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Christian Worship
Christian worship. Justin Martyr was a pagan philosopher of the second century who came to embrace the Christian faith and wrote vigorously as an apologist in defense of the gospel. CHRISTIAN WORSHIP At the end of the prayers, we greet one another with a kiss. Then the president of the brethren is brought bread and a cup of wine mixed with water; and he takes them, and offers up praise and glory to the father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and gives thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at his hands. When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their joyful assent by saying "Amen" ("Amen" means "so be it" in Hebrew) . . . Then those whom we call deacons give to each of those present the bread and the wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and carry away a portion to those who are absent. We call this food "Eucharist," which no one is allowed to share unless he or she believes that the things which we teach are true, and has been washed with the washing that is for remission of sins unto a second birth, and living as Christ commanded . . . For the apostles, in the memoirs called Gospels composed by them, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them: that Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, said, "This do in remembrance of me, this is my body"; and that, in a similar way, having taken the cup and given thanks, he said, "This is my blood"; and gave it to them alone. - Justin Martyr (100?-165) from the FIRST APOLOGY, as collected in EERDMANS' BOOK OF CHRISTIAN CLASSICS: A TREASURY OF CHRISTIAN WRITINGS THROUGH THE CENTURIES, compiled by Veronica Zundel, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985, p. 12. [If early Christian documents are of interest to you, may I suggest that you take a look at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library at www.ccel.org. You will find a huge collection of writings dealing with theology and church history. When you get to the home page, click on "Church Fathers" or "Classics" in the left-hand column.] Have a great week. Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky carlstam@aol.com www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu |