The Lord's SupperThe coming together of saints on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), around the Lord Jesus to proclaim His death in the breaking of bread, is a great privilege for the believers, and a bright testimony by the Assembly to its absent Head and Lord. No believer should neglect to respond to the Lord's request - "This do in remembrance of Me," (Luke 22:19) or absent himself without good cause. No service, save of His appointment, should be allowed to interfere with this act of corporate worship. The Master should take precedence of His work.
If Scriptures are read or words of ministry given before the breaking of bread, they should relate to the Person and Work of Christ, leading the minds and hearts of those gathered to Him. Hymns and exhortations, bearing on wilderness life, conflict, and service, often draw the mind away from the Cross.
No Denominational NameA Scriptural Assembly avoids any distinctive sectarian name, and as it consists simply of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, united to Him and hence united to all who are His, they desire to be known only as "Christians" (Acts 11:26), "Believers" (Acts 5:14), "Disciples" (John 21:7), "Saints" (Rom 1:7) and "Friends" (John 15:16). All who are "born again", are members of the Church which is the Body of Christ (Eph 1:22-23; 4:1-6).
A Scriptural Assembly does not stand for any one or more distinctive doctrines of Scripture, but takes the whole of the Divinely inspired Scriptures as the sufficient guide for daily life, and for all that concerns the conduct and testimony as an Assembly of the Lord's people (2 Tim 3:16-17).
LeadershipAssembly leadership is by elders not a single shepherd (Acts 20:17). An elder is also referred to as overseer, shepherd and steward in the Scriptures (Acts 20:17, 28; Tit 1:5, 7; 1 Pet 5:1-2). These descriptions talks about experience, oversight, protection and trustworthiness. To be an elder is a work and it is God who raises up people in the assembly to the work of leading (1 Cor 12:28). Elders are recognized or appointed on the basis of their experience and exemplary Christian life (1 Tim 3:1-7; Tit 1:5-9). Each member has the privilege to receive the care and shepherding of the elders.
CommendationFor the sake of godly order and for fostering happy fellowship, a Scriptural Assembly desires to have personal knowledge of all who meet with them at the fellowship meetings. Letters of Commendation (Acts 18:27) are received from all Assemblies maintaining sound doctrine and pure communion. Christians not having such letters are received upon the testimony of well-known believers (Acts 9:27).
Should any in fellowship be visiting other places, and participate in their fellowship meetings, they are exhorted to take with them letters of commendation, which may be had from the elders of the Assembly.
Character and Conduct of MembersThere is a solemn responsibility resting upon each member to maintain the purity of the Assembly, and to strive to be an example in all things, avoiding all kinds of worldliness, foolish and light conversation, idleness, tale-bearing, and evil-speaking (Eph 4:25-32).
Every opportunity should be sought of cultivating fellowship one with another, showing mutual sympathy, helping each other in every possible way, bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfilling the law of Christ (Gal 6:2; 1 Cor 12:25-26).
Love should be shown one towards another, and all should be slow to take offence: many a root of bitterness has sprung up through an imagined slight. "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; ... seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil" (1 Cor 13:4-5).
It is to be borne in mind that one's presence in the Assembly is either a real help or a positive hindrance; that the fellowship of saints means that each one in the Assembly is a joint-sharer in all its privileges, responsibilities, joys, sorrows and service, and that each one has a definite place to fill, and a special work given him or her by the Lord to do for Him (1 Cor 12:28). To find out our place and to keep it, to know one's work and do it, is a real contribution to the Assembly's welfare, and makes for the mutual blessing of all the saints.
It is specially desired that all in fellowship should attend as far as possible the meetings of the Assembly, since it is His will that we should not forsake "the assembling of ourselves together" (Heb 10,25). To show practical interest in the preaching of the Gospel and appreciation of the ministry of God's Word and to realize the urgent importance of the Prayer Meeting. Unnecessary absence from the meetings means the weakening of the life and testimony of the Church and of the Lord's work in the world. Furthermore it is important to endeavour to be at the meetings in time, or a few minutes before it. Each is able to pray and speak in the meetings as led by the Lord.
Sickness and VisitationShould any in time of sickness desire to be visited, they are requested to acquaint those who have the oversight (Jam 5:14). It is the duty and privilege of those taking the oversight to visit the sick, and generally keep in touch with absent members, thereby encouraging that mutual care and sympathy which should characterise all the Saints.
Giving and FinanceAs to financial support, Scripture teaches us the privilege and responsibility of giving of our substance to the Lord and to the Lord's servants for the Lord's work. Hence we trust our gracious God and Father in Heaven to supply all that is required (1 Cor 9:13-14; 1 Tim 5:17-18).
It is clearly not according to the teaching of the Word of God that funds for God's work should be raised by such means as dances, bazaars, whist drives and other worldly devices (1 Cor 16:1-2).
Giving should be as God hath prospered each and purposeth in his heart (1 Cor 16:2; 2 Cor 9:7), and given to God, for His poor (Rom 15:26), for the spread of His Gospel (Phil 4:15), and for the help of those who, ministering the Word of God, devote their time to such service (3 John 1:7-8).
By Martin Willemoes Hansen - 18th of November 2009
Based on 'Assembly Privileges and Responsibilities' by John Ritchie
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