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 Bro.
Turner:
Is
it just as necessary for Christians to be in attendance on
Wednesday night as it is on Lord’s Day? TT
Reply:
This
question seems popular these days, although it has been around
for a long time. Perhaps current discussions of “legalism”
have touched off the matter. I have read many good answers, but
I’ll give two cents worth.
Just
“being in attendance” does one little good, on any
day. “The Assembly” is not a sacrament, by which grace is
dispensed to the ones present. “Assembling” with Saints is
“the act of being gathered,” and the passage (Heb. 10:25)
applies to any and all opportunities which we may have to study,
worship, and work with out brethren in the furtherance of the
Lord’s cause. A careful study of the context (Heb. 10:19-25)
shows that being together with brethren is a part of “holding
fast the profession of our faith”; but it is a “drawing near”
and faithfulness to God, not to the brethren nor the act of
assembly.”
The
difference in the Lord’s Day and Wednesday is that approved
Bible examples teach us first century brethren “came together
to break bread” and “laid by in store” on the 1st. Day.
The passages (Acts 20:6-7; 1 Cor. 16:2) indicate a weekly
gathering and give significance to the 1st. Day. It is not my
understanding that the First is a “holy day,” or that
ritualistic “attendance” is any more acceptable on that day
than it would be on any other day. Christianity is not a “sacramental”
type religion. The attitude that
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reasons, “I assembled on Sunday, so I do not have to
assemble any other time unless I just want to” will invalidate
what one has done on the Lord’s Day. With such an attitude one
could not consistently criticize mechanical bead-counting.
Some
write as though the elders make a “holy assembly” Out of
Wednesday night, by setting that time for study and prayer. No
such thing! The elders do not make divine law, they guide,
direct, watch-over and shepherd the sheep as they follow divine
law. Ignoring their direction, when no violation of conscience
toward God is involved, means you are unwilling to work as a
team with your brethren. This is serious, not because mid-week
assembly has been “desecrated,” but because of your attitude
toward God and the things of God.
I
refuse to try to turn Wednesday night into another “Lord’s
Day” so as to increase Wednesday night attendance. The genuine
spirit of Christianity is enhanced neither by legalism nor by
social bribery. When brethren “desire the sincere milk of the
word” “love… God with all thy heart... soul… mind” and
“seek ye first the kingdom of God” (1 Pet. 2:2; Matt. 22:37;
Matt. 6:33) they will welcome each opportunity to associate with
brethren of like faith and love, and do all possible to worship
and glorify God.
When
brethren understand the difference in the O.T. law of the letter
and the N.T. law of the spirit -- when we become Jews inwardly
rather than outwardly (Rom. 2:28-29) — then we will cease to
ask such foolish questions.
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