Forsaking the Assembling

Considering the

UNderlying Problems

UN-Faithful

Romans 10:17“Faith comes

by hearing and hearing

by the word of God.”

• Our faith must be based solely on the word of God.

• To do something not authorized by God’s word is unfaithful. We are guilty of committing a sin.

• To NOT do something is God’s word is equally unfaithful! We are guilty of a sin of omission (cf. Jas. 4:17).

• Those who chose not to assemble with the saints fail to do something God has commanded, demonstrating a failure of faith!

UN-FaithfulHebrews 10:23-2723 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 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. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

Assembling, not “assembly”

• We must not forsake any of the assembling of ourselves together• It infers the possibility of a plurality of assemblies – Acts 2:46; 20:7;

1 Cor. 16:1-2

UN-FaithfulHebrews 10:23-2723 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 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. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

Various types of first century assemblies…• Brotherly discipline – 1 Cor. 5:4-5• The council at Jerusalem – Acts 15:6• To break bread – Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17-18• To pray – Acts 12:5, 12• To lay by in store – 1 Cor. 16:2• To give reports of the work of the gospel – Acts 14:27; 15:30

UN-FaithfulHebrews 10:23-2723 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 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. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

The Greek word (enkataleipo) here means to forsake, abandon, leave in straits, or helpless (Vines); totally abandon, utterly forsake (Strong’s).

• Must one cease assembling for an extended period of TIME in order to be considered forsaking?

• Other uses of the Greek word dismiss this idea…• Jesus on the cross (3 hours) – Matt. 27:46• Jesus in the grave (3 days & 3 nights) – Acts 2:27• Demas (indefinitely) – 2 Tim. 4:10• Paul (indefinitely) – 2 Tim. 4:16• Jesus toward us (indefinitely) – Heb. 13:5

UN-FaithfulHebrews 10:23-2723 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 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. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

The Greek word (enkataleipo) here means to forsake, abandon, leave in straits, or helpless (Vines); totally abandon, utterly forsake (Strong’s).

• Some argue one cannot forsake an assembly, but must forsake more than one to be considered forsaking (i.e., FREQUENCY).• The examples just cited demonstrate this an errant conclusion.• How many times must we sin to be considered sinning?

UN-FaithfulHebrews 10:23-2723 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 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. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

The Greek word (enkataleipo) here means to forsake, abandon, leave in straits, or helpless (Vines); totally abandon, utterly forsake (Strong’s).

• Some rationalize that because they are NOT NEEDED at an assembly, they are not forsaking (i.e., leaving in straights).• The words “without wavering” expose this error• Citing Jesus as our example of faithfulness reproves this idea• The idea of “one another” set forth in the context implies need

UN-FaithfulTime, frequency and perceived need have no bearing on the word “forsake” in this passage– 3 hours or 3 months – there is no difference – 1 time or 10 times – there is no difference– Whether you feel needed or not is irrelevant to the

passage’s mandate

• Forsaking the assembling is basically a choice!

UN-FaithfulHebrews 10:23-2723 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 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. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

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