Why We Come Together

Archived Notes

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Do we consider our “coming together” for collective worship services a special time? More than this, do we consider this a “family event”? While there is nothing mystical about our collective worship, nonetheless it ought to be a time of distinction when we can assemble in reverence to God in compliance with our mutual beliefs. We should never limit “worship” to Sunday assemblies, but we cannot be indifferent toward those assemblies, either.

Christianity is an entirely voluntary exercise of one’s own human will. We cannot mandate attendance for others. Furthermore, there is no biblical passage that commands us to attend; even Heb 10:25 is exhortatory, not doctrinally-binding. One the one hand, a person must want to come in the first place; otherwise, he will be miserable in coming and will likely create a negative experience for others. On the other hand, the apostles set up churches and promoted “coming together” because they knew Christians needed this; our spiritual needs today are no different than those of the first century. Someone who claims that he does not need to come implies that he is better off without coming—an argument which fails under critical examination. Will refusing to come together with the saints improve one’s spiritual life? Strengthen fellowship? Enhance his walk with the Lord (1 John 2:6; would Jesus do this?) Inspire his family, or new converts, or potential candidates for conversion? The answers to these rhetorical questions are obvious. Coming together is a family event, and our “family” is the Lord’s church. When all is said and done, Christians have no good or selfless reason to purposely refuse to come together with fellow believers.

Nonetheless, our objective must not be reduced to being physically present at services. Attendance by itself means little; one is not saved only because his name is in some church directory. To have one’s name in God’s “book of life” (cf. Rev 20:11-15), we must live like God’s people. We are to worship God in “spirit and truth” (John 4:24) both in our individual and collective worship; this requires a right heart and right motives for our “coming together.” When we assemble, we must seek the Lord’s will and favor, since we are presenting ourselves as a body of believers before Him (as in the “solemn assemblies” of ancient Israel). This is part of our public confession of what we believe; it is also an appropriate time for reconciliation to God (through baptism) or restoration to God (for fallen Christians). But we ought not to come for the following reasons: we feel guilty if we do not come; we are guilty of private sins for which we refuse to take responsibility (see Jas 4:8-10); to be entertained as a spectator, or with food, drink, and excessive creature comforts; simply to criticize whatever is done when we come together.

We must recognize the “big picture” in order to appreciate why we should come together. God provides the church with tools “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service” (cf. Eph 4:11-16); our coming together is a primary and ideal opportunity for the implementation of such tools and equipping. One who claims to “seek God” elsewhere, such as in nature or serene solitude, only demonstrates spiritual immaturity. He has not yet grasped the essential purpose of the church, nor of his relationship to God—which is directly linked to and affected by his relationship to the saints. One cannot love God while purposely “hating” (i.e., withholding love from) his fellow member in Christ (1 John 4:20-21). Consider the following reasons why it is in our best interest to come together:

· Reinforce our commitment to God—to inspire ourselves and stimulate others (Heb 10:23-25).

· Enjoy collective fellowship with God—through songs, prayers, studies, mutual edification (see Eph 5:18-21).

· Promote godliness and unity among the brethren—not the same opinions, but the same “mind” (see 1 Cor 1:9, Phil 2:2). This also provides an ideal opportunity to admonish, encourage, help the weak, and show patience and “good” to the rest of the group (see 1 Thess 5:14-15).

· Open our doors to guests (potential candidates) and open our hearts to one another (Rom 15:7).

· Prepare ourselves for sharing and defending our faith through deeper study and discussion (2 Tim 2:2).

· Remember Christ’s sacrifice through the observance of the Lord’s Supper: this requires our coming together with the right heart (cf. 1 Cor 11:17ff) and our most respectful behavior.

How “special” is our coming together to you? Your attitude has much to do with how you will regard your assembling together with the saints in the first place. While one’s attendance does not by itself determine his eternal destiny, it is disturbing that someone can be unaffected by or indifferent toward purposely missing such opportunities to be with the Lord’s people. Remember, too, what Jesus used as criteria for determining who belongs to Him: it is those who show the proper love toward others who belong to Him (Mt 25:31-46). In other words, we do not come together just for ourselves; we come together for others, and for the Lord.

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