|
Introduction
T he universality of man’s hunger for worship is affirmed in the multiple forms of devotion demonstrated by men of different cultures and conditions; ranging from the worship of nature, trees, rocks, rivers, celestial bodies and graven idols in superstitious fear or fetishism to the highest spiritual exercise of which man is capable. In most cases the primary motive of worship is from a desire to placate, ingratiate, or propitiate some higher power, or to commune and share with him or it, or express instinctive or purposed devotion to him. The English word worship means "worthship", denoting the worthiness of an individual to receive special honor in accordance with that worth. The principal biblical terms, the Hebrew saha and the Greek proskyneo, emphasize the act of prostration, the doing of obeisance. This may be done out of regard for the dignity of personality and influenced somewhat by custom (Gen. 18:2), or may be based on family relationship (Gen. 49:8) or on station in life (I Kings 1:31). To worship God is to ascribe to him the worth of which He is worthy. The church of Jesus Christ is by definition a worshiping community called into being by God to be "a spiritual house, to be an holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (I Pet. 2:5). To worship acceptably is the singular privilege of Christians today. Only Christians can worship God acceptably. The church has from the very start gathered frequently for corporate worship. The most basic acts of worship in the early church includes: • the reading and exposition of Scripture; • prayers; • singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; • the observance of the Lord’s Supper; • And the giving of their means.
The Bible speaks of the “pattern of sound doctrine”. This pattern of sound words includes the pattern of how to be saved, how to worship accdeptably in the New Church, church governance and right living. Worship is an important component of the church. The true church must worship acceptably to remain true. In Volume 49 of the Voice of Truth, pages 88-89, Clarence DeLoach jr. has an excellent article on worship. To summarize what he wrote: True Worship Glorifies God (Lev. 10:3) Right worship Purifies the worshipper (Psalms 24:3, 4) Acceptable worship builds the Church (Acts 2:42, 47; 5:28) Quality worship impacts the Lost (I Cor. 14:23-25)
(The Vitality of Worship, VOTI, Vol. 49, page 88-89) On a higher plane the same terms are used of divine honors rendered to a deity, whether to the gods of the nation (e.g., Exod. 20:5) or to the one true and living God who reveals himself in Scripture and in his son (Exod. 24:1). The tutelage of Israel in the wilderness laid great stress on the sinfulness of idolatrous worship and its dire consequences (e.g., Deut. 8:19). No injury to God compares with the denial of his uniqueness and the transfer to another of the recognition due to him. In this light must be understood his references to himself as a jealous God (Exod. 20:5). Perversion of worship is seen in Satan's avid effort to secure for himself what belongs properly to God alone (Matt. 4:9), as well as in the blasphemous figure of the beast (Rev. 13:4). Undue deference paid to men verges at times on worship and is resisted by the godly (Acts 10:25- 26). Barnabas and Paul protested the attempt to worship them at Lystra based on the impression that they were gods who had come down to men (Acts 14:11-14). Loyal angels refuse veneration (Rev. 22:9). It is useful to distinguish between a broad and a restricted meaning of worship as applied to God. In general he may be honored with prayer and praise and the bringing of sacrificial gifts (I Sam. 1:3). This cultic worship is especially appropriate in the house of God (Ps. 138:2) and when it is carried on with a desire to be clothed in his holiness (Ps. 29:2). In a still broader sense the service which issues from worship and derived therefrom its inspiration may be included (Matt. 4:10). In the narrower sense worship is pure adoration, the lifting up of the redeemed spirit toward God in contemplation of his holy perfection. Matthew distinguishes between the presentation of gifts by the magi to the Christ child and their worship of him (Matt. 2:11). Dr. A.W. Tozer, a well respected author among the Evangelicals said this sad note about worship among the Evangelicals, “worship acceptable to God is the missing crown jewel in evangelical Christianity.” (What happened to Worship?) In recent times a controversy has been brewing in the brotherhood concerning acceptable worship. Some sectors in the church have propagated a very dangerous teaching that Sunday assembly is not worship but merely and purely for edification. Such idea is not only confusing but if remain unopposed and unchecked will douse cold water on the hearts of the worshippers and will reduce our Sunday assembly into a mere entertainment and a pure mockery of our Holy God. Such idea is revolting to our senses. It is sad to note that in several instances our learning institutions have become the hotbed of controversy and errors rather than the bulwark and citadel of truth. The church must remain true to its mandate as the Pillar and ground of truth. The word worship comes from the Anglo-Saxon: weorthscipe, wyrthscype, "honor," from weorth, wurth, "worthy," "honorable," and scipe, "ship". In this study we will learn the following: Terms Old Testament Worship New Testament Worship Public Christian Worship
Honor, reverence, homage, in thought, feeling, or act, paid to men, angels, or other "spiritual" beings, and figuratively to other entities, ideas, powers or qualities, but specifically and supremely to Deity.
|
