Written by Eng Kim Leng
God in His wisdom and foreknowledge established the church. It is central to our faith, as God’s chosen instrument for accomplishing His eternal purposes. Understanding why God established the church helps us grasp why our faithful participation matters so deeply.
The Church as God’s Household
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says, “…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Jesus established His church as part of His divine purpose to continue the mission of spreading the Gospel, seeking and saving the lost, reconciling man to God, and promoting unity of faith.
In Ephesians 1:22-23, Paul describes the church as Christ’s body. It is a spiritual family (also known as the “… household of God,” Eph 2:19) for mutual support, love, care and service to one another, towards spiritual growth and edification of its members, with Christ as the head. Spiritual life flourishes in a community of like-minded brothers and sisters.
The church acts as the pillar and ground of truth (1 Tim 3:15).
The church is God’s kingdom on earth (1 Peter 2:9). When one is in the kingdom, he is in the church and equally one who is in the church is in the kingdom. Members of the church are citizens of the kingdom of God and vice versa. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own special people.
If we are in His body, then we must assemble as a body. Some may think that so long as one’s heart is with Christ, assembling is optional. On a practical level, it is difficult to keep the zeal within oneself alive when one is isolated from the church. Like a fire that needs multiple pieces of wood together to burn effectively, similarly spiritual strength and zeal for God are enhanced when there is group dynamic. It is also why the Bible says two are better than one (Eccl 4:9). God’s plan for the church would not be fulfilled if members choose to worship alone or forsake assembling.
The Command to Assemble as a Body
In Heb 10:24-25, Paul exhorts, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking 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.”
Most would agree that Sunday worship assembly holds primary importance. We assemble on the first day of the week, as practised by the early Christians. In Acts 20:7 the Bible records, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” Worship refers to the sum of all that we do during worship (i.e. honouring God in preaching and learning His word, praying, singing praises to His name, collection for the saints, and the partaking of the Lord’s Supper, remembering the Lord’s death till He comes again).
Examination of Hebrews 10:25
Hebrews 10:25 has a context, which extends beyond worship. The paragraph begins with verse 22 and continues through verse 25. The writer gives these commands to show how a life of faithfulness is lived. First, he speaks of our obligation to God: “Let us draw near with a true heart” (verse 22, when we assemble, we draw near to God, who is in our midst). Then, he speaks of our obligation to ourselves, individually: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (verse 23). Finally, he speaks of our obligation to brethren: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (verse 24) which, in this text, is done during our “assembling” (v.25). A lifestyle of faithfulness will manifest itself in all three areas.
Notice the next two verses. “For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (v.26-27). The one who sins wilfully in this text is one who:
fails to “draw near” to God (verse 22); fails to “hold fast” to his hope (v. 23); fails to “consider” his brethren (verse 24); and has quit “assembling” with his brethren (verse 25; “forsaking” = “abandoning.”)
The connector, ‘for’ in verse 26 follows the previous verses, and especially verse 25 concerning forsaking, which results from failing in the earlier 3 verses. This is a strong warning. It goes on to say (in verse 27) there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. To these people, Christ sacrifice for sins will not save them; they will face a dreaded anticipation of God’s final verdict, and His anger, a devouring or consuming indignation.
Assembling for Bible Studies
Does the command to assemble apply only to congregational worship or to all church assemblies, including bible class? Churches generally emphasised regular assembling for both worship services and Bible study as essential components of Christian faithfulness. We are commanded to grow in grace and in knowledge (2 Pet 3:18), and these are done with regular study. There is much information, knowledge, wisdom, and practical advice that God shares with us in the Bible, which 2 Tim 3:16-17 says is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Bible classes complement sermons to equip members in the defense of the doctrine of Christ.
The early Christians assembled daily (Acts 2:46-47) with one accord. The phrase “with one accord” (Acts 2:46, KJV) or “together” emphasises unity of purpose and spirit. The early church’s unity expressed itself in speaking “the same thing” (1 Corinthians 1:10). We should similarly continue to unite through intentional relationships and genuine concern for each other’s physical and spiritual wellbeing, a culture where family and church life are deeply interconnected (“daily, in the temple courts and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ,” Acts 5:42).
Sporadic attendance makes genuine engagement, spiritual accountability and encouragement difficult. We need to be regular and present, especially in the face of struggles, persecution, doctrinal confusion, or moral challenges.
In Closing
Let us continue to be in attendance, remembering the messages from Paul to stand fast in the Lord. Maintain a connection to God and restore the joy of closeness to Him. It means returning to our first love – the initial, passionate devotion, zeal, and intimate commitment to Jesus Christ that we experienced when we first became Christians (Revelation 2:4-5). This zeal forms the bedrock for all commitments, serving as the foundation for a close walk with God and our service to Him. Stay the course, encourage each other, that we may hear our Lord’s welcome, ‘Well done good and faithful servant, …. enter into the joy of the Lord’ (Matthew 25:21).