01 Chapter Scripture

i # Chapter 1: Scripture - What the Bible Says About Meeting Structure

Overview

This chapter examines what the Bible itself says about meeting structure, the Lord’s Supper, and participatory worship. As the foundational authority in the SCAR Quadrilateral, Scripture provides the primary source for understanding how Christians should gather together.

Key Principle: All other components (Christocentrism, Antiquity, Reality) must align with Scripture. If Scripture is clear, that takes precedence. If Scripture is ambiguous, we look to the other components for guidance.

PART 1: THE LORD’S SUPPER IN SCRIPTURE

1. Institution: The Last Supper

Matthew 26:26-29:

“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’”

Mark 14:22-25:

“And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’”

Luke 22:19-20:

“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’”

Key Observations:

Institution: Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper during the Last Supper (Passover meal)
Command: “Do this in remembrance of me” - Active participation required
Elements: Bread and wine (cup)
Purpose: Remembrance of Christ’s death
Covenant: “New covenant in my blood”
Future: “Until that day when I drink it new with you”

Implications:

Lord’s Supper is commanded - “Do this”
Purpose is remembrance - “In remembrance of me”
Active participation - “Do this” not “watch this”
Regular practice - Implied by “do this”

2. Early Church Practice: Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:42-47:

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.”

Key Observations:

“Day by day” - Very frequent (daily)
“Breaking bread in their homes” - House-based
“Apostles’ teaching” - Teaching included
“Fellowship” - Community aspect
“Prayers” - Prayer included
“Glad and generous hearts” - Participatory, joyful
All together - “All who believed were together”

Questions:

Was “breaking bread” the Lord’s Supper daily?
Was teaching part of the same meeting or separate?
Was this one integrated meeting or multiple activities?

Analysis:

The text suggests an integrated experience: teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayers all mentioned together
“Day by day” suggests frequent, possibly daily Lord’s Supper
House-based setting suggests intimate, participatory gatherings
Conclusion: Appears to be integrated, not separated

3. First Day of the Week: Acts 20:7

Acts 20:7-12:

“On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, ‘Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.’ And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed.”

Key Observations:

“Gathered together to break bread” - Primary purpose stated
“On the first day of the week” - Sunday meeting
“Paul talked with them” - Teaching happened
“Prolonged his speech until midnight” - Extended teaching
“Talked still longer” - Continued teaching
“Conversed with them a long while” - Extended discussion
Teaching and breaking bread in same gathering

Questions:

Was Paul’s teaching part of the breaking bread meeting?
Or did they break bread, then have separate teaching?
The text suggests it was the same meeting (teaching happened during/after breaking bread)

Analysis:

Primary purpose: “to break bread”
But teaching happened in that same gathering
Conclusion: Appears integrated - breaking bread meeting included teaching

4. Paul’s Teaching: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

1 Corinthians 11:17-22:

“But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.”

1 Corinthians 11:23-26:

“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

1 Corinthians 11:27-34:

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment.”

Key Observations:

“When you come together” - Regular gathering
“It is not the Lord’s supper that you eat” - They were doing it wrong
Problem: Divisions, selfishness, some going hungry, others getting drunk
Solution: “Wait for one another” - Mutual care and unity
“Do this in remembrance of me” - Primary purpose is remembrance
“Proclaim the Lord’s death” - Telling the story
“As often as you” - Regular practice
Self-examination required - “Let a person examine himself”
“Wait for one another” - Mutual care, not selfishness

Implications:

Lord’s Supper requires mutual care (“wait for one another”)
Unity is essential - Divisions are wrong
Reverence is required - Self-examination before partaking
Remembrance is primary - “Do this in remembrance of me”
Regular practice - “As often as you”
Proclaiming the story - “Proclaim the Lord’s death”

PART 2: PARTICIPATORY WORSHIP IN SCRIPTURE

1. The “Each One Has” Pattern: 1 Corinthians 14:26

1 Corinthians 14:26:

“What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a psalm, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.”

Key Observations:

“When you come together” - Same phrase as 1 Corinthians 11:20
“Each one has” - Participatory pattern
Various contributions: Psalm, lesson, revelation, tongue, interpretation
Purpose: “For building up” - Mutual edification
All can contribute - Not just one person

Critical Question: Is this the same meeting as the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11) or a different meeting?

