as of 2006 July 30	please select one The STUDY below

To: Viewpoint Discussion Group
Subject: Assemblies for “worship” (2)
Date sent: Sat, 22 Apr 2000 13:29:56 -0500

From: Gerald Browning
Subject: RE: Concerning “assemblies for worship” (1)
Date sent: Sat, 22 Apr 2000 01:12:48 -0500

Ray, you wrote, “All this talk about ’worship services’ is simply wrong teaching about how Christian assemblies should be conducted. What we’re called to do is to meet to edify one another rather than to ’worship together.’”

It is very good to realize that worship is not something that takes place only in the assemblies. You do not mean, I think, that worship is something that should never take place in the assembly? The pendulum should not swing too far to the right or left! Is there more than one passage that encourages us concerning our assembling?

The writer’s admonition it seems is three-fold:

• 1) “hold fast the confession of our hope,”
• 2) “consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,”
• 3) encourage one another in the matter of “not forsaking our own assembling together.”

Would good hermeneutics require anything beyond the fact that we should give heed to all three admonitions? Would such require that admonitions 1) or 2), or both be the total sum and substance of what can take place during the assembly? What rule or law would limit any or all other appropriate things from being a part of what happens in the assembly? Who is to say that the Holy Spirit would have required the writer to spell out everything appropriate to the assembly?

Keep on keeping on until He comes again,
Gerald
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<< Ray remarks -- What a fine comment Gerald shares with us! I surely do not mean to suggest that it’s wrong for Christians to share in worship at any time! What I hope to encourage is a change away from thinking that the Bible teaches that the purpose for our coming together is worship.

<< What I hear the Word saying about our assemblies is that the primary purpose for which we are to meet together is to encourage one another and to bless and edify one another. What I hear most church leaders today saying is that we should meet together in order to engage in what is called “worship.” Our auditorium seating and our programs are arranged in ways which absolutely prevent interaction among those present. Everything is aimed at the “platform” where worship leaders parade and perform. Most who attend have no voice in what is said or done in the meeting. It’s planned and presented TO us rather than being edification BY us.

<< I agree that it was not necessary that the Bible (in which God through His Spirit speaks to us all) outline exactly what must be done in our assemblies. I’m sure it does not attempt to do so, even though some imagine they find in the Word a “worship pattern” which must be followed by all who seek to please God. I appreciate Gerald’s calling these three brief passages to our attention! Of course it’s appropriate to share in worship when we’re together! I didn’t intend to say or imply that would be inappropriate.

<< It’s inappropriate to substitute “worship” for the sharing that should characterize our gatherings. >> ---

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          Brief Bible Study #39 from Ray Downen. To go back to Viewpoint’s first page, click < here.   Or here to go on to Viewpoint Study 40. For Ray’s concluding remarks, click HERE.