Why Gather as Christians?

He who suggests that he does not need to gather with other Christians for fellowship in the arms of Christ’s Church contradicts the promises and faithfulness of God, he contradicts even Christ Himself.  For the great comfort in Christian fellowship is founded on the promise of Christ, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.” Matthew 18:20

“Can anyone think of a greater blessing than that Christ wants to be in the midst of His followers as often as they gather in His name, even if they are only two or three in number?  Could Christ ever be present among His gathered followers with empty hands, without distributing gifts of His grace among them?  Just as light cannot be present without illuminating its surroundings, just as fire cannot fail to provide warmth, and just as rain certainly moistens the dry land, so Christ cannot come among His own without blessing them.”

C.F.W. Walther, God Grant It, 545-546