Importance of Remembrance in Christian Worship Practices
Remembrance plays a crucial role in Christian worship practices, serving to recall God's actions, maintain spiritual diligence, and foster a right relationship with the divine. This act of remembering is not merely a mental exercise but a spiritual discipline that shapes individual faith and corporate worship.
The concept of remembrance is deeply embedded in biblical texts. In the Old Testament, Nehemiah appeals to God to "Remember me, O my God, for this thing, and wipe not out my kindnesses, which I have done relating to the house of my God and his ceremonies" [4]. This highlights a desire for God to recall human faithfulness and actions. Similarly, the Psalms speak of remembering God's "holiness" as the sum of His perfections [8]. The prophet Isaiah records God inviting His people, "Put me in remembrance," referring to His gracious promise of free remission of sins, suggesting that believers can bring God's promises to mind in prayer and plea for their fulfillment [11]. This implies a dynamic interaction where human remembrance of God's character and promises is met by divine faithfulness.
In the New Testament, remembrance continues to be a vital theme. The apostle Peter emphasizes his role as a "remembrancer" to encourage progress and perseverance in grace and holiness among believers [10]. This suggests that being reminded of spiritual truths is essential for ongoing Christian life and diligence. The act of remembering one's sins is also presented as a path to humility, a state of mind pleasing to God that preserves tranquility and fosters patience under trials [2].
The sacrificial system in the Old Testament, particularly the day of atonement, served as a "remembrance" of sins, indicating that previous expiatory sacrifices were not fully effective in atoning for past transgressions [9]. This points to the need for a more complete and final atonement, which Christians believe is found in Christ. The New Testament understanding of repentance, involving a change of mind and purpose leading to a change of life, is also linked to the remembrance of sin and the desire for remission [3].
Christian worship often incorporates elements of remembrance to connect believers with the historical acts of God and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. True worship is described as occurring "in spirit and in truth," where God's Spirit reveals His truth and reality to the worshiper, with Jesus Christ himself being the Truth [6]. This spiritual remembrance is tied to the transforming work of God's Spirit, which grants believers a new nature and expresses God's life within them [5].
The importance of remembrance extends to the cultivation of Christian virtues. Perseverance, for instance, is evidenced by continuing in the faith and holding fast to hope, maintained through the power of God and Christ's intercession [1]. Humility, a prominent Christian grace, is fostered by remembering one's sins and recognizing that it is the way to honor [2]. A forgiving spirit, which is a characteristic of true religion, is also implicitly linked to remembering God's mercy and extending it to others [7].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Perseverance — An evidence of reconciliation with God -- Col 1:21-23. An evidence of belonging to Christ -- Joh 8:31; Heb 3:6,14. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 4:18. To be manifested in Seeking God. -- 1Ch 16:11. Waiting upon god. -- Ho 12:6. Prayer. -- Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; 2Th 3:13. Continuing in the faith. -- Ac 14:22; Col 1:23; 2Ti 4:7. Holding fast hope. -- Heb 3:6. Maintained through The power of God. -- Ps 37:24; Php 1:6. The power of Christ. -- Joh 10:28. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32; Joh 17:11. The fear of God. -- Jer 32”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humility — A prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22). Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Ch”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Repentance — There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical”
- Nehemiah “Nehemiah 13:14 (DRC) — Remember me, O my God, for this thing, and wipe not out my kindnesses, which I have done relating to the house of my God and his ceremonies.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 4:24: 4:24 in spirit and in truth: One Greek preposition governs both words (literally in spirit and truth) and makes them a single concept. True worship occurs as God’s Spirit reveals God’s truth and reality to the worshiper. Jesus Christ is the Truth (14:6; cp. 14:17; 15:26).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 19:11: (Compare Pro 14:29; Pro 16:32). This inculcation of a forgiving spirit shows that true religion is always the same (Mat 5:22-24).”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 30:4: remembrance--the thing remembered or memorial. holiness--as the sum of God's perfections (compare Psa 22:3), used as name (Exo 3:15; Psa 135:13).”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 10:3: But--so far from those sacrifices ceasing to be offered (Heb 10:2). in, &c.--in the fact of their being offered, and in the course of their being offered on the day of atonement. Contrast Heb 10:17. a remembrance--a recalling to mind by the high priest's confession, on the day of atonement, of the sins both of each past year and of all former years, proving that the expiatory sacrifices of former years were not felt by men's consciences to have fully atoned for former sins; in fact, the expiation and remission were only legal and typical (Heb 10:4”
- 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 1:12: I. The importance and advantage of progress and perseverance in grace and holiness made the apostle to be very diligent in doing the work of a minister of Christ, that he might thereby excite and assist them to be diligent in the duty of Christians. If ministers be negligent in their work, it can hardly be expected that the people will be diligent in theirs; therefore Peter will not be negligent (that is, at no time or place, in no part of his work, to no part of his charge), but will be exemplarily and universally diligent, and that in the work of a remembrancer”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 43:25: Put me in remembrance,.... Of this gracious promise of free remission of sins, and of all others of the same kind; not that God ever forgets any of his promises, but he may sometimes seem to do so; wherefore he would have his people put him in mind of them, that he may by his good Spirit make a comfortable application of them to him: "let us plead together"; or come together in judgment, as God and the sinner may upon the foot of remission of sin, through the blood, sacrifice, and satisfaction of Christ; which may be pleaded, and will be allowed, in the court of just”