Evolutionary Concepts

Evolution verses Creationism

In the scheme of life we come into this world as the result of a miracle {i.e. whether we acknowledge it or not}. Yes; the very concept of conceiving a child by a man and a woman is in of itself a remarkable event. I have often wondered how a person can verbally confess to being an atheist in view of the events in life that have been on-going in time that has brought him/her into existence.

In the current article I will attempt to establish that the concept of evolution is ridiculous in view of established and existing facts about real factual matters that require nothing but reasonable rationality to grasp as true.

First of all; there is but two choices one can accept; either God exist or evolutionary concepts are true.

In this article I am taking the position that God exist and everything that has ever existed is the result of intelligent design {i.e. GOD}. I reject the hypothesis that the universe came into existence through a “big bang” explosion billions of years ago. I reject the evolutionary hypothesis because in order for there to have been a “big bang” there of necessity had to be something to explode – “some explosive matter. If that explosive matter was gases or matter it had to come from somewhere so there is where the “big Bang” theory falls apart – “How or from where did the material or gasses come into being?” The proponents of the atheistic hypothesis must produce a rational explanation for components of the “big bang” or their theory falls apart.

The argument that eons of time passed before these explosive elements came together is also without rational intelligence. To begin their chain of billions of years in the creation process is surely beyond the rational expectations of the intelligence of man as he exists today. Even though my current argument is a rational choice between acceptance and rejection of evolutionary concepts; the origin of such manipulation of man’s mind is without corruption whenever he looks realistically at the alternative. I have now been on the earth about 76 years; I know this because evidence of my existence is a historical record that can attest to my birth and my past existence to this point in my earthly sojourn.

At this point in the article it will serve no purpose to pursue other evolutionary concepts because there can be no rational acceptance of ongoing change without a foundation on which to build – the “big bang” being shown to be a farce we must pursue rational standards regarding origins from a more realistic perspective – “don’t you agree?”

GOD IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO EVOLUTIONARY {i.e. ATHEISTIC} PHILOSOPHY.

To subscribe to the current held creationists concepts one has a point to begin – Genesis 1:1-2 – 1 in the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. {KJV}

The rational person with normal intelligence will weigh the evidence that is presented in the Book {i.e. he Bible} that God has made to be placed in the hands of man for his own good throughout his existence. God has also given mankind a record of events since through His own devices he has created the universe by the spoken word. Notice that God has not only created the universe and all humanity but He has provided for man’s survival – {air, water, food sources, agricultural, and etc}. These incidentals have been available to mankind since the creation event – cf. Genesis 1-2. There are no believable events in the supposed evolutionary processes; all the processes of evolution are irrational to a thoughtful person.

The Bible {i.e. the history of God, mankind, and the universe as well as survival instructions beyond this physical life}: as God’s medium to instruct man while he abides on the earth and how to prepare for expectations after-life – cf. Jeremiah 10:23 – O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. {KJV} – The first man and the first woman were created by Almighty God – they were full grown; they were male and female; they were instructed by God to have children –

Genesis 1:27 – So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. 31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Genesis 2:1 thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

ORIGINS:

Indeed; all things were created and arranged by God in 6 days {i.e. 24 hour days}. From the time of God’s Creation activities until today all the created things have maintained their place in the world and in the actions that God prepared them to perform – {i.e. rain, sunshine, seasons, seed planting and harvest, procreation of man via the union of man and woman, God’s continued care of man and the resources that make it possible for man to continue to survive on earth as he did on the day that God created him.

BIBLE REFERENCES:

Read Genesis 1 and 2 for the processes that God utilized to create – you will note that God spoke and it was so {i.e. it OCCURRED OR CAME INTO EXISTENCE IMMEDIATELY}!

