of the denomination of the church throughout the world, and of the Church of God throughout the ages.

• It serves the church's desire to confess its faith in the Triune God when it has assembled to worship Him.

• It clearly states the core doctrines of Scripture, the dogmas of the Christian faith.

The reading of the law in the morning service is God's Word to His people; the confession of faith reading or reciting in the second service is His people's word in return to God. Both the law and the creeds use personal language; e.g., "I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt (sinful world), out of the house of bondage (slavery to sin)" and" I believe in" Both the reading of the law and the creeds call for personal examination: "Am I included or excluded by the language of God's true Church?"

4. Scripture Reading - The reading of God's Word to the assembled congregation was practiced in biblical times by Moses, Ezra, Jesus Christ, the apostles, and others. This practice continued as part of the Apostolic Church service and has been followed by the church throughout its history except during the late Middle Ages when direct Scripture reading to the people was considered unnecessary or even dangerous. The Reformation, however, returned the church to a clear emphasis upon God's Word, and Scripture reading was restored to a prominent position in the church liturgy. The pulpit with its open Bible replaced the altar as the front, center, and focal point of the church, emphasizing that the congregation was gathered around the Word of God.

Scripture reading is a very important part of the church worship service for the following reasons:

• It is the principal means of grace through which God speaks to man.

• It is the infallible foundation upon which the preaching and entire worship service is based.

• It is God speaking personally, authoritatively, and infallibly to the congregation.

How do the reading of both God's law and a creed call for personal examination?

Why is the practice of keeping an open Bible on the church pulpit a very precious custom?

For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

- Hebrews 4:12

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

- Isaiah 55:10-11