Church Gatherings

As we go through this study we are going to build our understanding of a church gathering from scripture as opposed to what a church gathering looks like in culture today. First, we must understand church is not a building, a Sunday school class, or a service time. According to scripture, a church gathering is a group of people coming together in Christ and the people are the church. Jesus shows us in Matthew 18 that a gathering can be as little as two people together.

20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Matthew 18:20 ESV

We can also see from Paul’s writings to the churches that the church is not a building, it is the people.

3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.

Romans 16:3-5 ESV

15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

Colossians 4:15-16 ESV

Notice that church has nothing to do with a building. The churches in scriptures were NOT divided by denominations, they were divided because of location. We will see it is actually sin to follow any specific person or belief system other than the Word of God.

Now, let’s look at the first church in Acts for God’s blueprint of church. Then we will continue through the scriptures to see what our gatherings should look like.

The First Church - God’s Blueprint

We know from Matthew 28:18-20, that Jesus had given His disciples a commission to go into all the world and make disciples. And we know from Acts 1 that Jesus told them first to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit. So about 120 of His followers stayed in constant prayer in an upper room in Jerusalem, waiting for the promised Holy Spirit. Due to their obedience we see the birth of the first church. This is the church that gave us our blueprint for how God wants us to live today. Let’s look at what happened that day, when the 120 gathered together in obedience to the Word of God.

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood,
    before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
    for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
    my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
    or let your Holy One see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 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.

Acts 2:1-47 ESV

Acts 4:32-33 ESV

We need to understand these people were devout men. They already understood repentance, obedience to the Word of God, and the fear of God. We know they were devout because in Acts 2:5 scripture tells us they were. We also know they feared God because, in order to keep God’s law, they had made the journey to Jerusalem from all over. These people were able to come to this understanding because their opinion on how they should live life was not divided. These people knew the Word of God. They didn’t yet know the teachings of Jesus, but they would have known scripture. These are very important parts of being the church that God has designed us to be. To be the church God intended, we need to be devout people, we need to read ALL the scriptures for ourselves, and we need to submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit.

devout means - having or showing deep religious feeling or commitment

Let’s also look at the example the apostles give us as men who were leading Christ body. These men were teaching and preaching everyday in the temple, they were telling others about Jesus. Then they were going into the homes teaching the believers what Jesus had commanded them to teach. They understood the responsibility Christ had left them with.

41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Acts 5:41-42 ESV

Let’s Look at How They Lived

It is very important that we understand the life these believers lived.

The apostles were teaching and preaching every day in the temple and going from house to house.
They devoted themselves to the apostles teachings (Matthew 28:18-20)
They devoted themselves to fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25)
They devoted themselves to the breaking of bread (Luke 22:18-21)
They devoted themselves to prayers (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Their devotion caused the following.

An awe to come upon every soul. ( Awe means - a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.)
Many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
All who believed were together.
They had all things in common.
They were selling their possessions and belongings and then distributing the proceeds to all believers, as any had need.
They attended the temple together.
They broke bread in their homes.
They received their food with glad and generous hearts.
They praised God and had favor with all the people.

These are the type of children God has been desiring from the very beginning. Children of one heart and one soul. He spoke through His prophets about them. We saw in Acts 4 that they were of one heart and one soul. The prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel both spoke of this.

37 Behold, I will gather them from all the countries to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath and in great indignation. I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety. 38 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. 40 I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. 41 I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.

Jeremiah 32:37-41 ESV

17 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’ 18 And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. 19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

Ezekiel 11:17-20 ESV

This first church was the beginning of this new way of worship. They had the mind of Christ because they had the mind of the Holy Spirit. Their worship was pure and uncontaminated. They functioned as one.

Do the Word

Before we can become the church God wants us to become, we must first understand that we have to actually do what the Word of God says. When the Word says stop practicing sin, we must actually stop practicing sin. We must learn to examine the scriptures and apply them to our lives. James gives direction to the body of Christ that we must do the Word of God, not just hear the Word of God. Doing the Word of God, living out His Word, is very important in the body of believers. God does not want sin in His body. We are His church. If the church does not do what the Word of God says, then the church will not be pleasing to God. And the church will never be one heart and one mind with the Father.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

James 1:19-27 ESV

We also see in Matthew 7 where Jesus talks about the importance of working the scriptures into our lives.

13-14 “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention. 15-20 “Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned. 21-23 “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’ 24-25 “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. 26-27 “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” 28-29 When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard.

