The Hebrew author demonstrates for us the importance of the assembly in Hebrews 10:25; it is something we should not forsake. When there is a desire to demonstrate why we must assemble, Hebrews 10:25 is always cited.

It is very important for Christians to come together in the assemblies. The assemblies represent an opportunity for believers to thank God and make petitions to God in prayer (1 Cor. 14:15-17), to speak to and teach one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), to remember the Lord’s death in His supper (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 11:23-26), to give as we have desire and ability (1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 9:6-11), and to hear the Word of God preached (Acts 20:7; 2 Tim. 4:1-2). Yet why do we come together? For what greater purposes do the assemblies serve?

Hebrews 10:25 was not written in a vacuum. Instead, Hebrews 10:25 represents an opportunity for believers to accomplish what the Hebrew author encourages them to do in Hebrews 10:24: we are to consider one another and how we can provoke one another to love and good works. Part of the way we fulfill this is by assembling together.

This intention is consistent with the purpose for the assembly that Paul establishes in 1 Corinthians 14:26, that everything to be done in the assembly is to build one another up. We can see that the assembly involves stirring up one another to love and good works, encouraging one another, and building one another up.

Yet to what end? Why do we need to encourage one another, build one another up, or stir each other up to love and good works? All of these things are necessary because they represent the role of the assembly in the life of the Christian; it is to be the time of refreshment and renewal in the midst of living the Christian life!

All believers are to reflect Christ in their lives (1 Cor. 11:1; 1 John 2:6). Thus, they must serve others just as Christ did (Matt. 20:25-28; John 13:13-17). At work they must provide proper service to their employers and customers (Eph. 6:5-9). At home they must sacrifice for and serve their spouses and children (Eph. 5:22-6:4). They must promote the truth of God in Jesus Christ in word and deed (Matt. 5:13-16; 28:18-20; Rom. 1:16). When they are maligned or slandered, they must still love their fellow man and not do him harm (Luke 6:27-36; Rom. 12:21). When given the opportunity, they are to do good for all men (Gal. 6:10), and look for opportunities to show the love, mercy, and compassion of God to others.

These are very challenging responsibilities, and Christians require constant strengthening to continue in them. A good portion of that strengthening is to happen within the assembly. The acts of the assembly are not to be mechanical rituals but opportunities for encouragement to strengthen one another and remind all of us who we are and what we are trying to accomplish through song, prayer, lessons, and the Lord’s supper!

Yet Christianity is much, much more than the assembly. Christianity must be a way of life, and the assembly must play its part in the whole. The assembly is really the easy part; it is where we are built up and refreshed. The challenge of Christianity lies in the rest of life: reflecting the love of God in Christ to a sinful, rebellious, and tempting world (Eph. 6:10-18). Let us assemble and build each other up so that we may have the strength necessary to advance the Kingdom of God in our lives!

Ethan R. Longhenry deusvitae@hotmail.com