As we continue to explore the avenues of Christian worship, we come to the act of giving. Along with praying, the Lord’s Supper, reading and preaching the Word of God, and singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, giving is an act of worship. It is God’s will that Christians return a portion of that which He has given to each and every one of us as a free will offering. God has always asked His people to freely give of their means in the form of an offering:

Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution. — Exodus 25:2 NAS

The responsibility of giving is still required of God’s people. Paul told the Christians at Corinth: » Continue reading “How Should The Church Raise Money?”

One of the first impressions obtained by a visitor to our services today is the fact that mechanical instruments are conspicuous by their absence. Being so commonly used in churches of today, the fact that we do not use mechanical instruments of music causes surprise and wonder on the part of many and not infrequently the question is raised, “Why do churches of Christ refuse the use of instruments of music in worship?”

Essential to a proper understanding of this matter are two very important questions: First, “What is the purpose of our worship anyway?” The Scriptures are crystal clear that our worship must be for the purpose of pleasing our Heavenly Father, inasmuch as that is the design and end of all of our worship. Jesus said, “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and » Continue reading “Did The First Century Church Use Instrumental Music In Worship?”

From the time “the morning stars sang together” at creation, and “all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:7), to the song of the Lamb in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 14:1-5), singing is given great emphasis in the Bible.

Christianity is the religion of song. Ours is a courageous, victorious, singing faith. The privilege of singing praise unto God is part of a wonderful heritage—one of the grand blessings God gave His people. Singing has been a powerful force through the centuries. Our singing probably expresses and reveals our faith as truly as anything we do.

The divine motivation of singing is expressed and enjoined in the Scriptures: » Continue reading “Why Do We Sing In Worship?”

As the church was established in Acts the second chapter we read of the Christians worshiping in harmony with God’s will. We read that, “And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42 NAS). Among the acts of worship mentioned is “prayer.”

Unfortunately there are many in our modern world that refuse to believe that God hears and answers prayers. These skeptics consider prayer a delusion. Even among Christians there are many who do not make use of prayer as God intended. With them prayer is often infrequent and ineffective. While they say they believe in prayer, they act as if they do not. Perhaps this is because they have never been » Continue reading “Is Prayer An Essential Requirement In Worship?”

The important element in preaching is the message of God. Paul wrote to the Romans, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16 NAS). The same apostle wrote to the Corinthians, “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not {come to} know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Cor 1:21 NAS). Then Paul also said, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Cor 4:7 NAS). Man is a means through which the message comes, but the message itself is the absolutely essential element in preaching because it is from God. » Continue reading “How Important Is Preaching In Worship?”

The Bible reveals the nature and will of God to man and one of the great themes is worship. Although the Word of God tells us whom to worship, it never commands us simply to worship. But, does it really matter how we worship God?

In speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well Jesus stated the principles of proper worship to God when He said: » Continue reading “Does It Really Matter How We Worship God?”

When Jesus promised, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18), He intended to make very important changes in the way people worshiped God. He established a new temple in which a new priesthood served. The assemblies, ceremonies, and offerings of the Israelite heritage ceased. Even the age-long argument between Jews and Samaritans as to the proper place of worship became irrelevant because both were now wrong (John 4:20-24).

In the place of perpetual animal sacrifices, the Messiah offered His blood once for all time (Heb. 10:12). In this act of laying down His life for the sins of the world He laid the foundation for a new temple—a structure composed not of lifeless stones, as in the old Temple, but of living souls. » Continue reading “How Did The Church Of The New Testament Worship?”

The local churches of the New Testament were independent and autonomous, i.e., self-governing. They were not dependent upon a hierarchy, a denominational headquarters, or a “mother” church. Each church was responsible for its own leadership, its own business, its own discipline, and its own affairs.

When Paul and Barnabas visited the newly established churches of their first missionary journey, they appointed elders for them in every church. “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed” (Acts 14:23 NAS). When Paul called for the elders of the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17), he urged them to “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has » Continue reading “How Is The New Testament Church Governed?”

In fulfillment of God’s eternal plan (Eph. 3:10-11) the church was born. Jesus fulfilled His promise to build the church (Matt. 16:18) on the first day of Pentecost after His resurrection. From Acts chapter two on the church that Jesus built almost becomes the center of focus. Churches belonging to the Lord began to spring up in city after city throughout the Roman Empire. How was this church designated in the Scriptures?

A careful reading of the New Testament will reveal designations that can be divided into three groups. These designations were used with real meaning, expressing function, ownership, and relationship. These designations were given by divine direction and fulfill a divine purpose. Let’s take note of them. » Continue reading “Does God Care How The Church Is Designated?”

Christian unity is not achieved by accident. It is achieved with diligence, purpose and commitment. The inspired apostle declared, “Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3 NAS).

Often the question is asked, “How can unity of God’s people be obtained and secured?” The Bible is the answer. Never has God’s word caused division! People are not divided over what the Bible teaches. They are divided by what the Bible does not teach; or by ignoring, or violating what the Bible does teach.

There is a way for unity; a way so right that it cannot be wrong; that is God’s word and God’s way. This way that cannot be wrong is found in Ephesians. » Continue reading “Does God Have A Plan For Unity Among All Believers?”