• 1st CENTURY NOW •
"What are the ingredients OF a
truly biblical worship service?"
The Bible has the answer and we follow the Bible!
We humans are instinctively worshiping creatures. The psalmist expressed this when he wrote, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1). Seeing that people are going to worship something or someone, we should ask what is worship? Whom and how shall we worship? What constitutes a biblical worship service, and, most importantly, will we be “true worshipers” (John 4:23)?
Christ commanded that true worshipers worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). The apostle Paul explained that we worship by the Spirit of God (Philippians 3:3), meaning that true worship comes only from those who have been saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and have the Holy Spirit living in them. Worshiping in spirit also refers to having the proper heart attitude, not simply adhering to rites and rituals. To worship in truth means to worship according to what God has revealed about Himself in Scripture. In order for our worship to be biblical, it must abide within the doctrine of Christ (2 John 1:9; see also Deuteronomy 4:12; 12:32; Revelation 22:18–19). True worship relies on the instructions given in the Bible and is to be offered without a Book of Confessions, Rules of Order, or other man-made book of instructions or guidance.
True worship is not spurred on by a loud band or gentle organ, nor is it in response to your feelings and emotions.
The first-century church engaged in several devotional acts in their worship services, from which we can determine what comprises a truly biblical worship service: the communion supper was observed (Acts 20:7), prayers were offered up (1 Corinthians 14:15–16), songs were sung to the glory of God (Ephesians 5:19), a financial collection was taken (1 Corinthians 16:2)(but only to help distant congregations that were in dire need and our sister congregation is financially solvent), the Scriptures were read (Colossians 4:16), and the Word of God was proclaimed (Acts 20:7).
The communion supper commemorates Jesus’ death until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:25–26). Prayer should be directed only to God (Nehemiah 4:9; Matthew 6:9), never to any dead person as in the practice of Catholicism. No where in the Bible are we instructed to use devices such as rosary beads or Buddhist “prayer wheels” in our worship. Most importantly, our prayers must be in harmony with the will of God (1 John 5:14).
In our worship, we should sing. The apostle Paul commands us to “speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19–20). Singing to the Lord and to one another conveys truth set to music (Colossians 3:16).
Finally, preaching and teaching are major ingredients of true biblical worship. Our teaching must be the Scriptures alone, the only means of equipping believers for life and godliness (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The godly preacher or teacher will teach only from the Word and rely on the Spirit of God do His work in the minds and hearts of his listeners. As Paul reminded Timothy, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). A church gathering that does not include the Word of God as a major component is not a biblical worship service.
As we follow the pattern of true worship in Scripture, let us worship God with great passion. We must not convey to the world the impression that the worship of our God is a boring, lifeless ritual. We have been redeemed from sin. Let us therefore praise our Creator as His children who are grateful for His bountiful blessings. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28–29).
That is what we are trying to be - simply a group of Christians banded together who follow no creed but the Bible and who sincerely strive to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is silent.
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:11).
We do our best to focus lovingly and patiently on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ on earth, His sacrificial and substitutionary death on Calvary’s cross for the sins of the world, His victorious resurrection from the tomb and glorious ascension into heaven,
the necessity for personal salvation from sin by faith in His finished work, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the birth of the Body of Christ, and other great New Testament doctrines and commandments, as we keep the Pilgrim journey on the narrow path.
We do have a nice long ramp for those in need. We open our home for study-services every Sunday at 2:00 pm in the same fashion as they did in the first century. Call 775-677-4109 for directions.
We are like most Protestant congregations across America, in that we believe that faith and growth in Jesus brings one to follow in obedience that which He commanded, which also includes full immersion baptism in the name of the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, for the forgiveness and washing away of our sins which is necessary for salvation, in order to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and a clean conscience, first day of the week fellowship that always includes the Lord's Supper.
We are more like the congregations in the 'Bible Belt', in that we are the only Christ believing, Bible preaching body of Christ in the Greater Reno area that believe as exampled by the 1st century apostles and do our humanly best to obey ALL that Christ commanded.
There are several 'conditional promises' that the Lord commands.
