Christian Assembly

God's Testimony In The World Today

By Robert DeWitt, '05; rev. 10/08

[The testimony of God is revealed in His Word, which shows deity, creation, history of man and God's care; God's cove- nants, the purposes and mind of God, redemption, bles-sings, judgments, God's glory, etc. In this day, called the dispensation of grace (Eph.3:2-7), it includes the Christian experience: redemption way, church truth, and spiritual life --- John 14:6. Christians have been given the bigger and overall picture, and need to be balanced believers and take "all the counsel of God" - Acts 20:27; "...for unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" - Luke 12:48.]

If the church was going on in the world as God intended, all

believers would own the authority of God's Word, be in sub-jection to it, and be together of "one accord" and "like-mind", expressing the "one body of Christ" (Rom.12:5; I Cor.12; Eph.4; Phil.2:2). They would not forsake the gathering (Heb.

10:25). What would it look like in practice?

A. Our individual conscience before God would not conflict with His collective testimony. There would be no divisions of God's people into various sects, systems, and indepen-dency; and though there could be no perfection among men, there would be only one testimony, though many exper-iences, as in the beginning.

B. The universal church in the world and all local gatherings would be orderly, true to Scripture, and in happy fellowship showing love, and the truth would be esteemed. God's government would prevail, rather than the religious ideas of men and a rebellious spirit.

C. There might be those associated with the gatherings in various places who would only appreciate it somewhat, as followers after Christ with little understanding and not yet "born of the Spirit"; and some would be truly "children of God", though perhaps weak or having hindrances making them not ready to be gathered. There would certainly be faithful saints gathered at the Lord's table with varied spiritual discernment, worshipping and waiting on the leading of the Spirit, not exalting self and offending God and their brethren.

D. The collective testimony would surely be as follows:

1. GATHERING TOGETHER: There are many papers

available on the truth of gathering, which are available

from the sources listed below. It is important to under-

stand that God does not approve of independency, and

the local assemblies after the New Testament scriptural

order are simply an expression in a geographical place of

the universal testimony in the world. There is "one body

in Christ", and there ought to be a "unity of the Spirit"

among the saints everywhere as it will be in heaven (see

Rom.12; I Cor.12; Eph.4; Phil.2:2; etc.). This surely

does not mean a merger of all the sects and religious

ideas of men, but holding to God's work of "unity of the

faith". The gathering is to the Name of the Lord Jesus

Christ alone (Matt.18:20), not to personalities, sectarian

systems, emotional experiences, programs, rituals, etc.,

which usurp the Lord. It is good that an assembly is

scriptural in form, but is it going on independently and

with innovations?

2. RECEIVING THE TRUTH: Coming into the fellowship

is a two-way thing. The individual must receive the

fellowship, as well as the fellowship receiving the

individual, so all need to understand the other and get

acquainted. We must receive "all the counsel of God"

(Acts 20:27), and be "rightly dividing the Word of truth" (II

Tim.2:15), not holding traditions, entertainment, creeds

and pledges, religious ideas and unscriptural things

which are for the flesh. The holiness of the Lord's table

and the gathering requires that we "lay hands suddenly

on no man" (I Tim.5:22). All things ought to "be done

decently and in order" (I Cor.14:40). There are many

lovely saints in the world, but lovely saints is not the

ground and truth of gathering. One who is gathered in

another assembly known to be scriptural and in

fellowship with us, ought to bring a letter of commen-

dation (Rom.16:1-2; II Cor.3:1; Phil.2:25-29; Phm.10-12).

The holiness of God and His honor is paramount. Can

one agree with this?

3. EXPRESSING THE ONE BODY OF CHRIST: We

cannot say we are the "one body of Christ", but we must

endeavor to express the oneness of the body of Christ in

the world (I Cor.12:25), by full fellowship with all scrip-

tural gatherings who are going on in a Godly way, and

honoring them; not holding independency, nor mergers

and unions, organizational membership, etc., which

divides the saints in the world and compromises the

truth. Does one appreciate Christians endeavoring to

express the "one body" of Christ worldwide? Should not

all believers be doing it?

