When we see those who stay away from church and we try to correct them, the first Bible portion we always quote is Hebrews 10:25. But what actually does the scripture says in that passage?
According to the KJV Bible, Hebrews 10:25 says "Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another and so much the more, as you see the day approaching".
Now let's see what people wrongly believe about this passage.
MISCONCEPTION #1: Many people believe that this was a law and therefore, it will be a sin if you refuse to follow it.
EXPLANATION: There is a difference between laws and instructions. Most of the things Paul wrote in his epistles were not laws but instructions and advice to believers. People only sin when they disobeys God's laws, not people's instructions/advice. The same Paul wrote in 1st Timothy 5:23 "Do not drink only water, but take a little wine........". Now if someone refuse to drink any wine throughout his life, will God count that to him as a sin? This is the difference between instructions and laws.
MISCONCEPTION #2: Many Christians believe that staying away from church even once in a while will contravene that scripture.
EXPLANATION: The verse says "do not FORSAKE...." Now, the word forsake means to give up, leave or abandon something permanently. Actually, Paul was only advising believers not to permanently give up or stop gathering with one another. That means even those who gather once in a while are still following that instruction. One will only deviate from the instruction when he permanently stop gathering.
MISCONCEPTION #3: Many Christians believe that the church is the only place the scripture instructs us to gather.
EXPLANATION: The word 'church' was not mentioned in that passage neither did any other Bible portion mentioned it as a place we should always gather. If you are able to gather with members of your household in your house or your colleagues in school, it's still a gathering. The most important thing is not where you gather, but what you gather to do.
MISCONCEPTION #4: Many Christians believe that we should gather together just to worship God.
EXPLANATION: If we read the preceding verse to this passage, Hebrews 10:24, it says "Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another, to show love and to do good to one another".
Paul actually want us to gather so that we can have the privilege to help, love, exhort and guide one another. To meet each other's needs spiritually, materially and otherwise. The instruction wasn't about gathering to worship God as we wrongly believe. If you want to worship God, the Bible says worship him in your heart (1st Peter 3:15). Jesus also said these people honour me with their lips but their hearts are far away from me (Matt 15: 8 )... This shows that God himself wants us to worship him in our hearts, not in earthly places and public gatherings. Read John 4:21-24.

NB... This write up might sound strange to you but I'm not in anyway trying to condemn the act of going to church or gathering there. I myself do go to Church, but to say the truth, not every Sunday. Continue your church going, it's not wrong but know that it's not a sin to stay away. Just change your mentality a bit if you find yourself guilty of any of the above misconceptions.
PEACE...

Spot on, genius!
Most of these misconceptions arise when individuals do not read the bible to understand it, but rather depend on interpretations of clergymen and charlatans alike.
Of course, what MOG would tell you that it's okay not to attend church service regularly? Quite a few.

whirlwind7:
Spot on, genius!
Most of these misconceptions arise when individuals do not read the bible to understand it, but rather depend on interpretations of clergymen and charlatans alike.
Of course, what MOG would tell you that it's okay not to attend church service regularly? Quite a few.

Infact, I haven't seen or heard any pastor telling anyone that staying away from church is not a sin. Even the pastors who knows this, will not tell anyone due to fear of losing members and possibly, money.

MOD's in the house, pls help spread this message.

gentlegenius:

Infact, I haven't seen or heard any pastor telling anyone that staying away from church is not a sin. Even the pastors who knows this, will not tell anyone due to fear of losing members and possibly, money.

Exactly!
Pastors are the reason why some people live a life of condemnation.

You are right. This is what you get when you do isolatory interpretation.

Peritus:
You are right. This is what you get when you do isolatory interpretation.

So who's guilty of this isolatory interpretation? Is it the pastors or those who study the scriptures on their own? I think misconceptions normally arise when we follow unnecessary trends and believe what people says. There are people who always attend Bible study class in their churches yet they wont ask any questions. They simply nod their heads to everything the pastor says.

gentlegenius:
MISCONCEPTION #2: Many Christians believe that staying away from church even once in a while will contravene that scripture.
EXPLANATION: The verse says "do not FORSAKE...." Now, the word forsake means to give up, leave or abandon something permanently. Actually, Paul was only advising believers not to permanently give up or stop gathering with one another. That means even those who gather once in a while are still following that instruction. One will only deviate from the instruction when he permanently stop gathering.

Then define the life span of permanent. Someone who has been going to church on a daily stopped going for up to 4-5months and you're saying it's still not permanent? How long is permanence?

gentlegenius:
When we see those who stay away from church and we try to correct them, the first Bible portion we always quote is Hebrews 10:25. But what actually does the scripture says in that passage?
According to the KJV Bible, Hebrews 10:25 says "Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another and so much the more, as you see the day approaching".
Now let's see what people wrongly believe about this passage.
MISCONCEPTION #1: Many people believe that this was a law and therefore, it will be a sin if you refuse to follow it.
EXPLANATION: There is a difference between laws and instructions. Most of the things Paul wrote in his epistles were not laws but instructions and advice to believers. People only sin when they disobeys God's laws, not people's instructions/advice. The same Paul wrote in 1st Timothy 5:23 "Do not drink only water, but take a little wine........". Now if someone refuse to drink any wine throughout his life, will God count that to him as a sin? This is the difference between instructions and laws.
MISCONCEPTION #2: Many Christians believe that staying away from church even once in a while will contravene that scripture.
EXPLANATION: The verse says "do not FORSAKE...." Now, the word forsake means to give up, leave or abandon something permanently. Actually, Paul was only advising believers not to permanently give up or stop gathering with one another. That means even those who gather once in a while are still following that instruction. One will only deviate from the instruction when he permanently stop gathering.
MISCONCEPTION #3: Many Christians believe that the church is the only place the scripture instructs us to gather.
EXPLANATION: The word 'church' was not mentioned in that passage neither did any other Bible portion mentioned it as a place we should always gather. If you are able to gather with members of your household in your house or your colleagues in school, it's still a gathering. The most important thing is not where you gather, but what you gather to do.
MISCONCEPTION #4: Many Christians believe that we should gather together just to worship God.
EXPLANATION: If we read the preceding verse to this passage, Hebrews 10:24, it says "Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another, to show love and to do good to one another".
Paul actually want us to gather so that we can have the privilege to help, love, exhort and guide one another. To meet each other's needs spiritually, materially and otherwise. The instruction wasn't about gathering to worship God as we wrongly believe. If you want to worship God, the Bible says worship him in your heart (1st Peter 3:15). Jesus also said these people honour me with their lips but their hearts are far away from me (Matt 15: 8 )... This shows that God himself wants us to worship him in our hearts, not in earthly places and public gatherings. Read John 4:21-24.

NB... This write up might sound strange to you but I'm not in anyway trying to condemn the act of going to church or gathering there. I myself do go to Church, but to say the truth, not every Sunday. Continue your church going, it's not wrong but know that it's not a sin to stay away. Just change your mentality a bit if you find yourself guilty of any of the above misconceptions.
PEACE...

Overall, the man Paul, had no power or right to institute any laws on behalf of God or Jesus Christ. Sin is as defined by God, in His Covenant to man and not by the words of any man, even Paul.