In the context of the Bible, "practices" refer to the actions, behaviors, and rituals that are prescribed, encouraged, or condemned within the scriptural texts. These practices are often reflective of the moral, spiritual, and communal life expected of believers. The Bible provides numerous examples of practices that are intended to guide the faithful in their relationship with God and with one another.

Worship Practices

Worship is central to biblical practices, encompassing both personal and communal expressions of faith. In the Old Testament, worship practices included sacrifices, offerings, and the observance of holy days. The Israelites were instructed to follow specific rituals, such as the Passover (Exodus 12:14-20) and the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-34). The construction and use of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, were also significant aspects of worship practices (Exodus 25-27; 1 Kings 6).

In the New Testament, worship practices evolved with the coming of Christ. Jesus emphasized worship "in spirit and truth" (John 4:24), moving beyond the ritualistic practices of the Old Covenant. The early church gathered for prayer, teaching, fellowship, and the breaking of bread (Acts 2:42). Baptism and the Lord's Supper became central ordinances for Christians, symbolizing entry into the faith and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Moral and Ethical Practices

The Bible outlines numerous moral and ethical practices that believers are to follow. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) serve as a foundational ethical code, emphasizing duties to God and fellow humans. The teachings of Jesus further expand on these principles, focusing on love, mercy, and justice. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a key passage where Jesus expounds on righteous living, urging believers to practice forgiveness, humility, and purity of heart.

The epistles of the New Testament provide additional guidance on ethical practices. Paul, in his letters, frequently addresses issues such as honesty, sexual morality, and the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). He exhorts believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling" (Ephesians 4:1) and to "abstain from every form of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

Community and Social Practices

The Bible also emphasizes practices related to community and social life. The early church is depicted as a community of believers who shared their possessions and cared for one another's needs (Acts 4:32-35). Hospitality, generosity, and service are encouraged as vital practices for building up the body of Christ (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9-10).

Social justice is another important aspect of biblical practices. The prophets of the Old Testament frequently called for justice and righteousness, condemning practices that oppressed the poor and marginalized (Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8). In the New Testament, James highlights the importance of caring for orphans and widows as a demonstration of true religion (James 1:27).

Condemned Practices

The Bible also identifies practices that are condemned and to be avoided by believers. Idolatry, witchcraft, and divination are consistently denounced throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; 1 Corinthians 10:14). Sexual immorality, greed, and deceit are also condemned as practices that are contrary to the will of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:3-5).

In summary, biblical practices encompass a wide range of actions and behaviors that are intended to align believers with God's will and purpose. These practices are integral to the life of faith, shaping the moral, spiritual, and communal dimensions of the believer's journey.

I Speak not his Practises but his Principles
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 30 I speak not his practises but his principles. I speak
not his practises but his principles. I should too much ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/30 i speak not his.htm

All Mankind Guilty; Or, Every Man Knows More than He Practises.
... SERMONS. ALL MANKIND GUILTY; OR, EVERY MAN KNOWS MORE THAN HE PRACTISES. ... Any creature
who knows more than he practises is a guilty creature. ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/all mankind guilty or every.htm

He Has Endeavoured, Indeed, to Brand us with the Stain of this ...
... But I can shew from his writings, that he not only holds this doctrine
of perjury, but practises this foul vice as a sacred duty. ...
/.../3 he has endeavoured indeed.htm

Attitude as to Church-Fellowship.
... Resolved, That we cannot recognize the General Synod as an Evangelical Lutheran
body, forasmuch as they have departed from the doctrines and practises of the ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/attitude as to church-fellowship.htm

William Christopher Berkenmeyer.
... colaborers from Halle. He disapproved of, and opposed, the unionistic practises
of the Swedish and Halle pastors. Speaking of Berkenmeyer's ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/william christopher berkenmeyer.htm

Sin in the Heart the Source of Error in the Head
... It will never do to estimate man's moral knowledge by man's moral character. He
knows more than he practises. ... He knows more than he practises. ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/sin in the heart the.htm

My God Will Hear Me
... Every art unfolds its secrets and its beauty only to the man who practises
it. To the humble soul who prays in the obedience of ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xii my god will.htm

The Epistle Written by Malchion,
... Nor shall I say any thing of the quackery which he practises in the ecclesiastical
assemblies, in the way of courting popularity and making a great parade, and ...
/.../malchion/the epistle of malchion/i the epistle written by malchion.htm

Fifth Letter
... which treat of the presence of GOD; a subject which, in my opinion, contains the
whole spiritual life; and it seems to me that whoever duly practises it will ...
/.../lawrence/the practice of the presence of god/fifth letter.htm

The Patience of the Heathen Very Different from Christian Patience ...
... Such pursuits of patience the Gentiles are acquainted with; and they eagerly seize
a name of so great goodness to apply it to foul practises: patient they live ...
/.../tertullian/of patience/chapter xvi the patience of the.htm

Practises (9 Occurrences)
...Practises (9 Occurrences). ... John 3:21 but he that practises the truth comes to the
light, that his works may be manifested that they have been wrought in God. ...
/p/practises.htm - 8k

Practised (13 Occurrences)

/p/practised.htm - 10k

Goodness (83 Occurrences)
... Romans 3:12 All have gone out of the way, they have together become unprofitable;
there is not one that practises goodness, there is not so much as one: (DBY). ...
/g/goodness.htm - 35k

Teaches (24 Occurrences)
... breaks one of these least commandments and teaches others to break them, will be
called the least in the Kingdom of the Heavens; but whoever practises them and ...
/t/teaches.htm - 13k

Manifested (48 Occurrences)
... John 3:21 but he that practises the truth comes to the light, that his works may
be manifested that they have been wrought in God. (DBY YLT NAS). ...
/m/manifested.htm - 20k

Practices (80 Occurrences)
... breaks one of these least commandments and teaches others to break them, will be
called the least in the Kingdom of the Heavens; but whoever practises them and ...
/p/practices.htm - 29k

Practisest (1 Occurrence)

/p/practisest.htm - 6k

Practise (52 Occurrences)
... breaks one of these least commandments and teaches others to break them, will be
called the least in the Kingdom of the Heavens; but whoever practises them and ...
/p/practise.htm - 22k

Breaks (35 Occurrences)
... breaks one of these least commandments and teaches others to break them, will be
called the least in the Kingdom of the Heavens; but whoever practises them and ...
/b/breaks.htm - 16k

Charmer (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary One who practises serpent-charming (Psalm
58:5; Jeremiah 8:17; Ecclesiastes 10:11). It was an early and ...
/c/charmer.htm - 8k

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