The Assembly Is Not The Place For Teaching The World | Words Of Truth
Words Of Truth

Words Of Truth


"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

The Assembly Is Not The Place For Teaching The World


I. Introduction:

A. By the word “assembly” I am talking about the coming together of the saints (James 2:2).

  1. Whether upon the first day of the week (Acts 20:7 and I Corinthians 16:1-4) or at other times (Acts 14:24-27).
  2. Even for purposes beyond what many would think of as a “worship service” (Matthew 18:15-17 and Acts 15:22).
B. I am NOT saying that people outside of Christ cannot be present when the saints assemble (I Corinthians 14:23).

  1. Nor am I saying that those outside of the body should be ignored when they do come into the assembly. Some adjustments with that person in mind are necessary (I Corinthians 14:15-16).
  1. Though adjustments might be made, teaching outside of the assembly is necessary to convert the lost (Acts 20:20).
  2. Being willing to go to the homes of lost people is part of teaching (Acts 5:42).
  1. There may also be family members, such as children who are outside of Christ, in the assembly. Just realize whose work it is to teach those children (Ephesians 6:4).

II. Body: The Assembly Is Centered Upon The Saints (I Corinthians 14:26, I Thessalonians 5:11, and Hebrews 10:23-25).

A. Think about the language: “the edifying of itself” (Ephesians 4:14-16).

  1. When spiritual gifts existed among the saints, what was the focus [not the only focus, but…] supposed to be (I Corinthians 14:4-5 and I Corinthians 14:12)?
  2. Think about the distribution of the letters written in the first century. Were they to be taken to the world (Colossians 4:16, I Thessalonians 5:27, Revelation 1:1-4, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, etc.)?
B. Like the New Testament letters, written to Christians (i.e. I Corinthians 1;2), teaching within the assembly is to be focused on the needs of the local brethren (I Corinthians 4:14-17 and I Corinthians 16:15).

  1. What did evangelists focus on when among the saints (I Timothy 1:3-7, I Timothy 4:6, II Timothy 2:14, II Timothy 4:1-5, Titus 1:5, II Peter 1:12-13, etc.)?
  2. Think about how shameful it would be for the saints to remain babes because the focus is only on learning and teaching first principles (Hebrews 5:11-6:2).
C. Reaching the lost of the world is about going out to them (Romans 10:14-17).

  1. The commission for the Apostles was what (Matthew 28:16-20 and Mark 16:14-16)?
  2. Where did Philip the evangelist teach the lost of the world (Acts 8:25-40)?
  3. Teaching the lost of the world is about going where they are, not about having them come into the assembly not intended for them (Acts 17:16-22 and Acts 18:1-4).

III. Conclusion: Our time together is precious and valuable. The focus on roles within the church was about the church, not the world (Ephesians 4:11-12). While we now have all we need to know revealed, our time together should be especially profitable to the saints. Leave the focus on the world to teaching outside of the assembly.