The Bible and the Church Service

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 28, 1912

The Bible and the Church Service

More and more the reading of the Scriptures, and for that matter their use in any form, is being crowded out of the average church service. At one time great attention was given to the reading of the Word, but little by little this is being abandoned. Regarding this the United Presbyterian of Oct. 24, 1912, makes the following excellent comments:—

In the average service the reading of the Scriptures is much neglected. A comparatively short selection is read, a selection made chiefly because of its relation to the sermon. Unhappily it is too often read as if it had not been made a previous study, read without the solemnity becoming the Holy Word and without the emphasis that gives it force. Far from this, the reading of the Scriptures should have such a place in the service as rightly belongs to the most holy worship of God.

The Scriptures are the word of God, given us to be read in the sanctuary. They are the word of life, they are the very bread of life. “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life,” said Jesus. The soul is nourished by the word. “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” As compared with the sermon, the words of the Scriptures are divine; ours at best are like ourselves.

There are two objects in the service of the sanctuary, the edification of the people and the worship of God. Of these two the devotional is the greater, and more for the soul’s benefit. In the sermon the minister speaks to the people as from God; but in the reading of the Scriptures he speaks from God in God’s own words, speaks directly as from the holy place. In the worship of God the soul draws near to God in holy reverence, and should do so as in his presence. We often hear the more devotional part of the service spoken as the preliminary service, an introduction to the sermon; whereas it is the devotional part of the worship that lifts the soul to the spirit of the holy place.

The Scriptures should be read with solemnity and reverence. “Hear ye the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel,” is the call of God as the Sacred Book is opened. It is shocking, the glibness and want of reverence with which the Scriptures are sometimes read. When read as the word of God speaking directly to the soul, or the soul speaking to God in the words which he has given, there is a divine uplift, as entering the gates of heaven. Give the Holy Word its proper place in the service, and the people will praise the Lord in his sanctuary with a new zest and power.