Christian Worship
(IS COMMUNITY CHURCH WORSHIP SCRIPTURAL?)
(IS THE COMMUNITY CHURCH MOVEMENT SCRIPTURAL?)
“Oh! The drums go bang, and the cymbals clang, and the horns, they blaze away” (O’Connor and Stamford), as the band plays on with vigor. Singers of the chorus and the musicians are on a par with trained professionals. The worshipers, with arms raised, are swinging to the beat of the music. No doubt, all are enjoying themselves! Most of the congregation participates with the enthusiasm and ecstasy of the moment.
There is a flood of so-called Community Churches in our neighborhoods. These churches entertain folks, and they will grow in number; this is certain. In researching Community Churches, one finds they have a statement of beliefs that covers many denominational creeds and doctrines.
There are also affiliations with movements such as the “Consultation on Church Union (COCU), the National Council of Churches, and the World Council of Churches.” One in this movement is “The International Christian Community Churches.” Their statement says that they “celebrate the diversity of God’s people,” and their mission is “to bring others to Christ. All of our churches are open.”
Local Community Churches are diversified in beliefs, and their approach is, “Come as you are.” Their dress code is usually casual. Those attending these “worship” services are not pressed to be obedient to any code, creed, or doctrine. Again, the idea seems to be, “We accept you—no matter what you believe.” “We are tolerant and judge not; so come and worship with us.”
It is prevalent to have this tolerant and liberal type of worship in today’s society. Such has become the norm! So goes the many as they conduct their “worship.” It is also our observation that the parking lots are always full. Yes, “Let us entertain you!” Question: “Is there Biblical New Testament authority for these worship services? We also add: “Is there any Scriptural authority for this Community Church Movement?”
Without going into a deep Biblical study on what constitutes Christian worship, we can, in plainness, prove what Christian worship was in the First Century. We find that Christians worshiped on the First Day of the Week.
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow, and continued his speech until midnight (Acts 20:7).
The New Testament Records Five Aspects of Authorized Worship
1. Teaching / Preaching as Worship: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrines” (2 Tim. 4:2).
2. Praying as Worship: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).
3. Singing as Worship: “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spirituals songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col.3:16).
Note: There is no reference to instrumental music in church worship found in the New Testament (Schaff 460-65).
4. Contributing as Worship: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1 Cor. 16:1-2).
5. The Lord’s Supper as Worship: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1 Cor. 10:16).
WORKS CITED
O’Connor, Shamus and John J. Stamford. “MacNamara’s Band.” 1917. Feb. 11, 2016. <http://parlorsongs.com/issues/2002-3/thismonth/featureb.php>.
Schaff, Philip. History of the Christian Church. Vol 1.
[Editor’s Note. This article was published in Bellview’s Beacon (from Pensacola, Florida) on May 16, 2022. Only a few minor edits were made.]