“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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” (Heb 10:24–25 ESV).
The Meaning of Forsaking the Assembly
What does the scripture mean by forsake? The word “forsake” comes from the Greek word εγκαταλειπω, egkataleipo, which means to “1. leave behind, leave, allow to remain; 2. forsake, abandon, desert” (BDAG 54). As a person may practice sinning in stealing or reviling, the apostle instructed Christians not to practice the sin of forsaking by leaving this assembly behind.
Does this mean that someone who forsakes the assembly once is sinning, or is this a sin if this is a continual act? How many times must someone miss the assembly in order to be forsaking it? One intentional or neglectful disregard for the assembly is a sin. However, the problem was that these had made it “a habit,” a practiced behavior, and have left the assembly behind. Continuing in such behavior is forsaking the assembly. All the occurrences of egkataleipo in the Bible reveals that forsaking can include just a one time act and not just an abandonment of assembling (Matt 27:46; Mark 15:34; Acts 2:27; Rom 9:29; 2 Cor 4:9; 2 Tim 4:10, 16; Heb 13:5). However, Christians are reasonable to infer that those who are sick, disabled, or caring for the disabled are not forsaking the assembly.
The Meaning of “the Assembly”
Which assembly are Christians not to forsake? A literal translation of Hebrews 10:25 is “the assembly of ourselves.” In Hebrews 10:25, assembly is not accurately translated “assembling” as a participle or “to meet” as an infinitive. This translation is misleading. This word is a noun neither a participle nor an infinitive; although, this word is translated in the NKJV as “assembling.”
“Assembly” is a meeting, a gathering, a congregation. The article “the” is in Hebrews 10:25 according to the NKJV but not in the ESV. The Greek article is present in this passage and operates to specify that this assembly is “the assembly” or “the gathering” from the Greek επισυναγωγη, episunagoge. This word only appears twice in the New Testament. The other use is for the day of gathering to the Lord ( 2 Thess 2:1). However, there are other references to “the assembly,” and that assembly has a specific meaning throughout the Christian Scriptures (1 Cor 11:22; 14:5; 12, 33, 34; Col 4:16; 2 Thess 1:4). The Scriptures refer to the assembly as a specific gathering where Christians met to partake of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week. This is the assembly that consisted of teaching, singing, and praying. Hebrews 10:25 is not referring to Bible studies, home devotionals, or any other gatherings and meetings of the congregation for other works. There is precedent for Christians meeting often together apart from the assembly (Acts 2:46; 20:20).
Can “the assembly” include a second meeting on the Lord’s Day? The Christians in Troas did meet in the evening but that does appear as their only meeting on that day (Acts 20:7–12). The assembly is when every member gathers together to partake of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:22–34; 14:23). The elders of the church should decide when the assembly occurs and how to attend to those who must work, cannot attend for disability, or are giving care. This may include another meeting to attend to others in the evening. The Scriptures do not present 2 or 3 assemblies for different parties, styles, and conveniences of the congregation, but there is one assembly where the whole congregation gathers together. However, this does not mean that Christians cannot meet more than once in a day.
The Consequences of Forsaking the Assembly
Should Christians withdraw from those who forsake the assembly? Those who forsake the assembly have withdraw from God, Christ, and the church — the body of Christ. When one forsakes the assembly, they are no longer communing with Christ (1 Cor 10:16). They are no longer walking in the light and no longer have the forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:6–2:6). They have withdrawn from the congregation and the church that Jesus bought with His blood. They are forsaking “stirring one another to love and good works” (Heb 10:24). These Christians who forsake the assembly are practicing sin.
If someone forsakes the assembly and took the Lord’s Supper in one’s own home, this is disobeying God’s instruction and precedent for partaking of the Lord’s Supper in the assembly (1 Cor 11:17–34). However, there may exist occasions when one may only have the option of partaking of the Lord’s Supper alone or not at all. Paul may have been in this position when at sea (Acts 27). Each Christian must decide for oneself. Those forsaking the assembly are also forsaking congregational singing, congregational prayers, and congregational edification received from teaching (1 Cor 14:3, 6, 12, 15, 18; 16:1–3; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). Christ built the church (Matt 16:18). The church is there for the edification of every Christian (1 Cor 14).
