MIXING ACTS OF WORSHIP
Not only has there been an increase in
interest among those who advocate contemporary forms of worship, but we are
seeing churches that in the past that would never be guilty of such actions,
aspiring to be innovative more subtly. One such innovation is the practice of
mixing acts of worship. By "mixing," I mean engaging in two or more
acts of worship simultaneously.
One such common occurrence
is singing a song while partaking of the Lord's Supper.
In 1 Corinthians 14:23,
Paul speaks against such practice that would cause confusion. "If
therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with
tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they
not say that ye are mad?” And also in verse 26, " How is it then,
brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine,
hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done
unto edifying."
Some may say that
"mixing" causes no confusion at all. The Bible contains several
passages that relate to the reader the importance of our singing.
· We teach when we
sing--Colossians 3:16
· We admonish when we sing-- Colossians 3:16
· We are to sing with the understanding--1 Corinthians 14:15
What then shall we say
about our duty with respect to the Lord's Supper?
· It is a communion--1 Corinthians 10:16
· It is a memorial--1 Corinthians 11:24
· It is a proclamation--1 Corinthians 11:26
· It is an examination--1 Corinthians 11:28
Paul