Christians often put a big emphasis on going to church. I have been going to church my whole life. I remember falling asleep on a blanket under a pew when I was young. As a child, I did not always understand why my parents took us to church and did not always want to go. Over the years, I have become very involved in church and love to be a part of the church. I have served in different roles within an assembly. I have learned a lot about church and why it is important to me and why it should be important to any believer. It is not just a place We go, but it is who we are. Each person is an important part of the assembly. You are needed there. You are not there just to get something, but you have something to give as well.
not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.
Hebrews 10:25 AMP
Paul gave this instruction for the believers. He knew it was important to gather together for worship, for instruction, and for encouragement of one another. We cannot successfully do these things alone all the time. We may for a little while, but we will slowly weaken and struggle. Why is this so important? We can go to 1 Corinthians chapter 12 for a big explanation of the Body. We are all members of one body.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12 KJV
As we read about this body, we find that each part of the body is special and unique. We all have a place to be and a part to do. Each member has a role. When we consider our human body, each part is important. If a part of the body were to be removed, the rest of the body will suffer and have to adapt or compensate in some way. The part removed will no longer function and be dead. It is no longer connected to the source of life. It is no longer viable with blood flow providing oxygen for life to take place in that part. It will die without being connected to the body. We must be connected to the body for our soul to be connected to the source of Life.
Jesus himself explained the need for connection to the body. He told us that we are one bread and we are members of his body. He broke a loaf of leavened bread and gave a piece to each disciple signifying that he is the bread of life and we are a part of his body, one loaf with many pieces. He was using the Jewish tradition of breaking bread at a dinner as a parable to show his disciples how they fit together in one body. He wants unifying fellowship taking place amongst his believers to represent his body. We are ,ade to be a part of his bodythrough fellowship one with another. This is the true definition of communion.
Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the Greek word 'koinonia' was used and is translated as 'fellowship,' 'sharing.,' or "called out." The true definition is a defining of what we are supposed to be doing as believers, as the called out ones, is fellowshipping with one another, sharing the faith, encouraging one another in the hope we have in Christ Jesus. This is what communion truly means as defined in the original texts and definitions.
The Greek word often translated as 'church' is 'ekklasia.' This word in the original texts meant 'congregate' or 'assemble.' Not once did it mean church as we do today. In the early 1500's, William Tyndale translated the Greek into English and he used assembly or congregation. The Catholic Church became angry with him for doing so and burned him at the stake. His translation was later used to create the King James version. About 85% was his original translation with changes made by the Catholic Church to reflect their own ideas of religion. One change was to use the word 'church' rather than 'assembly' or 'congregation.' Why is that important to us today? It gives us insight into why we view church the way we do today. We have a view that church is a building rather than an assembly of people coming together for a purpose. We come together for the purpose of worship, instruction and building up one another in faith. We all are to be apart of this wonderful gathering for fellowship.
Assembling together for the right purpose will change the way you think about church and your reasons for being a part of that assembly. We are meant to participate in the gathering, not passively watch or glean whatever we want from it. We are to be an active participant in the worship, in the instruction, and in encouraging one another. My soul finds joy in the fellowship of the saints. As we worship together in song and praise, my soul is encouraged. Hearing the instruction of the Word through ministry guides me closer to Jesus and his plan for me. Giving and receiving encouragement occurs through testimonies of what God is doing for me and others, through participating in Bible Studies, conversations with other believers, and time spent with other believers. It comes down to hearing what God is doing for and showing others as well as sharing what God is showing me. We can all learn from one another. We all have a testimony. We all can give and receive encouragement one from another. I cannot do that sitting at home alone.
Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16 AMP
Paul wrote here to admonish and train one another with all wisdom and singing. We have to come together to accomplish this. We must assemble together to be able to participate in the role we are called to. We are called out to assemble together in unity as one body of believers for the purpose of worship, instruction, and encouragement. We are called to help one another with the process of growing in faith, lifting up other members, and strengthening the entire body of Christ by partaking of his body through fellowship one with another.
Footnote: references used for the definitions are:
1.Tennant, Alex T., The Messianic Feast, chapters: Setting the Table 2; Course 1
2.Blue Letter Bible App for Greek references
