Christian Worship and Fellowship

GOLDEN TEXT: “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.” —Hebrews 10:24,25

ACTS 2:46,47; COLOSSIANS 3:12-17; HEBREWS 10:23-25

THE Greek word which is translated fellowship in the New Testament literally means partnership. Christian fellowship, therefore, is more than just meeting together to discuss a common belief, for, prompting the desire to meet with those of “like precious faith” is the realization of having been called by God to be co-workers with him in his great plan for the enlightenment and salvation of the sin-cursed world of mankind.—II Cor. 5:17 – 6:1

The Apostle John also explains that our fellowship, or partnership, is with the Father and with the Son. (I John 1:3) That imperfect human beings should be taken into partnership with the Creator of the universe is a marvelous manifestation of divine grace. It is possible only through Christ. Through him we have “peace with God,” and through him also we have “access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”—Rom. 5:1,2

Paul mentions the work in which we have been invited to share, saying, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,” then adds, “and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ.” (II Cor. 5:19,20) Putting this thought in our own words it simply means that we represent Christ in the great work of reconciling a lost world to God.

This is the common cause in which every footstep follower of the Master is a partner. To discuss this divine plan, and to encourage one another to faithfulness in connection with it, is our incentive for meeting together, that the “word of Christ”—the “word of reconciliation”—might dwell in us “richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.”—Col. 3:16

Those into whose hearts the Lord has shined with this glorious Gospel delight to meet with those who have similarly been blessed. The large group who heard Peter’s Pentecostal sermon and accepted the truth which he presented, just naturally wanted to keep in touch with one another. There were such a large number to start with that they assembled in the temple—until the opposition of Israel’s religious leaders began to manifest itself.

But the use of the temple, or any other edifice designed for worship, was not essential to believers in the Early Church. The record is that they mingled with one another and broke bread “from house to house.” The New Testament reveals that many of the congregations of disciples in those early days of the Christian era held their meetings in homes—among these being the church at Antioch, at Philippi, at Rome, etc.

Assembling for mutual encouragement and edification is essential to vital Christian growth. When a Christian is isolated, or for other reasons finds it impossible to meet with those of like precious faith, the Lord makes it up to him in other ways. But if there is an opportunity to assemble with fellow Christians, and that opportunity is not used, one is sure to suffer spiritual loss. This is why Paul urged the Hebrew brethren not to “forsake” the assembling of themselves together, “but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.” It is by doing this that we “consider one another to provoke unto love and good works.”

It is love that prompts the Lord’s people to seek one another’s company and encouragement in meetings, and otherwise. By assembling, that love is increased, not only toward fellow Christians, but toward the outside world as well. Properly motivated by love, the Christian delights in those “good works” in which he is engaged as a partner with the Heavenly Father, and an ambassador of Christ—the work of reconciliation.

“And so much the more as ye see the day approaching,” Paul added. The “day” he refers to is the period of Christ’s kingdom. It was approaching in Paul’s day, but still nineteen centuries in the future. We are now living in the early dawn of that “day,” although it is yet dark. To us who are watching for the morning to dawn, the day star has appeared.

The scriptural arrangement for groups of Christians when meeting together is that they elect their own servants—such as elders, or teachers, deacons, etc. But there is no scriptural authority for a distinction in the church as indicated by the terms “clergy” and “laity.” “All ye are brethren, and one is your Master, even Christ,” was our Lord’s way of expressing the proper relationship among brethren.

QUESTIONS

What is the full meaning of the word fellowship?

What is the work of God to which Christians have been called?

What divine purpose is served by Christians meeting together?

Is it necessary to have a building in which to meet which is specially constructed for the purpose?

Does the Bible authorize a distinction in the church such as is indicated by the terms “clergy” and “laity”?

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