Lesson 13 explore 2: Organized Religion—Is It Necessary to Belong to One? | Bible Questions
The Bible’s answer
Yes, because God wants people to gather for worship. The Bible says: “Let us consider one another so as to motivate to love and fine works, not forsaking our meeting together.” footnote.
(Hebrews 10.24, 25: And let us consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking our meeting together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you see the day drawing near.)
Jesus indicated that his followers would form an organized group when he said to them: “By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.”
(John 13.35: By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.”)
As a primary way of showing this love, disciples of Christ would associate with fellow believers. They would be organized into congregations that meet regularly for worship.
(1 Corinthians 16.19: The congregations of Asia send you their greetings. Aquila and Prisca together with the congregation that is in their house greet you heartily in the Lord.)
Collectively, they would form a worldwide brotherhood.
(1 Peter 2.17: Honor men of all sorts, have love for the whole association of brothers, be in fear of God, honor the king.)
More is needed than just belonging to a religion
While the Bible shows that people should gather to worship God, it does not teach that a person can please God by just being a member of a religion. To be approved by God, a person’s religion must affect his everyday life. For example, the Bible says: “The religion that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.” footnote.
(James 1.27: The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.)
[Footnotes] Or “The religion.” [End of footnote.]
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