The creation period of six days were 24 hour days; after which God has continued to maintain those created things to this day as the apostle Peter affirms –

2 Peter 3:4-8 – 4 And saying, where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 but, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. {KJV} …

THE AGE OF THE EARTH AND MAN FROM THE BIBLE:

The age of the universe is approximately 6,000 years; the age is easily determined by looking at the genealogies recorded from Adam to the time of Christ and the time of Christ until today {i.e. 2011).

THE STRUCTURE OF EARTH:

The age of the earth is determined by the Creator whenever we consider that the earth is 6,000 years old it dictates that the Creator made it that way when He created it. Whenever man questions the timeline and the structure of the earth by his own standards; he corrupts the purity of God’s revealed record {i.e. the Bible – Genesis through Revelation}.

REFERENCE:

Jeremiah 10:23 – O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. {KJV}

2 Peter 1:2-3 – 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness , through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: {KJV}

WHY CONSIDER CREATIONISM rather than evolution?

Whenever a person reaches accountable age {i.e. attain sufficient age and knowledge to determine reasonable alternative conclusions between two or more choices} they must make decide between life choices; they must choose to accept God’s way of live or the life style and choices dictated by an evolutionary lifestyle; there is actually no other than these two lifestyle choices available to mankind.

The choice to follow God’s lifestyle is based upon that which is offered by living according to God’s Book of life {i.e. the Bible – Example KJV edition}.

Whenever a person makes a decision to pursue God’s directions in life {i.e. follow the Bible} they will abandon the standards of this worlds and the instruction and wisdom of mere men and will cling to the lifestyle of the Christian; that which is described in the New Testament.

BUT WHAT INDUCEMENT COULD SWAY MAN’S DECISION TO ABIDE WITHIN GOD’S WAY?

I.      Living and accepting evolution’s lifestyle:

1-No restraints except civil law

2-Freedom to live like an animal – go naked, live like a brute beast, become a fornicator, sell you body to those that want to pay your price {i.e. become a female or male prostitute} – it is all your choice with no restraints.

3-Depend upon others to care for your need – become a beggar or a derelict.   4-Marry and divorce as

many times as you please without consideration of others; you only live once.

5-Defraud and steal from other people fearing only the civil law.

6-Kill or murder anyone that offends you or crosses your path understanding that the punishment may be exacted by civil law only once.

7-Abuse and mistreat the children in your relationships on earth knowing that when you die you have finished your existence.

8-Be a murderer, rapist, thief, abuser of others, be dishonest through lies and deceptions with only death as an ending for you.

9-Become an illegal drug abuser – destroy your body, your mind, your family, your life.

10-Develop no respect for the rights, religious beliefs, humanity, etc. of other people.

11-Consume all the beer, wine, and liquor that you want – use these drugs to destroy your kidneys, liver, etc. — soon you will die and that is all …

AND whenever you die you will soon go back to dust and eventually you will be forgotten.

II.      Living and abiding by God’s standard  …

1-God’s lifestyle requires that one obey the civil authorities {i.e. law} –

Romans 13:1-5 – 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shall have praise of the same: 4 for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. {KJV}

2-God’s standard aids mankind in living morally and socially benevolent, kind, and considerate of every person –

Romans 13:7-10 – 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 for this, Thou shall not commit adultery, Thou shall not kill, Thou shall not steal, Thou shall not bear false witness, Thou shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

3-God’s lifestyle enables and encourages each man and each woman to have their own mate and to treat each other with love, honor and respect –

Matthew 19:4-6 – 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

1 Corinthians 7:2-4 – 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife {KJV}

Ephesians 5:33 – 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. {KJV}

4- Living according to God’s lifestyle encourages a healthy as well as reverent lifestyle – a person …

{A} develops resistance –

1 Peter 5:8-9 – 8 be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  9 but resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. {NASU}

James 4:7 – Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  {NASU}

{B} patience,

Romans 5:3-4 – 3 and not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 and patience, experience; and experience, hope: {KJV}

Romans 15:4 – 4 for whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. {KJV}

