We are told that the Ethiopian Christians during the Communist regime multiplied greatly, in spite of being restricted. In fact, the restriction seems to be the seed that made them grow. Public gathering was prohibited, so they went, as we say, underground. They had cell groups and they met in secret. Their neighbors and friends gathered with them, and the church grew in great numbers.
That was the way it was in the early church, in some respect, because when the Romans began to persecute the church, the believers went underground, and they multiplied greatly. They outlived and out-died the Romans. That’s how it was in the time of the Reformation in 1500, too. The more the Reformers were persecuted, the more the movement grew. Throughout the history of the church, the statement “The blood of the martyrs became the seed of the church” has stood true.
Underground gathering and individualism are not normal for the church. The Greek word ekklesia means “a called-out body.” The church is not an individual matter. It is expected that the called-out body will meet for edification and worship. The place is not as important as the act and the attitude.
The writer of the book of Hebrews says it well because the church comes together for edification, exhortation, and comfort, as we learned in chapter 35. In Hebrews 10:23-25 we have a very important and definite counsel:
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one other 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.
You see, it is not so much the place as the reason. The gathering of the body is important.
Christians normally do not live in isolation. Now we have learned of a few believers in other countries who have said, “As far as I know, I’m the only Christian in my village.” So they live in isolation. They depend upon us and our radio broadcast with other Christian broadcasters for their fellowship.
In I Corinthians 14:23-33, Paul teaches us how to conduct the worship of the gathered body.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or [one] unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on [his] face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27 If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If [anything] be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Paul has several REQUI...
