Do this sometime: Go through Luke’s Acts account and make a note every time you see Christians gathering. You’ll find something that is remarkable, even if it is not surprising. Christians in the first century gathered all the time – and for a lot of different purposes. You initially discover that our Lord’s disciples were together in Jerusalem prior to Pentecost, in anticipation of receiving His promised special baptism of the Holy Spirit [Luke 24: 49, Acts 1]. What was important to them after Jesus had ascended to heaven and before they received the promise in Jerusalem? Being together.
Then, after the extraordinary events on Pentecost, the newly baptized Christians did this: they “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” [Acts 2] Fellowship, teaching, breaking bread and prayers are togetherness activities. Then, note this: They met in the temple and house to house – day by day. That’s every day. Here’s why this is worthy of consideration: You can be pretty sure that the apostles didn’t have to send out an email instructing (and cajoling) them to do this. They were the first blessed members of the Father’s family in the messianic age. They were full of awe and gladness. And, you couldn’t keep them apart.
Through the rest of Luke’s history of the early church, you see Christians gathering for many reasons – and not simply on Sundays. Today, local church elders do our best to plan and provide excellent opportunities for folks to come work, worship, and study together. Then, we encourage – and, you bet, cajole – folks to participate with a whole heart and a firm commitment, in hopes that that whole heart and commitment will allow us to (mercifully) dispense with the cajoling. So, here are three reasons why you should be a part of every gathering of Christians near you – and organize some of your own. These are only a little naggy…
1. It’s in the Bible (This is the naggy part. Read it anyway.)
The newly-minted Christians we read about in the early chapters of Acts assembled together all the time, not simply on the first day of the week. Why? Because they wanted to. They served a Savior who had risen from the dead! There was a lot of work to do and there were a lot of blessings to be enjoyed in their gatherings. They didn’t think in terms of minimum attendance requirements. You shouldn’t either. Also, I’m going to reference Hebrews 10: 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. See that? The writer points out that, after a while, some of them were falling into the habit of neglecting getting together with one another. And, he tells them to not do that. So, attending assemblies faithfully is a thing we see Christians doing in the New Testament. Are you a Christian? You should gather all the time. It’s in the Bible.
2. It’s good for you
Charles Duhigg, author and Pulitzer Prize winning reporter for the NY Times, developed a concept he calls keystone habits. What are they, you ask? They’re habits that have a strong correlation with other good habits. For example, did you know that families who habitually eat dinner together seem to raise children with better homework skills, higher grades, greater emotional control, and more confidence? Eating dinner together as a family is a keystone habit for families. It correlates to, or helps to reinforce, other great habits. Nice! Here’s another one: People who commit to exercising regularly, generally find that they begin to eat better. Exercising regularly is a keystone habit. It leads to great eating habits. Cool, huh? Keystone habits don’t create a direct cause-and-effect relationship, but they can spark “chain reactions that help other good habits take hold,” Duhigg writes.
Well, gathering all the time isn’t simply one of the mildly helpful aspects of being a believer. It’s a keystone habit for your walk in the Lord. It will ignite and reinforce your commitment to love, pray, and serve, etc. Albert Barnes once wrote, “no Christian can hope that his graces will grow, or that he can perform his duty to his Maker, without uniting thus with those who love the service of God”. Conversely, if you compromise faithful participation in church assemblies, you lessen the resolve associated with everything about your walk with Christ. Everything. Do you want everything about your Christian walk to improve or degrade? If you answered improve, you should gather with other Christians all the time. It’s good for you.
3. It’s good for everyone else, too
Some elders at a denominational group published a list of reasons for faithful attendance that has been reposted a few times. Some of what they wrote is very much on the money. For example:
Faithful attenders encourage other regular attenders, whereas non-attenders discourage them. Faithful attenders are positioned to exhort, correct, and encourage their fellow members according to God’s Word, whereas non-attenders are not. Faithful attenders confirm Christ-centered lives for their kids and for new believers, whereas non-attenders confuse them. Faithful attenders confirm the power of the gospel and support evangelism, whereas non-attenders make evangelism harder. Faithful attenders comfort their shepherds by their adherence to the truth, whereas non-attenders worry them.
You read these individually and they’re each self-evident. But, taken as a whole they make a point that is hugely significant: Not gathering for every opportunity is not a neutral act when it comes to your brethren, your kids, new believers, the unconverted, and your leadership. It’s confusing. It’s disheartening. It stinks. Wouldn’t you agree? Do you want to encourage your brethren, confirm the power of the gospel to your kids and new believers, support evangelism, and comfort your shepherds? You should gather all the time. It’s good for everyone.
So, there they are. Three pretty good reasons why we should assemble with our brethren all the time. Sensible, reasonable, wise. Not too naggy. I couldn’t think of any reasons why we should not. Can you?
Finally, please notice that we assemble because we find God’s people assembling when we read the scriptures – but not simply for that reason. Understand that we find God’s people assembling when we read the scriptures because togetherness, unity, and fellowship has been the intention and earnest desire of our God since creation. It is not, nor has it ever been, his design that we that we walk in Him and serve Him by ourselves. Why? Read above. Gathering together with our brethren in Christ is good for us, and it’s good for everyone else. So, let’s forget this idea that getting together on Sundays and other days is fundamentally about compliance. We should come together the same way our brothers and sisters did in the first century: consistently and enthusiastically. JC Ryle once wrote, “It must not content us to take our bodies to church if we leave our hearts at home.”
Not feeling the enthusiasm right now? That’s ok. Do this: Give yourself to your Lord and your brethren with a whole heart and a firm commitment. Remind yourself of the great blessings that are yours as a believer in Jesus. Think of all the people who will immensely benefit by your presence (note: you’re one of them). Set your will. Then, assemble with your brethren. Do it all the time.