Posted by Brad on February 17, 2002 under Articles
One of the joys of being a Christian is being able to express your thoughts to God in song and in worship. It’s often a very touching experience to open up your heart and let your feelings pour out for the one who has saved you from your sins. The great thing is, you can do this anywhere at anytime. A couple of years ago I heard a song that forever changed the way I looked at my worship to God. To me, it describes true and undefiled worship. The title of that song is, “The Heart of Worship,” written by Matt Redman. The song suggests that when you strip all of the exteriors things away from worship, you are left with more than just music and songs, you’re left with the true focus of worship: CHRIST. We often focus on the musical notes, the harmonies, and the abilities of the worship leader and preacher more than anything else. However, the heart of worship is Jesus and Jesus alone. It’s all about Him. And just as the song suggests, we should feel true sorrow in our hearts for the things we often focus on during our worship to God. We’ve made worship something God never intended it to be: a performance and a show.
After hearing this song, the tears fell from my eyes. I realized that I had often missed the entire point of worship. It’s not about the preacher, the sermon, the song leader, the songs, the styles, or the people around us. IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS!
Once I realized this, worship took on a whole new meaning to me. When you realize the audience in worship is God and not those around you, your worship will change. You will only be concerned with what is pleasing to God. You will stop worrying about what is pleasing to your friends, your preacher, or the people around you and you’ll focus your heart on praising God.
I was “raised in the church” and have often felt like the audience in worship is almost as important as God. I’ve always heard phrases like “let all things be done decently and in order” and “be sure that you don’t offend your brother.” However, I’ve learned that Scripture teaches that true worship to God may sometimes offend the people around you. They might not like your offering of praise to God. (II Samuel 6:12-23.) In fact, David, a man after God’s own heart, was quick to remind his audience that worship “is before the Lord … therefore I will celebrate before the Lord.” (verse 23)
What a joy it will be when all of God’s people are called home to be with Him. One thing is for certain, everyone will be focused on the heart of worship: worship that is ALL ABOUT JESUS. As we all fall to our knees and our faces before Him, we will be humbled like never before and we will sing the new song, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” (Revelation 5:12.) May we, as God’s people, purpose in our hearts to not wait until then. Let’s worship Him in EVERY ASPECT of our lives today, for that is the “Heart of the Matter.”
To the glory of John 12:32,
Brad Pistole
Posted by Ann on February 15, 2002 under Articles
I have been thinking about worship and issues relating to worship. I will try to get it all in here, but I am sure I won’t. Here are some stream of conscience thoughts.
Why do I go to the church building to worship? Well, for one the Bible tells me to. I expect to go in there and receive and give there. I want to be encouraged; I hope to encourage. I hope that my praise to God is pleasing to Him through prayer as a group and through song. I expect to take communion and think on the events that day of the cross and my eternal salvation because of that. I also expect to hear a message that will make me examine myself, make me want to improve as a Christian, and possibly learn something I hadn’t thought of before. In general, hear a message that will make me think.
I have learned other things will happen while I am there. Announcements will be made about my fellow believers. Upcoming events. And the inevitable social interaction of fellowship before services begin. OK, enough to start at least.
I can’t rely completely on those people that stand at the front of the congregation to worship for me. I could have the best preacher in the world delivering an outstanding sermon and if I don’t think about what he is saying, if I discount that it has nothing to do with me or my life before he starts to speak, it does not benefit me at all or my walk as a child of God.
I could have the most “enthusiastic” song leader lead the congregation in the most perfectly picked out songs, and if I just mouth the words and not “listen with my heart,” I haven’t benefitted. All I have done is make the noise louder in the room. My heart has not grown because of a pretty noise coming from my lips.
I could have heard the most eloquent prayer uttered, and if I don’t pay attention and the way I think of it “pray with in my mind,” I haven’t prayed. In fact I believe I have insulted Jesus.
I cannot expect anyone around me to make me more spiritually mature. Yes, we can be encouraged by others. But we aren’t mature because we know mature people. I don’t think on the Day of Judgment, if I am standing in the middle of a group of spiritual giants, my soul can grab hold of those around me and pull me up to heaven. At some point I have to be mature myself. In fact, my baby is a good example of this, he is in a house with people who eat solid food and walk all the time. He has to learn to do this for himself.
