| CHRISTIAN LIFE AND DOCTRINE | July 2003 |
Our Assembling Together
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“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” |
THE ARRANGEMENT OF meeting together, with the accompanying rich blessings, are by no means confined to large classes, because as Jesus declared, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:20) It is a matter for much sincere heart gratitude and rejoicing, to know that the ‘twos and threes,’ as well as the large ecclesias, are meeting together regularly with the Lord around the inspired Word—not only to praise and worship, but also to learn more and more about him and his holy will.
These assemblies, small as well as large, are having a growing realization that each member of the ecclesia has been given to the class with a view to the building up of the body of the Anointed—each member assisting the others, supplying by Divine grace that encouragement and help “which every joint supplieth.”—Eph. 4:16
In addition to the local gatherings week by week, some of these ecclesias, small and large, are very happy to send out announcements and invitations to other dear ones living within a wide radius, to fellowship with them at their meeting place whenever visiting speakers are scheduled to serve. The number attending the usual local meetings is thereby sometimes doubled or tripled, for whole-day, or part-day Sunday united gatherings (at special annual united assemblies a very much increased number usually fellowships together), light refreshments being served during the intervals between meetings. Whether the friends gathered together are many or few, the marked evidences of the Lord’s rich blessings are very precious experiences.
The return to summer time, when lighter evenings and approaching warmer weather encourages one to travel a long distance, brethren in various parts of the country look forward with joyful anticipation to more and more united gatherings, or conventions, being held than are possible during the winter months. Looking back over past seasons, it is very encouraging to note that such conventions and united efforts have been increasing in number. Not only have there been spiritual uplift and blessing while at these meetings, but when, in after days, recalling the fragrant and very abundant blessings associated with such fellowship, the mind and heart are encouraged and stimulated as there is a pondering over all the Lord’s blessings and benefits, and the rich spiritual food provided.
Again and again comes the glad and grateful realization that the Lord continues to lavish his grace upon us so richly. At these united assemblies, it is an experience which makes the heart rejoice, to meet the different brethren whose enthusiasm, love, and zeal have prompted and energized them to undertake long journeys that they might participate in these blessed ‘assemblings together.’
Some of these visiting brethren are, in their home district, somewhat isolated, with little or no opportunity to have fellowship in the Truth; others may meet weekly in very small classes and there is much rejoicing because of the blessings received at these united meetings. In addition to discourse meetings, there are ample opportunities to testify to each other and before the Lord, concerning the continued goodness and grace of the Heavenly Father. Prayer and praise also have their rightful place, and there is usually a discussion on the Manna Text for the day.
The visitors from a distance are overjoyed; indeed it is difficult to gauge who are most joyous and grateful for the spiritual blessings received—the visitors or those who so gladly welcomed them at their meeting place. It was some time ago that a local class arranged to have a small convention as a kind of trial. This venture of faith, which worked by love, was richly blessed by the Lord, and, as a result, similar united gatherings are being held repeatedly, particularly during the summer.
Visualize, also, various other small classes up and down the country where, quite apart from any annual convention efforts, the friends, few in number, arrange to have several of these united meetings in their usual local meeting places. Here, again, love and zeal energize the faith of the brethren. In the spirit of affectionate service and sacrifice, warm invitations to attend Sunday meetings, either for the whole day or part of the day, are extended to dear friends living far and near. In the same spirit of love there is a ready and glad response and attendance. All are blessed abundantly; and again there are marked evidences of their grateful rejoicing in the Lord, also their love and loyalty to him and to the glorious Truth which is becoming more and more precious to them with the passing of the days.
Many of these united assemblies could be described in some detail, but it would be impossible to express adequately all the faith, love, joy, gratitude, and zeal manifested at these gatherings. Suffice it to say that here are brethren giving evidence that they are steadfast soldiers of Jesus Christ, holding high the banner of Truth. They are not only giving diligence to make their own heavenly calling and election sure, but are also seeking and seizing every opportunity to assist others to do the same. Here are living testimonies that they are shining as lights in the world, holding forth the Word of life!
Where sincere efforts are made to comply with the exhortation, ‘Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,’ and thus to meet with an earnest desire (whether it be in the home class, or visiting others) to worship and praise our Father in heaven; to be richly blessed through his holy Word; to grow in the knowledge of his will; to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit; and to be more developed in Christlikeness; then how can one leave the assembly without receiving a blessing, and without having been made a blessing to others?
All who attend can indeed encourage and assist to strengthen one another spiritually. How? By gladly and gratefully manifesting the Master’s spirit, by mingling our prayers and our praises together; by testifying to the Lord’s continued grace and goodness; and by reminding one another of our Father’s great eternal purpose in Christ Jesus.
It is God’s will for us, in this connection, that “we should bear each other in mind, for an incitement of love and good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is a custom with some; but exhorting to it, and so much the more as you see the day drawing near.”—Heb. 10:24,25, Wilson’s Emphatic Diaglott
It is true that sometimes isolated brethren, whose only fellowship is through the printed page and the telephone, are often amongst the most staunch, devoted and self-sacrificing of the Lord’s people; but we should not from this infer that the blessings come from their isolation, but rather, since separation in unavoidable on their part, we may reasonably suppose that our Lord makes up to them, in his own presence and blessing, that which they lack of fellowship with other members of the church. But if one had opportunity for assembling with others for worship of the Lord, and for the study of his Word, and neglected to avail himself of his privilege, we need not expect that for his benefit the Lord would work special miracles of grace. The Lord’s miracles may be expected only in times of emergency to make up for natural deficiency.
The Apostle Paul in Hebrews intimates that as ‘the day’ draws near there will be the more need for the observance of this instruction respecting the fellowship and communion of God’s children with one another. And experience confirms this. The day in which we live, which we see the dawning of that special day referred to, has brought with it new activities in mind and body. There is a great pressure and rush to keep abreast of the times, and a correspondingly greater danger to the Lord’s people of being choked with the cares of this life, or with the deceitfulness of riches. We need counteracting influences to offset this increasing pressure of the world and its affairs around us. The admonition of Hebrews 10:25 should be heeded by the Lord’s people by communing one with the other and with the Lord, and exhorting and encouraging one another to steadfastness along the lines of instruction laid down in his Word.
It is as we see the day, the glorious Millennial Day, drawing on, that we are to be the more diligent in assembling ourselves together; the more earnest in exhortation and provoking one another to love and to good works; building up ourselves and others in the most holy faith; and assisting one another by the Lord’s grace and strength to continue faithful; to be conquerors, yea, “more than conquerors through him that loved us.”—Rom. 8:37