bdavidc
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Salvation First: Why Knowing Jesus Matters More Than Attending Church
Is the most important part of witnessing to someone getting them to attend church?
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ~ Matthew 7:21
No, the most important thing when witnessing to someone is not simply trying to get them into a church, but leading them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Salvation comes through faith in Him—believing in His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins—not through attendance at a building or membership in a congregation (Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9). While fellowship with other believers is important for spiritual growth (Hebrews 10:25), it should never replace or precede the need to be born again (John 3:3).
When we witness, our focus should be on sharing the gospel—the good news that Jesus came to save sinners and offers eternal life to all who believe (John 3:16, 1 Timothy 1:15). If someone comes to know the Lord, the Holy Spirit will guide them into truth and into fellowship with other faithful believers in God’s timing. But sending a lost person into a church that does not preach the true gospel can lead to confusion or false assurance. That’s why pointing them to Jesus and encouraging them to seek Him through His Word is the most essential first step.
I get aggravated when people think that when you try and lead people to Jesus they think the most important thing is to get them to go to church. While gathering with other believers is good and biblical (Hebrews 10:25), it should never come before a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The most important thing for someone seeking the truth is to come to truly know Jesus—to understand who He is, what He has done, and why they need Him. Salvation doesn't come through a building or a denomination, but through being born again by faith in Christ (John 3:3, Ephesians 2:8–9).
Sending someone who is searching for the Lord into a spiritually compromised or worldly church—one that doesn't faithfully teach the gospel—can be harmful and may confuse or mislead them. Jesus warned that there would be many false teachers and wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15), and we are called to test everything by the Word of God (1 John 4:1). That’s why it's vital for each person to read the Bible for themselves and seek the Lord in prayer. As Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” When someone truly knows Christ and is filled with the Holy Spirit, they’ll be able to recognize truth from error. Knowing Jesus must always come first—He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and no one comes to the Father except through Him.
It seems that many Christians don’t realize that the church is not a building or a man-made organization—it is the body of Christ, made up of all true believers who have been born again through faith in Jesus Christ. Scripture clearly teaches that the church is not a physical structure but a spiritual one. In 1 Corinthians 3:16, Paul writes, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” And again in 1 Peter 2:5, believers are called “living stones” being built into a spiritual house. The early church did not have church buildings as we know them today; they met in homes, in public spaces, and wherever they could gather in the name of the Lord (Acts 2:46, Romans 16:5). What truly defines the church is not where we gather, but who we are in Christ and our unity in the Spirit.
The danger arises when the focus shifts from Christ to institutions, traditions, or buildings. Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). The presence of Christ doesn’t dwell in brick and mortar, but in the hearts of His people. Sadly, many today equate church with a weekly event in a building, rather than a daily life of worship, fellowship, and obedience. The true church is alive, active, and set apart—called to be salt and light in a dark world (Matthew 5:13–16). We are the church when we walk in love, truth, and holiness, whether gathered in a house, online, or even alone in prayer. The Spirit of God is not limited by location, and He continues to build His church in ways that man-made systems often overlook.
If someone comes to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, it is a great blessing when they can find a local church that puts Christ at the center, faithfully teaches His Word, and lives according to the truth of Scripture. A healthy church will help believers grow, serve, and stay grounded in sound doctrine. But the standard isn’t human tradition or popular opinion—it’s the Bible. If a church exalts Jesus, holds firmly to His Word, and encourages believers to walk in obedience and love, then it is a place where spiritual growth and genuine fellowship can flourish. At the end of the day, our aim should always be to lead people to Christ first. Once someone has been born again, the Holy Spirit will lead them to where they can be edified, equipped, and encouraged alongside others who truly follow Jesus.
Always remember, the Bible clearly warns that in the last days, widespread apostasy will occur and many will be led astray. Scripture teaches that deception will increase, and not everyone who claims to speak for God will be proclaiming the truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4; Matthew 24:11). This is why it is crucial to stay rooted in God’s Word, testing all things by Scripture and holding fast to sound doctrine. Only by knowing the truth can we discern error and stand firm in a time of growing spiritual confusion.
