Question:
Is it wrong to miss the local church's worship service to worship with a denomination that meets at the same time?
Answer:
The Bible teaches that there is “one body” and
that one true body is “the church” (Ephesians 4:4; Colossians
1:18). This church is to be completely built upon the foundation of
Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 3:11-13). In fact, if our
church is founded by anyone besides Christ and teaches differently than
Christ and His apostles taught we will be judged (1 Corinthians 3:13).
In 2 John 9-11 we read, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in
the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine
of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and
does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor
greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” Does
this passage sound like it is encouraging Christians to worship with
those who teach falsely? Why would a true Christian even want to worship
with a group that “does not have God?”
In addition, Jesus says, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him
must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Why would we
knowingly avoid worshipping “in truth” to go worship with those
who worship “in error?” Doing so suggests a compromising spirit that God
did not intend for us to have. Romans 16:17 says, “Now I urge you,
brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the
doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” Does this passage tell
us to go worship with those who teach falsely or avoid their false
teaching? Note the consequences of those who compromise in verse 18.
Each Lord’s Day we are to remember the Lord’s death with the body of
Christ (1 Corinthians 11:16; Acts 20:7). We are strictly commanded in
Hebrews, “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, but exhorting one another…” (24,25). To
choose to “forsake” which means “abandon, desert” is to choose to
break a direct commandment from God’s Word. Breaking a direct command is
sin and the consequence of sin is hell (1 Jn. 3:4; Rom. 6:23)!
Finally, let’s notice the good we are neglecting by failing to be with
our brothers and sisters. First, we cannot “discern the Lord’s body”
if we refuse to commune with them. 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 tells us this
brings great weakness to the body of Christ and brings God’s judgment.
We also make ourselves a stumbling block to those who are weak (1
Corinthians 8:9). Some who see us as an example may be tempted to follow
our weak example as we choose to skip services and forsake the assembly.
“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it
is sin” (James 4:17).
January 2007