definitions that come short of how the bible uses the word Christian. We will look at them in order.
1. A believer in the religion of Christ.
I will respond to this definition supposing that Webster meant a saved person. Is this enough to call someone a Christian? Our salvation comes from a true belief in the work of Christ for our salvation. Upon true salvation the bible teaches a complete change in one’s nature.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new
This new creature still has the ability to not do the basics of the Christian faith such as go to church. A person can be saved and not follow Christ’s teachings.
Romans 4:5
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
The bible’s use of the word Christian and the true meaning of the word Christian can only apply to those who are following HIM. One aspect of following HIM is being in a church and serving HIM.
2. A professor of his belief in the religion of Christ.
This definition is too broad. Saying you believe and actually believing is two different things. Many would claim to believe the religion of Christ (Christianity) without even knowing Christ. When someone is asked here in America “what religion are you?” The most common response is “I am a Christian”. One has to believe in Christ not just HIS teachings or His religion. This definition is the most common use of the word Christian in our culture today and it can be quite deceptive. Many people would claim that they believe in Christianity without having any idea as what it is all about. Many would say that they believe the bible but, they have never read it nor do they ever hear it taught.
4. In a general sense, the word Christians includes all who are born in a Christian country or of Christian parents.
This is a bad use of the word Christian. NO ONE can be born from their mother’s womb a Christian, regardless of one’s national citizenship or parents. In fact there is no such thing as a Christian country. America has never been nor will ever be a Christian country. Nowhere in the bible do we see a people or even the teaching of a people called out of the world and called to Christ in salvation, to organize a civil government for the purposes of evangelism, baptism, discipleship, communion and Christian fellowship. America was never organized to do these things. Instead, America’s founding fathers gave liberty for these things and the liberty for the rejection of these things, which is a Christ-like/Christian idea we call individual soul liberty and I thank God for it. We can have Christian parents but, they do not bring Christian babies into the world. The bible teaches that there needs to a second birth. Regardless, if this person, who does not have the second birth, goes to church or not they cannot be called a Christian.
2. Wrong Way of Salvation
May I suggest that the majority of those who say that they are Christians, but do not go to church are in this category. DO NOT BE MISTAKEN of how you got saved. The bible says:
Proverbs 14:12, (ditto)16:25
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
How appropriate is this scripture in light of salvation. The way of the salvation that you have trusted in, may seem to be right in your eyes, but the end of it will be “the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death”( Revelation 21:8). Again, you could be holding to the wrong way of salvation, regardless of whether or not you go to church and not be a Christian. What I want to emphasis in this part of the pamphlet is the right way of salvation (singular) and there is only one way.
John 10:9
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way,
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way,
Acts 4:1212 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
1 Timothy 2:5 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
I think the bible’s teaching could not be clearer; Jesus is the way and there is no other way. How could someone call themselves a Christian and trust in some other way? What does this mean that Jesus is the way? What this means is our salvation comes by HIS work and HIS work alone. We cannot add to HIS work. The bible says:
Galatians 2:21 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
This righteousness is speaking of our salvation. To think that we could obtain salvation by the law or doing some work is like saying Christ did not need to die or HIS death is vain. To add any such work to Christ’s work on the cross is a false teaching of the worst kind.
Ephesians 2:8-98 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Yet it is very common for professing Christians to think themselves to be saved but trust in their own baptism, church attendance, tithing, bible reading, prayer life, a sinners prayer that they prayed and communion. We could add many more things to this list. The bible does not teach any of these things for salvation or as a part of salvation. How does somebody really get saved?
Acts 16:30-31 (KJV)30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Believe is that all I have to do? What does Jesus say?
