HOW TO WORSHIP Keep in mind that not all worship is acceptable to God. This fact
has been clear from the beginning. God approved of Abel’s sacrifice, but
rejected Cain’s (Gn 4:4-5). To the people of Israel God gave specific rules
about how to worship. He was angry at their worship to Him through statues (Ex
32: 1 Kgs 12-13). He punished those who offered “unauthorized fire” (Lv 10; Nm
3; see Note below.) Often what pleases man, or what man thinks pleases God, is
“detestable in God’s sight” (Lk 16:15). Jesus condemned “rules taught by men.”
They make worship useless (Mt 15:9; Col 2:23). Rather than merely following what
suits people’s desires (2 Tim 4:3), study the Scriptures in order to know how
God wants to be worshiped. NOTE: When God has told us what He wants, doing what
God has not authorized treats God as if He has no mind or will. It places human
wishes above God’s word. When man takes the place of God, it amounts to idolatry
and rebellion.
Therefore it is important to listen not only to God’s commands,
but also to His salient. Hebrews 7:13-14 has an example of silence. In His Old
Covenant, God commanded that priests must come from Levi. There was salient
about priests coming from any other tribe.
Though God did not say, “No priest
can come from Judah,” the very fact that He had been specific about Levi ruled
out Judah. It could only take a change of the Old Law or Old Covenant to allow
anyone from Judah to become a priest. In the same way, when God’s New Covenant
clearly show us what God wants, we should avoid willfully replacing it or adding
something else.
That is why, for example, we do not try to drink just any fruit
juice in the Lord’s Supper. Why? Because we respect God’s will. Christ was clear
about using the grape’s drink. Since He is so specific, we try to use grape
drink and not some other drink. Of course, where God has not been clear on a
certain matter, it would be wrong for us to make rules as if we were God. In all
matters we should in love try to reflect God’s will as He has revealed it. In
the Old Testament, God chose a place for special worship. This was the temple in
Jerusalem (Dt 12, 16; 1 Kgs 8, 11:32).
However, Jesus showed that in His New
Covenant this rule would no longer apply. “A time is coming and now has come
when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth, for
they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (read Jn 4:20-24). Today
Christians do not have to go to an earthly temple, for they are the temple of
God (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19).
They are also the priests of God (Rv 1:6). Their
sacrifices are spiritual (1 Pet 2:5), and so is their place of worship. Where do
they worship God? Since God is Spirit, they worship Him “in spirit” – worship
takes place in their spirits and hearts where they meet and praise the God who
is also Spirit.
They also worship Him “in truth” – they “continue to walk in the
truth” (3 Jn3). Since the place for worship is in spirit and in truth, there is
no time when God’s people are away from that place. We offer our bodies as
“living sacrifices” by using our gifts and abilities for God (Rom 121-8; 1 Pet
4:10-11).
Even normal or lowly jobs are done in such a way as to please and
honor Christ (Eph 6:5-9; Col 3:22-24). “Whatever” we do, even eating and
drinking, should be “for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31). Though all of life is
offered to God, the Bible also speaks of more specific worship (Mt 2:2-11;
14:33; Jn 9:38). Much of this is done “continually” (Heb 13:15; 12:28; 1 Thes
5:16-18), and much should be “in secret,” for God’s eyes only (Mt 6:1-18).
Christians should also spend much time together, worshiping God and encouraging
each other (Acts 2:44-47; Heb 3:13).
The first members “devoted themselves to
the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to
prayer” (Acts 2:42). Acts 20:7 show that “breaking of bread” was done on Sunday,
as was special giving for the church (1 Cor 16:1). As churches of Christ spread
to many parts of the world, some misused their gatherings. So the New Testament
helps us to understand how meetings of the church should be conducted.
Instructions on gatherings of the whole church are found in the New Testament (1
Cor 11:17-34; 14:1-40; 1 Tim 2:1-15; Jas 2:1-13).