Disassociating from Those Who Sin
How can anyone withdraw from the withdrawn? Disassociating describes withdrawal. Christians are not to associate or eat with anyone who practices fornication, greediness, idolatry, reviling, drunkenness, and extortion. The idea is to remove the evil and sin from the midst of the congregation. Paul commanded this withdrawal for when Christians gather in Jesus’s name (1 Cor 5). Likewise, Christians are to treat a person who personally offends and does not repent like a tax collector or heathen (Matt 18:17). Christians are also to avoid all divisive brethren and false teachers (Rom 16:17; Titus 3:10). Christians are to withdraw from those who walk in idleness and do not work to provide for themselves (2 Thess 3:6).
No scripture specifically refers to withdrawing from those who forsake the assembly. The only scripture that may apply to withdrawing from those who have left the church and forsake the assembly is 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15. However, this application is questionable because Paul wrote, “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother” (2 Thess 3:14–15). According to the context, this obedience was for all Christians to work to eat.
If forsaking the assembly continues, a congregation is not wrong to note and no longer associate with them when they have good reason to believe that this will restore the lost. Withdrawal takes place first in the assembly and as much outside of it by not eating with the one who openly continues in sin (1 Cor 5). Christians may have friends who are forsaking the assembly and yet seeking to keep the friendship active. This is when Christians should consider withdrawing to restore the apostate. Someone may face a decision when the congregation withdraws from a sinning family member. If this is one’s spouse, that Christian must maintain the marriage unless the sin is fornication (1 Cor 7:11–15; cf. Matt 19:9). However, whatever the relationship, one may withdrawal spiritually including no longer praying together over meals or consenting to a sinful spouse leading the prayer.
Withdrawal is for the purpose to cause one to repent (1 Cor 5; 2 Cor 2:5–11; 2 Thess 3:14). Because Christians find it hard and may want to avoid withdrawal, these circumstances should compel Christians even more to restore souls (Gal 6:1; Jas 5:19–20).
Holy Father, help us to reach lost souls. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Seeing God's Breath 
Jeff,
I hope I’ve shown you no disrespect. I just wanted to discuss our unity and differences, because I don’t understand your beliefs. My points are under each quotation.
“Re: one-cup, no Bible class, etc. churches: Yes, they are in practice non-institutional. That’s largely because they divided from the other churches decades before institutionalism became an issue, back when almost all churches of Christ were in practice, if not theory, NI (and those few that sent money to Bible colleges kept it quiet). Confusing them with the NI churches that were ‘quarantined’ in the 1950s and 1960s is not uncommon, but it’s along the lines of, say, assigning the issues of the ICOC to conservative institutional churches.”
*Don’t be so defensive. I’m not going to attack you. I’ve studied our history extensively, but I cannot say that we were non-institutional. We did have Christians schools from Bethany College to Nashville Bible School (Lipscomb) to West Tennessee Christian College (Freed-Hardeman) and this was before the issue in the 50s and 60s.
“Re: “not see[ing] error in buying songbooks, Bibles, powerpoint equipment, carpeting the building, and other things”… I agree. I’m not aware of any NI church where that’s ever been an issue.”
*That’s my point. It is not issue, but there is no authorization for it or using the church’s collection in the Scriptures. Help me to understand. Is this inconsistent? How is it consistent?
“Re: a separate collection for orphans’ homes, my question is why we need orphans’ homes at all, aside from tradition? Why not adopt? Why not foster?”
*I think that orphans are better served by “institutions” like Agape that provide foster parents or adoption. Foster parents are still orphanages, so please be more specific on what kind of orphans home that is an issue.
“Re: benevolence for non-Christians, we usually inform them we can’t help them from the treasury, and then individual members help them as we can. I don’t know of anyone whose story made any sense that we’ve turned away (and several whose stories had holes in them that we helped anyway). Obviously, I can’t speak for every NI church/Christian in America, though.”
*I know. I believe that the non-instutitional brethren are good givers. This is not in question. Why can’t you help from the collection? Is this something that separates us.
“Re: institutionalism in general, the issue usually boils down to one question: Are the church collective and the individual Christian effectively the same? … it’s clear it’s talking about the duty of the individual, not the collective. The same with Galatians 6:10, where the context (”each one” in previous verses) clearly indicates it’s talking about individuals. Thus, the only way such verses can apply is if the church and the individual are authorized to do the same things. I wrote briefly about this here, though never got around to the promised follow-up. Maybe this will motivate me to do that.”
