A great deal of confusion seems to exist over what constitutes “the assembly.” Are Bible classes part of “the assembly”? If so, what may women do or not do in them? What is “the assembling” of ourselves together that we ought not to forsake (Heb. 10:25)?
A number of years ago, in an effort to get brethren to attend Bible study as well as worship, one elder stressed that everything we did was one service. “We start at ten and end at noon; there’s no division between them. We go right from one to the other.” As important as it is for brethren to be built up by the Word of God, the above argument is not a valid one. Bible classes and worship are separate.

A few years ago one brother objected to a woman teaching a Bible class (on a Wednesday evening) based on his erroneous concept that she was teaching in the assembly with men present (even though they were in other classrooms and not being taught by her). Recently some men have objected to a woman making comments in class, claiming that she was not learning in submission or being quiet in the “assembly.”

The first point that needs to be established is that Bible classes and “the assembly” are two different entities with distinct (albeit overlapping) purposes. Both are authorized (Col. 3:17) by the Scriptures: the former by example and expediency and the latter by command and example. Classes provide us with a time to study the Word of God in which questions may be asked and Scriptural answers given. In “the assembly” we offer up our worship to our God.

Bible Classes
Did Bible classes exist in the first-century church? In Acts 2:46 we read that brethren were “continuing daily with one accord in the temple” (Oh, how much we could use such unity again!). Continuing what? The context indicates they were continuing daily in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42). In other words, the church had just begun, and teaching regarding Christian living, the Lord’s return, and Christian worship were all needed, as was an explanation of the ways in which the Old Testament Scriptures had been fulfilled.

As the early church grew, the apostles were imprisoned (but freed by an angel). When it was discovered that they were missing, someone informed the chief priests, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple teaching the people!” (Acts 5:25). It is not a wild assumption to conclude that teaching in the temple had long been their custom. The apostles were conducting classes; as a result of these efforts (and perhaps some teaching in houses as well), Jerusalem was filled with Christian doctrine (Acts 5:28).

In Ephesus Paul reasoned daily in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9). We don’t have a copy of his daily schedule–whether he conducted classes based on subject matter or used a question-and-answer format. The important thing is that the Word of God was being taught–not the expedient incidentals concerning the details of how the task was being accomplished. In our zeal to be Scriptural, we should not lose sight of the fact that God has given us much leeway.

In 1 Corinthians the women were meeting at special times to exercise their gifts without men being present (11:3-16). Although this fact may not be obvious at the outset, it becomes more apparent when Paul begins the next section of the letter by saying, “For first of all, when you come together as a church…” (1 Cor. 11:18). The implication is that the women were meeting separately by themselves (as described above). In those meetings they were praying and prophesying, but they were doing so with their heads uncovered. The fact that no man was present did not nullify their need to show submission with a headcovering.

This submission could hardly be shown in a mixed assembly since chapter 14 deals with that situation, and then the women were forbidden to speak. “Let your women keep silent in the churches…” (1 Cor. 14:34). There is no commandment for women to keep from teaching and speaking when men were not present, as in a class situation. In fact, when else could women exercise their spiritual gifts, unless it would be in the home with their children or in a non-weekly-assembly meeting with only women present? If anyone denies that they could exercise their gifts even in these situations, then God gave them something that was worthless–a spiritual gift which could never be used.

In modern times Bible school classes were begun about 200 years ago by Robert Raikes. The idea behind them was to present the Bible at an intellectual level that children could understand. Young ones are not “miniature adults”; they need to learn at the level their thought processes and vocabulaires will allow. They will learn only a small portion from sermons aimed at adults (although this practice also possesses value). So when is a good and opportune time to teach these kinds of classes? Obviously, the most convenient time is one adjacent to when we are gathering together anyway–say, for worship.

Bible classes, then, on Sunday morning, provide an opportune time for all ages to study and add to their knowledge of God. Such classes are authorized under expediency. Why someone would object to classes is a mystery–especially since special classes were frequently the practice of the church in the first century. But even if they were not, it is still an expedient time for everyone to profit spiritually; it is a wasted opportunity if we do not take advantage of it.