I believe our focus during worship should be on God and not ourselves. And we should try to please God in our worship and not our own desires. Once I was sitting next to a friend in church and we were singing a song that I do not really get excited about singing, to say the least. But it is a wonderfully-worded song, and I don’t have a problem singing it. After it was over, my friend said, “That is my favorite song!!” I thought, oh, the least I can do is sing it with a happy heart. I am not here to please myself, but God and the ones He loves. I think that our focus on God can only make our heart grow in worship.
I don’t know what my point is; I guess I have several. But for one, what I am thinking is no matter what type of atmosphere you are surrounded with in a building, the atmosphere that is most important is the one in your heart. And it takes more than an hour a week in a building or a really good mission trip or a youth group weekend or summer camp. I think it takes the private time, alone, with God daily to change how we feel when we do get together to worship God in a building. Those who don’t have a closeness to God the rest of the week won’t feel any closer to God when they walk through those doors of the building on a Sunday morning.
In fact, that should probably be some sort of litmus test to one who leaves and feels empty. Maybe they do depend too much on others for their spiritual happiness. Whether we have a conservative-as-it-comes or as-liberal-as-it-can-be service, there would be people in the same position.
Lovingly,
Ann
Posted by John on January 1, 2002 under Articles
Recent information shows that water is on Mars. Since water is a main ingredient of life on earth, it is proof-positive in the minds of many that life is on Mars. And having life on Mars worries many Bible believers because they feel that only the earth is where God put living things. But look at this closer:
- Water is the main stuff of life here. How do we know water has the same importance there on Mars? Alien life may be literally “alien” to the composition of earth-life. The whole “proof-of-life” argument assumes that the recipe for life “out there” is the same as it is for earth and is a sure case of “jumping-to-the-conclusion.”
- What if the water was analyzed and tiny, microscopic life-forms were found? It is possible that those “bugs” could be ours and not be “from Mars.” Recent studies have shown that the earth itself sends out a lot of space dust, etc. Over a span of time, spores, etc., might have reached Mars. In fact, studies on the recently much publicized “meteorites-from-Mars-containing-life” have shown that the life is probably some of “our bugs” returning from a space trip. So, finding microscopic life-forms on Mars could just as well prove that such forms that live on earth can live on Mars. This is not quite what the “Life on Mars!!” statement had in mind.
- Does Genesis really teach that life only exists on earth or does it show us that on earth a being was created that bore the image of God …man? Is the focus of Genesis “out there” or here? Would the finding of true Martian life militate in any way against one message of Genesis that the cosmos was made as a gift and aid to man?
This article was written because (1) some have believed Media hype that it is a proven-fact that life is on Mars, and (2) some are nervous about how this finding affects our confidence in Genesis.
The article was purposely written without documentation or chemistry jargon. A more detailed discussion is available if there are any questions.
Posted by John on under Articles
The common picture given in school biology classes for the origin of life on earth is that a chemical “soup” developed in the ocean. From that mixture, the complex chemicals of the first cell emerged … then the cell … then cellular reproduction.
The issue of origin of life in the ocean is a chemistry problem. Chemistry is the study of how tiny bits of stuff come about and react with each other. One of the primary complex chemicals of any cell is a protein. It is made of tiny units of amino acids strung together like beads. It may take as many as 250 of these amino acids to be useful for a living thing to use in its life. So, how protein comes about and reacts is a number one concern in testing the “soup-to-life” idea.
Fact #1 — Much research has been done in attempting to join amino acids in water to make the very beginning of a protein. Such efforts have taken place over a span of more than 30 years and have failed. This information is easily documented in the chemical literature but is not included in high school textbooks.
Fact #2 — Every amino acid has two versions. There is a “right-handed” and “left-handed” version of the same amino acid. The significance of this is shown below.
Research has shown that atmospheric gases containing ammonia, water vapor and natural gas can form a few amino acids when an electric discharge (like lightning) is passed through a mixture of the gases. A Nobel Prize was awarded for this work. This is how it is explained that the ocean was an amino-acid soup.
