When You Come Together
The concept of a consumer-centric church is foreign to Scripture. The general understanding and assumption throughout the New Testament is that when the church gathers together, it does so for the purpose of each person contributing to the service. This is sometimes referred to as the “priesthood of believers.” The Apostle Paul regularly exhorts the churches to anticipate how the Spirit might use them to edify, build-up and encourage one another in the faith.
Each One Has A…
“What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.”
Gathering together as the church is all about participation. And in order to participate, we need to be present. This means we strive to make Sunday gatherings a priority during our week and eagerly come together each Sunday morning expecting the Spirit to use us to bless our fellow brothers and sisters.
From Spectate To Participate
In Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he appropriately addresses the participation of this local church. Paul assumes they will gather together, for he does not state “IF you come together” but rather, “WHEN you come together.” Paul’s assumption is borne out further as the author of Hebrews would later write: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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” (Hebrews 10:24–25). That Day is drawing near. Are we eager with anticipation to be together? Are we ready to come and stir one another up? And more importantly, how?