Morning Meditations: Worship

From my morning devotion:

Acts 20:7-10 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. 8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. 9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. 10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

also:

1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

To listen to people of some denominations you would think that Acts 2 was the norm for services of the apostolic age church. I submit, brethren, that not only is this a misreading of scripture but also show a lack of historical knowledge in the history of the church.

From a letter of Pliny the Younger to the Emperor Trajan (111-113 AD):

They asserted, however, that the sum and substance of their fault or error had been that they were accustomed to meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing responsively a hymn to Christ as to a god, and to bind themselves by oath, not to some crime, but not to commit fraud, theft, or adultery, not falsify their trust, nor to refuse to return a trust when called upon to do so. When this was over, it was their custom to depart and to assemble again to partake of food--but ordinary and innocent food.

This was shortly after the death of the apostle John, they had simple worship services of singing, probably some preaching, and followed by fellowship.

1 Corinthians 14:6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

How does it benefit the Church? That's what you should be asking yourself. Worship shouldn't be self centered. Fellowship shouldn't be a time to push agendas. We're all in this together. Be an encouragement!

Lord, help us to be an encouragement to our brothers and sisters in the church. Give us grace to remain humble and speak well. In Jesus name, amen.