The central issue is whether it is Scriptural to worship with others of like precious faith but away from a called assembly.

In searching the Scriptures we find Jesus himself promised to be with two or more when they meet in his name. This would be a large or small group, a worship service or simply some brethren meeting to discuss issues such as this.

The charge that an assumption is false because it is not based on specific Scripture is misleading. Using our common sense and reason coupled with circumstances and necessary inference can lead us to a rationale explanation. In this case we see by the express direction of the Holy Spirit Philip explained the gospel to the eunuch. We can easily conclude, because of his exalted position and having received personal teaching that he was encouraged to start congregations in Ethiopia. After all, the apostles and disciples hadn’t been across the Red Sea.

Today, evangelists travel in pairs to new territory to insure they are able to share the communion.
Like our vacationers who are not alone, they are with others, including our Christ. As cited in Mt 18:20, “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

There are examples of temporary worship services in the Bible. While the purpose of the visit of evangelists is more holy I would think claiming a vacationer is forsaking the assembly when they are assembling is twisting Scripture to support something that is not there.

Furthermore, if one’s employment takes him to an area not served by an established congregation is he to refuse the job? Or can he accept it and list his home in the church directory. It’s the same family, is the one better than the other?

The Hebrew writer is chastising those who forsake the assembly for frivolous reasons. For example, staying out the night before and sleeping in shows an indifference to Christ. Families meeting with singing, prayers, lessons, communion and placing aside a contribution cannot be considered in the same category as they are much more diligent in their service. Incidentally, the church at Corinth placed aside their collection for the arrival of Paul to take it on to Jerusalem. Why then would it be wrong for a family to set aside their contribution until they return to their home congregation?

The main issue is whether a family is authorized to meet away from their home congregation. Many say yes, some say no. We have to ask, are the lessons less important? Is the singing less beautiful? Are the prayers not heard? I think they are and I would not censure anyone from going out into the world and being an example to others. This would be an excellent opportunity to be a light unto others as we practice Godly worship.

Comparing our modern lives to the life lived by a first century apostle (Paul) who was called by the Lord to establish the Church in various regions, is in my opinion, fallacious. As for the eunuch, all we KNOW is what is written. To say he had no place to worship is an argument based totally on assumption with the only obvious objective being to justify forsaking of the assembly.
I do not believe it is the Christian's obligation to make people believe what you believe. Our obligation is to make a sound biblical case for our faith in all points. People will not always be convinced. Many of Christ's discourses left people behind who were unconvinced by His arguments but I would hardly say that made him a failure as a teacher. Know the word. Follow it. Do not let nay-sayers weaken your faith.

I appreciate you taking time to provide an answer to this question. However, it doesn't answer the arguments presented to us by those attempting to get us to go with them on vacations. ex.-What about Paul taking Luke with him after his appeal to Caesar (knowing the trip would require him to miss at least one Lords Day)? -What about the early persecuted Christians who had to meet secretly at a different location each time? -What about the converted eunuch having no congregation near for worship after he was baptized?

These questions are confusing to me and I honestly can't find an answer for them. But I can see from your answer this is definitely the safe path to take. Thank you again.
JL

Excellent response! Thank you brother.

On 11/14/2009 10:45:53 PM Sean McCallister Said:

Dear JL,

What does it mean to assemble? I believe we can understand that to mean, "come together," as stated in 1 Corinthians 11:17,18,20,33 and 34; as well as 1 Corinthians 14:23,26.

The command to assemble is clear in Hebrews 10:25, therefore the need for a place of assembly is also implied and understood. Though the early church did not always have church buildings as such, they did have public places for the purpose of assembly. This was nothing new to them as the synagogue was also used for the same purpose. In fact, the word for synagogue (sun-a-go-ge) means congregation, and also stood to mean the place where the congregation assembled.

The church, or assembly, is referred to in only two ways throughout the New Testament: in general (including all those obedient to the gospel) and congregational. Of the two, only the congregational church can assemble together. Hebrews 10:25 is commanding us to be in a congregation for worship.

Temporary congregations are not recorded in scripture. Even though the entire family may be Christians this would not constitute a congregation unless the family was committed to establishing permanency. Permanency why? Because the churches of the New Testament were permanent, for example, "the church at Corinth," "the church at Colosse," "the church at Ephesus," etc. these were established not temporary.

A congregation must have a location to meet as noted above. Also a congregation must have leadership to govern it's activity, such as when Paul told Titus to "ordain elders in every city, as I have appointed thee:" (Titus 1:5). Do temporary churches have established leadership? No.

A congregation must have an evangelistic plan. In Acts 8:4, the people who fled persecution in one city went preaching in other cities. Temporary churches seldom make their presence known. Php 2:14, "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: Php 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" Congregations are to be the beacon of Christ in the community. Paul wrote to the congregation at Colosse, Col 4:5 "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." This is an admonition to individual Christians as well as the individual congregations.

A congregation must take up the contribution. The contribution of funds was established in every congregation, for example, 1Co 16:1 "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 1Co 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." If a temporary congregation takes up a collection (which is an item of worship), how then shall it distribute the Lord's money? The distribution of the Lord's money is a congregation's business. Temporary churches often just save the collection and put it in the permanent congregation's basket the following Sunday, give it all to charity, or keep it for their own group.

In essence, a temporary congregation just becomes a branch or satellite of a permanent congregation and this violates the commands of the New Testament undivided, scripturally-led assembly.

Someone may ask, "What if the weather prevents us from making it to the regular assembly? Or sickness? Or unplanned hindrance? If a person is physically hindered without willful choice then he is not sinning when he misses the assembly. Even apostles found themselves unable to assemble at times. Peter was in prison while the church was assembled, Acts 12:4-17 yet he didn't say he had sinned in that kind of hindrance. We can also read of John on the island of Patmos in prison and he didn't write of sinning either.

Friend, there is a difference in willfully forsaking the assembly and being unwillingly hindered. To worship the Lord requires sacrifice on our part. Luk 9:23 "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Choosing when and where to vacation may require sacrifice in order to assemble with those of like precious faith and be pleasing to God.