Does the Bible teach that you don’t have to congregate to go to heaven?
Question:
A good friend and fellow sister in Christ called last night to tell me about a conversation she'd had with a few co-workers. One guy said that, although he didn't know where, he knew the Bible said you 'don't have to congregate to go to heaven.' A woman said someone had once told her the same thing. My friend knew that was exactly the opposite of what the Bible says about forsaking the assembly, but we're both wondering if there is a passage that they are misinterpreting? I don't recall 'congregate' being in the Bible anywhere, and they were both sure about the wording of the passage, she said. We both decided that it was more likely they were repeating what they'd been told just because they liked the way it sounded and it reinforced their lack of interest in going to church. Do you know of this passage?
Answer:
The word "congregate" doesn't appear in the Bible; though you can find the word "congregation." I checked web sites for those who make such claims and none reference the Bible, just their personal feelings.
You are quite correct that the Bible teaches the opposite of this statement in Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
