How We Meet

A movement of the Spirit of God during the past 150 years has formed groups of Christians throughout the world who meet solely in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ as the divine gathering center. (Matt. 18:20). For where two or three are gathered together unto my name, there am I in the midst of them.

They have sought to return to New Testament principles and practices. Believing that "the church of the living God," which the Spirit of God has formed, is composed of "one body" of all born again, Spirit indwelt believers in Christ, they meet together locally simply as members of that "one body"(Rom. 12:5) - So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another ....  (1 Cor. 12: 12-13) - For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  ... (Eph. 4:4) - There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

The Spirit of God is owned as the rightful president and leader in the Assembly and the Bible as the all-sufficient, divinely inspired guidebook and authority.

The Bible teaches these believers that all true Christians are a holy and royal priesthood, so there is liberty of the Holy Spirit to use whomsoever He will as His mouthpiece in prayer and praise. (1 Peter 2:5,9) - Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ ......  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

(1Cor. 12:11) - But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

These believers acknowledge that Christ is the Head of the Church and has given gifts unto His Assembly, such as prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, and that "unto everyone of us is grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ...for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ".  So these assemblies do not have a "one man" or an "any man" or a humanly ordained ministry, but a ministry of gifts which Christ has given to His Church.

(Eph. 4:7-12) - But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

These companies of believers have no church organization, headquarters, presiding bishops, appointed elders or ordained clergy. Yet there is no independency. They function together, "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace".  (Eph. 4:3) - Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

They believe that each assembly is a local representation of the whole Church and recognize its actions in the name of the Lord and according to God's Word as authoritative and binding everywhere. (Matt 18:18) - Verily 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.

If you enter the modest meeting place of Christians meeting together thus on a Lord's day morning, you will see them gathered around a table upon which is a loaf of bread and a container of wine. This is the only prominent feature, for there is no presiding clergy, elder or human in charge. If you ask what the program is, the reply will be that there is none. If you inquire as to who will dispense the bread and wine, you will be told that any brother in good standing in the assembly may do so. The purpose is to bring praise and worship to the Lord, to remember Him and to show forth His death. In this meeting the believers function as "an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ".  (1 Pet. 2:5) - Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 

A brother may minister the Word of God after the observance of the Lord's supper.

What then is the purpose of this service? It is an honest effort to fulfill the request of the Savior on the night of His betrayal, "This do in remembrance of me" and to carry out the instructions given by revelation to the apostle Paul as to observing the Lord's supper. (Luke 22:14-20) -    And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.   And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:   For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.   And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:   For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.   And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it , and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.   Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

1 Cor. 11:23-29) - For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:  And when he had given thanks, he brake it , and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it , in remembrance of me.  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

The endeavor is to follow the example of the early Christians who "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and prayers" and "upon the first day of the week...came together to break bread".  (Acts 2:42; 20:7). - And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ....  And 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.

In reception to the privilege of partaking in the Lord's supper, the practice is not an "open" or a "closed" communion, but a "guarded" table of the Lord in responsibility to the holy character of Him whose death is commemorated.

These Christians own and practice the spiritual presidency of the Holy Spirit. Believing that the Spirit of God divides "to every man as he will", (1 Cor. 12:11) -  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.   any brother not under discipline may name a hymn to be sung by all, lead in prayer, read Scripture and give thanks for the bread and cup in participation of the Lord's supper. In obedience to the divine injunction, "Let your women keep silence in the churches, " sisters do not lead the congregation in any audible part. They also cover their heads in recognition of God's order as to headship.  (1 Cor. 11:3-13; 14:34) -  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? ....  Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

At the meeting for remembrance of the Lord in His death and worship, an offering is received from those who participate as known Christians. As the sacrifice of praise and the sacrifice of giving of our substance are associated in Heb. 13:15-16, the only collection of the assembly for its expenses, giving to servants of the Lord and His work and the needy, is, generally speaking, taken at this service. This is also in accordance with the instructions as to collection for the saints upon the first day of the week as given in 1 Cor. 16:1-2.

(Heb. 13:15-16) - By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

(1Cor. 16:1-2) - Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

A service for children, commonly called "Sunday School," is held each Lord's day in most assemblies. Bible classes are conducted for various ages and adults usually join in this hour in a Bible class of their own. On Lord's day after the Breaking of Bread meeting, the Gospel/Ministry is presented from God's Word through the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

A mid-week service is usually convened for prayer and study of the Bible. When a visiting servant of the Lord is present, He is given the opportunity to minister the Word.  Sometimes the bible study takes the format of an open discussion.  Meetings for youth and special meetings for women may be held periodically.

As for names, these believers prefer the simple title of "Christians," "saints," "brethren" etc., which apply to all children of God. Refusing denominational names, they desire to be known simply as "Christians gathered unto the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ." James 2:7 speaks of "that worthy name by the which ye are called."

A welcome is extended to anyone interested in hearing the Gospel of God's saving grace and ministry of the Word of God to attend meetings of these assemblies. The answer of the Lord Jesus Christ to perplexed and questioning souls was-"COME AND SEE" (John 1:39).

Text from A Glance at Assemblies Gathered Unto the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ as Members of the One Body of Christ by R.K. Cambell. 

Scripture quotations from: "The Holy Bible, King James Version"