Following the dictates of the New Testament covenant, to the amazement of many, means that the explosion of religious fervor each holiday 'is not' a cause for rejoicing among discerning Christians. Indeed, we are those Christians that walk a narrower path and do our best NOT to practice or participate in any way shape or form the aspects of Christmas, Easter or any other holiday. Unfortunately, confusion about this abounds. Here we are a people who may be the very most religious folks around (by the standards of others!) and yet we are not celebrating Christmas or Jesus’ birthday on this or any other day. We celebrate ans remember his death, burial and resurrection every first day of the week, not at the whelms if those that refuse to follow the Biblical mandates and commands.
How can that be? We of HBP (Homeward Bound Pilgrims) have a complete lack of any kind of holiday service, pageant, or party which just confounds most people. We refuse to compromise with the word of God! We are told in the very 1st commandment, and a multitude of times throughout both Testaments that these actions are not pleasing to God, as they put other gods before Him! (To learn more about this stand, visit this page.)
What folks expect is that as Christians we would be leading the Christmas and Easter parades, not quietly trying to ignore it as it goes by. If a brothel was having a parade to promote fornication and adultery should Bible believing Christians participate too? May it never be! May our Heavenly Father act mercifully to those calling themselves Christians that paraded and promoted to support homosexuality. 'What is going on here' is probably just one of many questions you may have. Those questions are easy of us to answer but tough for most to understand in a two-minute conversation in the 7-11 checkout line or while watching the halftime show at a high school football game or when easily distracted from the computer. Still, they are important questions that can be hard for puzzled people to ask, and they are questions that can even be difficult for new Christians seeking a narrower path to answer, and not offend others in the telling.
It simply boils down to the fact that we love Jesus and want to follow His commands.
That is what we are all about. If you are a believer that doesn’t celebrate Christmas as the highlight of the religious year and need some help explaining to folks why, perhaps this web site can help you.
If you don’t regularly attend a Church of Christ like those in the 'Bible Belt' and were given this link in response to questions about Christmas we hope you will be interested in being challenged by some new-to-you ideas.
At the least this material will help you learn something of our approach to spiritual matters - and that is always a good thing.
Further, you may learn some things about the Tooth Fairy, Halloween, Christmas, New Years, Valentines, and such as these that are different and even surprising. You may learn how we can serve Jesus in a way that pleases Him.
For whatever reason you are reading this we pray that the Lord will bless your search for Him - not just during the holidays but all year long as you link over to 'THE COMMAND TO 'COME OUT'.
We maintain this site for you and others because never at work or in the park or anywhere has anyone else from any other church tried to witness to us.... It is as 1 Timothy 6:16 says "Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee."
We are a very small body that loves the Lord because our path is narrow. We do not buy into the traditions of men, practice a traditional rehearsed and prepackaged worship or Bible study. The existing body meets on the first day of every week at 2 pm in our home, for an hour or two, depending on the amount of exchange, learning and fellowship where we have NO women in leadership positions during the 'worship service' portion of our gathering.
Christ commanded that true worshipers worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). The apostle Paul explained that we worship by the Spirit of God (Philippians 3:3), meaning that true worship comes only from those who have been saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and have the Holy Spirit living in them. Worshiping in spirit also refers to having the proper heart attitude, not simply adhering to rites and rituals. To worship in truth means to worship according to what God has revealed about Himself in Scripture. In order for our worship to be biblical, it must abide within the doctrine of Christ (2 John 1:9; see also Deuteronomy 4:12; 12:32; Revelation 22:18–19). True worship relies on the instructions given in the Bible and is to be offered without a Book of Confessions, Rules of Order, or other man-made book of instructions or guidance.
True worship is not spurred on by a loud band or gentle organ, nor is it in response to your feelings and emotions.
The first-century church engaged in several devotional acts in their worship services, from which we can determine what comprises a truly biblical worship service: the communion supper was observed (Acts 20:7), prayers were offered up (1 Corinthians 14:15–16), songs were sung to the glory of God (Ephesians 5:19), a financial collection was taken (1 Corinthians 16:2)(but only to help distant congregations that were in dire need and our sister congregation is financially solvent), the Scriptures were read (Colossians 4:16), and the Word of God was proclaimed (Acts 20:7).
The communion supper commemorates Jesus’ death until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:25–26). Prayer should be directed only to God (Nehemiah 4:9; Matthew 6:9), never to any dead person as in the practice of Catholicism. No where in the Bible are we instructed to use devices such as rosary beads or Buddhist “prayer wheels” in our worship. Most importantly, our prayers must be in harmony with the will of God (1 John 5:14).
