(1) The issue : How is worship determined?

Answer: From the whole of the Scriptures. This is a concept which has been lost and corrupted in our age. The word of God says, that "all scripture is given by God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," II Timothy 3:16. All scripture means all scripture. The worship of the church of Christ is to be determined by the principles taught in the entire Bible. The differences between Old and New Testaments are to be noted, the lines drawn carefully between them, but it is the entire word of God which is the basis of New Testament scriptural worship and practice. Limiting one's understanding in this area to the New Testament alone is to contradict the explicit statement, "All scripture..."

We may illustrate this concept by asking, "Where do we go when we worship?" In the Old Testament the believer went to Jerusalem on Mt. Zion to worship in the presence of God in the temple, Psalm 122. But what about the New Testament? We now worship in the same place in its spiritual fulfillment. The church is spiritually the temple, Ephesians 2:19-22. In that worship we enter the presence of God in heaven, Hebrews 10:19-22; Hebrews 12:22-24. It is spiritually the same place. The shadow has become a reality.

Why do we go to worship? In the Old Testament the believer went to “the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.” He sought the “thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David." Psalm 122:4-5. Now we go to hear God’s Word preached according to the command of Christ, our King, Matthew 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15. It is for the same spiritual reason, in the presence of the same glory of God and before the same throne, manifested in the Son of David, Jesus Christ. We go to give God the praise and honor due to His Name, Psalm 96:7-9; Colossians 3:16, “...in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

What is worship? Worship is the spiritual activity by which we draw near to God in Christ, entering His presence in prayer, praise, confession of sin and of His Name, to hear His Word and have true communion with Him.

What is true and acceptable worship? Jesus warns against false worship, both in doctrine and practice, Matthew 15:7-9 We are to worship in obedience to the abiding principles of the Word of God in Christ.