BEN F. VICK, JR.
The Holy Spirit employing the penman wrote, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Heb. 10:23-25.)
The word “forsaking” in the above text translates a Greek word (ἐγκαταλείπω) which means "to abandon, desert.” (Thayer.) Rienecker and Rogers' A Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament tells us the word carries the idea of to "leave in the lurch." The word does not connote merely to miss the church's services but to turn one's back on the assemblies of the saints.
What else is one turning his back on when he forsakes the assembly? The context shows that one is turning his back on the sacrifice of Christ. The writer said, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” (Heb. 10:10-12.)
One who turns his back on the assembly of the saints also rejects the new covenant. We are told, “Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them." (Heb. 10:15-16.) What a blessing to be in a covenant relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
It is a wonderful privilege to meet with the saints on the Lord's day; but when one forsakes the assembly, he also turns his back on the spiritual blessings in Christ, one of which is the forgiveness of sins. The writer quotes Jeremiah, who prophesied of the blessings within the new covenant. The Lord said, “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” (Heb. 10:17-18.)
To forsake the assembly is to turn one’s back on another blessing, the new and living way. Again the writer said, "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.” (Heb. 10:19-20.)
As a part of this new covenant, one has the spiritual blessing of a new high priest, Jesus Christ. To desert the assembly is to turn one’s back on “the Apostle and High Priest of our profession Christ Jesus.” (Heb. 3:1.) Note that the writer of Hebrews says, “And having an high priest over the house of God.” Jesus Christ is the high priest over the house of God, the church (1 Tim. 3:15). If we are in the house of God, the church, we should be thankful that he is our mediator (1 Tim. 2:5).
Since Christians are priests (1 Peter 2:5), and Jesus Christ is the high priest, one can draw near to God. This is made possible because of the sacrifice Jesus made. One can draw near because of his obedience to the gospel. He has had his heart sprinkled from an evil conscience and his body washed with pure water, which refers to conversion; specifically, one’s immersion in water. If one leaves in the lurch the saints' assembly, he cannot draw near to God as he once did. James wrote, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." (James 4:8.)
To forsake the assembly of the saints is to turn one's back on his brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a failure not to consider one another. We are encouraged, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” (Heb. 10:24.) Christianity includes our considering our brethren. How is one considering his brother if he forsakes the assembly? How can he encourage his brother or sister in Christ unto love and good works if he does not assemble? Please explain this to me. Better yet, explain it to God. Let us set aside the excuses. If one can go to a restaurant, to the grocery store, work, and other places, one can attend the church's services where social distancing is still practiced.
The author addressed some in the first century whose custom it was to forsake the saints' assembly. The seriousness of this problem is intensified when we learn that it is a willful sin to forsake the assemblies of the saints. Read the following verses:
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb. 10:26-31.)
Observe the little word "for” at the beginning of verse 26. It means “because” or for this reason. So, to forsake the assembly of the saints is a high-handed, rebellious sin. If one has received the truth and still rejects the worship assemblies, the Holy Spirit says there remains no more sacrifice for sin. One who despised the law of Moses when it was in force died without mercy under two or three witnesses. But how much greater will be the punishment for one who has trodden underfoot the Son of God, counted the blood of the covenant an unholy thing, and despised the Spirit of grace? Brethren, forsaking the assembly is a serious offense. The writer ends this section by saying, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."