Matthew 7:13-29 MSG

When I read this I imagine a weaver, weaving yarn into a blanket. It’s like us weaving His Word into our lives and the more of His Word we weave into our lives, the more His Word becomes who we are and the less we sin. The more we take on His mind in every area of our lives, the more we will be equipped to do what He wants His body to do.

God Direction verses Good Intentions

In our church culture today we see a lot of good intentions but these good intentions do not line up with the Word of God. We must hold fast to the Word of God. We must submit to God’s way of worship if we want to be pleasing to Him. Unlike Love Feasts, which provides long-term strength for our spirits, church activities based upon good intentions alone, provide short-lived good feelings for our flesh. While activities based upon good intentions, may bring temporary joy and smiles, unless the activity has God’s hand over it, it will not please Him. Without His counsel and blessing over the activity, the activity itself or those supporting the activity becomes the focus, rather than Him. Obedience to the Word of God in our lives will keep us from coming up with our own ideas on how to worship Him. By doing the Word we will not be idolators and it will keep us safe from selfish ambition.

James 3:13-18 gives us insight into what we may not see when we are accustomed to joining in on good intentions that God has not blessed.

13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:13-18 ESV

We need to make sure that we are getting our wisdom and direction from the Word of God and not coming up with our own ideas. We do not want to take part of demonic wisdom.

In 2 Samuel 6:1-11 we see that David, the one after God’s own heart, had the best of intentions in bringing the ark of God to Jerusalem. However, even David’s good intentions, met with disaster because David did not consult God and therefore did not follow God’s guidelines for moving the ark of God.

1David consulted with the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with every leader. 2And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and from the Lord our God, let us send abroad to our brothers who remain in all the lands of Israel, as well as to the priests and Levites in the cities that have pasturelands, that they may be gathered to us. 3Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.” 4All the assembly agreed to do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. 5 So David assembled all Israel from the Nile of Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim. 6And David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim that belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord who sits enthroned above the cherubim. 7And they carried the ark of God on a new cart, from the house of Abinadab, and Uzzah and Ahio were driving the cart. 8And David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets. 9And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. 11And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzza to this day. 12And David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?” 13So David did not take the ark home into the city of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 14And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had.

1 Chronicles 13

However, upon realizing and processing the situation, David turned to God for counsel before consulting with others. We can see in 1 Chronicles 15 that when David allowed God to guide his good intentions, and obeyed God’s guidelines, his good intentions were met with success and joy. It is clear that God was pleased.

1David built houses for himself in the city of David. And he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. 2Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the Lord had chosen them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister to him forever. 3And David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to its place, which he had prepared for it. 4And David gathered together the sons of Aaron and the Levites: 5of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, with 120 of his brothers; 6of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, with 220 of his brothers; 7of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, with 130 of his brothers; 8of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, with 200 of his brothers; 9of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, with 80 of his brothers; 10of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, with 112 of his brothers. 11Then David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar, and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab, 12and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites. Consecrate yourselves, you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. 13Because you did not carry it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” 14So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. 15And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord. 16David also commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments, on harps and lyres and cymbals, to raise sounds of joy. 17So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari, their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; 18and with them their brothers of the second order, Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. 19The singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were to sound bronze cymbals; 20Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play harps according to Alamoth; 21but Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziahwere to lead with lyres according to the Sheminith. 22Chenaniah, leader of the Levites in music, should direct the music, for he understood it. 23Berechiah and Elkanah were to be gatekeepers for the ark. 24Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, should blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were to be gatekeepers for the ark. 25 So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lordfrom the house of Obed-edomwith rejoicing. 26And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 27David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as also were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers and Chenaniah the leader of the music of the singers. And David wore a linen ephod. 28 So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, to the sound of the horn, trumpets, and cymbals, and made loud music on harps and lyres. 29And as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.

1 Chronicles 14 ESV

God takes obedience to His word very seriously, we need do the same, that is take obedience to His word seriously. .

1 Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel, for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land.
There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land; 2 there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. 3 Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it languish, and also the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens, and even the fish of the sea are taken away. 4 Yet let no one contend, and let none accuse, for with you is my contention, O priest. 5 You shall stumble by day; the prophet also shall stumble with you by night; and I will destroy your mother. 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

Hosea 4:1-6 ESV

Gatherings

Gathering together is when God brings His people together to pour into one another, to build up, encourage, and take care of one another. We are to be one body with Christ’s mind, not a body each with our own minds. It is so beautiful when people genuinely live like this. Those who live in this manner look to scripture for all directions. They learn how to deal with conflict from scripture, not their own feelings. They do not live their lives based off culture, but live their lives based off the Word of God in every area of life.