4. ACKNOWLEDGING THE PRIESTHOOD: To exer-

cise the priesthood of believers (I Pet.2:5,9), it must be

seen as an important truth of the Word to be held; not

titles, offices, hierarchy, dominion over the saints with

selected ministers to lead, preach, and manage ("nico-

laitanism", Rev.2:6), etc., which denies liberty. The gifts

of pastors, teachers, and evangelists (in the plural) are

gifts within the gathering, not titles and positions. Has

the reader considered this?

5. TRUSTING THE LORD AND HIS WORD: The Word

of God is the only authority and path for the Christian

faith, rather than man's preferences or reasonings, which

will lead one astray. Study and prayer and trusting the

Lord is essential. Is this a reasonable thing for

Christians?

6. WORSHIPPING AS PLEASES GOD: One ought to

understand individual and collective worship, and esteem

the Lord's supper at His table as He gave us, rather than

entertainment, sermons, activities, etc. Worship is de-

votion and according to the Word, not some zeal for

innovations, which is pride. Has the reader thought

much about worship?

7. APPRECIATING THE ASSEMBLY: We ought to

appreciate the assembly as given and maintain God's

collective testimony, rather than the ideas and govern-

mental ways of men; and desire to have "all things be

done decently and in order", as God says. We ought to

stand apart from unscriptural assemblies and not give

them credibility by associating with those sects and

systems. Do we esteem the simplicity of God's way,

and value the order and local government ordained by

God, or do we need man's innovations in the church?

8. YIELDING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: The leading of the

Holy Spirit as in the early church (II Cor.3:17), is a

precious thing, not ceremonies, schedules, and arrange-

ments quenching the Spirit (I Thess.5:19), which

dishonors God. Prayerful exercise should be understood

and practiced, rather than the energies and religious

ideas of men. What does one think of this?

The local and universal church must encompass these things and not depart from the Word, if it should be called:

God's true testimony in the world.

God's purpose for gathering no doubt speaks of things beyond our understanding, so obedience to the Word is

essential. It is His testimony, not ours (John 17:11, 21-23; Acts 2:42; Eph.4:3-6). A faithful collective testimony in

the world shows forth the "one body of Christ" and our union with Him, which pleases God. The angels look on this

scene, and God desires to be glorified before the heavenly host, and to bear a testimony for unity in the world. We

should not oppose the work of God and grieve the Holy Spirit. The simplicity of gathering and God's thoughts on unity can be studied in other papers. Contact the writer.

God's principles for gathering also speaks of obedience, and one ought to appreciate the bigger picture as far as

it is revealed through the Word (Matt.18:20; John 14:23; Eph.2:19-22; II Tim.2:15; I Thess.4:16-18; III John 4). We

should be "rightly dividing the Word of truth", and holding "all the counsel of God". We need to appreciate how the

whole of His Word shows His mind that we should be together now as we will for eternity. This does not speak of

mergers, but gathering in accord with God's Word. Some papers on the principles, frequent questions, and church

history are available through the writer for further study.

God's people for gathering is the church (called out assembly pertaining to God). One is in the church (the "body

of Christ" which is "the bride") by faith in Christ and the "new birth". That one is then called to "keep the unity of the

Spirit", and gather as appointed to remember the Lord Jesus Christ in His death for us; also for fellowship, collective

prayer, teaching, and preaching the gospel. God desires a people to love who will also learn to love Him, and will love

all His children (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor.11:23-29; Gal.3:28; Eph.4:3-6; I John 3:11-24). They are gathered not by their will, but by the will of God, which means they need to come to the Lord's table in holiness. One might view other papers on examining self, and the paths we take.