Bible classes, then, should not be confused with the assembly. Would it be permissible for ladies to have their own class at such a time? Yes. They could still not teach over a man (because 1 Timothy 2:8-14 applies in or out of the assembly), but they can certainly teach one another, as the women in Corinth did. When ladies teach one another or youngsters (Titus 2:3-4), they are fulfilling their responsibilities (“edify one another”) rather than violating Scripture–as long as they are not teaching over men.

Can women be allowed to speak in Bible classes in which men and women are both present? Here we enter the realm of human judgment since we find nothing precisely parallel in the New Testament. We know that women were told to keep silent in the matter of exercising their spiritual gifts when in the presence of men (in the assembly). But the details of conducting classes with both men and women present are not mentioned. Presumably women were among the disciples meeting daily “in the temple” (Acts 2:46). On many occasions when Jesus was teaching, the text specifically says that women were present, but again nothing is said about asking questions or making comments.

Generally, in our adult Bible classes, all students, male or female, are encouraged to participate with comments or questions, both of which are helpful and advance the learning. No one considers that either of these activities constitutes an effort to usurp authority. Now if a woman (or a man, for that matter) took issue with the teacher (over a matter of interpretation, not a Biblical fact or truth) and began to dispute and debate the issue, that would be a matter which should be dealt with by the elders, since it would be a wrong attitude.

Assemblies
When the church meets on a regular basis (each Lord’s day), first and foremost (before Bible classes are added) there is the assembly. Barnabas and Saul “assembled with the church” for a whole year before their first missionary journey (Acts 11:26). Brethren are admonished not to “forsake the assembling of ourselves together” (Heb. 10:25). James writes of the visitor who “comes into your assembly” (2:2). [All three of these “assembly” words are related in the Greek.] Paul talks about the whole church coming together in one place (1 Cor. 14:23).

The purpose of this assembly (meeting, gathering) is to worship God. In addition to giving, the Lord’s Supper, singing, and praying, there is also the presentation of God’s Word. It is this weekly assembly that Christians are admonished not to forsake. Of course, those with a healthy spiritual appetite will also want to attend Bible classes on the Lord’s day and the Wednesday evening classes as well.

It is in this weekly assembly that it would be a shame for a woman to speak or to attempt to exercise the leadership roles God has designated for men. It is this assembly that we must not forsake even one week. We should no more think of failing to meet on the Lord’s day for any reason (work, school, travel, etc.) than the Jew would have thought of not keeping the Sabbath day. In fact, the book of Hebrews mentions even worse punishment for us who have despised a greater covenant and perfect salvation purchased for us at great cost by the Son of God (Heb. 10:29).

One of the abilities that seems to be lacking today is the ability to discern. Some seem to be unable to discern spirits (whether a man is a true or false teacher). Some in the first century possessed this gift (1 Cor. 12:10), and some (who are blind about Shelly, Lucado, Osburn, etc.) could surely use a healthy dose today.

Not only, however, do we need to be able to discern people, but especially ideas. There are too many who read a passage of Scripture, misunderstand it, and then think that others need to conform to their opinions. Whatever happened to not taking sides on an issue but examining the Scriptures to understand what they really teach? Truth is not a matter of what the majority thinks or what is the most popular view. Let us forsake pet interpretations–especially on nonessential matters. Love needs to be exercised toward all, and we should all strive for reasonableness.

No matter what we have been taught and regardless of the way we feel about a certain doctrine, the question must always be, “What do the Scriptures say?” Is there liberty on a certain matter? Then, let’s be certain that we grant it. Is the Bible binding on a certain point? Then let’s not be moved away from that truth. It would be beneficial, however, to discern between opinions and doctrine, as well as matters of obligation and matters of option. Too many reports of the opposite have been given: people standing firm on opinion and yielding on doctrine. It is not for nothing that Proverbs 23:23 exhorts us: “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” Members should be able to discern between the assembly and Bible classes; we ought also to discern correctly on many other such fundamental matters as well.

*Send comments or questions concerning this article to Gary Summers. Please refer to this article as: “THE ASSEMBLY (8/10/97).”