The Essentiality of Attendance

By: Ben F Vick

24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 10:24-31

This passage shows the essentiality of assembling with the saints. Forsaking the assembly of the saints on the Lord's day is a willful sin, which if not repented of, will cost one his soul. This is a sobering thought. When one forsakes the assembly; that is, he turns his back on it, he also turns his back on those things connected with the assembly. We recognize that there is more to Christianity than the worship assembly. Some mistakenly think that is all there is to being a Christian. So, consider the things connected to the assembly in the context of the above quote.

To forsake the assembly is to turn one's back on the sacrifice of Christ. Paul wrote, "And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:11-12).

To forsake the worship assembly is to reject the covenant purchased with the blood of Christ. "Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;" (Hebrews 10:15-16). It is a new covenant, established upon better promises. The new covenant includes the necessity of assembling with the saints on the Lord's day.

The Holy Spirit's words which Paul quoted also include these lines: "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin" (Hebrews 10:17-18). To forsake the assembly of the saints is to disdain the blessings of the gospel, specifically, the forgiveness of sins.The heaviest burden that anyone can bear is his sin. So, the greatest need in the world is the forgiveness of one's sins. Why would anyone turn his back on this wonderful promise?

To abandon the worship assembly is to turn from the new and living way which Jesus consecrated for us.The Apostle to the Gentiles wrote, "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh" (Hebrews 10:19-20).

To turn one's back on the assembly is to spurn the new high priest, Jesus Christ.Paul wrote, "And having an high priest over the house of God" (Hebrews 10:21). Why would anyone want to turn his back on Christ? He was tempted in all points as we, yet did not yield. He understands, though does not approve of the ignorant and erring. He desires that we approach the throne of God with boldness. He made the perfect sacrifice for us.

To willfully abstain from the assembly is to turn away from one's baptism. See II Peter 1:9. The Hebrew writer said, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:22).

To turn away from the assembly of the saints is to reject one's profession of faith. Paul admonished "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)" (Hebrews 10:23). One who has forsaken the assembly has turned away from the profession of his faith. Prior to one's baptism one confesses or professes his faith in Christ (Acts 8:37). Then, as he lives the Christian life, he is professing his faith (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10). However, when one turns from the assembly, he is denying his faith.

To forsake the assembly of the saints is to disregard one's brothers and sisters in Christ.  We all need encouragement. We all need to be admonished. One of the places where this takes place is in the worship assembly. Paul wrote, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25). Verse 24 tells us we are to consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. Verse 25 tells us how to do that, which is by not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together..., but exhorting one another. Yes first and foremost, our worship is directed to God (John 4:24); but an added benefit of the worship is to encourage each other to love and good works. Assembling with the saints is a duty, a privileged duty. It is essential to our salvation.