7M. Worship in the Household

What did Christians do in these house-churches [Households of Faith], most of which were just ordinary homes? Vivid descriptions have come down to us, of a preacher at Smyrna for example, of the Eucharist in Rome, of Baptism in Carthage, and so on. We must not think that Christians did things in the same way everywhere. But as we mention one place and another we shall be seeing real scenes, meeting real people, and catching something of the spirit of these house churches. We must also be careful not to imagine the Early Church as altogether good. These samples which we shall look at now are good ones, but later we shall come upon problems, failures, mistakes, divisions. As Christ Himself said, there were "weeds among the wheat" (Matthew 13.25).(2)

Household of Faith Worship

Justin describes the worship in house churches: "On the day called Sunday, there is a meeting for all in one place, according to the city or countryside where one lives. The Memoirs of the Apostles (i.e. the Gospels), or the writings of the Prophets, are read as long as there is time. When the reader has finished, the President, in a sermon, calls us to imitate these good things. Then we all stand and pray." Justin calls the leader of the worship "president" because non-Christians might not understand special words such as "bishop" or "presbyter".(2)

The three items mentioned: reading of Scripture, a sermon based on the reading, and prayers (which were said standing), follow the custom of the synagogue. Justin names the New Testament lesson as being from the Gospels (and puts this first), and the Old Testament lesson as an alternative, from the Prophets. (2)

Bible Exposition

While the attendants stand ready for their ministry and there is silence, the president gives an allegorical exposition of Holy Scriptures, and then the president rises and sings a hymn to God, a new or an old one. All the others make their turn, listening in silence except for the closing refrains, when all, men and women, lift their voices. After the hymns, the young men bring in portable tables with bread, salt, and water, although some will laugh, there is neither wine nor meat. While most eat leavened bread seasoned with salt mixed with hyssop, the simplest and purest food is reserved for their superiors, unleavened bread with salt unmixed. After supper there is an all night vigil. (7)

Choirs Singing Hymns

Standing in the refectory, they form choirs, one of men and one of women, singing hymns to God, sometimes antiphonally, keeping time with hands and feet rapt with enthusiasm. Then they mix and become a single choir, a copy of the one of old by the Red Sea, where a command of God made the sea a source of salvation to one party, of perdition to the other. The ancient choir sang hymns of thanksgiving to God their Saviour, the men led by the prophet Moses, the women by the prophetess Miriam. (7)

Sit to Worship

The Corinthian Christians sat during worship (1 Corinthians 14:30), although those eating meals in the temple reclined (1 Corinthians 8:10). Both Smith and Lampe observe that when a latecomer arrives at Lucian's Symposium, he is offered a place to sit (which he declines). The larger numbers must have meant that Christians did not have enough space (for all) to recline during the meal. (7)

Questions for Discussion

1. What elements of New Testament worship have come down to us today?

2. Do we have an equivalent in our worship of the praise times of Moses and Miriam?

Bibliography

"You are fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household." Ephesians 2.19

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