Rockport Sermon

Friday, August 1, 2008

Saying Amen

This is a brief note I once sent to the Elders.
It would seem that a reading of the entire scriptures would leave one with this assumption. That when God’s people gather to hear God’s Word, they should respond with “Amen”, in particular when a great truth is uttered. This has always been something common and natural in biblical times from what I read throughout the Bible. A thorough reading of the scriptures would leave one with the knowledge that “Amen” is biblical language. We should let the scriptures shape our worship, not the world or religion.
Many times we are exhorted, “and let all the people say ‘Amen”. Amen means that we agree with what is being said. We are affirming that truth. How else will others know that we agree with what is being said unless we affirm it.
Saying Amen is scriptural. Over and over in the word, an Amen is given when the truth is spoken. It used to be common for men to say Amen. If we see language in scripture it is not there without reason, and it would be more right than wrong to use scriptural language. Hallelujah is also scriptural. In fact, we will be hearing it throughout eternity. It will be the occupation of the four and twenty elders to say Alleluia and Amen. Why not the four elders at Rockport and the entire congregation?
It is even appropriate to say "yea". 2 Cor 1:20

say Amen—“Prayer is not a vicarious duty done by others for us; as in Rome’s liturgies and masses. We must join with the leader of the prayers and praises of the congregation, and say aloud our responsive "Amen" in assent, as was the usage of the Jewish (#De 27:15-26 Ne 8:6) and Christian primitive churches” [JUSTIN MARTYR, Apology, 2. 97].

Consider it,
Bob

1 comment:

Jason Vaughn said...

Another interesting fact is that Amen is the same is the church around the world.