INTRODUCTION

I would like to address some of the difficult questions that many young people face with respect to being gathered to the name of the Lord (Matt. 18:20). My desire is to seek to clarify some of these doubts for those who are truly seeking the truth. I hope that what I have to say may give them a greater understanding of the principles involved in the divine ground of gathering that was given to Christians.

For those who grew up in the assemblies of the so-called "gathered saints" I know that most parents have a great regard for the truth of being gathered to the name of the Lord. They place this truth right after the one related to salvation. You have probably already heard them say things like, "I know the Lord Jesus as my personal Savior, and I am gathered to His precious name." Needless to say, they believe that the assembly is the only true way for Christians to gather. They also understand that the way we meet is contrary to current Christianity, and that this path is narrow with respect to fellowship. Like me, they are deeply convinced that there is only one correct and biblical way for Christians to meet for worship and ministry -- and this is what we earnestly desire to communicate to you. We want you to "buy the truth" concerning the assembly (Prov. 23:23), seeking it for yourself and verifying whether these things are truly biblical (Acts 17:11). Our prayer is that you may come to value and walk consistently with these truths, just as we also seek to do.

I know that many are researching this subject, which is good, for we all need to know the reason we are gathered to the name of the Lord. But in all the research that is done I know that some end up becoming completely confused and with more questions than answers. Perhaps you have researched the churches in evangelical Christendom and have heard about how things are there, and then compared them with the assembly in its uniqueness and, needless to say, ended up with various doubts. That is perfectly understandable.

I like to think that your doubts are good and sincere doubts, and I believe that good questions deserve good answers. I think we all agree that the only good and correct answers are in the Word of God. The last thing you need is human ideas and opinions on this subject. Therefore, what I wish to bring here is not my own ideas and opinions, but principles from the Word of God that will guide your feet. All this exercise would be of no use if you went away saying: "Bruce thinks this..." "Bruce thinks that..." It is not my thoughts that you seek, but the truth of the Word of God.

Furthermore, it is not my goal here to criticize the Christian groups that exist today. I am not here to denigrate my brothers and sisters in their denominations in evangelical Christendom. If someone is content to remain in their denomination, that is not my business. The Bible says: "To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord does not approve" (Lam. 3:36). Therefore I am not here to try to convince anyone to abandon their convictions, regardless of their ecclesiastical preferences. I have no intention of coercing anyone to walk in the path that we have adopted as gathered to the name of the Lord, if that person does not have the faith or conviction for it. On the contrary, my goal is to clarify some of the points that cause perplexity and have troubled many of those who are sincerely seeking answers about being gathered to the name of the Lord.

I would just like to say that my impression is that most doubts arise from a misunderstanding of the truth itself, and from the use of a wrong standard to judge what is right and wrong. As a result of this some are left in a dilemma, wondering whether or not they are in the correct place. Of course, the only standard for judging this is the truth of God in the Word of God.

Just one more thing before we begin: I will seek to do my best in setting out, on the basis of the Word of God, the answers to these doubts, but I want to say right away that it will be of no use if your own will is in the way and you do not desire the truth. Therefore, I hope that we all have the same spirit as David, who said: "Teach me, O LORD, Your way, and lead me in the right path" (Ps. 27:11). A teachable spirit is what the Lord desires for us. What I am saying is that we need to have a correct state of spirit if we want to benefit from this exercise. If we are sincerely seeking the truth, I believe the Lord will use His Word to guide us. He said: "If anyone wants to do His will, he will know concerning the doctrine" (John 7:17). The condition set in this promise of knowing the truth is wanting to do His will. The Lord is not interested in teaching us His will if we do not have the desire to put it into practice. Therefore, we need to have this clear in our heart, that we will do the will of God, whatever it may be, even if it collides with our own ideas. Being willing to do His will is the best choice, even though it may be painful. This promise of the Lord is as true now as it was when He gave it -- if you have the desire to do the Lord's will "you will know concerning the doctrine."

With such a promise before us, and the Word of God in our hands, let us examine some of these doubts right now, and wait for the Lord to give us the answers.