And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
Have you ever wondered why we do church the way we do? Well the truth of the matter is that church methodology had been prescribed thousands of years ago and is recorded in God’s Word the Bible. Believers know that all scripture is God-breathed, that it’s a beneficial doctrine for rebuke, refinement, and righteous teaching; that is if we desire to be Godly, complete, and thoroughly equipped for Christian service (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Let’s start in the New Testament.
The Early Church
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
I whole heartedly agree with this narrative, as it lays out for us an illustration of what an effective body of believers should look like. However, we can go deeper and consequently put more meat on this bone as we venture back into the Old Testament. While Acts 2 gives us a paragraph, the Book of Nehemiah devotes an entire chapter to the subject. Let’s go through some of those informative passages.
The Earlier Church
Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. Nehemiah 8:1-2
The faithful gathered and were of one mind. The Apostle Paul, an Old Testament scholar himself, would extend this concept to the believers at Philippi, writing, ‘if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind (Philippians 2:1-2).
They went to a symbolic place–the Water Gate, where life giving water flowed and where everyone habitually gathered. They were out in the open where access could be easily gained and where secrets could not be contained. No one would be excluded as they happened upon the meeting.
They sought a knowledgeable person (Ezra) and a reliable source—God’s Word, The Book of the Law. I love the fact that it was the only resource utilized.
The assembly was orderly and only those who could hear with understanding were in attendance. Why? Because those without understanding, namely children, were a distraction—a good reason why children should be in Sunday school classes and not in church proper.
Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. Nehemiah 8:3-4
Ezra’s service was about six hours long this day. I submit to you that this was not the norm, but it was what the Lord ordained for this particular day. Understand that the people were eager, willing, and attentive. If the question was raised, “How long is church?” it sounds as if the answer would have likely been, “As long as it takes!” We note that the people were glad.
We see the use of a pulpit, but observe that the preacher stood atop it and not behind it. In other words, he stood upon a platform whereby he could be clearly seen and heard by everyone in attendance. And he wasn’t alone; Ezra had many knowledgeable men at his side.
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 7Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. Nehemiah 8:5-8
Ezra opened The Book of the Law (a scroll actually) in front of the people making it clear that this was, a) God’s Word and, b) he wasn’t making this stuff up as he went along—he had thirteen men up there on stage with him to testify to that fact.
When the Word was opened, the people stood. We take note that nobody instructed them to stand–it was understood by all that God was in their midst. In honor to God they would stand and later in reverent worship they would kneel. Again, there was no direction to do so; their orderly response was an obedient gesture that was discerned by those who believed.
In addition to the men standing with Ezra on the pulpit, there were more educated men mingling about the crowd assisting those with questions about the text. In this manner, no one left the meeting without clarity. My friends, this is the need and purpose of the church today—for God’s word to be read clearly and with explanation so that the congregation can be equipped for Christian service.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them. Nehemiah 8:9-12
At first we’re perplexed and wonder why the congregation wept and was mournful. Let us recall our Bible studies that remind us that the word of God is alive and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).
We can better understand their grief when we understand the text they were studying that day—The Law. The Law brings sorrow to those who understand the implications; i.e., that we fall way short in our compliance and that perfect adherence is impossible. The Law is merely the road sign that points us to our solution found in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:24).
And they found written in the Law, which the Lord had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, and that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” …And there was very great gladness. Nehemiah 8:14, 15, 17b
This passage demonstrates why there is need to go through the Bible cover-to-cover for fear that something be left out or forgotten. Too many churches today follow sermon lectionaries which stipulate particular passages to be highlighted and taught based solely on the church calendar. On the exterior it appears a nice method, but sadly it only minimally scratches the surface of what God would have us hear. Frankly, some topics are never discussed in this system. That ought not to be.
In Nehemiah’s case ultimately, and in due season, there was great gladness within the congregation because the people heard the Word–the whole truth and nothing but the truth as it were. If this does not sound like your church it might be time for a change; what that change looks like is between you and the Lord.
These ramblings are typically (but not always) a byproduct inspired by God through my personal Bible study at SearchLight with Pastor Jon Courson and with my pastor at Calvary Chapel Coastlands.
He Dwells -- The B'log in My Eye 
Hey Dave – interesting post. I agree with a lot of it. A couple of things I disagree with.