All experiments in producing the acids from gases have produced a 50-50 mixture of the right and left versions of each amino-acid. Researchers believe that the ocean, therefore, contained a soup of both kinds of amino acids. All the proteins studied in living systems show that living things use just the “left” kind of amino acid in their protein.
As yet, no one has come up with any non-problematic mechanism for linking-up 250 (or even three) amino acids of just one type from a 50-50 mix of both types.
Fact #3 — Amino acids can easily decompose in water and can react with minerals in the ocean water. This could diminish the availability of any particular amino acid for a given “position” on the protein. The position of the amino acid is critical for a protein to function. For example, sickle-cell anemia is caused by the misplacement of just one amino acid on a protein chain.
CONCLUSIONS FROM THE FACTS
- The naturalistic explanation for the origin of life in the ocean has serious defects and is therefore highly improbable.
- Belief in a Creator has not been challenged or refuted by any proposed “ocean model” but, instead, has been solidified.
Posted by John on under Articles
When data from the New Testament is assembled concerning the gospel and the apostolic preaching of it, there is a clear correspondence between its content and the practice of taking communion on the first day of the week.
Jesus connected His death and resurrection and also the “third day” when he talked to his disciples (Matthew 16:15, 17:23, 20:19, 27:63; Mark 9:31, 10:34; Luke 9:22, 13:32,33, 18:33; John 2:19). This was also the message of the Law and Prophets (Luke 24:25-27, 44-46). Angels spoke of this connection (Luke 24:7). It is also something that stood out as a part of Jesus’ teaching and was CLEARLY remembered by His disciples (Luke 24:19-24). The THIRD DAY is the first day of the week (Luke 24:1,13, 21). A pattern of teaching is evident from this data.
Our justification and forgiveness is based on the death of Christ (Matthew 26:28) and is inseparably tied to the resurrection event (Romans 4:25, 5:10; 1 Corinthians 15:14). Note that His death and resurrection are remembered as a unit. This pattern of thought is also seen in the meaning of baptism (Romans 6: 3ff; 1 Peter 3:21). Peter in his discourse to Cornelius followed this pattern of instruction by connecting all items: death, resurrection, and third day (Acts 10:39,40). It is clear, therefore, that remembering one item makes one remember the other two.
Therefore, Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 summarized the gospel content as “… for I delivered unto you first (some versions say of first importance) of all that which also I received that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures and that He was buried and that He hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures… .” Notice how these comprise a symbiotic unit of thought.
Jesus gave instruction as to just how He wanted to be remembered. It is the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-29). And not only does this have us remember His death but also His resurrection (verse 26). Hence, the frequency of taking the Lord’s Supper is determined by the essentials of the gospel (see above) because it is reflective of them. What is tied together in reality is logically tied together in memorial. The death of Christ is shown by the bread and cup and the resurrection by the first day of the week. The practice is a symbiotic unit as well as the doctrine. And such was the actual practice of the early church under Apostolic approval (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:20 + churches of Galatia, 1 Corinthians 16:1). Even after the Apostles, it remained to be an identifying practice of post-apostolic Christianity (Ferguson, Early Christians Speak, Sweet Publishing Company).
When the facts of scripture and church history are examined, it should be clearly evident that the practice of taking the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week stands on solid ground. What other practice preserves the unity (death – resurrection – third day) of thought? What other practice can one affirm has “apostolic approval” but this one? If the gospel is central, then why not let our communion practice show it as was done in the early church and for centuries later?
Posted by Daniel on under Articles
God in His providence (through the Spirit) has supplied us with inspired New Covenant documents so we will know what to believe, teach and do. It is inspired information as opposed to a book of laws/commands although it contains them. It is like the Holy Spirit has us on top of a spiritual mountain and pointing-out things that New Covenant people believe and do from the heart.
To trust God is to believe that His wisdom is far superior to ours. This means we should only believe, teach and practice what we have evidence for in those inspired documents. Evidence can be both positive (the resurrected Christ) and negative (e.g., the empty tomb).
The Spirit has pointed out the proper response to the Gospel. He has also shown ways to communicate with God and thank Him through worship and faithful living. It is all practical.
Judgment calls must be made according to PRACTICALITY rather than explicit teaching. For example, the disciples in Acts 20:7 met at night in an upper room. Neither of these items interfered with the design of the Lord’s Supper itself.