Hebrews 6:12 – That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. {KJV}

{C} bear all things,

Romans 15:1 – We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. KJV1 Corinthians 10:13 – There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. {KJV}

Galatians 6:5 – For every man shall bear his own burden. {KJV}

Revelation 2:2 – I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: {KJV}

{D} kindness,

Colossians 3:12 – Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness , humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; {KJV}

{E} consideration for others,

Colossians 3:12-13 – 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness , humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. {KJV}

{F} longsuffering,

Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,, gentleness, goodness, faith, {KJV}

{G} love for other people,

2 John 5 – And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. {KJV}

1 John 4:21 – And this commandment have we from him, that he who loves God love his brother also.

Matthew 19:19 – Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. {KJV}

{H} is faithful to God,

Proverbs 28:20 – A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent. {KJV}

Luke 16:10 – He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. {KJV}

1 Corinthians 4:2 – 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Titus 1:9 – Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. {KJV}

{I} family,

Proverbs 28:20 – A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that makes’ haste to be rich shall not be innocent. {KJV}

Luke 16:10 – He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. {KJV}

1 Corinthians 4:2 – Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. {KJV}

Titus 1:9 – Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayer                                                    

1 Timothy 3:11 – Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. {KJV} 

Titus 1:6 – If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. {KJV}

{J} family,

Ephesians 5:22 – Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. {KJV}

Ephesians 5:24-25 – 24 therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; {KJV}

Colossians 3:18-20 – Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. {KJV}

1 Peter 3:1 – Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

1 Peter 3:7 – Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. {KJV}

Colossians 3:21 – Father, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Ephesians 6:4 – and, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. {KJV}

2 Corinthians 12:14 – Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children . {KJV}

SUMMATION:

It is a fact; people who live according to the influences and are receptive to evolutionary thought {i.e. the philosophy}; are prone to live a lifestyle governed by the hedonistic concept that a person “ought to do their own thing” – “get all the gusto out of life possible” because you only live once. This is the concept of evolution from beginning to ending. Indeed; to the evolutionist there is no after life consequence or reward – there is only nothingness after physical death “HOW SAD A LIFE”

To people who subscribe to God’s directions there is a great difference in their conduct, hopes, and expectations of their life here on the earth and hope of eternal life at the predicted return and judgment of the Son of God; Jesus Christ.

THE GREAT DIFFERENCE …

2 Peter 3:1-14 …

1 this is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,

2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.

3 The Coming Day of the Lord  Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,

4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”

5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,

6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.

7 but by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

8 but do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.

9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

10 a New Heaven and Earth but the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

11 since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!

13 but according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,

THE INSTRUCTION TO THE WEAK – TO HEED PAUL’S WARNING

15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

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Jesus is LOL (Part 2)

Last week, we talked about the internet texting abbreviation “lol” and how it applies to Jesus “laughing out loud” at His enemies. We turn our attention to another abbreviation. It is not one commonly used. In fact, it may never have been used in this way, but I think it should be used often! Jesus is not just “lol,” Jesus is “LOL.”

Normally, when texting, writing in all capital letters is not done. It usually indicates that one is shouting the message. Today we are not saying that Jesus is “lol” (lower case), but that Jesus is LOL (all capital letters). Jesus is LOL—He is LORD OF LORDS.

The Bible teaches that He is Lord of lords. Moses said, “For the Lord Your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe” (Deut. 10:17). David praised God by saying, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever” (Psa. 136:3).

Sometimes, the world may not recognize the authority our Lord has, but at some point they will. Paul showed this when he said, “He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power” (1 Tim. 3:15-16).  In the book of Revelation the enemies of Jesus did not recognize Him as Lord in the beginning, but they soon did. “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings . . .” (Rev. 17:14). He truly is Lord of Lords; He is LOL! He will show it in “His own time.”

