Can You Stand Alone Why Assemble with Others? Are we supposed to assemble with other Christians? Absolutely, we are! (Please read the booklet about Church unity, “That They May Be One”). We do not, however, assemble at the expense of God’s other principles. How do we find the balance between assembling with others and standing alone in defense of Godliness? Some brethren believe there is safety in numbers, as though God were judging groups of people rather than judging each of us as individuals. There is a dangerous phenomenon in the Church today, wherein some brethren have been programmed to believe that it is safe and expedient to meet only with a large group of people. But were we ever safe in large groups and big congregations? We have seen terrible heresy sweep through the Church of God. Satan’s attacks are not over. We must ask ourselves, “From God’s point of view, what is the primary purpose that we assemble?” Do you go to receive the hugs you need? Do you go because the choir needs you? Do you go to a big church so that your children will find marriageable mates? Do you not have faith that God will provide as He promised? Should you work it out for yourself? If you do work it out for yourself instead of allowing God to provide, you will live with the results of your own actions, and you may be disappointed. Some members will only attend with a large group because they believe that Hebrews 10:25 commands them to do so. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” This word “exhorting” means imploring, or provoking, or interacting with, or entreating one another. This verse is not about where we keep the Sabbath – in a big group or a small group. Likewise, this verse is not examining whether or not we are to keep the Sabbath. As we so often see in the scriptures, the focus of this verse is on a specific problem that is being addressed here. In Hebrews 10:25 Paul is addressing a situation in which men and women were not interacting with Christian care for one another. The question is, “Why are brethren to meet with one another?” Read the answer in context, “Let us consider [katanoeo] one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” (Hebrews 10:24) This verse tells us what we are to do when we assemble together. “Let us consider one another to provoke…”; this is not talking about relationships of a superficial nature. Just the opposite – it means getting close, spurring one another on, and interacting with each other on a warm, friendly and personally intimate level, “unto [Godly] love… and to good works.” So, why do we assemble ourselves together? When we get together with brethren, do we take a stand for what is right, or do we slink away refusing to make a difference? “…they that turn many to righteousness will be made like the stars… bright and brilliant forever.” (Daniel 12:3) That’s why we assemble ourselves. That is why those who respect the plan of God speak often to one another (Malachi 3:16). We meet to provoke one another to love and to good works. Each of us is to stand up and be counted while there is yet time; always remembering that time is short! The intent of these verses in Hebrews 10 is that we be “holding fast to the profession of our faith.” In other words, these verses show us how to be good Christians. (Hebrews 10:23) The point is that we are to get together in order to put our faith into practice with each other. Does God want lip service? Does He recognize some large gatherings while rejecting little flocks? No! The Church of God has become scattered and splintered, but Jesus said that He is present even where only “two or three are gathered in My name.” (Matthew 18:20) |
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