The topic of music is addressed by the Spirit in Ephesians 5:19 and other places. Ephesians 5:19 shows singing is accompanied by making melody “in the heart” as opposed to the man-made musical devices of pagans and Jews. That is the design. Here is a judgment call to make: does clapping of hands during the singing match what is being opposed in Ephesians 5:19? That is, is hand-clapping the use of “man-made musical devices” or “mechanical instruments of music”? It doesn’t seem so.
When we are together isn’t singing from the heart all God wants? If someone claps spontaneously without trying to make a scene or a point and it is an expression of thanks, as opposed to trying to “jazz-up” the song, then why can’t understanding prevail among those who do not clap?
What about planning to clap continually during some songs? Since the design of singing is also to speak to one another, would my clapping help or hinder that? What about the idea that I want to and will clap no matter what anyone thinks? And in all honestly, is the clapping for me or God? These are hard questions but must squarely be answered.
What about splitting services … one for clappers and another for non-clappers? Is such a polarization good? In reality, wouldn’t this be just “division in disguise”? Even in asking the question “tags” are assigned to people.
There is a design for New Covenant worship and this can be easily proven. And when we come together as a group, everyone is affected by what is done whether from the heart or not. Some things may not be wrong themselves but merely be out of place. Judgment calls by Elders must be made so that nothing goes against the design of any phase of worship. This requires looking at facts, pro and con, and following the “weight of evidence” toward a specific position … a defensible position.
Posted by John on under Articles
When God speaks His mind on a topic we should hear (1 Samuel 3:9). We should also submit and not rebel (Hebrews 3:15). Neither should we add to or take from His words ( Deuteronomy 4:2; Acts 15:24ff, Revelation 22:18).
When God speaks His mind, He often is very precise or specific about something (Hebrews 8:5, for example). One can build a case for or against something based on the preciseness of God’s word on a topic. (For examples, see Hebrews 7:14; Galatians 3:16ff.)
Has God spoken as to what the gospel really is? Is it “going to church”? Is it baptism? Is it singing? What about taking communion every Sunday? No, the gospel is a triad of facts with eternal significance. It is the death of Christ for our sins … His burial … His resurrection on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). It is what God did for us, not what we do or submit to. To make the gospel personal, one must give an appropriate response directed by the precise Words of God, but the “response” itself is not the gospel.
What was Jesus’ real objective in coming to earth? Was it to teach us how to worship correctly? Was it to setup the best religious organization possible? Was it to teach us to “do good” to all? Has God spoken His mind on this topic? Yes. Jesus came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). To make Jesus into a zealot for social reform is to veer away from the clear Word of God as per His mission.
Why was Jesus raised from the grave? It clearly declared He was indeed God’s Son (Romans 1:4). But God is even more specific. He was raised for our justification (Romans 6:25). The truth of the cross depends on the fact of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:17ff). The focus is on justification of sinners and not on miraculous “show.” To neglect to preach the resurrection is to rip significant evidence from establishing the truth of the gospel, because it validates the gospel! Early evangelists continually put the resurrection before the hearers (Book of Acts). When is the last time you have heard the resurrection examined and solidified from a class or pulpit? Is it not time that the resurrection be treated as God has specified instead of just a “great miracle” tacked-on after the cross?
God has spoken His mind on the content of the gospel and the mission of Jesus. Are we going to abide in His specifics or change or subtract from them? Most people (especially those in college) will not be truly converted to the cross without evidence of its truth. Restoring the actual preaching of the gospel could have a great impact on our community.
Posted by Michael on September 1, 2001 under Articles
We offer our condolences to all who have been negatively affected by terrorist attacks.
The events of September 11, 2001, represent the most horrific American tragedy that most of us have ever experienced. Americans have been murdered on an unbelievable scale in the most unimaginable fashion. Many all over our nation will suffer the consequences of this catastrophe for years to come.
In my opinion, Christians should respond to this wickedness in a manner different from the typical man on the street. A natural response to such an attack on us is to desire to “get even.” But Jesus has called His disciples to a higher standard of behavior. Let us trust God’s promise that all things eventually work together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). As we read in Romans 12:19, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” As Christians, we are not to be people of wrath or hate. Trust that God will take care of this wickedness in His own way and in His own good time.
