The worship of God has characterized those who would please God from the early history of mankind. Even before the Law of Moses, the patriarchs devoted themselves to serving and worshiping the Lord. The worship they offered was different from that which was commanded by Moses. Today, we worship according to the New Testament. That worship is also different from the Patriarchal worship and the worship of the Hebrews. While we worship the same God, he has given a better system to those who are Christians.

Acceptable Worship

Men are to worship God in accordance with the Lord's instructions. Whatever he commands in the New Testament is to be followed. We are not at liberty to introduce anything into the worship of God that is not approved in the New Testament. The commands and patterns set forth in Christ's will become the standard for those who would please God. To add to or take from those instructions will make one's worship unacceptable. Jesus taught, "God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth"(John 4:24). The Lord also pointed out that some had tried to worship him, but did so in vain because they were "Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men"(Matthew 15:9). All acceptable worship must be based on the teachings of Jesus Christ in his gospel.

Actions in Worship

All worship of those who are Christians must follow the commands and patterns of the New Testament. No man has a right to change the order that is set forth in the Gospel of Christ. However impressive some actions are to men, if they are not authorized in the teachings of Christ, they are unacceptable. Our actions must be the same as those in the early church. To add to or take from the actions set forth in the Gospel will cause one to follow the commands and precepts of man, not God. The specified day of worship, in which the actions mentioned below take place, is the first day of the week(Sunday: Acts 20:7). At other periods of the week, Christians can assembly and worship God. However, two of the actions commanded were done only on Sunday.

Songs of Praises

The New Testament church was enthusiastic and happy because they were Christians. They could express the praise that belongs to God by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Paul so wrote in Ephesians 5:19, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord." This same actions take place in the assemblies of Christians today as they lift their voices in praise to the Creator of all mankind. Please note that no instrument of music was mentioned. Therefore, such is not authorized in the worship of God today.

Prayers offered to God

As Christians assembled during the days of the apostles, they prayed. When Peter was in prison, "prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him"(Acts 12:5). As saints come together today, prayer is an integral part of the services. Note the account of the church in Jerusalem: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers"(Acts 2:42). Christians pray today when they come together to worship as well as at home and when other opportunities present themselves.

Teaching

When the disciples came together to worship, they were taught the word of God. "And it came to pass for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people: and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch"(Acts 11:26). Paul "discoursed" the Christians at Troas, even prolonging his speech until midnight. The early saints had a fervent desire to learn all they could about the truth of God. Christians have the same attitude in our day.

Contributing

The people at Corinth were instructed, "Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come"(I Corinthians 16:2). There no fund raisers in the early church. Each one gave into a common treasury as their prosperity allowed. They have nothing to sell to raise money, they did not beg the community for funds, they did not depend upon a few wealthy people, but each gave as they prospered. The contribution on the first day of the week was the sole source of funds for the Lord's church. It is the same today if we are following the New Testament. No rummage sales, no charging for services, no money-raising schemes; each one gave as prospered. The funds contributed were used only for the work of the church.

The Lord's Supper

Upon the first day of the week, each Christian assembled with all other Christians in the community to partake of the Lord's Supper. Acts 20:7 states it plainly, "Upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread..." Paul "received of the Lord that which I also delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This is my body which is for you; this do in remembrance of me. In like manner, also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the New covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he come"(I Corinthians 11:23-26). All Christians partake of the bread and the fruit of the vine. It is done on the first day of the week, not at any other time. It is the most fitting memorial that has ever existed or will exist.

As the disciples of Christ assemble upon the first day of the week, the human voice is lifted in praise to God. From the heart, prayers are offered unto God. The word of God is received into willing and eager minds. Out of one's abundance, an offering is freely given to the Lord. And, as the early disciples, each Christian remembers the sacrifice of Christ in partaking each first day of the Lord's Supper.

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