In Christianity today, there are many church denominations. Also there are non-denominational believers. Churchgoers engage in different activities or proceedings in their church meetings. Modern group practices vary.
What did the Holy Spirit inspire early Christians of the Apostolic Age to do in their services, according to the New Testament (NT)? The Apostolic Age was the period of time from when Jesus called His original 12 disciples/apostles until the death of the apostle John near the end of the 1st century AD. What Was the Apostolic Age? “The foundations of the Christian church were established then.”
In the decades (and early centuries) after Jesus’ death, diverse Christian groups developed. The seven churches of Revelation 2-3 definitely had their differences!
{Sidelight: One branch of (marginal) Christian Gnostics reportedly had a very unorthodox approach to their meetings. Members would draw lots at every service, and let those lots determine which persons that day would perform the various functions within the meeting. For example, whoever drew the lot for the sermon would give the sermon that day. Next meeting when they drew lots again, the mix of functions among those present would change. This approach seems unorganized or haphazard, compared to more usual and orthodox church formats.}
The church at large belongs to Jesus. He’s building it. Jesus said in Mt.16:18, “I will build My church”. Ep.4:11-13 Jesus provides diverse giftings & abilities for His church, His figurative “body”. These are distributed in each congregation and area (there is some overlap within a group). 1Co.12:1, 18, 27-31 it is thought that every Christian has received at least one spiritual gift. Some Christians, like the apostle Paul, are given several such gifts. (also see the topic “Spiritual Gifts and ‘Tongues”.)
Here we’ll look at NT examples that reflect what was done during Christian worship services of the Apostolic Age. (also see “Synagogue Influence on the Church”.) Some functions are more visible at meetings than others are. God’s Presence in the meeting is a priority! The primary purpose of church meetings is to meet with God! From scripture, following are four main components of services:
1) Praise/hymns and songs. This is very important. Many Old Testament (OT) Psalms were probably songs. Ps.100:4 enter in to God’s Presence with thanksgiving & praise. Paul exhorted in Ep.5:19, “Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord”. Ps.144:9 “I will sing a new song to Thee, O God, upon an instrument.” Also ref Col.3:16. If we meet in services, but don’t enter into the Lord’s Presence, the meeting could possibly proceed according to personal agendas.
2) Prayers. 1Ti.2:8-9a reflects men and women unitedly lifting up holy hands in prayer (and praise). David wrote in Ps.63:4, “I will bless Thee, I will lift up my hands in Thy Name”. The Levitical priests in the synagogue or temple lifted up hands to their shoulders or head for benedictions. Lk.24:50 Jesus too lifted up hands in blessing. Ac.12:12 reflects an early house church prayer meeting, “Where many were gathered together praying”. In Ac.16:13-14 while Paul was traveling in Europe, he and Luke found a group to pray & worship with on the sabbath day. (see “Evangelism in the Apostolic Church”.)
But it seems too many Christian groups ignore fervent prayer in their meetings. For that matter, Paul said we should try to remain in a continual attitude of “pray without ceasing” (1Th.5:17), whether in church or out. The NT church did much prayer!
3) Teaching/Preaching from scripture. Perhaps this component is second in importance. In 1Ti.4:13, Paul exhorted Timothy to “give attention to the public reading of Scripture”. The scriptures Timothy had in those days were almost entirely from the Old Testament. 2Ti.3:16-17 “All scripture is inspired by God”, according to Paul. Yet in many churches today, little is read other than the gospels and Paul’s own writings, or one springboard text. 2Ti.4:2 “Preach the word…rebuke, exhort with patience and instruction.” In the Apostolic Era church, the scriptures were read as teaching and exhortation! (That’s not to say the speaker shouldn’t devote time to relating personal anecdotes or storytelling from the pulpit to make a point.)
The above three components could take a while to complete. In Ac.20:6-8, Paul gave a long discourse until past midnight. The Hebrew term for a scriptural discourse or sermon was derásha. Ac.15:32 Judas and Silas encouraged the brethren with a lengthy message. Ac.13:15-41 is Luke’s synopsis of the discourse Paul gave in the synagogue at the Roman military colony of Pisidían Antioch.
The classic example for the long church service is found in Ne.8:2-6, when Ezra read the book of the law “from early morning until midday”! (As an aside, when hearers learn and do the word in their daily lives, less pastoring is needed.) My personal preference is for a speaker to say his sermon in a maximum of 60 or perhaps 75 minutes. On occasion, the Holy Spirit (HS) may inspire a longer talk (such as Paul’s Troás discourse in Ac.20:7).
