what belongs in a church service?
(response to Josh's last post)
Great Question Brother!
It seems the Old Testament displays a clear picture of how God MUST be worshipped. I think about the accounts of worship being done in ways that were not prescribed in scripture. Nadab and Abihu for example offering the strange fire on the altar -> they were killed. King Uziah as well, coming into the presence of God when only the Preists were allowed to do so is another good example.
But what about today? Has God revealed to us a clear order of worship that is pleasing to Him?
This question is often understood as the regulative principle vs. the normative principle.
To keep this comment brief I am only making a couple of comments. To delve deeper into the subject of the regulative vs. normative principle should be for another post (if people are interested).
I believe holding to a strict regulative principle standpoint can be taken to an extreme. to say that one worships only in a way that is displayed in the bible sounds good but often it seems that displays itself in narrow ways such as not using instruments and only singing out of the psalms (i use those examples as they hit close to home as a music leader).
with that "only what is displayed in scripture" standpoint, how does one justify having sunday school? was that displayed in scripture? what about building churches and meeting inside of them? what about making bulletins and having an order of service? it seems this line of thought to me has many loopholes.
i believe an over riding principle in the corporate worship service should be to build up the believers. This happens through the preaching and teaching of God's word, singing psalms hymns and spiritual songs, and praying. In 1 Corinthians 12-14 we see Paul states several times that in the gathering of believers what is done should be done for the edification of believers (12:7; 14:5; 14:12; 14:26). i find this to be helpful and deciding what belongs in the worship service. the bible is clear that the public reading of scripture belongs there, it is clear that singing belongs there, it is clear that prayer belongs there. these are things that i dont believe can be replaced and should be done in a way that edifies the believers.
Any thoughts?
Great Question Brother!
It seems the Old Testament displays a clear picture of how God MUST be worshipped. I think about the accounts of worship being done in ways that were not prescribed in scripture. Nadab and Abihu for example offering the strange fire on the altar -> they were killed. King Uziah as well, coming into the presence of God when only the Preists were allowed to do so is another good example.
But what about today? Has God revealed to us a clear order of worship that is pleasing to Him?
This question is often understood as the regulative principle vs. the normative principle.
To keep this comment brief I am only making a couple of comments. To delve deeper into the subject of the regulative vs. normative principle should be for another post (if people are interested).
I believe holding to a strict regulative principle standpoint can be taken to an extreme. to say that one worships only in a way that is displayed in the bible sounds good but often it seems that displays itself in narrow ways such as not using instruments and only singing out of the psalms (i use those examples as they hit close to home as a music leader).
with that "only what is displayed in scripture" standpoint, how does one justify having sunday school? was that displayed in scripture? what about building churches and meeting inside of them? what about making bulletins and having an order of service? it seems this line of thought to me has many loopholes.
i believe an over riding principle in the corporate worship service should be to build up the believers. This happens through the preaching and teaching of God's word, singing psalms hymns and spiritual songs, and praying. In 1 Corinthians 12-14 we see Paul states several times that in the gathering of believers what is done should be done for the edification of believers (12:7; 14:5; 14:12; 14:26). i find this to be helpful and deciding what belongs in the worship service. the bible is clear that the public reading of scripture belongs there, it is clear that singing belongs there, it is clear that prayer belongs there. these are things that i dont believe can be replaced and should be done in a way that edifies the believers.
Any thoughts?
posted by MASE | 1:40 PM
4 Comments:
I agree with your point regard the 1 Cor. 12-14 reference. The edification of believers should be the second highest priority within a church service. 2nd only to the worship and praise of the Lord God, Jesus Christ.
When we realize now what the goal is for the gathering of believers, we need to see what our eartly needs become. God's Word (preaching teaching; Matt 4:4), place to gather/shelter (Acts 14:27) , order (1 Cor.14:40), fellowship (1Cor.11, 2Cor.14,Eph2, many more).
And on top of that, good food. (still looking for scripture to support that one)
great point, but when you say worship and priase of the Lord God should be first - what i am trying to say is you are worshiping and praising God in your edification of one another. if that is what God has commanded us to do in our meetings, then in our obedience is that not worshiping God?
I agree with you 100%. The over riding principle in corporate worship should be to build up believers according to the command of the scriptures. Singing of songs, prayer, reading of scripture are all clearly stated as activities that exalt Christ and edify His body. The more difficult task is adding other ministries that edify a
Great topic and wonderful discussion. You are right that the Word is clear that we are to worship God in ways prescribed by him. The only thing that we can offer is our sinfulness. A survey of the times when people worshipped together would have one theme. It was for the purpose of the hearing of the Word or in response to some great event that God has done. Music was not primary but in response. We can worship without music but not without the word. There was no artificial emotional setting but it came as a response. Praising God for who He is and what He has done as well as seeing The Word face to face is what we look forward to in Glory.
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