Posts Tagged ‘worship’
Does worship have to be on Sunday?
Question: I was discussing with someone about coming to church on Sundays. What day should we meet? Does it matter which day during the week? Under persecution, you might not be able to meet Sundays, so I was wondering: does it matter the day the church meets? I do know that it states they came…
Read MoreNotes on Worship
What is worship? Worship is something distinctly done. Worship is not accidentally given. – Matthew 2:11; 4:8-9; 9:18; John 4:20; Revelation 9:20 Jesus’s definition of worship – John 4:21-24 It requires a worshiper (the existence of a rock is not worship. Animals do not worship). It requires an object of worship Worship must only be…
Read MoreParallel Worship (Children’s Church)
by Bob Berard Some elderships with announced good intentions have introduced the practice of excusing children and a few members from their congregation’s Sunday evening worship services for a special program called “children’s church.” While the remainder of the church engages in a worship assembly wherein are conducted the same worship activities as in the…
Read MoreDoes God put a yearning in our hearts for Him?
Question: Does God place a yearning for him in our hearts so that we seek Him? Is this yearning misunderstood by us and we start trying to fill this void with worldly things? Why is it that some people know early in life what that yearning is, and seek Him right away while the others, either never find…
Read MoreThe “Worship Wars”
by Wayne S. Walker In an article headlined “Understanding the ‘worship wars’” from World Magazine’s website on October 16, 2009, Warren Cole Smith began, “A recent Religion News Service dispatch caught my attention. Under the headline ‘Missouri Synod Leaders Declare Worship Wars “Sinful”’ came an article announcing the conservative Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s eight-page ‘Theses on Worship.’…
Read MoreIs Peter the rock of the church?
Question: In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said to Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it. Does Jesus give any guidelines as to how and when his followers or Christians should worship God? Answer: “He said to them, “But…
Read MoreSing with Understanding
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/SingWithUnderstanding.mp3 Text: I Corinthians 14:15-20 I. Singing is an expression of joy – James 5:13 A. It is form of worship and a way of teaching – Ephesians 5:18-20; Colossians 3:16-17 B. Of course, people sing things all the time without thinking about what they are saying – just ask kids today what are the lyrics to…
Read MoreAre small group meetings in place of the Sunday evening assembly or midweek study scriptural?
Question: Hello. I appreciate your work and respect your knowledge of the Word. I have a question concerning the small group phenomenon in the Lord’s church. Is there a scriptural basis for the small group to not assemble at the appointed times (mostly Sunday evening worship and Wednesday Bible study) though the elders approved it?…
Read MoreHow was worship conducted in Israel when the temple was destroyed?
Question: I have a question regarding the Tabernacle and the first Temple in the Old Testament: Was the Tabernacle the dwelling place of God and was the Temple the place of worship for the people? If so, when the first Temple was destroyed and tabernacle removed, how did the people worship God if there was…
Read MoreDoes the whole church need to hear the whole sermon?
Question: Is there some biblical passage where it is mentioned that in the primitive church all listened to the preacher and all were present during the whole worship? Answer: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in…
Read MoreCan we worship and praise the Holy Spirit?
Question: A question was raised in class about worship and praise to the Holy Spirit. Can you give any passages that say we are to do so? I couldn’t find any that give a specific yes or no. There are some that infer it and we can be condemned by blaspheming Him. Answer: Worship is…
Read MoreIf God gives us talent, then can we not use that talent to worship God?
Question: I witness the following conversation between two brothers and it went like this: Brother A stated, “We are not to worship or praise God on this side of the cross with instrumental music.” Brother A went on to state “This applies to the first day of the week during corporate worship or praise and…
Read MoreDid Amos curse those who introduced instrumental music into Hebrew worship?
Question: Is it true that Amos pronounced a curse upon those who, like David, introduced instrumental music into Hebrew worship? Answer: David did not introduce instrumental music into Israelite worship, God did. Long before David lived God commanded the Israelites to blow trumpets as part of their worship (Leviticus 23:24; Numbers 10:10). Prophets used instrumental…
Read MoreDoes the Bible say the church worshiped on Sunday?
