Lesson Four - Kinds of Worship
In going through the pages of the New Testament, we have three kinds of worship mentioned. In this lesson we will consider each one. We will do this to be reminded that there is more than one worship set forth in the scriptures. We will likewise make a study of these different kinds of worship to discover which one the Lord would have us to engage in. And finally, we should allow this to convince us that just because people around us many be worshipping, this does not necessarily mean that their worship is acceptable to God.
1. The scriptures speak of ignorant worship.
Acts 17:16 - 31 (KJV) "16Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. 17Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. 18Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. 19And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? 20For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. 21(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) 22Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars* hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25Neither is worshipped with men*s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man*s device. 30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. " Now you will observe that Paul encountered idolatrous worship in Athens. He denounces it by showing that it is being done in ignorance, and then he proceeds to preach to them of the true and living God."
Why were they worshipping idols? Why would anyone bow to idols? An idol is that which is made out of stone, wood, or metal, but it is lifeless and spiritless. It can not see, hear, smell, move, think, or bless. Even where such an object is supposedly representative of something else or of some individual, it is the idol that ultimately comes to be looked upon as being a "god".
But only those who are ignorant of the God of heaven would bow in worship to an idol or to any thing whether it be of nature or some human being living or dead.
Today, as then, men continue to worship idols around the world. But why? The problem remains the same -- ignorance, pure and simple. No intelligent and informed person is going to worship an idol or image, whether apart from Christianity or within what is called Christianity.
2. The scriptures speak of vain worship.
Christ said, Matthew 15:9 (KJV) "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Again he said, Matthew 7:21 - 23 (KJV) "21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
It is still publicly taught that the Lord's people may worship in different ways, and as long as they are honest and sincere in it, then their worship will be accepted of God. This is not true. One's worship is in vain when it is according to the doctrines and commandments of men. The word vain means empty, to no avail, useless. In other words, such worship will not be accepted of the Lord.
Just because a group of people meet "in the name of Christ" that does not mean their worship will be acceptable. In the first place, if they are meeting as members of a denominational church, then they are not meeting in the name of Christ but in the name of their denomination. In the next place as a denomination their worship will be conducted according to that organization. The Lord says that a lot of people are going to stand before him on the day of judgment and they are going to remind him of all they have done, but because they have not obeyed his will, and they are not members of his family, then he will denounce them and reject them.
If your worship is according to the teachings of men, that is, you are doing things in worship that you cannot find in God's Word, then your worship is vain and therefore will not be accepted of the Lord. So it is time to investigate your situation.
3. The scriptures speak of the true worship.
Christ said concerning worship, John 4:24 (KJV) "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
Let us notice a few things here. First, God is to be the object of our worship as we have already studied in a previous lesson. Second, those that worship him must do so on the Lord's terms. No one is going to be forced to worship God, but those who choose to do so must do so on the Lord's terms instead of the worship being on his terms or that of others. Third, the worship must be done in spirit and truth. Now what does that mean? It simply means that our worship must be in spirit, that is, with sincerity, understanding, and humility. As far as the truth is concerned, it means that our worship must be done according to the things that are written in the scriptures. Now isn't that simple? But to some it is too simple. They want to go through all kinds of rituals, formalities, ceremonies, and so on, but that is not what the Lord wants. He wants his people to worship him from their hearts as he has commanded. He will settle for no more and no less.
This is the kind of worship taught in the New Testament, and as we continue with our studies, we are going to see that this is how the early Christians worshipped and this is how we must worship. When we all do so then we will all worship alike and the Lord will accept our worship.
Now go through the study questions below and try to answer as many as you can.
NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP
Questions for Lesson four
"The Kinds of Worship"
1. How many kinds of worship do we read about in the New Testament?
2. Give some reasons for studying this lesson.
3. What kiknd of city did Paul find Athens to be?
4. Describe the kind of worship the Athenians were engaging in.
5. What did Paul say about it?
6. List the various points of Paul's sermon.
7. Who did he point them to?
8. Why were they worshipping idols?
9. From what is an idol made?
10. Point out some of the things an idol cannot do.
11. Will one bow to an idol if he knows of the true and living God?
12. Are there any idolators today?
13. Quote Matthew 15:9.
14. Read aloud Matthew 7:21-23.
15. What is vain worship?
16. Is one's worship acceptable to God just because it is "in the name of Christ?"
17. What kind of worship does the Lord want?
18. Who is to be the object of our worship?
19. Would the Lord force anyone to worship him?
20. On whose terms is the worship to be engaged in?
21. Explain the meaning of worshipping God in spirit and in truth.