"And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."
Christians ought to desire to be together, especially on the Lord's Day. The reason to assemble is not for an empty ritual but to show love to God and the brethren.
The Christians being admonished here in Hebrews were the ones that didn't believe in meeting regularly with other Christians. Perhaps they had a disagreement with someone or were disillusioned by hypocrisies or sinfulness in the Church. However, in the New Testament, these relationships were important and disagreements or misunderstandings had to be worked out. This is true today as well. A Christian is defined by God's Word and there are no lone Christians in the Bible.
"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." Colossians 3:12-14
6 comments:
A great reminder. Obviously it goes way beyond meeting together on the Lord's day.
We need to meet with others in various ways throughout the week. Even the fellowship we have with one another in our own homes glorifies God. The time we spend reading the Bible and praying together as a family is so important.
We also need to be cultivating friendships with other believers. If we take the gospel at its word we must be spending a lot of time with those who don't yet know Christ so that we can reach them with God's love. That means even more that we need to surround ourselves with those who name Jesus as Lord both for support and to keep us accountable.
Thanks Rodney for your comment. I like to discuss the Bible.
Yes, Christians ought to meet and exhort one another daily not just on Sundays (Hebrews 3:13)but the phrase "assembling of ourselves together" involves the whole church. This phrase is similar to those in 1Cor 11:18-34 where the church gathers together for the Lord's Supper.
What do you say?
Certainly there needs to be a wider gathering of the body of Christ on a regular basis. I must say though, that the gathering shouldn't be so narrowly defined as to only include a 'church' service or meeting.
I have great memories of cycling across Australia with a group of around 50 believers. We shared together, we read scripture together, we ate together, we did 'good works' together. The closeness that we shared was more like 'church' than many church services.
Having said that I would have to say that I know that the weekly gathering of the saints at a church service is a great way to fulfil the requirement to meet together. I'm committed to our local church and I see Sunday services as a priority for me and for my family.
Hi Rodney,
The Church in Biblical times gathered daily, Acts 2:46. There is no restriction to how often the Church gathers. This is up to the elders of the local congregation to decide.
If individual Christians want to get together as on a bike ride, then this is a great opportunity to get to know one another and to do good works but it is not the Church gathering. The assembling of the Saints is when the all the Saints in the local congregation gather together.
The most important assembly is when the Church gathers to solemnly remember its Savior during the Lord's Supper.
Many, as in Hebrews 10:26, did not think this was important and chose not to gather on Sunday.
Thanks so much for taking the time to discuss this with me.
Wow thank you so much for this. I'm only 18, a student with a part time job. Today I worked and I was helping out a man and was making a key for him. We started chatting about where I want to go to school and that I was interested in traveling. I told him that I have been on mission trips that sparked my interest in travel. I told him that I was involved in a church but currently not going anymore but looking. He asked me a really deep question that I'm sure I'll never forget. "Say you die right now, where do you think you're going?" And I honestly don't know. He said it was a shame that after going to a strong youth group that I still feel this way. But I began to think, and was really upset with myself why I didn't know where I was going. I really want to be right with God but I know I'm going down this path that I'm not. I know what to do but I don't know why I am not. He told me to read Hebrews 10:24. and after reading it I didn't know exactly what it meant. But looking online and finding this page really pointed me in the right direction. I really need a family to build me up in Christ. I haven't been in a community in awhile and it has to be the reason why I feel so lost. I feel like God has sent that man into the store to save me from the road I was going down. It's amazing how God speaks. I really want to be with God again. And I should remember that he is here now and forever with me even if I feel so lost.
Thank you Anonymous for visiting and leaving your comment.
I hope you will visit my other blog which talks about the church, God's family and how to become a part of it.
http://sixtyfold.blogspot.com/
With love to you,
Carol
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