From these teachings it is
clear that combined worship must be done in a loving way, led by the men, with
encouraging messages that can be clearly understood, “in a fitting and orderly
way.” Notice that basic instructions for one church were also taught in all the
churches (1 Cor 14:33, 37; see Note below). The example given to us by the
apostles of the Lord Jesus is to come together for group worship and
encouragement on Sunday, the first day of the week.
As we read the New
Testament, we see the following parts of worship specifically authorized by the
Lord: NOTE: Christ’s clear teachings through the apostles were a pattern to be
followed and repeated in every place: Mt 28:19-20; Acts 2:42; 8:4; 13:49; 14:23;
16:4; 20:27,32; Rom 1:5; 6:17; 1 Cor 4:17; 7:17; 14:33; 16:1; Phil 3:17; 1 Tim
2:8; 3:15; 2 Tim 1:13; 2:2; 2 Pet 1:3, 12-15; 3:1-2. 1 Corinthians 14 describes
a Christian assembly in the first century. Scripture Study “All Scripture is
God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in
righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). The apostle Paul, therefore, went on to tell the
evangelist Timothy, “Preach the Word” (2 Tim 4:2).
He also told him, “Devote
yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching” (1 Tim
4:13). Clearly Christian meetings gave a special place to learn from the Bible.
The apostle Peter wrote, “If any one speaks, he should do it as one speaking the
very words of God” (1 Pet 4:11).
Why is there such a strong emphasis on God’s
word? Because there is a great difference between what is “from heaven” and what
is “from men” (Mt 21:25; 1 Thes 2:13). Christians honor God by listening to His
word, sharing it and obeying it. Prayer Prayer is speaking to God. Jesus taught
that prayers should praise and thank God from the heart (not for show or
repeated ritual, Mt 6:5-15).
At times fasting goes with prayer (Mt 6: Acts
14:23; see below). Prayers free us from worry, because in prayer we give all our
concerns to God (Phil 4:6; 1 Pet 5:7). We should try to ask for things that are
in God’s will (1 Jn 5:14; Lk 22:42).
Early Christians prayed alone (Mt 6:6; Acts
10:9), and together (Mt 18:19-20; Acts 1:14; 4:24; 12:5,12; 20:36). In the
meetings “the men,” as spiritual leaders, led in prayers (1 Tim 2:8-14). Christ
is our only Mediator (1 Tim 2:5). Because of Him we come to God confidently (Heb
4:16; 10:19-22). We know that God answers our prayers (Mt 7:7-11; Mk 11:24; Jn
15:7; Jas 5:16). Temple worship of the Old Covenant used incense (Ex 30:8-9; Lk
1:10).
The New Covenant is silent about such incense in Christian worship.
Instead, the true spiritual incense is used, namely our prayers through Christ
(Rv 5:8; 8:3). Fasting Notice that Jesus did not say, “If you fast.” He said,
“When you fast” (Mt 6:16-18). Christ expected His people to at times go without
food for God. He Himself fasted (Mt 4:2), and His disciples would fast later (Mt
9:15). Like prayer and giving, fasting should usually be in secret, for God’s
eyes alone. But groups in the early church fasted and prayed together before
important events (Acts 13:3; 14:23). By this means they expressed to God their
deep concern, and their seriousness in the matters about which the prayed.
Times
of fasting should not be made into rules to be imposed on others. Like prayer
and giving, they should come from hearts that truly want to honor God. Singing
Singing is the natural response of a joyful heart to God (Jas 5:13). The early
Christians sang different kinds of songs to God (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). Psalms
were often taken from the Old Testament book of Psalms. Hymns and spiritual
songs were often made up by the Christians themselves, and were based on
Scripture's teachings (“let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” Col 3:16).
In the Old Covenant the music of man-made instruments was offered as worship to
God.
The New Covenant is silent about such instruments in Christian worship. (As
all know, they are “lifeless, “ 1Cor 14:7.) Instead, God wants the spiritual
music of thankful hearts to go with our singing (Eph 5:19). While our songs and
spiritual music go to God, our songs also encourage and teach our fellow members
(Eph 5;19; Col 3:16; 1 Cor 14:15, 26).
