What is Worship? (Part 1)

Our Lord Jesus Christ said,

"…those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)"

We live in a day and age when so much of what “Christians” believe is being redefined. Sadly, the redefining of terms is not primarily coming from outside the church, but rather from inside. It seems to matter little to people how terms were originally used and what they originally meant. The end result is a church that has a meaningless jumble of thoughts and ideas all encapsulated in a single word or phrase.

For example, the term “evangelical” is so mis-defined today that just about anybody who has anything to do with any church might call themselves “evangelical.” It is a sad commentary on the state of affairs in the church when there are supposedly such persons as “evangelical Catholics.” Additionally, there are talks and debates as to whether or not Mormons can be evangelicals. Such thoughts prove the point that people don’t know what "evangelical" means, or at very least what it meant to be an evangelical. It is interesting to note that the term evangelical originally referred to a person whose very theology stood opposed to the Roman Catholic Church. Additionally, the term evangelical spoke of any person who strictly held to five fundamentally tenets called solas (Latin for “alone”). The five solas stood in complete contrast to the Roman Catholic Church. They are –

Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone as opposed to Scripture plus church tradition/teaching)

Solus Christus (Christ alone as opposed to Christ plus the church, the Pope, a priest, a bishop, Mary or any other person)

Sola Gratia (Grace alone as opposed to any merits on man’s part)

Soli Fide (Faith alone as opposed to being made right before God by any one’s works)

Soli Deo Gloria (God’s Glory alone as opposed to anyone or anything taking credit for any aspect of salvation).

These solas are Biblical concepts that no Roman Catholic theology recognizes and yet there are supposedly “evangelical Catholics.” Why is this? Because the term “evangelical” has been redefined to mean something it never meant.

So, what does all this have to do with worship? The Biblical concepts of worship have undergone the same assaults of redefinition as the term “evangelical.” The result of all this is a confusing mish-mash of ideas that rather than exalting God, actually robs God of the glory due His name. As the idea of worship has been corrupted, so has the majesty and splendor of God (humanly speaking for God does not diminish). The Lord Jesus Christ made if very clear however as to the fundamental characteristics which are to be present in the hearts and minds of those who would call themselves worshippers of God. In John 4:23-24 are recorded these fundamentals, “…those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” What does this mean? Why did Jesus say these words? I will continue tomorrow.