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“Bakers Dozen” Defined The oldest known source, but questionable explanation for the expression "baker's dozen" dates to the 13th century in one of the earliest English statutes, instituted during the reign of Henry III (1216–1272), called the Assize of Bread and Ale. Bakers who were found to have shortchanged customers could be subject to severe punishment. To guard against the punishment of losing a hand to an axe, a baker would give 13 for the price of 12, to be certain of not being known as a cheat. Specifically, the practice of baking 13 items for an intended dozen was insurance against "short measure", on the basis that one of the 13 could be lost, eaten, burnt, or ruined in some way, leaving the baker with the original legal dozen. www.WikipediA.com
A “Baker’s Dozen” 13 Scriptural Reasons for Attending All Possible Assemblies of The Saints!
Reason # 1 I am commanded to assemble with the saints! “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25). Assembling is the coming together of the Saints and used in reference to worship. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17, 18, 20, 33; 14:23, 26 If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Reason # 2 I am commanded to break bread on the first day of the week! This means EVERY first day of EVERY week! Acts 20:7; 2:42 If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Reason # 3 I am commanded to give as I have been prospered on the first day of the week! This means REGULARLY! EVERY first day of EVERY week! Who is to do this? “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1 Cor. 16:1-2). “…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Eph. 4:28; 2 Cor. 9:7; 2 Cor. 8:1-5 If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Reason # 4 I am commanded to sing with God’s people! “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16). 1 Cor. 14:26; Jas. 5:13; Acts 16:25; Matt. 26:26-30 If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Reason # 5 I am commanded to pray with God’s people! “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”(Acts 2:42). Act 1:14; Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess.2:13; 5:17; 2 Tim.1:3 If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Reason # 6 “It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor. 1:21). 1 Cor. 15:1-4, 11; 1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:1-5 1 Tim. 1:1-4; Col. 1:21-28; Gal. 1:8-11 I must give attendance to the preaching of God’s Word! Act 16:14 If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Reason # 7 I am commanded to be an example to others! “…but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12) Tit. 2:7; 1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Thess. 1:6 If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Reason # 8 I am commanded to let my light shine before men that they me see my good works and glorify God! Matt. 5:16; Jn. 15:8; 1 Pet. 2:12 If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Reason # 9 I am commanded to bring my children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord! Eph. 6:4; 1 Tim. 4:12; Duet. 6:6-7 If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Reason # 10 I am commanded to be ready unto every good work! (Tit. 3:1) Col. 1:10; 2 Tim. 2:19-21 If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Reason # 11 I am commanded to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord! 1 Cor. 15:58 1 Cor. 3:8; 2 Cor. 9:6; Gal. 6:7-9 Heb. 10:22-23 If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Reason # 12 I am commanded to edify my brethren! Edify: oikodome - architecture, i.e. (concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation:-- building, edify(-ication,-ing). Rom. 14:19 Eph. 4:9; 1 Thess. 5:11 “And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto love and to good work” (Heb. 10:23) If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Reason # 13 I am warned against neglect! “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him”(Heb. 2:1-3) Heb. 3:8-14 If I do not attend, I have neglected this warning!
Final Question! Brethren, how can we afford to stay away from any service of the church, or neglect a special meeting and other services of the church? Let us begin now, if we have not already, to be sure we attend every service possible and thereby encourage others to do the same! “...but be thou an example of the believers…” 1 Tim. 4:12