Let all things be done for edification… Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14.26, 40

1 Clement 40
Clement of Rome (fl. ca. 90-100 AD)
“These things therefore being manifest to us, and since we look into the depths of the divine knowledge, it behoves us to do all things in [their proper] order, which the Lord has commanded us to perform at stated times. He has enjoined offerings [to be presented] and service to be performed [to Him], and that not thoughtlessly or irregularly, but at the appointed times and hours. Where and by whom He desires these things to be done, He Himself has fixed by His own supreme will, in order that all things being piously done according to His good pleasure, may be acceptable to Him.”

What Paul had taught about worship and how it should be conducted applies as well to every aspect of the life of a church. God has appointed certain people to lead, and He has gifted and called them, in proper order, to do so; and others are called to submit and serve. This is “acceptable to Him” – and we note how Clement employs this phrase, which he used at the beginning to teach the believers to commit to good works, to address the specific problem in Corinth, namely, the need for church members to respect God’s order for the church. By learning to do good and be acceptable to God as a daily practice, they would learn to do what is right and good, and be acceptable to God in their corporate life of order in the church. Such order conduces to mutual edification and the building-up of the Body of Christ.

Do the people of your church understand the order by which you worship God, appoint leaders, make decisions, and carry out the ministries of the church? How are these things inculcated in the members of your congregation?

T. M. Moore

A Biblical Introduction to Worship
God alone is able to prescribe the forms and types we should use when we come to Him in worship. Our book, The Highest Thing, offers a series of brief studies and meditations introducing a Biblical theology of worship. There is a pattern to sound worship, and it derives from the teaching of God in His Word. The more we learn and follow this pattern, the more we may expect our worship to be “acceptable to Him.” Order your copy of The Highest Thing by clicking here.

Worship in the Christian Worldview
In our course, One in Twelve: Introduction to Christian Worldview, we explain the role of worship in the life of the church, and introduce what is known as the regulative principle of worship. There’s no charge for this course, and all the course materials are free. In 12 diagrams you will gain a perspective and overall grasp of the 1 worldview that can change the world. Click here to register. Here’s a great opportunity for you and your leaders to get on the same page for a vision of the Kingdom that could change your lives and your church.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.