We have heard and will continue to hear many news reports that will be filled with stories about people who are seeking revenge. Romans 13, especially verse 4, teaches us that God uses government as the power that He has authorized to avenge and to execute judgement on those who practice evil. Let us permit God to deal with this matter in His own way. Let us support our government and pray for our leaders.
Even in times of adversity, Christians should treat all men with kindness and respect. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and to do good to all people. In Luke 6:35, He reminds us that God is kind even to the unthankful and evil. Let us be forgiving as God has forgiven us through Jesus.
Let us be careful about spreading unsubstantiated gossip about how this will affect our lives. Be on guard as Satan attempts to use this to further his control in this world, in our communities, and even in our own homes. Be diligently prayerful that we will not let this be a time that weakens our faith in God, but a time that will build our faith as we strengthen our commitment to Him and His purposes. This evil is a work of Satan, not of God.
Jesus Christ was a peaceful person and His followers should be peaceful. Let us pray for a speedy resolution to the current crisis and pray for healing for those who have been harmed. Remember that Jesus died for all men, even those who cowardly murder the innocent. God’s grace is the only real solution to this conflict. God’s mercy is the only permanent fix for a world trapped in darkness. People need to be taught of the love of God and of the sacrifice of His Son. Let us take every opportunity to point others to Jesus.
Satan wants us to keep our minds focused on the evil in this world in such a way that will force us into sinful behavior. God prefers that we focus on His goodness which He demonstrated at the Cross. The death of Jesus Christ was a more horrific tragedy than any other in the history of the world. Yet through that event the whole world can be blessed. The world will be a better place only when all men and women come to an understanding of our Creator and Savior.
Posted by Myra on March 11, 2001 under Articles
My mother died from an automobile accident 12 years ago this month. There were no resources to help me understand the painful process of grief. When my dad died 3 weeks after being diagnosed with lymphoma, I joined a grief support group. Most of us are ill prepared to deal with grief. We have been through high school and college learning how to gain in our society, but have had few, if any, lessons on loss. We have heard many misconceptions and myths about grief.
Batsell Barrett Baxter has said, “It seems strange, but an almost universal misconception is that one should avoid mentioning to the bereaved their recently deceased child or parent, husband or wife, because it might make them sorrowful. Deep satisfaction often comes from talking about those whom we have loved so deeply with sympathetic, interested friends.” In our recent support meeting, the question was asked, “How do you feel about others mentioning your deceased loved one?” Every person in that meeting wanted to talk about their husband or dad. Amanda Washburn shared our sentiment when she answered, “I love it when people talk about things my dad has done. I have learned a lot of things about him after he died that I never knew.”
It is important that a bereaved person is able to express his feelings from his loss in a safe place with people who understand. He needs to share his memories of when the family circle was whole. We need to only listen for him to tell his story. Silence from the listener and sometimes a hug can be more precious than words.
Dr. M. Norvel Young of Pepperdine University in Los Angeles has suggested six ways to overcome grief.
- Accept the sympathy of others graciously.
- Recognize that the pain will grow more bearable.
- Turn to the Bible with renewed thirst.
- Utilize the power of prayer.
- Be even more faithful in worship.
- Look out and see others who need your help.
On the night of Jesus’ betrayal, in the garden of Gethsemane, he felt deep grief as he prayed to his Father. Jesus’ death that followed has given us eternal life when we are obedient to Him. God is grieved when man willfully rejects Him.
Life in our physical body is a short span of our total existence. When I was feeling sad from the death of my husband, Lorene Turner said, “What if you didn’t have Christ?” As Christians, death will come to us like a warm embrace. Roy Dunavin describes death as a birth into a new state. Death for the Christian is not to be feared anymore than is birth. When the body ceases to be, the spirit emerges.
For questions or more information on a support group please call the church office. People who have known suffering and loss have a sensitivity and understanding of life that gives them compassion and concern for others. We are concerned for you and we love you.
Posted by John on January 1, 2001 under Articles
People ask us why we take communion every Sunday. Sometimes we even ask ourselves that question. What are the historical and biblical facts that make this practice more reasonable than any other proposal?
