Do I have to Go to Church? The Importance of Fellowship and Accountablity

Recently, we had a family move from several states away to come join our local fellowship (church, if you will).  That seems like a radical decision to make.  But in reality, it is one of the wisest things we can do for our family, our children.  Having a place to meet weekly on Sabbath, as Yehovah commands, and to gather for feasts, as Yehovah also commands, with like minded believers, is crucial in passing on Truth to the next generation, and to keep ourselves accountable to God’s Word and people.  We can easily be deceived in our own minds.  But when we have others in our lives that count on us, and we count on them, we create an environment that forces everyone to be deeping their own relationship with their Creator and Redeemer through reading and studying of His Word, through deep prayer, and constant dedication to His Kingdom, and people.

Yes, We have to go to Church

I believe that yes, we are supposed to go to weekly fellowship and meet with God’s people on His appointed days.  I believe He commands us to do this.  Here are a few passages, I believe support this idea.

Exodus 20:8-11

Leviticus 23

What is A Holy Convocation?

The word Holy means “set apart.”

The word convocation comes from the Hebrew word, מַקרָא (miqra’) , which comes from the root word, קָרָא (karah’).  This word can translate to “something called out, that is, a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place of meeting); also a rehearsal.”  Often in our English translations it is translated assembly, calling, convocation, reading.

For more information on this here is a link to to Biblical Encyclopedia

We are commanded by God to have a Holy Convocation every Sabbath.  This means we are to meet together, and read His Word, proclaim Him as our Creator and Redeemer.

What about Yeshua and His Followers?

Just in case, you think this is an “old” commandment, let’s check out what is written in the “new” testament.  All throughout the Gospels of Messiah’s life we see Him going to the temple and synagogue on Sabbath.  When He goes He teaches the people of Yehovah, reads from the Scriptures, proclaims the good news of the coming Kingdom, heals the sick, and more.  Ove and over, He goes to assembly on Sabbath, for the feasts, and even on other days of the week.  As we read the book of Acts, we see that the disciples followed this same example.

We are to follow the example of our Messiah.  It was his custom to go to the house of assembly on Sabbath.

After the death and resurrection, the followers of Yeshua, were known as the followers of “the Way.”  This was a group of people that believed that the scriptures (the Old Testament, at that time) applied to them, and they also believed that Yeshua was the Messiah, Son of God.  This group of people were not always welcomed in the house of Assembly, the Temple or Synagogues.  So, often they met in homes, and other places they could find to meet.  But, they did not give up meeting just because they were no longer welcome in the “church.”  Instead, they made it even more a priority to meet together, and care for one another.  The book of Acts tells us they “had everything in common.”  They were living a community life, caring for the needs of one another.  Because some people even lost their jobs, because they decided to follow Torah and believe in Yeshua.  The need for support for each other was great, and instead of isolating themselves, they sought out each other for encouragement.

But, does it have to be like “church?”

Today’s churches are hard to attend for many of us for various reasons, so how do we make sure we are doing “church” correctly?  The answer isn’t that there is an exact blueprint of how to do church, but there are a lot of clear teachings in scripture to give us a outline to start with.  Every fellowship gathering can be unique and different, but there are some things we must remember. We need to attend fellowship with the mindset of being encouraged to stay the course, the narrow road is not the easy road.  We need others to travel it with.  People to remind us that we are on the right path, and people to point out in love when we have gone off the path.  We need to be stirred up by one another to be loving and good to each other, especially those in our own homes.

As believers, we need words of encouragement, we need to hear others confessions, and we need to offer forgiveness, and grace.  We need to pray for one another, and help each other.  We can’t be of one mind in Messiah, if we don’t have like minded believers to spend time together with.  Real growth and accountability can only happen when we regularly interact with one another.

Hebrews 10:19-25

^19″ Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

There are lots and lots more verses about the need for fellowship, accountability, and regular gatherings with Yehovah and His people.  But, I want to conclude here and encourage you to open your Bible and search out if it is necessary to have a local congregation that you attend and are accountable to.  My friend, that moved here to join our fellowship, thy did just that, and they realized in order to truly raise their children according to God’s Word, they needed to find a place they could worship and serve in community.  If you want your children to walk the narrow road in this wicked and corrupt world, maybe, God is calling you to step out in faith, and make the same type of move as my friend.  If He is I pray you will walk by faith, and take action today.

Shalom

Written by Katie

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