If you do not already have good worship
songs, make up your own, based on Christ’s word, and help your fellow Christians
to learn them. Giving In order to help suffering Christians in Judea, churches
of Christ in other areas, sent money to meet their needs. On Sundays each
Christian set aside money “in keeping with his income” (1 Cor16:1-2). This was
then collected and sent to the elders in Judea (Acts 11:29-30). The Christians
in Macedonia were very poor, yet they still gave with “rich generosity” (2 Cor
8:2).
Paul urged other churches to follow their example, because such giving
proved how real their love was (2 Cor 8:8). Later, the church in the city of
Philippi sent “gifts” (aid, payment) to help the apostle Paul preach the Gospel.
(Those who spend much time in preaching and teaching have a right to be
supported and supplied for that work, 1 Cor 9; 1 Tim 5:17-18). The gifts, both
private (Mt 6:1-4) and as a church (1 Cor 16:1-6) that help the Lord’s cause are
“a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Phil 4:1-19;
Heb 13:16). Old Covenant Jews were required to give a tenth (a tithe) of their
income.
The New Testament is silent about such a fraction for Christians.
Instead, it makes giving a far more spiritual matter of willingness, joy, trust,
love and generosity (2 Cor 8 and 9). The Lord’s Supper The purpose of the Lord’s
Supper is described best by the Lord Himself in saying “Do this in remembrance
of me” (1 Cor 11:25). Jesus used two things to stir our memory of His death.
The
unleavened bread stands for the body of Christ (Mt 26:26-29). Eating from it is
“a participation in the body of Christ.” The grape juice (fruit of the vine)
stands for His blood of the covenant (see NOTE below). Drinking from it is a
“participation in the blood of Christ” (1 Cor 10:16). Participation or communion
means sharing. The Bible does not teach that the Lord’s Supper takes away sin.
But Christ does meet with His kingdom people, spiritually eating the meal with
them (Lk 22:16-18; Mt 26:29; 18:20). That is why every Christian should want to
participate every time the Lord’s Supper is eaten.
How poor our faith is if we
reject Christ’s invitation, failing to “proclaim the Lord’s death” (1 Cor
11:26), and failing to encourage our spiritual family (Heb 10:25). Early
Christians met “on the first day of the week” to eat the Lord’s Supper (Acts
20:7; 2:42). The Old Covenant had weekly Sabbaths, and once a year the Passover.
The New Testament shows that Christians are no longer judged by such things (Col
2:16). Instead it shows that Christ is our one true Passover (I Cor 5:7). We
remember His death in the weekly Lord’s Supper.
Yet our Sabbath is not a
physical day. It is the true spiritual rest we enter when our work is finished
(Heb 4). NOTE: “Leaven” is yeast, or anything used for making bread rise. In
Scripture it sometimes stands for sin (Lk 12:1; 1 Cor 5:6-8; Gal 5:9).
Unleavened bread (bread without any leaven) was closely tied to the memory of
Passover (Ex 12).
When Jesus first gave the Lord’s Supper, it was during the
Jewish Feast of Unleavened Bread (Mt 26:17). It is thus fitting that the pure
and holy Christ, who is our Passover, should be pictured by unleavened bread.
Jesus took unleavened bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to His disciples
to eat (Mt 26:26-29). That is why we use unleavened bread in the Lord’s Supper.
It is easy to make unleavened bread: Mix flour with water, oil and salt. Stir
this until it is a thick paste. Shape it for baking, and then cook it briefly.
Jesus also took “the fruit of the vine; gave thanks for it, passed it to His
disciples, and said, “take this and divide it among you…drink from it, all of
you’” (Lk 22:17; Mt 26:27). “Fruit of the vine” was the Hebrew way of saying
“grapes,” which in their dry form are called “raisins.” Grapes are common in
many parts of the world. In many other places one can still buy bottles or
cartons of grape juice or grape wine. Where neither of these is available, a
kind of grape juice can be made by boiling raisins in water. Jesus chose the
juice of “the fruit of the vine” to picture His blood for us. Therefore we do
our best to honor that choice, and to make arrangements for a supply as we take
the Lord’s Supper each first day of the week.
