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3 Reasons Why Physical Church Attendance is Necessary
Attending church has been a long-held tradition for many people. But in a world filled with secularism and the availability of alternative forms of entertainment and community, many people are questioning the relevance and necessity of going to church. Sadly, I have even met many confessed Christians who do not go to church. Not long ago, I had a friend genuinely ask about why it was important to go to church, so I thought this would be a good motivation to give a concise biblical perspective on why going to church is not an optional exercise for the Christian. The idea of actually going to church has become more contested, in part, due to the whole COVID situation years ago in 2020 and 2021. Churches shut down in-person gatherings and livestreamed their services. People began questioning whether there was a benefit to going to church or not. Wouldn’t watching a…
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A Sunday Service in the 2nd Century: A Description from Justin Martyr
Justin Martyr is a name unfamiliar to many. However, Justin Martyr would have been very familiar in early Christianity. He was a first-class Christian apologist, and in his writings, he defended the peacefulness of Christians by describing the practices of the church around 150 A.D. (within 60 years of the Apostle John’s death). Although he is not an inspired writer, his observations are interesting in many regards. Does worship in the 2nd-century church look similar to our churches today? I find the testimony of Justin Martyr particularly insightful in answering questions like that (First Apology, 67, ca. 150 A.D.). Justin Martyr on the Order of Service In his observations, Justin Martyr captures a typical Sunday service as it would have unfolded in the early church—a time marked by learning and extended times of worship. The description offers a structured portrayal of early Christian gatherings. The congregation would come together, often…