|
The Assembly |
|
|
|
I have been asked to explain a little about the Assembly and their practices. What I would like to to is to address the issues directly and these are:
|
|
I have also been asked about the peculiarities of a particular assembly. To answer this, let me state that the Scriptures are silent about how we sit during the meetings. The majority of meetings have some sort of circle, with a table containing the Bread and Wine as the centre point. On a Sunday Morning, those of us in Fellowship will gather round the emblems to remember our Lord Jesus, as commanded by Him (see Luke 22v19). The best way for us to do this is to sit with everyone focusing upon the emblems and what they represent. The bread is symbolic of Christ's body, and as the meeting progresses someone will give thanks and break it. The body of Jesus was broken upon the cross for us. The wine represents Christ's blood, and again (normally after the bread has been passed round for everyone in fellowship to take a part of) someone will give thanks, and this time it will be poured out into a cup. The blood of Jesus was shed upon the cross for us. For more details, please look at 1 Corinthians 11v20-29 |
|
Now to answer the questions above:
1. Why do women where hats (or head coverings?) The simple answer is that the Bible commands it. In 1 Corinthians 11v1-16, we are told that the woman must have a covering on her head. Some would say that this command was only for the Corinthians. However, if that was the case, then it would not be included in the Bible that we have today. We cannot pick and choose which portions of Scripture we follow and which we don't. If we are a Christian, then we follow all of it and believe all of it.
|
|
2. Why are women silent during the meetings? The answer for this again is that the Bible commands it to be so in 1 Corinthians 14v34-38. Verse 37 of this chapter tells us that "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." Therefore, Paul is telling us that these words are the commands of the Lord and are to be followed as such. Many today are ignoring this.
|
|
3. Why is there no minister? The answer to this is not so easy to find. However, Scripture does not advocate someone to be paid for leading the church. A "one man" ministry is not found in Scripture anywhere. Paul writes many letters through the New Testament, and he does not write a single letter to an individual. He always writes to the Elders and the assembly, but never to a pastor or minister. The word Pastor really means Shepherd, one who cares for the flock. I understand that some modern Pastors really do care for their flock, but they still are paid for it and this is not found in Scripture anywhere. Therefore, we do not have a minister because we feel it would be against what Scripture is teaching us.
|
|
4. Why is it that those in Assembly Fellowship will not attend other Churches? This is the most difficult one to answer with Scriptural teaching in mind. Scripture warns us again and again that there will be some who will come, preaching that which is not the Word of God and teaching error. Therefore, some feel that the only way to protect ourselves is to remain in our fellowships and avoid all others. They feel that they then have some control over what they hear and see.
|
|
The answers above are the answers that I present to you. However, there may be some who would either disagree or have a slightly different answer to give. My advice to all, is base your answer on the Scriptures and speak to those who have been on the Christian path a long time. Make the most of some the experiences of those older. Most of them have made the same mistakes, asked the same questions and found the same answers. If you require further assistance, please contact me and I will try to help. |