All by Myself

[RETIREDFAN1]

All by Myself

 

Why do we have to congregate together? Can’t we worship God all by ourselves? Aren’t all Christians priests? 

I Peter 2: 9

 

Can’t we read the Bible without any else present? 

Ephesians 3: 3 - 4

 

Can’t I pray all by myself? 

Matthew 6: 5 - 6

We can do every single thing already mentioned alone, without another human being present. So why do we have to gather together with other Christians? 

 

We have to gather together with other Christians because the things I have listed are not the only acts of authorized New Testament worship. We must partake of the Lord’s Supper. Partaking of the Lord’s Supper is a part of coming together.
I Corinthians 11: 20

 

The Lord’s Supper is shared with others. 

I Corinthians 10: 16 - 17

 

Partaking of the Lord’s Supper is not a solitary act. It must be done with other Christians, gathered together on the First Day of the Week.

Singing is another revealed part of New Testament worship. I sing, but in the process of singing, I speak to others and am being spoken to by others. 

Ephesians 5: 19

 

I sing, but while I’m singing, I teach and admonish others while they are teaching and admonishing me. 

Colossians 3: 16

 

It is impossible to sing alone and fulfill this command. 

 

The command to be baptized involves others. This was done purposely by God. He doesn’t want His children to be alone while on the Earth. We suffer enough alienation from the world by trying to do what He said to do. God has made sure we have some semblance of human contact in our lives. Christianity is not a loner’s religion. 

 

Working together, we learn to put ourselves behind others. Through love, we serve one another. 

Galatians 5: 13 - 15

 

We learn to submit to one another so that we can learn humility.

I Peter 5:5

 

We learn to put others ahead of ourselves. 

Philippians 2: 3 - 4

 

We learn to give preference to each other in honor. 

Romans 12: 10

 

We learn to help one another. We learn to bear one another’s burdens. 

Galatians 6: 2

 

We learn to have the same care for one another. 

I Corinthians 12: 25 - 26

 

We learn to comfort and edify one another. 

I Thessalonians 5: 11

We learn to pray for one another. 

James 5: 16

 

We learn to treat all Christians as equals. We learn to have the same mind towards one another. 

Romans 12: 16

 

We learn to be like-minded, so that we can all serve God together. 

Romans 15: 5 - 6

I Peter 3: 8 - 9

 

We become members of one another. 

Ephesians 4: 25

 

We welcome one another always. We receive one another always. 

Romans 15: 7

 

We greet one another. 

Romans 16: 16

I Corinthians 16: 20

II Corinthians 13: 12

I Peter 5: 14

 

We are hospitable. 

I Peter 4: 9 - 10

 

We love one another. 

John 13: 34 - 35

 

The command to love one another is repeated at least 18 times in the New Testament. We abound in love. 

I Thessalonians 3: 12

 

We love fervently, earnestly, and truly.

I Peter 4: 8

 

We learn to be at peace. We have peace. 

Mark 9: 50

 

We don’t cause others to stumble. 

Romans 14: 13

 

We are kind and forgiving.

Ephesians 4: 32

 

We bear with one another.

Colossians 3: 12 - 15

 

We do all of this, despite the fact that everyone isn’t easy to get along with. It isn’t an option for a Christian, it is a requirement. We find a way to get over our differences and to get along. God has commanded us to do this very thing.

 

 

We encourage one another. We pursue things that edify us and help us to grow. 

Romans 14: 19

 

We admonish and correct one another. 

Romans 15: 14

 

We exhort one another and build each other up. 

Hebrews 3: 13

Hebrews 10: 25

 

In order to attain all the riches, we must be knitted together. 

Colossians 2: 1 - 3

 

It is always good and pleasant when brethren live together in unity. 

Psalm 133: 1

 

We must strive to be like those first century Christians. 

Acts 4: 32

 

We can do none of this all by ourselves. We can do none of this without other Christians gathered together to worship and work with us. It is impossible to worship God all alone.