World rulers need to see this. He is the Prime Minister of all prime ministers, the Dictator of all dictators, the Chief Justice of all justices and the President of all presidents. The evil in our world is flourishing because those who rule the world do not know that He is the Ruler of all rulers.  Jesus is LOL!

We do not control much in this world, but we each control what is in “our own world.” Sin enters our lives because we allow it. We have the power to get it out of our lives. “And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4). Sin lives in our world when we will not allow Him to rule it. Some day all will acknowledge His Lordship. The wise acknowledge it now. Jesus is LOL.

Jesus defined making Him Lord as far more than calling Him Lord. “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). So, let us not just type and say He is LOL.  Let us shout it out in our lives.  JESUS IS LOL!

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Be Not Unwise

Ephesians 5:17 “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” In this passage, Paul exhorts the Ephesian brethren to be not unwise, but instead, to be wise. True wisdom is the knowledge and understanding of the will of God and the application thereof. The will of God is found in His word. It is only through the Word of God that we have any knowledge of Him. Without this revealed knowledge of God, there is would be no true wisdom.

Paul exhorts them to understand the will of God. To do this, one must study the Word of God. 2 Timothy 2:15 commands us to study the Word of God to show ourselves approved of God so that we may rightly divide the truth. John 17:7 teaches us that the Word of God is truth. Yes, truth does exist. It exists in the divine precepts of the Word of God.

We can know the truth – Jesus said so. John 8:31-32 says, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jesus teaches here that we can know the truth by continuing in His word.

The Bible can be understood by all men. The Calvinistic doctrine on the fallen state of man says that, since the fall, man is no longer in a state where he is able to understand the will of God. They teach that man can only come to an understanding of the Word of God through a direct operation of the Holy Spirit. Yet, the Bible refutes this doctrine. Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:15, teaches that Timothy had known the Holy Scripture from a child. He had, from his childhood understood the Bible. He did not come to that understanding of the Old Testament scriptures by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit, but by the instruction he received in the word from his mother and his grandmother.

We can know the truth through a diligent study of the Word of God. All mankind can know the truth and understand it alike. For we know, according to 2 Peter 1:20, that the scriptures are not of any private interpretation, but that they are of, or by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. All men can have the same understanding of the Word of God that Paul had. In Ephesians 3:4, he tells us that we can understand his knowledge when we read his inspired words. Finally, we must all be able to understand the Bible alike because it is the only standard that will judge us in the last day (John 12:48-50).

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Worship

The Lord’s Day Worship

Why do Christians gather every first day of the week for worship?  Many people in these modern times try to set forth the notion that it is not required to assemble with the saints on the first day of the week for worship.  It is contended that there is no reference in scripture for what we today refer to as a “worship service” and that it is not really required.  The purpose for this lesson is to examine this from a historical and Biblical perspective with the goal of establishing authority for the assembling of the saints for worship on the first day of the week. 

First of all, let’s take a look at the word “church”.  This English word is translated from the Greek word “Ekklesia”.  In the original language this word is used in reference to both the church universal and the local assembly.  The word “Ekklesia” is a derivative of two other Greek Words, “ek” which is a primary preposition denoting origin or the point from which action or motion proceeds.  In this instance, the translation of the this word is “out”.  The other Greek word is “Kaleo” which means to “Call” or to “Bid”.  The two words put together mean the “called out”. This is a group, body or assembly of people who have been called out into a group.     When used in  a religious sense, this word can either mean the entire company of Christians worldwide such as is the intent in Matthew 16:18 when Jesus said He would build His church.  Or it can refer to a single gathering of Christians such as we see in Acts 14:23 and 1 Corinthians 4:17.  The word “ekklesia” is also used in scripture with a non-religious intent to refer to an assembly of people who have gathered for purposes other than to offer worship to God as in Acts 19:39 and then again in Acts 19:41.  The KJV simply called it an assembly.  So we learn here that this word, used with religious intent, can refer to the church as a whole or it can refer to an assembly of Christians in a local setting.  What is very important to take from this is that the word Ekklesia does not in any way refer to a building or a place.  That is a meaning that has been given to this word in modern times.  In the original language the word always refers to an assembly of people, and was never intended to refer to a physical object of any kind. 

