Scriptural Worship

bibleWe believe that the Bible fully, clearly, and sufficiently reveals how God is to be worshiped. Therefore, nothing should be offered to God in worship except what He Himself has commanded. We also embrace the remarkable simplicity and spirituality of New Testament worship as instituted by Christ through His apostles.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

(1) “WHAT IS SCRIPTURAL WORSHIP?” — Scriptural worship amounts to a firm conviction that God should only be worshiped according to the Bible, with no additions or subtractions (Deut. 12:29-32). Why is this so important? One reason is that, according to the clear teaching of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, true worship is fundamentally an act of service (Luke 4:8.

(2) “DOES SOLA SCRIPTURA APPLY TO CHRISTIAN WORSHIP?” — The Reformation doctrine of Sola Scriptura (i.e. Scripture alone) applies not only to Christian doctrine, but also to Christian worship. Just as we must never supplement Biblical doctrine with man-made teachings, so we must never supplement Biblical worship with man-made innovations.        

(3) “HOW WAS OLD TESTAMENT WORSHIP REGULATED?” — Even from the earliest recorded examples of worship in Scripture, God has always required worship according to His own personal appointment, with no additions or subtractions (Deut. 12:32).                                                    

(4) “HOW SHOULD NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP BE REGULATED?” — When speaking with the Samaritan woman, Jesus revealed that New Testament worship would be simpler and more spiritual than Old Testament worship, yet equally regulated by His own Word of truth. “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:23).

(5) “WHAT SONGS SHOULD WE SING IN WORSHIP?” — Many churches today are embroiled in “worship wars” over whose preferences should govern congregational singing. We believe that Scripture itself provides a plain and peaceable solution to this unfortunate controversy. The only praise songs that should be sung in worship are those which God’s Word has specifically authorized us to sing. Of course, the next logical question is, What praise songs has God’s Word authorized us to sing?                              

(6) “WHAT ROLE SHOULD MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PLAY IN OUR WORSHIP?” — If our desire is to be strictly Biblical in our worship, we cannot answer this question until we first answer a far more fundamental question: “Is there any positive Scriptural warrant for using musical instruments in New Testament worship?” Sadly, this is a question that is rarely (if ever) raised in most American churches today, largely due to a lack of interest in Scriptural worship. Nevertheless, if we are to put God’s glory and God’s commands ahead of our own opinions and preferences, we must diligently search the Scriptures to answer this crucial question!          

(7) “HOW DOES YOUR CHURCH WORSHIP GOD?” — In keeping with Scripture, the ordinary elements of our corporate worship fall into five basic categories:

1.  The reading, preaching, and hearing of God’s inspired Word (Neh. 8:1-8; Gal. 3:2; Col. 4:16; 1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 2:15; 4:2-3; Rev. 2:7).

2.  Prayer with thanksgiving, offered up in the name of Christ, by the aid of His Spirit, according to the will of God (John 14:13-14; Rom. 8:26-27; Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:1-8; 1 John 5:14).

3.  The unaccompanied singing of praise songs from the inspired Book of Psalms, with regular explanations as to their meaning (Ps. 47:7; 2 Chron. 29:30; Matt. 26:30; Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:18-19; Heb. 13:15).

4.  The proper administration and worthy receiving of baptism and the Lord’s supper (Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:23-34)

5.  The pronouncing of God’s blessing upon God’s people by God’s ordained servant (Num. 6:22-27; Lk. 24:50; 2 Cor. 12:14).