Volume 47 Number 12 August 2005
In the previous article, we began looking at why the apostle Paul exhorted his son in the faith: “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” (1 Timothy 4:13, KJV) We have seen from the Old Testament how important it was for God’s people to hear His Word read publicly, and when we come to the New Testament we are impressed again with the importance of reading the Word of God to His chosen people.
In the synagogue of the Jews, the reading of the Holy Scriptures was central to their public meeting. “For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.” (Acts 15:21) “For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning [him].” (Acts 13:27) Reading and hearing are only part of communication; the hearer must also be receptive to the truth. Concerning his Jewish brethren, Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3:15, “But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.” Our Creator expects us to understand Him when we hear Him. Let us remove the veil of unbelief and any other evil thinking that would keep us from receiving with meekness His engrafted Word! (James 1:21)After the reading of the Law and the Prophets in the synagogue, the meeting was then open to the public exhortations of the brethren, usually based upon what was just read from the Word of God. (Acts 13:15) A similar method is used today in the church when the Scripture reading is determined by the subject of the lesson. While our comments on the Bible are important to make the passage clear, let us always put more emphasis on what God says so all can plainly hear that our faith is based on the wisdom of God, and not our own.
How beautiful to read that when our blessed Savior was here on earth, He took His turn in the synagogue to read the Scriptures. “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” (Luke 4:16) Once again, Jesus sets a perfect example for us to follow. What an honor to read the Holy Scriptures in the congregation of the saints!God’s synagogue today is the local congregation of the Lord’s church (James 2:2 - assembly). Brethren today may certainly read and profit from the Old Testament when we are assembled in the church, but the inspired New Testament writings should always be counted as the most applicable for learning more about our life in Christ.
Notice the importance of Paul’s letters to the churches: He wrote them as though they would be read to the assembly. “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:4) Direct commands were given that his letters be read to the church. “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the [epistle] from Laodicea.” (Colossians 4:16) Again in 1Thessalonians 5:27, “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.” The words of an Apostle are the Word of God, and should always be be proclaimed in the midst of the assembly! (1 Corinthians 14:37)It is indeed a sweet privilege for a child of God to take his part in this assembly! Participation in the task of edifying the Body when she comes together is one of the most blessed works a man can do here on earth. When we are given an assignment on the program, whatever the duty may be, we should do it with all our might in an edifying way, as unto the Lord!
When we have a new convert to Christ, his first assignment on the program is often the Scripture reading. Because this portion of the assembly does not require the same level of knowledge and ability as presenting a lesson or talk, public reading can sometimes be treated as unimportant. But in view of all we know about reading God’s Word, how can we ever consider His inspired Word as something trivial, or as anything less important than our own thoughts and words in a lesson or prayer?The Scripture reading, or opening lesson, is vital! It is a time when we ought to pay close attention to the Word of God. It is not a time for reading poems, fables, jokes, or the latest email forward. What we write will not last forever, but God’s Word will! “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)
Here are a few guidelines for us to keep in mind when reading God’s Word in the assembly:We read in Revelation 5:4 how John “wept much, because no
man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to
look thereon.” See how important the Word of God is? We
ought to be thankful that we have the grand privilege to read
and hear what our Creator says to us, and to cry if we cannot
hear what He says. Let us all treat the Word of God with the
honor and respect it deserves. Reading God’s Word is not to
be a filler in our assembly, it is our Lord speaking to His Body!