Matthew 16:18 ...I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Hebrews 12:22 But you have come forward to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem; and to myriads of angels, to the universal gathering; (23) And to the church of the firstborn...
The Bible gives explicit commandments as well as clear examples of people meeting together. When the Lord was on the earth, He often met with His disciples. He met with them on the mountain, in the wilderness, at home, and at the seaside. On the last evening before His crucifixion, He borrowed a large upper room and met with the disciples. After His resurrection, He appeared in the midst of their gathering. Before the day of Pentecost, the disciples gathered together in one accord to pray. When the day of Pentecost came, they were also gathered together. What is the meaning of the word church? The word church is ekklesia in Greek. Ek means "to come out," while klesia means "to congregate or to gather." Thus, ekklesia means the gathering of those who have been called out. God is not only after some called out ones; He wants the called out ones to gather together. If all the called out ones are separated from one another, we will not have the church; the church will not be produced. After we have believed in the Lord there is a basic need we must take care of, that is, to come together with other children of God. Do not think that we can be Christians who just shut ourselves up to pray and to read the Bible alone at home. Christianity is not built on just individuals but also on the assembling together.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Watchman Nee, Messages for Building Up New Believers, pp. 179-180. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].
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