IMPLICATIONS OF THE ASCENSION

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IMPLICATIONS OF THE ASCENSION

            The coming May 9 is Ascension Day in the Christian Calendar; the following Sunday, May 12, is considered Ascension Sunday. While such a day is often not recognized in evangelical traditions and particularly in American free church traditions, it is a vital experience that occurred in the life of Christ; thus, it is important for Christians to recognize and understand. One’s typical thought could easily minimize the Ascension as if Jesus ascending from the earth into the heavens was nothing more than a fascinating sight to behold; yet, the implications of Jesus’ ascension are vast and far-reaching. Why then is the Ascension important? Why should Christians remember it? And what are its implications? I intend to answer these questions with four key ideas.

1.      1. The Ascension is important because it is biblical.

2.      2. The Ascension means that Jesus presently understands his people.

3.      3. The Ascension means that Jesus’ resurrection is absolute and inarguable.

4.      4. The Ascension means that God is now human.

The Ascension Is Biblical

            Christians should recognize the importance of the Ascension because it is biblical. Too often, Christians seemingly negate many biblical events and passages to maximize the importance of others, e.g. Christmas and the Resurrection. Nonetheless, every word of Scripture is crucial to the Christian life and is a valuable part of what God has given his people for life and for godliness (1 Pet 1:3). The Ascension is no different. While Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection are certainly essential elements of the Christian faith, so is everything else that occurred in the life of Christ and, in fact, every word of the Bible. No word of the Bible is more important than another; every word is a portion of the word of God. In fact, the words Paul spoke are equally as important as the words Jesus spoke because they are all parts of the word of God, which is why many Bible translators have begun getting rid of red-letter editions. Since every word of Scripture is equally important and the events in the life of Christ are crucial, Christians should not only remember his birth, death, and resurrection but should also live in the reality of every aspect of his life including the Ascension. Living in the reality of the events of Christ’s life allows God’s people to be transformed by him in a present reality. The Ascension then is important because it is biblical.

The Ascension Means Jesus Presently Understands His People

            The author of Hebrews writes:

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:14-16).[1]

An astonishing veracity of the Ascension is found in the fact that while God the Son surely walked this planet as a human and, thus, could empathize with humanity’s weakness and struggles, he also ascended in glorified human flesh and, therefore, still empathizes with and understands humanity. To consider God, the creator of the universe, to be the same as humanity is an amazing concept and reality. It is not only that Jesus once could sympathize with humanity; he presently does because he is presently human. Jesus did not float into the heavens and become a spirit but ascended as a resurrected human and currently sits at the righthand of the Father interceding on behalf on his people (Rom 8:34). Jesus understands the struggles people face; Jesus understands sadness; Jesus understands weakness; Jesus understands temptation; yet, he was perfect in all of it. He understands and yet he conquers, which is why God’s people need him. The Ascension should comfort us to know that God is human and understands us.

The Ascension Means That Jesus’ Resurrection Is a Fact

            The Ascension offers inarguable proof that Jesus rose form the dead since so many people observed him following his resurrection. Jesus walked the earth for forty days after he rose and then ascended into the heavens prior to the Holy Spirit being freely poured out on his people ten days later (Pentecost). The Apostle Paul says that Jesus appeared for five-hundred witnesses after his resurrection (1 Cor 15:6). In a court of law, one witness would be sufficient evidence; five-hundred would be absolute. Without belaboring the point or offering the countless explicit details that oppose any argument against Jesus’ resurrection, suffice it to say that staging a resurrection would have been close to impossible, i.e. only a real resurrection could have worked. Moreover, if Jesus did not rise from the dead, hundreds of millions of Christians have been martyred for a lie, which would have been even more difficult in the early church, a time so close to the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus’ appearances and his ascension after his resurrection inarguably point to a living God in Jesus Christ. He rose, walked the earth in human flesh, and then ascended to the Father. The Ascension puts an exclamation point on the fact that Jesus lives.

