The early church/ekklesia regularly assembled regularly. The purpose of this sermon is to examine whether there is sufficient evidence within God’s word to draw the conclusion that Christians/Believers regularly assembled in the early church for the purpose of worshiping God. This study from God’s Word is in response to those who seek to deny the reality of assembled Christians for the purpose of worship toward God in the early church.
To begin, we will examine the original Greek word translated as church in the New Testament. An accurate understanding of this word in the original language is useful in a study of Christian assemblies.
The Greek word for church in most cases is Ekklesia
NT:479
General dictionaries define
ekklesia
as 1. "assembly" and 2. "church." NT lexicons then distinguish between church as a. the whole body and b. the local congregation or house church.
(from Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, abridged edition, Copyright © 1985 by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. All rights reserved.)
The Greek word ekklesia is primarily a reference to a group of individuals. In all cases, this word refers to people and not material objects such as buildings. In all cases, the word is a reference to a plurality of people either locally or universally.
Additionally, scripture specifically associates the “ekklesia” with the body of Christ which is understood as being either a local group of Christians or the universal company of all Christians / Believers. (Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18; 24). Any time the word ‘Ekklesia’ is used in God’s Word in the context of Christians/Believers, it must be understood as being associated with the body of Christ.
In Acts 2:42, we have a record of the early church on Pentecost. The disciples continued steadfastly in praying and breaking of bread. The breaking of bread in this context is in reference to the Lord’s Supper. Continuing steadfastly means something they were dedicated to on a regular basis and establishes their meeting together with an obvious frequency.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (KJV)
The term “breaking of bread” is used to refer to both the eating of a common meal together or the observance of the Lord’s Supper. The context is used to determine which usage is intended. Acts 2 has an example of both within the same narrative. Verse 42 uses this term in the context of prayers and doctrine (teaching), which are a form of worship, thus establishing it as a form of worship itself. The Greek in this passage employs the use of the definite article “ho” which is translated by nearly all English translations as “The breaking of bread”. This lends weight to this usage being set apart from the term used in Verse 46.
In verse 46 we see this term used in the context of eating common meals together in their homes. Acts 2:44 refers to them having “everything in common,” and this no doubt included sharing meals together, each one receiving from the others what they needed. The term in verse 42 is in the context of worship, where the term in 46 is in the context of activities one would associate with Christian fellowship/socializing. The two are not the same. The NIV translation captures the intent of this passage quite clearly, “…They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts”.
Letters To The Churches
Paul addressed several of his epistles to churches or groups of Christians. His epistle/letter to the Romans was addressed to “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints.” Romans 1:7. His letter to the Galatians, “unto the churches [ekklesia] of Galatia”, Galatians 1:2. His letter to the Ephesians, “saints which are at Ephesus”, Ephesians 1:1. His letters to the Corinthians, “Unto the church [ekklesia] of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints”, 1 Corinthians 1:2.
It was the customary practice for these letters to be read to the entire congregation. Notice Paul’s words in Colossians 4:16, “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.” A letter read “among” the members had to be done when they assembled. So when we see a letter addressed to a church/ekklesia in God’s Word, we know it was meant for the entire congregation, or the entire church it was addressed to. It is a necessary deduction from logic that these groups of Christians/believers assembled to hear the letters read aloud to them.
The church assembled:
Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church [ekklesia], and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church [ekklesia] together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
1 Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church [ekklesia], I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
Colossians 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church [ekklesia] which is in his house.
Philemon 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church [ekklesia] in thy house:
The Greek word for the ‘church’ in all the passages cited in this section is ‘ekklesia’ which means the assembly or the local body of Christians meeting together. A plurality of people must exist in order to be an "ekklesia" A church/ekklesia cannot be in someone’s home together unless they are assembled. They were assembling in their homes. An assembly of Christians is a logical necessity derived from the text. There is no doubt the early church/ekklesia assembled together as evidenced in Acts 11:26-27, 1 Corinthians 11:18, Colossians 4:15 and Philemon 2. There can be no reasonable denial of this fact.
Activities done in the early assemblies as recorded in God’s Word:
Each of these activities falls within one of the three categories of the work of the Lord’s church as a whole, i.e. Benevolence (Galatians 6:10), evangelizing (Matthew 28:18-20), edification (Ephesians 4:12-16, 1 Corinthians 14:26).
1. Reading God’s Word aloud to the church/ekklesia: [edification]
Colossians 4:16 “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.”
2. Singing:
Hebrews 2:12, “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church [ekklesia] will I sing praise unto thee.” Singing in the midst of the church/ekklesia requires them to be assembled.
Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (teaching and admonishing one another requires an assembly, group activity, group worship)
3. Praying:
Acts 2:42, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Christians praying as a group.
Acts 12:12, “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.” This is an example of group prayer.
4. Praising God:
Luke 24:52-53, “And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”
5. Giving:
1 Corinthians 16:1-2, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.” (NASU)
Romans 15:25-26, “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.”
2 Corinthians 8:1-5, “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”
6. Lord’s Supper:
Acts 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.”
Luke 24:33-35, “And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34 saying, "The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon." 35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.” (NASU)
Acts 2:42, “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (NASU)
1 Corinthians 10:16-18, “Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.” (NASU)
1 Corinthians 11:20-22, “Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper, 21 for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink?” (NASU) (Partaking The Lord’s Supper is what they should have been doing. Chastized for not doing what they should have been doing.)
7. Preaching/Teaching:
Acts 20:7, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.”
1 Corinthians 4:17, “For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.”
All the above activities during assemblies of the Saints are forms of worship to God. Therefore the assembly was done for the primary purpose of worshipping God. These assemblies where God was praised, songs were sung, preaching was heard, contributions and prayers were offered and the Lord’s death remembered and honored are by logical necessity a worship service.
Instructions within God’s Word for the Christian assemblies:
Instructions for conduct during assemblies implies an assembly.
1 Corinthians 14:23-26, “Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. 26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” (NASU)
James 2:1-4, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”
Ephesians 5:19-20, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
They have to be assembled together to speak to one another. They also have to be assembled to partake of the Lord’s supper together:
1 Corinthians 11:20-29, “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.” (KJV)
Instructions for how to partake of the Lord’s supper implies an assembly. Christians must assemble to do this. Notice Verse 20, “When ye come together”. This is absolutely an action performed within an assembly of Christians.
References / Instruction within God’s word Addressed to Christian Assemblies:
Instructions directed to assemblies implies an assembly.
Hebrews 12:23, “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect…”
Forsaking the assembling of the saints carried the consequence of losing the benefit of the sacrifice of Christ:
Hebrews 10:24-26, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” The command to not forsake the assembling of Christians together carries the necessary implication that assemblies are mandatory. The sacrifice for sin here can be none other than Christ’s blood. God’s word here pronounces the consequence of the loss of the saving power of Christ’s blood for failure to assemble with other Christians. There can be no doubt this assembly just be the Lord’s Day worship assembly where the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross is remembered and commemorated each Lord’s Day through the observance of the Lord’s Supper. Opponents of this reasoning are thus forced to produce another regular assembling of Christians for which the consequences for forsaking mentioned in God’s word are appropriate. In other words, what other regular, expected assembling of Christians could this be referring to? If it is not the regular Lord’s day assembly, what then is it? It’s important because deliberately and habitually forsaking it forfeits the saving benefit of Christ’s blood in their life.
The phrase “worship assembly” may not appear in that form in God’s word, but what does appear in God’s word are mandatory assemblies of Christians who”
1. Worshipped/praised God
2. Gave of their means to God
3. Praised God in Song
4. Offered Prayer to God
5. Were edified (preaching & teaching) by the Word of God
6. Commemorated/Remembered the death of Jesus (Lord’s Supper)
It makes sense that since mandatory assemblies were something required in God’s word, this logically applies universally to all the churches/congregations, therefore a record of when these assemblies occurred in any church/assembly would be binding to them all:
The Frequency of the assemblies of Christians:
The Christians in Troas assembled on the first day of the week to break bread.
“Acts 20:7, “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…” (NASU)
The Christians in Corinth were commanded to give of their means to a central assembly on the first day of every week:
1 Corinthians 16:1-2, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come” (NASU)
Assembling was mandatory per God’s word in Hebrews 10:24-26. The Lord’s Supper, Giving, Praying, Singing, Preaching, Praising God were all done during assemblies of Christians in God’s Word. Regular assemblies happening on the first day of every week are recorded in God’s word. It therefore follows that the church/assemblies gathered every first day of the week to engage in worship to God.
Conclusion:
God’s inspired Word directly references assemblies of Christians/Believers. God’s word references activities engaged in during assemblies of Christians/Believers. God’s Word contains instructions for activities in the assemblies of Christians/Believers. God’s Word directly addresses assemblies of Christians / Believers. God’s Word directly and conclusively condemns willful failure to assemble with Christians/Believers.
Given the overwhelming evidence of the presence of assemblies of Christians/Believers with directions to them, it is a logical necessity that Christians/Believers assembled regularly on the first day of every week to participate in Worship to God.
References: God’s Word
Prepared by David Hersey