In our worship, we should sing. The apostle Paul commands us to “speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19–20). Singing to the Lord and to one another conveys truth set to music (Colossians 3:16).
Finally, preaching and teaching are major ingredients of true biblical worship. Our teaching must be the Scriptures alone, the only means of equipping believers for life and godliness (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The godly preacher or teacher will teach only from the Word and rely on the Spirit of God do His work in the minds and hearts of his listeners. As Paul reminded Timothy, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). A church gathering that does not include the Word of God as a major component is not a biblical worship service.
As we follow the pattern of true worship in Scripture, let us worship God with great passion. We must not convey to the world the impression that the worship of our God is a boring, lifeless ritual. We have been redeemed from sin. Let us therefore praise our Creator as His children who are grateful for His bountiful blessings. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28–29).
That is what we are trying to be - simply a group of Christians banded together who follow no creed but the Bible and who sincerely strive to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is silent.
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:11).
We do our best to focus lovingly and patiently on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ on earth, His sacrificial and substitutionary death on Calvary’s cross for the sins of the world, His victorious resurrection from the tomb and glorious ascension into heaven,
the necessity for personal salvation from sin by faith in His finished work, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the birth of the Body of Christ, and other great New Testament doctrines and commandments, as we keep the Pilgrim journey on the narrow path.
We do have a nice long ramp for those in need. We open our home for study-services every Sunday at 2:00 pm in the same fashion as they did in the first century. Call 775-677-4109 for directions.
We are like most Protestant congregations across America, in that we believe that faith and growth in Jesus brings one to follow in obedience that which He commanded, which also includes full immersion baptism in the name of the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, for the forgiveness and washing away of our sins which is necessary for salvation, in order to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and a clean conscience, first day of the week fellowship that always includes the Lord's Supper.
We are more like the congregations in the 'Bible Belt', in that we are the only Christ believing, Bible preaching body of Christ in the Greater Reno area that believe as exampled by the 1st century apostles and do our humanly best to obey ALL that Christ commanded.
There are several 'conditional promises' that the Lord commands.
Following the dictates of the New Testament covenant, to the amazement of many, means that the explosion of religious fervor each holiday 'is not' a cause for rejoicing among discerning Christians. Indeed, we are those Christians that walk a narrower path and do our best NOT to practice or participate in any way shape or form the aspects of Christmas, Easter or any other holiday. Unfortunately, confusion about this abounds. Here we are a people who may be the very most religious folks around (by the standards of others!) and yet we are not celebrating Christmas or Jesus’ birthday on this or any other day. We celebrate ans remember his death, burial and resurrection every first day of the week, not at the whelms if those that refuse to follow the Biblical mandates and commands.
How can that be? We of HBP (Homeward Bound Pilgrims) have a complete lack of any kind of holiday service, pageant, or party which just confounds most people. We refuse to compromise with the word of God! We are told in the very 1st commandment, and a multitude of times throughout both Testaments that these actions are not pleasing to God, as they put other gods before Him! (To learn more about this stand, visit this page.)
What folks expect is that as Christians we would be leading the Christmas and Easter parades, not quietly trying to ignore it as it goes by. If a brothel was having a parade to promote fornication and adultery should Bible believing Christians participate too? May it never be! May our Heavenly Father act mercifully to those calling themselves Christians that paraded and promoted to support homosexuality. 'What is going on here' is probably just one of many questions you may have. Those questions are easy of us to answer but tough for most to understand in a two-minute conversation in the 7-11 checkout line or while watching the halftime show at a high school football game or when easily distracted from the computer. Still, they are important questions that can be hard for puzzled people to ask, and they are questions that can even be difficult for new Christians seeking a narrower path to answer, and not offend others in the telling.
It simply boils down to the fact that we love Jesus and want to follow His commands.
That is what we are all about. If you are a believer that doesn’t celebrate Christmas as the highlight of the religious year and need some help explaining to folks why, perhaps this web site can help you.
If you don’t regularly attend a Church of Christ like those in the 'Bible Belt' and were given this link in response to questions about Christmas we hope you will be interested in being challenged by some new-to-you ideas.
