Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians is best understood to be a general letter to all assemblies, rather than specifically to one local church. It was probably intended to be widely circulated. The letter is certainly applicable to every believer and lays out important guidelines for our spiritual growth. Paul explains that before the earth was created, God, who does all things according to the counsel of His will, would take all those who had placed their hope in Christ, to be to the praise of His glory. They would be the bride of Christ.
But the Word of God clearly teaches that we would not immediately become free from our struggles with the old nature. In fact, we would begin our Christian lives as babes in Christ who would need to grow spiritually. For that reason, our omniscient, loving heavenly Father made clear provision for our spiritual growth and understanding. Such growth, however, is not automatic.
The Place of the Holy Spirit in our Growth
It is crucial that we realize the essential role of the Holy Spirit in our spiritual growth. The Lord promised the apostles that when the Spirit came, He would guide them into all truth. He would bring to their remembrance all the things that the Lord had said, reveal to them Church truth and things to come, and glorify the Lord (John 14:26; 16:13-14). The Lord’s promise was wonderfully fulfilled when the Holy Spirit came in a display of flaming light and power on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The gathered believers were immediately indwelt by the Spirit and began to meet together on a regular basis. New Testament truth was committed to the apostles in their lifetime. They, in turn, committed it to writing and the New Testament completed God’s written revelation to mankind. Today, the Spirit illuminates the meaning of God’s Word to believers, opening up our understanding of its truth (1 Cor. 2:15-16; 1 John 2:20, 27).
The word “assembly” is not a denominational name but simply the fact that believers assemble for a particular purpose. This purpose is to “continue steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). These four practices are indispensable for the growth of the believer. Paul explains that gathering together equips believers for the work of the ministry and for the building up of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12). It is vital to remember that these early believers’ meetings and activities were led by the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31; 8:29; 13:2). Today, it is critical that our gatherings be Spirit-led as well.
They Assembled for Spirit-led Learning from the Word of God
All the epistles give instruction and help for our spiritual growth. Peter explains that in the same way a newborn baby craves its mother’s milk, we should crave the spiritual milk of the Word (1 Pet. 2:2). He further encourages us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). The way to know is to grow and the way to grow is to feed. Practical James tells us to be doers of the Word, not hearers only (1:22), while Paul gives extensive teaching in His epistles to edify the believer. When it comes to providing spiritual food for the local assembly, elders must seek the leading of the Holy Spirit, the One who knows the hearts and needs of all the saints.
They Assembled for Spirit-led Fellowship with Other Believers
Fellowship has to do with sharing in that which we have in common. Any time believers gather should be an encouraging time. As we walk in the Spirit it will also be a time of blessing as we allow Him to direct our thoughts, speech, and activities. Potlucks, coffee breaks, Bible studies, and other activities are precious times where the Lord can use us to be a blessing and encouragement to our brothers and sisters in the Lord if we will allow Him to direct our interaction.
They Assembled for Spirit-led Remembrance of the Lord in the Breaking of Bread
Every believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Every assembly of the Lord’s saints is likewise His temple (1 Cor. 3:16). When experiencing the Breaking of Bread meeting for the first time, many visitors have asked “who is leading the meeting?” What a joy and blessing it is when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in remembering our Lord each week. Think of the many times we have been thrilled at the obvious leading of the Holy Spirit during these precious times. Failure to grasp this has resulted in its tragic demise in many gatherings of the Lord’s people, where tacking on the Lord’s Supper at the end of a service has become the norm. What a tragic loss for the Lord and for His own.
They Assembled for Spirit-led Prayer
Why have prayer meetings been in such a decline? Why do many seem to simply focus on our needs: our health, our jobs, etc.? These are very important subjects for prayer, but often that appears to be all we pray about. Could it be that we do not allow the Holy Spirit His leading role in this vital meeting? When Paul prayed, his emphasis was on the spiritual growth of the believers, praying that they would “be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:18-19). When Paul asked others to pray for him, it was so that thoughts and words might be given to him so that he would speak boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel (Eph. 6:19).
Result of Following God’s Gracious Plan and Provision
The saints sacrificed; the suffering were helped and comforted; and souls were saved. Suddenly these previously religious, but lost individuals became different people. The old had passed away and they were new creations in Christ. And it showed. They now had a reverential trust; they saw proof of the reality of the Lord, and all who believed were together having all things in common. They became selfless individuals who sold their possessions and gave to those who were in need. It is vital to point out that these acts of sacrifice were led by the Holy Spirit. Actions were as He led them, as it should be now. He may lead us to do this or that, and He may not, but it is very important that it be the Holy Spirit who leads.
Every day they were in the temple, in perfect harmony. They were breaking bread in various homes; they ate together in gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having the good will of the people. To this joyful new band of believers, the Lord kept on adding daily those who were being saved. The result of doing God’s work in God’s way was that souls were saved (Acts 2:47).
Since that amazing and wonderful beginning, the Lord has been building His church. Today, the result of God’s assemblies doing God’s work in God’s way will be that souls will be saved.
Does This Work Today?
For many years I had the joy and privilege of teaching New Testament Church principles to missionary candidates. Many went to remote tribal areas. They learned the culture and the language. They translated the Word of God and souls were saved amongst primitive peoples who previously had no written language. As these same biblical principles were taught, assemblies were founded. One day we will gather with those from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, in praise of our Lord and Savior for so “great a salvation.”
The principles of the Word of God worked in early Church history and as we practice them today, we find that they still work. Hudson Taylor wrote: “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” Though he was referring to funds, the same biblical truth applies to all aspects of God’s work.