Introduction

“We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God.” - A.W. Tozer

“To say something about God is not the same as meeting Him.” - Gregory of Palamas

The people of God were always a worshipping people. God prescribed the first worship of Himself and it was built into mankind to have this desire to seek Him. Adam passed on the tradition of worship to his children Cain and Abel. Upon the death of Abel there was a halting in this worship till in the times of Seth, “people began to call upon the Name of the Lord.” Such haltings or declines in the life of the people of God have continued till our day where at times it appeared the “godly has ceased from men.”

We will explore more about these haltings and times of apostasy in the first chapter of this book. Yet, no matter the condition of the Church in the age we live in the call to participation with God in worship is still valid and open to all men. God who is a Trinity amongst Himself has community. He calls us into fellowship with not only that community but to a mystical communion with His Body, the Church.

This experiencing God in the midst of the noise of many words about Him is what many are seeking. In the postmodern world where all values are being lost, evangelical believers especially are grasping for rooting in what they believe and for the meaning of the Church itself. In the dark ages there was a loss of the meaning of “why” in worship due to mis-information. Now in an age of information overload the same problem is reoccurring, the “why” of worship has again been lost. Essentially we are finding ourselves in the beginning of a new dark age. The Church historically has the answers for the modern day problems of evangelicalism.

This book is a call for believers back to our rooted common faith in truth. A faith rooted deeply in Jesus Christ the true vine. A faith that has not changed nor will waver. A faith that overcomes the world and the unseen world. The Church is Jesus Christ’s. He is the Head of it. The focal point of the Church is worship and the ultimate meaning and purpose of life is the worship of the Triune God.

Jesus Christ, the Center of Worship

We are approaching the end of the age. The very coming of Jesus Christ is at hand. History is repeating itself, how the Church began it could very well end. The Church began with the Book of Acts movement and will very likely end in such a way. God always has a plan no matter how dark the hour becomes. God is clearly restoring apostolic foundations for many believers who are searching for more grounding and reality in this worship of God. Satan is still a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. One of his chief strategies is to individualize and separate believers apart from community and the greater body of Christ.

The Church began corporately and in community centred around the slain Lamb of God. It’s worship was facing towards Him. All other things were by-products and not of chief importance. This Christ focus was the heart of the life of the Church, and why the faith was worth dying for. God gave great expansion to the mission of the Church during the time of the first Apostles.

As we near the second coming of our precious Lord Jesus Christ, this call back to worship of Himself is getting louder. The very heavenly worship (Isaiah 6, Revelation 5) is on-going and soon time will be no more and we will fully enter into that reality. The reason for our Church gathering is to focus our eyes on Christ as the Lamb of God in the centre of the throne. Why would we come to gather if it were not around Him and for Him?

An Ancient Worship Movement

This volume will explore what is called the Ancient Worship Movement, a movement that is grounded in history, but also is applicable and real for the modern day. It is a call to see Churches gather, for the body of Christ to be built up and to see established gatherings of believers find grounding in the faith once delivered to the saints.

St. Thomas Church is a small stream seeking to genuinely connect believers into this Apostolic Church. In this book the words “Church Movement” is given as we see the Church in the Book of Acts growing exponentially, it was not static or stagnant. Anything that is truly Apostolic will grow. It is glad tidings of great joy for many peoples, it is something that should not be hidden. In the Appendix of this book you will find more information about St. Thomas Church. But in general any believer will benefit from this volume for their current congregation or your own personal spiritual life.

How To Use This Book

This book will be helpful for those who are struggling with genuine worship and relationship with God, looking for reality in the midst of so much confusion. The answer to this confusion is not looking forward to a new invention or theory but backward into history. Not in the present but the past, in the Ancient Church and Holy Scriptures.

A recommendation is to read this book prayerfully, asking the Lord, “Is this true and what does this mean for my walk with You?” God blesses those who are humble, teachable and seek truth no matter where it leads them.

It is recommended that you avail yourself of the Scripture references and footnotes found throughout this book. As much as possible, primary sources are referred to and the goal is to give the reader ample clarifications of what is the meaning being conveyed by the author.

Opening Prayers

All things are for Christ and to Him. Let not our eyes be caught from Him, rather may these ancient truths give us greater grounding in the Great Cornerstone Himself.

Before you continue in this book, take a moment to pray. I encourage you to pause and read these two historic prayers out loud, slowly with faith:

“Almighty God, You have built Your Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to You; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.”