Three Questions About The Assembly

Why is our building called “The Good News Center” or “The Gospel Hall”? Question 1: 2/34

Many early evangelists tried to avoid calling religious meeting places “churches.” 3/34

In Christendom, especially 200 years ago, many believed that a church was somehow a consecrated and holy place of worship. 4/34

Church: “ekklesia” means “a calling out” or an “out calling”. 5/34

111 times in the New Testament, “church” refers to a group of people, not a building. Acts 8:3 (ESV) But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. 6/34

Some people object to the term Gospel Hall, saying that the assembly is taking a second name. 7/34

The word “hall” is not a name, neither is the word “center.” House is not a name, and neither is auditorium, warehouse, garage or store. 8/34

Hall is defined as: “a large building for public or semi- public purposes: a large room, for assembly; auditorium” Center is defined as: “a place where a particular activity or service is concentrated” 9/34

Hall Town Hall Carnegie Hall Radio City Music Hall Heinz Hall Center Benedum Center Consol Energy Center Convention Center Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts 10/34

Is it OK to say “I belong to the Good News Center?” 11/34

“I belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, I meet with other believers who belong to the Lord Jesus. The Good News Center belongs to us.” 12/34

Simply put: The assembly meets in a building used as a “hall/center” where the Gospel/Good News is preached. 13/34

Why do the men speak and the women keep silent at assembly meetings? Question 2: 14/34

1 Corinthians 1:3-5 (ESV) 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 15/34

1 Corinthians 14:33-40 (ESV) 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. 36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order. 16/34

1 Timothy 2:11-14 (ESV) 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 17/34

This is a physical expression of God’s spiritual order. There are no issues relative to intelligence, ability, spirituality or human worth. 18/34

The full value that the Bible places on women: Eve, Ruth, Esther, Sarah, Deborah “Honor Roll of Faith” (Heb 11) Mary, Elizabeth, Anna, Mary Magdeline, Dorcas, Lydia, Priscilla, Phobe, Lois and Eunice 19/34

Silence of the sisters is a “command of the Lord”. Paul’s writings were under the direction of the Holy Spirit and he was not prejudiced about women. 20/34

21/34 God’s designed order began with creation. Male and female were given different responsibilities and were designed to fulfill them. Satan has attacked God’s order from the beginning and has attributed negative meaning in society to it, to challenge God’s authority and destroy His order.

The primacy of Adam’s creation and the order of Eve’s deception must be carefully considered. 22/34

In 1 Timothy 2:13, “first” means chronologically first but also teaches position. The female is dependent on the male. When Eve acted independently and defied divine order, disaster followed. 23/34

God has set the woman in a position of submission within the fallen creation and she visibly displays that by her required silence. 24/34

This silence is limited to the public meeting of the assembly. “Keep silent in the churches,” 1 Corinthians 14:34 25/34

This does not apply to the Sunday School classes. Women are often better equipped to teach young children as well as teenage girls. 26/34

Why are the chairs arranged in a “circle” at the Lord’s Supper? Question 3: 27/34

The Person in Focus We are “gathered together unto Him.” Gathered (episunagoge) First time episunagoge is used as a verb is Matthew 23:37 28/34

Matthew 23:37 (ESV) “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,….. How often would I have gathered your children together (unto Myself) as a hen gathers (together) her brood (unto herself) under her wings,” 29/34

This word picture illustrates the Lord’s drawing desire and the believer’s glad response. 30/34

The Position of our Lord In the midst, “en meso” is “the thought of a center with a circle drawn or gathered around it.” Gathering Unto His Name, Norman Crawford (p. 172) 31/34

Midst of the doctorsActs 2:46 Midst of the crossJohn 19:18 First appearanceJohn 20:19 after resurrection Midst of the throneRev 5:6, Rev 7:17 32/34

The Preeminence of Christ “That in all things He might have the preeminence” Colossians 1:18 The only place of prominence in a circle is in the center. Center – Emblems – Focus Gospel/Ministry – Message – Focus 33/34

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