It's just sad that some people believe it is required, some people can't simply make it due to health reasons or things like lack of time.
Obviously, we know there are people who can't attend church, due to illness, perhaps a military deployment, etc. But that isn't what we're talking about.
We're not talking about people who want to be a part of the Church but can't, due to reasons beyond their control,
but people who can, but choose not to .
Those people who cannot attend church due to reasons beyond their control still need the Church. That's why we have ministries to
take church to them.
You're right in saying that it's not required for salvation, but it is still a command.
You can worship and honor Christ anywhere, doesn't just have to be at Church.
That's true. But you can't worship
corporately anywhere. You can't gather corporately for the preaching and teaching of the Word anywhere. You can't submit to Godly pastors or elders anywhere. You can't observe the ordinances of the Church anywhere. You can't edify the Body or be edified anywhere. You can't submit to Church discipline anywhere. You can't fellowship anywhere.
To say you don't have to be a part of a local assembly because you can "worship anywhere", is not only a cop-out and excuse for disobedience, it's also terrible ecclesiology, as "worship" is not the only purpose of the Church.
If what you're saying is true, then why is the pattern we see in scripture and the Didache salvation, baptism, membership, submission?
Where are we ever told in scripture that people are saved and then say "no thanks" to the Church? Where, anywhere in scripture, do we see people getting saved and then being released back into the wild to become feral Christians?