John 3:16, 1816 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life…18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Believe- is that all? To many people this seems too easy and they feel compelled to add to it. If one was to study this out by looking at the context in which these scriptures were written, as well as the other presentations of the gospel, we would find exactly what is meant here. To believe on or in the Lord Jesus Christ means:
a) In recognition that your condition before God is desperately wicked and in need of salvation.
b) With a willing desire of the heart, turn from this state of wickedness. This would include: all former ideas or beliefs in self righteousness, religious background, works, unbelief and/or wickedness.
c) With a willing desire of the heart, turn to Jesus Christ by faith; trusting and believing in HIS complete work on the cross for your sins and his resurrection from the dead, securing the believer’s victory of death.
This is what salvation is and this all takes place in the heart of person. Salvation takes place the moment a person believes, not the moment of a sinner’s prayer, a baptism, and/or a walk down the aisle, but the moment a sinner believes. It is true that a true belief might take place during a sinner’s prayer or a walk down the aisle but, those things cannot save you or me.
Romans 10:10
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;
A true belief in Jesus Christ will always produce a change in the brand new believer.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Have you truly believed?
Stop what you are doing right now and get saved. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.
II. Group Two
Those who are saved, who call themselves Christians but they do not go to church.
I believe a person can be saved and not be a Christian. Let us look at the definition again.
“A real disciple of Christ; one who believes in the truth of the Christian religion, and studies to follow the example, and obey the precepts, of Christ; a believer in Christ who is characterized by real piety.”
Can somebody be saved and not do all of these things? Absolutely YES!!! But how? As we learned in the previous section it is Christ’s work who saves us. Therefore we are not saved by our followship of all the things that Jesus taught and did.
1. Christian Defined
Back to the topic at hand, let us break apart this definition and ask the begging question.
I. Can “one who believes in the truth of the Christian religion” not go to church? This would be yes as stated in the earlier sections.
II. Can one who “studies to follow the example, and obey the precepts, of Christ” not go to church? No, this would be a clear contradiction of what Jesus taught.
III. Can “a believer in Christ who is characterized by real piety” not go to church? Yes and no, this would depend on who is doing the characterizing.
The definition as a whole could only include those who are saved and serving in a local New Testament church. Let us now go to the authority on this matter, the word of God.
2. The Bible’s Word Christian
The scriptures record the word Christian three times. Let’s examine the context of the use of the word.
a) Acts 11
Acts 11:26 26 ...And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Not only is this the very first time the word Christian is in the bible but, it is a historical record of the very first use of the word Christian. What happened in Antioch to lead up to this verse? We will start from the beginning.
Acts 11:19-2119 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
Believers (layman) had run from the persecution that had fallen upon their church in Jerusalem. While running from the persecution, they preached Christ to those along the way. Some of these believers ended up in Antioch. They (laymen) preached Christ there in Antioch and many believed.
Acts 11:22-2422 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
The church at Jerusalem hears word of what is going on in Antioch. The church in Jerusalem sends the believers a Pastor named Barnabas. Many more were added to the Lord by salvation.
Acts 11:2626 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
From this passage we see a people that are soul winning, being pastored, gathering together, and discipling. Verse 26 calls them a church. THEN they are called Christians. All of these things (gathering together, soul winning, having a pastor and discipling) took place before they were called Christians. In other words, they were serving the Lord in a church before they were called Christians. Does this mean anything? I seem to think so.
b) Acts 26
Acts 26:28 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
This scripture comes from a passage, where the apostle Paul is on trial. Paul was arrested in Jerusalem for preaching Christ and the resurrection from the dead. In reading the entire passage, King Agrippa must have had some knowledge of what Paul was all about. King Agrippa responds to Paul’s testimony with these words “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” What did King Agrippa mean by his use of the word Christian? The apostle Paul clears all of this up.
Acts 26:29 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
Paul understood this to mean Almost thou persuadest me to be like you Paul (a Christian). How do we know this? Paul responds that his will, is that Agrippa and all the hearers would be as he was, a Christian. Paul is the one being called a Christian. Let us ask this question, what was Paul’s affiliation with the church? Here is a list…
I. Under the direction of the church in Jerusalem he went Tarsus (Acts 9:30).
II. Barnabas was sent by the church of Jerusalem to Antioch to Pastor (Acts 11:22), Barnabas then goes and gets Paul to help in the work (Acts 11:25-26).
