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Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Not to forsake the
assembling of ourselves together. It is the will of Christ that
his disciples should assemble together, sometimes more privately for conference and prayer, and in public for hearing and
joining in all the ordinances of gospel worship. There were in the apostles' times, and should be in every age, Christian
assemblies for the worship of God, and for mutual edification. And it seems even in those times there were some who forsook
these assemblies, and so began to apostatize from religion itself. The communion of saints is a great help and privilege,
and a good means of steadiness and perseverance; hereby their hearts and hands are mutually strengthened.
The ultimate
reason that we should paprticipate in a local church is because it is specifically
commanded by God. Even in New Testament days there were those who yielded to the temptation of absentng themselves from the
worship services of the local church. The writer of Hebrews points out that members of a local church have an obligation
to one another. They are to provoke one another to good works and to exhort one another to live consistent lives worthy
of God. This can best be done within the context of a local church; so believers are commanded not to forsake the assembling
of themselves together.
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