An unchained melody retorted,
On 'preaching,' from what I have read, there are three Greek verbs translated 'preach.' All of them are used in reference to proclaiming the Gospel to unbelievers. (With one possible exception in an instruction to Timothy to 'preach' the word.) So when we talk about 'preaching' in the Biblical sense, we should think primarily of evangelistic proclamation to primarily unbelieving audiences, rather than a style of speaking used in church. What goes on in church is generally 'teaching' rather than 'preaching' if we look at the way the word 'preaching' is used in scripture (in English translation)
Who in the Church is saved? Do you know who and who is not saved in every congregation in existence?
Preach means;
1) to be a herald, to officiate as a herald 1a) to proclaim after the manner of a herald 1b) always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed 2) to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done 3) used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, by the apostles and other Christian teachers
LN Lexicon
When one is
preaching the Word (2 Tim 4:2) he should be doing the work of an evangelist as well (2 Tim 4:5). The Word is preached in matters of salvation and sanctification, etc. It is the Word of God that not only initially saves us, but continues its redeeming work in God’s elect. Moreover, the term carries with it the definition of one officiating as a herald. Someone is in charge!
An unchained melody retorted,
Jesus spoke in the synagogue. From what I have read from Edersheim, a Judean synagogue might have up to 7 people speaking in it in one meeting, doing things like reading scriptures, giving a discourse, translating the discourse, and explaining the discourse or translation thereof. There was apparently some forum, even in Hellenistic synagogues for commenting or disputing as we see in Acts. The synagogues at this stage were not headed by a 'rabbi' who functioned as a Jewish version of a Protestant pastor. There was the archisynagogue role, but also elders and other functionaries. But archisynagogues were apparently not pulpit hogs. Regular Jewish men in the congregation could preach sermons, though travelling rabbis were probably coveted speakers as well…. We must keep in mind, however, that the Bible does not instruct us to follow synagogue liturgy in our church meetings.
Hummmm, why such a distorted and inaccurate assessment of Jewish history? Have you read “all” of Edersheim’s,
Sketches of Jewish Social Life, or just a few paragraphs? Edersheim states;
The reading of the prophets was often followed by a sermon or address, with which the service concluded. The preacher was called "darshan," and his address a "derashah" (homily, sermon, from "darash," to ask, inquire, or discuss). When the address was a learned theological discussion— in academies— was not delivered to the people directly, but whispered into the ear of an "amora," or speaker, who explained to the multitude in popular language the weighty sayings which the Rabbi had briefly communicated to him. A more popular sermon, on the other hand, was called a "meamar," literally, a "speech, or talk." These addresses would be either Rabbinical expositions of Scripture, or else doctrinal discussions, in which appeal would be made to tradition and to the authority of certain great teachers. For it was laid down as a principle (Eduj. i. 3), that "every one is bound to teach in the very language of his teacher."
Edersheim and others reveal that the Christian Church (CC) was inhabited by converted Jews and even Jewish leaders that brought much of the Jewish tradition into the worship of the CC. Although there are differences, there are also similarities. A synagogue service in the times of Christ was made up of five parts. Selected individuals would read (at different times); (1) The Shema’ – two opening blessings for morning and evening, one closing blessing for morning and two for evening, (2) The Prayer (
Shemónéh ‘esréh), (3) The Torah, reading of the law, (4) The Prophets, parallel to the pericopic reading of Torah is a pericopic reading from the Prophets, and (5) The Scripture Lesson (the sermon). Even by the time of Christ, the exposition of Scripture was part of the synagogal liturgy (Matthew 4:23; Mark 1:21; 6:2). The five-part service included prayers, psalm-singing, blessings, readings from the Scriptures, and commentaries on the sacred passages. Each synagogue had as its leader the "head of synagogue" (Mark 5:22). The leader presided over the services in the synagogue. Can we say there is some overlap with the present day church? Moreover, some early Christian worship may have been carried on within the synagogue; for James implies that the Christian community to whom it was written was still worshipping there;
James 1:1-2 My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing;
James does not mention the format change of the service that would have been run by a Jew! Your view asserts that there was no real church in OT times and sees that “all” OT worship of the true and living God as false worship.
An unchained melody retorted,
I Corinthians 14 contains the most detailed instructions on how to conduct ourselves in the parts of our meetings where there is speaking….. In a meeting of the church in Acts 15, the church came together to consider a certain matter.
And may we ask why 1 Cor 14 was written? Was it to commend the Corinthians for having such an accurate form of worship that they should not change it? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/drop.gif" alt="" /> Is it not in this chapter that Paul writes, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (vs 33) and “Let all things be done decently and in order” (vs 40)? I wonder why? You had better re-read Acts 15, they were not having a church service!!! A Worship service is conducted differently then a mere meeting.
An unchained melody retorted,
I do not doubt that the three-point sermon is very ancient.
And who here stated anything about a 3 point sermon. We believe, at least most of us, in exegetical preaching of the Word of God. This may contain several points. However, there is nothing unbiblical about a one point, two point, or three point sermon in and of themselves.
As far as your tongues devotional that is being covered in another set of posts and thus I will entertain them later in the appropriate place. But, I did receive a Word of Knowledge that says that you should not post anymore. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/Eeeeeek.gif" alt="" />
