Historical Posts
What is Worship?
All of life is not worship.
In the modern era of religious pluralism, when anything that is offered to God with a modicum of sincerity is considered worship, many are left scratching their heads and wondering what worship really is. Some have come to the conclusion that all of life is worship and that we reverence God every time we put on our socks, or wash the dishes, or feed the cat. If people would just read the Bible, they could tell that all of life is not worship. Abraham understood this to be the case and expressed his understanding in Genesis 22:5. Worship is something that human beings do purposefully and deliberately. But, even this realization still begs the question: “What is worship?”
“Worship” in the Christian Age.
Gospel preachers of the Restoration Movement have long preached about the so-called “five acts” of worship. Like the “five steps” in the gospel plan of salvation, the five acts of worship are entirely derived from the New Testament. While they may not appear in any one passage, as a neatly compiled list, they are no less detectable, when Scripture is compared with Scripture. There is no particular order in which five acts must be done, but they all must be done, in order to constitute “worship” in the Christian Age (John 4:23-24).
The church is commanded to sing
We know that singing, for example, is one of the five acts of worship. We know this, because the church is commanded to sing in passages like Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. We know that this singing is part of our worship because of passages like 1 Corinthians 14:15 and Hebrews 2:12. Furthermore, we know that this singing is to be done without accompaniment of mechanical instruments of music, because none of the passages that mention singing in the New Testament authorize us to do anything more or less than sing.
Prayer is mentioned as part of worship.
Also, we know that prayer is one of the five acts of worship. Christians are commanded to “pray without ceasing,” in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Prayer is mentioned as part of worship in passages like 1 Corinthians 14:15. Passages like Matthew 6:5-15 teach how we ought to pray, both in public and in private.
Disciples came together and partook of the Lord’s Supper.
Additionally, we know that observance of the Lord’s Supper is one of the five acts of worship. When Jesus instituted this memorial feast, He said, “this do, in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19b). In 1 Corinthians 11:26, Paul wrote, “For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” Acts 20:7 shows us that, on the first day of every week, the disciples came together and partook of the Lord’s Supper, as they worshipped (Cf. 1 Corinthians 11:20-21).
Giving of our means is worship.
Furthermore, we know that giving of our means is one of the five acts of worship. Ancient Christians were taught to give of their means on the first day of every week, when the church was assembled for worship (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Ancient Christians did not give “tithes” of their income, but rather they were taught to give an offering of their own free will, which might even exceed ten percent (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
Preaching was part of the worship services of the ancient church.
Finally, we know that preaching is one of the five acts of worship. Preaching was part of the worship services of the ancient church (Acts 20:7). Preaching is the method that God has chosen to disseminate His message to the whole world (1 Corinthians 1:21). Whether one simply reads the Scriptures aloud, or expounds upon their meaning, it is essential that the Word of the Lord be heard in the congregation of His people.
The “Five Acts” of Worship:
1. Singing (Ephesians 5:19)
2. Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
3. Communion (Acts 20:7)
4. Giving (1 Corinthians 16:1,2)
5. Preaching (1 Corinthians 1:21)
On the first day of the week (Sunday).
Apart from the five acts of worship, it is equally important for us to understand that we may worship God only on the first day of the week (Sunday). According to Acts 20:7, this was the day when the ancient church came together for just that purpose. The Bible does not authorize us to worship God on any other day. The Bible does authorize us to sing (James 5:13), pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17), give (Galalatians 6:10) and preach (2 Timothy 4:2) on other days of the week, but the only day in which we may rightly do all of the five acts of worship together is the “Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10).
God sets the standard.
Let there be no confusion about worship in anyone’s mind. Worship is a special event, in the lives of all of God’s children. Worship is not whatever we might imagine it to be. It is what God demands of us, and it is only right that He should set the standard of what is and is not Scriptural worship.
