BEN F. VICK, JR.
The Hebrew saints were on the verge of apostasy; some were turning back to the inferior system, the law of Moses. The inspired writer of Hebrews exhorted them to remain faithful to Christ by saying:
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; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 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. 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?”— Hebrews 10:19–29
In the context in which this passage is found, Paul gives reasons for attending the services of the church. In our efforts to encourage people to faithfulness to the Lord, we can hold out no better reasons than were given long ago to the first century saints.
We should attend the assembly of the saints in view of the sacrifice of Christ. We are told, “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb. 10:9–10.) The blood of animals was inadequate to remit sins (Heb. 10:4), but the precious blood of Jesus is sufficient (Heb.10:11-14; 1 Peter 1:18-19). His innocent blood met the demands of justice.
We should assemble with the saints in view of the covenant. Paul wrote, “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.) The old covenant was not as good as the new covenant. The new is better. It is better because it was dedicated by the blood of Jesus (Matt. 26:28; Heb. 9: 18-28). It is better because it is universal and not national (Matt. 28:18-20). It is better because it is established upon better promises (Heb. 8:6).
We should assemble in view of the blessings in Christ (Heb. 10:17-22). Our sins are forgiven in Christ (Heb. 10:17-18). We can enter into the holiest (heaven) because Christ led the way by making atonement for our sins with his own blood (Heb. 10:19). We have Jesus Christ as our high priest (Heb. 3:1; 4:14-16; 7:25-27;10:21).
We should assemble with the saints to worship God in view of our profession, or confession, of faith. Paul wrote, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised.” (Heb.10:23.)
We should assemble with the saints for worship in view of each other. Paul wrote, “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.10:24–25.) In most cases, those who turn their back on the worship assembly (that is, forsake the assembly) do so out of selfish reasons. By their absence they cannot exhort anyone in the worship assembly. They are in reality hurting not only others but themselves. Paul wrote to Timothy, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (2 Tim. 2:24–26.)
We need to see the sin of forsaking the assembly in its context. It is in the worship assembly that we properly acknowledge the sacrifice of Christ, the new covenant, the remission of our sins, the hope of entering into the holiest, Jesus Christ, our high priest, and the means by which we draw nigh unto God. When we forsake the assembly, we are despising the same items. “Forsake” translates a Greek word that means desert, abandon or to leave in the lurch. It is the idea of turning one’s back on someone or something.
Forsaking the assembly is a willful sin. Paul wrote, “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” (Heb. 10:26.) Christ is not coming back to this earth to sacrifice himself again. He did it once and for all. If men reject his sacrifice now, there remains no other remedy for their sins. What remains for the one who turns his back on the assembly and the sacrifice of Christ is “a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” (Heb. 10:27.)
To turn one’s back on Christ and his assembly is highhanded rebellion against God. It is to tread “under foot the Son of God, to count the blood of the covenant an unholy thing and is to despise the Spirit of grace.” (Heb. 10:29).