Question: I have a few questions and comments concerning the texts given as proof of Sunday worship outlined in the article: “Is sex on the Sabbath a sin?” The verses are Acts 20:7 and I Corinthians 16:1-2. Acts 20:7 speaks of an act that is done on any day, and nowhere does it say that…
Read MoreWhy don’t you meet daily?
Question: I have another question, at the end of chapter 2 in the book of Acts, it is written that the church met daily. Where you worship does the body meet daily? If not, can you explain why not? Answer: “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to…
Read MoreSince they met at night in Acts 20:7ff, does that mean Christians today should only meet at night?
Question: In your article, “When Are Biblical Examples Binding?” you mentioned that there is no specific command as to when to partake of the Lord’s Supper, but that Acts 20:7 becomes a binding example because it is the only example. If this is true which I feel it is true, and verse 8 says there…
Read MoreWhat do you think about partaking of the Lord’s Supper after dinner?
Question: At our congregation, we take communion on the first day of each week. Our preacher has decided to have small groups meet in homes and have a potluck dinner and again partake of the Lord’s Supper, calling it an agape feast. This is causing a division in the church. He is using a lot…
Read MoreWorship: The Emotional Component
by Warren E. Berkley “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth,” (John 4:24). Every element of true worship involves some emotional component. The emotional component is not driven by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit (as in Calvinism) or “getting the Holy Spirit” (as in Charismatic practice). The…
Read MoreWhere does the Scripture mention buying a building?
Question: I visited your web site; it is very nice and helpful. My question is: Where, in the Scripture, does it mention buying a building for church worship? I could only find house worship. Answer: The command to assemble is “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,…
Read MoreShould Christians sing during the Lord’s supper?
Question: Should Christians sing during the Lord’s supper? Answer: I wonder what is next — singing during prayer or singing during the sermon!? I really don’t understand why people think that the Lord’s Supper needs some kind of “crutch” or “support” to make it meaningful and relevant to Christians. When the Lord gave the bread…
Read MoreIs it a sin to go to a youth group or chapel service during the week?
Question: I saw that the church only met on the first day of the week to gather and worship. Does this mean that I sin if I go to youth groups on Wednesdays (while still going to church on Sunday), or if my school has weekly mandatory chapel services on Thursdays? Answer: There are various…
Read MoreCan a person add things to their worship so long as they don’t require it of others?
Question: I’m curious about things and friends of mine who go to other churches. I want to understand why they do the things they do. Regarding Christians doing what they personally want to do is what I’m trying to understand. I understand if they use musical instruments, dance, etc. in the religious practice of what…
Read MoreDo you have more thoughts on the issue of dress in worship?
Question: Thank you for your sensible and persuasive essay on dress. It is a nice contrast from some of the more stringent and pharisaical content that I’ve seen and heard, in that you are able to make a sound, scripture-based argument without beating anyone over the head with personal views. Your reasoning shows little personal bias…
Read MoreCan the preacher use his time to conduct a Bible class during the worship service?
Question: I’m a young man of seventeen and have been raised and brought up in a very conservative Christian home. I could go on and on about my father, the efforts of my mother, and the great strides I’ve been extremely blessed to make in being an active member in the church, but there is…
Read MoreThere are people talking, playing, and walking around during worship. Am I being too critical to say this is wrong?
Question: When I go into the Lord’s house my main focus is worship. I get disturbed when I see people talking, playing and walking around during service. I feel that they are not there to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth when they are doing other things not pertaining to the Lord’s service,…
Read MoreCreation: Necessary Biblical Inferences
by C.G. “Colly” Caldwell via Truth Magazine, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2008. The points we bring to your attention in this article are clearly taught in Scripture. They are, however, also necessarily inferred or implied by the very fact of Divine Creation. When one by faith accepts that Almighty God created all things other than…
Read MoreDid Gentiles who converted to Judaism worship in the same way as a native Jew?