I think you are stretching it a bit when you say no children were present. The text simply does not say this one way or the other. I’ve previously attended churches like Calvary Chapel — I’m now in a reformed church where the children stay in the service with us.
Quite frankly, it works very well. When children are taught how to behave in a worship service, they tend to learn how to behave. Train up a child in the way he should go. 🙂 In the year I’ve been attending, I’ve never seen a child misbehave or distract. The children are respectful. Thus, they also have the added benefit of being taught at a higher level at an earlier age. The pastor often reaches out to them in the sermon to explain a difficult theological concept – so they can learn. The children in this church are very grounded and knowledgeable about the Bible — much more than I have seen in other churches. Our kids go to Sunday School when we go to Sunday school.
I think you may agree with me on this one. I think we may have discussed this before, but church is for believers – those who have heard the call of God on their lives. It is not a place to dumb down sermons for seekers, although seekers are welcome to attend. We must remember that it is the assembly of believers that make up the church, not the seeker. Only believers can be of one mind – the mind of God. Until conversion, a seeker is at enmity with God. How can a seeker honor and worship God? They can’t until they become converted – thus, worship is for believers.
Re: A Skilled Teacher. We left 2 different CCs for a couple of reasons. The fact is, the pastor should be a knowledgeable, skilled theologian – someone who has wrestled with the scriptures, been taught well, understands the historicity of the Bible and the church, has been taught before they enter the pulpit, and much more. He should know God’s Word, (God’s revelation to man) so well that it rolls off of his tongue. He should be willing to submit to peers who also teach accurately. It is important that a man be thoroughly equipped before they teach — and it takes years to do this. Years of hard, deep, intense study. And not every seminary is good, obviously. But there are good ones – sadly,they are overlooked and condemned with the bad ones just to make a general statement of contemporary thought. That is a crime.
I found at the 2 CCs I was at that the pastors were so young in their own faith that they were both in error several times. And the nature of the CC is that there really is no real accountability built in for the pastor in the CC system. The idea of headship in the CC system, in my opinion, is distorted and can lead to abuse of the power of that office. That is a grave concern to me and I saw it abused in the CC I was at (actually 2 of them).
Regarding the pulpit, I think you are stretching it a bit. It becomes legalism when you try to see a difference between being behind a pulpit and being on top of it. The reason for a pulpit it to have a place to proclaim the treasured word of God – a word that should be honored and revered — so that the people will know that the Word of God is important. It is not for the exhibition of the pastor. I think people misunderstand the role of a pulpit. It is, however, an acknowledgment that the pastor is a studied man of God and that his words should be trustworthy.
Please don’t think I’m trying to nitpick too much on CC. I promise I’m not. There are many things I loved about CC. It’s just that my desire for the accurate teaching of the scripture finally won. The Reformed really teach and I have grown more than I ever thought possible. However, I loved the hearts of the people who attended CC and consider them my brothers and sisters.
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Hey Kathy – nice to hear from you again!
I’m not so sure I’m stretching the 1st passage you mentioned—it reads that it was an ‘assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding.’ To me the obvious people group being referred to in the latter portion of the verse is children. I’m glad you raised the issue though. My thought is that Nehemiah’s methodology was prescribed by God, but not etched in stone. In other words, this is an illustration of an ideal way, but not necessarily the only way; we are free to do church however we want, assuming we don’t altar the critical doctrine.
Personally, children in church don’t bother me for the most part, but I know some people are distracted by the crying baby and/or the fidgety five year old. I truly believe it is in the child’s best interest to be in a class room learning age-appropriate material—this best prepares the child to come to a place of understanding. I am not saying that churches should abandon what works for them, but I am insinuating that it’s not the best scenario for the adults or the children.
I’m unable to address what occurred in the other churches you attended—I clearly don’t know all the details. What I do know is that my pastor is well versed and knowledgeable in the Word. Does he ever make mistakes? Absolutely, but not very often and when he does he is open to critique. I’m not familiar with the inner workings of the CC system (as you called it), so I can’t really give you an intelligent response to that issue.
As for my stretching the term ‘pulpit’, it is the word utilized in the King James Version and in the ancient Hebrew it means ‘tower’ or ‘stage’. The fact that a pulpit has become something else through the years isn’t really relevant. My pastor stands behind a lectern and I am perfectly ok with that. I suppose what I was trying to address is that a pastor should be transparent to the point everyone knows he’s all about Jesus Christ and His word—a listener should never be in doubt in that regard.
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