The next question is, “What should one do by way of worship and Christian service after becoming a Christian?” In these realms, also, there are many important points of agreement. In reference to public worship all will agree that it is proper for Christians to meet upon the first day of the week and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and make melody in their hearts unto the Lord; lay by in store as they have been prospered; pray unto their Father in heaven; teach and be taught; and eat the Lord’s Supper in memory of Him who died for them. Some dare to add to these items of worship, some dare to subtract from them; but all agree that they are scriptural and sufficient. When Christians come together upon the first day of each week and perform these five Biblical items of worship to God, doing so in spirit and in truth, they know that their worship has pleased their Maker and Redeemer. This, then, is the ground of unity in our worship on the Lord’s Day. In such a program all Christians could take part and go away believing that they had done all that was required and nothing that was condemned.
In reference to Christian service there is general agreement upon the broad principles that should govern. Everyone will subscribe to the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31) and to the Royal Law (Jas. 2:8). We agree that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world, that we should love our neighbors as ourselves, and that we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
The above is a brief outline, then, of points upon which there is very general agreement. Let me ask you, dear friend, if you can think of anything essential to salvation which is not covered, at least in a general way, in this outline. If one follows the plan presented here, do you not agree that he will be saved in heaven at last? Can you think of anything else which is needed to insure one’s eternal salvation? I believe you cannot.
Upon the sufficiency of this plan I am sure we are agreed. This being true, would it not be wrong to include anything else? Would it not be wrong to insist upon adding something to this simple Bible plan and thereby cause division and destroy the possibility of the unity that the Bible requires? If the above plan is sufficient to take one to heaven, what more do you desire? Why add anything to it? Would it not be wrong to add anything else?