Today we continue our series, Asking for a Friend, with this question: Do I need the church to follow God? Can I follow Jesus without organized religion?
It is an honest question—especially if the church has disappointed you. Perhaps you encountered hypocrisy. Maybe you watched leaders preach grace while practicing control—or worse. Possibly church felt political, judgmental, irrelevant, or simply exhausting. Somewhere along the way, you began to wonder, Wouldn’t following Jesus be easier without organized religion?
Jesus understands the damage religious institutions can cause. He confronted hypocrisy, exposed leaders who burdened and exploited others, and pronounced judgment on religious pride (Matthew 23:13–28). He even overturned tables in the temple courts (John 2:13–17). And yet, the same Jesus who overturned tables also promised: “I will build my church (Matthew 16:18).”
Surely Jesus meant the “perfect church.” But the New Testament does not present a perfect church. Its assemblies struggled with pride, division, prejudice, sexual sin, false teaching, financial conflict, and failed leadership (See 1st Corinthians).
But the apostles never concluded that Christians would be better off following Jesus alone. Instead, Scripture tells us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together” (Hebrews 10:24–25). Maybe because someone once asked, “wouldn’t it be easier to follow Jesus by myself?”
Can you believe in God without entering a church building? Assuredly—for the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands.
Can you meet with God beyond the sanctuary walls? Indeed—for heaven and earth are filled with the presence of the Lord.
But can you follow Jesus as he intends while permanently separating yourself from his people? To answer it, we need to reconsider not only what the church is, but also what it means to follow Jesus.
Can I follow Jesus without being part of the church?
Let’s start here: Which church are you talking about, the church you see, or the church you are?
The Greek word Ekklesia usually translated “church,” occurs 114 times in the New Testament. It most often refers to a local assembly of believers, but it also names the people of God united to Christ (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22–23; 5:25–27). The New Testament presents the church as both local and universal, visible and invisible.
The true church is invisible—not because it is imaginary or hidden, but because only God knows its members perfectly. We see professions of faith, baptisms, worship, and service; God sees the heart. Calvin described the invisible church as the church “as it really is before God,” and the visible church as it “appears to man.” The church may be invisible to us, but never to God: “The Lord knows those who are his” (2 Tim. 2:19). So, it is possible to be present today (visibly) yet not be part of God’s church (invisibly).
The true church is also universal. No single nation, ethnicity, class, denomination, or congregation contains the whole church. By his blood, Jesus has redeemed a people for God “from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). Through the cross, he has torn down the walls that divide us and made us one in himself (Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:14–16). The risen Christ now sends these reconciled people to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19), because the true church is universal.
Yet the true church is also visible. The people Christ has redeemed gather in particular places around his Word, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, prayer, fellowship, and mission. The invisible church becomes visiblewhen sinners saved by grace confess Christ together and embody his gospel before the world.
So, which church are we talking about?
Can I follow Jesus without being part of the invisible church? No. The church may be invisible to us, but it is never invisible to God: “The Lord knows those who are his” (2 Tim. 2:19).
Can I follow Jesus without being part of the universal church? No. Through his death and resurrection, Christ has reconciled a people to himself—a people drawn from every nation.
Can I follow Jesus without being part of the visible church? That is a different question—and perhaps the word can hide the real issue. Can asks whether something is possible. Should asks whether it is right, wise, or faithful. A person may ask whether it is possible to be a secret/secluded Christian, but Scripture does not present faith in Jesus as a private or hidden affair.
Jesus calls us to acknowledge him before others, warning that whoever denies him before others will be denied before his Father in heaven (Matt. 10:32–33). Paul writes that we are to confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord (Rom. 10:9). Baptism is a visible profession of faith, and the Lord’s Supper is a visible proclamation of Christ’s death until he comes (1 Cor. 11:26). Even the cross itself was a public demonstration of God’s grace.
