Answer: We should NOT give up meeting together, as some
are in the habit of doing, (verse 25).
MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
The Greek word translated "give up" or
"forsaking (KJV)" has the idea of
"desertion" and "abandonment." This
phrase can be translated "not leaving behind,"
"not leaving in the lurch." This is the word used
in 2 Timothy 4:10 when Paul said that "Demas,
because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to
Thessalonica." God's children are NOT to give up
meeting together with the saints because this would mean that we
would be guilty of forsaking, abandoning, leaving in straits,
leaving helpless our family, the family of God. It is
God's Will that Christians gather together in the
Lord's Name:
Matthew 18:20: [Jesus said,] "For
where two or three come together in My Name, there am I with
them."
Acts 2:40-47: "With many other
words he [Peter] warned them; and he pleaded with them, 'Save
yourselves from this corrupt generation.' Those who
accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were
added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to
the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of
bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many
wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All
the believers were together and had everything in common.
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had
need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple
courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad
and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of
all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who
were being saved."
Acts 5:12: "The apostles performed
many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the
believers used to meet together in Solomon's
Colonnade."
Acts 14:27: "On arriving there,
they [Paul and Barnabas] gathered the church together and reported
all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door
of faith to the Gentiles."
Acts 15:30: "The men [Judas and
Silas] were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered
the church together and delivered the letter."
Acts 20:7: "On the first day of the
week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and,
because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until
midnight."
1 Corinthians 16:2: "On the first
day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money
in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no
collections will have to be made."
