To Gather

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:23-25

Not neglecting to meet together

Greek word used for “meet” is “episynagoge” (epay-soo-nau-goo-way) which means meeting; assembling.

Episynagoge (Greek) = meeting; assembling; gathering together

The word used for “meet” is “episynagoge” (epay-soo-naug-oo-way) which means meeting; assembling. This is also where they get the word for “synagogue.”

Synagogues

The Jewish people would gather at their local synagogues for

communal meals, court ()

to collect and distribute charity ()

), to collect and distribute charity (

worship, reading and interpreting the Torah and the Prophets (),

), worship, reading and interpreting the Torah and the Prophets (

prayer.

When Jews in the first century accepted Christ as their messiah, they continued to meet at their local synagogues for worship, fellowship, and expounding on the word of God. The disciples would go to local synagogues when they entered towns and present their case for Jesus as the Messiah and perform miracles. They would look at the writing of the Prophets and tell them how Jesus fulfilled those prophecies. Today Judaism and Christianity are viewed as disconnected religions, Judaism worships God but does recognize Jesus as the promised one. Christianity recognizes Jesus as the messiah. The first century followers of Christ, who were predominantly Jewish, recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise they had been waiting for and continued to meet gather the same way they always had at the synagogues and even at the Temple.

), and prayer. When Jews in the first century accepted Christ as their messiah, they continued to meet at their local synagogues for worship, fellowship, and expounding on the word of God. The disciples would go to local synagogues when they entered towns and present their case for Jesus as the Messiah and perform miracles. They would look at the writing of the Prophets and tell them how Jesus fulfilled those prophecies. Today Judaism and Christianity are viewed as disconnected religions, Judaism worships God but does recognize Jesus as the promised one. Christianity recognizes Jesus as the messiah. The first century followers of Christ, who were predominantly Jewish, recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise they had been waiting for and continued to meet gather the same way they always had at the synagogues and even at the Temple.

Jesus taught in syngogues and performed many miracles there. ()

The disciples worshipped him and were continually in the temple blessing God. ()

How Should We Gather?

Paul still worshipped in the temple and presented offerings at the temple. ()

Paul again searched for followers of the way in synagogues. ()

Synagogue always referred to a place they gathered.

()

How Should We Gather?

Most would agree that meeting together is not the issue, but more so how we should we gather. Traditional gatherings, like what we are doing right now or house church? Advocates of home church will go straight to

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

The answer to the question is both.

Acts 2:46 ESV

46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

Synagogue always referred to a place they gathered.

temple and their homes

Paul preached Jesus in the Synagogue; ()

Paul still worshipped in the temple and presented offerings at the temple. ()

Paul again searched for followers of the way in synagogues. ()

The small but growing band of Christians called their society the Church, in Greek ekklesia. They used the word for a local congregation, for a region comprising several congregations, or globally for all believing members everywhere. The word had deep roots in Jewish traditions.

Why Should We Gather?

HOLD FAST, CONFESS OUR HOPE IN JESUS

STIR ONE ANOTHER TO LOVE AND GOOD WORKS

ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

“Ago” (greek) = Lead/bring

That’s the root word for Episynagoge

Spring Creek Fellowship

Sunday Gathering

Missional Communities

Women’s Ministry

At Spring Creek Fellowship we believe gathering here weekly is biblical and part of the fabric of our faith. The greater body gathering weekly here in this place to do those things, coming, expecting to encounter God through our confession of the hope we have in Jesus. Encountering God in the singing of praises to Him, coming under the reading of the Holy Scriptures and expounding on them just like our first century did. Expecting the Holy Spirit to move.

We also believe that we accomplish even more in spurring one another on to love and good works in our Missional Communities. These groups gather in homes and other venues to build one another up and encouraging one another. It is one of our primary ways for discipleship. They were never meant to take the place of this gathering here on Sunday mornings.

By no means do I believe that we do it exactly the way they did it back then. Our culture is different, our history is different but what we do here on Sunday mornings is important and biblical. Your presence here is important. Why? To hold fast to your confession of the hope you have in Jesus, to be spurred and to spur others on to love and good works and encourage and be encouraged. Come on church, don’t you see? As this becomes less and less important to Christians the quieter our confession becomes.

Let’s unite in order to lead one another and bring others to the saving, life transforming knowledge of Jesus Christ.

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