The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
August 10, 2003
In
This Issue:
"Whatsoever
Things Were Written Aforetime"
By
David Cox
Who
Needs Worship
by
Steve Klein
"Whatsoever Things Were Written Aforetime"
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4).
There is no doubt that when Paul mentions the things "written aforetime" he is making reference to the Old Testament. Some have attempted to justify the authority of the Old Testament scriptures by using this verse. However, if Paul had intended that the authority of the Old Testament is still in force today (in the Dispensation of Christ), then this verse would stand in direct contradiction to other passages of Scripture. For example, Paul writing to the Colossians spoke of Christ and the Old Testament, "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross" (Colossians 2:14). Paul, writing to the Galatians, referred to the Old Testament (the old law) as a "schoolmaster." Paul stated the purpose of the old law was "to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith" (Galatians 3:24). In verse 25 of Galatians 3, we read "But after faith is come, we are no longer under a school-master." It is clear that Paul was speaking of the old law being brought to an end, which is in keeping with what Christ said about the old law as he lived on this earth (Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:44). Obviously, Paul never intended for this statement, in Romans 15:4, to be used to justify the practices of some based on the authority of the Old Testament.
The question now is: What exactly did Paul say about the use of the Old Testament? He said it was for our learning so that those who suffer for righteousness will have hope. Paul, speaking to Felix, said, "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and prophets: And have hope toward God which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust" (Acts 24:14-15). Notice that Paul said he believed all that was written in the law and prophets and he had hope as those before him had. As Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, etc. looked by faith to the coming promise of God, so did Paul and in Romans 15:4, Paul is saying so should we.
Think of Job and Daniel suffering because of their having a trusting faith in God. This should admonish (comfort) us to live lives that will be acceptable to God, our Father. As we think of the promises given to Abraham and the faithfulness of God in fulfilling them, this should help us to recognize that God is not "slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness but is longsuffering" (2 Peter 3:9). Men may say the world has not ended yet and that they desire to enjoy the pleasures of sin. But Paul is reminding us that the lessons of the Old Testament are invaluable to us as we live our lives by faith; trusting in the promises of God as those have so done in the days long ago.
There are many lessons we can gain from the Old Testament that can give us comfort and hope. But Romans 15:4 should never be used to try to give authority to the Old Testament Scriptures for today.
By David Cox
Does God need our worship? The apostle Paul said that God is not "worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything" (Acts 17:25). God does not need men to worship Him, but He does desire it, and He seeks those who are willing. Jesus said, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him" (John 4:23).
When we come together as a church, our goal is to worship God. While God does not need it, He does deserve it. We, like the Psalmist of old, should desire to "Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" (Psalm 29:2).
Since God deserves worship, we need to worship Him. It is just here that men often become confused. Realizing that worship fulfills a need of man, men have often concluded that they should design worship to suit themselves. No conclusion could ever be more wrong. Worship should show honor and adoration for the One worshipped. Worship that is self-determined is self-serving; it is "will worship" or "self-imposed religion" that ultimately has no value at all because it does not honor God (cf. Colossian 2:23). Jesus warned, "And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9).
The worship that God has directed and commanded is the only worship that will honor Him and truly fulfill our needs. There are five acts of worship that God has ordained for us to perform in the assembly of the church:
1. The Lord's Supper is taken on each first day of the week in remembrance of our crucified Savior (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). In this observance, Christians come together to eat unleavened bread and drink the fruit of the vine, which are symbols of Christ's body and blood. We commune with one another and with Him in remembrance of His sacrifice. We need this!
2. Singing praises God and teaches us (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). There is no New Testament command to play songs and hymns with instruments of music in worship; those who do this are self-directed will-worshipers. Simply singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs from the heart as God commanded is uplifting and instructive. We need this!
3. Praying to God enables us to express our collective thanks to Him and petition His help for our collective concerns (cf. Acts 12:5). There is power and comfort in prayer. We need this!
4. Giving as we've prospered each first day of the week is the means God has chosen to financially support His work (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Giving is better than receiving, and giving to the Lord's work is the best kind of giving. We need this!
5. Bible reading, teaching and preaching are given a prominent place in our assemblies because hearing God's word produces saving faith (Romans 10:17, cf Acts 20:7). The word of God "is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified" (Acts 20:32). We need this!
Let us each determine to worship the Lord as He has commanded on a regular basis. We need it!
by Steve Klein