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Headship
And Worship
–
First Corinthians Eleven –
Paul encouraged the brethren to
follow him in faithful service to the Christ. This life would involve keeping
the ordinances as delivered by Paul to these brethren. Even though men and
women are mutually dependent upon each other in following God there is a
recognized headship. The order of headship is God, Christ, man and woman.
God instructed men that they
are not to pray or prophesy with their head covered. Neither are they to grow
long hair. He instructed the woman to have her head covered when she prays or
prophesies. But he also said her hair was given to her for a covering.
Concerning the artificial or cloth head covering Paul was dealing with a custom
of the Corinthian society, not a custom commanded by God for the church.
Sadly the church at
Paul took a quick look back at
the Lord's Supper as to how it should be observed. The bread represented our
Lord's body that was broken for us. As we eat the bread we are do this in
remembrance of Him. The cup represented His blood that was shed for us. In
proper observance of the Supper we look backward to His death and forward to
His coming!
The matter
of the head covering – I Corinthians 11:1-16: One issue that has been in the forefront of
discussion from the late 20th century until now has been the role of women in
society and in the church. Those that study the scriptures know that God says,
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is
neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians
3:28) Some try to reason from this verse to prove that there is equality, and
not headship.
I am not sure where the idea
that the veil had to do with worship came from. The text seems clear in showing
that Paul was dealing with the demeanor of Christian men and women in public.
Women would never be prophesying in the church. Paul was simply dealing with a
custom of his day and it was temporary, not permanent. Paul reasoned, "If
it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered." (I
Corinthians 11:6) He is obviously dealing with society attitudes of his day!
Headship must always be respected and it never changes. Society customs should
be respected and they may change through the years or be different in different
societies. Paul encouraged the brethren to act in harmony with the customs that
were in harmony with the principles of headship and subjection.
The Lord's Supper made
into a common meal – I Corinthians 11:17-22: The main thing in the
Christian life is to keep our focus on the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins.
This is accomplished through the Lord's Supper. Divisions and heresies in the
church at
Paul believed that some of the
brethren in
The Lord's Supper observed correctly – I Corinthians
11:23-26: These brethren had so corrupted the communion that Paul
reviewed the institution and purpose of the Supper. Jesus took bread and said,
"Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance
of me." Communion remembers the violent death of Jesus for our sins.
"After the same manner also he took the cup" or for the same purpose
he took the cup. Jesus said, "This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of
me." The New Covenant required the shedding of blood. The partaking of the
cup is for the same purpose as the partaking of the bread, to remember the
violent death of Jesus for our sins. The Lord's Supper is to be a memorial to
the Christ.
The frequency of observance of the Supper was expressed in the
phrase, "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." (I Corinthians
11:26) The Communion is to be observed once each week. (Acts 20:7, I
Corinthians. 16:1-2) Communion is to continue till the end of the world, or
until Christ comes again.
The Lord's Supper
observed incorrectly – I Corinthians 11:27-34: The character of the
person partaking is not under consideration but the manner in which it is done.
The message is, "whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the
Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord." When
we ask ourselves why we are communing we are examining ourselves in the sense
of this text.
If we eat the Lord's Supper without our minds
being on the fact that Christ's body and blood were separated for us or without
understanding that He died a violent death for us we are "eating and
drinking damnation to ourselves, not discerning the Lord's body." We must
have out heart focused on Jesus' death as we commune, otherwise we become weak,
sick and dead spiritually. If we will judge and correct ourselves in these
matters it will not be necessary for us to come under the condemnation of God's
judgment. Communion is so important that all are to commune together. Having
set in other things concerning the Lord's Supper Paul reminded the brethren
that other matters would be corrected later. It just makes sense that if we get
communion right many of the other things take care of themselves!
Will you appreciate Jesus
enough that you will receive Him as your Lord and Savior NOW? To become a
Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans
- - -
- Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer List:
2. Please Pray For: The
following people are serving in
3. Thank You: (a) We,
older members of the church enjoyed the Silver Threads Luncheon on Saturday.
Jamie, Darrell, the youth group and their parents did a wonderful job of making
us feel special. The food was delicious and the service was great. Thank you,
also for the nice fruit baskets. We love all of you. (b) Dear Walnut Street Family, Thank you all so very much for the
visits, thoughts and prayers for my mom since her accident. The flowers and
gifts were nice and we need you to continue the prayers as though she has a
very long road to recovery and her spirits are increasing slowly! Thank you all
so very much! In Christian Love, Romona
Newton for Linda Holley
4. Birthdays: December
16th Michelle Bagents, December
17th Jack Daughtry, December
19th Romona Newton, December
20th Gene Buck and Myrtle Perdue, December 21st
John Cole, Reid Daughtry and Missy Alford, and December
22nd Margaret Phillips.
5. Sign-Up List For 2008:
The lists for communion, greeters, and van drivers for 2008 are on the bulletin
board. Please sign-up now!
6.
Wedding Announcements: (a) Mr. and Mrs. Jay Rice request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter
Lindsey Nicole to Mr. Timothy Glenn Croley, Jr. on
Saturday, the twenty-second of December two thousand and seven at five o’clock
in the evening, Fort Deposit Church of Christ 204 East Rogers Street, Fort
Deposit, Alabama. There will be a Reception following at Cambrian Ridge. (b) Mr. and Mrs. Johann Wells request
the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Aimee LeAnne Wells to H. Bryant Croley,
son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Allen Croley on Saturday, the
nineteenth of January two thousand eight at two-thirty in the afternoon (eastern
standard time) Broad Street Church of Christ, 1213 Broad Street, Phenix City, Alabama.
7. The Reporter: “The
Reporter” can be view-ed on our web-site or received
by e-mail. Send your e-mail request to:
wschurchofchrist@camelliacom.com. If you receive the Reporter by mail
and would be willing to receive the e-mail version we would be grateful as
postage is so expensive. The website
address is: http:\\www.walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org.
8. Crowne Health Care: There
will not be a class at Crowne Health Care on the
Saturday after Christmas (December 29th). Our holiday party at Crowne Health Care will be at
9. Put God First: With
holiday season approaching, remember to keep God first in your giving. “Give,
and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken
together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom…” (Luke 6:38) Our
weekly budget is $6,427.38.
10. Radio Programs:
Remember to hear our programs and tell others to listen. Sunday: 95.9 at
God Be Thanked For
Reconciliation
Paul said, “…Do not be deceived. Neither
fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor
thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners
will inherit the
The
following is a poem written by Owen Cosgrove:
Sin cried out, “I’m sorry!”
Grace answered, “I forgive.”
Wrong said, “I deserve to die.”
Love said, “Repent and live.”
Guilt said, “I am torn inside.”
Truth said, “Confess and be made free.”
Life said, “I am heavy laden.”
The Lord said, “Come unto Me.”
The weary said, “Where can I go
With evil’s burden sore?”
God said, “My child, obey My
word,
And live forevermore.”
The burden
of sin, past or present, can be a weight that is strenuous to bear. But be assured, “If we confess our sins, He
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9.) However, to be heir to this promise, we all
must first be added to Christ’s church.
(Acts
- - - - Darrell Powell
A man’s body
is extremely sensitive, pat him on the back and his head will swell.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
(334-382-3001)