"Private vs. Corporate WORSHIP: GOD is NOT Taking Attendance!"

Perhaps one of the most misquoted scriptures in the Word of God has been extracted from the Epistle to the Hebrews in Chapter 10. It is misquoted because most often this scripture is directed towards a person who does not attend church regularly or, in many cases, not at all. 

It is misquoted most often because many Christians have only "heard" someone say it and have rarely "read it for themselves;" if at all.

The diatribe goes something like this, "Sister, I have been praying that you find a church home where you can be fed the Word of God." The response from the other person is, "I'm okay. I really enjoy studying the word alone in the privacy of my own home." This next statement almost invariably ends up being, "Girl! Don't forsake the assembly of the saints!" (Translation: The ONLY place to receive the revelation from God is from a Pastor in a church). You will see in a moment that the scripture does not say this.

Chapter 10 in Hebrews gives us the revelation that animal sacrifices were not sufficient for sanctification, that Christ's death fulfilled the Will of God, that Christ's death perfects the sanctified, that we (as Believer's) are to hold fast to our confession of faith and the just live by faith. In short, this chapter teaches us the perfection of the sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary afforded us the opportunity to gain access to the Holy Spirit  (behind the veil) and thereby be sanctified, justified and called sons of God. The context of this chapter is about FAITH and ACCESS to the Holy Spirit through the Blood of Christ not church attendance.

These are the verses that create the controversy, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some (many early Christians did not attend church for fear of persecution [murder] from the Roman government), but exhorting (encouraging, supporting one another with the truth) one another, and so much the more as you see the Day (when Christ returns for His sons) approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25) 

It boils down to personal preference. Neither side should be condemned for their choices. Many people thoroughly enjoy the Sunday church experience and get a lot out of it. Others enjoy staying at home or joining small group gatherings in lieu of church. That's cool too. 

The bottom line is that private versus corporate worship is an individual choice and please be advised, "God is NOT taking attendance!" Selah...