BY WHAT AUTHORITY DO WE ASSEMBLE?

Everything that a Christian does should be worship to glorify God. In articles, which follow we want to concentrate upon our formal worship (activities when we assemble ourselves together). Prior to that, however, let us consider assembling in general, since if this is not authorized, we need not consider any others.

Most religious groups assemble at regular intervals, although the specific time and the necessity for attendance is often at issue. The Bible gives us quite specific instructions regarding assembly.

The most definitive statement on assembly is probably given in Hebrews 10: 24-25: “and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works: not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.” If you believe that this command is to he taken lightly, read the next six verses (Heb. 10: 26-31).

This direct command certainly authorizes the assembling of ourselves together. The great commission also infers that we should assemble for the purpose of “teaching them [those who were baptized] to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you” (Mt. 28:18-19). Assembling ourselves to learn God’s will is an expedient to carrying out this command.

Since there is no restriction upon the time when such teaching can take place, there is no restriction upon when assembling for this purpose. Indeed, there is ample evidence that such meetings were often held on a daily basis (Acts 2:46; 19:9).

On the other hand, there are certain acts of worship (the Lord’s Supper and giving), which we find occurring only on one special day -- the first day of the week.

Acts 20:7 indicates that Christians gathered together to partake of the Lord’s Supper (“break bread”) on the first day of the week. It is clear the Lord’s Supper is to be taken “when ye come together” or “assemble” (1 Cor. 11:18, 20). Further, the apostle Paul instructed the Christians at Corinth to “lay by in store” upon the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:2).

This was a major change in practice, for the Jews were instructed to observe the Sabbath, the last day of the week (our Saturday), which they still keep to this day. It might be noted that Pentecost (Acts 2) was on the first day of the week, the same day of the week that Jesus rose from the dead.

At this point we have established that the Christians are authorized and required to assemble. We will discuss the authority for the acts of worship, in subsequent articles.