1. ‘Not forsake the assembling’ is instruction for true Spiritual BRETHREN
Does the Bible say we must attend church gatherings? Religious Christians quote Hebrews 10:25 to insist you get together with them. But is that what Scripture means when it says to not forsake the assembling? Hebrews 10:25 says, "…Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another…" Examining the context of this passage, just few verses prior in verse 19, reveals this instruction is directed to spiritual brethren in Christ. Religious churchgoers take this instruction out of context to claim you should gather with them, but the wholesome Word of God says to NOT have fellowship with whoever merely claims to be your brother or sister in Christ. Jesus said his brethren is whoever obeys God’s word and will. In Mark 3:35 Jesus said, "For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother." And in Luke 8:21 Jesus said, "My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it." Please notice spiritual brethren are not whoever gather in a so-called house of worship, and they are not even those who study and discuss the Bible. Jesus said true spiritual brethren are those who DO – do God’s commandment, do God’s Word, do God’s will. So, the instruction to ‘not forsake the assembling’ is for God’s obedient people, that they may urge one another to continue doing good works that glorify God.
2. Children of Light have NO fellowship with those of Darkness
Preachers who are servants of Satan preach a message of unity and fellowship among all who call themselves believers, but Scripture teaches children of light to not have fellowship with those in darkness. How to know who is of the light, and who is of darkness? The evidence is in obedience or disobedience to Jesus’s commandments. Ephesians 5:3-5, 8-10 says, "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God…For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord." Fruits, works, deeds prove whether you are of light or darkness. Examples of works of darkness that are emphasized twice in this passage include engaging in sexual immorality (such as fornication or whoremongering) and desiring other people’s money or belongings as yours (that is covetousness which God considers as idolatry). Children of light are born of the holy spirit, and are led to cleanse their heart and life of sin. True fruit of the spirit is living a life of all goodness, righteousness and truth. This is evidence of being of the light.
Walking as children of light requires breaking fellowship with those who continue in filthy sin. Furthermore, Scripture says these born-again Christians ought to rebuke those who do shameful work of sin in secret. Ephesians 5:8, 12-13 says, "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light…And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light." Spiritual light and darkness are like water and oil, they do not mix. Light is spiritual life, goodness, righteousness, truth, and is of God. Darkness is spiritual death, evil, unrighteousness, deception, and is of the devil. Those led of spirit do not lie and pretend as if the evildoers who attend church receive God’s mercy and grace, rather they take a righteous stand and give strong correction to unrepentant sinners. Because of their godly reproof, sinning religious hypocrites will hate true children of light. John 3:19-21 says, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." Evil people love darkness rather than light, so they hate truth and righteous correction. When Jesus went to the temple to speak truth and give righteous reproof, those who were considered servants of God sought to destroy him because of his godly stance. Mark 11:18 says, "And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine." Although Jesus taught in the same building temple of God, he did not have fellowship with religious hypocrites or false teachers. Spiritual light and darkness are divided, they do not have communion.
3. JUDGE those called brethren within spiritual fellowship; Put away the wicked
Religious Christians have fake love and fake godliness. They desire to keep unity and friendship with other sinning churchgoers. So, they say we must not judge others; but this is in direct opposition to Scripture. In 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 Apostle Paul writes, "I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." There are 3 key points in this passage. First, those in a true spiritual fellowship must judge those within their fellowship to know who they should not keep company with. Second, Apostle Paul says judging people to break company is not regarding people of the world. We must live in the world, and work and interact with people of the world; God will judge those outside people. However, we must judge those within our fellowship according to their deeds. Third, a godly fellowship will break company with and put away wicked people who have been called as brethren. This is not for minor trespasses. Apostle Paul gives examples of the serious filthy sinners whose company is to be excluded, even to the point of not eating with them. Such wicked persons include the fornicator (who acts on sexual lust outside the bounds of marriage), covetous (who desires other people’s money and belongings as theirs), idolater (who worships what is not true God or engages in excess partying), railer (who verbally abuses and insults), drunkard (who drinks in excess), or extortioner (who takes that which is not theirs by threat or force).
Just because someone attends prayer meetings or declares themself to be a brother or sister in Christ, they should not automatically be included in spiritual fellowship. Scripture says discern who they are according to their works. Are their deeds righteous or unrighteous? Are their fruits holy or unholy? The core principle of righteousness is doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. In Matthew 7:12 Jesus said, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." In practical terms, this means loving others by not doing harm to them. Romans 13:8-10 says, "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." Do not go after someone’s husband or wife, do not take other’s money or belongings, do not lie about or do other evil against others. These not difficult or complicated to do. Marry and enjoy your own husband or wife. Whatever you desire in the world such as a house or car, work honestly and spend your own earnings to enjoy what you want. Sincerely take care of your duties at home and work; do not cheat, manipulate, deceive or harm others.
Scripture says discern who is a true believer of the faith based on what they do and do not do, and treat them accordingly. 1 Timothy 5:8, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." Apostle Paul writes that those who do not work to provide and take care of their own household, are worse than unbelievers and deny the faith. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-15 says, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." Again, Apostle Paul strongly admonishes those who are capable but do not work for their own provision, and he even says they do not deserve to eat. Lazy people who take advantage of others become busybodies involving themselves in other people’s affairs. Scripture says admonish and break company with such people, so that they may be shamed into behaving better. Spirit led believers take a righteous stance and reprove their own people to also live righteous.
