Pre-Service Prayer in Apostolic Churches?

Praxeas · #1 07-31-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theoldpaths

Well as I posted on another page, I believe the OT pattern of what the High Priest did before entering into the presence of God and being ready to hear God's word, shows what we should do in the NT church.

I wonder why God just didn't tell the High Priest to just come into the Holiest of holies whenever he wanted to and just make sure he have sacrificed an animal or 2 for your sins and the sins of the people? Why bother with the washing at the brazen laver and burning incense before the veil? Why all the steps and in a specific order and only once a year?

I mean God changes not - his essential character does not change - so what was the big deal in the OT?

I believe as Moses was shown to doing everything after the pattern in the heavenlies, it was all a shadow of the real thing in heaven and what was to come in the NT.

Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

When you pray aren't you coming before God? Aren't you coming into His presence? Church buildings are NOT the temples of God where his spirit resides nor are they the Holy Place.

theoldpaths · #2 07-31-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

When you pray aren't you coming before God? Aren't you coming into His presence? Church buildings are NOT the temples of God where his spirit resides nor are they the Holy Place.

True, but the glory of the Lord can fall and move in a church service in a way that is different in personal prayer. Reminds me of the time that the 120 couldn't stand to ministers during the dedication of the temple of Solomon. I've been in services where the glory fell and we didn't even get to the preaching of the word.

Sherri · #3 07-31-2008, 10:03 PM

We have pre-service prayer, but the only ones REQUIRED to be there are staff members; the rest are voluntary. I've never heard of mandatory prayer! We also have a once a month Saturday morning prayer service, and we have a great crowd, but they come voluntarily.