MORE THAN JUST ATTENDANCE…

THE ACTUAL MEANING OF “…not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…” (Hebrews 10:25)

PLEASE DON’T MISUNDERSTAND ME…

Not everyone may appreciate this article, as it could be seen as minimizing the importance of Christians gathering together. However, let me assure you that this is not the intent. Instead, this article aims to help believers in the following ways:

• Clarifying the writer’s intent in Hebrews 10:25: This passage emphasizes the importance of not neglecting to meet together, and the goal here is to provide a deeper understanding of what the writer of Hebrews intended when addressing this.

• Encouraging thoughtful reflection on modern Christian gatherings: It invites readers to reconsider why and how we gather today—particularly on Sundays—examining our practices through a biblical lens.

• Offering support to those who have stepped away from traditional church settings: This includes Christians who may have left a church for legitimate reasons, such as experiences in NAR (New Apostolic Reformation), WOF (Word of Faith), or environments where abuse occurred. The article seeks to help those navigating the process of finding a new, biblically grounded community where they can belong and participate meaningfully.

• Providing clarity on the misuse of Hebrews 10:25: This verse should not be used as a tool to shame or guilt those who, for valid reasons, cannot attend services as regularly as others, or who have not yet found a local church that aligns with the true New Testament vision for a biblical community. The article aims to show why such interpretations are harmful and unbiblical.

“PLEASE HELP ME…!”

For those who may be wondering about my motives for writing this article, let me explain. This topic has been on my heart for a long time, but I hadn’t yet taken the time to actually sit down and write about it. However, a recent conversation with a dear family member prompted me to finally do so. This family has had to leave a NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) church due to ongoing deception and abuse. Despite their efforts, they have yet to find a biblical local church that aligns with the New Testament model.

Recently, they encountered well-meaning believers who, upon hearing about their situation, mildly rebuked them—suggesting that their failure to attend a local church was a serious sin. The idea presented to them was that they were being too selective about which church to attend and should simply join the best one they can find, “leaving the rest to God”. But is that truly God’s perspective? Or is it the viewpoint of Christians who have been taught an inaccurate understanding of Hebrews 10:25?

This family member asked me to write something that could help them—and other Christians in similar situations—gain a clearer understanding of what Hebrews 10:25 really teaches about gathering as believers. They also hoped it could serve as a resource to share with those who are actively involved in their local congregations, yet may not have considered the deeper meaning of this passage.

In response to that request, here is this article—a deeper look at Hebrews 10:25.

IN SHORT – MY OWN STORY

I remember the day my wife and I made the difficult decision to walk away from a NAR church where we had served in pastoral ministry for several years. After moving to a new town to “start over,” we put in great effort to find another local church to belong to. There was one church we attended more than once, but we were never fully convinced it was the right fit for us. After a few months of not attending, I decided to visit again.

Then it happened… As I entered the church building, the pastor saw me, and I went over to greet him. The first words out of his mouth were, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you in church.” After shaking my hand, he quickly moved on. That stung. I tried to shrug it off, as “good Christians” are often expected to do, but the encounter left me unsettled. I could sense he was displeased with my “irregular” attendance.

It happened again during the sermon. The pastor referenced Hebrews 10:25, delivering a stern rebuke about how those who only attend church sporadically are showing signs of backsliding. He warned that such behavior puts one at risk of falling into apostasy, and when Christ returns they could be found wanting in readiness for the LORD – as the verse urges believers to gather “all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

I knew — and I’m confident others around me knew (because many of them know me) — he was talking about me. I felt publicly shamed, even though what he implied about my wife and me was far from the truth. Needless to say, we’ve never returned to that church…

Why am I sharing this experience? To illustrate two things:

• The common misunderstanding and misuse of Hebrews 10:25.

• The harm that can be done when, in ignorance or even with good intentions, we use this verse to subtly or openly scold those who don’t attend services as regularly as we think they should.

