GATHERING FACTORS
SOME ELEMENTS OF BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN GATHERING
- R. DeWitt, 2006
1. The purpose of gathering: obedience and honor to God as shown in His Word as a testimony of the universal Church - the Bride of Christ, and not with the ideas of men -John 14:23; Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:25; etc.; a collective fellowship in the world and maintaining "one accord", "unity of the Spirit" and encouragement for all; worship with the Lord's supper at His table with collective prayers of thanksgiving, Bible readings, and songs of praise; study of the Word together for teaching and ministry; prayer meetings; gospel preaching. SOME ELEMENTS OF BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN GATHERING
- R. DeWitt, 2006
2. The ground of gathering: expressing the "one body in Christ" in the world in a local way, together in unity worldwide as given for true "born again" believers, and not independency - Rom.12; 1 Cor. 12; etc..
3. The object of gathering: the Lord's presence "in the midst"; collective communion; "unity of the faith"; assembly government and help; the priesthood of all believers; God's honor - Matt.18:20; Matt. 28:20; etc..
4. The center of gathering: God with the Person and Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit in holiness, and not man's purposes and desires - John 15:4; John 12:26; etc..
5. The form of gathering: scriptural order and function only, not innovations of men; not a hierarchy of leaders; Bible-only; esteeming the "holy" and "royal priesthood" of all saints - John 14:23; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 1 Pet. 2; etc..
6. The unity of gathering: "together" in fellowship worldwide as shown of the Lord - John 17:21; Acts 2:44-47; 1 Cor.1:2; 1 Cor. 15:19-20; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:2; Eph.4:4-6; Phil. 4:22; etc.; "one accord"; "like mind"; "unity of the Spirit" and not independency;
7. The spirit of gathering: yielding in humility to the Holy Spirit's leading, not by planning & programs, innovations - 1 Cor. 12:5; Phil.2: 2-4; 1 John 3:14, etc.; love, humility, patience, caring, praising;
8. The place of gathering: with all such gathered saints as stated everywhere in accord with the Word, unto the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ alone ---and there is where He promises His presence, not wherever men may choose to form a sect - Matt.18:20; I Cor. 1:9-13; I Cor. 12:25; Eph.4; Phil.2:2; Deut.12:5-14; etc.; embracing all of the above thoughts, in a place where even two or three are gathered by the Holy Spirit together in like mind by the Word (locally and universally).
It would be strange that a true "born again" believer in Jesus, the Christ of God, would prefer a sect to the scriptural order that God has provided in His Word and which honors Him.
