The title of this blog is very relevant to my message, today. You will notice that I did not write, “The work of the church.” We will be distinguishing the work of the local church organization from the work of individual saints. As already noted, our work is measured by what we do as individuals,…
In view of Paul’s teaching that regulates the use and purpose of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthains 14, it is apparent that the main emphasis in saints getting together is to fulfill the needs of the body. Each provided a need for other members of the body, the accomplishment of which could be met…
It has been pointed out that Abraham told his servants that he and Isaac would go to the mountain to worship and would come back to them (Gen. 22:5). It is argued that worship has a beginning point and an ending so that it involves a time and a place. From what took place…
There is a strong tradition among us that reveals the purpose of our assembling together to be a time to worship God. The concept of assembling for worship translates “going to worship” with “going to church.” How odd it is for the church to “go to church” in order to worship God! It propagates the…
In addition to strengthening and encouraging one another, we also see in the New Testament that Christians joined together in their struggle against sin (Gal. 6:1-10). They encouraged each other to hold the other accountable to repent of sin. In dealing with offenses, if a Christian chose not to repent of his/her sin, the every…
The Problems that Christianity has Created for Itself It’s amazing how blind anyone can become because of fear to see what may be too alarming or disturbing. It makes little difference whether you are knowledgeable in the Scriptures and devout in your religious tradition. It is very easy to become conditioned to certain rote comebacks,…
I was asked this question last week, and it occurred to me to write a blog in response to it. The first thing that is critical to realize is that as we read the Bible, we are reading other people’s mail. I’m not advocating that the Bible is not relevant, as many principles of truth…
A related concern would be the influence of the gossip in the home. Younger widows learn to be idle going around to the houses. This passage takes on a greater significance if we can imagine the houses as a place of fellowship and a young sister comes to the door as a tattler and busybody…
We do have some idea of why saints gathered together as a part of their daily life. One of the reasons to gather was to draw encouragement from one another. Today, so many view attendance at a facility as a requirement to be checked off and if you happen to be encouraged, that’s just “icing…
As you retire to the comforts of home, can there be any doubt that this was the forum of fellowship, tender affection (Phil. 2:1), encouragement, and teaching among Christians? This is the forum for the application of Heb. 3:11-12, Hebrews 10:24-25, and a host of the “one another” passages. The lifestyle of the early Christians…