Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church Wrship in the New Testament Church We believe the nly three cmpnents instructed in the New Testament scriptures fr public wrship in the Church are: singing (with the vices f the saints and withut the accmpaniment f any musical instruments), praying (in the Spirit and with understanding), and preaching (by a Gd-called minister in demnstratin f the Spirit and in pwer fr the edificatin f the Church). We believe the scriptures give n precedent fr segregatin r divisin in the wrship service, and we bserve the New Testament pattern f family integrated wrship where the entire family, regardless f age, wrships tgether and are all instructed by the same Gd-called minister. We believe the nly persn with authrity t teach in the church is the Gd-called and duly rdained Elder r minister. While it is the respnsibility fr parents, bth fathers and mthers, t teach their children in the hme, and the respnsibility fr aged men and wmen t teach the yung men and wmen, the nly persn with the scriptural authrity t teach in the public assembly f the Church is the Gd-called minister. We believe the early Church met n the first day f the week t cmmemrate the resurrectin f Jesus Christ frm the dead, and therefre, we meet fr public wrship n the first day f the week, Sunday, instead f the Old Testament cmmand t bserve the seventh day Sabbath, Saturday, that was put away by Christ s fulfillment f the law. 1. Jesus Christ and the Scriptures are the nly authrity fr wrship in the Church A. Jesus Christ is the Head ver all things t the Church (Eph. 1:22). Therefre, Jesus Christ is the nly authrity fr the practice and wrship f His Church. Cl. 1:18 And he is the head f the bdy, the church: wh is the beginning, the firstbrn frm the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Eph. 1:22-23 22) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him t be head ver all things t the church, 23) Which is his bdy, the fullness f him that filleth all in all. Eph. 4:15-16 B. The church is t bserve and uphld the cmmandments f Jesus Christ. We have nt been given any authrity t add t r take away frm the cmmandments f Jesus Christ fr ur cnduct in the Church, but rather ur cmmissin is t bserve and keep the cmmandments f Jesus Christ and the rdinances f the Church in the exact riginal manner that they were given and prescribed by Jesus Christ. Matt. 28:20 Teaching them t bserve all things whatsever I have cmmanded yu: and, l, I am with yu always, even unt the end f the wrld. Jesus delivered this charge t the apstles s nt even the apstles had authrity t add t r take away frm the cmmandments f Jesus Christ t the church but t faithfully bserve what was given t them. Then, the apstles cmmanded the church (1 Cr. 11:2) t cntinue t bserve the rdinances exactly hw they had riginally been given by Jesus Christ. 1 Cr. 11:2 Nw I praise yu, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the rdinances, as I have delivered them t yu. 1
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 1. Jesus Christ and the Scriptures are the nly authrity fr wrship in the Church (cnt d) C. Gd takes His wrship service and the bservance f His wrd and His cmmands very seriusly, and we shuld treat His wrship service in an apprpriate reverential and serius tne. i. There are many stern warnings fr us t nt alter the cmmandments f Gd but rather t uphld them and bserve them in the exact manner and frm that they were delivered unt us in the scriptures. Deut. 4:2 Ye shall nt add unt the wrd which I cmmand yu, neither shall ye diminish ut frm it, that ye keep the cmmandments f the LORD yur Gd which I cmmand yu. Rev. 22:18-19, Prv. 30:5-6 ii. Furthermre, Gd dealt very harshly with thse in the Old Testament that sught t change the bservance f His cmmandments and especially thse wh altered the frm f His wrship service. a. Nadab and Abihu b. King Saul Lev. 10:1-2 1) And Nadab and Abihu, the sns f Aarn, tk either f them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense theren, and ffered strange fire befre the LORD, which he cmmanded them nt. 2) And there went ut a fire frm the LORD, and devured them, and they died befre the LORD. The prblem f the strange wrship f Nadab and Abihu was that it was nt in accrdance with the cmmands f Gd which he cmmanded them nt. Gd disapprved f their attempt t alter His wrship service s much that He devured them by fire. 1 Sam. 13:13-14 13) And Samuel said t Saul, Thu hast dne flishly: thu hast nt kept the cmmandment f the LORD thy Gd, which he cmmanded thee: fr nw wuld the LORD have established thy kingdm upn Israel fr ever. 14) But nw thy kingdm shall nt cntinue: the LORD hath sught him a man after his wn heart, and the LORD hath cmmanded him t be captain ver his peple, because thu hast nt kept that which the LORD cmmanded thee. Saul had been cmmanded by Gd t wait seven days fr Samuel t arrive (1 Sam. 13:8) s that Samuel culd ffer a burnt ffering unt Gd befre Israel went int battle with the Philistines. Hwever, Saul gets impatient when Samuel desn t arrive and he ffers the burnt ffering. Saul cndemnatin is because thu hast nt kept the cmmandment f the LORD thy Gd, which he cmmanded thee. 2
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 1. Jesus Christ and the Scriptures are the nly authrity fr wrship in the Church (cnt d) C. Gd takes His wrship service and the bservance f His wrd and His cmmands very seriusly, and we shuld treat His wrship service in an apprpriate reverential and serius tne. (cnt d) ii. Furthermre, Gd dealt very harshly with thse in the Old Testament that sught t change the bservance f His cmmandments and especially thse wh altered the frm f His wrship service. (cnt d) c. Uzzah 2 Sam. 6:1-11 6) And when they came t Nachn s threshingflr, Uzzah put frth his hand t the ark f Gd, and tk hld f it; fr the xen shk it. 7) And the anger f the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and Gd smte him there fr his errr; and he died by the ark f Gd. (see als 1 Chrn. 13:1-13) The ark f the cvenant was t be cvered befre it was transprted (Num. 4:5-6), but it apparently was nt cvered in this instance. The ark was t be carried by the priests n their shulders with staves (Exd. 25:12-14), but King David decides t transprt it n a new cart. Any persn wh was transprting the ark was frbidden frm tuching it lest they wuld die (Num. 4:15,18-20). Uzzah, with gd intentins n dubt, tuches the ark t stabilize it and Gd smites him fr