'Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together'

[Complete]

'Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;
(for He is faithful that promised )
And let us consider one another
to provoke unto love and to good works:
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 10:23-25)

Hello there,

I have on more than one occasion had the words, 'not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together', used as an admonition: For I do not attend a place of worship. Church attendance being the usual interpretation of this passage (above).

The word 'assembling' (episunagoge), and its cognate (episunago), are never used of an 'assembling' in the sense of attending service at church. Episunago is used in Matthew 23:37, for the Lord's desire to gather the children of Jerusalem to Himself as a hen does her chickens. It is used in Matthew 24:31, of the gathering together of the elect by the angels. It is used in Mark 1:33 and Luke 12:1, for the crowd who gathered for healing or interest.

The only other place where episunagoge occurs is 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 'The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto Him'. The Apostle by the use of the word 'forsaking' evidently glances back to such passages as 2 Chronicles 24:18, where the 'forsaking' of the house of the Lord meant apostasy, and was visited with wrath, and also to Nehemiah 10:39 and 13:11, where adherence to the house of God indicated loyalty. The 'gathering together of ourselves' has value only as it foreshadows the hope of 'our gathering together unto Him'. At the present time faithfulness to truth and to the blessed hope sometimes cuts us off from Christian assemblies, and this passage must never be used to justify compromise. The present dispensation knows no 'place of worship' except where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God, For God dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Churches and chapels are conveniences, not essentials.'​

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[360watt]

A building is not a church in the NT. A church in the NT is a local community of saved, baptised believers, covenented together to carry out the great commission and commandment.

They could have a roof over their head for privacy and security purposes, but that roof is not the local church.

 

[Complete]

Hello @360watt,

Thank you for your input, I appreciate it.

I was brought out of the denominations, and separated unto the Scriptures. People were brought into my life, singly more often than not, whom I could fellowship with, who were of like mind, and when one had to leave me because of death or distance, another came. so that I have never been entirely alone. When I came out, I was warned that like a coal that is part of the fire's glow, which falls out upon the hearth, and grows cold, I could suffer the same fate spiritually, if I left the community of believers. I would grow cold. That has not happened, because of the Lord's provision, and the study of the Scriptures, which has kept my fire glowing.

Prior to my leaving the denominations, I was in receipt of study material, and had bought study aids, such as Concordances, a Bible Dictionary, 'Figures of speech in Scripture', and had an on-line Bible, containing innumerable translations for comparison, should I need them, and access to other Bible study resources should I require them. I also received a tri. monthly Expositor from 'The Berean Bible Trust' in London, which provided Bible Study material rightly divided, and had access online to www.bibleunderstanding.com, and www. believer.com, which again, provided a multitude of study materials and studies should I require them: but my greatest joy is the Scripture itself, for it is the source of sustenance for me, and brings such joy and wonder into my life. It takes me on journeys of discovery which are greater than any Amazonian expedition, or Matterhorn assent.

I share what I can, with whom I can, when I can, which though infrequent one-to-one, is possible online to a degree.

I have a husband, two married daughters and grown up grandchildren, but my study is personal of necessity.

The journey of life is wonderful, and I praise God that He is with me all the way.
In Christ Jesus
Chris

@civic

 

[DavidTree]

'Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;
(for He is faithful that promised )
And let us consider one another
to provoke unto love and to good works:
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 10:23-25)

Hello there,

I have on more than one occasion had the words, 'not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together', used as an admonition: For I do not attend a place of worship. Church attendance being the usual interpretation of this passage (above).

The word 'assembling' (episunagoge), and its cognate (episunago), are never used of an 'assembling' in the sense of attending service at church. Episunago is used in Matthew 23:37, for the Lord's desire to gather the children of Jerusalem to Himself as a hen does her chickens. It is used in Matthew 24:31, of the gathering together of the elect by the angels. It is used in Mark 1:33 and Luke 12:1, for the crowd who gathered for healing or interest.

The only other place where episunagoge occurs is 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 'The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto Him'. The Apostle by the use of the word 'forsaking' evidently glances back to such passages as 2 Chronicles 24:18, where the 'forsaking' of the house of the Lord meant apostasy, and was visited with wrath, and also to Nehemiah 10:39 and 13:11, where adherence to the house of God indicated loyalty. The 'gathering together of ourselves' has value only as it foreshadows the hope of 'our gathering together unto Him'. At the present time faithfulness to truth and to the blessed hope sometimes cuts us off from Christian assemblies, and this passage must never be used to justify compromise. The present dispensation knows no 'place of worship' except where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God, For God dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Churches and chapels are conveniences, not essentials.'​

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

For I do not attend a place of worship.

