Jesus calls us to join Him in HIS church.
Christians love, honor, and serve Jesus Christ. The Bible is our guide. It's not Mary we worship, but her Son (who is also God's unique Son). Rather than saints, angels, doctrinal systems, or even the Holy Spirit, we worship JESUS and His Father!
as of
12/4
1999

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Part 3 of Viewpoint's    
Study on Christian Worship     

More About Christian Worship  
per Viewpoints #11, et al ~ With comments by Buff Scott Jr. ...
Far More Than A Matter of Style   pretty line

Date sent: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 14:17:31 -0500
From: "Buff Scott, Jr." <Reformer@compuserve.com>
Subject: Reformation Rumbles--Dec. 9, 1997

Worship by Buff Scott, Jr.

_______________________Editor, "The Reformer"______________________

Can a believer "go to worship?" May worship today be scheduled
for a certain time and confined to a particular place?

You may think it strange that I say what follows, but listen in, please. Give me your eyes and ears for about two minutes only.

1) The word, "worship" in the grace era is never used in conjunction with what believers do when they come together, although believers do worship corporately when they meet.

2) Jesus taught that in the new age (grace era), worship would be anytime and the place where we are. "Believe me, woman, a time is coming (the grace era) when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem" (John 4:21).

3) Under the previous era (old covenant or Law of Moses), worship was largely restricted to a certain place, scheduled for an exact time, and performed in specific ways. Under the new arrangement, worship is all of the time--incessantly, never ending.

4) Worship for the committed believer is not like a water faucet, something we turn on and off at will. Rather, worship for the committed believer is a 24-hour-a-day matter.

5) Everything a believer does is to be done for the glory of God and in the name of Jesus."So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (I Cor. 10:31). "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17). It would be difficult to do something, anything, in the name of Jesus and for the glory of God without worshipping! Consequently, for the devoted Christian, worship is an ongoing act -- whether in the assembly or out of the assembly.

       Question: Is it important, then, that believers come together?

Very definitely! We need the encouragement, the support, and the strength of others. We need to share with and teach each other. We need to hear and to be heard. This kind of gathering can be anywhere, even under the shade of the old apple tree, or in the tool shed behind the "church building!" It seems to me that "church buildings" have become our idols. We esteem them as something holy and sacred. And that's a sin!
pretty line         Brief Bible Study #77-B from Ray Downen. To go back to Viewpoint's first page, click < here. Or go on to Viewpoint Study #78.

                      For Ray's concluding remarks, click HERE.