06/09/2021
Is Online Church…Church?
One of the many effects of the pandemic on our society has been in the way that some people interact with their local churches.
When COVID-19 first hit, most churches immediately ceased meeting in person and continued until recently relaxing or doing away with assembly restrictions. To continue reaching people, many churches started sharing their worship services online. Those who weren’t previously online quickly adapted.
Most churches had good intentions in doing this. They were trying to continue spreading the gospel while also slowing the spread of coronavirus.
However, as churches have started meeting in person again, some people have not returned to worship. They have opted for online church instead – if they even “attend” at all.
But is online church…really church?
Some would argue that getting online and listening to the weekly sermon is exactly what he or she would do in person, only they are now sitting on their couch instead of in a pew.
Others might suggest that worship is a personal matter and that one does not need to “go to church” to “be the church.” He or she can worship anytime, anywhere, and by themselves.
My question to those who hold these views, as with any church-related issue, is to ask, “What does the Bible say?” And not only that, but what does that mean for those who profess to follow Christ today?
Before the word “church” was used to mean “building” or “organization,” the original Greek “ekklesia” meant “a gathering, assembly.” When the Scripture tells us that “the Lord added to the church daily” (Acts 2:47), it was not referring to a building - it was describing the group of believers (“those who were being saved”).
In Matthew 16:18, our Lord said, “...I will build My church.” Ephesians 1:22 says that God “gave Him (Jesus) to be head over all things to the church.” Ephesians 1:23 says that the church is the Lord’s body. Why is all of this important? Because you or I don’t have the right to define what “church” is. It doesn’t belong to us because we didn’t give ourselves for the church like Christ did (Eph. 5:25).
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:12, “For as the body is one and has many members,” and in doing so shows the necessary unity of the Lord’s church. He adds in verse 14, “For in fact the body is not one member but many.” The “church” is not me, my preferences, and my schedule. It is so much more than that!
Some might want to stretch the definition of church to include those “assembling” online, but what do we learn about the purpose of the church assembly from the word of God?
Go back to the early church in Jerusalem. In Acts 2:42, it says, “they continued in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 20:7 says, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread...” Paul told the church at Corinth, “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Christians were assembling to observe the Lord’s Supper, teach and learn doctrine, have spiritual fellowship, pray together, and give of their means to the Lord’s church.
But that’s not all. Paul told the church at Ephesus to be “speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Singing is not only a way we can praise God, but we can also teach others! How can I truly “speak” to someone else if I am consistently at home during the assembly?
Sometime we spend a lot of time on Hebrews 10:25 (“not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together”), but we overlook the purpose and joy of assembling given before and after that admonition. Verse 24 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” The second part of verse 25 says, “as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another.” I ask you again - how can I stir up love and exhort someone else when I make online church my only “church”?
There are some who are not able to get out for the assembly because of bad health, old age, or even work schedules from time to time. This is not addressing those situations. Posting lessons online can also be effective in teaching and spreading the gospel, as people can view and share these resources at any time.
However, let’s use these tools in their proper place and prioritize the assembling of the saints to honor God, show the purpose of the Lord’s church to the world, and edify one another by coming together.
—Have a great week! Drew
