Most of those who obey the gospel have been taught some basic information about the church. Usually, they know that Jesus promised to build His church (singular) (Matt. 16:16), that He purchased it with His own blood (Acts 20:28), and that He is head over it (Eph. 1:22-23). The church is the one body of Christ (Eph. 4:4). Furthermore, this church is the kingdom of heaven, which the Jews had long been awaiting (Isa. 2:-14, Matt. 3:2). These are fundamental truths which the New Testament teaches.
Unfortunately, there are some who are so focused on the benefits of salvation that they fail to realize that Jesus expects them to have a functioning role in the church-kingdom for which He died. Those who have been saved by the blood of Jesus oftentimes develop false ideas concerning what they owe their Lord. His grace is truly amazing—that human beings should even be offered salvation, let alone granted it, but we have an obligation to Him in return: “And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Cor. 5: 15). This passage brings us to our first misconception.
1. I am part of the church as a whole but not part of any local congregation. The problem with this kind of thinking is that it lacks Biblical authority. The Lord added to the church in Jerusalem daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:47). Does anyone think that anyone newly converted was roaming around the city unattached, aloof, and separate from his brethren? The disciples continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42). The brethren were building each other up.
Contrast that today with the habit of some who neglect Bible classes and worship opportunities. Why do some refuse to be edified, which is part of God’s plan for the church (1 Thess. 5:11)? Do they not understand they are playing into Satan’s hands?
One hears many types of excuses, such as, “I don’t like crowds,” or “I can get just as much out of studying the Bible myself.” Anyone who does not like crowds will really want to stay away from the Lake of Fire, where the majority of people are going to be (Matt. 7:13-14). The ability to study by oneself is admirable, but our own personal and private study does not eliminate the need we have to study together. If Jesus wanted everyone to be on his own, He gave no indication of it. In fact, we always read of brethren interacting with one another.
Sometimes people live long periods of time without being part of a local congregation. One family left one state for another but never placed membership. When asked about it, they replied, “We’re still members back home.” Really? How is that possible? Had they asked the “home” congregation, they would surely have been told, “You cannot be members here when you are geographically located elsewhere.” How can anyone be part of a local congregation they do not meet with for worship? What kind of relationships can exist in such a case? When Paul left Corinth for Ephesus, did he still con-sider himself a member of a church on another continent? It should go without saying that a person can only be a member of a congregation where he lives!
Paul did not address a letter to those in Philippi plus those who had moved from Thessalonica but had not yet placed membership. Imagine the writer of Hebrews exhorting brethren not to forsake the assembling of themselves together (Heb. 10:25) and some responding, “Oh, this commandment does not apply to us; we’re really members somewhere else,” or, “We’re just members at large.” How can one explain not having Christian responsibilities to others? The New Testament knows no other arrangement but that all are part of a local congregation.
2. Coming to worship fulfills my obligation to the Lord. The New Testament highlights worship as being important (John 4:23-24), but it never leaves the impression that such is the Christian’s only obligation. Actually, brethren are built up during worship and better equipped to live the Christian life.
First of all, we recognize that worship is to be directed toward God. The thinking of many in this modern age is that worship is for our enjoyment rather than something we offer up to God. Therefore the faulty notion has arisen that worship is designed to entertain folks. Elaborate musical programs and skits are presented to keep the crowds satisfied and returning. But worship in the first century was not so.
The Lord’s Supper causes us to focus our attention on Jesus, who suffered on the cross for our sins. Eating the bread reminds us of His body which was broken; the fruit of the vine recalls to our attention the blood that He shed. We are active in our remembrance as we examine ourselves and so par-take (1 Cor. 11:22-29). We have fellowship with one another (the other members of the body of Christ) when we remember His death (1 Cor. 10:16-21). If we do this by ourselves at home, we have removed ourselves from the fellowship of our brethren. This is a Christ-centered activity—but one that we participate in together.
Our prayers are addressed to God the Father. Our money is given to the Lord’s work. Our singing is also addressed to God, but we (at the same time) are speaking to, teaching, and admonishing one another (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). The proclamation of the Word of God is to be done in a way that honors Him, but we all benefit from the message. Thus, we direct our worship to God but are ourselves edified at the same time.
Being in the assembly of the saints, then, does fulfill an obligation to the Lord but not every obligation. Paul says that the Lord had a purpose in having apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Their function is to equip brethren “for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-12). Learning during the times we are together better equips us for the work we have to do in building up the body of Christ. How do we become spiritually strong? We grow as a result of the teaching of the Word and each other’s fellowship.
Satan is constantly working against us. He does not want us to be with other Christians because he knows we will be strengthened. He prefers that we do not attend Bible classes or worship assemblies. The more we isolate ourselves, the weaker we are likely to be. Why, when we are eating, do we keep the food in a pot until we are ready to consume it? The answer is that once it is removed from the warmth of the collective food, it begins to cool. The same holds true with Christians.
3. If I read the Bible and assemble with the brethren, that is all that the Lord requires of me. Just a few verses later (Eph. 4:16), Paul writes: “from whom the whole body joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
The Lord’s body is comparable to one’s own. How many parts of one’s own body would anyone like to do without? Most of us want all of our fingers and toes even though we have ten of each. We might be willing to part with an appendix, but anything that is removed no longer functions to help the body; so it dies and is cast away. Branches that do not bear any fruit are cast away and burned (John 15:1-8). Is it beginning to become clear that being isolated from the body is dangerous?
