Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
Although the church means the assembly, the church is the church whether it assembles or not. The universal church (assembly) never assembles. So it is not assembling that makes the assembly the assembly. I realize that sounds contradictory, but I think it is true.
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But the universal church is being assembled, even as we speak. It is just operating at a level we can't see. But we can believe. My quibble is with those who think God needs some "wise master builder" to come along today and assemble the universal church. God said "Love your neighbor", not "Assemble my universal church". We would be wise to heed our boundaries.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
We assemble because we are the assembly, we aren't the assembly because we assemble.
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We are assembled because God assembles us ("...that which God puts together let no man break apart"). We are the assembly of God -- from God, of God, and unto God. God calls forth each one by name; our recognition and acceptance of each other in Christ Jesus is an affirmation of this fact. We allow God to assemble us because we love each other, not because we are the assembly.