“The Power of Gathering: Unlocking the Benefits of Fellowship”
The gathering of believers is an essential practice for the growth and strength of the Church, the body of Christ. While God is omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere (Psalm 139:7-10), His manifest presence is particularly experienced in the assembly of His people, where He chooses to dwell among us. It is in the fellowship of believers, gathered in unity, that we encounter God’s power and glory in ways that shape and transform our lives.
The Church is not just a building; it is the body of Christ, a living temple made up of believers (1 Corinthians 6:19). Just as a physical body is composed of many parts that each serve a specific function, so too the body of Christ is made up of many members, each with a unique role to play (1 Corinthians 12:12-14). Every believer contributes to the spiritual health and purpose of the Church, and no one part is insignificant. We are all integral in fulfilling God’s will on earth.
The Church as a Temple of God
In Scripture, we see the Church described as God’s temple—both individually and corporately. The Apostle Paul emphasises this when he writes, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19). This speaks to the indwelling presence of God in each believer. However, it is also crucial to recognise that the Bible teaches that the Church, as a collective body, is the place where God’s manifest presence is most profoundly experienced.
The Old Testament reveals that God dwelt in the most sacred place: the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept (Exodus 25:22). This was the place where God’s manifest presence would be encountered in a tangible way. While God is omnipresent, His glory was most intensely felt in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple, built by King Solomon, was the sacred dwelling place of God, set apart for worship and reverence (1 Kings 8:10-11). The Ark, the symbol of God’s covenant with Israel, was the focal point of God’s presence.
The Holiness of God and the Sacredness of Fellowship
It is important to understand that while we can say “God is everywhere,” this statement must be viewed through the lens of His holiness. God is holy, and His presence cannot dwell in places of sin or disobedience. We cannot claim that God is present in every place, especially those places that are defiled by sin. God’s holiness cannot coexist with sin, as we see in Scriptures such as Isaiah 59:2: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you.”
In the New Testament, we see a similar understanding in the writings of the Apostle John. He warns against sin and calls believers to holiness: “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him” (1 John 3:6). As believers, we must recognize that while God is always present in us as individuals, His manifest presence is experienced in the places where His holiness is honored and His name is revered. We cannot say God is in a bar, or in places of sin, because God is holy and cannot dwell where there is unrepentant sin.
This understanding elevates the importance of gathering together as the body of Christ in fellowship and worship. When we come together as believers, we collectively become the temple of God, a sacred space where God’s manifest presence is honored and where His holiness is reflected. Jesus, in His earthly ministry, demonstrated this when He cleansed the Temple, driving out those who had turned it into a place of commerce rather than a house of prayer (Matthew 21:12-13). This act serves as a reminder that God’s temple is to be kept holy and set apart for His presence.
The Role of Each Member in the Body
Just as the human body has many parts, each with its unique function, so does the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul describes the Church as the body of Christ, where each member plays a crucial role: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Every believer, regardless of their role, is essential to the functioning and health of the Church. It is through our collective participation in worship, service, and ministry that the body of Christ grows and reflects the fullness of God’s glory in the world.
The fellowship of believers is also essential for mutual encouragement, accountability, and growth. The author of Hebrews exhorts believers, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). This is a call to physical fellowship, to gather together in worship and to encourage one another in our faith. It is through this fellowship that we are strengthened and equipped to live out our calling as the body of Christ in the world.
Conclusion
The Church is not just a place we visit on Sundays; it is a living temple, a holy community where God’s presence dwells among His people. While God is everywhere, His manifest presence is particularly experienced when we gather in His name, in fellowship and worship. As members of the body of Christ, we each have a role to play, contributing to the spiritual health and mission of the Church. Together, as the body of Christ, we reflect God’s glory and fulfill His purpose on earth. May we honor the sacredness of the Church and the holiness of God by coming together in true fellowship, and by living out our calling as His people.