If God has revealed a pattern for salvation and a pattern for His church, we should also ask:
HAS GOD REVEALED HOW HIS PEOPLE ARE TO WORSHIP HIM?
Jesus said:
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
John 4:24
Notice that Jesus did not say we may worship God however we choose.
He said we “must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Our worship must come from the heart, but sincerity alone is not enough. It must also be according to truth.
Jesus prayed to the Father:
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
John 17:17
Therefore, if we want to know how God desires to be worshipped, we must turn to His Word.
THE FIRST CHRISTIANS FOLLOWED A PATTERN
After approximately three thousand people obeyed the gospel on Pentecost, Scripture tells us:
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Acts 2:42
The worship of the early church was not built around entertainment, personal preference, or whatever attracted the largest audience.
They continued steadfastly in what had been revealed.
When we examine the New Testament, we find Christians assembling to worship God through several clearly identifiable acts.
THEY PRAYED
Prayer was an important part of the life and worship of the church.
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Acts 2:42
Paul instructed:
“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
1 Timothy 2:8
Prayer directs our petitions, thanksgiving, and praise to God.
THEY TAUGHT AND HEARD GOD’S WORD
When Christians assembled at Troas:
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them…”
Acts 20:7
God’s Word—not human philosophy, motivational entertainment, or the traditions of men—is the foundation of the church’s teaching.
Paul told Timothy:
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
2 Timothy 4:2
THEY SANG
The New Testament gives Christians specific instruction concerning music in worship.
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
Ephesians 5:19
And:
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Colossians 3:16
Notice the pattern:
Speaking. Teaching. Admonishing. Singing. Making melody in the heart.
The instrument God specified is the heart.
We do not find New Testament authority for Christians adding mechanical instruments of music to the worship of the church.
The question is not whether instrumental music sounds beautiful, whether we enjoy it, or whether it attracts people.
The question is:
WHAT DID GOD AUTHORIZE?
THEY OBSERVED THE LORD’S SUPPER
Before His death, Jesus instituted the memorial of His body and blood.
“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
Luke 22:19
The church continued this memorial.
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…”
Acts 20:7
Paul also gave detailed instructions concerning the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23–29.
The Lord’s Supper is not entertainment or an ordinary meal. It is a solemn memorial of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
THEY GAVE
The New Testament also provides a pattern for giving.
Paul instructed the church at Corinth:
“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him…”
1 Corinthians 16:2
Giving was purposeful and according to prosperity.
Paul further taught:
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7
DOES GOD CARE HOW WE WORSHIP?
Scripture repeatedly demonstrates that God does care how people approach Him.
Jesus condemned worship based upon human authority:
“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
Matthew 15:9
Something can therefore be called worship and still be vain worship.
That should cause every sincere worshipper to ask:
WHERE IS THE SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY FOR WHAT WE ARE DOING?
WORSHIP IS NOT ABOUT WHAT PLEASES US
Modern religious culture frequently approaches worship by asking:
What will people enjoy?
What will attract visitors?
What will create excitement?
What will increase attendance?
But biblical worship begins with an entirely different question:
WHAT PLEASES GOD?
God is the object of worship.
Therefore, He—not the worshipper—has the authority to determine how He is to be worshipped.
The New Testament pattern shows Christians assembling to:
PRAY
TEACH AND HEAR GOD’S WORD
SING
PARTAKE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
GIVE
These things were done according to the teaching of Christ and His apostles.
Our responsibility is not to improve God’s pattern.
It is not to modernize God’s pattern.
It is not to replace God’s pattern with something we find more entertaining.
Our responsibility is to follow God’s pattern.
The question is not:
HOW DO I WANT TO WORSHIP?
The question is:
HOW HAS GOD INSTRUCTED ME TO WORSHIP?
Open the Scriptures. Examine the context. Compare Scripture with Scripture. Test the conclusions.
ALLOW SCRIPTURE TO INTERPRET SCRIPTURE.
The Biblical Pattern
Biblical Studies & Books by Kevin L. Walker
The Biblical Pattern 