by Bobby L. Graham
Does Acts 2:42 give us an order for our worship on the first day of the week?
As we know from old issues of the Gospel Advocate dating from the late 1800s, a few brethren thought that this verse was a prescription for the order of worship. In other words, they insisted that there first be teaching from the New Testament, followed by the contribution (koinōnia = fellowship, partnership, doing something together), breaking bread in the Lord's Supper, and prayers—all in that specific order. I never knew anyone making such a demand but understand that a few did so in times past.
If the Lord had intended that a specific order be followed in worship, then I would be among the first to call for it. On the other hand, He has not done so. There is no indication in the passage or its context that Christ was here calling for an order of worship to be used. As F.B. Srygley said long ago, "An old Bible teacher one time said this to his class: 'To get the meaning of a passage out of the text, I call that exposition; but to stuff something into the text that is not in it, I call that imposition'" (Gospel Advocate, 8/10/1939). Brethren, we need to quit stuffing the Bible with our ideas and start stuffing ourselves with the Bible.
If "order" prevails in Acts, surely it also would exist in First Corinthians. Another way of determining that He provided no such "order of worship" in Acts 2:42 is to compare/contrast the order found in another "assembly" passage, 1 Corinthians 14. Paul makes some lessons clear in this chapter, but he notes nothing concerning the order in which different parts of their worship must be rendered. Carefully observe the order in which Paul discusses their worship activities: (1) speaking in tongues and prophesying (1-13), (2) praying (14-15a), (3) singing (15b), and tongues and prophesying are discussed in the balance of this chapter. Against that so-called order place the so-called order of Acts 2:42: (1) doctrine/teaching, (2) fellowship/contribution, (3) breaking of bread/Lord's Supper, and (4) prayers. Do you see the differences between the two "orders"?
Here are the differences: (1) Fellowship/contribution is nowhere found in the Corinthian order. (2) Singing is nowhere found in the Acts order. (3) Breaking of the bread does not appear in the Corinthian order. (4) Prayer, the last part of worship in Acts 2:42, is not the final part in Corinth. (5) Rather, tongues and prophecy are the final part at Corinth. The differences are quite remarkable.
Why do I point out such differences? It certainly is not intended to create skepticism and unbelief. Instead, it is to help us understand Luke's and Paul's intention, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit in their writings (1 Cor. 2:10-13). He simply reveals what Christians did as they came together to worship the Lord but does not prescribe an order of worship.
We know that Paul taught the same as the other apostles. Galatians 1:11-17 does not indicate a division between Paul and the other apostles over teaching or practice, but rather his independence from them in receiving revelation directly from the Lord. He taught the same faith as did they (Gal. 1:23). Neither did Paul teach a different order at Corinth from that practiced by Jerusalem in Acts 2. His teaching in every church was uniform on matters of divine revelation (1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17).
Only one conclusion may be reasonably drawn, based upon the matters just discussed. Any difference in orders observed in these two congregations must reflect a matter of judgment, not a matter of faith. Because the two "orders" were not true orders, we must conclude that neither Jerusalem nor Corinth set the pattern for the order of worship.
Friend, be assured that there is a clear pattern for being saved, worshiping God, congregational functioning on the local level, local church organization, and living a life pleasing to God. Don't waste your time trying to know more than the Lord knows or has revealed in the New Testament. By engaging in such futile attempts, you deprive yourself of spiritually productive efforts in God's service.
This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned (Titus 3:8-11).
Author Bio: Bobby actively participates in fill-in preaching, Belize trips, teaching an hour each day at Athens Bible School, and in gospel meeting work. He and his wife, Karen, have three children. He can be reached at bobbylgraham@pclnet.net.
