Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
—Hebrews 10:23-25—
Mojmír Adamek: Czech Bible Institute | Czech Republic
The tenth chapter of Hebrews presents the climax of an apologetic argument that characterizes the whole letter. After showing the superiority and finality of Jesus’ high-priestly death, the author exhorts his audience to remain unwaveringly faithful to the hope they professed. Do not neglect corporate gatherings and local church ministry, no matter what others may think or what it may cost you. He encourages them to rely on their faithful God in the midst of persecution and subsequent doubts. After pointing out that God is the only source of their hope, the writer turns to the role of local gatherings—showing that it is the means of mutual encouragement, exhortation, and strengthening. He shows them that they cannot survive persecution without a God-given local congregation. So as they live in “these last days” (Heb. 1:2), eagerly expecting the second coming of Christ (Heb. 9:28), they are to grow and serve within the context of their Christian fellowship. The Czech evangelical church is so tiny that to live as an active member of a church is often viewed with suspicion by outsiders. Just recently I was told by one of the new believers in our church that he had to explain to his mom that Baptists really do not use different Bibles than other Christian traditions. I also remember that my high school classmates confused several times (perhaps on purpose) Baptists with the Ku Klux Klan. In other words, it is not uncommon to be associated with some form of cult. Yet, we know that fellowshipping in a local congregation is indispensable for the healthy growth of every believer. Do not neglect corporate gatherings and local church ministry, no matter what others may think or what it may cost you.
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