When the scripture said to "not forsake the assembling ourselves together," why do most assume it is in the formal religious services in a church building?
Heb 10:25
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so
Oh my! I see a lot I disagree with on this forum. Most I just let it go, but this is a topic I will defend as long as I have my being!
It depends on what you call a formal religious service and what you consider a church building. But I will prove that God through Paul DID call for formal services in a Church building (sorta on the last point).
The bottom line is that verse is talking about assembling you physical body with other physical bodies. How often? Every time an assembly is called together! Without drawing back and without wavering!
Why can't it be referring to Sunday school classes, Bible study classes, Bible study in the homes, or even home churches?
I think it does, but as opposed to what? What do you mean by "Sunday school classes"? Is that where the kiddies get together and color pictures of Jesus? I go to Church on Sunday and every service I learn! Thus, it's a class on Sunday!
On down the line! As for home Churches, well yes... "Church" was held in homes, but guess what? When service was in session it was no longer someone's "home". I have Pauline scripture on that, my friend! Will you ignore Paul?
But I doubt very seriously that we are to worship God by the things we do physically (external). I think we are to worship God in our hearts (inside).
The Bible says otherwise, and not just in Hebrews 10:25. Yes, we are to worship God in our hearts, but our physical presence is also required. Matthew 8:22. Jesus didn't say, "Well I know your heart is with me". He said, "follow me, let the dead bury the dead".
Let's start with some light insights:
PAUL said:
1 Corinthians 1:21 KJV
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Yea, preaching is foolish. God through Paul admitted it. But that's what God chose! He didn't chose that to save unbelievers, either. PAUL said God chose preaching to save them that actually believe.
PAUL said:
Romans 10:14 KJV
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
He said in the previous verse whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. So... To call on his name you have to hear, and you can't hear without a...
Preacher.
So who's a preacher? Verse 15 says he has to be sent by God.
There's a sidenote. What if you don't agree?
Romans 10:16 KJV
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
So if you disagree, you haven't obeyed the gospel. You haven't believed the report of Esaias, and since PAUL is writing this, you don't believe him either. Why? Cause he wrote it.
What about "faith"? Grace comes by faith, right? Grace fixes fixes all, right? We just need faith and that's the bottom line! Well, yes... But..
Romans 10:17 KJV
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
What does this verse say? Faith doesn't come by reading. It doesn't come by fasting. It doesn't come by praying and it doesn't come EVEN by giving! It comes by one thing according to this verse: HEARING. And it's already been established that it's hearing a preacher. Not voices in your head, not your conscience, not even angels.
A preacher.
Paul said this stuff. Not me.
Check out Romans 13 and Hebrews 13:17 as well. Just as powerful, but I am anxious to move on to some heavier stuff.
1 Corinthians 11:18 KJV
For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
We are going to analyze this verse. But first, you said this:
It is a fact that the NT scriptures do not tell us what we are to do when we gather together except as written in the scripture above (exhorting one another) and to worship God.
That is totally untrue! This chapter in context proves it to be untrue as do others. (Don't worry, I will get to them).
1 Cor 11:18 says, "when ye come together...". Well, that IS the Church! The "ye" part of that verse. Paul is speaking to the Church (one body, many members... Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 20). What are the "ye" doing and called to do? Come together. Where? How? Not in the spirit, though that is to happen... Where? "In the church"
He is talking about coming together in a physical place. It could be a Grove, a park, a house or a building. But when they do physically come together, it's called "the church" and it's referring to an geographical location.
Furthermore, PAUL gives certain rules of behavior to abide by. So yea,the NT does tell us what to do physically.
Sidenote: to those who still think they met in houses, that may be true but PAUL called it a church and differentiated it from a house in verse 22. It may have actually been a house, but during the service, it was THE CHURCH.
1 Corinthians 14:23 KJV
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
The Church is together in one place... One physical place... And PAUL is again laying down some ground rules.
1 Corinthians 14:34 KJV
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
Yea, I know it isn't popular. But it's there.. and the next verse says let them ask their husbands at home... There's another separation of church and "home".
1 Corinthians 14:26 KJV
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
More on order in the Church. More rules on how a service should be run from the pen of PAUL.
And what is the need of a deacon or a bishop if Paul didn't believe order is needed in an actual gathering? Why was he training Timothy and Titus? Need more? I am sure I can find more examples.
I'm not done.
I say this because, as a young man, while in Church, I heard someone say
Ok. So are you going to throw out what the Bible says and PAUL (the grace apostle who was chosen last to reveal the final message) based on your few experiences? Yes they are a tradedy. Yes it's terrible. But that doesn't make God's chosen plan wrong!
You have these two terrible tales, but did you ever see a success? Why not speak of them? Furthermore, how many failures do you think there are of people following themselves? Yes, there are thousands of bad preachers but there are millions who are following their own misguided beliefs.
My final statement:. Hebrews 10:25 is actually talking about physically assembling yourselves. Paul approved of church services done decently and in order. He said we need preaching and preachers and that we should actually come together physically.