God Commands Assembly

We started this chapter by explaining that Christians are commanded to assemble every Sabbath. By what authority do I say this?

God instructed Moses to write, “... the feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be HOLY CONVOCATIONS, even these are My feasts. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an HOLY CONVOCATION; you shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings” (Lev. 23:2-3).

The Hebrew word for “holy convocation” is miqra, meaning “something called out, an assembly, a reading.” This is a commanded assembly. It is inseparable from the overall keeping of the Sabbath—and is as important as “resting” and “[doing] no work therein.”

If Sabbath assembly is optional, then what is the point of Hebrews 10:23-26? Why the need to assemble? What are the PURPOSES for this?

In John 21:15-17, Christ directly told Peter (three times) that, if Peter loved Him (Christ), he would “FEED My sheep.” This admonition was not lost on Peter. Later in his ministry, Peter instructed elders to “FEED the flock of God which is among you” (1 Pet. 5:2).

Here is how Paul admonished the assembled elders at Ephesus of basically the same things: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to FEED the Church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).

God’s ministers—true shepherds—do not take this lightly. Ask: how could God command His ministers to feed sheep who were themselves not commanded to attend and eat the spiritual food served?

Here is why God has ordained a ministry: “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things” (Eph. 4:12-15). Also read 1 Corinthians 12:28-29.

A Vital Warning

Hebrews 10:1-39 states, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.... NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: And so much the more, as you see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins” (Heb. 10:23, 25-26).

Let’s take a closer look. Several points are important in this passage: (1) The context is holding fast to the truth. (2) This must be done without wavering—going back and forth. (3) We must never stop assembling. (4) Some do adopt this approach to Sabbath attendance. (5) We are to exhort others to attend. (6) It is “so much the more” important as we “see the day [of Christ’s Return] approaching.” And finally, (7) this is in the context of a direct warning against wilful sin—leaving “no more sacrifice for sins.”

We have already seen throughout the book how God views Sabbath observance, and keeping His time holy. This passage ties ignoring the need to assemble and fellowship to the unpardonable sin—“sinning wilfully.”

Christ’s sacrifice does not license us to override acting on true knowledge. This is unforgivable. Notice that in Hebrews 4:9, Paul reminded God’s people that “There remains therefore A REST [Greek: Sabbatismos—most margins correctly add “a keeping of the Sabbath”] to the people of God.” This is another New Testament passage emphasizing God’s Sabbath command is still binding. Study it!

You must never “forsake the assembling of yourselves together” when within reasonable distance (Heb. 10:25). Just a few verses later, God gives insight—and powerful instruction—through Paul, regarding how He views those who waver, cease to hold fast, and pull back from faithfulness: “But if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul” (Heb. 10:38-39). Have you believed God’s instruction throughout this book?

Remember that the people of the true Church of God will always continue steadfastly “in the APOSTLES 'DOCTRINE and FELLOWSHIP”!

Why Assembling Builds Faith

There is another critical aspect of Sabbath assembly that is little understood. In fact, almost no one makes a connection to this principle at work in services. As you listen to spiritual messages and news of God’s Work around the world, something is quietly happening within you. Let’s see what it is!

Notice what Paul told the Roman congregation: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14).

Yes, ministers are necessary so that people can be properly led within the truth. Yet members also have responsibilities toward the Church.

Desire to learn is important. In Acts 8:31, an Ethiopian eunuch answers Philip’s question, “Understand you what you read?” with his own question: “How can I, except some man should guide me?” In this question, he sought help. It took humility to admit that he did not “know it all.” He sought guidance. Yet the context shows that he was familiar with Isaiah’s writings and must have had his own personal copy. Like the eunuch, you must be willing to let God’s Church teach you.

Paul continues in Romans: “And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” (Rom. 10:15). God’s ministers are always sent by His faithful Headquarters. They never come of their own authority, in rebellion against God’s chosen leadership.

Paul continues further: “... as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah said, Lord, who has believed our report? So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD” (Rom. 10:15-17).

Paul added more in his letter to the Ephesian congregation about the role of different ministerial offices in the Church. Carefully read this longer passage:

“And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Eph. 4:11-16).

Listening to God’s instruction through His true servants is a faith-building exercise. God’s Word is LIVING—DYNAMIC! It is not sterile or useless to those hearing it. When sitting in Sabbath services, you are not simply “marking time,” you are growing in faith—if you are actively engaged in every word that is being spoken. People leave services stronger than when they arrived.

The greatest reason we are to assemble on God’s Sabbath is to be spiritually nourished with the pure word of truth and “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27, NKJV). This is one of the most important ways that your faith is strengthened!

Remember this vital principle and how it works within the mind of a converted person!

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