1 Corinthians 14 may be viewed as a type of model for church meetings. 1Co.14.1-3 prophecy wasn’t restricted to only predictions or words of knowledge (like the OT seer/see-er). Prophecy includes edification, exhortation, consolation, besides encouragement & spiritual strengthening (Ac.15:32). It is speaking the inspired words of God through the HS, via scripture reading and otherwise. 1Co.14:26-30 let 2 or 3 speak (this glimpses the 2 or 3 witnesses pattern, e.g. Mt.18:16). It seems Paul didn’t view Christian services as a discussion forum or chat format to just share opinions or speculations.
Teachers, preachers, Bible expositors may welcome others’ revelations, insights, comments, or questions from the group (this will lengthen the meeting). Some object to services that are too formal or inflexible or too long. The HS should be allowed to guide the meeting. But if preaching or teaching isn’t inspired by the Spirit, merely speaking our own words is of less value.
1Co.14:31-32 over the months, all so moved by the HS can share their testimony, sermonettes, or sermons…whether topical, expository, extemporaneous, doctrinal, historical Bible incidents, etc. All sermon types can be spiritually uplifting, pertinent, informative, when prepared through prayer in the Lord’s will. We want to experience the HS in the meeting…and learn God’s word and God’s character.
1Co.14:33 there should be no confusion or disorder at church services. It’s not the place for the person who doesn’t come in peace, or who has a personal agenda which may be disruptive. There should be a sense of holiness present. v.37 these instructions written by Paul were “the Lord’s commandment”, not Paul’s own words! Paul concludes the passage in v.39-40. “Let all things be done decently and in order.” Orderly structure is important. (also see “Female Roles in the Early Church”.)
4) Food (with the Lord’s Supper). Ac.2:46 these Jewish Christians were “taking their meals together”. Spiritual ties can be made stronger by sharing meals. Jude 1:12a regular lovefeasts were common. Historically those meals included bread & wine communion. (see the topics “Bread and Wine in the Church” and “Wine or Grape Juice in Jesus’ Cup?”.)
The financially more well-to-do Christians brought food to share (perhaps potluck style) with the poorer saints. But there were problems at the lovefeasts in Corinth. 1Co.11:20-34 Paul admonished them to be considerate of one another at their lovefeasts & eucharist. The intent is to commune with God’s Presence! This communion is part of meeting with God…at the Lord’s table (1Co.10:21).
Also at church meetings there’s a place for: praise reports, prayer requests, anointing for healing and laying on hands (Ja.5:14-16), inspirational special music/poetry/dance (David danced, 2Sm.6:14), spiritually meaningful personal experiences, giving to others, etc…all done in an orderly manner.
We probably have our favorite portions of the services, and also components we like less (for example, speculative ‘prophecies’ so-called and conspiracy theories may engender skepticism). Some fellowships seem to ignore various parts of the above NT meeting guidelines, preferring to do more their own thing. Although I don’t think form/order is greater than substance, it is nevertheless beneficial to do the components which the Spirit led them to do as recorded in the Bible.
The NT is not just about our “life in Christ” of Romans, Ephesians, Colossians…it is also the structure of Acts, Corinthians, Timothy. (see “Church Structure and Member Functions”.) Generally, group practices engaged in during meetings should be modeled upon NT examples & doctrine. Yet….
God can do what He wants through the Holy Spirit! 2Ch.5:12-14 “The house of the Lord was filled with a cloud, so the priests couldn’t stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.” Even at the OT Temple dedication, the praise was magnificent! The Shekínah glory/kavód (Hebrew) cloud was so heavy, the priests were unable to stand up to minister!
Also people have testified of their miraculous healings at church meetings! Although the Spirit doesn’t contradict the Spirit or violate God’s word…God is in charge. God’s will be done.
To recap, the essential components at church meetings from the Bible are: 1) Singing praise/hymns; 2) Prayers; 3) Scriptural teaching/exhortation; 4) Fellowship meal/Lord’s Supper.
Ro.12:4-8 this passage reflects prophecy/inspired preaching, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, acts of mercy. These gifts enable the local church to function harmoniously in love and peace/shalóm.
He.10:24-25 “Let us consider how to motivate one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together.” Believers with the Holy Spirit are to assemble together. Assembling can include online Christian chatrooms and livestreaming services, especially for the elderly or infirm. Let’s all take this verse to heart and regularly gather together somewhere, whether in-person or not.
Commonly, the NT meeting place was house churches. ref Ac.2:46, 8:3, 20:20; Ro.16:5; Col.4:15; 1Co.16:19; Phm.1:2; 2Jn.1:10.
Lastly…in many nations today, Christian worship services take place with little or no persecution. But that’s not the case in all nations. Reportedly, there are 150 million Christians in China, many or most of them meeting ‘underground’ in house churches. We pray for Christians who are persecuted, that they will be granted favor and positively impact their society with the gospel.
The Lord has given us guidelines in the NT for church meetings. Thanks be to God for the opportunity and privilege to meet together in fellowship with the saints!
Bible Topic Exposition 