1. A History of Bible Assemblies
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2. A History of Bible Assemblies
1. Jacob and his sons Gen. 49:1 (48:21; 49:33) 2. Moses, Aaron, and Israel’s elders Ex. 4:29 (12:21; 19:7; Lev. 9:1) 3. Sabbath (holy convocation) Lev. 23:3 (Acts 15:21; Lk. 4) 4. Moses to all Israel (Deut. 1:3) 5. Teaching priests, Levites 2 Chron. 17:7-9
1. Jacob and his sons Gen. 49:1
A. Jacob’s last day on earth (48:21; 49:33)
B. He gathered them together and prophesied about the future of their families.
2. Moses, Aaron, and Israel’s elders Ex. 4:29 (12:21; 19:7; Lev. 9:1)
A. On several occasions, God gave Moses instructions and so Moses called the leaders of Israel together instead of waiting until the next assembly God had commanded.
B. This was one way that important matters affecting all of the people was spread.
3. Sabbath (holy convocation) Lev. 23:3
A. The Sabbath day is most well-known as a day of rest for Israel.
B. It was also a day of holy convocations.
i. “something called out, i.e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal:--assembly, calling, convocation, reading.” (Strong #04744)
ii. in Acts 15:21, James says that Jews met (assembled) in every city on the Sabbath for Scripture reading
iii. In Lk. 4, Jesus is in the synagogue [= assembly] on the Sabbath and leads by reading.
iv. this was a day of assembly for Israel (though not every detail of those assemblies was revealed)
4. Moses to all Israel (Deut. 1:3)
A. God told Moses what to say, but Moses did not wait until the Sabbath or one of the other days of assembly.
B. In an assembly that may have lasted several days, Moses reviewed their past, reaffirmed the present covenant, and warned of the future disobedience.
C. What would have kept you from this assembly? a game/concert, guests, etc?
5. Teaching priests, Levites 2 Chron. 17:7-9
A. This was a specific effort to teach in Israel in addition to the family responsibility (Deut. 6) and the occasions of teaching occurring at the various feasts.
B. The Levites also had 48 cities throughout Israel (Num. 35), who were to provide ongoing teaching.
C. We are not told how or when they did this teaching, but they could not have taught each family individually—at least some teaching had to be done by the Hebrews assembling in the cities.
D. Why didn’t other kings think to do this?
“something called out, i.e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal:--assembly, calling, convocation, reading.” (Strong #04744)

3. A History of Bible Assemblies
6. Ezra Ezra 10: The first day of the week Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10 8. Regularly, more than weekly Acts 2:46a 9. Occasionally, per need Acts 6:2; 14:27
6. Ezra Ezra 10:6-9
A. During the Babylonian captivity many of the Hebrews “fell away,” in some ways.
B. Ezra recognized this and called for an assembly (not Sabbath, not feast).
C. Those who forsook this assembly, though they might have kept the Sabbath, were warned not ignored (v9).
7. The first day of the week Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10
A. Neither Luke, John, nor Paul randomly refer to various days of the week.
B. Reading the NT reveals only one day that is identified as significant, unique: fdow, specifically tied to teaching, giving, and the LS.
8. Regularly, more than weekly (daily) Acts 2:46a
A. with one accord = “unanimously” (Strong #3661)
B. Even when it wasn’t the fdow, they met daily on a temporary basis.
9. Occasionally, per need Acts 6:2; 14:27
A. Later, they are not meeting daily because the apostles call everyone together on these occasions.
B. Each congregation is deciding when/if to meet in addition to the day God taught all churches to meet.
C. They were not making an additional holy day or new doctrine but, just as happened in the OT, while serving the LORD together identified local needs met by assembling in addition to, not instead of, the fdow.
10. Riot against the gospel Acts 19:29, 39, 41

4. A History of Bible Assemblies
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