Now, let’s turn to the Book of Hebrews itself, and specifically to Hebrews 10:25.

THE CONTEXT OF THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS

The Book of Hebrews stands as one of the most profound and theologically rich books in the New Testament. Its unique focus on Christ’s superiority and the fulfillment of the Old Covenant is a direct response to the challenges faced by its original recipients: Jewish Christians who were struggling to maintain their faith under immense pressure. To fully appreciate the call in Hebrews 10:25 for believers to gather together regularly, it’s crucial to understand the background of the letter, its writer, the audience, and their life circumstances. Only then can we see why the encouragement to meet together was so critical in their context.

THE WRITER OF HEBREWS

While the author of Hebrews remains unknown, what is clear is that he was a highly educated and deeply theologically grounded individual. The writer displays extensive knowledge of the Old Testament, Jewish traditions, and the priestly system, which he  uses to show how Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all these things. This indicates that the author was likely a Jewish Christian leader with a thorough understanding of both Judaism and the message of Christ.

The tone of the letter suggests a pastoral heart, as the author is deeply concerned for the spiritual well-being of his audience. The urgency of the letter implies that the writer may have been witnessing the same external pressures, or at least intimately understood the suffering and temptations his readers faced.

THE AUDIENCE OF HEBREWS

The letter was written to a group of Jewish Christians—people who had been raised in the traditions of Judaism but had come to faith in Jesus as the Messiah. These Jewish believers were likely living in a context where their faith was under significant pressure. Some scholars suggest that they were being persecuted by fellow Jews for abandoning traditional Jewish practices, while others argue that Roman authorities might have added to their difficulties by persecuting Christians, a religious group that lacked legal protection.

These Jewish Christians faced a real temptation to revert to Judaism, a faith that was still respected and protected in the Roman Empire. By going back to Judaism, they could avoid the social ostracism, persecution, and economic hardships that were tied to their new Christian faith. They may have felt that the visible practices and temple worship of Judaism offered a more tangible sense of security compared to the invisible, yet greater, hope found in Christ.

THE LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AUDIENCE

The recipients of Hebrews were clearly facing some form of persecution or hardship for their faith. In Hebrews 10:32-34, the author reminds them of the struggles they had endured in the past, including public ridicule and the loss of property. However, they had not yet faced martyrdom, as the author notes that they had not “yet resisted to the point of shedding blood” (Hebrews 12:4). Their current circumstances seem to involve growing pressure, which caused them to question whether following Christ was worth the cost.

This struggle to remain faithful to Christ was not just about personal devotion; it had social, religious, and economic implications. Abandoning Christianity for Judaism would have meant easier relationships with family, acceptance within their community, and relief from persecution. In light of these struggles, the Book of Hebrews was written to encourage these believers not to give up but to hold fast to their faith in Christ.

THE TIME OF WRITING

Hebrews was likely written sometime between 60–70 AD, before the destruction of the Jerusalem temple. The letter’s detailed discussions of the temple sacrifices and priesthood assume that the temple was still standing, which supports an earlier date. If the temple had already been destroyed, the author might have mentioned this significant event as further proof that the old covenant was obsolete.

The dating of the letter places it in a time of growing persecution against Christians, particularly as the Roman Empire became more aware of and hostile toward the Christian movement. It was also a time when Christianity was still deeply connected to its Jewish roots, making the temptation for Jewish Christians to revert to Judaism even more pressing.

THE PURPOSE OF HEBREWS

The primary goal of the letter is to demonstrate that Jesus Christ is superior to everything in the Jewish faith—He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises, the superior High Priest, and the mediator of a new and better covenant. The author repeatedly emphasizes that returning to Judaism would be a rejection of Christ’s finished work and a return to something that was always meant to be temporary and preliminary.