Neither do i for Biblical reasons.

 

[Complete]

Subject Heading:- 'Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together'​

A building is not a church in the NT. A church in the NT is a local community of saved, baptised believers, covenanted together to carry out the great commission and commandment.

They could have a roof over their head for privacy and security purposes, but that roof is not the local church.

'That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you,
that ye also may have fellowship with us:
and truly our fellowship is with the Father,
and with His Son Jesus Christ.'
(1 John 1:3)

Hello @360watt,

No, a building in itself is not a church, as you say: it is the faith held, and upheld by the individuals who attend it that determines what the building represent; It being the sum total of what is believed by those that attend. Be it Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, or any of the other denominated churches. Each have a statement of faith by which they are identified, either visually on the exterior of the building itself in it's name: or by the mutual agreement of it's membership within; written down and acknowledged, in doctrine and practice.

The words of John quoted above come to my mind as I consider this, for the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, regardless of their chosen place of worship, should be there to mutually fellowship with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ, in the Spirit: In the belief that where two or three are gathered together in Jesus name there He is in the midst of them, and that to bless.

Thank you,
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Complete]

Subject Heading:- 'Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together'​

A building is not a church in the NT. A church in the NT is a local community of saved, baptised believers, covenanted together to carry out the great commission and commandment.

They could have a roof over their head for privacy and security purposes, but that roof is not the local church.

Hello @360watt,

Your description of what a local church comprises requires explanation I feel: For you list characteristics which I would appreciate further explanation for. eg.,

- Covenanted to carry out the great commission? (Mark 16:14-18?)
- and commandment?

Are you specifically referring to the early church of the Acts period, or do you believe this should be representative of the church today?

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Complete]

Neither do i for Biblical reasons.

Hello @DavidTree,

Would you like to share what those Biblical reasons were? If not it doesn't matter, but you may wish to.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[DavidTree]

Hello @DavidTree,

Would you like to share what those Biblical reasons were? If not it doesn't matter, but you may wish to.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Please allow me to lay the foundation that God established for us to believe on Him in answering.
PS - We KNOW that JESUS is the FOUNDATION
i am only sharing about, why modern day 'churches' are not what God intended for us.

Sharing and Caring for the Body of Christ is what it is all about.

There was only one Temple to be built for ALL of Israel.
Under the law of Moses, all under the covenant, MUST appear before the LORD 7 times a year, beginning with Passover, at the ONLY TEMPLE in Jerusalem.
No other Temple building was permitted = ANYWHERE

If you did not show up to present your-self before the LORD, with sacrifices, you were CUT-OFF from the commonwealth of Israel.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you can see it, i already laid the TRUE Foundation of God in CHRIST.

Having coffee now with my Honey = will continue

 

[Complete]

'I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you
that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
With all lowliness and meekness,
with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is:-
- one body, and
- one Spirit, even as ye are called in
- one hope of your calling;
- One Lord,
- one faith,
- one baptism,
- One God and Father of all,
Who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
But unto every one of us is given grace
according to the measure of the gift of Christ.'
(Eph 4:1)

Praise God!

 

[DavidTree]

'I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you
that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
With all lowliness and meekness,
with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is:-
- one body, and
- one Spirit, even as ye are called in
- one hope of your calling;
- One Lord,
- one faith,
- one baptism,
- One God and Father of all,
Who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
But unto every one of us is given grace
according to the measure of the gift of Christ.'
(Eph 4:1)

Praise God!

Did God leave us without a Temple???

Did you post this because you believe in Something BIGGER then buildings made of stone???

Do you remember what Stephen said and to whom he ws speaking before 'they' murdered him???

If, my memory serves me CORRECTLY, i seem to RECALL a NEW High Priest STANDING in the TEMPLE which is ABOVE looking at Stephen.
i also remember that when Stephen saw this NEW High Priest, "Stephen's face was that of an Angel" and he said:
Adoani YAHshua receive my spirit = and Stephen died, his dead body remained on earth but his spirit went to the ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST.

 

[Complete]

Did God leave us without a Temple???

Did you post this because you believe in Something BIGGER then buildings made of stone???

Do you remember what Stephen said and to whom he ws speaking before 'they' murdered him???

