Not forsaking the fellowship that we have among ourselves, as the manner of some is: but let us exhort one another, and that so much the more, because ye see that the day draweth near. Hebrews 10:25
Let us come straight to the point and to the truth: Hebrews 10:25 is NOT about attending “church.” Hebrews 10:25 was written centuries before the organizations men in their carnal nature created, mandated, and called “church.” The true purpose of Hebrews 10:25 is to encourage believers to have interaction or fellowship with other believers. It is a general practice; it is not a rule or command. When the author of Hebrews (the author is unknown, although some speculate it was Paul) was written, there were no such things as “church services,” buildings, or organizations even in existence. In the New Testament, the Church was simply all the believers in a particular community or city.
Hebrews 10:25 is about believers encouraging each other in our walk with Christ. It does not pertain to a specific day set forth to worship God, or joining a “church,” or worshiping inside a building or someone’s home made with human hands. It is far more organic in concept than the rigid customs and laws of religion, and its’ institutions. Make no mistake, God does want us to interact with other believers – but not under the law or the precedent of false doctrines. There is the voice of One who trumps over all of Scripture and speaks the final truth. He speaks with simplicity and there is no room for negation or conjecture. It is Jesus Christ.
For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 20:18
It really is that simple. Jesus did not say where the two or three had to gather. He did not say what time or what day they had to meet. He did not say how often they had to gather. He did not say under what conditions they have to gather. He did not say who they have to gather with. It makes no difference to Him. It could be over dinner, by email, phone, at the park or hanging out at someone’s house. The only thing that is required is a minimum of 2 people. The Holy Spirit transcends the buildings we make with hands – no building or house is required for Him to be present. It’s so simple a child could comprehend this. What is so tragic, but yet utterly dumbfounding, is that most adults are too dull to process this. The reason being is they are ruled by the flesh and not by the Spirit. They place their confidence and faith in men and the things of the world, instead of the plain and simple truth in God’s Word. Their confidence lies in the things they see – and their obedience to man-made doctrines.
Is God silent about the laws and traditions of man? Is there anywhere in the Bible where He speaks about a gathering of people practicing the rules and traditions of man? The answer is a resounding yes! From the prophet Isaiah, and out of the mouth of Jesus Himself. Below are two such examples and you find a good number more (that is, if you are inclined to look for them)…
Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting – they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings. I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them! When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims. Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:13-17
This people draweth near unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with the lips, but their heart is far off from me. But in vain they worship me, teaching for doctrines, men’s precepts. Matthew 15:8-9
Here is the problem with the world, and I mean those who are ensnared or enamored with the man-made church system. If you are part of the institutionalized man-made church system, then you are of the world. Indoctrinated believers will make statements such as, “Well in Hebrews 10:25 and Matt 20:18, Jesus did not say they cannot gather in church buildings, or attend Pastor Joe’s “church”, or give money to a ”church” or not gather on Sundays.” Actually, that is not true. With the exception of the day, only in the respect that every day is the same in God’s eye, Jesus makes it very clear these other things are done away with or forbidden.
Jesus states that He, and He alone in the Head of the Church, and that we were not to place ourselves in authority over other believers.
You know that the rulers of the Gentiles are lords over them, and those who are great exercise authority (or are tyrants) over them. YET IT WILL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. Matthew 20:25-26
Jesus states that believers are not to hold a title of preeminence over other believers, or have others submit to any spiritual authority other than to Himself.
“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for only one is your Teacher and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your ‘Father’, for only one is your Father and He is in Heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘Master’, for only one is your Master, the Christ.” (Matthew 23:8-10).
Therefore let no man rejoice in men: for all things are yours. Whether it be Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, whether they be things present, or things to come, even all are yours, And ye Christ’s, and Christ God’s 1 Corinthians 3:21-23
God tells us He does not reside in temples or anything made with human hands.
God that made the world, and all things that are therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Acts 17:24
We heard him say, I will destroy this Temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another, made without hands. Mark 14:58
God tells us Jesus has replaced the law and the religious customs and traditions of the past.
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Colossians 2:16-17
Jesus tells us through His death on the cross; He will replace the temples of the past. He tells us that He is the new Temple, and we believers are part of that New Temple.
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 1 Corinthians 3:16-18
Jesus made it crystal clear that He alone is the Head of the Church and that believers are not to subject themselves under the spiritual authority of another believer. He forbids it, as He forbids believers placing themselves in positions of authority of other believers. Not once did Jesus ever instructed anyone to build a church building or a place for worship. Not once did Jesus ever tell believers to meet a specific day, a certain number of times a week, or to join or support a church organization to worship Him. The New Covenant priesthood moves away from ceremony and the Old Testament laws and traditions of men. Jesus tells us it does not matter where a believer worships God – that believers are to worship Him in Spirit and in truth wherever they are.
Jesus said unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor at Jerusalem worship the Father. Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and Truth: for the Father requireth even such to worship him. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and Truth. John 4:21-24
To continue to worship God in structures designated as places of worship, is to continue to embrace the law. The institutional church system today is based and patterned off the Old Testament Jewish system of worship. And yes – it is idolatry. Re-entering into the laws of the Old Covenant nullifies the gift of freedom and grace Jesus provided us on the cross. When you subject your walk with God to a man or woman other than Jesus Christ Himself, you are allowing that person to mediate your relationship with Him. Non-believers immediately recognize that the freedom we proclaim Jesus provides, is a freedom that we reject and do not even accept ourselves. In effect, we have weaved both the Old Covenant and New Covenant in ways that have canceled each other out.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galations 5:1
Men in church leadership have misled and misconstrued Hebrews 10:25 in the most deceptive manner possible – it is an affront to Jesus and all He stands for. Christ did not come to start a new religion; He came to abolish religion. No one should ever be misled into believing that this man-made church system with its’ doctrine and traditions is of God. Most believers have their culpability backwards: it is when you attend and support the idolatrous church system, you are going against the will of God. Satan has ensnared you with this brilliant deception, knowing that most people will believe this system is for God, when in fact – it is for men.
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. Acts 20:29-31
We realize many of you may find this very difficult or hard to swallow. Believers have had centuries of false teachings, and the hold of man-made doctrine has obstructed the simple truth in God’s Word. We do not wish to upset anyone, but your offense is the result of the flesh ruling over your relationship with Jesus Christ. God has spent your whole life trying to get you out of this idolatrous “church” system so that He can remove the shackles of religion off your eyes. All He wants you to do is to simply worship Him in Spirit and Truth, and accept the gift of freedom His Son paid with His blood.
When you advocate this man-made church system, you are not preaching life – you are preaching death. You are administering death to the spirit of someone else – by veering him or her of course from developing a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. Why – for the very few who dare to ask? It really is very simple – these things have replaced our relationship with Jesus Christ. They are substitutes. We are told they represent Him – but instead they stand in His place. Jesus wants us to develop a relationship with Him – instead, we develop a relationship with our “church,” and have the audacity to call “it” and “Jesus” the same thing. Most have no concept how incredibly idolatrous this is.
You claim this is all for Jesus, but your participation and avocation of this system is actually spiritual adultery. Your “church” or your “church organization” comes first above Jesus – it must – its survival depends on it. Your pastor and priest know this, and they are quick to convince you that this is all for Christ – it’s not. It is about the “church organization” itself. They are quick to misrepresent and contort the true message of Hebrews 25:10, because they need and require believers to support their organization. Jesus is the poster child – in truth, it is all about sustaining the “church.” The Church in the New Testament never was an organization, a building, or a service . It was simply believers in a given geographic location – Or – all believers in Christ – His Ecclesia.
“And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from them and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:16-18