So why must Christians assemble to worship on the first day of the week?  To adequately answer this question, one must look at a number of scriptures and examine how the first century Christians worshiped and then emulate that.  The first century Christians were exposed to those who were either direct eye-witnesses of Christ or were very close to those who did.  The logic behind this is if we use only the inspired scripture and we emulate the worship practices of those who were the closest to Christ, we will be assured of following practices which are untainted by the traditions of man.  There are two scriptures which demonstrate the importance of this concept:

Turning to John 4:23-24, we read, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.“

Mark 7:6-9
6 “He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.  7 And in vain they worship Me,Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’*  8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men* — the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” 9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”

From these two teachings of Jesus Christ we learn some very important facts regarding Christian worship. 

1)  God seeks true worshipers.
2)  True worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.  This is an imperative condition for worship and implies the existence of false worshipers who do not.
3)  The traditions of men where they depart from the commandments of God render one’s worship vain or useless. 

In light of these clear teachings concerning worship offered to God, it is logical to conclude that the best way to accomplish this and to avoid any mistakes is to adhere closely to the word of God concerning Christian worship and be careful not to add anything from the mind of man to it.  These two verses clearly mention two kinds of worship, true worship and vain worship.  It is clear that God sets a distinction between the two and identifies the doctrines and commandments of men as what makes the difference.   It is important that we as Christians be assured that the worship we offer is indeed acceptable to God because it can be logically inferred that vain worship, or, that worship which is tainted with the commandments of men, is unacceptable to God and will result in it being rejected by Him.  Man does not set the standards on worship, offered to God.  God sets the standards and it is important to understand this and pattern one’s worship according to God’s standard only.     

God wants true worshipers.  Those worshiper must worship in spirit and in truth to be the worshipers God is looking for.  Worship in spirit and in truth must be only that which is according to God’s standard in order to avoid being vain therefore not that worship which God seeks.  In view of the seriousness of this conclusion, we can be assured that there is a pattern to follow in scripture.  God wouldn’t make such a serious charge and then fail to give the standards which we can follow in order to assure ourselves of being the true worshipers God seeks. 

So how does one accomplish worship that is true and not tainted by the commandments of men?  Simply stated, one turns to the standard where true worshipers are found.  They seek from the word of God only, the accepted means and methods of worship offered by those who lived and walked in the infancy of the church.  One uses those teachings which came directly from the eyewitnesses of Christ or as closely as possible.  If we will reject the teachings and doctrines of men and pattern our worship after the accepted examples and commandments from those who offered it in the infancy of the church, then we can be reasonably assured that our worship will be the worship God seeks. 

Did the first century Christians assemble for worship?

Many references are made in scripture to assemblies of Christians in organized worship to God.  Paul gave instructions on more than one occasion to the Christians living in or near Corinth regarding certain activities engaged in during assemblies where worship to God was being engaged in. 

In 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 we read that the Corinthians were profaning the Lord’s supper when they assembled to partake of it and they received instruction from Paul regarding the proper way in which to engage in this particular act of worship.  From this we can draw two conclusions regarding this topic.  1)  Christians did assemble to partake of the Lord’s supper in the first century.  2)  There are standards to follow if one is to engage in this act of worship in order for it to be acceptable to God.  In verse 26 we learn that the assembling for the purpose of observing the Lord’s supper as a group is something that is done regularly.  And in vs 27-29 we learn that to partake of this act of worship in an unworthy manner results in damnation to one’s soul.  There are rules to be followed and standards to be adhered to. 

In Acts 2:42, we read, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”  These Christian activities are in the context of worship.  We see them adhering closely to the teachings of the apostles.  The first congregation of Christians had been established in Jerusalem and the context here is in view of organized activities.  The term “continued steadfastly” means they were engaging in learning the apostles teachings, fellowshiping, the breaking of bread and praying on a regular basis. 

