为什么要去教会？我自己在家读圣经不行吗？
Why go to church? Can't I just read the Bible at home?
简答 Short Answer
基督教从本质上是群体性的信仰。上帝不只是拯救个人，而是在建造一个身体——教会。独自信仰就像一块脱离身体的肢体，无法健康成长。
Christianity is inherently communal. God doesn't just save individuals — He's building a body, the church. Solitary faith is like a limb detached from the body; it cannot grow healthily.
详细解答 Detailed Answer
希伯来书10:25明确说：「不可停止聚会，好像那些停止惯了的人。」这不是一条随意的规定，而是反映了一个深刻的神学真理：基督徒不是一群碰巧信同一件事的个体，而是基督的身体，每个人都是不可或缺的肢体。
保罗在哥林多前书12章生动地说明：眼睛不能对手说「我不需要你」。我们需要彼此的恩赐、勉励、督责和关爱。基督徒灵命的成长需要在群体中操练信心、学习谦卑、练习爱人、接受教导。
此外，教会是基督设立的圣礼——洗礼和圣餐——的施行场所。这些是上帝恩典的可见标记，是在群体中才能领受的。独自信仰不是不可能，但那是残缺的、危险的信仰。一根燃烧的炭火离开炭堆，很快就会熄灭。
Hebrews 10:25 explicitly says: 'Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together, as is the manner of some.' This isn't an arbitrary rule but reflects a profound theological truth: Christians aren't individuals who happen to believe the same thing — they are Christ's body, each an indispensable member.
Paul vividly illustrates in 1 Corinthians 12: the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you.' We need each other's gifts, encouragement, accountability, and care. Spiritual growth requires practicing faith, learning humility, exercising love, and receiving teaching in community.
Furthermore, the church is where Christ-instituted sacraments — baptism and the Lord's Supper — are administered. These are visible signs of God's grace, received within community. Solitary faith isn't impossible, but it's incomplete and dangerous. A burning coal separated from the fire quickly goes cold.
📖 经文引用 Bible Verses
📚 推荐阅读 Related Readings
- •Life Together (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
- •The Trellis and the Vine (Colin Marshall)