Benefits of Communal Bible-Reading: The Anabaptist Rediscovering of Reading Scripture in Community as an Inspiration for the Local Church Today
Modernity’s ideal of individualism has a huge impact on the society of Western civilization. It is not only that an individual person is encouraged to think independently, and form his/her worldview from their individual perspective. Individualism is also present in almost all areas of life. One example is our consumer culture. From cellphone contracts that are specifically designed for the individual consumer, through build-your-own Dell laptop online and have it designed for your individual need, to a shop where you can build your own individual teddy bear—individualism can be seen everywhere. Individualism does not spear spiritual issues. Today, the emphasis is more on one’s own “personal” relationship with God (ignoring the need for the believer to join a group of fellow believers), “personal” Bible study over against Bible study groups. Although they certainly are present in local churches, the emphasis is on personal Bible reading. And as long as one keeps up reading the Bible in private, nobody sees any essential need in communal Scripture reading.
Be that as it may, for the churches of the first century, gathering together in order to listen to the teachings of Christ taught by the apostles was of great importance. And while communal Scripture reading had been forgotten in the middle ages, the Anabaptists of the sixteenth century rediscovered the value of Bible reading in community. Therefore, the Christian believer today is encouraged to think about the necessity of reading and studying the Word of God in a group of fellow believers. What are the benefits of communal Scripture reading? Why is it important for the regenerated believer to participate in Bible study groups? In the following, three benefits of, which are also three reasons for, communal Bible reading will be offered. The Anabaptist practice of communal Bible reading will provide some inspirational insights of these benefits.
Spiritual Fellowship
First of all, it was common among the Anabaptists to come together on a regular basis and have fellowship as a local church. They practiced this in order to imitate the first church of Jerusalem. Luke reports in Acts 2:42, “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (NASB). Notice that the hearing of the Apostles’ teaching, breaking of bread (i.e. celebrating of the Lord’s Supper), and prayer was practiced in fellowship with fellow believers. Since the Anabaptists were eager to re-institute the New Testament church, the practice of the first church in Jerusalem that Luke recorded in this verse constitutes one of the crucial practices of the Anabaptists. They rediscovered the value of communal prayer, of celebrating the Lord’s Supper in a local community of regenerated believers, and of communal instruction of Christ’s commands.
Some might ask: Why was it important for the local church of Jerusalem to gather in order to hear and learn the teachings of Christ through the apostles? The reason for questions like this might root in today’s emphasis of personal Bible study in a personal quiet/devotional time with God. While personal Bible study is surely of great importance for every believer, modernity’s ideal if individualism has led many believers to neglect Bible study in community. It is time for today’s local churches to rediscover the value of Bible study in community. Of course, many local churches have different kinds of Bible study groups such as Sunday Schools, groups that are gathering during the week in their homes in order to read and study Scripture, and other forms of coming together in order to hear God’s Word.
However, the tendency of practicing some sort of private religion is increasing. The trend seems to be to stay away from smaller personal oriented Bible study groups such as Sunday School classes with 10-20 members. Instead, many people prefer to go to more impersonal worship services. As important as the participation in Sunday worship services may be, the increasing avoidance of smaller groups is suspicious. Obviously, people tend to prefer spheres of anonymity. Therefore they tend to nourish their spirituality in private Bible study instead of Bible study groups.
The Anabaptists may be an encouraging inspiration for us. They knew that reading Scripture in community is important, for it was the practice of the first church in Jerusalem. We should take their re-focusing on communal Bible study as an inspiration for us. If we follow their example, we may rediscover the value of communal Bible study for today’s impersonal and anonymous society.
Hearing the Spirit Speak in Scripture
Spiritual fellowship in communal Bible studies is not the only reason for reading and studying Scripture in community. Another, and even higher, gain of communal Scripture reading is that the Spirit communicates his Word in a gathered community in a special way. The Anabaptists knew that Jesus’ words about the Holy Spirit in John 14:26 and John 16:13 were to be seen in connection with Acts 2:42 (the Scripture passage mentioned above). John 14:26 says: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” And John 16:13 says: “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” The same Holy Spirit who inspired Scripture (2 Timothy 2:16-17) also teaches the gathered community that reads his Word. The first church in Jerusalem, therefore, gathered in order to hear the Apostles’ teaching of Jesus Christ, while, at the same time, being taught by the Spirit.
The Anabaptists knew that the Spirit of God is present among those who gather in order to read and study Scripture. That is why Hubmaier, one of the major figures of the Anabaptists, encouraged his fellow believers to take their Bible with them, and whoever has none should bring the songbook instead, in order to read Scripture together. Hubmaier knew that the Spirit is present and active in a special way if true believers gather in order to study God’s word.
For the Christian believer today, the Anabaptist rediscovering of the value of reading Scripture in community should be inspiring. Not only because of fellowship, but also because the Holy Spirit is present and active in a special way when God’s children come together in order to seek the truths in Scripture. How can that be? For instance, after reading Scripture privately one might gain some new insights. However, after sharing these new insights with fellow believers, who have the same Holy Spirit, one might discover that the new insights do not conform to those of fellow brothers and sisters. Since the Holy Spirit would not contradict himself, one might ask who may have probably misunderstood the Spirit’s speaking. A discussion in a communal Bible-reading circle one might, therefore, find out who may have misread Scripture. In this case the study of Scripture in community might bring some corrective elements to one’s own understanding of Scripture. This is just one benefit of Scripture reading in community.
The believing Christian should be inspired, therefore, by the practice of the Anabaptists, who gathered in order to hear the Spirit speaking through Bible reading in community. As important as private Scripture study is, we should not forget to compare our insights received in private, with those of fellow believers. For due to our imperfect nature it is possible that we might misunderstand Scripture in private. A gathered community around Scripture may prevent lasting misinterpretations of Scripture by the individual believer.
Mutual Encouragement and Admonition
The last benefit that should be mentioned in this essay is that of mutual encouragement and admonition as a result of communal Bible study in a local church. Paul encouraged the Colossians in 3:16, saying, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another.” Moreover, in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Paul writes, “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” Mutual encouragement and admonition was the practice of the churches in the first century, as Luke reports in Acts 14:21-22: “After they had preached the gospel to that city [Derbe] and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith.” The churches of the first century, therefore, met under the Word of God in order to encourage and admonish one another to grow spiritually.
The Anabaptists imitated this practice. Having read Scripture together, and having paid attention to the Spirits speaking through the Word, they applied these very issues immediately by correcting one another if someone did not follow the Word of God. They encouraged one another to live a life obedient to the Word of God.
Like the Anabaptist rediscovered the value of mutual encouragement and admonition after having read Scripture together, we also should participate in Bible study groups on a regular basis. Mutual correction and encouragement is not possible in private Bible study. Among other reasons, Christ wanted the local church to gather together in order to strengthen one another’s faith. A Christian believer constantly seeking fellowship in the Word of God with other believers has a great benefit in his spiritual growth. His fellow brothers and sisters help him to see the truths of Scripture and encourage him to grow in his faith and obedience to the Word of God.
Conclusion
The three benefits mentioned above are but a few out of the many more profits of communal study of Scripture in the local church. First, the spiritual fellowship under the Word of God is important for every believer. Second, the Holy Spirit is active in a special way in the midst of Christian believers, studying his Word. Third, in a group that studies Scripture together, one may get invaluable help in form of encouragement and admonition through fellow believers. Therefore, against common individualistic tendencies in today’s society, the believing Christian should seek opportunities for reading and studying the Word of God together with other believers. This would bring him benefits that he could not find in personal private Scripture reading.
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