UPLOOK
Let’s begin with a basic question. Brother Vine, could you help us with the meaning of worship in the New Testament?
W. E. VINE
The worship of God is nowhere defined in Scripture. A consideration of the verbs used shows that it is not confined to praise; broadly it may be regarded as the direct acknowledgement to God of His nature, attributes, ways and claims, whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving or by deeds done in such acknowledgment.
U. Does anyone else have something to add?
WILLIAM HOSTE
Worship is the overflow of the heart filled with Christ. It was in the spirit of worship that the Psalmist wrote: “Thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over” (Ps. 23:5). It was the anointing that produced the result. Thus it is the Spirit of God who enables the Christian to worship, and He does so by revealing Christ.
A. P. GIBBS
Broadly speaking, prayer is the occupation of the soul with its needs; praise is the occupation of the soul with its blessings; but worship is the occupation of the soul with God Himself.
U. Do we make a distinction between “worship” and “remembrance”? Are some things worshipful but not suitable for the Lord’s Supper?
BRIAN GUNNING
While the Breaking of Bread is the most obvious public expression of the church’s worship, we ought to be worshippers every day of the week.
JABE NICHOLSON
We wouldn’t want to put any man-made restrictions on the themes which the Holy Spirit places before the believers at the Supper. But it seems that remembrance is more focused than the general idea of worship.
I may—and should—worship the Lord for getting me a job, for example, but that would be inappropriate for a time when we are invited to remember the Lord and declare His death.
U. How can I prepare for the Lord’s Supper?
T. FITZGERALD
Sincerity and truth should characterize the believer’s manner of life (1 Cor. 5:6-13). There should be unity and harmony among the saints. It is sadly possible to come together for the worse and not for the better, and to fail in rightly eating the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:17-22). Self-examination should precede attendance at the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:28).
WILLIAM HOSTE
What a world of difference there would be in many of the churches if all spent a time of meditation and confession in the presence of God before coming together.
U. What should I consider when visiting an assembly while travelling in another area?
JABE NICHOLSON
The believer, whether visiting or moving to another area, should seek beforehand to find an assembly in that locale. This may be done by asking responsible brothers who know of that area or by checking an assembly address list (some assemblies have web sites). Of course one would be naive to assume that every assembly is identical to the one to which you belong. Some research may be necessary, and is advisable if you do not want some unhappy surprises. Of course, a letter of introduction and commendation is a common courtesy. Perhaps
brother Hoste could explain this.
WILLIAM HOSTE
The use of letters of commendation is a most scriptural one. We have the cases of Apollos in Acts 18:27 and of Phoebe in Romans 16:1-2. As for the question whether one can be received without a letter of commendation, as no rule is laid down, it is not for us to make one. But there can be no doubt as to the advisability of always carrying a letter when going to a strange place. Otherwise you can only be received on a principle which Scripture does not recognize—self-commendation. “Receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”
U. Is baptism necessary in every case before a believer may participate at the Lord’s Supper?
WILLIAM RODGERS
After having to do with cases of reception into assemblies for forty years, I cannot remember a single individual who desired to come into the assembly but refused to be baptized. A few cases there were in which, for one cause or another [permission not granted by parents to a child at home, for example, ed.], the baptism was deferred; but it was not objected to, and did in fact take place later. I should certainly refuse to be bound by a “Medo-Persian” law that none may ever, in any
circumstances, be received unless they first submit to baptism. [Baptism and reception] are both the commands of the Lord and meant to be obeyed; but neither is intended to be hung around the neck of the other.
U. What about the use of leavened vs. unleavened bread, and wine vs. grape juice?
H. A. IRONSIDE
There can be no question that the bread used by the Lord when He instituted the Supper was unleavened; it would be one of the Passover loaves. And the cup, no doubt, would contain some of the Passover wine (Lk. 22:7-8). But, on the other hand, the age of types and shadows has now passed away and there is nothing in the NT which implies that the bread used at the Lord’s Supper must be unleavened, or that the wine must be either fermented or unfermented. The wisdom of God is shown in this, for oftentimes it might be impossible to procure one or the other. All Scripture speaks of is “the bread” and “the fruit of the vine.” See Col. 2:16-17.
U. We were going to ask a question on the use of hymns at the Lord’s Supper, but leave it to the article on page 31. So perhaps we could ask if the common way of partaking of the emblems near the end of the meeting is biblical.
JABE NICHOLSON
The description and details of the Lord’s Supper are left to a minimum in Scripture, and are spiritual in nature. We expect the Spirit to direct the order and approach. However there are reasonable and practical reasons for this. Although there is no law, I have never seen a story where the climax is not near the end. The Lord’s Supper should not be a disjointed collage of personal “favorites.” This is corporate worship and we should allow the Spirit to move us together through this supreme Story in a growing stream of adoration. Practically speaking, most of us need the full time to bring our hearts to this worshipful crescendo when we can discern the Lord’s body as we should.