The Church-Blood Connection and True Worship

Steven J. Wallace
10/23/24 - Bible Study Material

Presenting the Church-Blood Connection and True Worship

1. The Church’s Connection to Christ’s Blood

• Question: "Do you believe the blood of Christ is essential for salvation?"
• Question: "Did you know the church is described in Scripture as being purchased with Christ’s blood?"
• Scripture Reference: Acts 20:28 (NKJV):

"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."

• Point to Emphasize: If the church was purchased by Christ’s blood, it holds essential value in God's plan for salvation.

2. True Worship in Spirit and Truth

• Question: "If Christ’s blood purchased the church, wouldn’t He also give specific instructions on how the church should worship?"
• Scripture Reference: John 4:24 (NKJV):

"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

• Scripture Reference: John 17:17 (NKJV):

"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."

• Point to Emphasize: Worship must be done according to God’s truth, as defined by His Word, not by human preference.

3. Leviticus 9: Success in Worship

• Scripture Reference: Leviticus 9:23-24 (NKJV):

"Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar."

• Point: When the Israelites followed God’s instructions precisely, God accepted their worship by consuming the offering with fire. This illustrates that God’s acceptance of worship is based on obedience to His commands.

4. Leviticus 10: Failure in Worship

• Scripture Reference: Leviticus 10:1-2 (NKJV):

"Then Nadab and Abihu… offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord."

• Point: Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized worship ("strange fire"), and instead of God consuming the offering, He consumed the worshipers. This shows the seriousness of worshiping exactly as God commands.

5. Connection: the Rejection of Worship in Amos

• Scripture Reference: Amos 5:21-22 (NKJV):

"I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them."

• Scripture Reference: Amos 4:4-5 (NKJV):

"Come to Bethel and transgress, At Gilgal multiply transgression… Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, Proclaim and announce the freewill offerings—For this you love, You children of Israel!"

• Point: In Amos, God rejected worship that the people loved because it was done in ways He had not commanded. This shows that worship must align with God’s will, not personal preference.

6. Worship in the New Testament: Vocal and Heartfelt

• Scripture Reference: Ephesians 5:19 (NKJV):

"Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."

• Scripture Reference: Colossians 3:16 (NKJV):

"Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

• Point: The New Testament commands vocal worship (singing) without mechanical instruments. Worship must be in line with God's instructions, much like in the Old Testament examples.
• Question: "If the church was purchased by Christ’s blood and worship must be done in spirit and truth, wouldn’t it be important to investigate if our worship today aligns with the New Testament pattern?"

7. A Challenge to Investigate the Church of Christ

• Question: "If God was so precise about how worship should be done in the Old Testament, wouldn’t He also have specific instructions for us today under the new covenant?"
• The church of Christ follows the New Testament pattern for worship and organization:
  • Simplicity of worship (singing, prayer, teaching, communion, giving).
  • Baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), adding one to the church.
  • The structure of the church (autonomous congregations with elders and deacons).