it. Gd treated adherence t His cmmandments very seriusly and made n exceptins fr gd intentins in the breaking f his cmmandments. Als nte that 50,700 men f Bethshemesh were slain by Gd fr lking int the ark f Gd (1 Sam. 6:19), breaking the prhibitin fr n ne Israelite r therwise t lk int the ark f the cvenant. d. All f these ccurrences f Gd s judgment, and even killing, f men fr their cavalier attitude tward Gd s wrship service have ne cmmn theme because they brke the cmmandments f Gd. Gd tld them t perfrm wrship in a prescribed manner, and they deviated frm Gd s cmmanded manner and frm. In the New Testament Church, we are simply trying t bserve the wrship f Gd in the manner that He cmmanded and prescribed because we certainly dn t want t be charged with the judgment f rejecting the cmmands f Gd that we see examples f in the Old Testament law service. D. The scriptures that were inspired by Jesus Christ and Gd the Father are His revelatin f the prescribed manner f wrship and practice in the Church 2 Tim. 3:16-17 16) All scripture is given by inspiratin f Gd, and is prfitable fr dctrine, fr reprf, fr crrectin, fr instructin in righteusness: 17) That the man f Gd may be perfect, thrughly furnished unt all gd wrks. 3
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 1. Jesus Christ and the Scriptures are the nly authrity fr wrship in the Church (cnt d) D. The scriptures that were inspired by Jesus Christ and Gd the Father are His revelatin f the prescribed manner f wrship and practice in the Church (cnt d) 1 Tim. 3:15 But if I tarry lng, that thu mayest knw hw thu ughtest t behave thyself in the huse f Gd, which is the church f the living Gd, the pillar and grund f the truth. 1 Cr. 11:2,23 2) Nw I praise yu, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the rdinances, as I have delivered them t yu 23) Fr I have received f the Lrd that which als I delivered unt yu 1 Thess. 2:13 Fr this cause als thank we Gd withut ceasing, because, when ye received the wrd f Gd which ye heard f us, ye received it nt as the wrd f men, but as it is in truth, the wrd f Gd, which effectually wrketh als in yu that believe. 1 Cr. 14:37 If any man think himself t be a prphet, r spiritual, let him acknwledge that the things that I write unt yu are the cmmandments f the Lrd. E. Regulative Principle f Wrship Since Jesus Christ prescribed in His persnal ministry and His inspired Hly Scriptures the exact manner and frm f His wrship service in the New Testament Church, then the bservance r use f anything ther than what is expressly detailed in the scriptures is prhibited by Gd. This is knwn as the regulative principle f wrship. The regulative principle f wrship means that unless a wrship practice is expressly authrized in Scripture then it is implicitly prhibited. The ppsite f this is the nrmative principle f wrship which says that any wrship practice is admissible s lng as scriptures d nt explicitly prhibit it. The regulative principle restricts wrship t the manner that is prescribed in scripture, whereas the nrmative principle pens the dr t any additin r inventin f man t be added t Gd s wrship service. It shuld be nted that the regulative principle des prhibit smething that the scriptures are ttally silent n, but rather if a crrect pattern is expressly stated in scripture then any deviatins frm that prescribed pattern are implicitly prhibited. The regulative principle is bvius in Gd s cmmandments f His wrship service in the Old Testament. There were exact dimensins given fr everything in the tabernacle and in the temple, exact specificatins f the type f materials t use, and exact placement in the tabernacle and the temple. Anything ther than exactly what Gd had prescribed was nt acceptable befre Gd. Gd shws His adherence t the regulative principle f wrship frm His judgment f the actins f Nadab and Abihu. See pint 1-C-ii-a. Lev. 10:1-2 1) And Nadab and Abihu, the sns f Aarn, tk either f them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense theren, and ffered strange fire befre the LORD, which he cmmanded them nt. 2) And there went ut a fire frm the LORD, and devured them, and they died befre the LORD. 4
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 1. Jesus Christ and the Scriptures are the nly authrity fr wrship in the Church (cnt d) E. Regulative Principle f Wrship (cnt d) Gd shws His adherence t the regulative principle f wrship frm His judgment f the actins f Nadab and Abihu. See pint 1-C-ii-a. (cnt d) This accunt teaches us Gd s adherence t the regulative principle f wrship. Gd had given Israel an exhaustive instructin manual fr wrship under the Old Testament law service, and particularly Gd had given specific instructins fr the burning f incense. Here are sme specific cmmandments abut the burning f incense that were vilated by Nadab and Abihu: Aarn was the nly ne cmmanded t burn incense befre the Lrd (Exd. 30:7-8). Gd did nt have t name ff every ther persn in Israel wh was nt allwed t burn incense. When Gd cmmanded that Aarn was t perfrm the incense ffering, every ther persn was implicitly prhibited because the service was regulated t Aarn. Therefre, Nadab and Abihu were nt permitted t burn incense because every persn ther than Aarn was implicitly prhibited frm that wrk. Incense was nly t be burned n the altar f incense (Exd. 30:1-8). Gd did nt have t name every single ther place that the incense culd nt be burned because every place ther than the prper altar f incense was clearly prhibited. Nadab and Abihu decided t burn incense n their wn censer instead f n the altar f incense in vilatin f Gd s cmmand. The incense was nt permitted t be made r used fr persnal pleasure because it was cnsecrated and sanctified as hly befre Gd (Exd. 30:36-38). Nadab and Abihu decided t use the incense fr their persnal pleasure, in cntradictin t this regulatin r restrictin fr the purpse and use f the incense. Furthermre, anything that was nt in accrdance with Gd s prescribed manner f burning f incense was prhibited in Exd. 30:9 Ye shall ffer n strange incense theren Gd did nt give a definitin f strange incense here because anything ther than precisely what Gd had cmmanded was prhibited as strange incense befre Gd. All f the infractins in the attempted wrship f Nadab and Abihu are summarized in Lev. 10:1 which he cmmanded them nt. Gd cnsidered anything ther than His prescribed manner f wrship as strange, and anything ther than the prper manner f the ffering f incense was in cntradictin t the cmmandments f Gd. Nadab and Abihu were nt given spiritual liberty in the wrship f Gd t add t it r put their wn persn flavr n Gd s wrship. Rather, they vilated the implied prhibitins f the incense ffering that were given when Gd regulated the prper manner f tabernacle wrship t nly what He had explicitly cmmanded in the law. 5
