God's Assembly

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The desire is, or should be, in the heart of every true believer to remember the Lord in His death by partaking of the Lord’s supper each first day of the week (1 Cor. 11:2626For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:26); Acts 20:77And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (Acts 20:7)). What a privilege this is, until He comes! How can we but respond to love like His? Surely it ought to constrain our hearts more and more. However, it is noticeable that, because of its importance, the truth as to the Lord’s table precedes the instructions as to the Lord’s supper in the epistle to the Corinthians.
What a privilege it is to remember the Lord in His own appointed way! Though we are not told to invite believers to His table, yet we know they are all represented in the one loaf, and we can teach them the truth of it, receiving them gladly, when we can do so to the glory of God (Rom. 15:6-76That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. (Romans 15:6‑7)). The Lord Himself invites them, but let us bear in mind that although it is the responsibility of each believer who breaks bread to examine himself (1 Cor. 11:2828But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (1 Corinthians 11:28)), it is also the responsibility of the assembly to judge evil in its midst (1 Cor. 5:12-1312For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Corinthians 5:12‑13)).
The assembly then is responsible to maintain the holiness of God’s house, and when evil has been manifested, whether moral or doctrinal, they have authority and also the responsibility to deal with it. “Put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Cor. 5:1313But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Corinthians 5:13)).
Having proof as to the guilt of the person involved, the assembly then acts in obedience to the Word of God in judging it. Each assembly, meeting according to the Word of God, acknowledges the Lord’s authority by bowing to that decision (Matt. 18:1818Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18)), for God’s assembly in any locality is the local expression of the whole testimony.
Even though an individual Christian may be sound in the faith and godly as to his own personal walk, yet if he knowingly remains in a group where moral or doctrinal evil is allowed, he is having fellowship with the evil and is defiled thereby, for “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (1 Cor. 5:66Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? (1 Corinthians 5:6)).
The act of breaking bread is the expression of fellowship with the table where one breaks bread (1 Cor. 10:18-2218Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 22Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? (1 Corinthians 10:18‑22)), and so the Word of God calls upon each believer to purge himself from “vessels... to dishonor” and to “depart from iniquity” (2 Tim. 2:18-2218Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:18‑22)).
The Scripture says, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments” (1 John 5:22By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. (1 John 5:2)). The proof of our love for the Lord and His people is obedience, and so He says, “If ye love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:1515If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)). How precious are those words, “Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it” (Eph. 5:2525Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25)). When we give expression to this truth in breaking bread as members of His body in His appointed way, we give honor to Him, our precious Saviour. May He keep us for His glory till He comes!
Till Thou shalt come in glory,
And call us hence away,
To rest in all the brightness
Of that unclouded day,
We show Thy death, Lord Jesus,
And here would seek to be
More to Thy death conformed,
Whilst we remember Thee
G. H. Hayhoe