Counsels on Church Life

Counsel #2 — Worship Vs. Culture

Picture: Counsel #2 — Worship Vs. Culture CCL 97.1

God gave the Jews special knowledge about Him, but He wanted them to share it with other nations. After Jesus died and was resurrected, He chose Paul to teach the Gentiles about God. But an international church had a new problem—figuring out the difference between truth and culture. Some Jewish Christians thought that non-Jewish Christians should also follow Jewish customs. Paul wanted to show through his ministry that everyone is equal in Christ, and that people can be different but still be united.^[127] CCL 97.2

“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9:22, 23 CCL 97.3

“I have been shown that we need to move with the greatest wisdom that we shall not in anything create prejudice by giving the impression that Americans feel themselves superior to people of other nations…. and in the labor for souls American practices as far above those of other nations. We need to be constantly guarded on every point… Now, my brother, I think it would be better if you did not put before the people so distinctly that you are an American and a missionary.” Ellen White in Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, pp. 106.3-107.1 CCL 97.4

Reflect: Are there parts of your church service that come from your local culture rather than directly from the Bible? Can the church make changes to fit the local situation without going against what the Bible says? CCL 97.5