Worship # 3

Worship: Its Priority, Principles, and Practice (continued)

From the beginning of the Bible down to the end, you may trace out a line of public worship in the history of all God's saints. You see it in the very first family that lived on earth. The familiar story of Cain and Abel hinges entirely on acts of public worship. You see it in the history of Noah. The very first thing recorded about Noah and his family, when they came forth from the ark, was a solemn act of public worship. You see it in the history of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Wherever the patriarchs had a tent they always had an altar. They not only prayed in private, but worshiped in public. You see it throughout the whole Mosaic economy, from Sinai downward, till our Lord appeared. The Jew who was not a public worshiper in the tabernacle or the temple, would have been cut off from the congregation of Israel. You see it throughout the whole New Testament. The Lord Jesus himself gives a special promise of his presence wherever two or three are assembled in His name. The apostles, in every church they founded, made the duty of assembling together a first principle in their list of duties. Their universal rule was, "not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together" (Hebrews 10:25). There are ancient things, I know; but it is well to be reminded of them. Just as you may lay it down, as a certainty, that where there is no public worship that is no church of God, and no profession of Christianity.

Turn now from the Word of God to the pages of church history, and what will you find? You will find that from the days of the apostles down to this hour, public worship has always been one of God's great instruments in doing good to souls. Where is it that sleeping souls are generally awakened, dark souls enlightened, dead souls quickened, doubting souls brought to decision, mourning souls cheered, heaven-laden souls relieved? Where, as a general rule, but in the public assembly of Christian worshipers, and during the preaching of God's Word? Take away public worship from a land, shut up the churches and chapels, forbid people to meet together for religious services, prohibit any kind of religion except that which is private, do this, and see what the result would be. You would , inflict the greatest spiritual injury on the country which was so treated. You could do nothing so likely to help the devil and stop the progress of Christ's cause, except the taking away of the Bible. Next to the Word of God there is nothing which does so much good to mankind as public worship. "Faith comes by hearing" (Romans 10:17). There is a special presence of Christ in religious assemblies.

~J. C. Ryle~

(continued with # 4)