Worship God. Assembling. Serve Him Only. And. The Bible Way

Transcription

1 Worship God And Serve Him Only by Assembling The Bible Way

2 ASSEMBLING TOGETHER 1. What is the purpose for the saints to come together? 2. Are assembling, coming together and the gathering of the church different words for the same activity? 3. Do the following constitute an assembling of Christians? a. Sunday morning services b. Sunday morning Bible Classes c. Sunday night services d. Wednesday night Bible Study e. Thursday morning women s and men s Bible studies f. Non-evangelistic Bible studies in homes of Christians? 4. Are there any required activities for gatherings of the church? If so, where are they identified in the scriptures? 5. Do today s assemblies perform the same activities as those described in the Bible? This lesson was written to see what the Bible says about activities of the assembled church, to compare them to present day s activities when assembled together and to create a desire to follow the results of such analysis and examination. Permission is given to reproduce for non-commercial purposes lessons in their entirety and without change. The Bible Way Online Randolph Dunn Write to us at lessons@thebiblewayonline.com Visit us at October 14, 2013

3 Assembling Together Background and Introduction The meetings of the early church were united in Christ with every member functioning, spontaneity, freedom, vibrancy, and open participation (see 1 Corinthians 14:13 and Hebrews 10:25). The firstcentury church meeting was a fluid gathering, not a static ritual. And it was often unpredictable, unlike the contemporary [institutional] church service. Today the order of worship represses mutual participation and growth of Christian community. It puts a choke hold on the functioning of the body of Christ by silencing its members. You are forced to be a mute staid pewholder (Pagan Christianity?, Frank Barna and George Viola pgs 59 & 75). The Bible does not appear to provide specific instructions for the frequency of or the location for meeting together. In fact Jesus stated in John 4 when talking with the Samaritan woman that the location was unimportant. Biblical evidence is present to show that meeting facilities were in temple courts, Christians homes (house to house) and Solomon s colonnade (porch). Due to persecution by the Jews the temple courts and Solomon s colonnade ceased to be available. Therefore some conclude that the only remaining option is in someone s home. Others believe a meeting facilities built by Constantine which were patterned after the pagan temples where the performer was given in center stage is an acceptable option. Christians assembled at various times and for various purposes. Acts 2 states those in Christ met together daily. Acts 20 states that in Troas Christians assembled on the first day of the week. The Hebrew writer admonishes Christians in chapter 10 verse 25 to not forsaking the assembling (intentionally choosing to cease assembling with other Christians) of ourselves together. This would apply to either daily gathering or the first day assembling together. Therefore forsaking by abandoning meeting together negates the purpose of assembling together which is to encourage fellow Christians to live faithfully and do works pleasing to God and beneficial to fellow man. There is no mention of a worship service in the New Testament. Nowhere in the Bible does one find where Christians are told to go to church to worship God. Clement of Alexander ( /216 AD) is

4 reported to have been the first to use such a phrase (Pagan Christianity? pg. 12 footnote 9). Some people believe going to church on Sunday fulfills God s requirement to worship Him. Worship is not a once a week activity performed in a specific place or at a specified time. Worship appears to be lifestyle of honoring, praising and serving God. Paul admonishes the Christians in Rome to consider their behavior. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship [spiritual service RSV; reasonable service NKJV]. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2 - NIV). Christians are instructed to consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking our own assembling together (Hebrews 10:24-25). Thus Christians are expected to assemble together. Those In Christ Assembling Together There are several specific scriptures that refer to Christians coming together some as the whole church others not as the whole church. Many were gathered together praying (Acts 12:12) Gathered the church together they reported (Acts 14:27) Gathered the multitude together - delivered letter (Acts 15: 31) The disciples came together to break bread (Acts 20:7) When you come together to eat (1 Corinthians 34) In the presence of all rebuke sinning elders (1 Timothy 5:20) When you gather together deliver one to Satan (1 Cor. 5:3) If the whole church comes together in one place(1 Cor. 14:23) One could conclude Christians gathered together in small groups and at other times in larger groups as the whole church. So what constitutes an assembly of the Body, church? Is it all Christians in the metropolitan area, city, town, village, community or house? Could it be any meeting of Christians meeting together for a specific Body function? Perhaps by examining the actions performed by the Body one can determine what constitutes a church assembly. 1 1 Extracted and adapted from The Purpose and Goals of the Assembly by Joe McKinney