If, my memory serves me CORRECTLY, i seem to RECALL a NEW High Priest STANDING in the TEMPLE which is ABOVE looking at Stephen.
i also remember that when Stephen saw this NEW High Priest, "Stephen's face was that of an Angel" and he said:
Adoani YAHshua receive my spirit = and Stephen died, his dead body remained on earth but his spirit went to the ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST.

'Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,
but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;
In Whom all the building fitly framed together
groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
In Whom ye also are builded together
for an habitation of God through the Spirit.'
(Eph 2:19-22)

Hello @DavidTree,

In reply to you, my mind went to, Ephesians 2:19-22 (above).

* In the light of that statement Paul prayed:-

'For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,
.. to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;
.... That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;
...... that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
........ May be able to comprehend with all saints
.......... what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
............ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,
.............. that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now unto Him That is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end'.
Amen.'
(Eph 3:14-21)

* We, the Church which is the Body of Christ, are being built into a holy temple in the Lord.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[DavidTree]

'Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,
but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;
In Whom all the building fitly framed together
groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
In Whom ye also are builded together
for an habitation of God through the Spirit.'
(Eph 2:19-22)

Hello @DavidTree,

In reply to you, my mind went to, Ephesians 2:19-22 (above).

* In the light of that statement Paul prayed:-

'For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,
.. to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;
.... That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;
...... that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
........ May be able to comprehend with all saints
.......... what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
............ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,
.............. that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now unto Him That is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end'.
Amen.'
(Eph 3:14-21)

* We, the Church which is the Body of Christ, are being built into a holy temple in the Lord.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

LOVE it my Brother who resides in HIS HOLY TEMPLE

paper crowns know no bounds
for they make man look mighty
Before the Almighty

His Face shown down
not on men with paper crowns
but Shown upon Stephen who told them
your place is on sinking ground

men can be eduMancated
where they believe they are elevated
far above the simple man
the simple Man who came to Town
who laid down HIS Eternal Crown
to reach the lowly on ground zero
yes, yes, yes, HE alone is my HERO

 

[Complete]

LOVE it my Brother who resides in HIS HOLY TEMPLE?

paper crowns know no bounds
for they make man look mighty
Before the Almighty

His Face shown down
not on men with paper crowns
but Shown upon Stephen who told them
your place is on sinking ground

men can be eduMancated
where they believe they are elevated
far above the simple man
the simple Man who came to Town
who laid down HIS Eternal Crown
to reach the lowly on ground zero
yes, yes, yes, HE alone is my HERO

Question asked:- Who resides in His Holy Temple?

'In Whom all the building
fitly framed together groweth
unto an holy temple in the Lord:
In Whom ye also are builded together
for an habitation of God through the Spirit.'
(Eph 2:21-22)

'That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory,
may give unto you
the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
that ye may know what is the hope of His calling,
and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe,
according to the working of His mighty power,
Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead,
and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion,
and every name that is named,
not only in this world,
but also in that which is to come:
And hath put all things under His feet,
and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.'
(Eph 1:17-23)

Praise His Holy Name!

* Thank you @DavidTree

 

[DavidTree]

Question asked:- Who resides in His Holy Temple?

'In Whom all the building
fitly framed together groweth
unto an holy temple in the Lord:
In Whom ye also are builded together
for an habitation of God through the Spirit.'
(Eph 2:21-22)

'That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory,
may give unto you
the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
that ye may know what is the hope of His calling,
and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe,
according to the working of His mighty power,
Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead,
and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion,
and every name that is named,
not only in this world,
but also in that which is to come:
And hath put all things under His feet,
and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.'
(Eph 1:17-23)

Praise His Holy Name!

* Thank you @DavidTree

Your kindness Today, brought tears of Joy for i am in pain in my body from Lymes's and in pain in my heart for my adult children.

Two of our children are SAVED = HalleluYAH

Four are prodigal, of those four, two in a bad way.

 

[360watt]

Subject Heading:- 'Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together'​

Hello @360watt,

Your description of what a local church comprises requires explanation I feel: For you list characteristics which I would appreciate further explanation for. eg.,

- Covenanted to carry out the great commission? (Mark 16:14-18?)
- and commandment?

Are you specifically referring to the early church of the Acts period, or do you believe this should be representative of the church today?

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

This should be what a NT church does today.. because that is the Biblical example

 

[Complete]

Your kindness Today, brought tears of Joy for i am in pain in my body from Lymes's and in pain in my heart for my adult children.

Two of our children are SAVED = HalleluYAH

Four are prodigal, of those four, two in a bad way.

'Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
For even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it is written,
'The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me'.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning,
that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded
one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God,
even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.'
(Rom 15:2-7)

Hello @DavidTree,

I am glad that your heart was gladdened, for so was mine. I think it is called mutual edification, don't you think.
I do appreciate your pain in both heart and mind, and pray that the God of all comfort will be your balm as you wait on Him.

Within the love of Christ our Saviour,
our Lord and Head,
Now risen and glorified,
and sat at God's right hand.
Chris

 

[Complete]

n

This should be what a NT church does today.. because that is the Biblical examplel

Hello @360watt,

Thank you for responding. For giving me your thoughts on this. It really warrants a thread of it's own though, don't you think?

In Christ Jesus
our risen and glorified,
Saviour, Lord and Head.
Chris

https://berean-apologetics.community.forum/threads/the-great-commission.2069/

 

[DavidTree]

'Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
For even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it is written,
'The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me'.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning,
that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded
one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God,
even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.'
(Rom 15:2-7)

Hello @DavidTree,

I am glad that your heart was gladdened, for so was mine. I think it is called mutual edification, don't you think.
I do appreciate your pain in both heart and mind, and pray that the God of all comfort will be your balm as you wait on Him.

Within the love of Christ our Saviour,
our Lord and Head,
Now risen and glorified,
and sat at God's right hand.
Chris

my Brother Chris,

BIG THANK YOU again.

i am including @Selah and @civic on this for i know they love to pray.

TESTIMONY = Your prayers for "BALM" for my physical pain were answered yesterday = HalleluYAH

A couple of hours after we last spoke, i had to finish a job which required chainsaw cutting of a large Oak tree that was already on the ground from our previous day of work. For two hours i cut split and loaded heavy wood with my 19 year old son Daniel(SAVED in CHRIST)

Bear this in your heart/mind = Yesterday after i finished work i could BARELY WALK!!! i was in so much PAIN and had to use a WALKER to move around the house.
My wife called the Surgeon who performed complete Hip Replacement surgery last year in May on my Right Hip.
The pain is now on my Left Hip! = i was Broken hearted greatly yesterday knowing another surgery, that i was hoping would not come, at least not for another five years or so.
LYMES Disease eats away at your joints and nerve endings, it also can cause 'brain fog'(opportunity for jokes here @civic - lol).
AND, i never shared with you how Lymes gave me cancer when i was 40 = HalleluYAH, cancer was DEFEATED by the MERCY of CHRIST.

TODAY i do not have pain = i have been Praising God and saying: LORD i know you did this by the "effectual prayers of the Saints".

i only told you and one other Brother(not on this forum) of my PAIN

 

[civic]

my Brother @Complete,

BIG THANK YOU again.

i am including @Selah and @civic on this for i know they love to pray.

TESTIMONY = Your prayers for "BALM" for my physical pain were answered yesterday = HalleluYAH

A couple of hours after we last spoke, i had to finish a job which required chainsaw cutting of a large Oak tree that was already on the ground from our previous day of work. For two hours i cut split and loaded heavy wood with my 19 year old son Daniel(SAVED in CHRIST)

Bear this in your heart/mind = Yesterday after i finished work i could BARELY WALK!!! i was in so much PAIN and had to use a WALKER to move around the house.
My wife called the Surgeon who performed complete Hip Replacement surgery last year in May on my Right Hip.
The pain is now on my Left Hip! = i was Broken hearted greatly yesterday knowing anothe rsurgery that i was hoping would not come, at least not for another five years or so.
LYMES Disease eats away at your joints and nerve endings, it also can cause 'brain fog'(opportunity for jokes here @civic - lol).
AND, i never shared with you how Lymes gave me cancer when i was 40 = HalleluYAH, cancer was DEFEATED by the MERCY of CHRIST.

TODAY i do not have pain = i have Praising God and saying: LORD i know you did this by the "effectual prayers of the Saints".

i only told you and one other Brother(not on this forum) of my PAIN

prayers for you !

 

[DavidTree]

'I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you
that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
With all lowliness and meekness,
with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is:-
- one body, and
- one Spirit, even as ye are called in
- one hope of your calling;
- One Lord,
- one faith,
- one baptism,
- One God and Father of all,
Who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
But unto every one of us is given grace
according to the measure of the gift of Christ.'
(Eph 4:1)

Praise God!

FORGIVE me my Loving SISTER in CHRIST for saying: 'Brother'

but KNOW this, (and You KNOW This)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

SHALOM my SISTER in CHRIST who is also, right NOW/TODAY, a son of the Most High God

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called -
sons of God!
Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.