Why Is Christian Community So Important in the Bible?

The writer of Ecclesiastes suggested that people are designed to live in community. “Two are better than one,” Solomon said, and “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Community brings friendship and support for times of adversity (Proverbs 17:17; 27:9).

Jesus expanded the scope of community, telling His disciples to begin their testimony and outreach in their own back yard (Jerusalem), and then reach out beyond their city to their country and surrounding countries (Judea and Samaria), and then into all the world (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19-20). As Christ-followers expand their outreach, other people will, hopefully, see the power of community at work. 

By modern definitions, “Christian community” can be: a denomination, network of churches, or organizations; a group of people following a specific Christian leader; or Christians who fellowship together based on shared beliefs. When many hear the words, however, they think specifically of the local church. The Greek word ekklesia, commonly translated “church,” is a called-out assembly or gathering. It includes both the universal body of Christ and local groups of believers in specific churches (1 Corinthians 12:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:1).

In the early church, small community groups of believers met in house churches. Even today, a local church may decide to add small groups or life groups to meet regularly in homes for Bible study, fellowship and service. To function properly, small groups or life groups should function as extensions of the larger church body for greater connection and growth. They are not meant to replace Sunday worship services, or remove the group from the authority and oversight of church leaders.

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Biblically, community began with Adam and God, and eventually included Eve. They “walked” and talked together in perfect communion in the Garden of Eden until sin destroyed that perfection (Genesis 3:8). In shame, the first couple hid from God. Adam and Eve’s perfect communion broke down, and all relationships in community thereafter would be marred by sin.

The couple became parents, and cities were established from subsequent family groups. The first city was built by Cain in the land of Nod (Genesis 4:16-17). A famous city in the Old Testament, referenced repeatedly in stories from Abraham to David and beyond, was the Jewish community in Hebron. Two infamous cities, where the believing community broke down, were Sodom and Gomorrah. 

The Israelites received rules for right behavior — for relating to God and to one another in community — in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17) and in other teachings (Leviticus 19:5-18). Yet because of the Jews’ stubbornness and disobedience, men of God prophesied their captivity and exile to the Persian city of Babylon, where living in community was more difficult. But God commanded them to settle down in community there (Jeremiah 29:4-7). 

After seventy years, many Jews migrated to major cities in the eastern Mediterranean world and lived in communities there, but 42,360 returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls and city and restart temple worship (Nehemiah 1:1; 2:3-20; Ezra 1:5; 3:1-13). An estimated 80,000 Jews remained, by choice, in Babylon. Sometime later, these Jews in Persia faced a death sentence (detailed in the book of Esther); yet their community united and triumphed over their enemies.

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The Greek word koinonia is often translated with words like “fellowship,” “partnership,” and “communion.” It can refer to the marriage relationship, people involved in an outreach, neighborhoods — basically, people who have a giving-receiving connection, and local churches. 

Jesus taught about being a good neighbor in the well-known parable of the “Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37). The Samaritan man ministered to an attacked and injured man, left on the roadside to die. The good-hearted Samaritan took the man to an innkeeper, saying he would pay for the man’s care. Although the purpose of Jesus in telling the parable was to illustrate mercy to a self-righteous Pharisee, He also pictured community in action, reaching out to a neighbor in distress. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,” He said (John 13:35). Love is meant to be the hallmark of Christian community.

Jesus modeled living in community by submitting to authorities, showing compassion, and ministering to needs. His attitudes and actions affected both the local Jewish community and those outside His religious circle. He told His followers to let their light shine before people so they will acknowledge the believers’ good works and glorify God. Paul echoed this exhortation in Philippians 2:15. Jesus also told His followers to be like salt in their communities and beyond, becoming a purifying, life-preserving, flavoring influence. 

How Did the Early Church Focus on Community?

In Acts 2:43-47, it’s clear the early church had a sense of responsibility in community after the Day of Pentecost. They showed mutual love and concern, close fellowship, and even shared their belongings. And their neighbors took notice! 

The Apostle Paul taught much about living together in Christian love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8), and standing for what is right in community. Both Peter and Paul urged believers to build “the spiritual temple” in Christ in community living (1 Peter 2:5; Ephesians 2:20-22).

