In the biblical context, the term "assembly" refers to a gathering of people, often for religious or communal purposes. The concept of assembly is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, serving as a vital aspect of worship, community, and governance among the people of God.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for assembly is "qahal," which is often used to describe the congregation of the Israelites. One of the earliest mentions of an assembly is found in Exodus 12:6, where the Israelites are instructed to gather for the Passover: "You must keep it until the fourteenth day of the month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight" . This assembly was not only a time of communal worship but also a means of uniting the people in obedience to God's commands.

The assembly also played a crucial role in the governance and judicial processes of Israel. In Deuteronomy 31:12, Moses commands, "Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners residing in your towns—so that they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law" . Here, the assembly serves as a platform for teaching and reinforcing the covenantal laws given by God.

In the New Testament, the Greek word "ekklesia" is often translated as "church" or "assembly." This term is used to describe the gathering of believers in Christ. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus emphasizes the spiritual significance of such gatherings: "For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them" . The early Christian assemblies were characterized by worship, teaching, fellowship, and the breaking of bread, as seen in Acts 2:42: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" .

Assemblies in the New Testament also served as a means of church governance and discipline. In Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council is an example of an assembly convened to address doctrinal issues and provide guidance to the early church. The assembly's decisions were considered authoritative and binding for the broader Christian community.

Fasting

Fasting, the voluntary abstention from food and sometimes drink, is a spiritual discipline practiced throughout the Bible. It is often associated with prayer, repentance, and seeking God's guidance. Fasting is a means of humbling oneself before God, expressing dependence on Him, and seeking spiritual renewal.

In the Old Testament, fasting is frequently linked to times of national crisis, repentance, or mourning. One notable example is found in the book of Esther, where Queen Esther calls for a fast among the Jews in response to the threat of annihilation: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do" (Esther 4:16). Here, fasting is a communal act of seeking divine intervention and favor.

Fasting is also associated with repentance and turning back to God. In Joel 2:12-13, the prophet calls the people to return to the Lord with fasting: "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments" . This passage highlights fasting as an outward expression of an inward change of heart.

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry (Matthew 4:2). This period of fasting was a time of preparation and spiritual strengthening. Jesus also taught about fasting in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the importance of sincerity and humility: "When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward" (Matthew 6:16).

The early church continued the practice of fasting as a means of seeking God's will and guidance. In Acts 13:2-3, the church in Antioch fasted and prayed before commissioning Paul and Barnabas for missionary work: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off" .

Fasting remains a significant spiritual discipline for many Christians today, serving as a means of drawing closer to God, seeking His guidance, and expressing repentance and devotion.