Worshipping Together

by Prasher, C, Lindsay | Category: The Disciple Life | Apr 1990

Before the risen Christ finally departed from His loved disciples, He gave them clear instructions, "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations "... teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you."

Note that His instructions apply to all parts of the globe: it is His wish that one universal pattern shall be adopted. In Matthew 28:18-20, where this instruction is given, no details occur, but the essence of what the Lord taught in the post4esurrection forty days is found in the apostles' practice after His ascension, that is in the Acts and the Epistles. But the Matthew passage does put the emphasis in the right place, for He said, "Make disciples" which involves obedience. Last month obedience in baptism was considered: this month obedience in worshipping together is the theme.

Together for Breaking Bread

The "togetherness" of the disciples in Jerusalem is quite a feature of the record in the early chapters of the Acts. Prior to Pentecost, 120 were together, fulfilling the Lord's specific request, "tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). On the day of Pentecost three thousand were added to those already together, to become the first Church of God in New Testament times, and the Lord "added to them day by day those that were being saved" (Acts 2:47). And what did they do after they were baptized? They "continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42). These principles continued to be applied when, by persecution, the disciples moved out from Jerusalem to other cities.

The apostles' teaching: where did it originate? The answer is, with the Lord Himself. He taught the apostles, apart from Paul, during the forty days referred to above. Paul also obtained it directly from the Lord, probably during his three years in Arabia (Gal. 1:12-18). What Paul received agreed exactly with what the other apostles received: the instructions were consistent.

How often did they meet to break bread? Acts 20:7 gives the answer, "And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread..." That this was general among the churches of God is confirmed by 1 Corinthians 16:2 where collections are discussed. "Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store". That is, when they were gathered together to break bread, at that time also collections were taken.

Breaking of Bread as a Remembrance of the Lord

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 makes it clear that, when the disciples came together in church capacity for the breaking of bread, it was to fulfil the Lord's own request on the night of His betrayal, "this do in remembrance of Me". The bread and the wine were not to satisfy hunger and thirst but were partaken of as an act of remembrance of the One who died for them.

Breaking of Bread leads to Worship

In remembering what the Lord has done, the feelings of disciples are drawn out to give God praise. In this way worship flows spontaneously from remembrance. Now Hebrews 10:19-25, written in the context of "the assembling of yourselves together" in church capacity, indicates a further feature which many dear Christians have missed entirely, namely that on such an occasion the heavenly holy place is entered into by faith, through Him who is "a great Priest over the house of God" (v.21). It is the declared purpose of God that each church of God "fitly framed together" should grow into a "holy temple in the Lord" ~ph. 2:21), so forming the house of God, over which the risen Christ is the High Priest (Heb. 3:1). In 1 Peter 2:5, this house is described as a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. This divinely appointed pattern of worshipping together is clearly outlined in Scripture: a careful study will reveal that no collective worship is discussed outside this framework. Therefore it should be the aim of today's disciples, who wish to please their Lord in the fullest sense, to be found worshipping together according to the same pattern.

Departures from the Divine Path

No authority is found in Scripture for the practice of taking "holy communion" other than at weekly intervals or other than on the first day of the week. Similarly, no authority is found in Scripture for the practice of the taking of the bread and wine by individuals, however much some may seek to justify it in terms of appreciation by the individuals. In the Bible it is exclusively a function of a gathered together people.

We do not wish to infer that in any of these departures from the divine pattern sincere people do not worship or that God, in His infinite grace, gets nothing from their worship. However, if God through His Holy Spirit has taken pains to reveal His desired practice in His Word, the least disciples can do is to find out that practice and then put it into effect. It is submitted that this is scripturally done in the framework of churches of God operating as the house of God.

The prayers

The prayers, that is collective prayer in a church of God, are

included in Acts 2:42, as well as the breaking of bread. Now Hebrews 4:14-16 describes that activity of the great High Priest as the Churches of God draws near with boldness to the throne of grace. He it is who has been tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin, and who is available to provide grace and strength to His people in time of need. Such an exercise by the church will be in a spirit of reverence and Godly fear: prostration of spirit, which is worship, is also likely to result.

Always in Scripture, the High Priest is associated with a collective people. This does not mean that individuals have no access to the divine throne, but in that context the Spirit speaks of the Advocate, as in 1 John 2:1. An advocate is one called alongside to help and we should, as individuals, take full advantage of this marvellous facility.

Ecumenism

Under the banner of "worshipping together" many Christians are striving for a oneness through the Ecumenical movement, by bringing different denominations together in combined services, with the hope that gradually differences will be resolved. They quote the words of the Lord Jesus from John 17:22-23 "that they may be one, even as we are one". This aim of the Lord, however, is only achieved on the basis of His Word, which He had given to the disciples (vv. 8,14) and which is an essential pre4equisite to unity. 'If each denomination went back to what the Lord gave to His disciples then there would be a true basis for unity, and denominations would disappear. All would be worshipping together in the way He had prescribed and in strict accord with His commandments.

The New Testament gives the impression that the apostles proceeded from Pentecost with clarity of concept and a unified purpose. The resurrected Christ, who alone has all authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18) gave them a crystal clear remit. Not only was there just one gospel (Galatians 1:8-9) but also one Faith and one baptism (Ephesians 4:5). Every encouragement was given by the apostles to believers to "attain to the Unity of the Faith" (Eph. 4:13). The Faith was that body of teaching received from the Lord and passed on to the disciples without amendment. It was that for which they were to "contend earnestly" (Jude 3). It was also called the Truth (1 Tim. 2:4).

As under the Old Covenant God allowed of no alternative to His Law of Worship, so in the New Testament, a pattern has been laid down for which no substitutes are envisaged. The format of this one way of unity in worship is not difficult to find and if any have problems, why not write to the editor of this magazine? He will be only too pleased to reply to enquirers.

May God give grace to each, "for if any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching" (John 7:17) were the words of the Lord Himself.

Prasher, C, Lindsay | Apr 1990
The Disciple Life