Historians are limited by the absence of recordings or written accounts to describe the details of worship in the early church but here are a few things that they have learned. (1) They know that it was similar to that in the Temple and the Synagogue so this gives us some insight. They know that someone would stand out of respect for the Holy Scriptures to read a passage and then those seated in the assembly would be free to comment on it. We can even see this in the New Testament with Jesus (Luke 4:14-21) and the Apostles (Acts 17:1-4) taking part. (2) They know that Communion was the reason the early church assembled and was the central feature of their worship. (3) They know that these services were for the believers in Christ and this made it easy for them to meet in secret during times of persecution. (4) They know that the singing was much different from that in our time. In fact, the music scale that is the basis of our music today did not develop for more than a millennium. Experts say that their singing was a chanting very similar to that of today's Arabic music. (5) They know that 1st century worship was spontaneous and certainly not scripted as ours is today.(6) They know that the tradition of a preacher standing in a pulpit and speaking without comment or question from the worshippers did not develop for many centuries. The members were not observers they participated in the worship of the early church.

We are fortunate to see many of these elements illustrated in 1 Corinthians 11 and14. Today there are few Christians who can quote more than one verse from these important passages. That verse is 1 Cor. 14:40, "let all things be done decently and in order." It is used today to justify limiting those who participate in the worship to the names published in the bulletin. It is clear from their application of this verse that they have never studied the context. This ignorance continues to hinder God's people from worshipping and praising God as the Bible and their hearts say they should. Here are a few truths that are clear from these two chapters. (1) The Lord's Supper was the reason for their coming together. (2) It was an assembly of saints and never an evangelistic meeting. (3) The participation by the worshippers was spontaneous. This included singing and prayers. (4) Everyone was free to participate with only 14:34-35 being an exception. (5) One person did not preach with the assembly just listening. (6) "Decently and in order" did not limit participation to those who were "on the schedule." Let us take a brief look at each of these elements of worship in the early church.

(1) The Lord's Supper was the reason for their coming together. Acts 20:7 reads this way: "Upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread." The purpose of the assembly was to partake of the Lord's Supper and anything else they did was secondary to this Memorial Feast. Every other passage about worship reinforces this principle. Let us take the time to look at one of them. In 1 Cor. 11 they have "come together as a church" but when they "come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat" and "this is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep" so then "when you come together to eat (the Lord's Supper), wait for each other. If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home." (Vs. 18, 20, 30 33, 34) Paul said the perversion of the Lord's Supper at Corinth was the reason for their spiritual sickness and even spiritual death. Today this Memorial Feast has become "The 5-minute Pray and Pass". We observe the FORM (day, elements and order) but deny the POWER of the Lord's Supper to deepen our faith and strengthen our resolve. (2 Tim. 3:5) Everywhere I go Christians talk about how weak the church is today. Well, Paul has given us one of the reasons.

(2) It was an assembly of saints and never an evangelistic meeting.

a. In truth it is not my responsibility to prove that something is not in the Bible but if you are doing it you must prove that it is authorized. After the first three lessons I have waited for someone to give me the book, chapter and verse for inviting non-Christians to the assembly. I have waited for the authority for a 1st day of the week sermon being directed to these outsiders.I have waited for just one passage to support singing songs to teach the unbelievers. I am waiting for anyone to show me even a necessary inference for the invitation song. But no one has because they can't! I have already proven what the Word of God teaches about the when, why and who of a scriptural assembly but for those who want to believe that I am wrong I am sorry...

b. The following eleven verses from 1 Corinthians 14 leave no doubt that God intended for the Lord's Day worship to be for Christians and Christians only. I will include the correct English words assembly or congregation to help with your understanding.

"He that prophesieth edifieth the church (assembly)" V. 4

"That the church (congregation) may receive edifying." V. 5

"That ye may excel to the edifying of the church (congregation)." V. 12

"Yet in the church (assembly) I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also." V. 19

"Prophesying serveth not for them that believeth not, but for them which believe." V. 22

"If therefore the whole church (congregation) be come together in one place." V. 23

"How is it then, brethren? When ye come together..." V. 26

"Let him keep silence in the church (assembly)." V. 28

"As in all churches (congregations) of the saints." V. 33

"Let your women keep silence in the churches (assemblies)." V. 34

"It is a shame for women to speak in the church (assembly)." V. 35

c. I don't want you to misunderstand so read carefully. If you cannot find the authority for inviting outsiders to the 1^st day of the week assembly of the saints then you have only two choices. (1) Repent! This I know will be difficult. It will demand changing the reason for your coming together. It will demand changing your concept and practice of evangelism. It will demand changing your preaching. It will demand changing your singing. It will demand changing your prayers. It will demand teaching your members how to worship God like the early church. But it will set you free to worship "in spirit and in truth" without concern for what the visitors will think! (2) Your other choice is to buy a piano! Only a hypocrite will condemn another for doing as they are. The exact same arguments that support inviting sinners to our worship and using this time to teach them also support instrumental music. So buy a piano. On second thought, get a band. That way your members who only get to observe worship can have some real entertainment!

To be continued.

The Parson