Let’s look at some other churches in scripture for examples of what we should look like when we gather together. You will see some of these churches were struggling to live out what God had called them to do. A lot of these churches were made up of gentiles, who didn’t have the same understanding of God that the devout Jews had in Acts. Some of these people were not one heart and one mind with each other, they lived in their flesh not in God’s Holy Spirit.

We can learn from the teachings and correction that they received from the early church leaders when they were taught how to live as one with the mind of Christ.

Encouraging the Body

In 1 Corinthians and Ephesians we see what we should do when we gather.

26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

1 Corinthians 14:26-33 ESV

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:17-21 ESV

We see from these scriptures something totally different than what we see in church culture today. We need to understand that what we see described in scripture is how the church is suppose to gather, no matter what we have been taught or conditioned to believe is church. The way God designed His body to worship Him will encourage and equip us to live out the scriptures in our own lives.

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

Encourage means - give support, confidence, or hope to (someone), persuade (someone) to do or continue to do something by giving support and advice, stimulate the development of (an activity, state, or belief)

Encourage does not mean to give flattery. We are to encourage God’s people, His church, with the Word of God, not flattery based off of feelings. If a prophetic word is given, it must be tested to ensure that it is from God (1 John 4:1-3).

In Hebrews 10 we see we must continue to meet together to stir each other up. We are actually to study how to stir one another up. We must ask the Holy Spirit how to love each other deeply and how to stir each other up. To do this we must be in the everyday lives of one another. We must know one another and choose to deeply love each other. This is not something that happens at a once a week meeting. This is being a family and working together as one body. It is not always easy, but it is required.

23 So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word. 24 And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, 25 Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25 AMPC

Instructions on Love Feast

Now let’s look at what eating together should look like. In Jude 1:12, he calls believers gathering together and eating, a love feast. When we eat together and remember what Jesus did for us, we are to come with submissive hearts, ready to love God, and love His people. In 1 Corinthians 11 the believers where not loving each other. Paul is correcting them and teaching them what their love feast should look like.

17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 ESV

We see these very important points here:

These love feasts are to be modeled after the Lord’s Supper. They are to be focused on what He did for us.

Everyone should bring food to share if possible. If some do not have the finances to bring food, then other believers should bring extra to share because they genuinely love God’s body. They should not bring extra food out of obligation.
You must examine yourself before the partaking of the love feast. No one attending a love feast should knowingly be practicing sin.

Now let’s talk about 1 Corinthians 11:17-19

1 Corinthians 11:17-19 ESV

We know from other scriptures that this is not pleasing to God. These types of situations are to be dealt with according to scripture and not passively allowed in the body.

We also need to be aware that these love feast are only for believers. We get this understanding from scripture when God told Moses and Aaron who could take part in Passover. The Lord’s Supper came from passover. All of our love feast are for God’s children. They are not rituals or parties they are times of worship with our God.

43 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the statute of the Passover: no foreigner shall eat of it, 44 but every slave that is bought for money may eat of it after you have circumcised him. 45 No foreigner or hired worker may eat of it. 46 It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the flesh outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones.47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 48 If a stranger shall sojourn with you and would keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised. Then he may come near and keep it; he shall be as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it. 49 There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.” 50 All the people of Israel did just as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron. 51 And on that very day the Lord brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts.

Exodus 12:43-51 ESV

To see more on this topic please look at: Judge Right & Give Correction

Confess Sin to One Another

Another area that needs to be covered when we gather is confessing sin. When we gather, we need to confess sin to one another. So that the sin is out in the open. Putting sin in the open allows us to have freedom and forgiveness.

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 5:16 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 ESV

We also see in the days of Nehemiah the children of Israel practiced this and we are also meant to practice it.

1 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. 2 And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God.

Nehemiah 9:1-3 ESV

Confessing sin to God and to other believers is a normal practice that God requires His children to do. It is very important, after people confess their sin and repent, that we forgive them and comfort them.

In 2 Corinthians 2 Paul is addressing a situation when the church had to remove a person practicing sin from their gathering. In this section of scripture, Paul is telling the people to forgive this person and comfort them. This tells us that this particular person must have repented, because we are not to bring back into the church gathering a person who continually practices sin. This scripture gives us our blueprint how to forgive and comfort someone who has a repentant heart.