*Individual giving or congregational giving is not the issue or debate for me and most of my like minded brethren. I know that some have argued that point, but I think neither side could conclude it. I find it fruitless to discuss except in regards to Gal. 6:10. If Gal 6:10 is only individuals, then does Gal. 6:6 only teach to give to evangelists individually?
“Soooooo…. how well has congregational funding of Bible colleges worked out for institutional churches? :)”
*It is not bad at all. False teachers have caused problems as they always do even throwing people out of churches (3 John 10). Let me make my case for schools. It is the role of the Church to educate. We also know that Paul taught in the school of Tyrannus. None of these are the issue. I also find that the Father is to “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4) and a child “is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.” (Gal. 4:2). Education by guardians and stewards are all a part of the institute of the home. What pattern shows that congregation cannot give to the Christian teachers like the Apostle Paul or to the homes? These teachers operate as members of the Church.
“Most of my CI friends and acquaintances agree when I say that even if I believed church funding of colleges was Scriptural, I’d strongly oppose it because of expedience. Look at the harm done by ACU, for example. Is there any question that the parasitic relationship between colleges and congregations has been to the detriment of the faith? Or that such institutions naturally try to fill the vaccuum left by the lack of a denominational structure?”
*No. I don’t agree at all. In fact, I know the opposite of rich men giving more than money, but their will. This is your opinion and I have mine. Will you not fellowship with my on this point?
“Re: reconciliation, it’s possible. My suspicion is that the original issue won’t be much of a problem, for the reason given above. CI churches don’t seem to me to be quite so enthusiastic for institutions as they once were now that they’ve felt the sting of most of those organizations. The stumbling blocks, IMO, will be peripheral issues (ex: fellowship halls) in which many/most NI Christians can’t participate in good conscience.”
*We’ve had members who did not believe in the use of the fellowship hall. They didn’t use it. They didn’t judge the others who did. I can respect that. We do need quit building such things, but that’s my opinion. Growing up, my home congregations made “youth room” from personal donations and then eventual built another wing. As a teen, I don’t see the need and I still don’t, but I respect the elders on this. At the same time, I have an office at the church [one of the classrooms].
**What can we do to unite even if we have differing convictions? What must the institutional churches do to not offend your consciences? Will you fully accept us if we do not agree?
Thanks Jeff. Grace and peace to you in Christ.
LikeLike
Why am I judged for teaching to not forsake the Assembly (Heb. 10:25) and teaching to note and not keep company with those who disobey the Word (2 Thess. 3:14)?
LikeLike
Hebrews 10:24-25,
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (NKJV).
– this verse was pulled from its context and given a meaning other than what it called for…
what was the “day approaching” why did the writter even say that?? I think you could have included what the Day was, that was approaching and then we will understand why they were to exhort each other.
How many church days can be missed before you boot someone from church? Who makes these rules? These rules vary from church to church – so much for the pattern
LikeLike
We all sin more then we probably even know. Making man-made patterns might even be a sin…
LikeLike
Yes, I’m a sinner and I don’t sin every or every day, but I think I would be foolish to say that I don’t sin once or more a month. I do not live a life of sin.
not inclined to overstatement huh?……….
lee
LikeLike
Scott said: You show Him fellowshiping the world, but not Him disfellowshiping those who reject Him like the Pharisees and teaching others to not keep company with those who do not repent.
Reply: Okay Scott, to clarify for anyone who doesn’t know, Jesus did not fellowship with the Pharisees. And His word tell us that someone who does not repent for their sins should be confronted.
Scott said: The Scriptures teach that one must disassociate from any so-called brother who publicly lives in sin and rebels.
Reply: I believe when someone has not any need to asked Jesus to forgive them, then their relationship with Jesus can be questionable.
Scott said: See, you assume that I’m making hard line and binding what is not bound. You also assume that I would rebuke and discipline with hatred and malice. This is judging by assumption. You judge like a Pharisee looking for error.
Reply: I would like to say to you that I am not trying to catch you in error. You asked me where I thought you were in error, and I replied. And seeing that you have said it is wrong for one to look for another to do or say something in error, which I agree with, I do hope you also would not do such a thing to anyone else and live up to this standard.
James 4:11-12
“Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?”