Then in Acts 20:7, we read, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread“.  Now since we know from the prior verses of scripture that the Christians in Jerusalem met regularly for the purpose of continuing steadfastly in the “apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers”, we see from Acts 20:7 that the first day of the week was when the Christians in Troas came together as a congregation to partake of the Lord’s supper.  We now have two scriptures which establish a pattern of behavior and the specific day on which this was accomplished.  Every week has a first day so we can be reasonably certain from these two passages alone that on the first day of the week Christians came together as a group to partake of the Lord’s supper on a regular basis.  A broader examination of the context also reveals other activities that were associated with the weekly Lord’s supper assembly such as fellowship, prayer (Acts 2:42) and preaching (Acts 20:7).      

In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, we read, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.”  Paul gave the Corinthian instructions here for the collecting of money for the saints.  When he arrived to pick up this offering, he did want to have to travel around from house to house to collect these funds individually.  He wanted them all in one place for convenience so he instructed the Christians in Corinth to have these funds collected so that “there be no collections when I come“.   Paul wanted the collecting of these offerings to be finished and ready for pickup when he showed up. 

One significant point to be made here is that though it is not reflected in some modern translations, the original language of 1 Corinthians 16:2 reads “the first day of every week”.  This coincides and reinforces the weekly assembly for the observance of the Lord’s supper.  The church has to assemble in order to pool their contributions, so also must they assemble to partake of the Lord’s supper as a group.  From the contexts of all the scriptures we have considered thus far, we have giving, preaching, prayer and the Lord’s supper all taking place on the first day of the week in an assembly. 

While giving instruction on showing personal favoritism, James wrote in 2:2, “For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel…“.  There can be no doubt the context here is of the Christian assembly. 

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul goes into a lengthy discourse on the use of spiritual gifts during the assemblies of the Christians.  In V 15 he references singing in the unmistakable setting of the assemblies, thus we derive congregational singing as another activity that took place in 1st century worship.  So now we have singing, giving, preaching, prayer and the Lord’s supper all taking place on the first day of the week in an assembly.  The Christians did indeed assemble in the first century, on the first day of every week and we know the activities they engaged in during these assemblies.  All five of these activities, singing, giving, preaching, prayer and the Lord’s supper, are specific acts of worship, therefore assemblies were for the purpose of offering worship to God as a group.

While writing Revelation, John made a reference to the Lord’s Day in chapter 1:10. This expression is found only here in the New Testament, and beyond all reasonable doubt it means on Sunday.  Here, “Lord’s day” is a similar construction to “Lord’s supper” (1 Corinthians 11:20). “It means ‘belonging to the Lord’, or ‘consecrated to the Lord’. Sunday was the day Jesus rose from the dead, the very same day the apostles met him in the upper room, and a week later on another Sunday the Lord appeared to his assembled apostles again. Sunday was the day the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost; it was the day the disciples came together to break bread (Acts 20:7); it was the day the collection was taken up (1 Corinthians 16:2). 

When all of the evidence is considered, there can be no doubt that the first century Christians did indeed assemble on the first day of every week.  And on this day, which John labeled “the Lord’s day” they engaged in various forms of worship to God of which we have examples of.   Many today try and set forth the idea that since a ‘worship assembly’ is never specifically mentioned in scripture, there were none.  This notion cannot stand up to a critical examination of the text.  In light of the abundant scriptural evidence which specifically mentions acts of worship being engaged in during an assembly of Christians, such a claim is equal to saying there are no footprints in the sand on a busy beach because they are never specifically mentioned in any of the accounts.  

When the first century Christians assembled to sing, pray, teach, give and partake of the Lord’s supper, they assembled to worship.  These assemblies were for that purpose.   A group of people who gather for the express purpose of offering worship is by definition a “worship assembly”.  A worship assembly is an assembly of worshipers and we know from the scriptures there were assemblies of Christians offering worship to God. 

