The church Jesus Built So far we have looked at:

The church Jesus Built So far we have looked at:
Use of church (ekklesia) Universal – all saints throughout all time Local – Christians in a local area who are working together

Organization of the church: Jesus Christ head over church “universal”

Organization of the local church: Elders – overseers of one local congregation Deacons – servants of the church under the oversight of the elders Saints Preachers, Teachers, Members

Not all worship is acceptable…
There is "vain worship“ Matthew 15:7-9 “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 9 'But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.”

There is "vain worship“ There is "ignorant worship“ Acts 17:22-23

Acts 17:22-23 “So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.”

There is "vain worship“ There is "ignorant worship“ There is "will worship“ Colossians 2:20-23

Colossians 2:20-23 “If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—…”

Colossians 2:20-23 “…in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.”

Worship "in Spirit and in Truth”
The Time had come for a NEW kind of Worship... John 4:19-24

John 4:19-24 “The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." …”

John 4:19-24 “… 21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. …”

John 4:19-24 “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Worship "in Spirit” To worship in spirit means to offer "spiritual worship" To "worship in spirit", then, is to offer up "spiritual" worship as taught in the NT and not the "physical" worship as found in the OT

Worshipping God in "Truth"...
The contrast is not between “True" and “False" worship The contrast is between that which is “True" (or real), and that which had been a “Shadow" (or type) pointing toward the true!

Worshipping God in "Truth"...
To "worship in truth", then, is to offer up the "true", "spiritual" worship as taught in the NT And not the "physical" worship in the OT which was but a "shadow"

Their Worship was for Edification
Worship was to Build Up each other... As Paul instructed the church in Corinth 1 Corinthians 14:26

1 Corinthians 14:26 “What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.”

Worshipping Decently & in Order
Worship that is "decent" Is done "in a seemly manner“ fitting for the occasion

Worshipping Decently & in Order
Worship that is "in order" Follows "a fixed arrangement“ not totally spontaneous Contributes to peace, not confusion cf. 1 Cor. 14:33

The Worship of the church
Jesus Built

Activities in the Worship
Observed the Lord's Supper... As commanded by the Lord and His apostles A memorial feast instituted by Jesus Luke 22:14-20

Luke 22:14-20 “When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15 And He said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." …”

Luke 22:14-20 “… 17 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes." …”

Luke 22:14-20 “… 19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." …”

Luke 22:14-20 “… 20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”

Observed the Lord's Supper... As commanded by the Lord and His apostles Taught to the churches by the apostles 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

1 Corinthians 11:23-29 “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me."…”

1 Corinthians 11:23-29 “… 25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. …”

1 Corinthians 11:23-29 “… 27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. …”

1 Corinthians 11:23-29 “… 29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.”

Observed the Lord's Supper... In this memorial they remembered: The sinless body offered on the cross The blood shed to provide forgiveness for their sins

Observed the Lord's Supper... In this memorial they proclaimed their faith in the Lord and the effectiveness of His death

Observed the Lord's Supper... On the first day of the week As described in Acts 20:7

Acts 20:7 “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.”

Observed the Lord's Supper... On the first day of the week One can infer from this passage that they were doing this every week Other passages certainly indicate they were assembling regularly on the first day of the week

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.”

Gave to meet certain Needs...
The church was noted for its love for one another Exemplified in the church at Jerusalem

Acts 2:44,45 “And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.”

Acts 4:32-35 “And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. …”

Acts 4:32-35 “… 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. …”

Acts 4:32-35 “… 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales …”

Acts 4:32-35 “… 35 and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.”

The church was noted for its love for one another Such love went beyond those in the local congregation

Acts 11:27-30 “Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. …”

Acts 11:27-30 “… 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.”

A weekly collection was instituted To provide for the needs of the saints 1 Corinthians 16:1 “Now concerning the collection for the saints, ...”

Principles were taught to determine how much one should give "As he may prosper" - 1 Corinthians 16:2 Whatever is given with "readiness" 2 Corinthians 8:12

2 Corinthians 8:12 “For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.”

Principles were taught to determine how much one should give "According to what a person has" - 2 Corinthians 8:12-13

2 Corinthians 8:12-13 “For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality—”

Principles were taught to determine how much one should give 2 Corinthians 9:7

2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Principles were taught to determine how much one should give Keeping in mind the principle of "sowing and reaping" - 2 Corinthians 9:6,8

2 Corinthians 9:6 “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;”

Funds so collected were used to help needy Christians Including those who devoted their lives to preaching the gospel cf. 2 Cor. 11:8,9

2 Corinthians 11:8,9 “I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; 9 and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; …”

2 Corinthians 11:8,9 “…for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.”

Philippians 4:10-18 “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. …”

Philippians 4:10-18 “… 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. …”

Philippians 4:10-18 “… 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, …”

Philippians 4:10-18 “…no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. …”

Philippians 4:10-18 “… 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.”

