Dr. Daniel Segraves offers his take on the biblical meaning of gathering.
The church is a family (Ephesians 3:15). Although some books of the Holy Bible were written to individuals, “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16, NKJV).
Generally, this is something that happens when the church gathers to hear the ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, whose function is to equip the saints for the work of ministry so the body of Christ (i.e., the community of believers) can be edified and brought to a place of spiritual maturity. (See Ephesians 4:11–16.)
The Biblical Meaning of Gathering
In Acts, doctrinal decisions were not made by isolated individuals, but by gathered believers as they were led by the Spirit. (See Acts 15:22–31.) The word commonly translated “church” (ecclesia) refers to a gathered assembly of people. The church is also described as a body with joints, or relationships, that contribute to the health and growth of the body (Ephesians 4:16).
Each member of the body—the church—is uniquely gifted to contribute to the spiritual wellbeing of other believers. (See Romans 12:4–8; I Corinthians 12–14.) This cannot happen when the body of Christ is divided into isolated members any more than the human body can survive fragmentation.
The church is described as a body with joints, or relationships, that contribute to the health and growth of the body. Click To TweetThe Book of Hebrews teaches us:
- Consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.
- Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.
- Exhort one another.
- We are to do much more of these things as we “see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24–25, NKJV).
Resources and Links
For further study on the Book of Hebrews, click here.
A version of this content originally appeared in Reflections. To see more content or subscribe, visit Reflections.