WORSHIP NOTES Volume 17, No. 5 (May 2022) “WEEKEND WORSHIP” The New Testament clearly speaks to the importance of our corporate worship gatherings: And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one […]
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 17, No. 4 (April 2022) THE SCOPE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER TIME (past-present-future) At the Table we are reminded of the event of Christ’s crucifixion, but in its remembrance we draw comfort from the realization that when Jesus died, He died for each of us—thus bringing the significance of the past event into our present experience. There is also a crucial future aspect as well. Paul writes:
“In Remembrance of Me” (part 2) Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 17, No. 3 (March 2022) In obedience to Jesus’ command (Luke 22:19),[1] His church has always made the ritual remembrance of His substitutionary sacrifice on the cross a central part of gathered worship.[2] In fact, in most traditions the Lord’s Supper was celebrated weekly for the first 1500 years of the church. Some groups continue this practice, though many groups now opt for a monthly observance, while
“In Remembrance of Me” (part 1) Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 17, No. 2 (February 2022) Theology Paul’s explanation in Romans of the ramifications of the fall (1:18-32) and the ensuing blackness of sin that has engulfed the human race (3:9-18,23) makes the gospel shine all the more brightly as he expounds on it in the ensuing chapters. He shows how the gospel is indeed “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (1:16), for through
“TO HIM BE GLORY FOREVER”: Paul’s Doxology in Romans 11:33-36 Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 17, No. 1 (January 2022) The “worship reformation” of recent years has led many churches to make changes in their worship styles and practices. That is no small matter, and the way is full of potholes and pitfalls. Therefore, how we go about it (if at all) may be more important (and say more about us) than the results. Here are some suggested principles to help guide
Principles of Worship Change Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 16, No. 11 (December 2021) “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,who, on finding one pearl of great value,went and sold all that he had and bought it.” —Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:45) The stock market rises and plunges, as do our personal resources. House values soar, but so do house prices. Inflation takes off; so does the cost of living. Our
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 16, No. 10 (November 2021) Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, people (the crowds, the disciples, or individuals) would “marvel” or “wonder” at the things Jesus did and said; they were reacting to the evident power and authority and wisdom of God working in and through him. For instance: And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?” (Matthew 8:27)
The Commendations of Jesus Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 16, No. 9 (October 2021) “Here is the church, and here is the steeple; open the door and see all the people!” As has often been observed, there is precious little in the New Testament by way of specific instructions about how to practice corporate worship in the church. Of the little that one does find, most of it has to do with Paul correcting abuses or
The Gathering: “Decently and in Order”(1 Corinthians 14) Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 16, No. 8 (September 2021) Scott W. Hahn, in his excellent article “Canon, Cult and Covenant:The Promise of Liturgical Hermeneutics” (in Canon andBiblical Interpretation, ed. Craig G. Bartholomew, Scott Hahn,Robin Parry, Christopher Seitz, Al Wolters [Zondervan, 2006]),has given a fascinating overview of the entire spectrum of biblicalrevelation as centered in and heading towards worship. In fact,he shows how each major movement in the scriptural recordculminates in worship. Last
The Worship Trajectory and Goal of the Entire Bible (Part 2: New Testament) Read More »
WORSHIP NOTES Volume 16, No. 7 (August 2021) Scott W. Hahn, in his excellent article “Canon, Cult and Covenant:The Promise of Liturgical Hermeneutics” (in Canon andBiblical Interpretation, ed. Craig G. Bartholomew, Scott Hahn,Robin Parry, Christopher Seitz, Al Wolters [Zondervan, 2006]),has given a fascinating overview of the entire spectrum of biblicalrevelation as centered in and heading towards worship. In fact,he shows how each major movement in the scriptural recordculminates in worship.
The Worship Trajectory and Goal of the Entire Bible (Part 1: Old Testament) Read More »
