|
Two new articles every two weeks. Bible Question? E-mail us. THIS ISSUE: "What should Christians do when coming together for worship?" (see below) and "Baptism (part 4 of 4)"
|
QUESTION:
Thank you for your website and the studies therein. I share
your belief concerning |
(Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16) |
|
(Acts 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:8) |
|
(Acts 20:32; Ephesians 4:11-16) |
|
on the first day of the week. (1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Acts 20:7) |
|
of the week in order to do the necessary work as a congregation. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8) |
That is the New Testament blueprint for Christians who meet together.
In the New Testament, Christians met together at different places, depending on where they lived or traveled. A group of Christians worshiped together in Jerusalem, other groups in Rome, Ephesus, Corinth, Thessalonica, etc. When a newly converted Saul left Damascus to return to Jerusalem, he did the proper thing in wanting to join the disciples there (Acts 9:26). Sometimes brethren in an area worshiped together in a house of one of the disciples (Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Philemon 1:2). The large church in Jerusalem initially met in the most publicly accessible place available: the grounds of the temple (Acts 2:46). We don't need a fancy building with stained glass windows and all the excess trimmings in order to worship God together. As Jesus said to his disciples, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20).
Likewise today, Christians should assemble together (Hebrews 10:24-25) in whatever area they live to worship God and teach the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
Also notice that each congregation in the New Testament was independent of the others, and each had the obligation to follow Jesus Christ in everything it did (cf. Revelation 2,3). No congregation was over another. No "central headquarters" for the church existed in the New Testament. There was no legislative body. Only Christ was the head (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23). Most denominations today have an earthly headquarters or law-making body which their "members" are expected to follow. We must be careful not to replace the will of Christ with that of mere men. We must not corrupt the simple organization of the local church found in the New Testament.
You are right in saying that many groups who call themselves "non-denominational" have become a denomination themselves. A group turns into one when it strays from the Bible and starts making laws and standards where Christ has not (cf. Matthew 15:8-9). When men are promoted and respected above Jesus, the contention and division characteristic of human denominations will result (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3 John 9-11). Like the faithful disciples of the New Testament, we can be simply Christians (Acts 11:26) who meet together with the Bible as our only guide.
If you have any more questions, please let me know. May God bless you in your Bible study.