'Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together'

[readywriter]

'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)

Hello there,

The usual interpretation of this passage associates it with attendance at a Christian place of worship. 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 and its parallel passage 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 and its parallel passage 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 Nehemiah 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.

The added words, 'so much the more, as ye see the day approaching'. confirms the thought that the hope and its gathering together is all the while in view.
(Ref: 'Perfection or Perdition' by BPT Trust)

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[readywriter]

'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.
For if we sin wilfully
after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment
and fiery indignation,
which shall devour the adversaries.'
(Heb 10:25)

Hello again,

The added words, 'so much the more, as ye see the day approaching'. confirms the thought that the hope and its gathering together is all the while in view.

A further confirmation of this higher and fuller meaning is found in the argument that immediately follows. The forsaking of the assembly is called a 'wilful sin after the reception of the truth', and for such 'there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins'. Under the law sins were placed under two heads:-

(1) Sins of omission, ignorance, and inadvertence (Leviticus 4:2 etc.,)
(2) Sins of presumption, high hand, malice aforethought (Numbers 15:30,31).

Apostasy from the profession of the hope had the character of presumptuous sin, for which the law made no provision. That David (as in Psalm 51), for example, could be forgiven, shows that a fuller Sacrifice is found under the gospel than under the law, but the Apostle does not bring this forward, neither does he mitigate the severity of the judgment that is pronounced against such. 'Fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries', 'died without mercy', 'of how much sorer punishment', 'vengence is Mine', 'it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God', all stress the extreme severity of the penalty. 'Trodden under foot the Son of God', 'counting the blood of the Covenant unholy', 'doing despite to the Spirit of grace', these terms reveal the enormity of the sin of turning back to Judaism. In this light, Hebrews 6:1-8 is to be read, to which the word 'illuminated' of 10:32 evidently refers. These are the only occurrences of Photizo in Hebrews.
(Ref: 'Perfection or Perdition' by BPT Trust)

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[enoob57]

assembly is such a simple understanding and if your not there it is because you desire to be somewhere different... the purpose of the assembly is to worship God yet you desire not to be there says what?

 

[readywriter]

assembly is such a simple understanding and if your not there it is because you desire to be somewhere different... the purpose of the assembly is to worship God yet you desire not to be there says what?

Hello there, @enoob57,

Worshipping God is something that is done in 'spirit' and in 'truth', and is an internal expression of love and praise for God's love and grace, it finds expression outwardly in word and deed, in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Yet it is 'making melody in your heart' to the Lord that matters, and that is something that can be done anywhere and at any time.

The assembling of ourselves together also does not require a building, and the church which is the Body of Christ consists of a membership which is worldwide, in which each member receives spiritual sustenance and increase from it's Head, which is Christ Himself. Yes, our fellowship is with the Father and the Son, by the Spirit, and with each other when occasion permits.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris