In continuing with discussions on traditions in churches~ There is no pulpit mentioned in the meetings of the NT churches. They met in homes, and it is not likely that the homes had pulpits. I don't pray for the "pulpit"...however, I do pray for the word of God to be preached and for hearts to be open to the truth of God's word (not man's). That does not make a pulpit sinful, but it isn’t necessary either. If it comes to the point where people are not able to meet any longer in designated church buildings, will people continue to assemble together? There was not a weekly ceremony for Believers after the resurrection of Jesus Christ that we see in scripture. No bulletins. Sunday is not a day to be worshipped—scripture mentions that they met on the first day of the week, but it is not mandated that believers must do that. If that is the day that works, that is a day to use for that purpose. But if we worship a day instead of worshipping Jesus Christ…we’re bonkers. Believers are instructed not to neglect gathering together. But there is not a format of a certain tradition that must be followed. There are however lists of reasons for assembling together regularly...go to the New Testament and read the epistles, find out for yourself what God has said.
I don’t see Sunday called “The Lord’s Day”… He is Lord everyday to a believer no matter where they are or what they are doing. The only mention of that which I’ve found, is in Revelation, when John was receiving his vision on the “Lord’s day”…some people believe that it means Sunday in that passage. But other references to the day of the Lord seem to indicate judgment. Since the vision had to do with the day of the Lord or judgment…and since there is not another reference to it determining a doctrine for calling Sunday the Lord's day that I am aware of, I can’t call Sunday the Lord’s day. Revelation 1:8-12 (New King James Version) 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”Vision of the Son of Man:9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,”it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”and, “What you see, write in a book and send12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,... I can call it the day that He rose from the dead and it can be the day that believers assemble to build up the local body of Christ. We should continue to assemble together, but never worship a day. Again, people will have a lot of problems if that freedom is taken away some day. We need to be oh so careful that we are not just being "religious" without a vital personal relationship with God through our Savior, Jesus Christ! We don't worship a religion or tradition...we worship and live for the true living Savior...Christ alone! He is the fulfillment of all that was spoken of in the Old Testament...He is the Messiah! He is our peace, not a day of the week.
What about Sunday school, youth programs, church memberships, etc. ? None of that is in scripture. Does that mean it is all wrong? No, I don't believe so. It can be in some cases and not in others. I think if people are forced into any of these, it becomes wrong. That is taking away the individual conscience to Jesus Christ. In regard to the Sunday School issue, that is a choice to be made by the parents. Nobody should be making them comply to the Borg mentality. We are to be united to Christ, and devoted to one another, but that does not mean we all have to do exactly the same things. Sunday School can be a tremendous blessing for some children, especially for those who are not learning about the Lord or studying God’s word in their home. It was for me when I was a child. I still remember my third grade Sunday School teacher at Scotts Valley Baptist Church. Her name was Mrs. Grace Rich and she taught me a lot about memorizing God’s word. She was elderly and had a strong German accent. She loved the Lord Jesus dearly! She helped me with issues of fear by teaching me a song: Be not dismayed whate'er betide, God will take care of you… I treasure the memory of her and what she taught me. But there are Sunday School situations which are not helpful to the child and can be even harmful. If there is no control in the classroom and the pursuit is fun and to be cool, it can work contrary to the training a child is getting at home. If the family is trying to teach the child self control and all they see around them is out of control…it can cause rebellion in the child’s heart to their parents. Sunday School can be a tool for evil working contrary to what the Bible teaches. If there are programs, the goal should be to point children to Jesus Christ. Christian parents should be allowed to determine what is best in their own family, with their conscience held captive to the word of God and the leading of His Spirit. Not a dictate over one another and a push of programs and involvement in everything at all costs. Usually it comes from well meaning people who don’t know any other way of doing things. Their assumption may be that the home life of others is hectic and void of Bible training. So they appeal to the lowest common denominator and it becomes a source of confusion to children. There is a movement in homeschooling circles to abolish all Sunday School and Youth programs in local churches. This has become a very divisive issue. Everything must be family centered because God gave the responsibility of training children to the parents, not to an institution. There is truth to that. But that doesn’t mean that a person cannot ever delegate training to others in certain situations. I don’t play the piano or the violin. So our girls have learned to play these instruments from others. They are still under our authority, and we are still teaching and training them. I think it can be the same in the churches. It would be nice for those who want the Sunday School programs, to be able to joyfully continue to have those and even be encouraged in it as they work to point children to the Lord Jesus through His word. But if there are those who would rather have that training done in the home by parents—without traditional age segregated Sunday School classes---, it would be nice if the Sunday School was not pushed as a must. Another option could be an additional Sunday School class for the entire family. This would be a class geared to the entire family in more of a home-type setting. That could be a positive option for churches to encourage fathers to lead in their homes and not usurp the God-given authority and position of the parents over their own precious children. It would give sweet people who have a conscience about dropping off their children to be taught by someone else, the choice to be able to watch over their own children as they gather together with other believers as families--without being looked down upon or made to feel odd because they don't go with the flow.
All this to say, there is not one set rule and as the body of Christ, we should allow each to decide for their own family and not have a cookie cutter one size fits all approach in either direction. No one should be looking down on one another for not doing things in a certain tradition that is extra-biblical. No one should be lording it over others to force them to comply with something that go against their conscience to Jesus Christ. Parents are responsible for their own children, and must be wise and seeking out the Lord’s will through His word. Let that be our guide, not a method, tradition or mandate of others. Ephesians 4:14-16 (New King James Version) 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. 1 Peter 4:7-9 (New King James Version) 7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (New King James Version) 1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. A few websites discussing the origins of Sunday School. This is not an endorsement for the websites listed. Do your own research: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunday_school http://www.christianitytoday.com/global/printer.html?/ch/asktheexpert/whendidsundayschoolstart.html One last thing, lest you think we are having problems at our local assembly... we are not. No one is pushing for people to do things against their convictions to Christ that we have seen. The elders are very kind, loving and pointing people to follow God's word not them. There is no perfect gathering, because there are no perfect people. But we are all saved by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ alone. In that, there is great unity. All of life lived for Jesus Christ should be each believer's life long pursuit. Not building our own little kingdoms, gaining money, power and popularity by peddling what we perceive as marketable "Christianity" . These are fleshly pursuits. If you are in a church gathering that is promoting mutual edification in Jesus Christ and clinging to His word of truth...be very thankful for that. ************************************************************************************************************************************************ Something worth listening to and discussing with your family: http://www.sermonaudio.com/playpopup.asp?SID=92402115618
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