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Contend earnestly for the faith, which was once for all delivered to the saints. -- Jude 1:3
If the faith or Word of God, or word about God and men, was only once delivered to the saints, then we have a small problem within many of our churches today. Some churches have taught that it is God's will for people to attend all the stated meetings of the church. They also believe they have the right and the authority from God (through His Word) to discipline church members who do not submit to their rules and guidelines.
A local church may have four services a week that the members must attend. However, if the church leaders decide to only have three services a week, I guess the law of God changes for some people, sometimes very quickly. But I understand God's Word to be unchanging. God's Word was applied differently in the Old Testament than it is in the New Testament. But His Word doesn't flip-flop back and forth to please the power-hungry church leaders of today.
In fact, God tells us in His Word that we should not let others judge or condemn us for our diligence in church attendance. Colossians 2:6 says, "Therefore let no one judge you in food or drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths." Our Lord chose to go wherever, speak whenever, to whomever and however He wanted to. The important thing is that we don't stop meeting together with others to worship and grow spiritually.
As we consider this topic of required church attendance, most people don't realize that Sunday school (which is one of the stated meetings of the church) cannot be found in the Bible and is not one of God's requirements. The present-day Sunday school movement was started in Gloucester, England, by the publisher Robert Raikes. In 1780 he launched his "Ragged School." He tried to aid the children of the poor in his community by teaching them reading, writing, and the principles of religion. In America, the Sunday school movement became widespread after the civil war. Reference, World Book Encyclopedia.
Another verse we should consider on this subject and many areas of legalism in the church, is found in II Corinthians 3:17. God's Word tells us, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (no. 1657 Greek Lexicon). As followers of Christ, we have the freedom to do or not do things, or omit that which has nothing to do with salvation.
In John 14:15 it says, "If you love me, keep My commandments." The first thing God desires of us is that we love Him with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. We reveal our love to God by keeping His commandments (not by church attendance). Oswald Chambers makes this statement in his book, "My Utmost for His Highest." "Not making our first priority to win souls, or to establish churches, or to have revivals, but seeking only to be well pleasing to Him."
Why should our first devotion be to our Redeemer, why is this so important? Because the faith and love that God puts in our hearts and minds when we are born again from above, will be evident to other people. We will reflect the character of Christ to those around us and God will be glorified. It is about Him and always has been, it has never been about us. He is the Great I Am; He is to receive the honor, glory, and praise for all things. Christ is the head of the church, not men.
Contact the author at: (thoughtsonword@gmail.com) if you have any comments or questions.
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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published four books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016, Eye of a Needle in 2017, Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019 and A Bridge Between in 2023. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.