"Choosing" a church - is that biblical?

A few years ago, I read on the back of a semi-truck: "Go to the church of your choice!" This sentence has stuck with me ever since. Is it really up to me which church or congregation I should go to, or does God have a plan that applies to every Christian? How can it be that there is only one way to salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to..., but then many different ways to gather around the one person who saved us? It is not my intention to attack anyone with this text; rather, I want to carefully examine what the Bible says on this subject.

The word church, or rather "assembly," only appears twice in the Gospels: First, in Matthew 16:18, where the Lord speaks of the universal assembly: "On this rock, I will build my assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His..., and the gates of HadesThe Greek term Hades, which is used in Mt 11:23; 16:18; Lk 16:23; Rev 1:18; 6:8; 20:13.14, corresponds to the term Sheol in the OT. This expression is used in... will not prevail against it." Then, Matthew 18:20 is about the local assembly in connection with the exercise of discipline: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Both were still future at that time: "I will build my assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His...." But in chapter 18:20, the Lord uses the present tense: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." What does He mean by this? It is obviously the case that someone else brings the assembly together. He does not say: "where two or three gather," but "where two or three are gathered." Well, the Lord himself is the one who, through the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy..., brings believers together as an assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His.... A true Christian should not say, "I think I will gather with this or that church," as if it were his own decision. No, it is not we ourselves who gather. It is the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... who strives to gather us to the name of the Lord Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is.... It is a power outside of us that draws us to be gathered to the name of the Lord. We hear the call to gather to his name, and we respond. Just like when we heard the call of salvationSalvation is part of God's plan of saving people. Those who are in danger and cannot help themselves need salvation. We owe our salvation to our Savior, who went to... and responded to it – or have you not done so yourself?

So let us listen to God's call, who wants to bring us into fellowship with his Son: "God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9). Where is this fellowship with his Son to be found? Well, on the one hand, we can have personal fellowship with Him. But God has also called us together as believers, indeed "called us out" to have fellowship with His Son. This is exactly what the word "assembly" or "ekklesia" means: a calling out and coming together to the Lord Jesus. So the calling into the fellowship of his Son involves [in a certain sense] being gathered to his name. Therefore, we are not the ones who gather, but we are led [so to speak] by God to the place where He wants us to be gathered: to the name of His Son. That is why the Lord Jesus says, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in their midst." There, He has fellowship with us.

“Gathered in my name” – what does that imply?

The expression "gathered in my name" or "to my name" deserves a closer look. Of course, every church or congregation will claim that its members gather in the name of Jesus. But is that really the case? God desires that we gather exclusively in and to the name of his Son. That is the only basis on which we come together. This means far more than just using the name "Jesus." When someone in the Bible asked: "In whose name are you doing this?" he wanted to know in whose authority something was done. A small illustration may make this clear: If a man came to your front door and said, "I'm Hans Schmidt and would like to see your bank statements," you would most likely close the door in his face again. But if he were to introduce himself with the words: "I'm Hans Schmidt from the tax office," you would at least invite him in once. Why? Because he comes with the authority of the name of the tax authority. The name Hans Schmidt has no authority, but the name of the tax office certainly does. So, being gathered in Jesus' name goes far beyond what most understand it to mean. It means that we are together under his authority. And the only way to do this is through his word.

Do believers in all churches or congregations gather in the name of the Lord Jesus? No, because not all are willing to submit in obedience to what His Word says about the principles and practicalities of being together. They use his name, but they do not gather in it. In fact, they assemble all kinds of names, using man-made denominational names, for example. Many of these groups have church charters or constitutions that they follow, and some even ignore the fact that God only draws truly redeemed people to the name of His Son, the Lord Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is.... Obviously, therefore, it is no longer God who gathers them. He cannot associate Himself with humanly conceived names – although there may certainly be some very faithful saints in these groups. They may choose to go there, but it is not God who draws them there ...

