1. A “Baker’s Dozen”

2. “A Bakers Dozen” Defined
In the Medieval Ages there was a period when bakers began cheating the public at such a rate that public outcry reached the ears of several kings. As bread was a daily staple of Medieval life, the bakers knew that they could charge a lot of money for minimal portions of their products. As such, kings levied laws against bakers stating that they were to lower their prices and keep honest. In fact the common term "A Baker's Dozen" (meaning 13 instead of 12) came from this time period. Any baker caught selling less than an even dozen was strictly and harshly punished. As a result bakers began adding one extra loaf to be certain their count would be correct or even over the amount decreed by law.
Urban Dictionary

3. “A Baker’s Dozen”
13 Scriptural Reasons for Attending All Possible Assemblies of The Saints

4. 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” - Hebrews 10:25
Assembling is the coming together of the Saints and used in reference to worship
Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17, 18, 20, 33; 14:23, 26
If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Acts 20:7 - And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
1 Cor. 11:17, 18, 20, 23, 33 – READ
1 Cor. 14:23, 26 - If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 26. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying

5. 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!
Acts 20:7 - And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Acts 2:42 - And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

6. 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 Corinthians 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
Ephesians 4:28; 2 Corinthians 9:7; 8:1-5
If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Eph. 4:28 - Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
2 Cor. 9:7 - Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
“every man” - hekastos, hek'-as-tos Search for 1538 in KJV as if a superlative of hekas (afar); each or every:--any, both, each (one), every (man, one, woman), particularly. – Strong
2 Cor. 8: Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. {liberality: Gr. simplicity} 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

7. 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”
Ephesians 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” - Colossians 3:16
James 5:13; Acts 16:25; Matthew 26:26-30
If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Jas. 5:13 - Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
Acts 16:25 - And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Matt. 26: And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. {blessed it: many Greek copies have gave thanks} 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. 30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. {hymn: or, psalm}

8. 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
Acts 1:14; 12:1-5; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18
Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 5:17
2 Timothy 1:3
If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Acts 1:14 - These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Acts 12:1-5 NKJV – Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. 5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
Rom. 12:12 - Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant (steadfastly) in prayer;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Eph. 6:18 - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Col. 4:2 - Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
NKJV - Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
1 Thess. 2:13 - For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
1 Thess. 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.
2 Tim. 1:3 - I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

9. Reason # 6
“It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” - 1 Corinthians 1:21
1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 11; 1 Timothy 4:13
2 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Peter 1:12-15
Galatians 1:8-11
I must give attendance to the preaching of God’s Word! - Acts 16:14
If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
1 Cor. 1:21 - The word foolishness is used accommodatively in this verse; that is, salvation through the gospel is considered foolishness by men, not by God. The idea is that man is saved by what men call “foolishness”; what is “foolish” to the “wise” of this world is, nonetheless, the power of God unto salvation. - Truth Comm p. 59
1 Cor. 15: Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
1 Tim 4:13 - Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
2 Tim. 4: I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
2 Pet. 1: Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
Gal. 1: But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Acts 16:14 - And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
“Attendance” prosecho, pros-ekh’-o - (figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e. pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to:--(give) attend(-ance, -ance at, -ance to, unto), beware, be given to, give (take) heed (to unto); have regard.

10. 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 Timothy 4:12
Titus 2:7-8; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9
Believer to be an example to the unbeliever
1 Peter 3:1-5
If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Tit. 2:7 - In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
1 Cor. 11:1 - Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Thess. 3:6-9 - Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
1 Pet. 3:1-5 - Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,

11. Reason # 8
I am commanded to let my light shine before men that they me see my good works and glorify God!
Matthew 5:16; John 15:8; 1 Peter 2:12
If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Matt. 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jn. 15:8 – Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
1 Pet. 2:12 - Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

12. Reason # 9
I am commanded to bring my children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord!
Ephesians 6:4; 1 Timothy 4:12; Deuteronomy 6:6-7
If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Eph. 6:4 - And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
To nurture (ektrephete) is to nourish, to rear up tenderly and carefully. Nurturing involves the child’s whole training in all things. The child must be taught obedience but that is not all. Here the emphasis is upon the child’s spiritual feeding. The greatest help to any family seeking the happiness of each member is instruction in
faith and loyalty to God and His word (cf. Deut. 6:6-9; 32:46-47). Those committed to Christ have a different base from which to deal with the everyday problems of the home.
Chastening (paideia) is education, discipline, and corrective teaching. The Lord “chastens’’ His children. That is explained in the book of Hebrews. “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby’’ (Heb. 12:5-11).
1 Tim. 4:12 - Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Duet. 6: And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

13. Reason # 10
I am commanded to be ready unto every good work! - Titus 3:1
Colossians 1:9-10; 2 Timothy 2:19-21
“…Lord, it is good for us to be here…”
Matthew 17:4; cf. 2 Peter 1:16-18
If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Tit. 3:1 - Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
Col. 1: For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
2 Tim. 2: Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
Matt. 17: And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
2 Pet. 1: For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty (his Glory, superbness, magnificence, splendor, grandeur, mighty power). 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

14. Reason # 11
I am commanded to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord!
1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 9:6
Galatians 6:7-9
If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
1 Cor. 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Stedfast - edraios, hed-rah’-y from a derivative of hezomai, (to sit); sedentary, i.e. (by implication) immovable:--settled, stedfast.
2 Cor. 9:6 - But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Gal. 6: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

15. Reason # 12 I am commanded to edify my brethren!
Edify: oikodome - architecture, i.e. (concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation:-- building, edify(-ication,-ing). - Strong
Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto love and to good works” - Hebrews 10:24
If I do not attend, this commandment is broken!
Rom. 14:19 - Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
1 Thess. 5:11 - Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Heb. 10: Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting (encouraging) one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:25 (RSV) - not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

16. 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” - Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:8-14
If I do not attend, I have neglected this warning!
Heb. 3: Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation (rebellion), in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

17. Final Question! “...but be thou an example of the believers…”
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 Timothy 4:12
1 Tim. 4:12 - Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

18. “…what shall we do?” Acts 2:37
Alien Sinners Must…
Hear the gospel – Romans 10:17
Believe the gospel – Romans 10:10
Repent of their sins – Acts 17:30
Confess Christ before men – Matthew 10:32
Be baptized in water for the remission of sins – Acts 2:38
An Erring Child of God Must…
Repent and pray – Acts 8:22
Children of God Must…
Live “faithful unto death” - Revelation 2:10
Acts 2:37 - Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart (cut to the heart), and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Rom. 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rom. 10:10 - For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Acts. 17: And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Matt. 10:32 - Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Acts. 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, 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 8:22 - Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Rev. 2:10 - Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.