The Ascension Means That God Is Now Human

            In the Ascension, the incarnation of God is vividly seen. No other major religion includes 1) a God who is still alive and 2) a God who has become human. The Creator became as one created, for although Jesus is still God, he took on the form of a lowly human and still subsists the same. Jesus lived as a human, died as a human, rose and walked this earth as a human, and then ascended as that same human, although glorified. In fact, Thomas was able to touch the scars of Jesus (John 20:24-28) and his people will one day behold the scars in his hands and feet. The scars of Jesus point to not only the reality of his suffering but of humanity’s sin for which he died; yet, Jesus now serves as an advocate on behalf of his people. The only reason Christians may approach the throne of God boldly is because when the Father looks upon his people, he sees not the filth of their sin but the righteousness of his Son. God’s wrath was poured on the human flesh of the Son so that his people did not have to endure it. Jesus, therefore, now exists not only as God but also as human and intercedes for his people. The Ascension reveals this astonishing fact.

The Ascension Matters

Some may not think the Ascension is an important recognition; yet, the ascension of Christ in human bodily form matters tremendously; it is of utmost importance. Why does the Ascension matter and why should Christians care about it? It matters first because it is in Scripture; thus, it is equally as important as anything else in the Holy Bible including the Resurrection. Further, it matters because Jesus ascending as a human man means that, as the author of Hebrews contends, we still have a great High Priest who sympathizes with human weakness and mortality, i.e. it is not only that he once could sympathize with us but he literally still does. The Ascension matters because we are reminded that Jesus not only lived but he still does live in the flesh and will one day return in the same.

I recently read a quote by Fr. Kenneth Tanner, which reads:

The Ascension means that God the Son is forever embodied in the flesh and blood and bones that Mary gave him; that his wounded humanity is present where God dwells, and God is present everywhere. Everywhere.

The Ascension means that a human, Jesus of Nazareth, is now part of what it means to be God and that this state of affairs goes on forever. For God to hate humanity (or any human), God would have to hate himself.

The Ascension means that created human nature is now seated at God's right hand and that no one needs to impatiently grasp for divinity again, for Christ has divinized human nature; creatureliness is now godliness in Jesus the Son and we truly participate in that union.

The Ascension means that by the Spirit Christ is still present in the world via his body, the church. It is Christ himself who acts and speaks when the church proclaims the gospel, heals the sick, visits prisoners, cares for the poor, celebrates the Eucharist, gathers together and so on. Jesus is the head of his body now, and we are now the fullness of Christ in the earth.

The Ascension means that Christ is elevated to Lordship of all things. Jesus is Lord and all temporal rulers and spiritual powers are judged as inadequate, as false gods. There is no Lord for the Christian but Jesus.

The Ascension means that Someone who knows what it is like to be a limited by time and embodiment and hunger and anxiety and rejection and torture and pain and betrayal and thirst and contingency—who knows being human from the inside out—is present in God when we pray (with all of our limitations), and this Someone knows our every petition and our every experience from the inside before we ask.[2]

            The Ascension matters. Praise God for his Ascension.

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[1] ESV.

[2] Tanner, Kenneth. “The Ascension Means.” Facebook, May 28, 2017. https://www.facebook.com/search/posts/?q=ascension.

"LOVE IS MY SONG" COMMENTARY

This is Dr. Jones' commentary on his hymn, "Love Is My Song."

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT JESUS FULFILLED THE LAW?

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT JESUS FULFILLED THE LAW? PERSONAL BLOG 04/01/2024

            Matthew’s Gospel teaches that Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Surely, the law could not be abolished so it had to be fulfilled; yet, the only one able to fulfill it was Jesus Christ. Anyone who has been a Christian for any significant length of time has likely had discussions as to what Jesus’ fulfillment of the law implies and even responded to questions about why believers seemingly obey certain parts of the law and not others. Today begins the Easter season, a time to reflect not only on Christ’s finished work on the cross but also the implications of his resurrection and how his presence in the lives of believers impacts the world today. Christian worship hinges on worshiping a resurrected Christ not only through corporate gatherings but through individual lives. What then does it mean that Jesus fulfilled the law? To answer this question, I intend for us to consider three items

The Purpose of the Law Is to Reveal Humanity’s Sinful Nature

            A tempting thought might be that the law is wrong or even sin. The Apostle Paul, however, contends, “By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin…” (Rom 7:7). To speak negatively of the law is to speak negatively of a tool which God himself implemented to reveal sin to humans, for without the law, our sinful nature would be left unchecked and subjectively considered. A primary step in severing the root of sin, however, is understanding human nature: namely the nature of sin. The rift between God and humankind is not because of sins (individual actions), as many are tempted to think but rather because of sin (a nature). In Psalm 51:5, David confesses that he is conceived in sin, i.e. people are not sinners because they sin but rather sin because they are sinners. The law excellently reveals such a sinful nature in a clear and emphatic manner because no one is able to keep the law; the only person who has ever kept the law is Jesus Christ himself who was not conceived in sin (a vitality to his atoning sacrifice on the cross, for without it, his death does not accomplish sin’s defeat).