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 1. Jesus Christ and the Scriptures are the nly authrity fr wrship in the Church (cnt d) E. Regulative Principle f Wrship (cnt d) Gd als enfrced the regulative principle when he judged King Saul fr making a sacrifice that Samuel was cmmanded t make (see pint 1-C-ii-b). Gd did nt have t name every ther persn wh was nt allwed t make the sacrifice, any ther persn than Samuel including King Saul was implicitly prhibited by Gd s cmmand fr Samuel t ffer the burnt ffering. It is bvius frm scripture and frm persnal experience that when a cmmand is given, everything ther than that explicit cmmand is implicitly prhibited. When a parent tells a child, yu g t the mvies and then cme right back hme, the parent des nt need t expressly frbid every ther activity t the child. Rather, anything ther than what is expressly cmmanded is clearly restricted fr the child, and any deviatin frm that will be prperly disciplined. The same regulative principle is true in ur pattern f wrship in the New Testament Church. Gd gave an expressly prescribed manner f wrship in the scriptures fr the New Testament Church, and we simply strive t bserve the wrship service in the exact manner that Jesus Christ regulated His wrship in scripture. F. Since Jesus fulfilled all the law prescribed in the Old Testament, we are nt under authrity f the Old Testament law service but rather nw we are under authrity f the New Testament f grace. Therefre, ur pattern fr all manner f practice in the Church and ur pattern fr wrship in the Church is prescribed in the New Testament f the Bible, nt in the Old Testament. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament law, even dwn t the smallest jt and tittle, and established a New Cvenant r a New Testament with the Church Matt. 5:17-18 17) Think nt that I am cme t destry the law, r the prphets: I am nt cme t destry, but t fulfil. 18) Fr verily I say unt yu, Till heaven and earth pass, ne jt r tittle shall in n wise pass frm the law, till all be fulfilled. Heb. 9:15 And fr this cause he is the mediatr f the new testament, that by means f death, fr the redemptin f the transgressins that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the prmise f eternal inheritance. Heb. 10:9 Then said he, L, I cme t d thy will, O Gd. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the secnd. Rm. 6:14 fr ye are nt under the law, but under grace. We cannt pick and chse which parts f the Old Testament practice we desire t implement in the Church; the law is an all r nthing prpsitin. If we try t add ne requirement f the law, r ne requirement f the Old Testament pattern f wrship, then we are then a debtr t d the whle law. Therefre, ur entire instructin fr wrship in the Church is fund in the New Testament. Gal. 5:3 Fr I testify again t every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtr t d the whle law. 6
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 2. Wrship in Spirit and in Truth A. True wrshippers will wrship Gd in Spirit and in truth B. Wrship in Spirit Jhn 4:23-24 23) But the hur cmeth, and nw is, when the true wrshippers shall wrship the Father in spirit and in truth; fr the Father seeketh such t wrship him. 24) Gd is a Spirit: and they that wrship him must wrship him in spirit and in truth. Jhn 16:13 Hwbeit when he, the Spirit f truth, is cme, he will guide yu int all truth: fr he shall nt speak f himself; but whatsever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew yu things t cme. The Church must have the Hly Spirit s presence in ur wrship during the singing, the praying, and the preaching C. Wrship in Truth Eph. 5:18-19 18) And be nt drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. 19) Speaking t yurselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual sngs, singing and making meldy in yur heart t the Lrd; 1 Cr. 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding als: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding als. 1 Cr. 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was nt with enticing wrds f man s wisdm, but in demnstratin f the Spirit and f pwer: The Church is the custdian f Gd s truth in the wrld the pillar and grund f the truth because Jesus Christ is the Truth (Jhn 14:6) 1 Tim. 3:15 But if I tarry lng, that thu mayest knw hw thu ughtest t behave thyself in the huse f Gd, which is the church f the living Gd, the pillar and grund f the truth. We wrship accrding t the cmmands f Gd s wrd in the New Testament because Gd s wrd is truth Jhn 17:17 Sanctify them thrugh thy truth: thy wrd is truth. 1 Thess. 2:13 Fr this cause als thank we Gd withut ceasing, because, when ye received the wrd f Gd which ye heard f us, ye received it nt as the wrd f men, but as it is in truth, the wrd f Gd, which effectually wrketh als in yu that believe. The early church was cmmitted t truth in their wrship as they cntinued steadfastly in the apstles dctrine Acts 2:42-47 42) And they cntinued steadfastly in the apstles dctrine and fellwship, and in breaking f bread, and in prayers 46) And they, cntinuing daily with ne accrd in the temple, and breaking bread frm huse t huse, did eat their meat, with gladness and singleness f heart, 47) Praising Gd, and having favur with the peple 7