They Listened to the Word
Noted for attention to the Word The church in Jerusalem - Acts 2:42

Acts 2:42 "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Noted for attention to the Word The church in Jerusalem - Acts 2:42 As ambassadors of Christ, the apostles' words were taken very seriously cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:13

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”

They therefore used their assemblies to hear God's Word As when Paul spoke at Troas - Acts 20:7

Acts 20:7 “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.”

They therefore used their assemblies to hear God's Word Or when letters from the apostles had been received - cf. Colossians 4:16

Colossians 4:16 “When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.”

Offered Prayers and Songs
Prayers were offered in their assemblies As indicated in 1 Cor. 14:15-17

1 Corinthians 14:15-17 “What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. …”

1 Corinthians 14:15-17 “… 16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? …”

1 Corinthians 14:15-17 “… 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.”

Prayers were offered in their assemblies Especially in times of trouble cf. Acts 12:5,12

Acts 12:5 “So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.”

Acts 12:12 “And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.”

Songs were sung when they were together Using psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to speak to one another Ephesians 5:19

Ephesians 5:19 “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;”

Songs were sung when they were together Using the same to teach & admonish one another Colossians 3:16

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Spiritual Nature of their Worship
Contrast the Lord's Supper with OT Sacrifices... The OT required elaborate ritual in offering various sacrifices, which certainly involved the physical senses

Contrast the Lord's Supper with OT Sacrifices... The Supper involves the mind more than the senses Requiring meditation rather than much in the way of physical action Involving a time for self-examination

Contrast their Giving with OT Tithing... The OT required a specific amount which could easily be given in a mechanical manner

Contrast their Giving with OT Tithing... The giving in the NT was based upon principles requiring careful thought and proper attitudes As one prospered and purposed in their heart Cheerfully, without grudging obligation

Contrast their Singing with OT Music... Mechanical instruments were used in the OT to accompany praise to God

Contrast their Singing with OT Music... In NT worship, the instrument they used was the "heart", not the "harp" Upon which they were to "make melody" - cf. Eph. 5:19 In which they were to sing "with thankfulness in your hearts …" - cf. Col. 3:16

Contrast other elements of Worship... The OT required: A physical tabernacle (temple) Separate priesthood Special garments Burning of incense Elaborate ceremonies, special feast days

Contrast other elements of Worship... In NT worship: The temple is the people of God 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.”

Ephesians 2:20-22 “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”

Contrast other elements of Worship... In NT worship: All Christians are priests - 1 Peter 2:5,9

1 Peter 2:5 “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Contrast other elements of Worship... In NT worship: They adorned themselves with Christ Galatians 3:27

Galatians 3:27 “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Colossians 3:5-14 “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,…”

Colossians 3:5-14 “… 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. …”

Colossians 3:5-14 “… 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—…”

Colossians 3:5-14 “… 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved,…”

Colossians 3:5-14 “… put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”

Contrast other elements of Worship... In NT worship: Their prayers were as incense – Revelation 5:8

Revelation 5:8 “When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”

Contrast other elements of Worship... In NT worship: Observance of feast days was a cause of concern Galatians 4:10,11

Galatians 4:10,11 “You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.”

Colossians 2:16,17 “Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”

The worship in the early church was simple, and it was "spiritual"

Catholic Encyclopedia
"... the first Christians were of too spiritual a fiber to substitute lifeless instruments for or to use them to accompany the human voice." Catholic Encyclopedia

Constantine Cavarnos, Byzantine Sacred Music
"The execution of Byzantine church music by instruments, or even the accompaniment of sacred chanting by instruments was ruled out by the Eastern Fathers as being incompatible with the pure, solemn, spiritual character of the religion of Christ." Constantine Cavarnos, Byzantine Sacred Music

"Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, the restoration of the other shadows of the law. …" John Calvin

"…The Papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things, from the Jews. …" John Calvin

"…Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more pleasing to Him." John Calvin

John 4:23-24 “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

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