How Jesus' Death Created the Church | Part 2, CHRISTIANS MUST WORSHIP TOGETHER

It is instructive for us to consider how the doctrine of corporate worship and the theology of Christ’s redemption are intrinsically connected. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews moves seamlessly from expounding the benefits of the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf to how this impacts our need to worship together. Granted it may be going too far to say that if you do not attend corporate worship with the church you are not saved but it is most certainly a sign that something is wrong in a person's belief system and their walk with Jesus Christ. The Corporate Nature of Worship is Connected to Christ’s Death, Burial, and Resurrection Bringing about a New Creation. Let’s consider some passages together and see how they instruct us about the corporate nature of worship. First, we see that the Holy Trinity, the Church, and the New Creation converge in congregational worship. John 1:1–5: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (ESV)

“The Christian church has from the very beginning gathered regularly for corporate worship.” (EDOT, p. 1302). From as far back as history records God’s people gathered regularly to worship God together. It is thought that when Genesis says about Seth the son of Adam and Eve that during his life “Men began to call upon the name of the Lord” this was an acknowledgment of the beginning of public and corporate gatherings of God’s people. It may easily be observed in Old Testament Israel, post-exilic Israel, and in the New Testament churches. “The Church of Jesus Christ is by definition a worshiping community called into being by God to be a ‘spiritual house…a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Pet. 2:5).’” O Come Let Us Worship: Corporate Worship in the Evangelical Church, Robert G. Rayburn This isn’t a coincidence but gathering for worship and edification is intentional, even commanded. Listen to Hebrews 10:19-25 as I read take note of the second person plural pronouns, corporate confession of belief, mutual dependence, and open exhortation concerning regular worship gatherings. Hebrews 10:19–25: Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, [20] by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] 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. (ESV)