WHY STUDY THE MATTER?
Neither the writers of the New Testament nor those in the early church actually discussed this topic. It was a non-issue. That was then. As with baptism by immersion, the practice was in place and had not been changed. But now changes in the original practice exist. Since we have an obligation to be steadfast in the apostolic traditions (2 Thessalonians 2:15), the “frequency” becomes an “issue” today by the very nature of the case.
A WORD ABOUT FACTS AND PROOF
Facts are statements that have a high degree of certainty attached to them. In the study of any matter, it is important to stick with the facts as a basis for our conclusions.
It should be noted that very few things are proven by just one fact. It is a set of facts that cooperate and reinforce each other that makes a case certain. The goal is not proof beyond all doubt, but beyond a reasonable doubt.
WHAT ARE THE FACTS ON THIS TOPIC?
#1 Historical facts outside the New Testament
The writings of early Christians outside the New Testament prove that taking the Lord’s Supper each Sunday was a consistent practice of the churches from the apostolic era onward for several centuries. It was an “identifying mark” of Christianity. (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 3 , p. 1923; The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Vol. 4, p. 198; Wycliff Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 2 , p. 1049; Early Christians Speak, Everett Ferguson, p. 97).
The fact that it was a unified and consistent practice clearly points back to a standardized teaching concerning its observance because if that were not the case, more diversity in practice would be observed.
In the writings of these early Christians, the apostles are looked to for authoritative teaching on Christian belief and practice (Paley’s Evidences of Christianity, p. 113-151). So, it is unlikely that anyone but the apostles would be giving authoritative instructions as to how and when the Lord’s Supper is to be observed. And apostolic instructions should carry considerable weight in the mind of Christians today, as it did then (John 16:13).
#2 New Testament Facts
The observance of the Lord’s Supper was an important matter to Jesus (Luke 22:19). He wanted the apostles to teach the new converts how to observe all that He had taught them (Matthew 28:20). This would include the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). And from the very outset the apostles taught the new church about the Lord’s Supper. (See Acts 2:42 as contrasted with just taking food in 2:46.) In Corinth, the church met regularly on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1,2). When they met it was to take the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20). The fact that the instructions to Corinth in 1 Corinthians 16:1 are also to the churches in Galatia, makes it evident that they followed the same practice. And when seen against the historical facts listed in #1 above, it is clear that they are all following the same practice! This also can be said for the gathering at Troas on the first day of the week. (Contrast Acts 20:7 to Paul just taking food for his journey in 20:11ff.)
#3 The practice keeps Gospel facts before the church on a regular basis
The death and resurrection of Jesus are matters of “first importance” (1 Corinthians 15:1-5) and Jesus made them a central part of His teaching (Matthew 16:21; Luke 24:26). Our very forgiveness is linked to both His death and resurrection (Romans 4:25, 1 Corinthians 15:17). These two items are tied together. So, taking the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week (resurrection day, Luke 24:1-21; Revelation 1:10) ties together in memorial those things that are tied together in reality. The practice is designed to teach the core reason for the existence of the “called out” (1 Corinthians 10:14ff).
To have the Lord’s Supper on any other day would destroy the design of the practice by not reflecting the gospel events. (Even though Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper on Thursday night it is interesting that this day was not chosen as the day of observance but “resurrection day” instead.)
Since the “death and resurrection” of Christ are matters of “first importance,” their meaning should be pondered by all assembled (1 Corinthians 14:27). They are not to be forgotten. Only weekly communion on Sunday can best effect this.
OVER-ALL CONCLUSION FROM THE FACTS
The weight of evidence clearly shows that weekly communion is of apostolic origin and has a practical design for the spiritual life of the church. No other arrangement can deliver what this practice can.
APPLICATION
- It is a mistake to classify the frequency of the Lord’s Supper with optional matters like the color of paint to use, style of songs to sing or how many containers to use in serving the fruit of the vine. Something more than “just personal choice” is evident from the facts above.
- The practice has been an “identifying mark” of faithful churches since the beginning. Is there any reason why it should not be so now?
- We need to focus more on what is “going on” when the Lord’s Supper is served. It is not “just a thing to do,” but it is designed to make us really ponder our position before God and offer up thanksgiving.
