A REPORT

FOR

PHASE III OUTSIDE CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENT (B)

"WORSHIP"

SUBMITTED BY: AARON DAVID BROWN

125 STURTEVANT

HIGHLAND PARK, MI. 48203

OCTOBER 11, 1993

"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). These words spoken by Jesus should be rehearsed afresh in the ears of the modern church. The investigation on the subject of "worship" will be approached by defining our topic, summarizing portions of an article on "Worship" by G. W. Bromiley in the Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, and reflections upon the commentary of John 4:24 by Oliver B. Greene in his book entitled The Gospel According To John. Finally, some reflective comments will be given.

DEFINITION

The English word "worship" derives from the Old English "weordhscipe" and means "worthiness, dignity, or merit, the recognition accorded or due to these, the paying of homage or respect." In the religious world the term refers to the honor or service given to God. Since the worship of God is nowhere defined in Scripture, a perusal of the various Greek and Hebrew terms used throughout the Bible describe worship as "direct acknowledgement to God, of his nature, attributes, ways and claims, whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving or by deeds done in such acknowledgement" (Vines Expository Dictionary, p. 1248).

SUMMARY OF REFERENCES

The article "Worship" in the ZONDERVAN PICTORIAL ENCYCLOPEDIA, VOL. 5 discusses the idea of worship by listing some key Greek terms to be aware of. The greek term 'proskunein' is in some ways the closest general expression to the English word "worship." The etymology of the word is somewhat uncertain, though a connection with the word "kiss" has been favored by some scholars. It has been thought that in the early Greek world kissing of the ground showed reverence to the earth deities. This "kissing" involved bowing and so consequently, the Greek 'proskunein' came to mean "prostrate." In the Synoptic gospels, the word is reserved for obeisance to God or to Jesus.

The Old Testament concept of worship shows that while certain concepts like bowing the knee are connected with the human aspect, the roots of Biblical worship are to be found in the divine relationship between God and man. The oldest form of worship was a family worship. Worship experiences later developed in the areas of sacrifices, the Tabernacle, the Temple, and the synagogue. The New Testament presupposes the existence of the Old Testament worship and especially in the gospels, the Temple and synagogue retain their Old Testament prominence.

The elements of worship in the New Testament seem to include prayer, praise, confession of sin, baptism, reading of Scripture, preaching, and the Lord's Supper. The foundational element of worship, however, is brought out in Jesus' words to the woman in John 4:24.

Worship must recognize who God is. Jesus states that God is a Spirit, in contrast to the earthly kings or natural temples of men. Dr. Green sees the modern church as striving to attract the flesh more than it praises and worships God. True worship must proceed from the heart. Jesus states: "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:8,9).

True worship to God proceeds from the new heart that God gives those who are regenerated. A redeemed, delivered people are those who are candidates for worship. Dr. Green further remarks that God cannot be worshipped in superstition, sectarianism, or ignorance - he must be worshipped in spirit and in truth.

PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS

The words of Jesus in John 4:24 seem to be totally ignored by much of what masquerades as worship in our churches. The main missing ingredient in what I see called worship, is an actual born-again experience. People have become so professional at acting out the antics of worship and yet remain bereft of the authenticity of worship. The lives lived by many church members contradict everything they have professed in the worship service. Choirs are more concerned about the song they sing than the Christ of the song and the message it conveys. Many preachers and pastors concentrate on building bigger edifices and neglect the nurturing of the souls that have been entrusted to their care.

The worship that will glorify God must transcend the physical expressions seen in Old Testament worship. Worship must not loose sight of its main object - God. How much glory does God get out of some of these sideshows that are seen in many churches? People will run all over the building with hands uplifted and yet hate a brother or sister in the congregation. The same mouth that bellows out "Hallelujah" will also curse, swear, and lie, not only at home, but many times right in the sanctuary and business meetings. Worship must govern all our activities in church by governing the spirit within us.

The personal knowledge and intimate acquaintance with God is a definite pre-requisite for worship. Many people meet God through a sermon or the life and light of a Christian, but they fail to spend sufficient time around God and really get to know him. The closer people get to God, the more meaningful will become their worship. Oh that we might approach the day when a holy people who are living a holy life can lift up holy hands to a holy God and worship the Lord for who he is and then praise him for what he has done.

Jesus has given the divine must - God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth. Being true to oneself and the teachings of Holy Scripture will allow worship to manifest the divine dimensions that God has intended.

B I B L I O G R A P H Y

Bromiley, G. W. "Worship," The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible. 5 Vols. Grand Rapids, Michigan: The Zondervan Publishing House, 1977.

Greene, Oliver B. The Gospel According To John. 3 Vols. Greenville, South Carolina: The Gospel Hour, Inc., 1971.

The Open Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1975.

Vine, W. E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New testament Words. Nashville: Royal Publishers, Inc., 1952.