The worship service is not designed to accomodate unbelievers. Christian worship is directed at God and it's purpose is to offer proper reverence, praise and awe unto Him. While unconverted people are welcomed to come, it is only with the hope it might please the Lord to save them therein.
The Purpose of Worship
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Pastor David, Dec 16, 2011.
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Is there Scripture you base this on?
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Tom,
Yes. "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" - 1 Tim. 2:5
Our ability to approach God righly in worship flows from our relationship with Jesus Christ, as our one and only Mediator between God and man. The unbeliever is not under the mediatorial work of Christ and therefore has no claim to access the Lord in fellowship and worship. -
Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:22-24 seems to say that a service ought to be able to be understood not just by believers but by unbelievers, also.
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Tom,
"So how does this teach that a worship service is designed only for believers?"
I believe the biblical position is only those who are under the mediatorial work of Christ (i.e. believers) can rightly approach God in worship.
Considering this from a slightly different perspective, we know the Scriptures teach God can't even look upon sin. "You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness..." - Hab. 1:13. Our worship is only accepted because it comes by way of Jesus Christ. Therefore, as we know the unbelievers sins have not be cleansed by Christ, that the presence of the Holy Spirit does not abide over the unconverted, that God can not therefore view the unbelievers works of worship.
The same principle applied in the Old Testament when the priest first offered sacrifices on behalf of God's people prior to their worship in the Temple. No one not under the sacrifice could not worship or enter the Temple. They first had to be atoned for.
Tom wrote, "I understand and agree that worship can only truly be done by a believer, but just wondering how that morphed into the idea that a worship service as designed only for believers."
Is it really that difficult to see that since 'worship can only truly be done by a beleiver' that it would therefore be designed for believers? In my mind those things aren't that far apart.
I pray this helps. -
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Not really that much clearer. That Biblical worship can only be done by believers is not debated. I just see that a church service is not just worship.
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Where I see an issue with this is that some churches come from the mindset of attracting unbelievers to their church in order to reach them. That's where I say an error has occured. Our preaching should be gospel centered. This will edify the believer and give the gospel to one that is unsaved. We have to understand that even members of our churches very well may be unsaved. What was want to be careful of is to not compromise in order to attract the lost. Let the gospel do the work.
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primarily time for saints to corporate worship the lord, gey taught by the Word, but also seek to have sinners come unto the Lord to get saved, as many as the Lord saves! -
For my part "worship service" is a misnomer. I believe that "preaching service," though not as appealing, is a more accurate term. Or, to invite someone just say: "Our services are at:..." Worship is done primarily at home between the believer and God, and can only be done by the believer. No unbeliever can worship God. Jesus said: "When you enter into your closet (room), and pray to your Father in secret, your Father who hears you in secret shall reward you openly." That is worship. Public worship is in prayer and in singing, but only among the believers. God does not hear the prayers of the unbeliever.
Worship is always rational. It must be understood. Instruments may accompany words, but the minute they overpower lyrics it is no longer worship. God wants to hear you worship, the words; the fruit of our lips.
We have some good examples in the Book of Revelation of worship:
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:9)
--It was the song that was important, not the instruments. The song was praise to God.
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to
receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (Revelation 5:11-12)
--Here the key word is "saying."
It is not even singing, but saying; saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb.
This is worship. It is giving God "His worth."
No unsaved person can do this. -
Agreed, but the unsaved still can sit in, as that might be the day the Lord saves thems! -
It is the preaching of the gospel that saves.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (1 Corinthians 1:23)
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2)
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