Question: Regarding the Gentiles who repented of their wickedness and converted to Judaism (such as Ruth, and the 120,000 of Nineveh that repented), were they commanded to follow all the laws and commandments the same way as all Jews were? Did they then worship in the same way, offer sacrifices, etc.? Answer: There were provisions…
Read MoreIn your sermon “Spiritual Worship” you didn’t mention all the good done by the Baptist church
Question: I was on staff at First Baptist Church in Springdale, Arkansas (FBCS) for several years. In studying for an upcoming sermon I ran across your sermon, Spiritual Worship. In that message, you didn’t mention that Bruce Barry, the designer of the sets, was led to Christ by the pastor just before beginning the task.…
Read MoreCan a visiting Christian lead a congregation in song?
Question: I have been attending a local church for several months. During that time I began to stand up, come forward, and lead a song at the invitation of the congregation. Every first Wednesday of the month all men are invited to lead one song during services. I began the song and immediately the congregation…
Read MoreWhat should be done when everyone doesn’t follow the song leader?
Question: I’ve been reading several of your comments with interest and ran across one that I myself have seen. I am a member of the church of Christ and have been baptized for 22 years. I have been leading songs for around that same time. I have a background in reading music and participating in…
Read MoreIsn’t the word “day” added to Acts 20:7?
Question: In Acts 20:7, in the original Greek, the word “day” is not there. It was later added by men. Adding to! I worship (adore, give praise. honor) each and every day, 24/7. I can’t believe you limit worship to a day. One of Satan’s greatest accomplishments has been to get and keep people arguing…
Read MoreIs Sunday the only day of worship or can we worship God any day?
Question: Is Sunday the only day of worship or can we worship God any day? I have read in the second chapter of the book of Acts, verse 46, that the Christians worshiped daily in the temple. Answer: “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they…
Read MoreConducting Worship in Song
I. As people come in, have them sit up front in as few pews as possible A. Have them divide by parts: Alto, Tenor, Melody, Bass B. Start with a prayer II. An important aspect of worship is our coming together to offer a united worship A. Colossians 3:14-17 – We were called in one body, we should worship as…
Read MoreWorshiping in Song
Text: Colossians 3:16-17 I. In many congregations, singing is not consider a very important aspect of worship. A. Think about it; when the Lord’s Supper is being served or a prayer is being given, few people would think about leaving the assembly to visit the restrooms, but it commonly happens during the singing. B. If a prayer…
Read MoreIs All of Life Worship?
by Kevin Kay via Biblical Insights, July 2006 That’s what some are saying. In his book, Unbroken Bread, Mike Root says: “Worship is a life given in obedience to God. It’s not a when or where proposition, but a what. It’s what we are. You can’t go to it or leave it, dress for it or from…
Read MoreShould I attend my girlfriend’s church if I think it teaches false doctrine?
Question: I’m going to see my girlfriend and I’m kind of in a bad predicament because she wants me to go to worship service with her on Sunday, but she is Pentecostal and they teach false doctrine. Is it ok for me to go so I can show her what is doctrinally wrong with her…
Read MoreCan a seventeen-year-old conduct worship?
Question: My father is a pastor. Since we have two branch churches, my father will come to the main church only for giving a message after finishing the services in our branch church. So, he has appointed some youths to conduct songs, praise, and worship. But these people do not have any knowledge of music.…
Read MoreDo children attend your worship services?
Question: Hello. We are going to be visiting Omaha next weekend and we are looking for a church to attend on Sunday morning. I have a couple of questions. Do you allow children ( 2 years old to 6 years old) to be a part of your worship service or do they have their own…
Read MoreWhat is meant by the worship of angels?
Question: When Paul talks about the worship of angels right after saying do not judge anyone about Sabbaths, new moon, etc. what is meant by the worship of angels? I noticed in Hebrews 2:2 and in James speech in Acts he also mentions angels giving doctrine to man (I think in reference to the Old…
Read MoreDoes the command for a woman not to teach only apply to the assembly?
Question: I have some questions regarding I Timothy 2:11-12. Are these verses concerning a woman learning and teaching general commands or are they specific to the assembly? What, in the context, determines this? Further, I am no Greek scholar. Those who are familiar with the Greek, what is the proper understanding of verse 12? Specifically,…
Read More