For many people, attending church is associated with a ritual tradition that does not bring any practical benefit to a person. Others believe that the very fact of their coming to church is a fulfillment of service to God.
What is a church?
For most people, the term “church” means a magnificent religious building where a priest conducts a worship service. Meanwhile, the expression “church” in the Bible comes from the Greek word ἐκκλησία (“ecclesia”), meaning “gathering, ” a meeting place for people. Therefore, the more precise meaning of this expression is associated not so much with the premises as with the general meeting of fellow believers who came to conduct Christian worship. So, in the Bible there is also the concept of “home church, ” which implies the meeting of Christians in a private house, and not at all in any religious building (Epistle to Philemon, 2). The Christians of the apostolic era did not have pompous rituals; their ministry was simple and understandable.
In the understanding of many believers, one must come to church to listen to the singing of the choir, to be present at any ceremony performed by the priest, and also to light candles and pray. In their view, the church needs to perform some ritual actions that could cause approval from above. However, the Holy Scriptures on this account give a completely different indication. First, the Bible explains: “God, who created the world and everything in it, He, being the Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in man-made temples and does not require the service of human hands, as if he had something in need” (Acts apostles 17: 24.25).
