Watching Church Services Online

Does anybody know if it is considered biblical to watch live streamed church services online or broadcasted on television on Sundays at home in lieu of attending in person?

The Bible's silent on this specific question. We have Hebrews 10:25: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

Meeting together in person is the best choice in my view. However, there may be circumstances that prohibit this. The sick or elderly may not be able to make it to meetings; however, and congregation genuinely following Christ should make regular visits to such people.

Another problem these days is finding a group of people teaching and practicing sound doctrine. To me, a person's better off staying away from groups like these and not partake in their error.

With online and television ministries you have to be especially watchful for wolves. 2 Timothy 3:1-7 is instructive:

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, not loving what is good, traitors, headstrong, having been puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from these people turn away! For of these are those who creep into houses and captivate gullible women having been loaded down with sins, who are led by various lusts, always learning and never being able to come to a full knowledge of the truth."

Back in the day they most likely literally crept into houses; however, in the digital and television age they do it electronically.

We live in perilous times. Let the Lord lead you.

With respect, your question is ridiculous. There is nothing "biblical" about watching anything on any digital device, because there were digital devices when the Bible was written.

Are you sick, invalid, or otherwise unable to get to church, or is there no Bible-based church in your area? Then you're good; watch a live stream. Are you just being lazy, or avoiding fellowship for some silly reason? Then get off your keester and get to church.

Thanks! I did proofread... I really did... right before I restructured the sentences.

D'oh!

If I couldn't move then yes or no churches around me then yes other then that no never. Its how the sweet holy Spirit moves. Each one of us have something the other needs.

You won't get approval from the Bible to watch church online as has been said before there was nothing like this back in the time the Bible was written.

However, when is it wrong to ever hear the word of God no matter where it comes from? If you watch a sermon online and it brings you closer to God how is that wrong? I know there are a lot of people who are sick or older that can't make it to a church building so it is a blessing to be able to hear a sermon for them. Plus with the pandemic it is healthier to watch at home.

That's my 2 cents worth not that it matters much...

LOL, they did not have TV or radio then or cars or iPhones. I will say this. Coming together is a blessing and online church services may be safe for COVID-19 but they are not the way to be discipled.

Please be respectful. If you have nothing nice and respectful to say, then do not say it at all. There is no such thing as a stupid question and to be honest, only God shall judge, not you, me, or anybody else. If you disagree, that is fine, but everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

Actually, it matters quite a lot.

It was all analog.

An' we're still trying to get that log out...

Welcome to the bible discussion forum, where we play Christian bumper cars. Be prepared to have your emotions bruised!
Watching Christian content online is better than not watching it. Just be careful...there's all kinds of stuff online.
If you can find somewhere to go, great. If you, for whatever reason can't get out, then that's for you to decide. After all, it's your life.
I think reading your bible is most important. I find playing a musical instrument and singing to the Lord very helpful in cultivating my relationship with Him. For someone like me, online groups are my fellowship, but I have some health issues and I'm getting older. Shalom.

It shall even be as when a hungry man dreams,
And look—he eats;
But he awakes, and his soul is still empty;
Or as when a thirsty man dreams,
And look—he drinks;
But he awakes, and indeed he is faint,
And his soul still craves:

I once heard a preacher say that online church is akin to dreaming that you are eating and drinking, and that it will not actually fill or satisfy spiritual hunger. Personally, I think the message was garbage, and the scriptures were grossly misapplied to manipulate people... buy hey, I could be wrong.

I don't think that online-services should be an end to themselves though... ideally, there would be a church good enough that you actually want to go to, but I understand we don't live in an ideal world. I was thinking last week about how finding a good church is like looking in a "Where's Waldo" where there are a bunch of people dressed like Waldo.


and later on in the week, I heard a commercial on a Christian radio station, saying "The author of the Where's Waldo books assures his readers that you will always be able to find Waldo- and like the author, Jesus always assures us that if we look we will always be able to find him".

God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. And I think that one persons level of due diligence might be higher than others at any given time. There are people that go to church for singing and social stimulation and could care less about spiritual things- I don't really think church attendance is necessarily an indicator of spiritual health.

But like I was saying before, IDEALLY, you will be able to get into a situation where you can have maximum participation. It's the difference between watching someone play your favorite sport, and playing your favorite sport. Or for the ladies, perhaps- watching a romance flick, versus being in a romantic relationship. Does having a marital relationship only over the phone, or through a computer screen sound appealing? Probably not.... BUT at the same time, I guess it's far better than being married and completely isolated from your spouse- but even then, the ideal is that you and your spouse are united.

There's a fair amount of churches that say you need to be there every day the church doors are open, but the reality is that if their church was actually worth going to 2 or 3 times a week- you would want to go (if you really are diligently seeking the lord). So, if anybody tries to assess you in this matter... i'd ignore them.

Hi MM.
It is preferred Biblically to go to church & fellowship with the saints.
Heb 10: 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
If you're already doing that, great.
But.... I would NEVER recommend watching national tv preachers. If you're unable to go for some physical reason, then I suggest watching some local church services on TV or on the internet.
Some would think watching all you can would be great, but actually it would confuse you more than anything.
Also study the Word.
2Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing(handling) the word of truth.