            The law, therefore, exists solely for the purpose of revealing sinful nature to humanity. That purpose does not negate the fact that breaking the law of God is sinful but instead highlights humanity’s inability to save themselves; a savior is needed. Jesus obtained a better way (Heb 8:6). Since humankind could not keep the law and were certainly as good as damned without another method, Jesus had to fulfill the law so he not only kept it but also gave himself as a sacrifice so that the law is unnecessary for God’s people.[1] Consider the law to be primal in humanity’s plan and Jesus’ grace then to be final; the law reveals sinful nature while the cross overcomes it; the law is temporary while the cross is eternal. To determine the meaning then of Jesus’ fulfillment of the law, it is crucial to understand the purpose of the law: namely to reveal humanity’s sinful nature.

Jesus’ Death on the Cross Totally Satisfies the Law’s Demands

            Also, of utmost important when considering Christ’s fulfillment of the law is the contention that Jesus’ death on the cross is consummately adequate in paying the demands of the law. Nevertheless, the quintessential element is being found in Christ, i.e. a Christian, for only God’s people are eligible for atonement. The ultimatums of the law are surely too great for any human to satisfy so Christ satisfies them for his people and in an overwhelming way so that the law may never demand anything more. People of God should realize that strivings may ultimately cease because the pressures created by the law are obsolete. One who is a Christian is now found in the righteousness of Christ so it is unnecessary to do anything else, e.g. make feeble attempts to satisfy the law. Any obedience to the law of Christ comes as a direct result of being found in Christ rather than a toiling and striving for the impossibility of perfection. One who is in Christ is already seen as perfect by the Father because he or she is covered by the one who is eternally perfect. Christ’s death satisfies the law’s demands; believers should rejoice in such a truth and worship the King in freedom from the law.

Why Then Is Disobedience to the Law Sinful?

            The trajectory of the discussion here lends itself to assume, without hesitation, that even believers are no longer under the law or any part thereof. Why then is it considered sinful to disobey the law, e.g. explicit commands in Scripture, etc. To answer this question, three imperatives must be recalled:

1)      the tripartite division of the law,

2)      God’s moral laws are transcendent through time, and

3)      the nature of believers is changed.

Biblical scholars will often discuss the threefold division of the law according to Scripture: the moral law, the civil (or ceremonial) law, and the judicial law. Each category applies to precisely what it seems. The judicial law set forth requirements for legalities, especially in ancient Israel; the civil law dealt primarily with actions partaken within the community, e.g. unclean animals, bodily discharge, etc.; and the moral law handles standards connected to God’s character and specific commands, e.g. the Ten Commandments among others in Scripture. The concept is that there is a vast difference between the command not to eat shellfish or wear mixed fabrics and the command for a man not to lie with a man; these are in immensely disparate categories. The tripartite division of the law is legitimate; yet, it is often difficult to determine into which category some commands would fit. Another issue is that the law is the law so if one breaks any part of the law, they are still not keeping the law regardless of the part to which it belongs. Remembering the threefold division, however, is helpful in determining why some biblical commands are rightfully considered obsolete while others are not. Some may think believers pick and choose, which is true; yet, it is important for people to know why they pick and choose.

            Another factor in the discussion is that what remains relevant to the New Testament church is God’s law that is transcendent through time as a part of his character. Said another way, Christians, being found in Christ, are being conformed to his (God the Son’s) image so the way they live life and the way they act should reflect God’s character. Thus, commands in Scripture directly related to the character of God are still relevant, e.g. do not lie, do not murder, etc.

