WORSHIP AT BETH RAPHA

Curious about why and how we do the things we do?  

Here is some explanation about our services and worship

for your explanation and edification!

creeds

The creeds are statements of our basic beliefs about  God. How many creeds does this Church use in its worship?  This Church uses two creeds: The Apostles’ Creed and  the Nicene Creed. The Apostles’ Creed is the ancient  creed of Baptism; it is used in the church’s daily worship to recall our Baptismal Covenant. The Nicene Creed is the creed of the universal Church and is used  basically at the Eucharist (Holy Communion).


catechism class

The Catechism is a commentary on the Creeds, but is not meant to be a complete statement of belief and  practice; rather, it is a point of departure for the teacher, and it is cast in traditional question and answer form for ease of reference. The second use of the Catechism is to provide a brief summary of the Church’s  teaching for an inquiring stranger. 

the nicene creed

I believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And all things visible and invisible: And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God; begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God; Begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father; By Whom all things were made:  Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man:  And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried:  And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures:  And ascended into heaven, And sitteth at the right hand of the Father:  And He shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the Prophets:  And I believe one Catholic and Apostolic Church:  I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins: And I look for the Resurrection of the dead:  And the life of the world to come.  Amen.


When we say, “one Catholic and Apostolic Church, “we are not only referring to the Roman Catholic Church, but the Church Universal; and by “one Baptism for the remission of sins,” We mean the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.  For more information on the Creeds, please refer to our website, bethrapha.org, under the heading “Why We Do the Things We Do.”

the apostle's creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried.  He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead.  He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

When we say, “one Catholic and Apostolic Church, “we are not only referring to the Roman Catholic Church, but the Church Universal; and by “one Baptism for the remission of sins,” We mean the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.  And when we say He descended into hell, we mean he went into the grave.  

  • The eucharist | holy communion

    The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament commanded by  Christ for the continual remembrance of His life, death,  and resurrection, until His coming again. It is also  called the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, the Divine  Liturgy, the Mass and the Great Offering.

  • the collect

    A brief prayer usually written out.  

why we do the things we do

  • What is worship? Worship (the Greek word  proskuneo) means “to bow down and kiss." 
  • What is  praise? Praise (the Greek word eulogeos) means “to  bless, speak well of." 
  • Why do we dance? We dance to  worship the Lord (Psalms 149:3, 150:4). We dance to  praise the Lord for joy and victory (I Samuel 18:6, II  Samuel 6:14, Judges 11:34). 
  • Why do we shout? We  shout before the Lord in joy and gladness (Psalm 47:1,  Psalm 5:11, Psalm 35:27). 
  • Why do we lift our hands?  We lift our hands to bless the Lord (Psalm 134:2, I Timothy 2:8, Psalms 119:48, 63:4). 
  • Why do we leap? We  leap to praise the Lord (Acts 3:8, St. Luke 6:23). 
  • Why do we prophesy? To edify (build up in the faith), exhort or comfort (II Chronicles 20:14-17,21; I Corinthians 14:3,4). 
  • Why do we speak in tongues and interpret? To interpret the message from God in an un known language into the given language of the local congregation (I Corinthians 14:5, 13-25).