But a member who has no work to do is not fulfilling his purpose, either. He is not helping his brother, nor is he helping those lost in sin if he keeps to him-self. A Christian isolating himself is not God’s Divine plan. Such an individual cannot be helped by others spiritually, nor can he profit anyone. Jesus is head over a body that functions properly—not dysfunctional souls who are becoming progressively weaker. The assembly helps but further interaction is necessary.
What does the New Testament teach about the work of the church? Brethren were learning the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:41). Why? Was it to stop with them, or were they to, in turn, teach others? If we fail to encourage and teach others, we lose what we have to begin with (Heb. 5:12). Growth is necessary, and communicating what we have learned to others is essential. We share our knowledge of the riches of Christ with our brethren so that we can benefit each other; we share our knowledge of the salvation of Jesus with others so we can bring them out of darkness into the light.
The church also engaged in benevolent acts in order that the needy brethren might have enough (Acts 6). Again, the participation of all is required in order to be able to do necessary works.
Conclusion
Those who hold to any of the erroneous views set forth here ought to read the New Testament avidly to see if their opinions are upheld by any approved examples therein. Sometimes brethren operate on the basis of their own preference rather than what the Scriptures teach, but it is by every Word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God that we live. May we determine to always be a blessing in the lives of others. Even if we think we have little to contribute, let us vow to give at least that much for the cause of Christ. Jesus gave all for us—at a great cost. What are we giving back? Are we discouraging others or helping them to be saved by our good example?
MOTIVATION FOR FORNICATION
One of the most common sins of this era is that of fornication. According to Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon, the Greek word porneia refers to “illicit sexual intercourse in general” (531-32). This general word would include adultery and homosexuality, and bestiality, along with those who are not married. Many couples today are living in fornication, concerning which Paul wrote the following in Colossians 3:5-7:
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Consider some of the crucial teachings of this pas-sage. First, there are worldly lusts that entice all of us in one form or another. Second, we must count our-selves dead to all these temptations. Christians can-not afford to entertain lascivious thoughts or behavior. Third, the wrath of God will come upon all those who do give in and practice such immoralities. Fourth, many Christians walked in such sins previously, even living in fornication. Fifth, such behavior should not now characterize the child of God.
Besides this passage, the sin of fornication is condemned throughout the New Testament (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:18-21; Heb. 13:4). Jesus said for a man not to even entertain thoughts of lust for a woman or he had already committed adultery (a more specific form of fornication) with her in his heart (Matt. 5:27-28). Combining that teaching with the Greek word porneia, does anyone really need to say anything more about pornography? All such pictures and ideas inflame the passions, which is precisely what the devil wants.
Now some may be saying, “We know all that; why are you wasting our time rehashing what everybody already knows?” The problem is that knowing this in-formation does not seem to be sufficient. Just in the 21st century alone, the following events have occurred (no names or places will be used). One preacher in an area had a two-year affair with another preacher’s wife. A different preacher made an appointment to meet with a prostitute in another city; it turned out to be a sting operation, but his name and occupation were published in the paper and broadcast on television. Yet another preacher left his wife of more than two decades (and their children) to live with a younger woman. Several young people have entered into a live-in relationship with others without benefit of marriage. Why? The preachers had undoubtedly all preached against the sins they committed, and the young people had been taught all of their lives that fornication is sin that will keep someone out of heaven. How can it be explained that these events have occurred? It is doubtful that they are isolated examples.
Something is lacking when capable gospel preachers who know and can defend the Word of God desert the faith for a lust of the flesh. Something is wrong when young people enter into relationships that are contrary to what they have believed their whole lives. What is the problem and what is the solution?
First, Satan is more powerful and clever than we may give him credit for. To be this successful with so many of God’s people requires great diligence and the ability to know and exploit our weaknesses. Many of those referenced would never be talked into stealing money, but they were covetous for something else. Christians must be reminded that Satan is working earnestly for our destruction. We cannot lose sight of James 1:12-16. We must be alert at the earliest possible moment that our thoughts are straying in the wrong direction. Self-control is essential.
Second, we cannot ignore the fact that we live in a sex-saturated society. Magazines, billboards, television, and movies all sport women who are dressed in such a way as to glorify the flesh. Men are bombarded with enticing eye candy constantly, but there is more to it, and that is, the idea that all of those women are avail-able for and just desiring a man. The idea that most women are either “desperate housewives” or exceeding-ly lonely is an absurd myth perpetuated by the devil.
Third, a woman cannot do much about the entertainment media, but she can do something about herself. She can dress modestly, as the Scriptures teach (1 Tim. 2:9-10). A high neckline and knee-length skirts will not generally draw lustful gazes. Worldly women and young girls may advertise themselves thus, but godly women should strive for modesty. Single women should know that wearing the attire of a harlot is going to attract the kind of man who only wants to “hook up.” Married women should realize that husbands are faced with numerous temptations (and sometimes opportunities) and employ an effective counter-strategy.
Fourth, all should realize that the flesh is temporary but that the spiritual person lives forever. After everything is dissolved, only the inward person will sur-vive. Of how much value is a handful of decades when compared to centuries without number? Are we really willing to give up an eternity of genuine happiness for the brief possession of a human body, which shortly decays and deteriorates? As Jesus once asked: “What will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Fornication involves the three avenues of sin. First, someone covets (the lust of the eyes) another person. Second, the imagination convinces him (or her) that having that person (lust of the flesh) is a must. Third, if the object of one’s desire reciprocates, one’s pride is nurtured as well (1 John 2:15-17); many claim they deserve to be happy. Yet the end is death. “Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?” (Pr. 6:27).