The Assembly 8 – Gathered for Edification

Principle:

Christ is occupied every moment in love with His assembly, but in the meeting of edification (the ministry meeting), He is especially occupied with His own. The whole assembly (of a place) comes together in one place. If this is not possible due to fragmentation, it is still possible to gather on the basis of the one assembly (1 Cor 14:23) as an "assembly" (1 Cor11:18).

Essential characteristics:

1. The Word ministers (Acts 6:4), and the Lord, in His authority, uses the gifts of the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More (1 Cor 12) for this ministry.
2. Spiritual gifts are acted out with love and zeal (1 Cor 14:1).
3. The Spirit of God can unfold its effect (1 Cor 14:1).
4. It is the word of God and not the word of man (1 Thes 2:13).
5. Only the word of God has power, nothing else (Lk 8:11).
6. The word testifies of the Lord Jesus (Jn 5:39).
7. The word of God alone produces results (Acts 2:37, 41).
8. The content of the ministry is ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More Himself (Acts 8:5.12;9:20 and Rom 1:1-4;15:19)
9. What is said should be the sayings of God (1 Pet 4:11).
10. The word of God must not be falsified (2 Cor 2:17)
11. What is said must be understood and comprehensible (1 Cor 14:8; Mk 4:33).
12. His is only possible with prayer and under the power of prayer (Acts 6:4).
13. The great goal is the edification/exhortation/consolation of the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More (1 Cor 14:3, 4, 5, 12)
    - by prophesying = speaking from the presence of God into a concrete situation (1 Cor 14:3.4.6)
    - by teaching doctrine = explaining biblical truth (1 Cor 14:6)
    - through instruction = practical application of the truth (1 Cor 14:19)
14. Through prophesying, the soul is placed in the light of God (1 Cor 14:24, 25).
15. In addition to the guidance of the Spirit, our mind should also be active (1 Cor 14:13-19)
16. More attention is paid to quality than to quantity (1 Cor 14:19)
17. The Spirit does not usually use one alone (1 Cor 14:26-33)
18. If several people participate, there is no confusion but a succession (1 Cor 14:27, 29, 31).
19. What is heard is tested and judged based on the Word of God (1 Cor 14:29; Acts 17:11).
20. The women remain silent during the meetings (1 Cor 14:34).
21. Order and peace are the result of the ministry of the word (1 Cor 14:33).
22. Four characteristics are described in 1 Corinthians 14:22-25:
    - They had regular meetings.
    - They were not closed assemblies.
    - There was no fixed order.
    - The Lord Jesus is accepted as present in the midst.