5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

2 Corinthians 2:5-11 ESV

We see from the next two sections of scriptures that we are not to invite people who are practicing sin into our gatherings. Even if they call themselves believers. This is a completely different concept than what happens in our culture today. Evangelism is for outside the church gathering not inside.

1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 ESV

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Ephesians 5:1-11 ESV

Giving to the Body

Giving is another area in church culture that has been abused and perverted over the years. We are going to look at two types of giving; giving financial and material resources to the body and Jesus giving gifts to the body for the maturing of the saints.

Giving Financial and Material Resources

The teaching hasn’t been biblical in a lot of cases and the funds have been misused. We must learn from scripture how God wants His resources to be allocated. We see from scripture that God didn’t only require a tithe of ten percent from the ground, but He also required contributions and first fruits. His desire is for all of His children to be taken care of. We don’t see in scripture where the people serving God are to get rich or to build kingdoms for themselves on this earth. We see from scripture His resources are to provide food and goods for the people that were ministering for God, so they had time to minister to God’s people. If these provisions were not collected for them, then they would have had to work the land themselves. They wouldn’t have had the time to perform the duties of God.

44 On that day men were appointed over the storerooms, the contributions, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them the portions required by the Law for the priests and for the Levites according to the fields of the towns, for Judah rejoiced over the priests and the Levites who ministered. 45 And they performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did the singers and the gatekeepers, according to the command of David and his son Solomon. 46 For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. 47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers; and they set apart that which was for the Levites; and the Levites set apart that which was for the sons of Aaron.

Nehemiah 12:44-47 ESV

Now let’s look at the church in Acts. These devout Jews already knew from the law what God’s desire was for taking care of His people. They knew from scripture they were to take care of the needs of the ministers of the gospel, they needed to share with the poor, and the widows.

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Acts 4:32-37 ESV

We are not only to take care of and share our resources with the believers we live life with, but we are also to do the same with the believers we do not know.

1 Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

2 Corinthians 9:1-15 ESV

We need to understand that this way of life calls us to a much higher standard of living. It is not focused on worldly cultural and worldly things. God’s children are to be focused on God’s culture, His ways. In God’s culture we are not to store up treasures here on earth, we are to use all of our resources to take care of His body and to promote His gospel.

Here are more instructions on how we are to handle the resources God gives us.

1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:1-4 ESV

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Matthew 6:19-24 ESV

If you are greedy, you are not walking with Him and if you are storing up treasures here on earth, you don’t truly understand that your home is in heaven.

17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV

You may not believe that you are rich because you are only thinking about the world you live in. I challenge you to examine your life. Our perspective of our needs is different than God’s perspective.

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:25-34 ESV

While we are to share our resources with one another, we are not to give to the idle people. We are to take care of His people living out His purposes for their lives on this earth.

10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 ESV

We even have specific instruction of how to take care of widows. We see through this section of scripture that there was a regular allotment for them. This shows us that there is to be a storage of resources to supply the needs of people.

3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

1 Timothy 5:3-16 ESV

We are also to look after orphans.

27 External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.

James 1:27 AMPC

Here is directions for taking care of leadership in the church.

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

1 Timothy 5:17-18 ESV

Paul tells us in Philippians how he was cared for.

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:10-20 ESV

We see from all these scriptures that the believers took care of one another’s needs. These people were not trying to get rich or build their kingdoms on earth. They knew this world was not their home and that they were only here to do the will of the Father. Their real homes are with God.

Jesus gave gifts for the maturity of His body.

We are all a part of the body, which means we are all to contribute to the body. God didn’t create His body for only a few select to be admired or serve and the rest to be observers. This is unbiblical. We must remember we are all called to serve the body. We need to understand from scripture what Jesus expects from His people.

24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Luke 22:24-27 ESV

In Ephesians 4 we see Christ handed out gifts to the body. These gifts are gift of service to His people they are not for receiving glory. They were given to mature His body. These gifts are from Him and have nothing to do with natural abilities. They were given so that the whole body would grow up into maturity. God does not want His body to stay immature. Every single person in His body is to grow up into maturity. Jesus gave these gifts for the purpose of discipling His people, so that everyone in the body grows up and learns to master sin.

These gifts are from Him and have nothing to do with natural abilities. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:8-16 ESV

As we grow up we are to submit to one another. We are to have the attitude of servants and none of us are to be in competition for our own glory. We should all be seeking God for what to bring to a gathering and no one should try to control the gathering.