Scott said: Yes, I’m a sinner and I don’t sin every or every day, but I think I would be foolish to say that I don’t sin once or more a month. I do not live a life of sin.
Reply: Wow, you sin at most maybe 12 times within a year. From what I read here it seems you are pretty self-righteous. I can’t say I hardly ever sin, but I can say I have come out of many sinful ways in which I use to live, praise God. The apostle Paul revealed that though he wanted to do good he also did evil. Your boasting far exceeds what Paul said about himself.
Romans 7:14-25
“For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God–through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”
Scott said: One does not have to be sinless in order to honor the Bible teaching on this vital theme.” “Church Discipline – A Tragic Neglect”
Reply: I believe there are more problems with those who run others out of church those who imply in one way or another to others, that they don’t think they belong there to get out! There also is a bigger problem of trying to get people to come into church. Jesus tells us to be fishers of men, seems this isn’t regarded as much in many churches, for too many are too self-righteous to consider those “who are not good enough.” And those who are regarded as “not good enough” get this message about “club membership” made by men loud and clear and never enter a church.
And from what I have read from your writings and your boastings, according to these verses you should be disfellowshiped/disassociated.
Romans 12:3
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”
Romans 12:16
“Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”
LikeLike
“Truth”,
You cannot accept some of Christ’s words and reject the others. You show Him fellowshiping the world, but not Him disfellowshiping those who reject Him like the Pharisees and teaching others to not keep company with those who do not repent. These Scriptures above show Jesus in fellowship and teaching sinners and tax collectors. This is not the issue here. The Scriptures teach that forsaking the Assembly is wrong. One is not forsaking the Assembly when they are sick or bedridden. The Scriptures teach that one must disassociate from any so-called brother who publicly lives in sin and rebels (1 Cor. 5). Do you reject the words of Christ spoken through Paul, “deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus”? Should I neglect Christ’s words to keep your interpretation?
See, you assume that I’m making hard line and binding what is not bound. You also assume that I would rebuke and discipline with hatred and malice. This is judging by assumption. You judge like a Pharisee looking for error. I will and must rebuke (Luke 17:3-4) and I must do so in love and gentleness (Gal. 6:1). I must also discipline by the church.
Yes, I’m a sinner and I don’t sin every or every day, but I think I would be foolish to say that I don’t sin once or more a month. I do not live a life of sin.
“The allegation is sometimes made that since no one is perfect, no one really has the right to initiate discipline against another. Commonly, John 8:7 will be cited as a proof-text for this idea. ‘He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.’ Such is a woeful misuse of this passage. Two points need to be noted.
First, the Jews had brought a woman to Christ whom they claimed to have taken in the very act of adultery. They wanted the Lord to sanction her death (thus involving Him in difficulty with the Roman authorities). However, though the Old Testament law had clearly stated that both parties in an adulterous union must be executed, these Jews had brought only the woman. Hence, they had ignored the very law they pretended to honor.
Christ’s statement, therefore, as quoted above, was designed to highlight this inconsistency. It cannot be employed to militate against plain commands obligating the church to discipline the wayward.
Second, Paul was not “without sin,” and yet, he withdrew himself from evil brethren (1 Tim. 1:19, 20). One does not have to be sinless in order to honor the Bible teaching on this vital theme.” “Church Discipline – A Tragic Neglect” from ChristianCourier.com .
LikeLike
Scott,
Can you say you have ever attended a church service, without committing some kind of sin within the week before or the very day you attended, for you too are a sinner sitting in that assembly? And remember if you say you have not sinned you are calling God a liar.
And what about those who are completely bedridden and never able to assemble in a church building, so another Christian goes to their house to worship with them?
If a church was to put a sign up saying only perfect people allowed, guess what you wouldn’t be able to attend there.
Matthew 9:10-13
“Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Matthew 12:1-8
“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!” But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. But if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice,” you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
LikeLike
Then we agree. Why are you so offended by the article? Where do I err? What should I change? Why do believe I interpret the Bible into error? Please, show me. You do imply without evidence that I am contrary to others in understanding the Bible.
LikeLike
My bias is towards Jesus.
My focus is on Jesus, for He is the only One who ever walked the earth without sin, which makes Him the only One who can save any of us from our sins.
Matthew 22:37-40
“Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
James 2:8-10
“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”
LikeLike