Paul, Peter, James, and John gave examples of what community looks like, citing humility, gentleness, kindness, love and compassion, cheerfulness, purity, patience, tolerance, unity, peace, wholesome conversations, building others up, forgiveness, prayerfulness, and serving others or bearing their burdens. Christ-followers were exhorted to do good to all people, but especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10).

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In today’s culture, with flagrant evil and massive corruption, Christians need to band together for courage and encouragement. This can happen outside the church and in parachurch ministries, but primarily, Christians are strengthened to face the world as they consistently rub shoulders with other believers in the church.

Yet a survey that was reported by the Christian Post on January 8, 2023, noted that roughly a third of Americans have stopped going to church. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted church attendance in the United States, but many people didn’t return when the lockdowns ended. Ask churchgoers why they think people in their communities don’t come to church and they’ll likely say, “They aren’t believers.” But Joe Carter at The Gospel Coalition said that, according to surveys, lack of church attendance is more often for practical or personal reasons than lack of belief.

Carter offered two reasons why being part of a local church community is important. First, it’s “not possible,” he said, to be part of the larger community (the body of Christ) without being part of the smaller communities that make it up. Second, every letter in the New Testament “assumes Christians are members of local churches,” Carter said. Biblical truth is taught and modeled in a local church framework. Christ-followers learn how to get along with each other, encourage the weak, conduct themselves, deal with unrepentant sinners, etc. in a local church community.  

Author Rhonda Stoppe suggested ten reasons to go to church — even if we don’t feel like it, when we’re turned off by hypocrites in the congregation, when we’re too busy for church, or even when we feel pulled to attend other good things instead. Stoppe’s perspective is biblical and healthy. “Church is not a place to go,” she said, “rather it is a living body where God wants you to become a part — for your good and His glory.”

Stoppe’s reasons to be part of a Christian church community included hearing the Word of God, participating in corporate worship, sharpening others spiritually, exercising spiritual gifts, encouraging the pastor (and I’d add the pastor’s wife, along with staff members and their spouses), finding godly mentors, teaching children to love the church, learning how to be a light for Jesus outside the church, bearing others’ burdens, and obeying God.

Notice all those action verbs! The local community of believers is meant to be a vital, active group! It’s a place of belonging, but also worship, fellowship, and ministry.

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Certainly, we can find a good Christian relationships outside the church, but the writer of Hebrews told us not give up meeting together, and it’s assumed he meant as part of a place of worship.

Finding a good Christian community isn’t always easy. While we may look in a directory for possibilities, more often than not, finding a good church comes when we pray for direction and seek out godly Christians to ask where they attend church. Be careful in your search; some churches claim to be Christian but they are not biblical. 

There is no perfect church — but there are traits to look for that are both biblical, practical, and in some cases, personal preference. These “traits” offer an expansive view of biblical community.

First, look for biblical traits. Is it a Gospel-centered congregation? Does the church stand firm on solid biblical doctrines? Does the pastor preach the “whole counsel” (or will) of God? Is the worship biblical and focused on God? Is it an equipping church, enabling the members to better reach those without Christ? Are the people being properly shepherded? Do the church members seem devoted to Jesus and His mission for the church? Are they committed to reaching those who have not heard the Gospel? Is there a plan for church planting? Do members regularly share their testimonies? Does it seem that they anticipate God working in their midst? Is God increasing the number who are being saved and joining the church? How does the church incorporate teaching and ministry for the next generation, from young children through college age? Does the church practice biblical church discipline to uphold honoring the Lord?

Second, look for practical Christian living traits. Is the leadership mutually accountable to each other to pursue holiness and good character? Are the members of the congregation seeking God and living holy lives? How do they interact? With love, forgiveness and unity? Do they show grace when others exhibit their human flaws? Do the leaders appear to bully others? Are congregants loyal and committed to each other? Do they gossip and slander? Are there strong,  thriving marriages? Are there small group studies for additional growth? Do believers practice hospitality? Is it a giving church, compassionate and generous? Do believers enter regularly into the greater community to help and bring hope?

Third — and this is definitely not most important — look for personal preference traits. Do you enjoy the musical style in the church and feel it contributes to your biblically worshipping God? Are there ministry groups within the church that attract you and motivate you to become involved? Remember: church attendance isn’t only about what you can receive, but also what you can contribute to the community.

God knows that our becoming a part of a good Christian community is a blessing, but He wants us to know that too. It’s worth the time to investigate local churches and find the right local church family for personal growth, others’ good, and God’s glory.

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