The Christian Assembly
Some people go to church because it is what they do. They haven’t thought about it much more than that. Others think they have to attend or be in trouble with God. Others are looking for a spiritual experience, kind of a non-drug-induced high that makes them feel really good for a little while. The point of looking at the reasons why Christians meet is not to find out exactly what we should do. That is all mixed up with culture and the craziness that is people. The point is to gain what we are supposed to gain so we can shake off the outside world and think as spirits.
The governing principle for a gathering of Christians is in 1 Corinthians 14:24, “Let all things be done for edification.” Of the 33 figurative passages that describe how to edify (build) a person, the most common building material is sensibility – common sense – making faithful life seem really simple rather than horribly complicated and frightening. Common sense is not imparted by lecture, but by observation and conversation. A total of eight types of building materials are described, but common sense is the foundation.
Among the eight ways to build up (edify) one another when Christians get together, my number two is teaching selflessness by example. As we grow up, selflessness becomes more and more counter-intuitive. To overcome our self-constructed barriers, we need to see how selflessness works, not just learn about it from a book. So, we get together to observe and model connected spirits (fellow Christians), which only works if we know them, not just sit by them.
Among the eight ways to build up (edify) one another when Christians get together, my number three is thanksgiving. I suppose we each could do this one alone, but not every week goes that well, and manufacturing platitudes of thankfulness just plasters over the cracks in my attitude. So, we get together to be legitimately thankful for others and how things went well for them. In this, we teach selflessness by example (which was edification method number two). Remember, if you see an answer to prayer and thank God, you are late.
Among the eight ways to build up (edify) one another when Christians get together, my number four is singlemindedness: unity and fellowship. We do not assemble because we all believe the same things, but because we are of one heart and purpose despite believing differently. Being among those who are passionate about each other, warts and all, builds confidence to withstand the world. Fellowship is a connection between spirits. Physical connection illustrates spiritual connection with God and with “the spirits of just men made perfect.”
Among the eight ways to build up (edify) one another when Christians get together, my number five is compassion. God is compassionate with us so that we may be compassionate with others. We meet to be built up to face the world, to pass along what we have received, and to taste what God does.
Among the eight ways to build up (edify) one another when Christians get together, my number six is our collective fear for the lost. We have no fear for ourselves; “perfect love casts out fear.” Rather, our fear is for those on the outside; that’s what each “fear” context is about. We get together to plot how to rescue them, to share resources, to get help because we can’t do this fearful task alone.
Among the eight ways to build up (edify) one another when Christians get together, my number seven is the work of the Spirit. The faithful overcome themselves and are strengthened by the Spirit that dwells in them. Seeing yourself develop day by day is like seeing your kids grow. You see the little kid of memory rather than the big kid of reality. When the faithful gather, they are built up by the startlingly real growth of the others.
My eighth and final way to build up (edify) one another when Christians get together is teaching. But to qualify as edification, what subject matter do we teach? Not theory. Not practices. We teach selflessness, thanksgiving, singlemindedness, compassion, fear for the lost, and the work of the Spirit. From that beginning, the rest falls into place.
Thomas Theology Hub 