At the least this material will help you learn something of our approach to spiritual matters - and that is always a good thing.
Further, you may learn some things about the Tooth Fairy, Halloween, Christmas, New Years, Valentines, and such as these that are different and even surprising. You may learn how we can serve Jesus in a way that pleases Him.
For whatever reason you are reading this we pray that the Lord will bless your search for Him - not just during the holidays but all year long as you link over to 'THE COMMAND TO 'COME OUT'.
We maintain this site for you and others because never at work or in the park or anywhere has anyone else from any other church tried to witness to us.... It is as 1 Timothy 6:16 says "Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee."
We are a very small body that loves the Lord because our path is narrow. We do not buy into the traditions of men, practice a traditional rehearsed and prepackaged worship or Bible study. The existing body meets on the first day of every week at 2 pm in our home, for an hour or two, depending on the amount of exchange, learning and fellowship where we have NO women in leadership positions during the 'worship service' portion of our gathering.
We try our best to stay on track in regard to the following format: we each take a turn to pray, sing, read scripture, preach, discuss, pray, break bread, pray, sing some more, pray, and assist the body, as able, and of course, all the while we are in fellowship. This is the very same format that you will find if you research the word for yourself.
No one knows if Aquila and Priscilla were accomplished public speakers, but we pray to be like them; diligent students of the Word who love to share it with others. We are more than willing to invest the time necessary to take anyone under our spiritual care and pour into their life the things of Christ as they did with Paul Apollos had a keen mind and a quick understanding.
And as a result of our love for Christ we have became His servants. Some of us will never be powerful preachers,
but we can be faithful students of the Word, and our home can be open to people whose hearts are hungry to hear the Word.
We may have the joyous privilege of nurturing a young Apollos, Aquila, Priscilla or Paul who someday will have a wide and powerful ministry for Jesus Christ. Both we and Aquila and Priscilla not only made a living together and grew in the Word together, they served the Lord together. We are a married senior couple each with many disabilities. Just like Aquila and Priscilla we run a very small business by the grace of God, (that supplements our fixed incomes). Our online business is the sale of seeds we collect from the plants in our yard.
We would be thrilled to learn that His simple truths are is what you are looking for and you are planning to worship the Lord with us in the North Hills suburb of Reno Nevada known as Black Springs bordering Golden Valley and Raleigh Heights.
Should you desire to attend our services and 'try us on', read, watch, and listen to all of our articles and videos, then if you agree and believe as we do, please call us or drop us an email or letter of introduction so we may give you simple directions to our home.
The Lord is our vine keeper, our solid rock, and our light to safe harbor. He is calling…. and waiting for YOU, so are we!
No one knows if Aquila and Priscilla were accomplished public speakers, but we pray to be like them; diligent students of the Word who love to share it with others. We are more than willing to invest the time necessary to take anyone under our spiritual care and pour into their life the things of Christ as they did with Paul Apollos had a keen mind and a quick understanding.
And as a result of our love for Christ we have became His servants. Some of us will never be powerful preachers,
but we can be faithful students of the Word, and our home can be open to people whose hearts are hungry to hear the Word.
We may have the joyous privilege of nurturing a young Apollos, Aquila, Priscilla or Paul who someday will have a wide and powerful ministry for Jesus Christ. Both we and Aquila and Priscilla not only made a living together and grew in the Word together, they served the Lord together. We are a married senior couple each with many disabilities. Just like Aquila and Priscilla we run a very small business by the grace of God, (that supplements our fixed incomes). Our online business is the sale of seeds we collect from the plants in our yard.
We would be thrilled to learn that His simple truths are is what you are looking for and you are planning to worship the Lord with us in the North Hills suburb of Reno Nevada known as Black Springs bordering Golden Valley and Raleigh Heights.
Should you desire to attend our services and 'try us on', read, watch, and listen to all of our articles and videos, then if you agree and believe as we do, please call us or drop us an email or letter of introduction so we may give you simple directions to our home.
The Lord is our vine keeper, our solid rock, and our light to safe harbor. He is calling…. and waiting for YOU, so are we!
If after reading this page and seeing these videos, and you live in the Greater Reno Nevada area or
are planning to travel this way and you would like to study the word of God with us
just contact us.
are planning to travel this way and you would like to study the word of God with us
just contact us.