02.39. Public Worship
LESSON XXXIX--Public Worship.
State what the first Christians did in regard to the apostles’ doctrine, etc. Acts 2:42. What is meant by the apostles’ doctrine? Ans.--Their teaching. Was this teaching delivered in public or in private? What was their custom, then, in regard to public meetings? Where were these meetings held, and how often? Acts 2:46.
What meeting of the disciples was customary on the Lord’s day? Acts 20:7. Will you quote a precept, from Paul on the subject of assembling ourselves together? Hebrews 10:24-25. What object in assembling is here particularly named? Hebrews 10:25. What direction did Paul give to the church in Corinth and the churches in Galatia, in regard to the first day of the week? 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. What, then, was another duty which they attended to on the Lord’s day?
What does Paul say as to the various exercises in the public meetings? 1 Corinthians 14:26. What exercises are mentioned in this passage that were not miraculous? What is stated as the object of all? What is meant by "edifying?" Ans.--It means building up, and contains a comparison of the spiritual growth of the church to the building up of a house. Will you now name all the objects for which the disciples came together? See again Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 1 Corinthians 14:26. Are public meetings necessary to these ends?
What does a disciple lose by neglecting the meetings of the church? Can one who desires to grow in grace afford to lose all this? If one feels inclined to neglect the public worship, what does this prove as to his spiritual condition?
If a disciple neglect the meeting for breaking the loaf how does he treat the Savior? As the assembling together is for mutual benefit, how does he treat his brethren? How does he treat the precepts of the apostles? How does he treat himself? Against how many parties, then, does such a person sin? What is the duty of the church toward such a sinning member? As the early churches had other meetings besides those on the Lord’s day (Acts 2:46), may we now do the same? When the church resolves to meet at other times, what is the duty of each member? Can a member innocently neglect prayer-meetings and protracted meetings? How does a real Christian feel in reference to all meetings of the church?