Content by Russell Kline
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1 Corinthians 11:23-30 The Lord’s Supper
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Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-30
Introduction
1. An act of worship in which we engage each Sunday is The Lord’s Supper
a. Known also as The Communion (1 Corinthians 10:16) and The Breaking Of Bread (Acts 2:42)
b. Today, some refer to it as The Eucharist, from the Greek eucharisteo, “giving of thanks”, which Christ did at the time of its institution – Matthew 26:26-27
2. It is a simple act, in which those who are Christians
a. Partake of unleavened bread
b. Drink of the fruit of the vine
3. It is an important act, one that we should understand why we do it, lest our participation be
a. Meaningless to us
b. Displeasing to God
c. Detrimental to us – cf. 1 Corinthians 11:27
4. Therefore it behooves all Christians, especially those new in the faith, to be well acquainted with the meaning and practice of the Lord’s Supper.
Body
I. THE MEANING OF THE SUPPER
A. IT IS A MEMORIAL
1. Note Paul’s account as given by the Lord Himself – 1 Corinthians 11: 23-25
a. We eat the bread in memory of His body
b. We drink the cup (fruit of the vine) in memory of His blood
2. We therefore commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross – Matthew 26:28
a. Whose death make the new covenant possible – Hebrews 9:16
b. Whose blood was shed for the remission of sins – Ephesians 1:7
3. As the Passover was a memorial commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the lambs on the door post, so the Supper is a memorial of our Lord’s death who makes our deliverance from the bondage of sin possible
B. IT IS A PROCLAMATION
1. We proclaim our faith in the power of the Lord’s death – 1 Corinthians 11:26a
a. That His death was indeed for our sins
b. If we don’t believe He died for our sins, why keep the Supper?
2. We also proclaim our faith in the Lord’s return – 1 Corinthians 11:26b
a. For it is to be done “till He comes”
b. If we don’t believe He is coming, then why keep the Supper?
3. Thus the Lord’s Supper looks forward as well as backward, and will ever be observed by His disciples who trust in His redemption and anticipate His return!
C. IT IS A COMMUNION
1. A fellowship or sharing in the blood of Christ – 1 Corinthians 10:16a
a. As we partake, we commune with the blood of Christ
b. Perhaps in the sense of reinforcing blessings we enjoy through the blood of Christ – 1 John 1:7,9
2. A fellowship or sharing in the body of Christ – 1 Corinthians 10:16b-17
a. As we partake, we commune with the body of Christ
b. Perhaps in the sense of reinforcing fellowship together in the body of Christ (i.e., the church), as we break bread together
3. The extent to which we share in the body and blood of the Lord as we partake may be uncertain, but dare we neglect whatever may be the benefits of that communion?
II. THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SUPPER
A. TO BE DONE WITH REVERENCE
1. That is, “in a worthy manner” – 1 Corinthians 11:27, 29
a. The KJV says “worthily”, which some have misunderstood – 1 Corinthians 11:27 KJV; 1 Corinthians 11:29 KJV
b. It is an adverb, describing how we take it, not whether we are worthy (none are truly worthy)
2. With respect for the supreme price Jesus paid for our sins
a. The cruel torture and humiliation of His physical body
b. The spiritual anguish suffered as Jesus bore the punishment for our sins (“My God, My God, Why have You forsaken Me?”)
3. Failure to observe with proper reverence brings condemnation – 1 Corinthians 11:27, 29
a. One will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord
b. One will eat and drink judgment to himself
4. To make light of this memorial puts one in the same category as those who mocked Him as He hung on the cross!
B. TO BE DONE WITH SELF-EXAMINATION
1. Such as reflecting upon one’s spiritual condition – 1 Corinthians 11:28
2. Are we living in a manner that shows appreciation for His sacrifice?
a. By accepting the grace of God in our lives? – cf. 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:1
b. By living for Jesus who died for us? – cf. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Galatians 2:20
3. Or are we by willful sinning, guilty of having:
a. “trampled the Son of God underfoot”?
b. “counted the blood by which [we were] sanctified a common thing”?
