A large percentage of denominational folks have long believed that it is unnecessary to "go to church" or attend the worship assembly. They claim they worship God in their own individual ways--at home, in a fishing boat, or otherwise meditating on God. These people ignore the warning in Hebrews 10:25: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching."
But it is not unheard of for real Christians--members of the Lord's church--to adopt similar stay-at-home attitudes. They often do so either because they disagree with a local-church decision or practice, or because they see it as a convenient excuse to just stay home.
Whether the stay-at-home practitioner is a member of a denomination or a Christian, both mistakenly or purposely ignore much of the Bible teaching about worship, fellowship, and the duties of disciples. Refusal to assemble with the saints is often rooted in selfish, prideful attitudes.
Justifiers of home and fishing-boat worship often point to Matthew 18:20, where Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them." But Jesus wasn't there justifying mini-assemblies. The context clearly shows that the plural number addressed the number of witnesses needed to establish error on the part of a fellow Christian.
Mom-and-Pop home assemblies, unless there is no alternative, prevent the worshippers from fellowshipping and communing with a wider portion of Christ's body. Examine 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 and notice that Paul repeatedly states how we are to observe the Lord's Supper: "when you come together as a church" and "when you come together in one place."
What if everyone decided to do what the "home worshippers" do? Instead of having a congregation (assembly, church) of 60 or 70 members, we'd have 20 to 30 little congregations made up of people who have no personal fellowship with one another.
Is that what the Lord wants? Apparently not, because in the letter just mentioned, Paul wrote: "Now I plead with you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10) Some in Corinth were dividing themselves. The apostle condemned this.
The Hebrew writer quoted earlier directed the saints not to forsake the assembly, but to "exhort one another." Exhortation involves encouraging one another. It is one of the great blessings derived from assembling with other Christians. Apparently, self-exiled Christians neither see the need for exhortation, nor the need to exhort others. Again, this may well be indicative of prideful selfishness.
Paul also instructed us to "edify" one another, which speaks of building up one another through teaching, encouragement, joint participation in worship, and expressions of faith (Romans 14:19; 15:1-3). How can we edify other saints if we are absent? How can you encourage others in the faith, or know of others who need encouragement, if you are not at the worship service?
Our fellowship in Christ involves a joint sharing in the blessings of salvation. But fellowship is also reflected in giving, in mutual support of the gospel, and in shared efforts to expand the kingdom.
I have known a few Christians who had to meet in their own homes because there was no local congregation. They laid by in store on the first day of the week as the Lord had prospered them. For a long period of time, they kept the money separate from their own and then gave it to a worthy evangelist, provided for the needs of worthy saints, or later merged it with the treasury of a sound church. But I wonder whether the typical "I'll just worship at home" advocate worships the Lord through financial sacrifice. If not, he is not worshipping as the Scripture instructs (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8 and 9).
Another disposition that often leads to isolationist worship is one individual's selfish demand that his judgment in various matters prevail. If a congregation teaches false doctrine, or practices things unauthorized or condemned by Scripture, a faithful saint may have to break fellowship with that group. But when matters of human judgment, expediency, or preference are at issue, a faithful Christian does not dare to divide Christ's body. And even if error is truly being taught or practiced, the faithful Christian is obligated to refute the error with biblical teaching, rebuke those who practice such error, and urge repentance. To do less, is to abdicate one's duty and reflects a lack of love for those perceived to be lost in their sins (James 5:19-20; Galatians 6:1; 2 Timothy 4:1-4).
One wonders whether stay-at-home worshippers believe they don't need their brethren's "effective fervent prayers." We are left to ask whether these brethren feel they are so strong that they don't need Bible-class and sermon instruction. It is seldom that one finds reclusive members who are growing in faith and spirituality.
If we want to see the church grow, see souls saved and the weak encouraged, we will want to worship with the saints each Lord's Day. If we want to see our children and grandchildren taught, seeing good examples, and being led to faith in Christ, we'll want to participate in worshipping and serving the Lord.
The church is not unlike links in a chain. A missing link severs the chain and limits its potential use. The apostle Paul used another analogy--the human body--showing the need for every part (Ephesians 4:15-16; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27). And he asserted that there should be no schism in the body.
If you unnecessarily absent yourself from the worship of the saints, your brethren miss you. You are failing to follow God's commands. You aren't showing the love and concern for others that you ought; and you are harming yourself. Think about these things.
Brother Blackaby has given us some thought-provoking things to consider. Over the years. I've known many families who started worshipping in their homes. Much of the time, it had to do with hurt feelings, or another brother who did something unkind. It also has been caused by some who push a private personal conviction to the point of division.
The "house church" arrangement is one of the new fads among the denominational churches, and some of our own brethren are beginning to follow their example. Congregations break up into smaller groups and meet in their homes. They say they achieve more intimate, closer fellowship. This is nothing new. In the mid 80s, the Boston Movement began to advocate and follow the "house church" pattern. These were smaller so-called "churches" that remained under the "mother church's" oversight. The entire church would get together at special meeting times. Sadly, this system was unscriptural and it failed.
I've seen families who isolated themselves by holding to unscriptural positions that made it impossible for any sound church to accept them into their fellowship. All that is left is for them to meet alone at home. God saw the wisdom of having brethren meet together for edification and fellowship. Why would we rob ourselves of these blessings? (KMG)