Arguments for Same Meeting:

Same phrase: “When you come together”
Same letter, same church
Could be different aspects of same gathering

Arguments for Different Meeting:

Different focus: 11 = meal/remembrance, 14 = worship/edification
Different problems addressed
Could be separate gatherings

Implication: The text is ambiguous. It could be the same meeting or different meetings. But Paul clearly describes a participatory pattern where “each one has” something to contribute.

2. Order and Structure: 1 Corinthians 14:27-40

1 Corinthians 14:27-33:

“If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting nearby, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”

1 Corinthians 14:34-35:

“The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.”

1 Corinthians 14:36-40:

“Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order.”

Key Observations:

Order is required - “In turn,” “one by one”
Limits - “Two or three,” “at most three”
Interpretation required - For tongues
Weighing required - For prophecy
“All can prophesy one by one” - Participatory but ordered
“God is not a God of confusion” - Order is essential
“Decently and in order” - Final instruction
Gender roles - Women keep silent (controversial, context-dependent)

Implications:

Participation is encouraged - “Each one has”
But order is required - “In turn,” “one by one”
Limits are good - “Two or three”
All things for building up - Purpose is edification
Not confusion - Order prevents chaos

3. Mutual Participation: Ephesians 5:19-20

Ephesians 5:18-21:

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Key Observations:

“Addressing one another” - Mutual, not one-way
“Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” - Various forms
“Singing and making melody” - Participatory worship
“Giving thanks” - Gratitude
“Submitting to one another” - Mutual submission

Implications:

Mutual participation - “Addressing one another”
Various forms - Psalms, hymns, spiritual songs
Participatory worship - All involved
Mutual submission - Not hierarchy

4. Teaching and Admonishing One Another: Colossians 3:16

Colossians 3:16:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Key Observations:

“Teaching and admonishing one another” - Mutual teaching
“One another” - Reciprocal, not one-way
“Singing psalms and hymns” - Participatory worship
“With thankfulness” - Gratitude

Implications:

Mutual teaching - “Teaching and admonishing one another”
Reciprocal - Not just one person teaching
Participatory worship - All involved
Thankfulness - Gratitude in worship

5. Mutual Exhortation: Hebrews 10:24-25

Hebrews 10:24-25:

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Key Observations:

“Stir up one another” - Mutual encouragement
“Not neglecting to meet together” - Regular gathering
“Encouraging one another” - Mutual edification
“All the more” - Increasing importance

Note: While Hebrews authorship is debated, it’s traditionally attributed to Paul or his circle, and reflects Pauline theology.

Implications:

Mutual encouragement - “Stir up one another”
Regular gathering - “Not neglecting to meet together”
Mutual edification - “Encouraging one another”
Increasing importance - “All the more”

PART 3: THE CRITICAL QUESTION: SAME MEETING OR DIFFERENT?

1. The Ambiguity: 1 Corinthians 11 vs. 14

1 Corinthians 11:20:

“When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.”

1 Corinthians 14:26:

“What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a psalm, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.”

The Question: Are these describing the same meeting or different meetings?

Arguments for Same Meeting:

Same phrase: “When you come together” used in both
Same letter: Addressed to same church
Logical flow: 1 Corinthians 11 addresses Lord’s Supper abuse, then 1 Corinthians 14 addresses worship order - could be same gathering
Context: Both address problems in Corinthian assemblies

Arguments for Different Meetings:

Different focus: Chapter 11 = meal abuse, Chapter 14 = worship order
Different problems: 11 = social/meal issues, 14 = spiritual gifts/order
Different solutions: 11 = wait/eat at home, 14 = orderly participation
Possible sequence: Could be Lord’s Supper first, then participatory worship after

Key Insight: The text doesn’t explicitly state whether they’re the same or different. Both use “when you come together,” which could mean:

Same meeting (Lord’s Supper + participatory worship together)
Different meetings (Lord’s Supper meeting vs. participatory worship meeting)
Same day, different times

Conclusion: The biblical text is ambiguous. It could support either integration or separation, depending on interpretation.