God's place for gathering is the local assembly in fellowship with the universal church in the world. There are many nice Christians everywhere, but nice Christians (or family or friends) are not the ground of gathering. God has always had a place (see Deut.12:5-8, 13-14; Matt.18:20; Matt.26:17-20). It is a place of His appointment, and the saints "are gathered" by the Spirit, not wherever they choose to gather (Matt.18:20). The local assembly must express the unity of the "one body of Christ" in accord with the Scripture (note Rom.1:7; I Cor.1:2; I Cor.16:19-20; II Cor.1:1; Phil.4:21-22; Col.4:15-16), even though many dear saints of God do not appreciate the place, and set up many different tables after their own preferences. Some believers, not finding the assembly entertaining or involved in worldy activities, leave; and some do not want "all the counsel of God", or they have a conflict with a brother and do not resolve it, or they may rebel against assembly government, so they leave and join or start something new. This has been the history of the church since God's revival of church truth in the early 1800's. One can read ministry on this history in other papers.

God's plan for gathering is not our ways (Isa.55:8), so we must follow His plan. The Lord's table and the supper is

a collective thing, not something done in private devotions. He gave us baptism, and then asked us to keep in remembrance His sacrifice by the Lord's supper at His table. One ought to understand the distinction between the table and the supper. Acts 2:42 shows also God's intent for the gathering of His people. Papers written on baptism, the Lord's table, and assembly conduct might help one to see some things which must not be compromised (I Cor. 14:40). Contact the writer.

1. On the first day of the week the saints should gather together to remember the Lord Jesus in His suffering and

sacrifice for us as He requested (Luke 22:8-20). This is when the Lord's table is spread in collective worship to "show

the Lord's death" (I Cor.11:26), give thanks, sing praises, and meditate on His love. It is a holy and quiet time of

devotion, not a time for preaching or other activity.

2. A time might also be set for Scripture reading before or after the remembrance meeting to study together, and

the children might also be taken aside during this time for special classes.

3. Other reading meetings might be held later in the day, and a time set for preaching the gospel in a public way,

where lost souls are invited to come and hear words of life.

4. It is also good to have a special prayer meeting time during the week to gather for collective prayer for the test-

imony, help, and intercession for all saints---especially those in need.

5. At times it is nice to have a special fellowship day for the saints to gather for sound ministry by those with an

exercise to share Godly thoughts and encourage the saints; or have special meeting times during the week when fulltime ministers visit to help, teach, and be an encouragement.

This is all in accord with the Word, and is done in fellowship with every other scriptural assembly in the world.

God's priorities for gathering include order, holiness, government, and soundness in doctrine. One should under-

stand what an assembly holds, and know its history, before being associated with it. Many are independent groups,

or descendants of divisions, and though they may have the form of gathering they do not hold the truth of gathering.

There is room for conscience (Rom.14), but some things must not be compromised. A believer is gathered into the

local fellowship and is then part of the universal testimony in the world, and is welcome wherever this truth is main-

tained. Papers on subjects concerning the man, the woman, the elders, the priesthood, and church doctrines, etc.

are available to study.

Some Christians find the scriptural assembly too limiting for their interests, but one must be reminded that it is God's

place in holiness and not a social club. It should be a place of Christian love, care, teaching, faithfulness, and devo-

tion to our Lord Jesus Christ. Social activities and fun times are outside the assembly, for that is not the purpose of

God's testimony.

[ADDENDUM: With reference to government and the assembly elders (overseers), as mentioned above, it should be

noted that in a truly scriptural gathering God sets forth a few brothers as elders with a Godly spirit and scriptural discernment, and holds them accountable to maintain the truth and guide the testimony. They are not appointed by

men, and they may not be preachers, but have the unction of the Spirit for oversight. The saints need to consider

them. This writer has other papers on this calling of God. - RLD]

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S C R I P T U R A L A S S E M B L Y

(I John 1:3-4)

(An invitation and statement adapted from a newspaper report in the early 1900's)

There is a fellowship of Christians in

this city gathered to the name of the Lord

Jesus Christ alone (Matt.18:20), apart

from organization and systems of man's

devising. They believe in the absolute in-spiration, infallibility, and all-sufficiency of the Holy Bible as the Word of God to man

(2 Tim.3:16-17; Heb.4:12; 2 Pet.1: 20-21), and seek to obey "all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27), "rightly dividing the Word of truth" (2 Tim.2:15). They, therefore, reject all human creeds, programs, names and titles, etc. as adding to God's Word (Matt. 17:4-8; Acts 2:41-42; Acts 20:27; Rev. 22: 18-19), and not suited to a gathering led by the Holy Spirit (Gal.3:3; Eph. 4: 30; 1 Thess. 5:19).

