5 Smooth Stones

Paul’s words to the church in Ephesus: Ephesians 4:16 “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the e ff ective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” A joint is not a part, but it is a place where two or more parts are assembled together. Just as a prophetic word or a vison may cause a gathering to come together, the greatest blessing comes when the parts are assembled. This takes recognized leadership. The parts being joined and assembled makes a body or a gathering a church or assembly. The principle “one can chase a thousand and two can put ten thousand to fl ight” (Deuteronomy 32:30) is one of multiplied blessing. With the Lord, who is the Rock, one chasing a thousand is a remarkable blessing of its own but the unity that comes with agreement does not simply add to this blessing but multiplies the power of the blessing. Therefore it is so important to understand what it is to make a true ekklesia or assembly in order to have the multiplied blessing. Currently there are those who are promoting a vison of what church is that does not line up with this biblical description of church. While Jesus said where “two or more are gathered in my name I am in the midst” (Ma tt hew 8:20). He did not imply that this gathering was necessarily an assembly or church. It could be, in theory, if it has leadership recognized and set in place, but this is not the case with most gatherings of this type. It is most likely, in fact, that only a minority of gatherings of this type are true assemblies as described in the bible. So to say that a meeting with a few other believers at the local co ff ee shop for co ff ee and fellowship or bible study is a biblical church and can accomplish what the church is called to accomplish is simply not the case. However, it is necessary to have such gatherings and there is great fruit that can come from such close fellowship, but if we confuse these gatherings with the assembly of the Lord we endanger the blessing that comes through the multiplied authority of the church assembly. There is such a need, and many bene fi ts, for knowing the company of people with whom you are called to closely associate. There is also a need and a blessing to understand the biblical company. While most churches are not a company, and most companies are not a church, but are more like a fellowship, they are never the less needed for us to grow and be strengthened and protected spiritually. In fact, if church leaders would understand this principle they would likewise also understand that it helps 54