4. True Church is for PERFECTING of Saints
The purpose of the true spiritual church, which is the body of Christ, is the perfecting of the saints. Ephesians 4:11-13 says, "And he [God] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ…" God-given ministry and fellowship exhorts believers to perfect themselves by sinning no more, and growing in spirit to the gold standard of Jesus. This same chapter goes on to describe the perfecting of saints as growing in righteousness and holiness, and details what that really means. Ephesians 4:24-29 says, "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." We see the same righteous walk of life echoed throughout Scripture—speak truth, righteous anger is fine but do not sin in anger, do not use deception to take from others’ belongings but instead do honest work for your own provision and help those who truly are in need, and speak with true grace that builds others to live godly.
5. Assembling of Brethren is to Provoke & Exhort to DO GOOD works
Religious hypocrites act as if fruit of spirit is to smile, speak politically correctly, and have fellowship with other sinning churchgoers. These are spiritually dead people who attend church meetings as social gatherings. They do not openly share within their fellowship their actual walk and deeds of life; they simply put on a show of being godly people. Even if they shared their continual sinful ways, their pastors are deceiving servants of Satan who assure them their sins are always washed by Jesus’s blood, so they need not fear as heaven is guaranteed by God’s grace. This demonic lie is in opposition to the truth of God’s Word which teaches Jesus’s blood is conditional—it only applies to forgive past sin and supernaturally cleanse our inner sinful nature, if we obediently walk in righteous, holy living. 1 John 1:5-7 says, "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him [God], and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he [God] is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." God is light, so churchgoers who claim fellowship with God while continuing to do sin are liars. The blood of Jesus applies once to forgive past sin of those who live righteous and holy. Shameless churchgoers treat Jesus’s sacrifice as cheap; they would be happy to crucify Jesus again and again, just so they can continue doing filthy sin.
Those in true spiritual fellowship walk in the light by obeying God. These are the brethren in Christ who ought to gather to provoke one another to continue doing good works that glorify God. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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." The context of this passage reveals that this instruction to ‘not forsake the assembling’ is given to a spiritually mature fellowship. To understand this, let’s examine some verses prior to and after these specific verses. Prior in the same chapter in Hebrews 10:16-19 it says, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus…" Please notice God says He will no longer remember the sins and iniquities of people who have His laws written in their hearts and minds. These are God’s people whose very intention of heart and mind loves good and abhors evil; they live in accord with God’s will. There is remission for their past sin by the blood of Jesus (remission is cancellation or forgiveness). So, no further offering is needed for sin because they no longer continue in sin. These spiritually mature brethren walk in the light as God is in the light, so, they may boldly enter in the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
The verses that come after also confirm the instructions for assembling is given to spiritually grown brothers and sisters. Hebrews 10:26-31 says, "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation…how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him [God] that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me…It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." These people have received the knowledge of truth with God’s law written within them, so they are no longer enslaved to sin. However, if they now willfully sin there will be much greater punishment. 2 Peter 2:20 says, "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning." God’s righteous standard for eternal Judgement is that those who receive more truth, grace and spirit from Him, will be held to a higher standard. These brethren are warned there is no more sacrifice for sin for them, because it would be trampling Jesus’s blood and sacrifice and treating it as cheap. There is no excuse or mercy for deliberately sinning despite the Spirit of Grace’s presence, who is the Holy Ghost. Hebrews 6:4-6 says, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened… and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Scripture says there is a limit to God’s mercy; there is a point where repentance is no longer an option as it makes mockery of Jesus’s crucifixion. Do not believe lying pastors, believe God’s true Word. God the Creator will be the most righteous Judge and He said vengeance belongs to Him. God’s presence as the Spirit of Grace in His people will not tolerate the filth of sin. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
6. God’s presence is NOT in church buildings, He dwells inside His people
Pastors and religious churchgoers insist you must not forsake the assembling of church gatherings because they say that is where God will be. To drum up emotional excitement during services, preachers announce they feel God’s presence moving in the church sanctuary. But Scripture says God’s presence is not in church buildings. Acts 17:24 says, "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands…" Acts 7:48-49 says, "Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord…" The Bible says God does not dwell in church buildings, but He does dwell inside His people. To be the temple of the living God, we must cleanse ourselves to be pure as He is pure, and maintain that with reverential fear. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 says, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." If we desire God’s presence, we must NOT have fellowship with whoever claims to be brethren in Christ or claims to be a faithful believer. We must discern who is of light or darkness by their deeds. 2 Corinthians 6: 14-17 says, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you…" For God’s presence to dwell in us, God requires we divide from those who continue in doing unrighteous, unholy works. God is light, and in Him is no darkness. Who we keep fellowship with is not neutral, it may either hinder us or help us. Fellowship is only profitable for spiritual growth if we assemble with true brethren in Christ who provoke and exhort us to obey God in holiness.