The Lord in the midst

When I go where Christians are gathered in His name, I do so because He is there. He draws everyone to Himself. I don't go to a gathering of saints because I like the people or the buildings there. I also don't go there because it is easy for me to get to or because the programs offered appeal to me. I go there because I am drawn by a force that is outside of me. This force is the call of God "into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ my Lord," to which I want to respond. I am not called to the building, the people, or the programs but to His Son. When I was saved, I listened to the call to His Son as my Savior. And when it comes to where I am to be gathered with other Christians, I respond to His call that leads me into the fellowship of His Son. The building, the drive time, the programs, or the people have absolutely nothing to do with it. I simply want to submit to God's call into the fellowship of his Son [in this particular sense].

That's what we have to offer: the great privilege of the fellowship of His Son, the Lord Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is.... That is all we have – His mighty name. Our meeting place is kept simple. Our focus is not on programs, entertainment, or pleasure. We are gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus, not to our name – because we don't have one!

What are you looking for in a church?

When I hear someone say they are looking for the right church, I ask myself: Where do they want to be drawn to? What are they looking for? Are they looking for an attractive and easily accessible meeting house? Is he looking for friendly people or good offers and a powerful preacher? Perhaps he says: "I am looking for God's way for me." Then I wonder. God's way and will regarding the coming together of believers is not hard to discern. We should simply submit to His drawing or calling "to His name" and the "fellowship of His Son." If you ask someone who goes to a denominationThe term, which comes from Latin, literally means “naming” or “designation.” In the religious sense, denomination stands for a specific group of Christians that distinguishes itself from other Christian groups... why they chose it, they will list a few reasons. But you will not hear that he goes there because God has drawn him. God draws believers exclusively to the name of the Lord Jesus and to the fellowship of His Son.

Some say “There aren’t sufficient activities for the youth, hence our absence.” Yet, if such activities are indeed scarce, what hinders the youth from attending the existing gatherings? One should not lose heart due to the absence of certain offerings or programs. Get involved! Get involved! We would like to encourage our young sisters to help in the children's ministry, for example. If you are a young brother, let us encourage you to study God's Word at home so that you can participate in Bible studies and prayer meetings. Let the Spirit of the Lord work in you! AssemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... is not a sports field for spectators but a place for priests who participate (see 1 Pet 2:1-9).

One gets the impression that people are looking for a church today as if they were going shopping. People hope to find satisfaction through entertainment, potential friends, social activities, music, and exciting sermons. It is all about the fulfillment of one's ideas and desires. God's will that we place ourselves exclusively under the authority of his Son is ignored.

In John 12:9, we read: "Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead." So they were less interested in seeing the Lord Jesus than in marveling at a miracle. It is no different today. People want to hear a powerful preacher or see something in motion. They want to be excited. We find another aspect of this in John 6:26: "Jesus answered them and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you: You seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled." Why were they seeking the Lord? Many followed because of the miracles, but here we have those who only followed Jesus because they expected external benefits.

Jesus as the center!

We find the right attitude in John 6:65-69: "And He said, ‘Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.’ From that time, many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal lifeEternal life is more than life without end. Eternal life is the highest conceivable quality of life. It is life in abundance (John 10:10). Christ himself is the true God.... Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is..., the Son of the living God.’” Is it not worth considering that "no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him"? Of course, this verse refers to individual salvation. But I think it can also refer to the call into the fellowship of his Son and the gathering to his name. Many of his disciples went away because of this statement. Why? They thought that He could not offer them anything of what they asked for. When He then asks the twelve whether they would also go away, Peter replies: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal lifeEternal life is more than life without end. Eternal life is the highest conceivable quality of life. It is life in abundance (John 10:10). Christ himself is the true God...."

Should we look for a church or simply gather to the name of the Lord Jesus? That is the question. I hope you can now say that although many seek the church of their choice, I now understand that it is not to be according to my desires or for my satisfaction but according to a conviction based on God's Word. It is not about the brothers and sisters there, not about the creed, not about the preachers or overseers, not about the choir or whatever else it may be, but exclusively about ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is.... A force outside of me calls me and convinces me to come together with such Christians who are called into the fellowship of His Son. And what is this power, this pull, this call? It is the convicting power of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... that shows me the right path according to God when I read the Holy ScripturesIn the NT, the various parts of the OT are referred to as “the Scriptures”; these are the “sacred letters/writings” (2 Tim. 3:15). “Every Scripture is divinely inspired and profitable...!