5 1. Teach and Edify I thank my God I speak with tongues [the language used by a particular people in distinction from that of other nations (Thayer's Greek Lexicon)] more than you all; yet in the church [assembly] I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God 2 and report that God is truly among you. How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church [assembly (rd)], and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let your women 3 keep silent in the churches, 4 for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. Let all things be done decently and in order 5 (1Corinthians 14: NKJV). A record of important actions occurring in the assembly of saints in Corinth. Most positive but some corrective in nature. 1. Teaching was more important than being heard 2 One worships internally and appears to be able to worshipping God without being in Christ. However this passage does not state he was saved, only that he worshipped. Recall that even demons believe. 3 Women and wives are the same in the Greek, here translated your women means the women or wives of the prophets as evidenced by your husbands just below. 4 Refer to Women of the New Testament Church for what women did in the 1 st Century. 5 Decently and in order as opposed to chaos and confusion (Thayer Greek Lexicon)

6 2. Orderliness and understanding important 3. Participation by all Christians important 4. Edification necessary for faithfulness 5. Respect of others enhances unity 6. Respect of law and customs cannot be ignored 7. Conduct bringing shame to husband is wrong Let ALL things be done for edification means actions that cause or result in division or disunity is wrong and must be avoided. Let ALL things be done decently and in order does NOT mean there must be an established order or ritual without any spontaneous activity whether song, prayer or speech. Confusion must be avoided so a calm peace may prevail, therefore one activity needs to follow another not all at the same time causing chaos and disrespect of others. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking [abandon, desert - Thayer Greek Lexicon] 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 (Hebrews 10:24-25). Fellowship when assembled encourages faithfulness whereas abandoning ones Christian family leads to worldly relationships. Perhaps the abandoning was to some extent a result of some self-centered, unloving members causing others not to desire to associate or fellowship them. They may have chosen to refrain from assembling rather than feeling ignored, unwanted or just tolerated. Fear of persecution may have also contributed to some abandoning the assembly. Paul wanted to have him (Timothy) go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees [decisions (ESV)] to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem (Acts 16:3-4). Keeping Christians in each city informed of teachings of apostles and encouraging one another had a top priority with Paul Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men he who

7 prophesies is greater I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:1, 3, 5, 15-17, 33). One of the duties of elders [or watchmen] is keep a watchful eye out for the enemy, to keep order and promote peace allowing all to be part of the Body not just the more vocal who tend to dominate in order that all would be edified. Communication of any type that is not or cannot be understood is useless to the uninformed. Poor communication cannot teach those outside Christ or encourage those in Christ. Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church [the assembly] of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea (Colossians 4:16). With just one document the epistle was to be read when the Christians had come together as an assembly of the church to encourage faithfulness. And when he [Barnabas] had found him [Paul], he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26). People in Antioch were very receptive of the Gospel and many turned to Christ. As a result Barnabas brought Paul to Antioch where he taught 6 a great many people. Surely, he taught the Gospel to those outside Christ and instructed those in Christ how to serve God. Paul knew his purpose was to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. This does not state or imply that Paul only taught when Christians were assembled or that he only evangelized. If there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes. and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor 6 Didáxai (didaskoo) instruction by a knowledgeable authority

8 man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts (James 2:2-4). God is not a respecter of people. Therefore, Christians are not to show partiality whether assembled of not. Generally mankind honors the rich and powerful who tend to take advantage of others and ignore the poor who put their hope in God. 2. Teaching and instructing Christians Paul wrote to Titus to appoint men who desired to watch carefully and to take care of the needs of those in Christ in a particular location stating He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9). Also in Acts 20:28 Paul told the Ephesian elders [episkopos - watchmen, sententials or guardians] to: Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you careful watchers, to shepherd the assembly of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. So, what should our earthly shepherds be? Why should our poimen [shepherds] be relegated to such human trivialities as business manager, boss, ruler? There are hungry souls to be fed a diet ranging from milk to strong meat, ravening wolves to be recognized and driven away, and false teachers whose mouths must be stopped. theexaminer.org/volume5/number6/shepherd.htm 3. Break Bread and/or Lord s Supper Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke 7 to them and continued his message until midnight. Now when he 7 Dielégeto NT:1256 ponder, revolve in mind, converse, discourse with one, argue, discuss (Thayer's); dispute, discuss (Strong s)

