|
Bro. Turner:
 How
does one determine what can be done in the assembly? Is an
invitation song part of the assembly? NE
Reply:
The
invitation song may be a part of that done by brethren
assembled. It is a means of communication by which brethren
express their interest in the spiritual welfare of others and
urge them to obey the Lord. In the absence of specific
instructions concerning how we are to invite I can see no valid
objection to this method. But is it part of "the
assembly"?
I
became aware of this special (unwarranted) use of the phrase in
discussions with brethren who did not believe in having Bible
classes. They said we "divided the assembly." First I
thought they meant we were factious, causing spiritual division;
then it seemed they meant we caused disturbance, not doing
things "decently and in order." Finally it dawned on
me that they considered "the assembly" some sort of
entity, having almost a ritualistic status, which was lost if
its totality was not preserved. When pressed for a definition of
its totality (what must be done — who and how many must be
present?) some shift to the expression, "called
assembly." That draws it even closer into the category of
official convocations by which certain acts are validated. Now
that concept seems to have been used for arguments on the Lord's
Supper. Brethren, where do we go from here?
Paul
"gathered the church together"
| |
(Acts 14:27) to tell them of a preaching
tour. The "gathering" had a practical rather than a
sacramental significance. The whole church in Jerusalem was
involved in a letter-writing project (Acts 15:6, 22. 25); but
preacher reports and letter writing do not become essential
elements in "the assembly" today.
The
validity of "worship" is determined by the attitude
and conduct of the individual toward God. When I worship God in
song I do not use a piano or other mechanical instruments
because there is no authority for such use in worship
— not "in assembly." I believe God wants me to
jointly participate with other saints in various activities, and
has appointed a day for the observance of a memorial supper.
Being assembled with others creates a public situation, which in
turn affects conduct (1 Cor. 11:18-f. 14:34), but we should not
confuse the worship with the act of assembling, nor allow
"the assembly" to have unwarranted significance. The
act of assembling is important (Heb. 10:25) because of what is
done (the singing, the remembering, or even the hearing of the
preacher's report), but the gathering, per se, is not holy.
Failing
to see this has caused some to make "the assembly" the
only gathering of importance — and ask for
"authority" for Wednesday night. Some count five
things done in worship and say there is no "assembly"
without all five; while others say one or two of the five are
truly "worship" only when done in "the
assembly." A few have insisted upon a specific order for
the "five." Brethren, it is time we took a fresh,
objective look at our concept of "the assembly."
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