Therefore, if you have been redeemed through faith in Christ, you already belong to his church. You are known by God, joined to Christ’s universal people, and sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30). The question is not simply whether you can follow Jesus apart from the visible church, but whether doing so is consistent with the public, communal faith to which Jesus calls you.
What happens when you belong to a local visible gathered assembly?
You participate in a holy and mutual provocation of love, good works, and encouragement (Hebrew 10:25). Do you want to help others feel loved? Just this week, this church surrounded and provided for a single mom when her world was falling apart. Want to do good works? This month, our members gave more than 200 hours serving a local school. Want to be an encouragement? This week, we sent prayer cards, prayed for one another, and sat with those who grieve.
What happens when you belong to a local visible gathered assembly? Love, goodness, and encouragement grows.
What happens when you belong to a local visible gathered assembly? You participate in the power of the Holy Spirit.We exist to bear witness to Jesus Christ—in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). By the Spirit’s power, we proclaim the good news that Jesus died for sinners, rose from the grave, and saves everyone who turns from sin and trusts in Him.
Through Bethel, that gospel is going forth in St. Clair County, Montgomery, New Hampshire, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala. Through the North American Mission Board, we helped plant 792 churches and saw more than 28,250 people profess faith in Christ. Through the International Mission Board, we support more than 3,500 missionaries who reported 196,497 people turning to Jesus.
What happens when you belong to a local visible gathered assembly? You participate in the power of the Holy Spirit.
What happens when you belong to a visible, gathered local church? You make a public declaration about what—and whom—you cherish. You show the world that what matters to Jesus also matters to you.
Jesus founded the church: “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). The church belongs to Him because He established her, sustains her, and promises that even the gates of hell will not overcome her. Jesus also purchased the church “with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Her value is measured not by the beauty of her buildings, the size of her crowds, or the excellence of her programs, but by the infinite price Christ paid to redeem her. At the cross, Jesus gave Himself to rescue sinners, reconcile them to God, and gather them as His people.
Christ also identifies intimately with His church. When Saul persecuted Christians, Jesus did not ask, “Why are you persecuting them?” He asked, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4). To wound Christ’s people is to wound those whom Christ loves. To serve Christ’s people is to serve those with whom Christ has united Himself.
If Christ founded the church, we should belong to her. If Christ purchased the church, we should treasure her. If Christ identifies with the church, we should faithfully love and serve her.
What matters to Jesus must matter to everyone who follows Jesus.
So What?
Let us be unmistakably clear: the church does not save you. Jesus saves you.
Jesus Christ came in our place. He lived the righteous life we failed to live, died the death our sins deserved, and rose from the grave in victory. Everyone who turns from sin and trusts in Christ is forgiven, made new, and welcomed into the family of God.
Perhaps the church has hurt you. Jesus sees every wound inflicted in His name, and He will hold unfaithful shepherds accountable. But do not allow the failures of sinful people to drive you permanently away from the Savior’s people.
Perhaps you attend worship but remain on the edges. You watch, but you do not belong. Jesus calls you beyond attendance into covenant love—where you can know others and be known, serve and be served, encourage and be encouraged.
Perhaps you are a faithful member who has grown weary. Remember: your labor is not wasted. Every prayer, every meal, every hour of service, every act of generosity, every grieving hand you hold, and every gospel conversation is part of Christ’s work through His people.
Or perhaps you are physically present in the visible church but have never truly belonged to invisible (true) church of Jesus Christ. Today, turn from your sin and trust in Jesus Christ. He died for sinners. He rose from the grave. He will save you, forgive you, and make you His own.
What happens when you belong to a visible, gathered local church? You do not find a perfect people. You find a people being perfected by a perfect Savior. You find sinners who have been forgiven, strangers who have become family, sufferers who carry one another’s burdens, and witnesses sent into the world with the good news of Jesus Christ.
Church, Christ has saved us. Christ has gathered us. Christ has sent us.