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 2. Wrship in Spirit and in Truth (cnt d) D. Vain Wrship Jesus cndemned sme f the seemingly religius men in Jerusalem fr wrshipping in vain because they had rejected and laid aside the cmmandment f Gd and instead were administering the traditin f men in wrship. They had rejected the truth f Gd s cmmandments, instead embracing the cmmandment f men. They were nt wrshipping with the right Spirit, nr were they wrshipping in the truth f Gd s cmmandments. Mark 7:6-9 6) He answered and said unt them, Well hath Esaias prphesied f yu hypcrites, as it is written, This peple hnureth me with their lips, but their heart is far frm me. 7) Hwbeit in vain d they wrship me, teaching fr dctrines the cmmandments f men. 8) Fr laying aside the cmmandment f Gd, ye hld the traditin f men, as the washing f pts and cups: and many ther such like things ye d. 9) And he said unt them, Full well ye reject the cmmandment f Gd, that ye may keep yur wn traditin. Matt. 15:7-9 3. Three Cmpnents f Public Wrship in the New Testament Church A. Singing i. The pattern f singing in the New Testament is singing by the vice f the saints with n scriptural mentin f the additin f any auxiliary accmpaniment, such as musical instruments. Eph. 5:19 Speaking t yurselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual sngs, singing and making meldy in yur heart t the Lrd; Cl. 3:16 Let the wrd f Christ dwell in yu richly in all wisdm; teaching and admnishing ne anther in psalms and hymns and spiritual sngs, singing with grace in yur hearts t the Lrd. Heb. 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unt my brethren, in the midst f the church will I sing praise unt thee. 1 Cr. 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding als: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding als. Rm. 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glrify Gd fr his mercy; as it is written, Fr this cause I will cnfess t thee amng the Gentiles, and sing unt thy name. James 5:13 Is any amng yu afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unt Gd: and the prisners heard them. Heb. 13:15 By him therefre let us ffer the sacrifice f praise t Gd cntinually, that is, the fruit f ur lips giving thanks t his name. 8
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 3. Three Cmpnents f Public Wrship in the New Testament Church (cntinued) A. Singing (cntinued) ii. iii. iv. Example f Jesus and the disciples singing a hymn after they had cmpleted the institutin f the Lrd s Supper and Cmmunin service Matt. 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went ut int the munt f Olives. Mark 14:26 Old Testament use f instruments was nt permanent and has been superseded Certain instruments were used in the Old Testament wrship and addressed in the Old Testament scriptures because Gd allwed David t implement instruments int the temple wrship. Hwever, Gd never cmmanded fr instruments t be used in the tabernacle r in wrship befre r after the reign f David as King f Israel. Gd gave a cmmandment t allw David t use musical instruments in the temple (2 Chrn. 29:25). Hwever, it is always nted when they are mentined that David is attributed with making and implementing the musical instruments (1 Chrn. 23:5, 2 Chrn. 29:26-27, 2 Chrn. 7:6, Neh. 12:36). Only 200 years after the reign f King David, the prphet Ams prnunces a we t thse that invent t themselves instruments f musick, like David (Ams 6:5). Furthermre, Gd declares he will nt hear the meldy f thy vils (Ams 5:23). Even the Jews understd this was nt a permanent cmmandment fr wrship in the temple because musical instruments were nt reinstituted in the temple wrship frm its rebuilding under Zerubbabel all the way up t and thrugh the life f Jesus Christ. Even if the musical instruments were cmmanded as a integral part f the Old Testament wrship service, that law and methd f wrship has been put away and superseded by the New Testament wrship and methd f grace since Jesus Christ fulfilled all the law (see pint 1-F and Matt. 5:17-18). Histry f Musical Instruments in Wrship Musical instruments particularly the harp and the rgan appears t have been created by Jubal (Gen. 4:21), which was the sn f Lamech f the lineage f Cain. The inventin f musical instruments came frm the cursed descendants f the murderer Cain. There were n musical instruments cmmanded by Gd r used in the tabernacle wrship r any wrship in Israel befre King David. Instruments were used in Slmn s temple because Gd granted David permissin t use musical instruments (2 Chrn. 29:25) during his reign and fr sme years afterwards. When the temple was rebuilt by Zerubbabel in 510 BC, and then the temple wrship was reinstituted by Ezra in 458 BC, the use f musical instruments was nt included in the renewal f the wrship service. 9
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 3. Three Cmpnents f Public Wrship in the New Testament Church (cntinued) A. Singing (cntinued) iv. Histry f Musical Instruments in Wrship (cntinued) Arund 20 BC, King Herd (Herd the Great), king f Judea, imprved and expanded the Jewish temple that had been rebuilt, s the temple during Jesus life and ministry was knwn as Herd s Temple. This temple remained until it was destryed by Titus in 70 AD in the Destructin f Jerusalem. Herd s temple during the ministry f Jesus Christ did nt use musical instruments in the wrship service because the devut Jews understd that was a temprary prvisin that was affrded t King David and his descendants and was nt a permanent prvisin fr the Jewish temple wrship. There is n histrically recrded use f musical instruments during wrship in the early church frm the 1 st century until the mid-7 th century. In 666 AD, the rgan was intrduced int the Rman Cathlic churches by the Ppe Vitalian. It s very interesting that these musical instruments were intrduced int church wrship in the year that crrespnds t the number f the beast ut f the sea, 666 (Rev. 13:18). B. Praying i. Gd rdained fr His peple in His Church t pray cllectively in a public wrship assembly and privately during ur individual devtins Matt. 21:13 And said unt them, It is written, My huse shall be called the huse f prayer; but ye have made it a den f thieves. Isaiah 56:7 Acts 1:14 These all cntinued with ne accrd in prayer and supplicatin, with the wmen, and Mary the mther f Jesus, and with his brethren. Acts 2:42 And they cntinued steadfastly in the apstles dctrine and fellwship, and in breaking f bread, and in prayers. Acts 4:24-31 24) And when they heard that, they lifted up their vice t Gd with ne accrd, and said, Lrd, thu art Gd, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is 31) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled tgether; and they were all filled with Hly Ghst, and they spake the wrd f Gd with bldness. Acts 12:5 Peter therefre was kept in prisn: but prayer was made withut ceasing f the church unt Gd fr him. 1 Thess. 5:17, Eph. 6:18, Luke 18:1, Rm. 12:12, Cl. 4:2 1 Cr. 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding als: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding als. 10
