The Role of Community in Christian Worship Practices
The concept of community is central to Christian worship, reflecting both the nature of God and the intended experience of believers. The Greek word ecclesia, translated as "church" in the New Testament, signifies an assembly or gathering, emphasizing the communal aspect of faith [3]. This communal dimension is evident in various aspects of Christian worship, from shared fellowship to mutual edification and the celebration of sacraments.
The New Testament highlights the importance of believers gathering together. The early church, as described in Acts, was characterized by its devotion to apostolic teaching, fellowship (koinōnia), sharing, joy, and praise [10]. This koinōnia signifies a close mutual relationship and participation in life together [10]. Such fellowship is not merely social interaction but a spiritual communion, encompassing believers' relationship with God, with Christ, and with one another [1]. The Apostle John emphasizes this, stating that "our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ" and that "if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another" (1 John 1:3, 7).
Worship practices inherently involve this communal aspect. Public and social worship are noted as contexts where the communion of saints is evident, with Christ himself promising his presence "where two or three are gathered in my name" (Matthew 18:20) [2]. The Psalms also speak to this, with calls to "magnify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together" (Psalm 34:3) and references to walking "to the house of God with the throng, with shouts of joy and praise among the festive multitude" (Psalm 55:14) [2]. The author of Hebrews exhorts believers not to neglect "meeting together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another" (Hebrews 10:25) [2].
One of the most significant communal worship practices is the Lord's Supper, also known as Communion. This sacrament is explicitly called "Communion" because it fosters fellowship between Christ and his disciples, and among the disciples themselves [1]. Paul writes, "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf" (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). This passage underscores the unity and shared identity of believers in Christ through this communal meal [2].
Beyond formal worship, the community plays a vital role in the spiritual growth and well-being of individual believers. The Bible encourages mutual support and edification within the Christian community. Believers are called to "share with the saints who are in need" and "practice hospitality" (Romans 12:13) [4]. This extends to practical care, such as praying for one another (2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:18), offering exhortation (Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 10:25), providing mutual comfort and edification (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11), and demonstrating mutual sympathy and kindness (Romans 12:15; Ephesians 4:32) [2]. These actions are not merely good deeds but expressions of the shared life in Christ.
The concept of a "new spirit" and "one heart" given by God to his people (Ezekiel 11:19) suggests a divinely initiated unity that fosters communal worship and life [8]. This unity is further developed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to "grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ" by "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15) [9]. This growth is not solitary but occurs within the context of the body of Christ, where each member contributes to the whole. The "new nature" of a believer, empowered by God's Spirit, expresses itself within the community, leading to transformation and the fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:24; Galatians 5:22-23) [6].
The importance of community also extends to the ethical and moral dimensions of Christian life, which are intrinsically linked to worship. A heart that is "right with God and with others" is essential for acceptable sacrifices (Psalm 51:19) [5]. This implies that worship is not merely an individual act but is affected by one's relationships within the community. The inculcation of a forgiving spirit, for instance, is presented as a consistent aspect of true religion, connecting interpersonal reconciliation with worship (Proverbs 19:11; Matthew 5:22-24) [7].
The early church's communal life was a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel. Their devotion to fellowship, sharing, and praise resulted in the Lord continually adding to their number those who were being saved [10]. This demonstrates that the communal aspect of Christian worship is not merely an organizational structure but a vital expression of faith that contributes to evangelism and the expansion of God's kingdom. The "communion of saints" extends to those in heaven as well, creating a broader sense of community that transcends earthly boundaries (Hebrews 12:22-24) [2].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Communion — Fellowship with God (Gen. 18:17-33; Ex. 33:9-11; Num. 12:7, 8), between Christ and his people (John 14:23), by the Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14; Phil. 2:1), of believers with one another (Eph. 4:1-6). The Lord's Supper is so called (1 Cor. 10:16, 17), because in it there is fellowship between Christ and his disciples, and of the disciples with one another.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion of Saints — According to the prayer of Christ -- Joh 17:20,21. Is with God. -- 1Jo 1:3. Saints in heaven. -- Heb 12:22-24. Each other. -- Ga 2:9; 1Jo 1:3,7. God marks, with his approval -- Mal 3:16. Christ is present in -- Mt 18:20. In public and social worship -- Ps 34:3; 55:14; Ac 1:14; Heb 10:25. In the Lord's supper -- 1Co 10:17. In holy conversation -- Mal 3:16. In prayer for each other -- 2Co 1:11; Eph 6:18. In exhortation -- Col 3:16; Heb 10:25. In mutual comfort and edification -- 1Th 4:18; 5:11. In mutual sympathy and kindness -- Ro 12:15; Eph 4:32”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Church — Derived probably from the Greek kuriakon (i.e., "the Lord's house"), which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship. In the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word ecclesia, which is synonymous with the Hebrew kahal of the Old Testament, both words meaning simply an assembly, the character of which can only be known from the connection in which the word is found. There is no clear instance of its being used for a place of meeting or of worship, although in post-apostolic times it early received this meaning. Nor is this word ever us”
- Romans “Romans 12:13 (BSB) — Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 51:19: 51:19 Sacrifices offered in the right spirit come from a heart that is right with God and with others (see 15:2-5; 24:3-6; 50:14; Matt 5:23-24).”
- 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).”
- 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).”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 11:19: I will give them--lest they should claim to themselves the praise given them in Eze 11:18, God declares it is to be the free gift of His Spirit. one heart--not singleness, that is, uprightness, but oneness of heart in all, unanimously seeking Him in contrast to their state at that time, when only single scattered individuals sought God (Jer 32:39; Zep 3:9) [HENGSTENBERG]. Or, "content with one God," not distracted with "the many detestable things" (Eze 11:18; Kg1 18:21; Hos 10:2) [CALVIN]. new spirit-- (Psa 51:10; Jer 31:33). Realized fully in th”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:15: speaking the truth--Translate, "holding the truth"; "following the truth"; opposed to "error" or "deceit" (Eph 4:14). in love--"Truth" is never to be sacrificed to so-called "charity"; yet it is to be maintained in charity. Truth in word and act, love in manner and spirit, are the Christian's rule (compare Eph 4:21, Eph 4:24). grow up--from the state of "children" to that of "full-grown men." There is growth only in the spiritually alive, not in the dead. into him--so as to be more and more incorporated with Him, and become one with Him. the”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 2:42: 2:42-47 Luke makes a clear connection between personal faith and membership in the Christian community. Life in this new community involved devotion to the apostolic teaching of God’s Word, fellowship, sharing, joy, and praise, and it resulted in the Lord’s continuing to add to their number those who were being saved. 2:42 fellowship: Greek koinōnia, a close mutual relationship and participation in life together. • At this stage, prayer probably included participation in the formal prayers of the Temple (see 3:1).”