Hotspots: Hebrews 10:25 Part II


Hebrews 10:25
“and forsake not the assembly/gathering of yourselves together as is the habit of some...”

This may shock you, but Hebrews 10:25 does not talk about mandatory, weekly church attendance, but IF it did, here are some points to consider:

  • It didn't say be sure to go to church every Sunday
  • It didn't say be sure that you gather in a specially designed building
  • It didn't say be sure to join an institution
  • It didn't say gather in one place around a primary leader
  • It didn't say make sure you hear a 1 hour sermon
  • It didn't even say how often to meet


What it does imply:

  • To draw near to God
  • To experience forgiveness
  • To help each other hold fast & not to waiver in our faith
  • To spur each other on to love & good deeds
  • To encourage each other


Note: These previous points were taken from the following website: (www.alternativechurch.wordpress.com)

People are the Church, the Ekklesia. The Ekklesia is not defined by, confined to or contained in physical buildings, it never was, never will be. The Ekklesia can assemble/gather anywhere, anytime.

Hebrews 10:25 does say meet regularly w/ other Believers for mutual encouragement but:

  • it doesn't specify the day in which to meet
  • it doesn't specify the frequency in which to meet
  • it doesn't specify the manner in which to meet 


Remember, the Early Church met:

  • every single day 
  • house to house, not one specific house


It's funny how the same people who spout off about verse 25 in chapter 10 completely ignore verse 13 in chapter 3 = exhort one another daily.

So, here's a breakdown of what we have so far:

  • there was a physical building where people used to “meet the Lord”, under a priest, assemble/gather together, etc
  • at Jesus' crucifixion, the veil was rent in two = access for all, not just the priests
  • we are all priests now
  • Jesus said there would be an end to location-based worship
  • the Early Church met in both the temple courts & in homes (house to house)
  • the Early Church met every day 


Most of Jesus' teaching & ministry was in the community, outside of any building. It's basically the complete opposite of that now. For most people, “ministry” takes place:

  • inside a certain building
  • on a certain day & time
  • in a structured format
  • under a priest or pastor


Questions:

  • Do you attend a weekly meeting/gathering/assembly for the joy of community or out of a sense of religious obligation?
  • How can anyone uphold one verse (Heb 10:25) & completely disregard another (Heb 3:13) in the same letter?


In no way, shape or form can verse 25 mean or imply mandatory weekly Church attendance; in fact the word Church or Ekklesia is not found in that verse at all; it's only found twice in the Book of Hebrews (2:12, 12:23). To clarify once again, I'm all for Believers getting together & not isolating themselves for extended periods of time.

Continued in Part III...

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