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 3. Three Cmpnents f Public Wrship in the New Testament Church (cntinued) B. Praying (cntinued) i. Gd rdained fr His peple in His Church t pray cllectively in a public wrship assembly and privately during ur individual devtins (cntinued) ii. C. Preaching James 5:13-16 13) Is any amng yu afflicted? let him pray 14) Is any sick amng yu? let him call fr the elders f the church; and let them pray ver him, aninting him with il in the name f the Lrd: 15) And the prayer f faith shall save the sick, and the Lrd shall raise him up; and if he have cmmitted sins, they shall be frgiven him. 16) The effectual fervent prayer f a righteus man availeth much. Jude 20 But ye, belved, building up yurselves n yur mst hly faith, praying in the Hly Ghst, 1 Thess. 5:25 Brethren, pray fr us. 2 Thess. 3:1-2, Matt. 9:38, Eph. 6:19, Rm. 15:30, Cl. 4:3, Heb. 13:18-19, Philemn 22, 2 Cr. 1:11 Jesus set an example fr public prayer as He delivered His final extended prayer t Gd in the presence f the disciples after they partk f Cmmunin Jhn 17:1 These wrds spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes t heaven, and said, Father, the hur is cme; glrify thy Sn, that thy Sn als may glrify: i. Gd has rdained fr the men He has called int the ministry t preach in the Church, exhrting and edifying the saints accrding t the wrd f Gd Acts 20:7 And upn the first day f the week, when the disciples came tgether t break bread, Paul preached unt them, ready t depart n the mrrw; and cntinued his speech until midnight. Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every huse, they ceased nt t teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 11:26 And when he fund him, he brught him unt Antich. And it came t pass, that a whle year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much peple. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antich. Acts 15:35 Paul als and Barnabas cntinued in Antich, teaching and preaching the wrd f the Lrd, with many thers als. Acts 20:18-35 20) And hw I kept back nthing that was prfitable unt yu, but have shewed yu, and have taught yu publickly, and frm huse t huse 25) And nw, behld, I knw that ye all, amng whm I have gne preaching the kingdm f Gd, shall see my face n mre 27) Fr I have nt shunned t declare unt yu all the cunsel f Gd 31) Therefre watch, and remember, that by the space f three years I ceased nt t warn yu every ne night and day with tears 11
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 3. Three Cmpnents f Public Wrship in the New Testament Church (cntinued) C. Preaching (cntinued) i. Gd has rdained fr the men He has called int the ministry t preach in the Church, exhrting and edifying the saints accrding t the wrd f Gd (cnt d) Acts 14:7 And there they preached the gspel. Acts 8:4,5,12,25,35; 9:20,27; 13:5,42; 14:15,21,25; 16:10; 17:3, 13,18; 19:13; 28:31 1 Cr. 1:17 Fr Christ sent me nt t baptize, but t preach the gspel: nt with wisdm f wrds, lest the crss f Christ shuld be made f nne effect. Rm. 1:5, 15:19-20, 16:25; 1 Cr. 9:16-18, 15:1; 2 Cr. 2:12, 10:14-16, 11:4-7; Gal. 1:8-11, 2:2, 4:13; 1 Thess. 2:9, 1 Pet. 1:25 ii. Jesus taught and preached the gspel in His ministry setting the example fr the ministry that He has called t preach as well Matt. 4:17 Frm that time Jesus began t preach, and t say, Repent: fr the kingdm f heaven is at hand. Matt. 11:1 And it came t pass, when Jesus had made an end f cmmanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence t teach and t preach in their cities. Matt. 4:23, 9:35 4. Family Integrated Public Wrship A. Gd has designed fr the family t be the primary teaching methd t children f the wrd f Gd (see pint 5-C). Therefre, Gd rdained His New Testament wrship t where the entire family wrships tgether. There is abslutely n Biblical precedent fr segregatin r divisin in the wrship service r in the church. Rather, the New Testament always prmtes unity in the church (Eph. 4:3,13) and universally cndemns divisin (Matt. 12:25, 1 Cr. 1:10-13, Rm. 16:17). Therefre, Gd des nt prmte and has nt cmmanded segregatin f the family during the wrship service, but He rather rdained that the entire family wrship tgether in the church. This is knwn as family integrated wrship as ppsed t family segregated wrship. B. In the Ministry f Jesus Christ i. Jesus taught in the hmes f the disciples during His ministry, and the children were present with their parents t hear His teaching. Jesus did nt cmmand the children t be taken t anther rm when He taught. Jesus even tk up a child that was present during His teaching t use as an example f discipleship. Mark 9:33-37 33) And he came t Capernaum: and being in the huse 36) And he tk a child, and set him in the midst f them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unt them, 37) Whsever shall receive ne f such children in my name, receiveth me: and whsever shall receive me, received nt me, but him that sent me. Cmpare als Matt. 18:1-6 12
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 4. Family Integrated Public Wrship (cntinued) B. In the Ministry f Jesus Christ (cntinued) ii. Jesus did nt cmmand r prmte fr the children t be islated frm His public preaching, but rather He rebuked the disciples fr their lack f understanding in trying t remve children frm Him. Matt. 19:13-15 13) Then were brught unt him little children, that he shuld put his hands n them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 14) But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and frbid them nt, t cme unt me: fr f such is the kingdm f heaven. 15) And he laid his hands n them, and departed thence. iii. Entire families husbands, wives, and children came ut tgether t wrship and hear the teaching f Jesus in the desert and were subsequently miraculusly fed by Jesus Christ. Matt. 14:13-21 13) When Jesus heard f it, he departed thence by ship int a desert place apart: and when the peple had heard theref, they fllwed him n ft ut f their cities 19) And he cmmanded the multitude t sit n the grass, and tk the five laves, and the tw fishes, and lking up t heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the laves t his disciples, and the disciples t the multitude 21) And they that had eaten were abut five thusand men, beside wmen and children. Matt. 15:30-38 30) And great multitudes came unt him, having with them thse that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many thers, and cast them dwn at Jesus feet; and he healed them: 31) and they glrified the Gd f Israel 35) And he cmmanded the multitude t sit dwn n the grund. 