Reply:

I could reply briefly by saying, “Convert them to Christ!” using genuine personal interest in their souls, living godly examples before them, and teach them God’s word.

But back of much “forsaking the assembling of ourselves” is misunderstanding of the nature of such. Some seem to think the “services” are a sort of “roll call” —satisfied by one’s bodily presence. We may further the misconception by urging them to “be faithful to the church,” when “faithfulness to Christ” is needed. Here are five things (not necessarily in order of importance) that bring brethren together. Teaching them these things is a part of the converting process —the “all things whatsoever I have commanded you” that must be taught following baptism. It will not be hard to do this IF they were originally taught to put Christ absolutely first in their lives.

(1) TRUE SAINTS ARE OF ONE ACCORD.

They have so much in common, such singleness of purpose, they are drawn together by mutual consent. In Acts 2:42 “They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Vs. 44, “All that believed were together, and had all things common;” and in Vs. 46, “They continuing daily with one accord in the temple.” Then, in 4:32, “The multitude...were of one heart and one soul.”

(2) BEING ESPOUSED TO CHRIST, WE ARE FAITHFUL TO HIM, PUT HIM FIRST.

Paul said, “I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (2 Cot. 11:2) We love Him more than father, mother, or life (Matt. 10:37-39), and serve Him accordingly. It was in order to “hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering” that the Hebrew writer said, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,” (Heb. 10:23-25), and concluded, “For if we sin willfully... there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” (Vs. 26)

(3) CHRISTIANS LOVE THE TRUTH Like David of old, they “delight in the law of the Lord; and in his law (they) meditate day and night.” (Psa. 1:2) Christians “desire the sincere milk of the word, that (they) may grow thereby.” (1 Pet. 2:2)

(4) THEY VENERATE THE CHRIST, AND “SHOW HIS DEATH” UNTIL HE COMES AGAIN.

Our Lord has given us a memorial to observe “in remembrance of” Him. “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” (1 Cor. 11:23-f) Saints follow apostolic example and do this “upon the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7), because they love the Lord.

(5) CHRISTIANS WORK TOGETHER, AS A TEAM, ACCORDING TO APOSTOLIC EXAMPLE.