To the third imperative, it is not that Christians are under these laws but rather that their lives now naturally conform to God’s character and, therefore, reflect these standards. Paul says to walk in the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16). He then lists the works of the flesh and subsequently the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) and says that against those things (the elements of the Spirit’s fruit), there exists no law, which is how believers live life not under the law but under grace. It is not that God’s standards are irrelevant but that a life committed to Christ naturally exudes the fruit of the Spirit, against which there subsists no law. Disobedience to the moral law of God (transcendent through time because of his character) is certainly sinful; nonetheless, one who is a Christian reflects the holiness of God, i.e. the fruit of the Spirit.

Christians Are Not under the Law but Are under Christ

            The final answer to the question is that Christians are not under the law but are under the grace of Christ. Such truth should cause believers to rejoice, to stop striving, and to rest in the holiness of Christ. Where time after time, many people have failed to live to God’s standards, Christ beckons his people to let go of their abilities and rest on his ability. Worship is contingent on the fact that God’s people may approach him boldly because they are found in Christ. Without Jesus’ covering, approaching the Father is impossible. Therefore, Christians should cease the trying, cease the pressing, and cease the feeble attempts to keep the law and simply allow Christ’s work in their lives to change them so that they reflect his righteousness.

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[1] To suggest this truth is not to suggest that breaking the law is not sin but is to instead suggest that believers are no longer under the law but under the grace of Christ. A life under Christ submits to him and his character, i.e. one who belongs to Christ is changed by him and conforms to him: he or she reflects God’s law.

"MY GOD WHO CHARGES MOUNTAINS STAND" COMMENTARY

This is Dr. Jones' commentary on his hymn, "My God Who Charges Mountains Stand."

TO TAKE OUR THOUGHTS CAPTIVE

 Audio for the following may be found here. You may also listen to podcast episodes here.

TO TAKE OUR THOUGHTS CAPTIVE

            The Apostle Paul contends, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (2 Cor 10:5) in his second letter to the Church at Corinth. In context, Paul was defending his ministry against false prophets by highlighting the difference between worldly wisdom and the spiritual wisdom of the cross, which to humankind could seem illogical or even foolish (1 Cor 1:18). Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians seemingly doubles down on his argument against false prophets, which he initiates in 1 Corinthians, i.e. the Apostle feels he must further oppose worldly wisdom, which has infiltrated the church. Such a sentiment resonates with the church today, especially in the West.

Moreover, the key to Paul’s instructions is to take every thought captive to obey Christ. In other words, such an action is foundational to the battle waged against lofty (worldly) opinions. Without taking thoughts captive, it is impossible to defeat the enemy. The mind is a powerful tool and may either be utilized for good or for evil, which is why Paul says, in his letter to the Romans, that God’s people are transformed by the renewing of the mind (Rom 12:2). While the Bible teaches that the greatest commandment is to love God with the heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30), the mind is crucial to obedience. If the heart is the seed or core of a person, the mind is the root; thus, how one cares for the mind impacts all other areas of life. What then does it mean to take one’s thoughts captive? I suggest three imperative:

1) fight for rule of the mind,

2) destroy the enemy’s attacks on the mind,

3) obey Christ.

All aspects then are rooted in the realization that worship is war; war is waged against the enemy when God’s people worship.

Fight for Rule of the Mind

            Captive is a militaristic term. The idea Paul gives is to fight for control or rule of the mind. The mind, perhaps one of the most powerful internal tools of any person, is often the root of action or inaction. Paul uses language, in the same chapter, that suggests Christians are in a fierce battle and must wage war against the enemy. Part of doing so is to fight for rule of the mind, for if believers do not fight for control of the mind, other forces (namely evil) will absolutely control the mind resulting in evil decisions. One’s actions are derived from what he or she deposits into the mind. Speaking to myself perhaps more than anyone, we must not only guard our hearts but also our minds against corruption that could potentially destroy us, which is often insidious through external forces around us, e.g. music, movies, videos, language, positive or negative thoughts (which certainly impact worldview), etc. Rule of the mind is seemingly neglected by many people, as if it is not that serious of an issue; yet, the mind must be renewed, for transformation begins with the renewal of the mind (Rom 12:2). To take thoughts captive then, God’s people must fight, i.e. wage war for rule of the mind and namely the rule of Christ, not of ourselves.

