TSW ~ E.W. King: "The Mystery of Liturgical Worship." ~ TSW

Ancient Antiochene

Mysteries

Part Fifty-three

“The Mystery of Liturgical Worship.”

By presbyter Eric William King (November 18^th 2024)

“Why go to church? I get nothing out of it.” This is what many people feel today. Today’s Christian churches are basically people getting together to sing songs with lyrics that constantly repeat the same sentence over and over again. As people begin to sway back and forth and many raise their hands. They call this worship.

The ancient Christian church would not recognize this form of worship. Also, in today’s churches we see that the pulpit, from which the minister speaks, is front and center on the “stage” or platform - the speaker becomes the focus and center. Again, the ancient Christian church would not recognize this form of worship.

Many pastors don’t even use a pulpit, they simply walk and dance around as they speak. The ancient Christians would not recognize this type of worship. At today’s Christian “worship services” church business is openly discussed, money transactions, fund raisers are brought up. In today’s Christian churches people judge each other on how they dress. Fashion contests in the Church of God. The ancient Christians wouldn’t stand for this.

In today’s churches gossip “out loud” and business talk abounds in the sanctuary just before “worship” begins. Some argue that “visitors” came in and took their pews. We could go on and on about the stuff going on in the churches. The point is we need to ask ourselves; “Is this type of behavior really true worship?”

Apostle Paul states that everything in God’s church must be done “orderly”. Our focus should be on the presence of God. The presence of God in the midst of many. All should be in reverent awe. There should really be no talking in the sanctuary before worship begins or after. People can talk outside the sanctuary, in the “outer court”. If you are worshiping in your homes the room that you are using should remain silent after service is announced.

Prayer with the eyes closed or focused - we find a mental state leading into communion with God. Inner thankfulness, inner forgiveness received and given, prayers on healing, etc. A time to focus on God alone amongst brothers and sisters in Christ. As far as music goes the lyrical proclamations and stories told in the older hymns are meditative. The older Lutheran hymns are favored along with ancient Lutheran chants and some Orthodox chants. This allows for true Christian trance into prayer to occur.

As we hear His word and meditate on His ways, we may experience what Apostle Peter experienced along with the other Apostles. Apostle Peter was sometimes allowed by God to enter “trance” (Acts 10:10; Acts 11:5; Acts 22:17). The Greek word for “trance” used here is “ekstasis”, we get the word “ecstatic” from it. It has different levels of experience but we could say that one of these is to be in communion with God while in prayer or in thought - and the mind becomes less aware of the persons physical presence and a sort of deep “day-dreaming” occurs in a rapturous experience of God’s existence.

Liturgical worship is true worship and is necessary to get the true ancient Christian experience. As true Christians we are “not of this world”. True worship lifts us out of this world, it does not bring the world into the church. As Ancient Antiochene Christians we try and find a somewhat conservative Lutheran church or other protestant church which is more liturgical in their worship style. True worship connects us to God and gives us relationship experiences.

Try closing your eyes when the sermon is spoken. Listen intently to what God might have you know. When singing the liturgy, picture your Lord. Remember His healing process in your life. In the ancient Antiochene Church of God we have the presence of God over the alter of worship which usually has two candles on it and the Word of God.

It is during these experiences that God may reveal a new-truth or understanding of His word to you. These moments may include memories, visions, ideas or revelations. Epiphanies and enlightenment happen during such episodes. These experiences are sometimes less “deep” than at other times but they are none-the-less very important steps in our relationship with God. Even during the day while standing someplace or sitting we may encounter a small “God episode”. The God Family [Trinity] is always there to talk to and to listen to.

Taking the Lord’s Supper is very important and also receiving weekly absolution - the church as a whole receiving forgiveness and reconciliation. Also, Jesus Christ is forever connected to His humanity. Christ’s human nature after the resurrection has been exalted above every other created person or thing and he did not get rid of His human nature but keeps it into eternity. He has two natures but only Himself, one person existing within the two. This means when He says; “Take eat this IS my body” He is sharing the fact that He became one of us. He shares in our humanity at the Lord’s Table.

So, the next time that you drink from the cup of salvation, remember these things. The Lord’s Supper is an affirmation of the incarnation of God. Every time we take it we are confessing that “The word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) We remember what our salvation costed.

Here at “The Shepherds Way” and “Nugget of Truth” I teach what I call Ancient Antiochene Christianity. I do not try and prop-up any Christian denomination or “independent” church. My goal is to teach true Christianity testing everything by the Word of God and historical facts.

Part of my mission is to get Bible readers (students) to see and sense their own belief system, become conscious of “why” and “what” they may believe in. Today’s Christians have many more questions than you might think. I welcome all to share their intellectual and spiritual gifts.

We are learning about true worship.

This is most certainly true.

Eric William King (November 18^th 2024)

NOTE: Ancient Antiochene Christians also enjoy some modern Christian music. We believe that the Church in worship should remain liturgical and hymnal-traditional. There is a time and place for certain Christian music.

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