9 had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed (Acts 20:7, 11) A common meal, (fellowship meal, agape meal, love feast) and the Lord s Supper. This practice appears to have been a routine practice of the early church. Paul used the Socratic rather than the lecture method. Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper [you can't possibly be eating the Lord's Supper (GWT); it is not to eat a meal of the Lord (CJB)]. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 8 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come (1 Corinthians 11:17 34). It appears that love of the brethren was absent for the wealthy feasted while the poor went hungry. They ate a regular meal to nourish their physical body and the Lord s Supper to nourish their spiritual body without considering the needs of the poorer Christians. Perhaps the wealthy did not wish to associate with those not of their status or position. This prevented all Christians from fellowshipping together. It was dividing the church the rich were respecters of persons. This practice prevented the purpose of assembling together for edification, encouragement and fellowship as the church as a whole. 4. Pray And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they 8 Those with plenty were indifferent to those in need. They were concerned about themselves and their group rather than the Body of Christ thus they did not discern the Lord s body.

10 heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, "who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ.' For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness (Acts 4: 23-31). A spontaneous prayer of thanksgiving while under duress. Note: They prayed direct to God, were heard by Him without ending their prayer with the phrase in Jesus Name, But their prayer was available to them because of Christ atoning sacrifice. There is no indication that their companions were the whole church. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying (Acts 12:5, 12). Apparently they gathered at Mary s house for the purpose of praying for Peter for just a short while before Herod had beheaded James the brother of John. From this passage one cannot determine if the church was meeting only in Mary s house or if others were praying in other houses. 5. Sing Where: Assembly - Saying: I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You (Hebrews 2:12 quoting Psalm 22:22).

11 Individual - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16). How: So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind (1 Corinthians 14:15). When: Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. James 5:13 Who: Be filled with the Spirit. Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Singing and making music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:18-19). when you come together each one has a hymn (Psalm NKJV, YLT) (1 Corinthians 14:26) 6. Give Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come (1 Corinthians 16:1, 2). Special collection to fulfill what they had purposed in their heart and committed to give to the suffering saints in Jerusalem. The significance is not the time or day of the week one is to give but the fulfilling one s commitment. The passage does not state when they came together, they gave to the church treasury, they deposited it into a bank account designated for that purpose, or the first day of the week was immediately following pay day. But, put it aside and keep it from other funds, all to be done within your means of fulfilling your commitment neither does it require or prohibit combining gifts for safe keeping or for convenience. 7. Discipline

12 Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector (Matthew 18:15 17). Although this instruction was given before Christ s resurrection, keeping all the disciples involved helps the one at fault recognize his sin and its consequences. It begins as an individual matter and progresses to the entire assembly. No mention is made for this matter to be turned over to leaders to resolve. Since it was told to the whole church it appears their custom was a family interaction rather than non-participatory as is the custom in today s worship service. This allowed each of his brothers and sisters to attempt to convenience him of his fault and action needed by him and them. It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles; that a man has his father's wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:1-8). An action of the entire assembly was and is to address sin 9 immediately to encourage repentance and prevent its 9 Repentance is Not a mere feeling; it has not the uncertainty of moods and sentiments. It is not a simple change in the weather of the soul. It is a distinct alteration of the