Destroy the Enemy’s Attacks on the Mind

            Peter instructs believers to continuously be prepared to give a defense of the faith (1 Pet 3:15). Such instruction is stalwartly linked to the spiritual warfare all believers face. Thus, taking thoughts captive also means destroying the enemy’s attacks on the mind, which is accomplished not only by monitoring what enters the mind but also utilizing the godly material consigned to the mind for fighting against evil and false arguments, i.e. be prepared to give a logical defense for the faith. God does not call his people to inadequacy or incompetence by a lack of involvement in the spiritual war but rather to participation by preparation; yet, preparation does not mean merely being ready but also employing the mind for skillful communication. Said another way, no believer holds the excuse of incompetence as if only the most intelligent and eloquent should face the task of defense. Finding a professing Christian who creates a negative perception because of an inability to give a thorough and well-formed argument for the faith is not difficult. Part of the reason, however, is that so many professing Christians live lives that do not look any different from the rest of the world. All believers, in the process of sanctification, have moments of failure; yet, those moments do not help the task of destroying lofty arguments against the faith. Therefore, a significant part of destroying the enemy’s attacks is living a life that coincides with the argument presented. Upon that action, God’s people must then know and understand foundational elements of the faith so that false (but lofty and often well-presented) arguments against it may fall. To take thoughts captive then is to destroy the attacks of the enemy, i.e. utilize the righteous material offered to the mind for spiritual battle.

Obey Christ

            In continuation of the idea of a life compatible with a righteous mind, taking thoughts captive should ensue in obedience, which effectively punishes disobedience. After instructing the Corinthians to take thoughts captive, he says to be ready to punish disobedience when obedience is complete (2 Cor 10:6), for only at that point may disobedience be punished; prior to complete obedience, punishment of disobedience is not possible, which further highlights the link between lifestyle and the mind. Paul understands the necessity of Christ’s rule over the mind. Believers must intentionally take every thought captive so that the trash trying to enter is filtered out and destroyed and the righteousness that enters is kept and utilized. Obedience to Christ then begins with the mind and yet, in a cyclic manner, continues to feed the mind, i.e. the more Christ rules the mind, the more one obeys Christ and the more one obeys Christ, the more the mind is renewed. Taking thoughts captive, therefore, certainly equates to obedience to Christ.

Worship Is War

            The mind is surely connected to worship, for one’s spiritual act of worship is rooted in the renewing of the mind (Rom 12:1-2). When God’s people worship not only corporately but personally, the enemy is defeated. Worship then is a constant pummeling of Satan. Christians are in a daily battle; worship is the sure to spiritual defeat. Without worship, Satan would constantly defeat God’s people; yet, when Christians worship God, Satan is defeated and God is exalted. Since rule of the mind is a perpetual battle, believers should understand that taking thoughts captive is necessary for effective worship. Then (again), in a cyclic manner, worship is enhanced and the mind continues to be renewed. Forces of good and evil are at war for rule of the mind; God’s people are at war with evil; thus, Christ must control the mind and God’s people must worship, for worship is war waged against the enemy. To take thoughts captive is for Christ to rule the mind and God’s people to worship in an unrelenting battle, which God ultimately wins.

"OH, LORD, WHO CALMS TUMULTUOUS SEAS" COMMENTARY

This is Dr. Jones' commentary on his hymn, "Oh, Lord, Who Calms Tumultuous Seas."

"THOU, THE NATIONS' GREAT DESIRE" COMMENTARY

This is Dr. Jones' commentary on his hymn, "Thou the Nations' Great Desire."

THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WORK IN PREPARATION

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THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WORK IN PREPARATION

            As a worship leader, discussions of the balance between preparation and spontaneity often arise. Inevitably, I hear arguments for spontaneity over preparation usually because it feels better or is cooler and less rigid. Further, a problem arises when the Holy Spirit is solely linked to spontaneity. God the Spirit, however, commonly uses planning, especially in matters related to Christian worship. In response, without quenching the possibility of spontaneity and its good, my aim today is to argue for the good in how God uses preparation.

