Uniformity
The use of the word “church” in 1 Corinthians is providing us with instruction regarding assembly life today. The New Testament contains our pattern, and if everyone is adhering to the same pattern, there will be the same end product. Granted, local circumstances can create differences as to times of meetings; clothing styles differ from East to West, dictating different forms of head coverings for the sisters; in some places straightforward witnessing is impossible because of oppressive regimes. So, inevitably, there will be differences, but as for guidance from Scripture, there should be uniformity.
This is another of the features that emerge from the use of the word “church” in 1 Corinthians. Paul spoke about “[his] ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church” (1Co 4:17).1 His teaching was standardized, the same apostolic truth being imparted to every assembly as confirmed in 7:17 – “so ordain I in all churches.” When referring to the possibility of some being hostile to males having uncovered heads and females having covered heads in the gatherings, he says, “We [apostles] have no such custom, neither the churches of God” (11:16). So, the assemblies had divinely-given customs that were common to all, but Corinth seems to have been out of step. We sometimes hear that what we need is unity and not uniformity. To be frank, there can be no real unity unless there is uniformity, a concerted effort by all to make the NT pattern work today.
Coming Together
The Corinthian assembly was hopelessly disunited, and it was particularly evident when they “[came] together as a church” (11:18, most translations). Another obvious lesson, then, is that NT assemblies did “come together.” Believers did not live in isolation, nor did they function as lone wolves with each having their own private sphere of service. There was cooperation, as when Peter stood up “with the eleven” (Act 2:14), or when Paul spoke of “my helpers in Christ Jesus” (Rom 16:3). Gathering together was crucial, indeed, mandatory – “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is” (Heb 10:25). To be absent without a legitimate reason such as illness is to disobey a commandment of Scripture, and, sadly, for some among the Hebrews it was customary! How is it with you? Some have said, “There’s more to Christianity than attending meetings.” Correct; it is a 24/7 business. However, I suspect that when that statement is made, the inference is that attending gatherings is inconsequential and optional. Wrong. We are commanded to be there.
Gatherings
The words “come together” in 1 Corinthians 11:17 provide us with a springboard for exploring the biblical basis for the various meetings that we regard as “assembly gatherings.” In a previous article we regarded the teaching of Matthew 18:20 as a foundational principle for assembly life, two or three being “gathered together” in His name. The Greek behind “gathered together” is translated variously in the NT and I will italicize it in different quotes as I highlight its use in connection with assembly gatherings. The word is used in connection with the breaking of bread at Troas, and there we get our scriptural authority for the timing of the event: “upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread” (Act 20:7). Thus, in accordance with Scripture, we come together on the first day of the week to partake of a loaf and cup as an act of remembrance (1Co 11:24-25); while details are limited, the keynote is remembrance. The hymns will be well chosen, each of them centered on Christ. The thanksgivings will be expressing memories of Him. The occasion is not just a prayer meeting with bread and wine on the table.
Another of our basic meetings is for prayer, and our word appears in connection with a prayer meeting in Acts 4:31: “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together.” The prayer meeting is so important that in his House of God epistle, Paul made it the “first of all” item on the agenda (1Ti 2:1). There he teaches us how to pray publicly, with the variety of “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks.” He tells us for whom to pray, the scope being as wide as “all men.” He explains why we should pray and who should participate audibly – males with holy hands (v8). Remember, we are commanded to be there. Why is it, then, that it has been described accurately as “the Cinderella of assembly gatherings”?
The teaching meetings are Bible-based gatherings. “Ministry of the Word” is a Bible expression (Act 6:4) and should not be deliberately avoided, but at the same time, the term “ministry meeting” on a public notice board might not convey much to a visitor. The importance of gatherings for teaching is stressed in Acts 11. At the invitation of Barnabas, Saul was brought from Tarsus to Antioch, and “a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people” (v26). Among other gifts given, the ascended Christ has given “teachers” to the church (Eph 4:11) “for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering” (v12 RV). In other words, the purpose for teaching is to produce mature Christians who will be equipped to serve their fellow saints. That, in turn, will have an edifying effect on all.
The missionary report meeting is not some kind of extra-biblical arrangement that adds excitement to the normal assembly routine. It too has its roots in Holy Scripture. At the end of their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas returned to their commending assembly at Antioch, “and when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them” (Act 14:27). It goes without saying that the phrase “all that God had done” is pertinent, a gentle reminder to those who are able to give a glowing report that all the glory must go heavenward.
Elders will have their own gatherings, again based on Scripture: “And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter” (15:6). Finally, Paul refers to a discipline meeting, a gathering called specifically to censure a sinning saint – “when ye are gathered together” (1Co 5:4). I judge that it is scriptural to convene such a meeting rather than simply to make a statement to the assembly at the conclusion of the Lord’s Supper.
“Gathered together” – make sure that your place is not empty (1Sa 20:25)
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV unless otherwise noted.
