Addressing God In Church Gatherings

by J. DORRICOTT | Category: N/a | Apr 1951

There is no set formula as to how we should address God when gathered for the Remembrance of the Lord Jesus Christ, but the character and object of our gathering gives guidance as to this, and there are scriptures that give light and help to the spiritual mind.

The remembrance of the Lord Jesus should produce worship, thanksgiving and praise by the Spirit in our hearts. Such a season is a time of giving to God when we are before Him as a holy priesthood. 1 Peter 2.5 is very helpful here; the design of God in living stones being built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, is that spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to Him through Jesus Christ might be offered up. It is sad to exercised souls to reflect that all believers are not together as a, spiritual House to function as a holy priesthood. Let us remember that it is for the remembrance of the Lord Jesus that we come together, out of which springs worship, then ministry, it may be, and prayer at the close. This then in brief is the character of our being together (Acts 20.7; 1 Corinthians 11.28-26; 14. Hebrews 10. 19-22 ; 13.15 ; 1 Peter 2.5). The Lord Jesus is the Subject of our remembrance, God is the Object of our worship and thanksgiving, and the Holy Spirit is the Power (Luke 22. 29; 1 Corinthians 11. 23-26; Matthew 4. 10; John 4.24; Philippians 3. 3). "The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" is a glorious title and name, most appropriate as a form of address, though these words in Scripture were generally used by individuals under various circumstances as follows:

Ephesians 1. 3,-Paul adores the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 1. 8,-Paul blesses the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 11. 31,-Paul affirms before the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is adorable for evermore, that he lies not in telling the Corinthians of his sufferings. Colossians 1. 8,-Paul and Timothy gave thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the saints in Colossae, praying always for them. Romans 15. 6,-Paul desires, concerning the saints in Rome, "That with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Peter also uses this glorious title when writing his first letter and says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," this in connexion with the "living hope" and the "inheritance." These citations cover all the Scriptures where this title is used as an address. We are not overlooking Revelation 1.5, 6, where those whom our Lord loveth and loosed from their sins, say, "He made us a kingdom, * priests unto His God and Father, to Him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever."

* " To be" (in italics) is not found in ancient Greek manuscripts.

From this verse it will be seen that we are priests unto His God and Father, and the title is not used here in the form of address. This being so, it is nevertheless our privilege to address Him as such, as our Lord has made us priests unto His God and Father.

In no instance is it seen to be used as a collective form of address to God, yet it is evident, that it is one of the highest titles and names of the most blessed God, so fragrant with the spirit of adoration and worship that it is one of the most appropriate titles of address at the remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ, though we must be careful not to restrict our address to this, as there are other names and titles that are in keeping with the character of our gathering, and God in His wisdom has given us no special formula for this occasion, as before stated.

As God is the Object of worship, praise and thanksgiving, we see in Scripture (in general) that He is addressed and worshipped as God, also in praise and thanksgiving He is addressed as God. Throughout the epistles, thanksgiving was rendered (in general) to God through our Lord Jesus Christ. A few references are-Romans 7.25; Philippians 1.3; Galatians 1.4, 5 ; Colossians 3. 16; 1 Thessalonians 1.2, 8.

He is also spoken of as the blessed God, 1 Timothy 1.11 (blessed for evermore), the gracious God (the God of all grace). Such expressions are appropriate at the remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ. But to address Him as " Our Father "or" Heavenly Father" is not appropriate on this occasion, for we do not come as children of God, as we do at our prayer meetings, or in our individual prayers, but we come as worshippers, our worship flowing out of the remembrance of our Lord.

In passing, we would say that the words "Heavenly Father" are used by the Lord Jesus in connexion with forgiveness and supplying our need (Matthew 6.14, 18.35).

ADDRESSING GOD AT PRAYER AND OTHER MEETINGS.

Thanksgiving is addressed to " the Father "in the New Testament in keeping with the object and purpose of our being together on Lord's Day for the breaking of bread if it is in the sense of the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Father seeketh worshippers (John 4.).

Prayer is addressed to God the Father, or "Our Father," and it is also appropriate to use the address "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15.6, an expressed desire and prayer), and such other titles as befit the lips of a suppliant as distinct from a worshipper.

Scriptures are abundant which shew how we should address our God according to the character of our gatherings and our need. We also see the title of "Lord" used in prayer and thanksgiving (Acts 1.24, 4.24, Hebrews 1.10).

We feel it is only right to say as we are now writing on this theme, that we find prayer and thanksgiving addressed to the Lord Jesus by individuals, but not in the assembly. There is also seen communion with the Lord Jesus by individuals (Acts 7.59, 60; 9.5, 10-17; 10.9, 14 ; 2 Corinthians 12.8, 9; 1 Timothy 1.12 ; Revelation 1.5).

Then may we mention that it is not seemly or reverent, to repeat constantly in prayer, 0 God; 0 Father; 0 Lord. In the Lord's prayer in John 17. the Father is addressed differently three times (with different requests each time) as " 0 Father " (verse 5), " Holy Father " (verse 11), " 0 righteous Father " (verse 25). In conclusion we would say that the omission of any special form of address of God for our various gatherings, leaves us with a holy freedom, but it should always be in keeping with the character of our gatherings, and the reverent address of God, and titles used should be appropriate to the purpose of such gatherings, as before stated.

J. DORRICOTT | Apr 1951
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