Revelation 1:10 says, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.
Such a tough question. Harcore church people shout emphatically "yes". Those that have been hurt, abused or humiliated by a church, say emphatically "no." So we ask this question, "if we can worship the Lord in the midst of nature and on the ocean, at the beach or in the woods, why go to church." No specific names or dates are associated with the church's shift from observing the holy day on Saturday to observing it on Sunday. At first, especially when many Christians were converted from Judaism, their holy day was customarily Saturday by Jewish law. By the end of the first century, Sunday worship was the norm in the Christian church. That did not happen without conflict as it caused some friction, for in Colossians 2:16 Paul admonishes, "Therefore do no let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day." The disciples apparently made Sunday the day for their weekly gathering because of Christ's resurrection and they called it the Lord's Day. Even John in Revelation 1:10 says, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet."
John 20:18 tells us that it was the first day of the week, which is Sunday when Jesus appeared to the disciples. And verse John 20:26 tells us that Jesus appeared to the disciples again after 8 days. In Jewish law, a part of a day is considered as a day. This explains why, when Jesus said that He would rise from the dead after 3 days, it turned out to be only 2 days later because it includes Friday, the day of His death on the cross. Following this, His appearance to Thomas would have taken place on a Sunday, just like the first time He appeared to the disciples. According to Matthew Henry it is highly probable that Jesus promised to meet His disciples every Sunday besides other times, during the 40 days before His ascension up to heaven. Lastly in Hebrews 10:24-25 Paul writes, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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."
So it really isn't about just worship but about being together so that we can enourage and stir up each other to do the work of Christ. Think of it this way, the disciples met Christ on Sunday and they continued to do so during the beginnings of the early church and every Sunday since. So in reality we are simply doing what the disciples did and look at how they "stirred up each other to love and good works." (Hebrews 10:24).
So here's the thing. Go to church on the Lord's day expecting to hear that "loud voice like a trumpet." Pick a church. Pick one where you feel comfortable, pick one where you are with others who will encourage you, teach you , love you, challenge you and most of all stir up in you, "love and good works." If your going to church and doing nothing, you are in the wrong church. Do you have to go is question each of us must answer, but don't make your choice to go or not to go based on experiences in the past. Base it on what you believe God's word tells you and are you growing in your faith and being stirred to love and do good works.
Much love
Preach
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