Habitual neglect of meeting together with the brethren, to receive edification, is one of the more visible signs that a Christian is straying from the faith. This problem, which seems to be widespread, occurs in the majority of congregations of God's people, especially on Sunday and Wednesday nights. However, the fact that it is widespread does not justify its practice. When approached regarding their absence, these truants may ask: "where's the scripture that says we have to attend the Wednesday-night service," or "why must we attend every service." These questions indicate that those who ask them have even greater problems:
- They are untaught concerning the reason why Christians assemble together.
- They do not realize, and therefore do not appreciate, the blessings to be received through attendance at the worship services.
In Hebrews 10:24-25, we read the command that Christians should "not forsake the assembling of the saints together." This instruction is too plain to miss without help. Some "customarily" (they also had this problem in the first century) "forsook" this blessing, not "considering one another to provoke unto love and good works." Assembling together is one way we show consideration for the spiritual well being of our brothers and sisters. In essence, our willful absence says we are not concerned about their spiritual well being. Obviously, there is value in assembling.
God, in His infinite wisdom, commanded that we meet together to edify one another. The basic meaning of the word church, ekklesia, is "called out people." The word "church " may refer to all Christians everywhere, as in Matthew 16:18 and Ephesians 1:22. Or, it may refer to a local group, recognizable because, as in Acts 20:17-35, it has:
- Disciples who have mutual responsibilities to one another,
- A certain organizational structure, and
- Its own peculiar work.
This constitutes a local congregation, with certain mutual responsibilities, whether in assembly or not, as in I Timothy 5:16. The word "church" may apply to an actual assembly of disciples in one place, as in I Corinthians 11:18; 14:19,23,35. The same word may refer, in a distributive sense, to the disciples dispersed about the city. Saul "laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women, committed them to prison." (Acts 8:3) After one obeys the gospel and is added to the Lord's universal church (Acts 2:47), he must join himself to worship and work with a local congregation, in a specific place (Acts 9:26). We are commanded to assemble with the disciples to whom we have joined ourselves, as often as they meet together.
The apostle Peter taught us to "long for the spiritual milk" (1 Peter 2:2), and "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18) God designed the assembly for that very purpose. We come together to worship God by praying, singing songs of praise and thanksgiving, and by studying the Bible. Upon the first day of the week, we partake of the Lord's Supper and also give back to God a portion of that with which He has blessed us, as we have purposed in our hearts, and according to the amount of our prosperity. These commandments are given to enable the Christian to be built up in his faith and grow to maturity. These things do not occur when an individual deliberately chooses not to assemble together with the saints. Would you really wish to stand before God in the Day of Judgment, knowing you were guilty of this?
Something is terribly wrong, brethren, when Christians feel they don't need to come together with those of "like precious faith." Many who "habitually" fail to assemble are not at all slack when it comes to attendance at their jobs, ball games, picnics, or the many other secular activities with which they choose to involve themselves.
It's also wrong for these brethren to excuse themselves by saying, "the Bible doesn't say not to," and then to condemn denominational arguments that use the same reasoning to substantiate additions to God's Word. Such is unauthorized, whether it be members of denominations or the brethren! "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son." {2 John 9} "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other." {1 Corinthians 4:6}
We need also to realize that simply attending services doesn't make a person's heart right with God. Jesus said, "they that worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24) Your motivation for attending services must be to please God. It is not for the purpose of socializing or to grudgingly keep the preacher off your back. "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." (Proverbs 23:7) This pinpoints the real problem with those who willfully forsake assembling together with the saints. If hearts are not right before God, simply preaching on attendance is not enough. We must repent and change our hearts.
Finally, by willfully forsaking the worship services, we damage our influence. Not only do we damage our personal influence, we also harm the church's influence. Jesus spoke of the Christian's tremendous influence in the world. "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." {Matthew 5:13-16}
Also, by neglecting to assemble with the saints, we can, among other things, be stumbling blocks to our husbands, wives, children, brothers and sisters in Christ, and yes, even to those in the world. Whether on Sunday, or Wednesday night, we cannot demonstrate to those who watch us that we love the Lord and "hunger and thirst after righteousness" (Matthew 5:6) when we fail to assemble with the saints. Brethren, let us realize that our purpose for coming together is to praise and glorify God and to receive edification -"that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other's faith both yours and mine." (Romans 1:12)
Brother Galloway's article is sorely needed in our time. I too believe it does little good to preach on "attendance." One who is lacking in his attendance at services, gospel meetings, and Bible Studies has a much deeper problem--lack of love for, and commitment to, God. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to "love God with all your heart, soul, and mind." (Matthew 22:37) If we truly love God, as deeply as we should, attendance takes care of itself. (KMG)