Volume 2 Issue 2 April 1996
by Eric Norford
The following Scriptures describe the meaning of how the word assembling is used. We also will examine the definitions contained in Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words and Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.
The word assembling or assembly is used in the Old Testament 24 times; Exodus 12:6; 16:3; Leviticus 4:13; Numbers 10:2; 20:6; Deuteronomy 9:10; 10:4; 18:16; Judges 21:8; I Samuel 17:47; 2 Chronicles 30:23; Nehemiah 5:7; Psalm 22:16; 89:7; 107:32; 111:1; Proverbs 5:14; Jeremiah 6:11; 9:2; 15:17; Lamentations 2:6; Ezekiel 13:9; 23:24. Each of these refers to the word assembly as a gathering together of people. It often refers to the whole camp or nation of Israel assembling to observe God's special commands. It is in that sense that it is referred to as a solemn assembly (Leviticus 23:36; Numbers 29:35; Deuteronomy 16:8; 2 Kings 10:20; 2 Chronicles 7:9).
In the New Testament the word is used six times: Acts 19:32, 49,41; Hebrews 10:25, 12:23; James 2:2. The passage in Acts 19 calls that assembly a riotous mob, which is not a description of the church gathering. James 2:2 refers to it as the church coming into assembly. Hebrews 12:23 uses both the terms "general assembly and church," which Vine's says the word assembly "coupled with the word church, as applied to all believers who form the body of Christ {the church--EN}."
The Septuagint translation (LXX) defines the word this way, "a gathering of Israel, summoned for any definite purpose." Another way the New Testament uses the word is the term "congregation" as in Acts 20:28; I Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:13; I Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; and I Timothy 3:5.
The Greek word for assembly is sunago. According to Thayer the word means, "to gather together, to come together, to meet." It refers to believers, the church.
Brethren and friends, the word assembly clearly refers to the church coming together. There is no mention anywhere of one person being an assembly outside the church and the Scriptures.
Someone says, "I assemble every Sunday with my family or others, therefore I assemble." They may not go to church, but they "assemble." Often in their own homes. There are circumstances where meeting in the home can be done. For example, when the weather prevents us from assembling. Another would be when members move to an area where no church exists and they start the work by meeting in their homes (Romans 16:3-5). But the idea of meeting in the home when brethren assemble in a central location is not necessary when these above conditions do not exist. We must meet collectively to worship God, partake of
the Lord's Supper, give, and have fellowship with one another (John 4:24; Acts 2:42; I Corinthians 16:2; I Corinthians 11:23-27). When we fail to meet faithfully with the church, we forsake the gathering together (Hebrews 10:23-25), thus we cannot provoke one another to love and good works.
If brethren feel that meeting in the home is an assembly because they believe God is in their midst, then we might as well eliminate the local church. This is a dangerous belief to have, because it upholds the false theory upheld by Charles Holt. He has been teaching for years that there is no such thing as a local church. That is utterly false. There are too many passages of scripture that justify the local church existing. Therefore, we are to gather together as one (Acts 9:26; 18:1-3; 28:16,30-31; Romans 16:1; I Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:2; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2; I Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1). The God of heaven wanted elders in every church in the first century (Acts 14:23). If there are no local churches then why place elders overseeing the work of a local congregation.
When we fail to assemble with brethren who share the same faith, we fail to obey Hebrews 10:25. As a result we stand in contempt and rebellion against God. The Hebrew writer said, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (10:31)
Is Assembling Individual Or Collective?
Is assembling individual or collective? According to the scripture it is both. But both are used in the same setting as when the church, the family of God, gathers together in worship. We can't have one without the other. If we want to be pleasing to God, we must worship Him individually in the collective body of Christ (John 4:24; Acts 2:42). Then we can provoke one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:23).
