Keep in mind that not all worship is acceptable to God. This fact has been clear from the beginning. God approved of Abel’s sacrifice, but rejected Cain’s (Genesis 4:4-5). To the people of Israel God gave specific rules about how to worship. He was angry at their worship to Him through statues (Exodus 32; 1 Kings 12-13). He punished those who offered “unauthorized fire” (Leviticus 10; Numbers 3; see NOTE below).
Often what pleases man, or what man thinks pleases God, is “detestable in God’s sight” (Luke 16:15). Jesus condemned “rules taught by men.” They make worship useless (Matthew 15:9; Colossians 2:23). Rather than merely following what suits people’s desires (2 Timothy 4:3), study the Scriptures in order to know how God wants to be worshiped.
NOTE: When God has told us what He wants, doing what God has not authorized treats God as if He has no mind or will. It places human wishes above God’s word. When man takes the place of God, it amounts to idolatry and rebellion. Therefore it is important to listen, not only to God’s commands, but also to His silences. Hebrews 7:13-14 has an example of silence. In His Old Covenant, God commanded that priests must come from Levi. There was silence about priests coming from any other tribe. Though God did not say, “No priest can come from Judah,” the very fact that He had been specific about Levi ruled out Judah. It could only take a change of the Old Law or Old Covenant to allow anyone from Judah to become a priest.
In the same way, when God’s New Covenant clearly shows us what God wants, we should avoid willfully replacing it or adding something else. That is why, for example, we do not try to drink just any fruit juice in the Lord’s Supper. Why? Because we respect God’s will. Christ was clear about using the grape’s drink. Since He is so specific, we try to use grape drink and not some other drink. Of course, where God has not been clear on a certain matter, it would be wrong for us to make rules as if we were God. In all matters we should in love try to reflect God’s will as He has revealed it.
In the Old Testament, God chose a place for special worship. This was the temple in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12, 16; 1 Kings 8, 11:32). However, Jesus showed that in His New Covenant this rule would no longer apply. “A time is coming and now has come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (read John 4:20-24). Today Christians do not have to go to an earthly temple, for they are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). They are also the priests of God (Revelation 1:6). Their sacrifices are spiritual (1 Peter 2:5), and so is their place of worship. Where do they worship God? Since God is Spirit, they worship Him “in spirit”—worship takes place in their spirits and hearts where they meet and praise the God who is also Spirit. They also worship Him “in truth”—they “continue to walk in the truth” (3 John 3).
Since the place for worship is in spirit and in truth, there is no time when God’s people are away from that place. We offer our bodies as “living sacrifices” by using our gifts and abilities for God (Romans 12:1-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11). Even normal or lowly jobs are done in such a way as to please and honor Christ (Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-24). “Whatever” we do, even eating and drinking, should be “for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Though all of life is offered to God, the Bible also speaks of more specific worship (Matthew 2:2-11; 14:33; John 9:38). Much of this is done “continually” (Hebrews 13:15; 12:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), and much should be “in secret,” for God’s eyes only (Matthew 6:1-18).
Christians should also spend much time together, worshiping God and encouraging each other (Acts 2:44-47; Hebrews 3:13). The first members “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Acts 20:7 shows that “breaking of bread” was done on Sunday, as was special giving for the church (1 Corinthians 16:1). As churches of Christ spread to many parts of the world, some misused their gatherings. So the New Testament helps us to understand how meetings of the church should be conducted.
Instructions on gatherings of the whole church are found in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 11:17-34; 14:1-40; 1 Timothy 2:1-15; James 2:1-13). From these teachings it is clear that combined worship must be done in a loving way, led by the men, with encouraging messages that can be clearly understood, “in a fitting and orderly way.” Notice that basic instructions for one church were also taught in all the churches (1 Corinthians 14:33, 37; see NOTE below). The example given to us by the apostles of the Lord Jesus is to come together for group worship and encouragement on Sunday, the first day of the week. As we read the New Testament, we see the following parts of worship specifically authorized by the Lord:
NOTE: Christ’s clear teachings through the apostles were a pattern to be followed and repeated in every place: Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:42; 8:4; 13:49; 14:23; 16:4; 20:27,32; Romans 1:5; 6:17; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 7:17; 14:33; 16:1; Philippians 3:17; 1 Timothy 2:8; 3:15; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2:2; 2 Peter 1:3, 12-15; 3:1-2. 1 Corinthians 14 describes a Christian assembly in the first century. While miraculous gifts like apostleship, tongues and prophecy were temporary (1 Corinthians 13:8; Acts 8:14-19; 2 Timothy 1:6; Ephesians 2:20; 3:3; 4:11), the enduring principles apply to assembled worship in every age.