Standing to read the Message Text

That's great Jerome, but that doesn't mean that when the scripture is read that the church has to stand. There's no command there nor does it set a precedence. This was an epic occasion where were gathered for the express purpose of hearing the Word read. And, for many it may have been the first time.

 

My take on this goes as follows....we stand when a bride comes in the church and we stand when a judge enters the court....why not stand when we read God's word? I am not a legalist and we don't do it for every verse I share but for the main text Im preaching from. It is simply a way to communicate that what we are reading is worthy of respect.

Does this mean that everyone "must" do this? Certainly not. It is simply an intentional way for me and the congregation to demonstrate in a physical way that what we are reading is important to us.

 

So, reading the scripture is an important message, but the sermon is not! This is what it is saying to me.

Cheers,

Jim

 

During the interim of about three years between SB and PB membership, my wife and I were active in a non-denominational Bible Church. Scripture memorization was encouraged and at the beginning of each meeting the entire congregation, adults along with the children, would stand and read aloud together (KJV, but the group was not KJVO by any means) the selected monthly text, which usually was an entire chapter of the Bible. Besides being a wonderful form of group worship, it was a very effective scripture memorization technique and a great assistance for the kids learning to read. My wife and I actually miss it. We've been to churches that practice 'line singing' but have never attended a Baptist church that practices group scripture reading. I've often wondered why. I think if I were a pastor I would encourage the practice.

Actually, I do remember as a young child in the SB church the entire congregation would stand and read selected scripture from the back of the hymnal on occasion.

My apologies. This post was off topic.