Do you have to go to Church to be a good christian?

Answer 1

Scripture tells us in the Book of Hebrews not to forsake the gathering together of the brethren. I take this to mean meeting together with other believers for the purpose of worship and edification, which would include teaching and prayer. If attending Church is the only interface a believer has with other believers, then I believe it would be prudent for one to attend church as part of his/her obedience to the Lord. I believe the Lord has two purposes in this command. First, believers represent God on this earth with the primary command to make disciples (believing followers of Christ) of all nations. This would be next to impossible without meeting together to pray, strategize and execute a plan. Second, God knows what's best for us. He has, in the new birth, created us for Heaven, which will be populated with believers. While on earth God is molding us into a heavenly people who love, cherish and seek out fellowship with one's brothers and sisters in the Lord. He knows we need each other but do not always do what we know is best, ergo the command. Good Christian? I dislike this term. Scripture says no one is good but God. Scripture also says that God has saved us for good works, which He created beforehand that we should walk in them. Whatever good we do can only be realized as we follow the Holy Spirit's leading. I don't see believers as good or bad Christians. Some follow the Holy Spirit, some follow the flesh. And this is a dynamic behavior, whereby the believer strives to do good but often fails because the flesh is weak. When depending on one's own strength, one cannot do good. When relying on the Spirit one can only do good.