Chapter 57 - Biblical Gatherings

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The early New Testament church community gathered frequently. In agreement with apostolic teaching and tradition, their gatherings were intentionally Christ-centered and Spirit-filled.

Christ-Centered

The Christ-centered gatherings of the early New Testament church did not involve singing, teaching, giving, or praying about Christ. It would have been the equivalent of dead, religious works for Christ.

The practice of the early New Testament church was designed to be significantly more satisfying than a religious performance for Christ. It was a privileged celebration of His immediate, living (zoe) presence within the midst of His body.

Rather than taught about in church gatherings, Jesus was the teacher. By the fullness of His indwelling Spirit, He personally taught and ministered life (zoe) to the privileged members of His ecclesia.

Rather than sung about, the early church worshiped in song with Jesus. It was dynamic and interactive. Instead of merely singing for the sake of singing, worshipping with Jesus presented an intimate form of fellowship between the Head and body of the church. By dependent faith, it was directed by the immediate presence of the indwelling Spirit of Christ. Consequently, interaction between church Head and body in song was personal and intentional.

Rather than giving for Christ, the giving of the early church was a prayerful, interactive endeavor. Jesus was allowed to direct its giving and therefore, the faithful giving of the early church was cheerful and fruitful. Thus, Christian community was cultivated and multiplied, and individual and collective need was satisfied.

Rather than prayed about, Jesus Christ was personally pursued and addressed through prayer “in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 6:18) Originating from the Spirit of Christ, the prayer of the church body was in agreement with the will of God. (cf. Romans 8:26-27; John 14:13; 15:7; James 4:3; 1 John 5:14) As a result, the prayer of the early church was eternally significant. (1 John 5:14-15)

The early New Testament church did not gather to hear about Jesus Christ or to perform for Him. Instead, every practice of the church was designed to emphasize and celebrate His gracious, living (zoe) presence.

By grace through faith alone, the collective gatherings of the early New Testament church were an intimate encounter between the living (zoe) Christ and His beloved body. From the midst of His body Jesus provided the necessary life (zoe) and leadership to guide the eternal practice of His body on earth. (cf. Matthew 18:20; John 20:19; Hebrews 2:12; Revelation 1:13; 2:1; 4:6; 5:6) Consequently, the body of Christ was privileged to enjoy His unconditional love and acceptance, hear His voice, feel His touch, receive His healing, and minister to one another from an overflow of His presence.

In contrast, when Christ was not acknowledged as central to the collective gatherings of the church it was quickly discovered that human need and concern dominated. (cf. 1 Corinthians 11-14) As a result, church gatherings were not characterized by heavenly order and peace but earthly confusion and conflict. (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:33, 40)

It is important to clarify that it was not the responsibility of a small number of church leaders to ensure the preservation and protection of Christ-centered church gatherings. To the contrary, giving a small number of people leadership over the church would have established significant room for error in both doctrine and practice.

The preservation and protection of the centrality of Christ in early church gatherings was the spiritual obligation of every Spirit-birthed member of the church body. It necessitated their willing faithfulness to participate according to the fullness of the Spirit.

The centrality of Christ in early church gatherings constituted the divinely appointed means for preserving church doctrine and protecting church practice. When Jesus was pursued faithfully and prayerfully, the co-equal brothers and sisters of the church body were empowered to grow together in their knowledge of church doctrine, apply it together in practice, and stand together against falsehood.

Willingly submitted to apostolic teaching and tradition, the early New Testament church body recognized the surpassing value of the centrality of Christ. They understood that it was His personal presence that made their gatherings distinct. Further, it was clear to them that apart from the living (zoe) presence of Christ they would have been viewed as nothing more than another dead religious group.

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Spirit-Filled

The centrality of Christ in the gatherings of the early church was assured by the collective fullness of His indwelling Spirit. Consequently, the Apostle Paul commanded the assembled New Testament church to “be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) The verb pleeroústhe (be filled) was written in the present imperative and, therefore, it means to be constantly, moment by moment, filled with the fullness of the Spirit of Christ. Thus, the apostolic command was to keep on being filled to overflowing by the fullness of the Spirit.

The overflowing fullness of the Spirit was evidenced in the gatherings of the early New Testament church by the manifestation and fruit of the Spirit. Among other things, the manifestation of the Spirit of Christ was recognized through spiritually gifted ministry, spiritual fellowship, participatory worship in song, abundant thanksgiving, and mutual submission. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 5:19-21; cf. 2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:1) The resultant fruit of the Spirit was “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Overflowing with the fullness of the Spirit of Christ, it was important for the early New Testament church to cultivate sensitivity to His specific guidance. Once discerned, the church body was obligated to “keep in step” with the Spirit and faithfully follow Him. His perceived guidance was prayerfully weighed against the apostolic teaching and tradition that had been passed down from the apostles to “faithful men.”

Today, the ecclesia of God is privileged to possess the Word of God in written form. Therefore, any presumed guidance by the Spirit must be prayerfully weighed against the apostolic teaching and tradition of the New Testament. If necessary, it should also be supported by the counsel of the more mature members or elders of the church body.

The Spirit of Christ is intimately aware of the needs of each member of His assembled ecclesia. He knows precisely when and how He will minister eternal life (zoe) to each one. Therefore, the gathered church is obligated to seek the fullness of the Spirit of Christ, wait on Him, and follow His direction.

© 2023 James Hiatt

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