Many church leaders today seem to make "church" attendance a requirement for salvation, often quoting Hebrews 10:25:
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
We are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, true. But what does this mean? It is explained more thorougly in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2:
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
The assembling together(Hebrews 10) and the gathering together(2 Thessalonians) is the same event and refers to the second coming of Jesus Christ. We are not to forsake(abandon or give up on) the coming of Christ when we will be gathered together unto him.
There are many who await the coming of Christ, they are eager and strong in faith, but when the day doesn't come and as time goes on, they start to lose hope and start to lose faith. In the parable of the seed, we are to be like the seed that fell on good ground and bring forth our fruit with patience.
Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Christ will come again and we are to exhort or encourage each other not to lose faith, to stay strong, and to not be troubled, especially as that day comes near.
These verses do not relate to attending a church building. You do not have to attend a worship service or gather at a special building to be saved. Gathering together does give us a chance to pray together, to teach and learn, to edify and uplift, and to help each other grow. A true gathering of the Church should accomplish those things to the glory of God.
Today, many of the church buildings teach false doctrines and use guilt to keep you there. Brothers and sisters, follow Christ and love one another and you will be saved; You are the Church.