36) And he tk seven laves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave t his disciples, and the disciples t the multitude 38) And they that did eat were fur thusand men, beside wmen and children. iv. Children are capable f understanding wrship and praising Gd. Children were praising Jesus Christ in the temple in the fulfillment f Old Testament prphecy. Gd rdained (Ps. 8:2) fr children even babes and sucklings (infants that are still nursing) t praise Him, and that was fulfilled during Jesus ministry. The same shuld be true in the New Testament Church tday fr children t be praising and wrshipping Jesus because Gd has rdained it. Matt. 21:15-16 15) And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wnderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hsanna t the Sn f David; they were sre displeased. 16) And said unt him, Hearest thu what these say? And Jesus saith unt them, Yea; have ye never read, Out f the muth f babes and sucklings thu hast perfected praise? Ps. 8:2 Out f the muth f babes and sucklings hast thu rdained strength because f thine enemies, that thu mightiest still the enemy and the avenger. 13
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 4. Family Integrated Public Wrship (cntinued) C. In the early New Testament Church i. Family wrship is cnsistently presented as the pattern f the early church, with the entire family gathering tgether in their hme fr wrship. Acts 16:30-34 30) And brught them ut, and said, Sirs what must I d t be saved? 31) And they said, Believe n the Lrd Jesus Christ, and thu shalt be saved, and thy huse. 32) And they spake unt him the wrd f the Lrd, and t all that were in his huse. 33) And he tk them the same hur f the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34) And when he had brught them int his huse, he set meat befre them, and rejiced, believing in Gd with all his huse. Acts 10:24-48 24) And the mrrw they entered int Caesarea. And Crnelius waited fr them, and had called tgether his kinsmen and near friends 30) And Crnelius said 33) Nw therefre are we all here present befre Gd, t hear all things that are cmmanded thee f Gd. Acts 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her husehld, she besught us, saying, If ye have judged me t be faithful t the Lrd, cme int my huse, and abide there. And she cnstrained us. Acts 18:7-8 7) And he departed thence, and entered int a certain man s huse, named Justus, ne that wrshipped Gd, whse huse jined hard t the synaggue. 8) And Crispus, the chief ruler f the synaggue, believed n the Lrd with all his huse; and many f the Crinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. 1 Cr. 16:15 I beseech yu, brethren, (ye knw the huse f Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits f Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves t the ministry f the saints,) Rm. 16:5,10,11; 1 Cr. 16:19; Cl. 4:15; 2 Tim. 1:16; Philem. 2 Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every huse, they ceased nt t teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 2:46, 20:20 ii. The church at Tyre included bth wives and children Acts 21:4-5 4) And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: wh said t Paul thrugh the Spirit, that he shuld nt g up t Jerusalem. 5) And when we had accmplished thse days, we departed and went ur way; and they brught us n ur way, with wives and children, till we were ut f the city: and we kneeled dwn n the shre, and prayed. D. It was expected by Jesus and the apstles that that the ministry and the epistles wuld be teaching all ages f peple tgether at the same time in ne cngregatin. i. Jesus cmmands Peter t Feed my lambs (Jhn 21:15) and t als Feed my sheep (Jhn 21:16,17). Peter was t preach t bth the babes and yung children (the lambs) and the mature disciples (the sheep) tgether. 14
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 4. Family Integrated Public Wrship (cntinued) D. It was expected by Jesus and the apstles that that the ministry and the epistles wuld be teaching all ages f peple tgether at the same time in ne cngregatin (cntinued). ii. Paul instructs his sn in the ministry, Titus, t teach all genders and ages in the church: t teach the aged men (Titus 2:2), the aged wmen (Titus 2:3), the yung wmen (Titus 2:4), and the yung men (Titus 2:6). iii. The Apstle Jhn writes unt the little children (1 Jhn 2:12,13), the fathers (1 Jhn 2:13,14), and the yung men (1 Jhn 2:13,14), addressing all thse grups interchangeably shwing that this epistle was intended t be read in the public cngregatin f the yung and ld men tgether. iv. Ntice frm these examples, it is the rdained elder wh is cmmissined with teaching all grups f peple in the church regardless f age r gender, nt a separate teacher fr each grup. Cmpare t pint 5-A and 5-D. E. Frm the way that the New Testament epistles were written, it was expected that thse epistles wuld be read and taught in an audience with all ages and genders f the church tgether in ne cngregatin. i. The New Testament epistles were expected t be read alud t the church by the church s pastr. Cl. 4:16 And when this epistle is read amng yu, cause that it be read als in the church f the Ladiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle frm Ladicea. (see als 1 Thess. 5:27) ii. Therefre, since all different age grups (particularly children) are addressed in these epistles, it is clear that the writers expected children t be present in the public assembly f wrship where this epistle wuld be read t the church. The family was expected t be assembled tgether (nt separated) because the admnitins t fathers, wives, and children are all delivered interchangeably. Cl. 3:18 4:1 Wives (3:18), husbands (3:19), children (3:20), fathers (3:21), servants (3:22), and masters (4:1) are all admnished in varius ways in cnsecutive verses. This is very bvius that all these different age and peple grups were assembled tgether in public wrship when this epistle was read alud (Cl. 4:16). Eph. 5:25 6:9 Wives (5:22-24), husbands (5:25-33), children (6:1-3), fathers (6:4), servants (6:5-8), and masters (6:9) are again all addressed cnsecutively by Paul. Clssians and Ephesians are sister epistles that were penned at the same time by Paul in Rman imprisnment and delivered by the same curier, s it is very reasnable t assume that Paul expected the Ephesian epistle t be treated as a circular epistle t be read alud in the exact same manner as Clssians (Cl. 4:16). 1 Jhn 2:12-14 The Apstle Jhn writes unt the little children (1 Jhn 2:12,13), the fathers (1 Jhn 2:13,14), and the yung men (1 Jhn 2:13,14), addressing them all interchangeably because he expected them all t be gather tgether in public wrship when this epistle was read t the church. 15