And finally, last but certainly not least to this topic is Hebrews 10:22-28, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.“

From this context we learn a great many things.  Christians are to encourage each other towards love and good works.  It is obvious the intent here is that this is best served in the setting of an assembly.  The Christians were commanded not to forsake the assembling of themselves for this purpose and then given a stern warning which indicated the loss of Christ’s sacrifice for sin if they persisted in this.   The importance of this cannot be overstated.  Of significance to this topic is the Greek construction of the original language.  The translation “assembling of yourselves” is accurate.  While there can be no doubt the Lord’s day assembly is included in the  assemblies which are not to be forsaken, they are by no means exclusively limited to those.  Christians are not to make a practice of forsaking any of the  assemblies of Christians if it is for the purpose of the work of the church.  This means Sunday evening worship services, Wednesday evening Bible studies, care group meetings, etc, etc.  If the church assembles for the purpose of engaging in the work of the Lord, the members are obligated to set their worldly cares aside and attend.  And when forsaking these assemblies becomes a regular practice, the result is loss of salvation.   There is no way to be honest with what this scripture teaches and come to any other conclusion. 

Many people fail to attend the assemblies of Christians together and claim that there is no command in scripture to do so.  Since the scriptures clearly teach tha t it is a soul damning sin to forsake them in regular practice, the command to attend is understood in the prohibition against forsaking.  Not only is there ample scriptural evidence to draw the conclusion that 1st century Christians assembled to worship, it is also obvious that attendance by the members is a mandatory obligation so declared by God.  The wise and penitent believer will submit to the will of God on this in obedience and seek first the kingdom of God as directed. 

There are no bulleted lists in scripture for how worship to God is to be carried out.  The New Testament is not written in that fashion.  But we do have scripture which gives us guidance in how we are to determine the proper manner of our worship. 

1 Thessalonians 2:14, “For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus.”  When we search through the scriptures and determine the accepted practices of the early churches and apply those to ourselves today, we become like the Thessalonian Christians who were praised for that very thing.  We study and learn how the first century Christians worshipped and we emulate the forms of their worship then.  They partook of the Lord Supper on every first day of the week.  We do the same.  They gave of their means, sang, prayed, taught and assembled on every first day of the week.  We know we can do these things today and be assured that our worship is acceptable to God.  The burden of acceptable worship falls on us.  God is the object, we are the ones offering it, we are the benefactors of it.

The 1st century New Testament Christians did indeed worship in assemblies held in the first day of every week.  21st Century New Testament Christians do as well. 

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Weep with Those Who Weep

Sorrow is an unfortunate companion in this life.  Oh, there are occasions when it turns out to be an indispensable friend, if it is a sorrow that leads the sinner to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10).  Yet, as simple everyday life goes, sorrow can be a bitter pill.  Let’s face it, wherever disappointments, discouragements, and death exist, tears will be there.  The wise man Solomon once said, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die… a time to weep… a time to mourn…” (Eccl. 3:1-2, 4).  Sooner or later, it is the fate of us all.

When such a time confronts us, we are immediately burdened by it; yet there is not a worse sense of despair or hopelessness than to have to face that burden alone.  We all need a shoulder to cry on once in a while.  Job 2:11-13 records that Job had three friends who came to comfort him after the devastating loss of his children and possessions.  It says that they ” lifted their voices and wept” and that “ they sat down with him on the ground seven days  and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.”

I think one of the most touching stories I’ve ever read on the subject of grief and sorrow was one told by Leo Buscaglia about a four-year-old boy and his next-door neighbor (an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife).  Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into his neighbor’s yard, climbed onto his lap and just sat there.  When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.”

Herein lies a lesson.  When another’s eyes “waste away with grief” (Ps. 31:9) there is but one thing to do: “weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15).

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