Results 1 - 5 of 5
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97778 | ||
Dear Makarios, From an overview of scripture, we have seen that the Bible consistently teaches (1.) that the Lord God alone is to be worshipped; (2.) that he is to be worshipped only through the means appointed in his word; and (3.) that it is sinful to employ man-made additions or alterations to the worship of God. We should ponder some ramifications of these truths. Corrupt worship is a widespread evil in our own society. Americans often feel that their culture has advanced beyond primitive societies which worship false deities. The truth is, however, that contemporary society is cluttered with polluted worship, even among professing Christians. Man-made innovations in worship are prevalent, especially within "conservative" and "evangelical" churches. If biblical principles of worship were upheld, there would be little fascination with liturgical superstitions, sacred dance and drama, musical performances, multimedia spectacles, and puppet shows in worship services. We need to grasp the truth that deviant forms of worship are evil. The basic principles of worship are embedded in the decalogue; transgression of the commandments is blatant immorality. In our modern pluralistic age, professing Christians have lost a sense of the immorality of false worship. Variant forms of worship should not be treated as the subjects for mere academic debates and theoretical speculations. What is at stake is the proper worship of God, who has declared that he will not give his glory to another nor his praise to graven images (Isa. 42:8). Individually, we must examine our hearts and practices. Are our hearts prepared to seek the Lord God? Have we repented of our own sins including our sins of corrupt worship? Will we reform our practices in worship (privately and in our families) to conform to the scriptural law of worship? Corporately, churches need to purge their services of all elements of worship which lack clear biblical warrant. Congregations should carefully examine all practices of worship which are urged upon them. Disputed matters must be settled on the basis of a scriptural evaluation alone. From Kings and Chronicles, we have seen that public worship is an outward indicator of the true spiritual condition of a nation. This truth should drive us to repentance and prayer, as we survey the current pollutions of worship in our land. Moreover, corporate worship is a significant indicator of the true spiritual condition of a congregation (or denomination). Christians should refuse to affiliate with any church which openly embraces corrupt worship. "What agreement hath the temple of God with idols? ...Where fore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you...." (2 Cor. 6:15-18). Finally, we should work to restore the proper elements of worship given in the scriptures: prayer; the reading, preaching, and hearing of God's word; singing of psalms; and the right administration of the sacraments as well as occasional appointments of fasting and thanksgiving. The Lord has not left us groping in darkness, guessing at the proper means of worship. He has provided a sufficient manual of worship in the scriptures. His word needs no supplements of human origin. Let us stir our souls in adoration for the living God, who has appointed all sacred means of worship. (www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/BibW_ch3.htm) The above article reflects my concern about the introduction of elements to worship that lack a Scritural mandate. John |
||||||
2 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | Morant61 | 97790 | ||
Greetings John! I agree with your 1st point, but where does Scripture teach that worship can only be in a form expressed in Scripture? If we followed that logic, pianos and organs would be inappropriate since they are not specifically mentioned in the Bible. :-) p.s. - I'm not a big fan of sacred dance, but didn't David dance before the Lord? ;-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
||||||
3 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97867 | ||
Dear Tim, God is seeking a people who will worship Him in spirit and truth John 4:24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." The patterns of worship are given us in Scripture. The OT supplys us with ample justification for music as well as psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. The fact that David danced before the Lord is a poor arguement for incorporating dance, per se, into our worship services. David's dance was a spontaneous expression of his joy in God. Dancing it self was not a prescribed element of worship. Let's face the fact's Tim. To an alaraming degree, churches today are seeking to entice people to come on Sunday to experience "christian " entertainment! And it is working. In my community the biggest churches are the ones that encourage people to come on Sunday to discover just how much FUN God really is! But is this the gospel? Could it be that well meaning churches are inadvertantly planting weeds among the wheat by promising people that christianity is a cure-all for their problems here on earth? I find it distressing. Whats next, the erection of poles that the congregation can dance and frolic around? God forbid. John |
||||||
4 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | mbooker | 97873 | ||
Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. Ps 149 1-3 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. Ps 150 Concerning dancing before the Lord, is it forbidden during what we typically today call 'worship' service? Where exactly in scripture can we find the prescribed elements of worship? Is praise one of those elements? |
||||||
5 | Do altars belong in christian churches? | Ex 17:15 | John Reformed | 97884 | ||
First let me say it is good to hear from you again! Our worship and the elements involved, should all be directed to God and be filled with praise and glory for who He is and for what He has done. The problem, as I see it, is losing focus on God and turning His worship into entertainment for the congregation. Dancing in itself is not forbidden, but neither is it mentioned as a part of christian worship. When a church incorporates dance as a part of it's worship, it is doing so without scriptural warrent. Especially when it is presented as a performance. Dear Meridith...I, as well as you, desire to see the people of God joyously worshipping Our God and Savior. I just don't want our services to become "shows" that distract the flock from true worship. I've been there. It's not pretty! John |
||||||