CHAPTER TWO

THE PARTICULAR NATURE
AND CHARACTERISTIC
OF A MEETING OF THE BELIEVERS

Scripture Reading: Matt. 18:20; Eph. 5:19; Heb. 10:25; 1 Cor. 14:26; Acts 5:42

OUTLINE

2. The particular nature and characteristic of a meeting of the believers:
   1. The particular nature—Matt. 18:20:
      1. Being gathered together out of everything other than Christ.
      2. Being gathered into the name of Christ.
      3. For the building up of the local church.
   2. The characteristic:
      1. Mutuality.
      2. Speaking:
         1. Speaking to one another—Eph. 5:19.
         2. Exhorting one another—Heb. 10:25.
         3. Each one having a psalm, having a teaching, having a revelation—1 Cor. 14:26.
         4. Teaching and bringing the good news of Jesus as the Christ—Acts 5:42.

Hymn #791 in our hymnal is very suitable for the new way of meeting today. In this hymn there are three important points. The first point is to burn the incense, that is, to pray. The second point is to light the lamp, that is, to be enlightened by the word in the Bible, or to read the Word. The third point is to sing praises to the Lord. In the Chinese version of this hymn, the last phrase of the chorus can also be rendered “Always speaking before the Lord.” However, in the Chinese there is a unique rhyme throughout the entire hymn, and if the word “praising” is changed to “speaking,” the rhyme is spoiled. I point this out to you to show you that concerning the things of the Lord, we need to study more.