“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.” – Heb.
10:25
So very often, someone
would say to another whom they suspect has withdrawn from church membership,
“Let us not forsake the gathering of ourselves …” and then cite Hebrews 10
verse 25. This is the usual cliché of
encouraging presumed backsliders to return to the fold by regularly attending church
activities such as praise-worship, shouting matches, clapping competitions and
vigils.
Some have said that to me
when they knew that I had kicked the church and no longer on the membership
roll of any church or religious organization.
Yes, since 1996. However, the question that readily comes to mind on
such occasions is: “What is God’s purpose for our gathering together in solemn
assembly?”
Purpose
of solemn gathering
The purpose of any
Christian gathering is to learn about God and His first son Jesus Christ. From Moses’s day with the Israelites in the
desert, God had set this primary purpose – that the gathering must be a study
assembly. (Deut 4:10) Going forward, God included the prospect of
aliens being allowed to learn of Him. (Deut 31:12) And Paul the apostle to the Gentiles reminded
the congregation in Thessalonica to be so engaging. – 1 Thes 5:11.
Examples of Christian gathering
We find
that the practice of gathering together in study groups continued with the
early Christians as Acts 2:42 makes us to know.
Paul the apostle looked forward eagerly to meeting with the Christians
in Rome for the purpose of imparting the knowledge about God and for mutual
encouragement in righteous living. – Rom 1:11-12
The Benefits of gathering as purposed by
God and Christ
-
God’s Holy Spirit amidst:
“18 Truly I say to you, whatever things
you may bind on earth will be things already bound in heaven, and whatever
things you may loosen on earth will be things already loosened in heaven. 19 Again I tell you truly, if two of you
on earth agree concerning anything of importance that they should request, it
will take place for them on account of my Father in heaven. 20 For where there are two or three gathered
together in my name, there I am in their midst.” – Matt 18:18-20 For example, the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit in the case of Eutychus
(Acts 20:7-12)
-
A leeway to everlasting
life:
“Now this
is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
whom you have sent. – Jn 17:3
Conclusion
Now then, if the purpose of
gathering is to learn about The Most High and his first son Jesus and the
churches are NOT fulfilling that purpose but instead, engage in plaintive
noise-making, swearing prayers and unscriptural cult-like vigils, should a
well-informed Christian not disconnect and distance himself from the Church? The apostle Paul’s advice to the fledgling
Christians in Jerusalem as contained in the often-quoted Hebrews 10:25 is still
being addressed to those who keep solemn and studious Christian assemblies as
opposed to the cacophonous gatherings of ignoramuses which now go by the name
“churches”. The message of God is to
flee from this “Babylon” so as not to share in her destruction. (Jer 51:6) The studious and wise Christians are right to
heed this warning.
CF Monye
8
September 2017