The letter also contains strong warnings about the danger of apostasy (falling away from believing and trusting in Christ alone for salvation, and loyalty to Him). The recipients are reminded that to abandon Christ after knowing the truth would have devastating consequences (Hebrews 6:4-6, 10:26-31). Yet, alongside these warnings, there are also powerful encouragements to persevere, reminding them of Christ’s priestly work on their behalf and their need to endure in faith (Hebrews 12:1-3).

THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF HEBREWS 10:25

In Hebrews 10:19-25, the writer brings the theological argument to a head, urging the readers to approach God with confidence, hold fast to their confession of faith, and spur one another on to love and good deeds. Verse 25 specifically encourages believers to not neglect meeting together, as some were in the habit of doing, but to continue gathering for mutual encouragement.

For these Jewish Christians, the gathering of believers was essential. In the face of persecution and temptation to return to Judaism, meeting together allowed them to encourage one another, remind each other of the hope they had in Christ, and learn more about their faith. It was in these gatherings that they could build up their confidence in Christ, receive pastoral care, and support one another in remaining faithful. It was not just about attending a religious service but about STRENGTHENING THEIR LOYALTY TO CHRIST through collective testimonies, worship, encouragement, prayer, teaching, etc.

These gatherings were a lifeline for the Jewish Christians. They weren’t just a part of a routine weekly attendance; their very lives—especially their spiritual survival—depended on them. In the midst of such difficult circumstances, these gatherings were the only means by which they could receive the spiritual support they so desperately needed.

APPLICATION OF HEBREWS 10:25 IN MODERN CONTEXTS

Many modern churches often cite Hebrews 10:25 to emphasize the importance of regular church attendance. However, the original context of this verse was far more pressing than simply attending services as a religious duty. The Jewish Christians faced existential pressures that threatened to draw them away from Christ altogether. Thus, as stated earlier, the gatherings mentioned in Hebrews were lifelines for them to hold fast to their faith in Christ.

While the principle of gathering for mutual encouragement and spiritual growth remains applicable today, many modern church gatherings do not always mirror the original purpose seen in Hebrews. Instead of focusing on collective worship, mutual encouragement, and teaching that strengthens loyalty to Christ, modern gatherings can often emphasize a one-way communication from preacher to congregation. This can sometimes lack the interactive and personal elements that are crucial for fostering genuine perseverance and loyalty to Christ.

For modern Christians, Hebrews 10:25 should encourage us to rethink the purpose and structure of our gatherings. On a very practical level, are our meetings fostering loyalty to Christ? Are we encouraging one another and spurring each other on in faith? The purpose of gathering together should not be reduced to fulfilling a religious obligation but should remain focused on strengthening our relationship with Christ and each other.

IN CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the gatherings mentioned in Hebrews were not formal religious rituals but vital for the survival of their faith. The Letter to the Hebrews does not specify how often these gatherings should occur or on which day of the week. This suggests that the emphasis was on why they gathered, rather than treating the gatherings as a rigid requirement to be followed without understanding the purpose.

It helped Jewish Christians remain loyal to Christ under immense pressure. While the specific pressures may differ today, the heart of Hebrews 10:25 remains: believers must gather to encourage, instruct, and strengthen one another in Christ. However, modern gatherings should reflect the same focus on mutual encouragement and loyalty to Christ that the original audience of Hebrews so desperately needed.

This will inevitably require two things:

• Reforming congregational gatherings: These gatherings must be reshaped to serve the goal of fostering loyalty to Christ and steadfastness in trusting Him alone for salvation as a central priority.

• Extending understanding and grace: Patience and grace should be shown to those who, out of their commitment to Christ, are still searching for a local congregation that aligns with these New Testament principles. It may also require asking the hard question: Why do the congregations available in their area fail to meet these biblical standards?

My hope is that this article encourages devoted Christians on both sides of this issue to work together toward the ultimate goal: TO BE A LOCAL CHURCH AND CONGREGANTS WHERE CHRIST TRULY IS THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING—a church and individual lives where He is genuinely “THE LORD.”