c. “insulted the Spirit of grace”? – cf. Hebrews 10:26-29
4. Do we, by refusing to repent of our sins, “crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an shame”? – cf. Hebrews 6:4-6
5. In one sense, the Supper is a very private matter between a Christian and his or her God; a time to reflect on the past and to resolve for the future
C. TO BE DONE WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS
1. There is ample indication the Supper is designed to be a communal meal
a. The disciples “came together” to break bread – Acts 20:7
b. When they came together, they were to “wait for one another” – 1 Corinthians 11:33
c. Partaking together of “one bread”, they demonstrate they are “one bread and one body” – 1 Corinthians 10:17
d. We commune not just with the Lord, but with one another
D. TO BE DONE OFTEN
1. The Biblical evidence is that it was done weekly
a. Christians came together on the first day of the week to “break bread” – Acts 20:7
b. Other indications of a weekly observance:
1) The church at Corinth was coming together to eat the Lord’s Supper, though they were abusing it – cf. 1 Corinthians 11:17-22
2) Instructions concerning the collection suggest their coming together was on the first day of the week – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
c. Following the divinely approved example of Christians in the Bible, we know God approves of a weekly observance on the first day of the week
2. The earliest historical evidence outside the Bible confirms the day and frequency
a. The Didache (ca. 95 A.D.) indicates Christians were to come together on the first day of the week to break bread – Didache 14:1
b. Justin Martyr (ca. 150 A.D.) records how Christians assembled on Sunday and partook of the Supper – Apology I, 67
c. “…the early church writers from Barnabas, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, to Clement of Alexandria, Origen and Cyprian, all with one consent, declare that the church observed the first day of the week. They are equally agreed that the Lord’s Supper was observed weekly, on the first day of the week.” – B. W. Johnson, People’s New Testament
3. Religious scholars confirm this was the practice
a. “As we have already remarked, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper was still held to constitute an essential part of divine worship every Sunday, as appears from Justin Martyr (A.D. 150)…” – Augustus Neander (Lutheran), History Of Christian Religion And Church, Vol. I, p. 332
b. “This ordinance (the Lord’s Supper) seems to have been administered every Lord’s day; and probably no professed Christian absented themselves…” – Thomas Scott (Presbyterian), Commentary On Acts 20:7
c. This also is an important example of weekly communion as the practice of the first Christians.” -A.C. Hervey (Episcopalian), Commentary On Acts 20:7
d. “It is well known that the primitive Christians administered the Eucharist (the Lord’s Supper) every Lord’s day.” – P. Doddridge ( Congregationalist), Notes On Acts 20:7
4. Some believe that a weekly observance diminishes the importance of the Supper
a. Which is why they may do it monthly, quarterly, or annually?
b. But does the frequent practice of:
1) Assembling diminishing its value and importance?
2) Singing praises and offering prayers devalue their benefits?
3) Preaching and studying God’s Word decrease their significance to our lives?
5. Our spiritual lives are dependent upon the value and benefits of our Lord’s death on the cross; a weekly observance of the memorial helps us to live appreciatively and accordingly!
Conclusion
1. “The Lord’s Supper” is a very special memorial of His death for our sins
a. Instituted by Jesus Himself, He asked His disciples to do it in His memory
b. Jesus told His disciples that He would not eat of the elements again until:
1) “…that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” – Matthew 26:29
2) “…that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” – Mark14:25
3) “…it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” – Luke 22:16
4) “…the kingdom of God shall come.” – Luke 22:18
c. There are two plausible explanations for what Jesus means:
1) Some think it refers to Jesus having fellowship with us as we observe the Lord’s Supper in the church, which is His kingdom – cf. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
2) Others propose that it refers to the special communion we will have with Jesus in His Father’s kingdom, spoken often in terms of a heavenly feast – cf. Isaiah 25:6-8; Matthew 8:11; 22:2-14; Luke 14:15-24; Revelation 19:9
2. The first Christians “continued steadfastly” in its observance
a. Just as they did in the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship and prayer – Acts 2:42
b. Coming together on the first day of the week for that very purpose – Acts 20:7
3. Christians today should never lose sight of its significance for us
a. A constant reminder of the great sacrifice Jesus paid for our sins
b. A communion or sharing of the body and blood of the Lord
c. A time for self-examination and rededication of our service to the Lord
d. A means for building fellowship with one another in the body of Christ
4. May such thoughts encourage us to never neglect opportunities we have to observe the Lord’s Supper, but to continue steadfastly and in so doing “proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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