Biblical Principles of Worship - a summary
Biblical Principles of Worship: SUMMARY
Compiled by Robert Austell – robert@gspc.net
The principles that underlie and define biblical worship are strikingly constant, involving complete attention, honor, devotion, service, and submission to the one Triune God.
Worship as a Creation Ordinance (Garden of Eden/Adam)
v Service (‘cultivate the Garden’) – Genesis 2:15-17
v Obedience (eat from these trees, not that tree) – Genesis 2:15-17
Worship in the Old Testament – Ten Commandments/Shema/Levitical offerings
v Works of service to God – Exodus 20:1-6
v Obedience to God + keeping or guarding God’s commandments – Exodus 20:1-6
v Bowing down to God – Exodus 20:1-6
v Love of God – Exodus 20:1-6; esp. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
v Teaching and sharing worship in family and community. – Deuteronomy 6:4-9
v Humility and repentance – Leviticus (the underlying human posture of the Levitical offerings)
Worship in Jesus’ teaching and the New Testament (note connection with OT principles!)
v Works of service to God (and through Christ) – John 6:28-29; John 12:26; Colossians 3:23-24
v Obedience to God by keeping/guarding God’s commandments – John 12:49-50; 14:10; Matthew 28:18-20
v Bowing down to God alone – Luke 4:1-13; John 4:19-26
v Love of God (expanded in Shema; further expanded by Jesus) – Mark 12:28-31
v Teaching and sharing worship in family and community – Matthew 28:18-20; John 21:17; Acts 2:36-39
v Humility and repentance – Philippians 2:5-11
Heavenly worship in Revelation (5:11-14)
v Community, focused on God – v. 11
v Praise: Proclamation of the worth of Jesus Christ – v. 12
v Praise: Proclamation of the worth of God-enthroned and Christ the Lamb – v. 13
v Humility/Submission to the will of God, implicit in blessing God – v. 13
v Obeisance – bowing down in worship (which includes submission of the will) – v. 14
Worship the Heavenly Father Seeks (John 5:29-26)
v Worship in Spirit: Holy Spirit meets human spirit
v Worship in Truth: God’s Word and Spirit of truth
Some Biblical Theology: how does God reveal Himself?
v God-Invited Participation: it is God’s revealed pattern to invite human participation in what He is doing; worship is participatory
v Worship in Community: Adam/Eve, Israel, disciples, early church, Revelation multitude
False Dichotomies
v Simplicity (Luke 7:24-26; 2 Corinthians 11:3) vs. Elegance (1 Chronicles 16:27; 29:3-5)
v Order (1 Timothy 2:1-4, 8-12; 1 Cor 11:2, 17-22; Gn 2:16-17) vs. Spontaneous (John 3:8; Galatians 5:13-14)
v Horizontal vs. Vertical (both/and, see Acts 2:42; Mark 12:29-31)
What else is not in there?
v The way we’ve always done it
v What I want or like
v What the church down the street is doing
Use of Music in Worship: SUMMARY
A variety of choirs, ensembles, soloists, instruments and instrumentalists can be used effectively and faithfully for these purposes. Considering the principles of worship as well as demonstrated biblical application and example, it seems reasonable and faithful to conclude that the role of music and musicians in Christian worship is to lead and serve in worship to equip, encourage, and enable the family of Christ to worship God in Spirit and Truth.
Some Practical Points for Wee Kirks…
1. All of the biblical principles of worship are possible, regardless of church size, budget, etc…
2. Wee Kirks have some particular strengths, such as understanding of community or “church family”
3. God equips you spiritually for everything you need to worship: simply said – Spirit, Truth, community
4. Excellence is a tricky thing… in perspective, it enhances worship, but it can also hamper worship (so can unpreparedness!) – while large choirs and trained instrumentalists may be the domain of larger churches, practicing is something anyone can (and should) do!