AWOL / MIA The congregation/assembly/gathering of God's people is mentioned almost 400 times in the Bible - - He had a lot to say about the gathering of His people and the form of worship He desired. Under the Old Covenant, it was demanded, just as Paul requires it in the New Testament in Hebrews 10.
ACTS 2:41-47 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. [42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. [43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. [44] And all that believed were together, and had all things common; [45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. [46] And they, CONTINUING DAILY WITH ONE ACCORD IN THE TEMPLE, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, [47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the CHURCH daily such as should be saved."
Notice that the disciples of Jesus and the first believers not only WENT TO CHURCH - - THEY WENT TO CHURCH EVERY DAY!
The CONGREGATION/ASSEMBLY/COMING TOGETHER OF GOD'S PEOPLE is mentioned repeatedly in EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, DEUTERONOMY, JOSHUA, JUDGES, I SAMUEL, I and II KINGS, I and II CHRONICLES, EZRA, NEHEMIAH, JOB, PSALMS, PROVERBS, ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, LAMENTATIONS, EZEKIEL, HOSEA, JOEL, MICAH, ZEPHANIAH, ACTS, I CORINTHIANS, HEBREWS, and JAMES. The TEMPLE or meeting place of the congregation is mentioned repeatedly in EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, DEUTERONOMY, JOSHUA, I and II SAMUEL, I and II KINGS, I and II CHRONICLES, EZRA, NEHEMIAH, JOB, PSALMS, PROVERBS, ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, LAMENTATIONS, EZEKIEL, AMOS, JONAH, MICAH, HABBAKKUK, HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH, MALACHI, MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, JOHN, ACTS, I and II CORINTHIANS, EPHESIANS, II THESSALONIANS, HEBREWS, II PETER and REVELATION. Surely, if God's word mentions anything that many times in that many different scriptures, it SURELY MUST be important!
It has always been God's plan, God's ORDER, from the beginning that His people meet together in prescribed assembly and be lead by a minister of His counsel. Remember that God does not change the way He does things. His first plan is always His preferred plan. NUMBERS 27:16-17 "Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh,set a man over the CONGREGATION, (WHO SETS THE MAN? THE LORD.) [17] Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the CONGREGATION OF THE LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd."
JEREMIAH 3:15 "And I will give you pastors according to Mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."
JEREMIAH 23:3-4 "And I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. [4] And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord." (WHY WILL THEY NOT LACK? BECAUSE THEY'LL HAVE SHEPHERDS TO "FEED" THEM.) God's plan was that a pastor/shepherd lead the local flock. It is very dangerous to be out from under headship! Having no fold in which to take safety makes you vulnerable to being eaten alive by the wolves.
EZEKIEL 34:5 "And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered."
EZEKIEL 34:8 "As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became meat to every beast of the field, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SHEPHERD . . ." (What man has a shepherd? The man who has submitted himself to a local pastor and a local church, of course! Those who don't attend a church have no shepherd.)
You can hardly call yourself a true worshipper if you neglect one of the most basic of God's requirements - - that you not forsake the assembling! The assembly was ordained by God way back in the Old Covenant. We know it carries over into the New Covenant because of the many references to "Pastor" in the New Testament. There is no need for a pastor unless there is an assembly! Jesus set the example for this in that the scriptures declare that Jesus visited the temple EVERY DAY! Did you see that? JESUS NOT ONLY WENT TO CHURCH - - HE WENT EVERY DAY!
The fact is well documented, appearing in three out of the four gospels: MATTHEW 26:55; MARK 14:49; and LUKE 19: 47, 22:53.
MATTHEW 26:55 "In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me."
MARK 14:49 "I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled."
LUKE 19:47 "And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him."
LUKE 22:53 "When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness."
It's always amazing to watch the spiritual pride in some misguided folk who believe that because they don't smoke, drink, cuss, chew, or run around with someone else's spouse they're some kind of spiritual giants when they don't attend a church regularly, they aren't submitted to any spiritual authority, and yet they not only believe they're all right with God, but they believe they're ministers - - teaching others! Talk about the blind leading the blind! When you consider that Jesus and the first believers met EVERY DAY, and that Paul says we are to meet even more frequently as the coming of the Lord approaches - - how can we not see the importance of going to church!?
QUIT DEBATE’N THE ISSUE AND SIMPLY DO WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS!!!!!!! DO WHAT JESUS AND HIS FOLLOWERS DID, GET YOURSELF IN CHURCH AND SUBMIT YOURSELF TO A PASTOR/SHEPHERD AND SERVE GOD THROUGH THE LOCAL ASSEMBLY. I CORINTHIANS 12:27-28 "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. [28] And God hath set some IN THE CHURCH, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."
Are you AWOL/MIA???
PHIL. 4:23 PASTOR
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