Spontaneity Has No Corner on the Holy Spirit

            Often, believers make the mistake of synonymizing spontaneity and the Holy Spirit, as if he may only be spontaneous. Such an idea is derived perhaps from the seeming chaos of Pentecost; yet, the Acts account does not seem to suggest chaos but rather passion. God had Pentecost planned from before time began; thus, even Pentecost was not spontaneous. Passion and emotion is not founded upon spontaneity but upon the move of God. When Christians worship, spontaneity should not necessarily be the goal. In fact, I contend that fruitful and thorough preparation should be a goal with flexibility for spontaneity as God leads, although I would also argue that such leadership perhaps does not occur as much as churches attempt to force. No matter the tradition, careful preparation has proven to be beneficial to the church throughout the centuries and should not cease to be. Those in worship leadership should not limit the Holy Spirit’s work to spontaneous actions but should expect him to work through organization, for certainly, God can and does use the planning of his people equally as much as spontaneity if not more.

God’s Work Is Ordered

            Throughout Scripture, the work of God is ordered.  The Apostle Paul proclaims, “…God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1 Cor 14:33 ESV). We are told in Jeremiah, “It is he who made the earth…by his wisdom…by his understanding…” (Jer 10:12). The orderly fashion of God is evident in the Bible. Thus, Christians should model worship after the God who is the subject (the one who works) and object (the one for whom work is completed) of the faith. Believers must bear in mind that while an action could seem spontaneous to humankind, it is always planned and ordered to God. Proverbs 16:9 reads, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Consider Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac. Is it possible that God did not know an animal sacrifice would be provided and that Abraham would indeed need to kill his own son? Absolutely not! While, to Abraham, his obedience could have seemed random or unordered, the act was pointed and meticulous to and by God himself. Therefore, in Christians worship, preparation should be the rule, not the exception. While spontaneous moments surely occur in God-honoring worship, my contention is that they are rarer than perhaps realized. As the gap between so-called high and low church worship has narrowed over the past decades, it has become clearer that planning yields many advantages; yet, God still uses the preparation of his saints. God’s work is ordered; he, thus, should be the model by which God’s people plan their worship.

The Biblical Model Reveals the Good in Formulating Plans While Being Aware of God’s Constant Guidance

            Scripture testifies to a model that is orderly and simultaneously relies on a keen awareness of God’s presence and guidance. Consider Paul’s missionary journeys. They were planned, pointed, purposeful, and ordered; yet, God often changed Paul’s plans throughout his life, e.g. shipwrecks, prison, etc. Eventually, Paul was martyred for his faith. While that surely was not his goal, he eventually knew it was coming and followed the leadership of God. In Acts 16, Paul plans to preach the gospel in Bithynia; nonetheless, the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to do so; thus, Paul was given a vision to preach the gospel in Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10). While Paul prepared and planned, God had other plans. Mindful of the fact that God’s plans are not random but predetermined, to humankind, his plans could certainly come at unexpected times and cause preparations to shift. This was the case for Paul. Such a shift, however, does not imply the norm but rather a miraculous occurrence. Throughout Scripture, God’s people make plans and preparations but are often led in unexpected directions. Such action does not negate the importance of formulating plans. In Christian worship, preparation should be the norm and that through which the Holy Spirit works; yet, believers (particularly those in leadership) should be ready to follow God’s leadership when he seemingly changes (at least in human minds) those plans. Scripture points to a God who is ordered and prepared and expects his people also to be so while also remaining flexible and in tune with the Holy Spirit’s leadership in such a manner that seemingly unexpected nudges become shifts in already made plans. In such cases, believers should not be rigid or timid but should trust that because God is leading, he is also providing, i.e. God equips his people where he calls them. Nevertheless, God’s people should not dismiss the importance of preparation according to Scripture.

Liturgy Is the Historic Pattern of the New Testament Church

            Regarding worship, liturgy has been the historic pattern of the New Testament Church including during the time of the Apostles. Documents such as the Didache reference such a fact. Order and preparation was vital to the New Testament Church and has been an important part of the church for centuries. While many have taken preparation to an unbalanced extreme, the rule has been that preparation yields good for God’s people. Worship is the most important act the church accomplishes. In fact, all missional activity exists because worship does not. Therefore, worship should be treated with utmost priority. People offer careful preparation to other activities of life, e.g. legal matters, marriages, athletics, academics, etc. Why then would God’s people choose to approach God with less than careful provision? Without fully advocating for only utilizing historic liturgy, the point is that preparation is good, godly, and necessary in Christian worship.