And from there the brothers and sisters, when they heard about us, came as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. (Acts 28:15)
We have to be careful of thinking of Paul as some sort of super-evangelist. Yes, he was sustained by his faith in God, but look what happens to him when he is in the assembly of fellow saints—it prompted him to thank God and brought courage to his heart.
Do you have to go to church to be a Christian? Of course not. But you will be encouraged and you will be the source of encouragement to others when you gather together regularly.
As the writer of Hebrews tells us—
Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
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Craig T. Owens 