Article - The 5 Items of Sunday Worship
Jesus says in John 4:23-24 that true worshipers must worship the Father in spirit (right attitude/heart) and truth (right action). What are the right actions or items in which true worshipers include in their Sunday worship? Three are mentioned in Acts 2:42, 1) continuing in the apostles' doctrine (preaching/listening to the doctrine of Christ, 2 John 1:9-11); 2) breaking of bread (the Lord's Supper, I Corinthians 11:20, 23-26); and 3) prayers. Two are named in Acts 20:7, 1) break bread (Lord's Supper); 2) speaking (preaching/listening). 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 refers to the item of taking up a collection every Sunday. Other passages that mention the church coming together to engage in items of worship are as follows: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29, the Lord's Supper (elements: unleavened bread and fruit of the vine, Matthew 26:17, 26-29); 1 Corinthians 14:15, singing and praying; Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16, singing; 1 Timothy 2:8-13, praying and preaching (men only, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35). Some observations about the 5 items of Sunday worship from the passages cited: 1) the preaching must be the doctrine of Christ, preached by holy men of God (not women); 2) the Lord's Supper must be observed every first day of the week (not monthly or quarterly) and consist of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine (not water); 3) the prayers are to be led by holy men of God (not women); 4) the giving must be as each Christian has prospered (tithing is not required); and 5) the singing must be congregational (no solos, choirs, instruments, humming. clapping, etc.). When one teaches/practices as doctrines the commandments of men, he makes the Sunday worship vain/empty, Matthew 15:8-9.
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