Does a person have to attend church to be saved?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

There is no salvation in anything or anyone else other than Jesus (Acts 4:12). Neither can we do anything to “earn” our way to salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). This means that while attending church is important to our Christian faith, it is not a requirement for salvation. With that being said, being actively involved in a local body of believers is biblical. In fact, the church is the bride of Christ, meaning that God models a husband's love for his bride upon Christ’s love for us (Ephesians 5:25-27). We should therefore seek to spend quality time with those in God’s family of believers. We must not “neglect” those in the church but rather encourage them (Hebrews 10:25) and love them (1 John 3:14),

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Church attendance is specifically addressed in the New Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Our salvation is found only in Jesus (Acts 4:12). The church is the context in which those who are saved encourage one another to grow, to actively serve others, and to live out our faith.
• Ephesians 2:8-9 notes there are no works involved in earning our way to heaven: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Going to church is a good thing, but it is not meritorious—it does not merit eternal life.
• The church is so important that the Bible calls it the bride of Christ. Ephesians 5:25-27 teaches that the model for a husband's love for his wife is Christ's love for the church. Wrapping up the topic of marriage, Paul says, "I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church" (v. 32). If God thinks so highly of the church as to call it His "bride," we must consider our fellowship with one another extremely important.
• In addition, Christians are specifically told not to neglect "meet[ing] together, as is the habit of some." Rather, we should encourage "one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:25). Church involvement is both an encouragement to us and an opportunity to encourage others.
• The local church is a family, not a facility. A strong family will be there for each other during good times and bad. We are united by our faith in Jesus Christ, and we seek to help one another grow closer to Him and to share Him with others. The apostle John wrote, "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers" (1 John 3:14), and if we love them, we will desire to spend time with them.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

A person's church involvement does not determine entrance into heaven, and going to church doesn't make a person saved. However, the Bible does emphasize the importance of Christian fellowship in a local church. The word translated "church" is the Greek word ekklesia , a reference to an assembly meaning "called out." The church is not a building, but rather the "called out" ones of God, the gathering of people with faith in Jesus Christ. While no amount of church attendance will get a person to heaven, a person who is saved should be a loving and encouraging participant within his or her church.

UNDERSTAND

• Salvation is through faith in Jesus, not church attendance.
• Those who are saved are called to attend and be involved in church.
• Church involvement helps us grow and apply our faith.

REFLECT

• How does understanding that salvation is through faith in Christ alone shape the way you view your relationship with God?
• What importance do you find in church attendance, even if it is not required for salvation?
• How can you better prioritize fellowship with other believers, especially in your local church?

ENGAGE

• Why does the Bible emphasize fellowship in the local church if salvation is not dependent on church attendance?
• How can we support other believers as a family in both faith and practical ways?
• What does it mean for the church to be the "bride of Christ," and how does this perspective impact our commitment to it?