Bible Thoughts March 15, 1998
"God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth"(John 4;24).
The New Testament contains the pattern for acceptable worship to Jehovah. That pattern includes participation in actions that fit the need of the worshipper. The participants must be active in the worship; the actions performed must meet the New Testament standard. When the early church assembled to worship God on the first day of the week, they prayed to God(Acts 20:36; I Corinthians 11:24), they sung praises to God(Ephesians 5:19), partook of the Lord's Supper(Acts 20:7), studied the word of God(Acts 20:7) and contributed of their funds into a common treasury(I Corinthians 16:2). These simple actions brought the people of God together in a common bond that sustained each of the disciples in the faith. They are of such nature that for every person, for every age, and for every locality, they can be observed. The simplicity of that pattern of worship is overwhelming. Only the God who created us could have devised such a plan.
There are some who say there is no pattern to worship(are they called "anti-patternists"?). Such a position is opening the assembly to have solos, choirs, musical instruments, social gatherings, and anything the mind of man can devise. The dedication to the scriptures and the proper respect for the worship God has authorized has been eroded by such men and replaced with human ideas and inventions. Each step taken away from the pattern for worship given in the New Testament is a step away from the practice of righteousness. Just stick with the pattern and follow the infallibly safe way. There is no question that such a position is right and within the bounds of scripture!
"Hold the pattern of sound words which thou which thou has heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus"(II Timothy 1:13).
Almost two thousand years ago, a man who had been with Jesus during the Lord's journeys among men, was told, "Thy speech maketh thee known"(Matthew 26:73). Even those who did not follow Christ were aware of how one's words identify that person.
It is no different today. The pattern of sound words spoken by disciples of Christ at present reflects their devotion and dedication to the Lord's cause. When they speak, they speak words of truth and soberness(Acts 26:25). Christians speak as the Bible would have them to speak. Christians tell the truth as it is revealed in the word of God. They use Bible terms to express Bible principles. They truly speak as the oracles of God(I Peter 4:11).
The pattern of sound words will not be mixed with the terminology of the sectarian world. Each denomination(and each apostate group) has a different language. It is a language that reflects ideas and teachings not found in the word of God. Those who would lead God's people away from the guidance of the New Testament at present also are speaking a new language. A language not from the New Testament, but a language learned from the world and from denominationalism. A sample from a recent issue of Christian(?) Chronicle demonstrates this: missionaries (do they build missions?), seminar, campaigners, Church of Christ Care Center, family services, youth rally, Youth Ministry, medical mission, vocational evangelist, associate minister, pulpit minister, small groups minister, family minister, and on and on.
Do the preceding positions match the words of the New Testament? Where is the Bible authority for inventing any position to serve the Lord beyond what we read in the New Testament? Words are expressions of ideas. If our language does not match the principles set forth in the word of God, they are inventions sought out by man(Ecclesiastes 7:29).
Hence: Our language reflects whether we follow the pattern of sound words or whether we are following the world and the commandments of men. A voice from the past...."There are many Christians, and among them many preachers, who oppose evil, it is true, but they do it so faintly as virtually to countenance it. They will not publicly endorse evil; but they will rather go quietly home, or get out of its way, and leave it to riot unrebuked. They do not abhor it......These men are not obeying Paul."-Moses E. Lard(from GA Annual Commentary, Oct. 6, 1946).(end)
Just Thinking...If sarcasm was gold, some people could be rich.