Throughout the history of the church there have always been those who neglected church assemblies. Hebrews 10:25 begins, “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some…” Even in the days of the apostles there were people who did not appreciate the value of the church assembly. This means that they appreciated neither the sacrifice of Christ (Heb. 10:29) nor the spiritual well-being of their own brethren (v. 24).
The word “forsake” suggests a deliberate choice on the part of a person to not assemble. It is not that he is sick, contagious, injured, recovering, or perhaps, assisting someone in one of these conditions. It is that he is able to attend but does not make it a priority. He is not “seeking first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). Rather, he is seeking his own comfort or pleasure.
Attending church services is both the duty and the privilege of every saint. While there are many good and helpful things that Christians can do apart from the church assembly (helping one’s neighbor, praying, singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, studying God’s word…etc), certain things in the service of God can only be done in that assembly.
The Lord’s Supper is to be observed by saints who “come together” upon the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 11:18, 20, 33; Acts 20:7). We have no authority to take the Lord’s Supper apart from or away from a local church assembly. The Lord’s Supper is a communion of the body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16). It is a memorial and proclamation of His death (1 Corinthians 11:24-26). Failure to observe this memorial robs the Christian of a unique spiritual blessing and constitutes disobedience to God. We should also note that failure to observe the Lord’s Supper scripturally is equally damning (1 Cor. 11:27-30).
Giving to the church as an act of worship is also to be done in the church assembly. Paul told the Corinthians, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Paul commanded first century church members to give financially in their first day of the week assemblies. No authority exists in Scripture for this to be done on some other day of the week.
Certain other functions, though not limited to church assemblies or to specific day assemblies, are authorized for church practice. I have reference to preaching (exhortation), teaching, singing and prayer. Along with observing the Lord’s Supper, the church at Troas also heard a sermon preached by Paul (Acts 20:7). Along with the Lord’s Supper and giving, the church at Corinth also had, teaching, singing and prayer (1 Corinthians 14:16, 26). The church assembly is a divinely designed arrangement for the growth and encouragement of saints. It should not be neglected, nor should its importance be diminished, particulary by those professing to be saints.
Tim Haile