2. Evidence for Integration

Acts 2:42-47:

Teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayers all mentioned together
“Day by day” - integrated experience
Conclusion: Appears integrated

Acts 20:7:

“Gathered together to break bread” - primary purpose
“Paul talked with them” - teaching in same gathering
Conclusion: Appears integrated

1 Corinthians 11 & 14:

Both say “when you come together”
Could be same meeting
Conclusion: Could be integrated

3. Evidence for Separation

1 Corinthians 11:

Focus on meal/Lord’s Supper
Addresses meal abuse
Conclusion: Could be separate

1 Corinthians 14:

Focus on participatory worship
Addresses spiritual gifts/order
Conclusion: Could be separate

Different Problems:

Chapter 11 = social/meal issues
Chapter 14 = worship order issues
Conclusion: Could be different meetings

PART 4: KEY BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES

1. Love is the Foundation

1 Corinthians 13:1-3:

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

1 Corinthians 13:13:

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Implication: Love is the foundation of all meeting structure. Without love, participation means nothing.

2. Unity is Essential

1 Corinthians 1:10:

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”

1 Corinthians 11:17-18:

“But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you.”

Implication: Unity is essential. Divisions are wrong. Meeting structure must promote unity, not division.

3. Mutual Care is Required

1 Corinthians 11:21-22:

“For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing?”

1 Corinthians 11:33:

“So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.”

Implication: Mutual care is required. “Wait for one another” - care for others, not selfishness.

4. Remembrance is Primary

Luke 22:19:

“Do this in remembrance of me.”

1 Corinthians 11:24-26:

“Do this in remembrance of me… For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Implication: Remembrance is primary. The Lord’s Supper is commanded for remembrance of Christ’s death.

5. Mutual Edification is Important

1 Corinthians 14:26:

“Let all things be done for building up.”

1 Corinthians 14:31:

“For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged.”

Implication: Mutual edification is important. Participation should build up the body.

6. Order is Required

1 Corinthians 14:33:

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”

1 Corinthians 14:40:

“But all things should be done decently and in order.”

Implication: Order is required. Participation must be structured, not chaotic.

PART 5: SUMMARY OF BIBLICAL TEACHING

Key Findings

Lord’s Supper is commanded - “Do this in remembrance of me”
Remembrance is primary - Focus on Christ’s death
Mutual care is required - “Wait for one another”
Unity is essential - No divisions
Participation is encouraged - “Each one has”
Order is required - “Decently and in order”
Building up is the purpose - “For building up”
Love is the foundation - Without love, nothing matters

The Ambiguity

The Bible doesn’t explicitly say:

Whether Lord’s Supper and participatory worship must be integrated or separated
Whether 1 Corinthians 11 and 14 describe the same meeting or different meetings
What the exact structure should be

What the Bible does say:

Both are important
Both should be practiced
Both require love, unity, and mutual care
Both should build up the body

Implications

For Meeting Structure:

Must allow reverent remembrance (Lord’s Supper)
Must enable mutual edification (participatory worship)
Must promote love and unity
Must maintain order
Must build up the body

For Decision-Making:

Since Scripture is ambiguous on integration vs. separation, we look to:
- Christocentrism - What did Jesus teach?
- Antiquity - What did early church do?
- Reality - What works in practice?
But love and unity must guide all decisions

CONCLUSION: THE SCRIPTURAL TEST

For any meeting structure, ask:

“Does this align with biblical teaching?”

“Does it:

Allow remembrance? (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
Enable mutual edification? (1 Corinthians 14:26)
Promote love? (1 Corinthians 13)
Preserve unity? (1 Corinthians 1:10, 11:17-18)
Enable mutual care? (1 Corinthians 11:33)
Maintain order? (1 Corinthians 14:40)
Build up the body? (1 Corinthians 14:26)

If not, it needs adjustment.

The ultimate test: Does this structure help us remember Christ’s death, build up one another, and maintain love and unity?

If yes, it’s good. If no, it needs to change.

Remember: Scripture is somewhat ambiguous on the exact structure, but clear on the principles: love, unity, remembrance, mutual edification, order. Structure must serve these principles.

“Do this in remembrance of me.” - Jesus (Luke 22:19)

“Let all things be done for building up.” - Paul (1 Corinthians 14:26)

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” - Paul (1 Corinthians 13:13)