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 4. Family Integrated Public Wrship (cntinued) F. In the New Testament, discipleship is cnsistently cmpared t being a babe (infant) r a yung child with an exhrtatin t grw t maturity. If a child is nt capable f understanding and grwing by public teaching frm the scriptures and instead must be segregated t be taught frm children s bks, why wuld the Hly Spirit cnsistently use the example f children fr the church t grw in knwledge and spiritual maturity? i. Jesus Christ cmmanded that discipleship shuld clsely mirrr the life f a child Matt. 18:1-6 1) At the same time came the disciples unt Jesus, saying, Wh is the greatest in the kingdm f heaven? 2) And Jesus called a little child unt him, and set him in the midst f them, 3) And said, Verily I say unt yu, Except ye be cnverted, and becme as little children, ye shall nt enter int the kingdm f heaven. 4) Whsever therefre shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdm f heaven. 5) And whs shall receive ne such little child in my name receiveth me. 6) But whs shall ffend ne f these little nes which believe in me, it were better fr him that a millstne where hanged abut his neck, and that he were drwned in the depth f the sea. Matt. 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and frbid them nt, t cme unt me: fr f such is the kingdm f heaven. Matt. 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lrd f heaven and earth, because thu hast hid these things frm the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unt babes. ii. The writers f the New Testament epistles cmmanded thse babes in Christ t grw and mature in their discipleship. Heb. 5:12-14 12) Fr when fr the time ye ught t be teachers, ye have need that ne teach yu again which be the first principles f the racles f Gd; and are becme such as have need f milk, and nt f strng meat. 13) Fr every ne that useth milk is unskillful in the wrd f righteusness: fr he is a babe. 14) But strng meat belngeth t them that are f a full age, even thse wh by reasn f use have their senses exercised t discern bth gd and evil. 1 Pet. 2:2 As newbrn babes, desire the sincere milk f the wrd, that ye may grw thereby: 1 Cr. 3:1-2 1) And I, brethren, culd nt speak unt yu as unt spiritual, but as unt carnal, even as unt babes in Christ. 2) I have fed yu with milk, and nt with meat: fr hithert ye were nt able t bear it, neither yet nw are ye able. iii. One must be brn again t understand spiritual things, but there are scriptural evidences that Gd s children are ftentimes brn again at a very yung age, even in the wmb r as an infant: Jhn the Baptist (Luke 1:44). Jeremiah (Jer. 1:5), and David (Ps. 139:16, Ps. 22:9). Therefre, anyne that has been brn again by the Spirit, n matter hw yung, can understand and grw frm the preaching and teaching f the scriptures in public wrship. 16
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 5. Prper Manner f Teaching in the Church A. Teaching in public wrship i. An rdained minister is the nly persn given the scriptural authrity t teach in the public wrship f the church ii. Eph. 4:8-11 8) Wherefre he saith, When he ascended up n high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unt men 11) And he gave sme, apstles; and sme, prphets; and sme, evangelists; and sme, pastrs and teachers; 1 Cr. 12:28-29; Acts 13:1; Jer. 3:15 1 Tim. 3:2 A bishp then must be blameless, the husband f ne wife, vigilant, sber, f gd behavir given t hspitality, apt t teach; 2 Tim. 2:24 Matt. 28:19-20 19) G ye therefre, and teach all natins, baptizing them in the name f the Father, and f the Sn, and f the Hly Ghst: 20) Teaching them t bserve all things whatsever I have cmmanded yu: and, l, I am with yu always, even unt the end f the wrld. 2 Tim. 2:2, 1 Cr. 4:17, Cl. 1:28, 1 Tim. 2:7, 4:11, 6:2 Acts 20:18-35 20) And hw I kept back nthing that was prfitable unt yu, but have shewed yu, and have taught yu publickly, and frm huse t huse 31) Therefre watch, and remember, that by the space f three years I ceased nt t warn yu every ne night and day with tears Acts 5:42; 15:35; 28:31; 18:11; 4:18; 5:25,28 Acts 28:30-31 30) And Paul dwelt tw whle years in his wn hired huse, and received all that came in unt him, 31) Preaching the kingdm f Gd, and teaching thse things which cncern the Lrd Jesus Christ, with all cnfidence, n man frbidding him. 2 Tim. 2:2 And the things that thu hast seen f me amng many witnesses, the same cmmit thu t faithful men, wh shall be able t teach thers als. 1 Cr. 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five wrds with my understanding, that by my vice I might teach thers als, than ten thusand wrds in an unknwn tngue. Wmen are prhibited frm teaching in a public wrship setting 1 Tim. 2:11-12 11) Let the wman learn in silence with all subjectin. 12) But I suffer nt a wman t teach, nr t usurp authrity ver the man, but t be in silence. The reasn why Paul instructs Timthy t nt permit the wmen t teach publicly in the church was t keep the wman frm usurping authrity ver the man (v. 12). Gd rdained fr man t be the head ver his wife (Eph. 5:23, Gen. 3:16) and a wman teaching with authrity ver a man in the church wuld vilate Gd s prescribed rder in the family and als in the church. 17
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 5. Prper Manner f Teaching in the Church (cntinued) A. Teaching in public wrship (cntinued) ii. Wmen are prhibited frm teaching in a public wrship setting (cntinued) 1 Cr. 14:34-35 34) Let yur wmen keep silence in the churches: fr it is nt permitted unt them t speak; but they are cmmanded t be under bedience, as als saith the law. 35) And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at hme: fr it is a shame fr wmen t speak in the church. This verse is nt teaching that wmen are nt allwed t utter a single wrd in the church building r nt permitted t speak at all in church cnference, etc. Rather, these verses in the full cntext (v. 22-40) are dealing with prphesying (r preaching ) when the church cmes tgether t wrship (v. 26) and hw t administer wh wuld speak in the Crinth Church s public wrship setting (v. 27-33). Ordained ministers wh teach in the church must be the husband f ne wife (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6), if they are married, which excludes any female