The Faith Of Our Fathers

The Faith Of Our Fathers

From the New Testament we learn not only that early Christians worshiped God, but we are told what they did in their worship. On the Lord's Day they assembled to partake of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7). Unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine were taken in memory of the body and blood of Jesus, in his death on Calvary (Matt. 26:26-29). Through Christ, they offered up the fruit of their lips as a sacrifice of praise to God (Heb. 13:15). This, of course, was in their prayers and hymns. They sang and made melody in their hearts unto God (Eph. 5:19). The presented their freewill offerings to the Lord (I Cor. 16:1-2). The teaching of God's Word was an important aspect of their worship (Acts 20:7).

Justin Martyr was born in Samaria about 100 AD. In 132 he became a follower of Christ. In ca.152 he wrote, describing the worship of the church of his day:

"...on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president (the one presiding, jhw) verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought (the strong wine was diluted according to Jewish custom, jhw), and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succors the orphans and widows, and those who, though sickness or any other cause, are in want ... But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead" (First Apology chapter 67).

In his Questions and Answers to the Orthodox, Justin writes, "Simply singing is not agreeable to children, but singing with lifeless instruments and with dancing and clapping; on which account the use of this kind of instruments and of others agreeable to children is removed from the songs in the churches, and there is left simply singing," (Question 107).

Then came the apostasy predicted by Paul (I Tim. 4:1-3; II Thess. 2:1-9). Every aspect of faith and worship was corrupted over the thousand years of Catholicism's dominance. Courageous Protestants challenged Rome's authority in the 14th century and attempted to reform the faith and worship of the church of their day.

Here in America, Alexander Campbell, who along with his father Thomas, had launched a "Back to the Bible" movement to restore the original aspects of Christianity. Sometime prior to 1835 young Campbell visited a small congregation of Christians in rural Virginia. In his memorandum book he noted the following things about their worship. After greeting each other in a familiar and cordial manner, they began with the hymn, Christ the Lord is Risen Today. Then a brother read the history of the crucifixion of Messiah. A brother was then called upon to pray. The congregation pronounced the final Amen. A brother then arose and read a passage from the Epistles. They then sang a hymn in preparation for the Lord's Supper. The brother presiding reminded the assembly of why they observed this memorial supper and then offered thanks and distributed th e elements to each member. After another brief hymn, a brother offered a prayer before and for a contribution was collected fro the poor and the preaching of the gospel. After a few more readings and hymns they concluded the meeting with a benediction. (Alexander Campbell. The Christian System (pp. 290-292), Standard Pub. Co. Cincinnati, no date).

In 1956 the author confessed Christ and was united with him in baptism at the Woodbine Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee. On Sunday mornings we assembled for Bible study and worship. We usually sang two songs, had a prayer and then engaged in some 45 minutes of Bible Study. After a brief intermission, we took our places for worship. Bro. Aubrey Yearwood led us in hymns. There was a scripture reading and prayer. Bro. Parker French delivered a lesson from the Bible, followed by an invitation for any who needed prayer or who wished to confess their faith and be baptized. We then sang a hymn in preparation for the Lord's Supper. The brethren expressed prayers for the bread and the fruit of the vine and served us. With a closing prayer we were dismissed. It was not uncommon for there to be responses to the invitation hymn. Christians confessing sins were prayed for and penitent sinners who confessed Christ were baptized.

For some 2000 years churches of Christ have worship this way. There are no valid reasons for changes in the content of our worship. It is thoroughly biblical, practical and easily implemented in any age or society. Those who love the Lord are happy and content to worship him now as did their predecessors in the faith 50, 170, or 2000 years ago.

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