13 corrupting influence to permeate the entire body. The gathered Christians did the delivering, perhaps each one pleading for repentance. It does not appear to be a decision made by a few and announced to all. Those [elders, overseers, watchmen] who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear (1 Timothy 5:20). Elders who sin must be confronted as any other brother without partiality. Every Christian sins. No mention is made for the elder to resign or be removed from being a shepherd. However in my opinion, if his sin results in him losing his effectiveness in leading, counseling or teaching or if the perception by those outside the Body of Christ is negative he should either resign or be removed from his function as a shepherd until all this is regained. 8. Evangelize / Preach And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached [spoke -NKJV, NIV; talked - ESV, RSV; discoursed -ASV, YLT; (dielégeto - Gk)] unto them (Acts 20:7 KJV). The Greek word for preached in Acts 20 above was translated from dielégeto. 10 New Testament writers used it 13 times translated as disputed [6]; reasoned [4]; preached [2] (both in Acts 20) and spoke [1]). The word keerúxai 11 generally translated as preach occurs 61 times in the New Testament (32 of which were in the Gospels mostly referring to Jesus) none of the other 29 times occur with reference to the assembly of Christians. The word euaggelizo 12 or its variants occur 54 times in the New Testament translated as preach [48]; declare [2] good tidings [2]; bring [1] and brought [1] (occurring 11 times in the Gospels; 41 focus of the intelligence; it carries with it a movement of the will; in short, it is a revolution in the very ground of the man's being." 10 Dielégeto NT:1256 ponder, revolve in mind, converse, discourse with one, argue, discuss (Thayer's); dispute, discuss (Strong s) 11 Keerúxai NT2784 herald, proclaim, publish, preach 12 Euaggelizo NT 2097 to bring good news, to announce glad tidings (Thayer's); to proclaim glad tidings; specifically, to instruct (Strong s)

14 times in the Epistles and twice in Revelation) always referring to declaring the Gospel to the lost. Evangelists, good news and gospel come from the same Greek root word euaggelizo, a bringer of good news. A preacher, keerux, is a herald or a proclaimer for one greater. Many people use preacher and evangelist interchangeably. The word for preacher is found only four times in the New Testament twice referring to Paul as an apostle and preacher (1 Timothy 2:7 and 2 Timothy 1:11), once to Noah as a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5) and once when Paul asked And how shall they hear without a preacher (keerússontos -herald) [referring to reaching the lost] (Romans 10:14 NKJV, the ESV has preaching rather than preacher)? However, preach and preaching is found often. Paul told Timothy to preach [herald] the Word [Gospel Christ s atoning sacrifice and resurrection]; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction (2 Timothy 4:2) and to do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry (2 Timothy 4:5). Preachers of today are not primarily heralds of the gospel but professional lecturers, orators and teachers to Christians who have assembled together. Such functions do not appear in the Bible unless it is For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions (2 Timothy 4:3 ESV). Therefore preaching as generally practiced today does not appear to have been the preaching practice of evangelizing during the 1st century. 9. Receive Reports Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be circumcised and keep the law"; to whom we gave no such commandment; it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send

15 chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul (Acts 15:22-31). It was not the apostles, elders or leading men but the whole church in Jerusalem who chose men and sent them to Antioch. They gathered the multitude of Christians in Antioch together at an unknown day and read the letter to them. Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 14:27). An unscheduled assembly was called to deliver an exciting report of the evangelistic efforts by the men separated out from the church in Antioch by the Holy Spirit. This passage does not specify the day the assembly was called together. Therefore, it neither requires nor prevents a specific day of the week for the church to come together. 10. Other Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists [Greek speaking Jews], because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy

16 Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them (Acts 6:1-6). Servants equipped to evangelize should not attempt to do everything themselves. Other servants must perform works needed by the Body for it to be healthy. In fact, all must serve. Not elders, apostles or a select committee, but the multitude of Christians chose workers being of good reputation, full of Holy Spirit and wisdom. There is no mention of any of these men having the qualifications for special servants, deacons, given in Timothy and Titus. Nor does it indicate they were deacons. Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren (Acts 15:22). Again the entire assembly chose, not just a few. Comparison of First Century and Today s Assemblies First Century Assemblies Gatherings were orderly but unstructured, except in Corinth where Paul gave some corrective instructions. Any Christian was allowed to speak in the assembly, if they could be understood - if their language was understandable. Anyone could sing as they were moved Everyone involved in disciplinary action Gave as became aware of need Lord's Supper was part of their fellowship meal Evangelist called assembly together to give report Today's Worship Assemblies Assembly time a highly structured meeting A professional speaker, preacher, gives sermon, lecture A gifted singer selects songs, often coordinated with sermon Elders decide on any disciplinary action, congregation notified Members give to the church for budget needs and purposes or occasionally for special purposes when approved by elders. [Note: Many Christians give outside their local congregation to specific needs they consider very important to Christ Body.]