frm meeting this qualificatin fr an elder r bishp and thus prhibits a wman frm being a pssible candidate fr rdinatin t the church ffice f elder (r deacn, 1 Tim. 3:12). Therefre, wmen are prhibited by scripture frm being an rdained elder in the church and prhibited frm speaking in the public wrship setting when the church is assembled tgether. Hwever, it s imprtant t pint ut that wmen still carry ut very imprtant rles in the church. They are cmmanded t: Teach their children (and grandchildren) the scriptures privately in the hme (2 Tim. 1:5, 3:15) and t guide and keep the hme (1 Tim. 5:14, Titus 2:5) Teach the yung wmen in the church hw t be chaste and gdly and bedient t their husbands (Titus 2:3-5) Supprt and labr fr the furtherance f the gspel (Phil. 4:3) by supprting the ministry (Rm. 16:1-3,6), and supprting their husbands in teaching thers the truth, just as Priscilla supprted her husband, Aquila (Acts 18:26, Rm. 16:3) B. Teaching in the daily activities f the church i. Every member f the church has a respnsibility t study the scriptures individually and t teach thers privately as they have pprtunity Acts 17:11 These were mre nble than thse in Thessalnica, in that they received the wrd with all readiness f mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether thse things were s. Jhn 5:39 Search the scriptures; fr in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify f me. 18
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 5. Prper Manner f Teaching in the Church (cntinued) B. Teaching in the daily activities f the church (cntinued) i. Every member f the church has a respnsibility t study the scriptures individually and t teach thers privately as they have pprtunity (cntinued) 2 Tim. 2:15 Study t shew thyself apprved unt Gd, a wrkman that needeth nt t be ashamed, rightly dividing the wrd f truth. 2 Tim. 4:13-16 13) Till I cme, give attendance t reading, t exhrtatin, t dctrine 15) Meditate upn these things; give thyself whlly t them; that thy prfiting may appear t all. 16) Take heed unt thyself, and unt the dctrine; cntinue in them; fr in ding this thu shalt bth save thyself, and them that hear thee. ii. iii. The pastr f the church des nt just preach and teach publicly n the Sunday wrship service but is perpetually teaching the church bth publicly and privately in the church members hmes as well Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every huse, they ceased nt t teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 20:20-31 20) And hw I kept back nthing that was prfitable unt yu, but have shewed yu, and have taught yu publickly, and frm huse t huse 31) Therefre watch, and remember, that by the space f three years I ceased nt t warn yu every ne night and day with tears. The lder members f the church wh have gained wisdm thrugh their many life experiences shuld instruct the yunger members fr hw t cnduct themselves iv. Older, aged men in the church shuld instruct the yunger men Titus 2:1-6 1) But speak thu the things which becme sund dctrine: 2) That the aged me be sber, grave, temperate, sund in faith, in charity, in patience 6) Yung men likewise exhrt t be sberminded. Older, aged wmen in the church shuld teach the yunger wmen Titus 2:1-5 1) But speak thu the things which becme sund dctrine 3) The aged wmen likewise, that they be in behavir as becmeth hliness, nt false accusers, nt given t much wine, teachers f gd things; 4) That they may teach the yung wmen t be sber, t lve their husbands, t lve their children, 5) T be discreet, chaste, keepers at hme, gd, bedient t their wn husbands, that the wrd f Gd be nt blasphemed. C. Teaching in the hme i. Parents are charged with the primary respnsibly f teaching their children the wrd f Gd in the hme, nt cntracting that respnsibility ut t the church Eph. 6:4 And, ye fathers, prvke nt yur children t wrath: but bring them up in the nuture and admnitin f the Lrd. (see als Cl. 3:21) 19
Wrship Pattern f Wrship in the New Testament Church 5. Prper Manner f Teaching in the Church (cntinued) C. Teaching in the hme (cntinued) i. Parents are charged with the primary respnsibly f teaching their children the wrd f Gd in the hme, nt cntracting that ut t the church (cnt d) D. Objectins t Sunday Schls Prv. 1:8-9 8) My sn, hear the instructin f thy father, and frsake nt the law f thy mther: fr they shall be an rnament f grace unt thy head, and chains abut thy neck. Prv. 22:6 Train up a child in the way he shuld g: and when he is ld, he will nt depart frm it. Prv. 13:24, 19:18-19, 22:15, 23:13, 29:15,17; Eccl. 12:1 2 Tim. 3:15 And that frm a child thu hast knwn the hly scriptures, which are able t make thee wise unt salvatin thrugh faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim. 1:5 When I call t remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmther Lis, and thy mther Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee als. Deut. 6:6-9 6) And these wrds, which I cmmand thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7) And thu shalt teach them diligently unt thy children, and shalt talk f them when thu sittest in thine huse, and when thu walkest by the way, and when thu liest dwn, and when thu risest up. 8) And thu shalt bind them fr a sign upn thine hand, and they shall be as frntlets between thine eyes. 9) And thu shalt write them upn the psts f thy huse, and n thy gates. Deut. 4:9, 11:19; Ps. 78:4-7; Jshua 4:20-24 1 Tim. 3:4-5 4) One that ruleth well his wn huse, having his children in subjectin with all gravity: 5) (Fr if a man knw nt hw t rule his wn huse, hw shall he take care f the church f Gd?) Gen. 18:19 Ps. 127:3-5 3) L, children are an heritage f the Lrd, and fruit f the wmb is his reward. 4) As arrws in the hand f a mighty man; s are children f the yuth. 5) Happy is the man that hath his quiver full f them: they shall nt be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. i. Prmtes Divisin and Segregatin instead f Unity in the Church a. Sunday schls prmte divisin and segregatin f the church int different classes r grups based n subjective criteria such as age, gender, r perceived scriptural acumen. In cntrast, the scriptures cnsistently prmte unity in the church (Eph. 4:3,13) and universally cndemn divisin (Matt. 12:25, 1 Cr. 1:10-13, Rm. 16:17). b. The Biblical pattern favrs inclusive family integrated teaching where the church and all families wrship and learn tgether in unity. See pint 4, A t E, fr scriptural precedent f family integrated wrship. 20