Reason for Church Services

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by thephnxman

Yes, we present ourselves before the Lord in worship and praise.
But the Ministry must also fulfill their calling: give themselves
over "...continually to prayer and the ministry of the
word." (Eph. 4:12)

Not sure anybody left that out???

[shazeep]

...out of what? the 5-10 hours a week most church doors are unlocked these days?

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by shazeep

...out of what? the 5-10 hours a week most church doors are unlocked these days?

Touche!

I notice the biblical pattern seems to be one where apostles, elders, what have you were busy DAILY teaching the word. I imagine a teaching elder making a circuit among the people, instructing and exemplifying Christian doctrine and practice, according to their needs.

Kind of like "discipleship" or something...

Not sure how that would be put into practice in today's culture tho.

[KeptByTheWord]

We were talking about this today with some friends. It seems that homes in the early church were known as a gathering place for believers, and seemed to be open to traveling ministers, and believers alike. I wonder how this could work in today's culture as well.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

We were talking about this today with some friends. It seems that homes in the early church were known as a gathering place for believers, and seemed to be open to traveling ministers, and believers alike. I wonder how this could work in today's culture as well.

Americans tend to view their home as the one place they get to "get away from it all". Thus hospitality is not what it was in biblical times.

However, I suppose if evangelism included a call to discipleship, so that new converts were EXPECTING to be taught at their level, it wouldn't be too hard to schedule say a weekly meeting with the new convert for discipleship purposes, to teach by both precept and example the basics of the faith (especially practical matters like prayer and personal consecration to God).

New converts should probably spend as much time as practical with elders or at least those older in the faith. Jesus hung with his disciples all the time pretty much and they learned by his lifestyle and example as well as his more formal teaching. Thus when they join the regular meeting each week or whenever they will be in a better position to "give rather than receive" ministry, if that makes sense.

But I really think the pre-conversion and immediate post-conversion teaching is of paramount importance. The type of evangelism a person experiences often stamps permanently their future walk.

[J.A. Perez]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

We were talking about this today with some friends. It seems that homes in the early church were known as a gathering place for believers, and seemed to be open to traveling ministers, and believers alike. I wonder how this could work in today's culture as well.

Interesting thought,
Unfortunately it would be unethical. I would of loved to have had men like G.T. Haywood, A. Glass, J.E. Rhode J. Duke, D. Grey, A.L. Lyle, V. Shoemake, C.P. Kilgore, O. Vouga, O. Hughes, Verbal Bean, C. Shew, M. Golder, B. Yandris, R.C. Cavanes, C. Ballestero, L. Reynolds, H. Shearer, M. Baughman, S.L. Wise, F. Muncey, I.H. Terry, I. Baxter Sr., V.A. Guidroz, M. Burr, J. Davis, H. Davis, M.D. Treece, J. Meade, R. Evans, A.O. Holmes, L.E. Westberg, C.J. Haney, T.W. Barnes, V. Morton, J.T. Bass, F. Ewart, R.E. Johnson, J. Alvear Sr., E.L. Holly, T. Alexander, E.L. Freeman, B. Garrett, C.H. Webb, M. Hicks, O.F. Fauss, and A.D. Urshan to feel like they could have just showed up at the 'ol Perez house for some Beans, Cornbread and piano singing time around the fireplace. (Boy wouldn't that be a line-up to hear at conference!)

Ethics, for better or for worse, till death due us part.

Instead I'll just read their books listen to them preach and wait till I get to heaven to ask all the questions I've got, after the first million years of talking to Jesus I might get around to it.

Wont that be a time,
J.A. Perez

[Praxeas]

What about unbelievers?

1Co 14:22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.
1Co 14:23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

[n david]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

We were talking about this today with some friends. It seems that homes in the early church were known as a gathering place for believers, and seemed to be open to traveling ministers, and believers alike. I wonder how this could work in today's culture as well.

Sadly, it wouldn't work, as there are too many schisms in the body. Too many interested in only building up their personal kingdom on earth. There are churches of the same organization which don't fellowship with others, much less those who believe the same on salvation, but differ on the added, man-made standards.

[n david]

Originally Posted by J.A. Perez

Interesting thought,
Unfortunately it would be unethical. I would of loved to have had men like G.T. Haywood, A. Glass, J.E. Rhode J. Duke, D. Grey, A.L. Lyle, V. Shoemake, C.P. Kilgore, O. Vouga, O. Hughes, Verbal Bean, C. Shew, M. Golder, B. Yandris, R.C. Cavanes, C. Ballestero, L. Reynolds, H. Shearer, M. Baughman, S.L. Wise, F. Muncey, I.H. Terry, I. Baxter Sr., V.A. Guidroz, M. Burr, J. Davis, H. Davis, M.D. Treece, J. Meade, R. Evans, A.O. Holmes, L.E. Westberg, C.J. Haney, T.W. Barnes, V. Morton, J.T. Bass, F. Ewart, R.E. Johnson, J. Alvear Sr., E.L. Holly, T. Alexander, E.L. Freeman, B. Garrett, C.H. Webb, M. Hicks, O.F. Fauss, and A.D. Urshan to feel like they could have just showed up at the 'ol Perez house for some Beans, Cornbread and piano singing time around the fireplace. (Boy wouldn't that be a line-up to hear at conference!)

Ethics, for better or for worse, till death due us part.

Instead I'll just read their books listen to them preach and wait till I get to heaven to ask all the questions I've got, after the first million years of talking to Jesus I might get around to it.

Wont that be a time,
J.A. Perez

I think it's incredible, and sad, that GT Haywood would have been run out of your church and condemned for his facial hair. Clyde Haney would've been barred from your church's pulpit because his wife wore jewelry. In fact, most of the founders of modern day Pentecost would be considered sinful outcasts, or "Charismatic" by you because of facial hair or jewelry.

[n david]

The replies here are very interesting.

Growing up in the UPC church my father pastored, Sunday services were always considered evangelistic, while the mid-week service was for deeper study of God's Word for believers. Folks were always getting baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost.

Recently I heard a message in which the Pastor stated that church was for believers only. He stated the pearl of great price was the church, and Jesus purchased the field only for the church. He also quoted John 3:16 and stated the reason was God so loved the church. 1 Corinthians 1:21 was also used as evidence that it's for believers only.

This is why that church doesn't preach salvation during a service, and why they don't pray for people to receive the Holy Ghost, because the church is for believers only - for their instruction, reproof, rebuke, etc. Any message of salvation, any praying for the Holy Ghost should be done day to day outside the church.

It's interesting that many responses seem to agree that services are for believers.

Personally, I believe there should be time for instructing the believers, and I do believe there should be personal evangelism every day, outside the church walls. But I don't believe services should be a private club for members only, where salvation is not preached and nonbelievers are not given the opportunity to be saved.

The pearl of great price is Jesus, not the church. God so loved the sinful world, He came. Jesus wasn't born for the righteous, but for sinners. He didn't come out of great love for the church, but because He loves sinners. And while the foolishness of preaching saves those who believe, they may not have believed before hearing the Gospel preached.