The author of Hebrews gives a direct command in chapter 10 verse 25: “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (NLT). This verse highlights the importance of Christians continuing to meet together regularly for worship, teaching, prayer and fellowship. But why is this so important?
1. Meeting together is God’s design for the church
Throughout the New Testament, we see that the early church met together regularly. In Acts 2:42, Luke describes the first Christian community in Jerusalem: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” This set a pattern for churches throughout history to gather for teaching, communion, prayer and fellowship. Meeting together was integral to their Christian identity and formation as disciples. The church is described as Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 12:27) – and just as the different parts of a body need to be connected to function properly, so Christians need to be joined together in fellowship with one another.
2. Meeting together helps us worship God
When Christians gather together, an important part of their meetings is worshipping God together through singing, prayer, teaching, communion and giving. Hebrews 10:24-25 suggests that meeting together stirs us up to love and good works, including glorifying God together. There is a special power when voices are lifted together in praise that is not present when worshipping alone (Psalm 149:1). Jesus said that “where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). God inhabits the praises of his gathered people (Psalm 22:3). For these reasons, meeting together enhances our vertical relationship with God in worship.
3. Meeting together encourages us to love one another
Not only does meeting together with other believers help us worship God, it also facilitates loving and encouraging our fellow Christians. Again in Hebrews 10:24, we are instructed to meet together and “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” It is often within the context of Christian community that we learn to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), to “encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13), and to “build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Our horizontal relationships with other believers are strengthened when we meet together regularly.
4. Meeting together promotes growth through teaching and preaching
A regular part of Christian gatherings since the earliest church has been teaching and preaching from God’s Word. Acts 2:42 mentions that the first church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” Ephesians 4:11-13 indicates that pastors and teachers have been given to the church “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” The preached Word helps nourish, sustain and grow believers in their faith (1 Peter 2:2). It is primarily through Biblical teaching and preaching within the gathered church community that we grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
5. Meeting together provides accountability and discipline
Being part of a local church also provides spiritual accountability. Our brothers and sisters in Christ can help us stay on track in our walk with God and obey his Word (Proverbs 27:17). Church leaders have a responsibility to gently correct those who are straying (Galatians 6:1). Paul instructs the Corinthians to expel immoral members of the church in order to preserve the purity of the body (1 Corinthians 5:1-13). Meeting together with other Christians who can keep us accountable is an important safeguard against drifting from the faith.
6. Meeting together expresses our unity in Christ
When Christians gather together from different backgrounds, ethnicities and social statuses it visibly demonstrates the unifying power of the gospel that breaks down barriers and makes us one in Christ (Galatians 3:28). This witness of love between believers was one of the things Jesus prayed for (John 17:23). Meeting together and interacting with our spiritual family reminds us that what we have in common through Christ’s redeeming blood is greater than any earthly differences that could divide us.
7. Meeting together enables us to care for one another
Galatians 6:2 tells us to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” When Christians gather together, needs within the church body can be made known and addressed – whether financial, practical or emotional needs. We can “rejoice with those who rejoice” and “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). The local church is designed to be a spiritual family that cares for its members in good times and bad. Meeting together makes this mutual care possible.
8. Meeting together inspires unity in mission
When Christians gather together, it provides the opportunity to focus our hearts collectively on the mission of making disciples that Jesus has entrusted to his church (Matthew 28:19). Hearing reports of what God is doing through the church in the world fuels united praise and prayer. Meeting together reinforces that we are partners in Christ’s global purpose, which is easier to neglect when we operate in isolation from fellow believers. Staying connected to our local church is a vitally important part of staying engaged in the mission.
9. Meeting together is a foretaste of heaven
When the local church meets together in faith-filled worship, prayer, teaching and fellowship, it provides a glimpse of the eternal community we will one day enjoy together in heaven. Our earthly gatherings remind us that one day we will join with a great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb singing praise together (Revelation 7:9-10). Meeting together now instills in us the hope of that heavenly gathering yet to come.
In summary, “not giving up meeting together” is important because church gatherings enable us to worship God collectively, build up one another in the faith through teaching and fellowship, care for each other’s practical needs, maintain spiritual accountability and fulfill Christ’s purposes in unity. Our spiritual lives flourish best when anchored in the life of a local church. For all these reasons, the author of Hebrews admonishes us: “Let us not neglect meeting together.” May we heed this exhortation for the glory of God and the health of his people.