III. Paul and Barnabas were sent by the church of Antioch with relief money to believers in Judea (Acts 11:30).
IV. Paul and Barnabas were then sent out by this church in Antioch (Acts 13:1-3).
V. The first of Paul’s three missionary journey’s, he and Barnabas evangelized and planted churches. (Acts 13:4-14:25)
VI. Paul and Barnabas report back to the church in Antioch (Acts 14:26-28)
VII. Paul and Barnabas were sent by the church of Antioch to the church of Jerusalem to resolve a doctrinal conflict (Acts 15:1-29).
Some have erroneously claimed that Paul was solely lead by God and he never was under the direction of any church. THIS IS NOT SO!!! Paul would not have been used of God if he said NO to the church at Jerusalem in Acts 9:30. Would God have used him if he said no to Barnabas in Acts 11:25-26? Would God have used Paul if he would have left Antioch on his own before being sent out? Not only did Paul place himself under the direction of the churches in Jerusalem and Antioch, as well as the leaders in these churches but taught Christians to do the same. When looking at the following scriptures look up in a dictionary the words overseer, bishop, and rule etc.. Paul practiced this BEFORE he preached it.
Acts 20:28, Ephesians 4:11-14, Philippians 1:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 1 Timothy 3:1, Titus 1:7, Hebrews 10:24-25, Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:17
Paul would not have been standing before King Agrippa without being a part of a local church. This is the kind of Christian that Paul was and this is the kind if Christian that King Agrippa was talking about.
c) 1 Peter 4
1 Peter 4:1616 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
This is the third and last use of the word Christian, in the entire bible. Who does Peter mean with his use of the word Christian? Context, context, context will tell us. This chapter in 1 Peter has Christian suffering for its theme. Peter is talking directly a to a people. Clearly this passage will show that these people make up a church.
1 Peter 4:6-116 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
This is a list of things that only go on in the midst of the church. How can all these things be accomplished outside of a local church. Furthermore Peter is telling us that this is how you “live according to God in the spirit (v. 6). Peter even calls this the house of God in verse 17.
1 Peter 4:17 (KJV)17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
The house of God is what is described in verses 6-11, a local church. Christian, most assuredly is referring to believers serving in a local church.
By looking at these three verses (Acts 11:26, 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16) we can conclude NO ONE in the bible is called a Christian who does not serve in a local New Testament church.
3. Christ and Church
The definition of Christian is clearly related to Christ. So, does Christ give room for those who follow HIM to not serve in one of HIS churches? NO!!! How could this be? Consider with the following.
I. The inspiration of the scriptures. Every word in the word of God are the very words of God and Christ (1 Timothy 3:16). The word of God teaches that God’s children are to be in a local church serving. (Acts 20:28, Ephesians 4:11-14, Philippians 1:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 1 Timothy 3:1, Titus 1:7, Hebrews 10:24-25, Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:17)
II. Christ is the foundation of the local church. (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:4).
III. Christ is the head of the church. (Ephesians 5:23)
IV. Christ died for the church. (Ephesians 5:25)
V. Churches belong to Christ. (Romans 16:16)
VI. Churches are in Christ. (Galatians 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:1)
VII. The church is Christ’s body. (Colossians 1:24)
VIII. The church of the living God is the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)
IX. God will get glory in the church by Jesus Christ throughout all ages. (Ephesians 3:21)
Can you really be a disciple, a follower of Christ or a Christian without belonging to and serving in a local New Testament church?
In Conclusion
I hope this will provoke some thought and consideration on the importance of the local church. A place in the local church will complete the Christian, as stated in Ephesians 4:11-14. If you have never truly been saved WHY WAIT? TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION!!! If you have not found a bible believing, preaching and teaching local church let me know so I can be a help.
By Pastor Jason LaPat
jasonlapat@yahoo.com
By Pastor Jason LaPat
jasonlapat@yahoo.com
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