Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of assembling, particularly in the context of worship and community, holds significant importance in the biblical narrative. The act of gathering together is seen as a vital expression of faith and obedience to God, as well as a means of fostering unity and spiritual growth among believers.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, assembling often refers to the gathering of the Israelites for religious observances, festivals, and important communal decisions. The Hebrew word "qahal" is frequently used to describe these assemblies. One of the earliest examples is found in
Exodus 19:17, where Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God at Mount Sinai. This assembly was a pivotal moment in Israel's history, marking the giving of the Law.
The assembly of the people was also central to the observance of the feasts and festivals prescribed in the Law.
Leviticus 23 outlines various appointed times, such as the Feast of Tabernacles, where the Israelites were commanded to gather together. These assemblies served not only as times of worship and remembrance but also as opportunities for communal instruction and renewal of the covenant.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of assembling takes on a new dimension with the establishment of the Church. The Greek word "ekklesia," often translated as "church," literally means "assembly" or "gathering." This term underscores the communal nature of the Christian faith, where believers are called to come together for worship, teaching, fellowship, and mutual edification.
Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes the importance of assembling: "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This passage highlights the necessity of regular gatherings for encouragement and spiritual growth, especially in anticipation of Christ's return.
The early Church exemplified this practice, as seen in
Acts 2:42 : "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." The believers' commitment to assembling was foundational to their identity and mission, providing a context for worship, instruction, and the exercise of spiritual gifts.
Theological SignificanceAssembling is not merely a practical arrangement but carries deep theological significance. It reflects the communal nature of God Himself, who exists in eternal relationship as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The gathering of believers is a tangible expression of the unity and diversity within the body of Christ, as described in
1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
Moreover, assembling serves as a foretaste of the ultimate gathering of God's people in the eschatological kingdom.
Revelation 7:9 envisions a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne and before the Lamb, united in worship. This future assembly underscores the eternal purpose of God's redemptive plan, bringing together a diverse people into one harmonious community.
Practical ImplicationsThe practice of assembling has practical implications for the life of the Church today. It calls believers to prioritize corporate worship and community life, recognizing that spiritual growth and maturity are fostered in the context of relationships. Assembling provides opportunities for accountability, encouragement, and the exercise of spiritual gifts, contributing to the edification of the body of Christ.
In a world that often values individualism and autonomy, the biblical call to assemble challenges believers to embrace their identity as part of a larger community. It invites them to participate actively in the life of the Church, contributing to its mission and witness in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Assemble.
Greek
4864. sunagoge -- a bringing together, by ext. anassembling...... an
assembling, hence a synagogue. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
sunagoge Phonetic Spelling: (soon-ag-o-gay') Short Definition: an assembly
...1997. episunagoge -- a gathering together, an assembly
... episunagoge Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-soon-ag-o-gay') Short Definition: a gathering
together Definition: a gathering (collecting) together,assembling....
Strong's Hebrew
4041. megammah -- perhapsassembling... 4040, 4041. megammah. 4042 . perhaps
assembling. Transliteration: megammah
Phonetic Spelling: (meg-am-maw') Short Definition: horde.
...622. asaph -- to gather, remove
... root Definition to gather, remove NASB Word Usage again (1), all together (1), amassed
(1), assemble (9), assembled (12),assembling (1), attached (1), bring (1...
Library
OnAssembling in the Church.
... constitutions of the holy apostles. Book II. Of Bishops, Presbyters, and
Deacons. Sec. VII."OnAssembling in the Church. An Exact...
"Not Forsaking theAssembling of Yourselves Together. "
... Homily III. Chapter LXIX.""Not Forsaking theAssembling of Yourselves
Together.". "But if you love your brethren, take nothing...
Letter viii. Public and Social Worship, and Sabbath Employments.
... LETTERS, &c. LETTER VIII. Public and Social Worship, and Sabbath Employments.
"Not forsaking theassembling of ourselves together.""HEB.10:23....
Hebrews x. 19-23
... Not forsaking theassembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but
exhorting [3156] one another and so much the more as ye see the day...
Letter Written by Theodoretus, Bishop of Cyrus, from Chalcedon to...
... The very pious emperor knew that the mob was gathered against me and coming up to
me alone he said, "I know that you areassembling improperly." Then, said I...
Of Religion Towards God, and Mercy Towards Men; and of the...
... men, who committed to writing and handed down to memory the record of their own
folly; who, when they saw that the plan ofassembling themselves together, or...
Exhortations.
... as thou art stedfast. Let yourassembling together be of frequent [1085]
occurrence: seek after all by name. [1086] Do not despise...
Ep. Xl. To the Great Basil.
... once, but had not proceeded far on his way when he learned that Basil was in his
usual health, and that the Bishops of the Province wereassembling at C??sarea...
To the Consul Nomus.
... I was never asked whether I wasassembling synods or not, or for what reason I was
assembling them, or what umbrage this could give, either to the Church or to...
Letter Lix. --To Epictetus.
... For this reason at the present time, at theassembling of diverse synods, both in
Gaul and Spain, and great Rome [4701] , all who came together, as though...
Thesaurus
Assembling (11 Occurrences)...Assembling (11 Occurrences). Matthew 2:4 and,
assembling all the chief priests and
scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born.
...Meet (281 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) Anassembling together; esp., theassembling of huntsmen for the hunt;
also, the persons who so assemble, and the place of meeting. 11....
Assemblies (48 Occurrences)
Kingdom (409 Occurrences)
... They had not yet given a ruler to Israel; they could claim none of the judges, but
they had taken their part at theassembling of the tribes under Deborah and...
Numbers (136 Occurrences)
... Sinai (e) Slow Conquest of Canaan (3) Number of the Firstborn 3. Alleged Physical
Impossibilities (1) Duties of the Priests (2)Assembling of the Congregation...
Lookingglasses (1 Occurrence)
... Exodus 38:8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the
lookingglasses of the womenassembling, which assembled at the door of the...
Gathering (71 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A tumor or boil suppurated or maturated; an abscess. 7. (a.)Assembling;
collecting; used for gathering or concentrating. Multi-Version Concordance...
Feasts (45 Occurrences)
... fests (mo`edh, "an appointed day" or "anassembling," chagh, from chaghagh, "to
dance" or possibly "to make a pilgrimage"; tsom, "fast," ta`anith, "a day of...
Fasts (3 Occurrences)
... fests (mo`edh, "an appointed day" or "anassembling," chagh, from chaghagh, "to
dance" or possibly "to make a pilgrimage"; tsom, "fast," ta`anith, "a day of...
Forsaking (29 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking our ownassembling together, as the custom of some is,
but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day...
Resources
Is an online church service a valid way to do church? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I overcome sin in my Christian life? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about interdependence? | GotQuestions.orgAssembling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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