HOW IS THE CHURCH ORGANIZED?
You
have noticed by now the Old Covenant had many physical things that pointed ahead
to the true spiritual things of Christ and Christianity. The same is true about
the church. Old fleshly Israel was a physical nation with an earthly king,
capital and temple. The church is a spiritual nation, with a spiritual King,
capital and temple (Jn 18:36, Heb 12:18-29; 1 Pet 2:5-11; Eph 2:19-22).
Therefore its organization is also spiritual rather than earthly. The King,
Lord, or Head is Jesus Christ (Jn 18:37; Eph 1:22-23; 4:5). He has all authority
(Mt 28:18).
We must listen to everything He tells us; those who fail to listen
to Him will be cut off from God’s people (Acts 3:22-23). The King’s capital is a
heavenly Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling place of God (Heb 12:22). Christ reigns
at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 2:33-36). Christians do not look to an
earthly headquarters, for they are citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20). Their loyalty
and obedience belong to heaven rather than to men (Acts 5:29; Gal 1:10; 2:6; Col
2:8-10). The King’s word has been passed on by His apostles with the help of the
Holy Spirit (Jn 16:13; 2 Pet 3:2).
What they and their fellow-prophets clearly
commanded is His word and must be followed (1 Cor 14:37; 2 Thes 2:15).
Evangelists and teachers are to guard this apostolic word (2 Tim 1:13-14), and
to pass it on “with all authority” (Ti 2:15; 2 Tim 4:1-5). Sometimes Christ’s
evangelists form teams in which some lead and others are trained (Acts 16:1-3;
18:5; 20:4; 2 Tim 2:2). The King’s special nation is the one church. It is also
called the body, temple or priesthood (Eph 1:22-23; 2:11-22; 4:4 1 Pet 2:9). Its
members are the kingdom on earth (Rv 1:6; Col:13). Each member is a brother of
Christ (Mt 12:50; 23:8; Gal 3:26), and spiritually sits with Christ in heavenly
places (Eph 2:6, 18).
Each has full access to God through Christ, the High
Priest (Heb 10:19-22; 1 Tim 2:5). This means that they do not go through other
mediators, mediums or priests, of any kind. The King’s people should gather in
each community to encourage each other in obedience to His will (Heb 10:25; 1 Cor 11:18; Acts 9:26). This group that regularly gathers is called a local
“church” or “congregation” of Christ. When it is fully formed, it should have
overseers (elders) and special servants (deacons).
These are not self-appointed.
Rather, congregations of Christians discern and appoint men for these roles who
meet the qualifications given by the Holy Spirit (1 Tim 3; Ti 1; 1 Pet 5; Acts
6:3; 14:23; 20:28). Though leaders have authority and should be obeyed (Heb
13:17), their leading is like Christ’s (Mt 20:25-28). They mainly use humble
service, personal example and sacrifice, prayer and careful teaching.
If a
member openly rebels against Christ, and refuses all efforts to win him, the
other members should expel him (Mt 18:15-17; 1 Cor 5). The local church is like
a family in its relationships (1 Tim 5). It cares for its poor, and does as much
good as it can for others (Acts 4:32; 11:29; Gal 2:10; 6:10). It shares with
others its greatest treasure, the Gospel (Acts 8:4; 13:1-3).
Each congregation
should help to plant new congregations in new places (Mk 16:15; Acts 13:14;
19:10; 1 Thes 1:8). The King’s will is that every person on earth has
opportunity to be saved through the Gospel (Mt 28:19; 2 Pet 3:9; Rv 5:9).
Therefore it is vital that each place on earth should has a local gathering of
New Testament Christians who serve as lights to those in darkness (Phil 2:15;
Eph 5:8).
