Worshiping in the Congregation

MEMORY VERSE: “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” —Psalm 34:3

PSALM 122

PSALM 122 was one used by pilgrims as they made their way up to Jerusalem, therefore the title, “A Song of Ascents.” The first verse reads, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord” The psalmist was glad to accept an invitation to join the pilgrim group. It was necessary to make these long pilgrimages in groups for protection against robbers and for coping with other difficulties which might arise.

The temple in Jerusalem was the center of worship for the Israelites. Early in the Christian era the followers of Jesus began to erect meeting places, and slowly these took on a much more important place in their minds than circumstances warranted. The “churches,” as they were called, grew in splendor, and then came the cathedral.

But these were not the church. The word “church” in the New Testament is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia, meaning a “calling out,” or a called-out or elected people. It is the congregation of God’s people, then, that constitutes the real church, not the building in which they meet.

In the very early part of the age the disciples frequently met in one another’s homes. They believed Jesus’ promise that wherever two or three meet in his name he would be in their midst. As they grew in numbers the homes of the brethren in many instances would be too small for meeting purposes. Then came the “meeting house.” Today among many church people there seems to be a returning to the custom of meeting in homes, especially by those who are becoming disillusioned with “the establishment.”

In his sermon on Mars’ hill the Apostle Paul said, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” (Acts 17:24) God dwells in the hearts of his fully dedicated people. They as individuals are the temple of God. (I Cor. 3:16) These are now being prepared to be a greater temple which will serve in the next age as the meeting place between God and man. Paul wrote, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth into an holy temple in the Lord.”—Eph. 2:19-22

HEBREWS 10:23-25

We suggest the use of the reading given this 23rd verse in the Revised Standard Version: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” The King James Version reads, “profession of faith,” instead of “confession of hope.” The main difference is the use of the word “hope” which is the proper translation of the Greek word here used, instead of “faith.”

“Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and 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.” (vss. 24,25) Here the “provoking,” or urging, to love and good works is clearly associated with the assembling of ourselves together. And this is logical! How can we be an encouragement to our brethren, and how can they encourage us, if we hold ourselves aloof from one another! “As the manner of some is.” It is clear that the zealous ones in the Early Church did have the custom of meeting together for mutual instruction and encouragement. But some among the “Hebrews” had seemingly become lax in this connection, and the apostle is urging them not to forsake this privilege, for all the Lord’s people need the spiritual help they can obtain by associating with others of like precious faith.

QUESTIONS

What constitutes the church of Christ?

Quote Paul’s reference to a holy temple in the Lord, and explain it.

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