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The Church in Ghana and Africa as a whole is under a severe verbal attack. Only children may be unaware that the increasing condemnation of every biblical activity in the Church today is an attack.
Satan working through some politicians, academicians, social commentators, journalists and so-called celebrities ridicule, despise and criticise the Church mostly using social media.
The unrelenting attack targeted at the Bible, pastors and church meetings are undoubtedly aimed at collapsing or weakening the dominance of the Church in Africa, but it will fail.
In a video trending on social media, a Ghanaian woman is heard, saying that, “I believe in God, but I do not see the sense in going to church.” Indirectly, she is telling people to stop attending church meetings.
In another video, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former MP and businessman in Ghana, says that attending church meetings to praise and worship God is a waste of time.
It is surprising, however, to learn that these same critics never speak against Islam and the traditional religions which followers also regularly gather for worship.
This should open the minds of Christian believers to appreciate the fact that these critics make these bad comments against the Church for various reasons. Here, I wish to give three.
First, they are on assignment for the devil; second, they know that Christians will not chase them with guns, knives and clubs to lynch them and third, they are ignorant of the benefits believers get from meeting together as stated in the Bible.
This places a responsibility on church leaders to take necessary steps to respond to the attack in a way that will mitigate its impact. We pastors and the entire Christian community must repent of our sins and learn to live above reproach.
Moreover, pastors must pray and trust God for inspired messages that will educate Christians to understand and appreciate the sense and reasons for regular church meetings.
In the following paragraphs, I wish to discuss five reasons why believers must decide to regularly participate in church meetings.
Danger of Isolation
Many do not know the dangers believers suffer for isolating themselves from the assembly of the saints. Isolation sets you up for deception, destruction, affliction and even sometimes death.
David was afflicted when he went astray (Psalm 119:67).
To go astray is to go off the right path. Thus, neglecting church meetings is going astray, because you have gone off the path God has ordained for His children to walk.
Command From God
“And LET US NOT NEGLECT OUR MEETING TOGETHER, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25).
It is commanded that believers meet together. True sons and daughters of God have no option but to keep it.
Pastoral Care
And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding”, (Jeremiah 3:15).
God wants every believer to be tended, fed and cared for by pastors, shepherds or overseers. How can this be possible if a believer stays at home?
Jesus Christ does not only want His followers to gather in His name, but also be ministered to by one another’s spiritual gifts especially that of the pastors or elders.
Thus, Jesus Christ asked Peter, the apostle, and others to tend and feed His sheep (followers) (John 21:15-17).
Blessed By Each Other’s Gifts
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
“…When you MEET TOGETHER one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said…” (1 Corinthians 14:26).
It is clear in the scriptural verses above that each believer is blessed by another’s gifts when they meet together. In other words, those who refuse to attend meetings will not receive divine nourishment which can lead to backsliding or spiritual death.
The Lord’s Supper
“So, my dear brothers and sisters, WHEN YOU GATHER for the Lord’s Supper, wait for each other” (1 Corinthians 11:33).
Participating in the Lord’s Supper is obeying a command Jesus Christ gave to the Church to observe. It must be done in remembrance of His sacrificial death for the sins of the world.
In the verse above, Paul gives an indication that this should be done when believers gather. And it must essentially be supervised by pastors or leaders.
Fellowship
Friendly relationship is important in the Church of God. As a family, believers get to know themselves, relate well and help one another when they regularly meet to worship God.
This is why God’s Word reminds believers to gather together for prayer, bread breaking, fellowship and teaching which are acts of worship (Acts 2:42).
Conclusion
In fact, there are several other benefits believers receive when they gather to worship God. It is important that Christians study the Bible and be armed with sound knowledge that will enable them to expose and answer ignorant critics who appear to work for the devil.
By James Quansah