17 Lord's Supper a set time and routine manner, but seldom with a regular meal or agape meal Evangelist speak only when approved by elders Activities that reflect 1st century activities o Lords Supper available to everyone o Opportunity to give o Singing o Prayers Activities that do NOT reflect 1st century activities: o Sermon by paid professional speaker with topic of his choice or as suggested by elders o Songs of talented director's choice o Giving to meet obligations [budget] o No disciplinary action taken without approval by an elder Today s Bible Class assemblies 1 st century Bible teaching would have been part of their assemblies Little structure Lecture or discussion - elders' or teachers choice Seldom any singing unless a singing class Giving may occur for a stated purpose No Lord's Supper or disciplinary action Teacher allows visiting missionary to give a report without seeking approval Highly edifying Today s activities that reflect 1st century activities Discussion of issues confronting or of concern to class members. All class members allowed to speak, men or women Topic of discussion can change during class time as need arises May or may not have prayers 1. What constitutes an assembly, a coming together or a gathering of the church whether only a few or the whole church? 2. Are today s Bible Classes assemblies? 3. Are today s assembly practices all wrong, all right or some wrong and some right? 4. What freedom do we have in our activities when we assemble together? Comments and observations without recommendation

18 1. Whenever Christians gather for a BODY activity the church has assembled which may or may not be the whole church. 2. Christians can also gather without any specific purpose other than to enjoy being together. 3. Today s worship service do not appear to focus on edification but on a presentation by a professional speaker. They are primarily passive rather than participatory. 4. First century preaching in the Bible was primarily proclaiming (heralding) the Good News of Christ s sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins to the lost rather than to those in Christ. 5. Except for false teachers of 2 Peter 3:3 who taught for greed, there does not appear to be any reference to compensated preachers whose primary duty was to instruct Christians, e.g., pulpit ministers. However, overseers, watchmen, who gave their life shepherding, evangelizing and teaching were worthy of double honor (1 Timothy 5:17). The function of instructing those in Christ appears to be assigned to the elders/ overseers/watchmen by Paul in Titus 1:8-9. Also Paul stated in Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ. 6. People tend to accept the teachings of those professing to have greater knowledge acquired from some religious organizations; i.e., seminaries, preacher training schools and divinity colleges. This leads to feelings of inferiority and dependency which results in less individual Bible study. Consequently, these professionals rather than the elders have become the de facto authority on what the Bible states. Christians appear to go the preacher for spiritual advice rather than to their shepherds as they are considered to have greater knowledge of spiritual matters. 7. Divisions occur when opinions and interpretations, expressed by those who are in charge or when those who claim to know go unchallenged. This may be the result of a. Intimidation - as preacher is perceived to have superior Bible knowledge while the individual Christian has inferior knowledge. b. The lack of opportunity to ask for biblical proof and explanation c. The requirement that interpretations of leaders be accepted as the Truth to be in fellowship, e.g., Diotrephes of 3 John 9.

19 8. If contributions were no longer allowed as deductions on tax returns, our economic or political situations were to change where a depression or persecution occurred and saints had to gather together in small groups such as they did during the First century, would our emphasis during the assembling together be on: a. Listening to a paid professional presents a sermon of his choosing or on discussing everyday problems and stresses with fellow brothers and sisters? b. Having a specified song director, either paid or unpaid, choosing songs to be sung or spontaneous singing about our grief or joy and in praising God with thanksgiving? c. Giving for meeting obligations or to provide safety and physical needs of our persecuted, poor and downtrodden brethren? d. Remembrance of Christ sacrifice and our relationship with Him? 9. Gatherings or assemblies of the church during the 1 st century appeared to have certain purposes; e.g., a. Read aloud letter from the apostles, the Bible b. Hear a report from an evangelist or missionary c. Encourage other Christians in their daily struggles of life - jobs children, parents, spouses and neighbors d. Rebuke or discipline a fellow Christian by the whole church not by announcement of elder decision e. Encourage one another to remain faithful f. Edify each other on to doing good works out of love g. Remember Christ s atoning sacrifice for forgiveness of sins h. Pray for relief from persecution 10. Most of the above are not done in today s worship services but many are done in discussion Bible classes. CONCLUSION Whenever Christians in part or in whole gather for some function of the Body, the church has assembled.