As mentioned at the beginning of the book, the subject of searching for a Bible-based assembly is two-fold. Firstly, we need to see the pattern for a local assembly in the Word of God, so that we know what to look for. We have attempted to do this in Part One. But there is another side to it—the Spirit’s work in gathering Christians together to the place where the truth of the assembly is practiced and the Lord is in the midst. In Part Two we will consider this side of the subject.
The good thing we can tell the honest seeker is that, in spite of all the confusion in the Christian testimony, God is on his or her side. He has a divine Gatherer who will lead exercised persons through the tangled mess in Christendom to the place where the Lord is in the midst. John 16:1313Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13) says, “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.” In saying, “all truth,” the Lord was including Church truth (ecclesiology). Hence, this is a promise that can be claimed today by every person desiring to be guided in this matter.
It is important to understand this side of God’s work in gathering Christians. We mention this because a group of Christians could go out and follow each of the ten points given in the pattern for a Scriptural assembly in Part One, and it couldbe a mere imitation. The Spirit of God must be the Author of such a work.