These believers own that the church is "one body" (1 Cor.12:12-27), and there-

fore seek to express that oneness in love according to the Word of God, and in happy fellowship with other scriptural assemblies throughout the world (Rom. 12:5). This is not another innovation in Christendom, but a continuation of that revival of church truth which God raised up in the early 19th century. They see there is no such thing in the Word of God as going to "the church of your choice", as is often said.

As to church government this company, or assembly, takes no name other than what the Scripture allows and which is common to all saints of God. They have

no hierarchy or minister in charge, and believe in the priesthood of believers

and the leading of the Holy Spirit for the exercise of spiritual gifts (I Pet. 2:5,9;

I Thess.5:19; I Cor.14:12). They come together to remember the Lord in His

death every first day of the week, and

meet at times for prayer and study of the Word (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor.11: 23-26). They also hold themselves responsible for preaching the gospel to the public, and teaching the children about the love of God. At public meetings they take no collections, seeing that the gospel is free, and the Word of God teaches there are those "within" and those "without" (1 Cor.

5: 12-13; Col.4:5). The only ordinances they hold are baptism and the Lord's supper, which the Lord gave to His dis-ciples to keep until He returns (Mark 16: 15-16; Rom.6:3-4; Luke 22: 19-20). Care is exercised to see that a scriptural order of meeting and discipline is carried out (1 Cor. 14:40).

As to God's work of grace these Christians understand that God, in His

great love (John 3:16), sent His Son "to seek and to save that which was lost"

(Luke 19:10). They acknowledge the ruin by sin from Adam and Eve (Gen.3; Rom.5: 12-21), and that "all have sinned" (Rom.3: 23), "there is none righteous" (Rom. 3:10), and "except a man be born again he can-not see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). They believe the Bible teaches the worth-lessness of good works or feelings for salvation (Gal.2:16; Eph.2:8-9; Titus 3:5). They see that salvation is by the suffering and blood of Christ (1 Pet.1:18-20), and that He must be received by faith for eternal life, which then cannot be lost (Rom. 6:23; Rom.8:15-16; Gal.4: 4-7;

1 John 5: 10-13).

It is generally held among these breth-

ren that the return of Christ for His bride, the church, is the proper hope of every child of God before judgment is poured out on this world (1 Cor. 15: 51-57;

1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev.4:4,10; Rev.5: 8-10; Rev.19:7,11). They understand that after the translation, or rapture, of the church there will be a tribulation period on earth, then Christ will return with the saints to reign a thousand years before the new heaven and new earth are formed (Matt. 24:29-31; Matt.25:31-46; 2 Pet. 3: 10-13; Rev. 20: 6; Rev.21:1). They see that everlasting condemnation awaits all who reject the grace of God in Christ (John 3:36), and everlasting joy in heaven awaits every true child of God (John 14:2-3; 2 Cor.5:1-2; 1 John 3:2).

[Adapted from an old pamphlet - R.L.D.]

NOTE: Is it time to take a stand on the truth of the Word and honor the Lord? Our loyalty should be

to the Lord rather than men and their religious ideas. Readers are urged to stand apart from religious sects and earnestly seek the scriptural path. One will hear teaching and diverse ministry along our pathway from many sources . One

should always test it by the Word of God (see John 5:39; Acts 17:11; II Tim.2:15; II Tim. 3:16; Titus 1:9). Whether it is profitable often depends, too, on

our state of soul. This paper is prepared with

much care and prayer to be a help and honor the Lord. Comments and questions are welcome.

- RLD.

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