Where Two Or More Are Gathered

Why I Am Not Bound to Attend a Church Building

I once knew little about scripture. Every Sunday-the pagan Sabbath-I felt uneasy about skipping pagan church. You know that undiscerning whispering voice: You’re supposed to be there; it’s what believers do. But many pagan Sabbath Sundays, I heard sermons that clashed with scripture, sometimes directly contradicting its teachings. This compelled me to delve deeper into the scriptures. The Bible speaks of gathering, but it’s not about being tethered to a building. Yes, gathering in buildings, which scripture also calls temples, is good, but gatherings weren’t solely in temples.

Hebrews 10:25 says,

“not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as you see the day coming near.”
(Iḇ`rim – Hebrews) 10:25 TS2009)

Indeed, it urges us not to neglect meeting together, but it doesn’t say, do not neglect our meetings in a building.

Now, to those reading my blog, here’s my advice: when modern-day religious Christians quote a verse, do yourself a favor-open the Bible, find that verse, and read the entire chapter to confirm if their explanation aligns with scripture. They often cherry-pick verses or invent meanings to fit their narrative. This is why many are losing interest in the true faith.

Gathering

The gathering isn’t only physical; it’s also spiritual, as Apostle Paul demonstrated in his epistle to the church of Corinth. This is also how Yeshua gathers with believers, in spirit.

“For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged the one who did this, as though I were present.”

Qorintiyim Aleph (1 Corinthians) 5:3 TS2009

Regarding Hebrews 10:25, let’s consider when Paul spoke these words. They were uttered before the epistle to the Hebrews was written. Paul didn’t have a scribe instantly transcribing and distributing his teachings. Commanded by Yeshua to preach to the Gentiles, he spread the news of the Messiah’s coming and taught the Torah. Yet, believers weren’t always required to gather in a temple or building. To clarify modern Christian confusion, I’ll demonstrate this with scripture.

So, whether a believer is gathering by himself or with a huge congregation, they are all together worshiping Elohim as one, in the spirit realm.

Let’s Begin

Let me emphasize: a set-apart place doesn’t necessarily mean a building or temple. It may symbolize that, but more crucially, it’s more about where believers gather together.

““And day by day, continuing with one mind in the Set-apart Place, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,”
(Ma`asei 0- Acts 2:46 TS2009)

“And daily in the Set-apart Place, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and bringing the Good News: יהושע the Messiah!”
(Ma`asei – Acts 5:42 TS2009)

“And having realised this, he went to the house of Miryam, the mother of Yoḥanan who was also called Marqos, where many had gathered to pray.”
(Ma`asei – Acts 12:12 TS2009)

“who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the nations, and the assembly that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epainetos, who is the first-fruits of Achaia to Messiah.”
(Romiyim (Romans 16:4-5 TS2009)

“The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aqulas and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Master, with the assembly that is in their house.”
(Qorintiyim Aleph – 1 Corinthians 16:19 TS2009)

“Greet the brothers in Laodikeia, and Numpha and the assembly that is in his house.”
(Qolasim – Colossians 4:15 TS2009)

“and Apphia our sister, and Archippos our fellow soldier, and the assembly at your house:”
(Pileymon – Philemon 1:2 TS2009)

I could cite verse after verse showing that an assembly isn’t confined to a building but is simply a gathering place, or as the scriptures call it, the set-apart place. We can righteously convict others using scripture’s warnings without burdening them with man-made theology and rules. People, including myself, are weary of modern-day Christians misusing the word of Elohim.

The True Church

How do we discern whether we’re in a set-apart place or a home with Elohim’s presence? The answer lies in Matthew 18:20.

““For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there I am in their midst.””
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 18:20 TS2009

Notice the emphasis on, “in my name”—true disciples who uphold all of Elohim’s commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath, honor his name. This is critical. Modern Christians often adhere to some commandments like regular pagans do; this is why it’s so hard to tell them apart, using verses like this to include themselves. This refers to the holy assembly, Elohim’s true children, those who honor all His commandments categories as I mentioned, not just nine.

The Sermon on the Mount

In the Sermon on the Mount, where Yeshua taught the Beatitudes and many principles across a few chapters, as some call it, we see a contrast to modern religion. Unlike today’s practice of reading one verse and spending an entire sermon adding personal interpretations, Yeshua’s teachings were clear and direct.

It doesn’t take long to explain a rule or law. Modern Christianity often complicates matters for their own reasons. Teaching that murder is wrong, citing biblical passages, and explaining Elohim’s stance and the consequences is straightforward. Yet, we see people attending churches for years—even decades—without grasping the basic understanding of faith. Some lead others, holding titles given by unqualified leaders, content in their ignorance of Elohim. True spiritual gathering is about connection through obedience, not merely showing up at a building.

Warning

Now, Scripture warns against welcoming those who teach false doctrine into your home,

“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house nor greet him,”
(Yoḥanan Bĕt – 2 John 1:10 TS2009

Does it say, do not greet anyone who comes to your home? No.

Does it say, if someone has different beliefs than you, don’t let them in your home, nor greet them? No. According to scriptures we’re supposed to be extremely kind to unbelievers.

It’s talking about teachings. If someone comes into your house teaching differently than what the scriptures, (notice I didn’t say church or pastor) do not let them into your home nor greet them. So, it’s OK for you to greet unbelievers, family members who don’t necessarily agree or align with your beliefs. That’s OK. It’s talking about teachings.

If the churches around me promote ideas misaligned with scripture, I’m not obligated to sit through it. I’d rather stay home, studying the Bible, guided by the Holy Spirit, as 1 John 2:27 describes. You don’t need a “preacher” when you have Elohim’s word and His Spirit right in front of you.

However remember this, Yeshua delivered his greatest sermon—the Sermon on the Mount—in the open, not a temple. Gathering isn’t about a building; it’s about shared faith. If I’m studying scripture at home, praying, or discussing faith with a trusted friend, that’s the essence of it.

Remembering Elohim’s Command

My reason for showing you these passages is for you to understand, that you don’t need to reject everyone who comes to your home. 2 John 1:10 is talking about corrupt teachers, trying to teach a different doctrine in your home. But it’s OK to dialogue with someone who does not agree with your doctrine in your home. Dialogue is always the way to go.

“‘Let the stranger who dwells among you be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself. For you were strangers in the land of Mitsrayim. I am יהוה your Elohim.”
(Wayyiqra – Leviticus 19:34 TS2009

““And you shall love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Mitsrayim.”
(Deḇarim Deuteronomy 10:19 TS2009

““Do not tread down a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Mitsrayim.”
(Shemoth Exodus 22:21 TS2009

Do Not Abandon

I’m not advocating abandoning the true faith community nor its churches. Yes, gathering is good in the set-apart place, even in a building—find believers you trust, meet, and encourage one another. But if local churches are not preaching the biblical word, don’t let them guilt-trip you into joining them. Trust the Spirit (scriptures), cling to scripture, and worship where truth resides, even if you’re studying scriptures alone in your home. This is not only my perspective, this is the scriptures perspective.

Shalom