Why We Worship
Why We Worship the Way We Do
QUIET MEDITATION -Eccl. 3:7, "There is a time to keep silence." Psalms 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God.
SINGING-Eph. 5:19, "Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart." Hymns-composed, Holy Spirit inspired lyrics. Psalms-Bible verses put to melody. Spiritual songs-uncomposed odes in common language or in gift of tongues.
SINGING IN TONGUES-I Cor. 14:15, "I will sing with the Spirit (the gift of tongues)." Not the same as singing with the understanding.
ALL PRAYING ALOUD-NOT IN UNISON-Acts 2:4, "All filled (all) began to speak." If God can hear people praying aloud at the same time all over the world, He can hear several in the same room doing so.
UPLIFTED HANDS-I Tim. 2:8, "That men pray everywhere lifting up holy hands." Jesus lifted His hands-Luke 24:50; Psalms 134:2; "Lift up your hands in the Sanctuary." Also Psalms 28:2; 63:4; 119:48;141:2.
HAND CLAPPING-Psalms 47:1, "O clap your hands ALL ye people." Psalms 98:8, "Let the floods clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12, "The trees of the field shall clap their hands." Clapping has been a part of worship for centuries.
GIFT OF TONGUES-I Cor. 14:5, "I would that ALL spoke with tongues ... greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, EXCEPT he interpret, that the church may receive edifying." I Cor. 14:22, "Tongues are for a SIGN, to them that believe not," two benefits.
GIFT OF PROPHECY-I Cor. 14:4, "He that prophesieth edifieth the church." I Cor. 14:3, "Unto edification, exhortation, and comfort." I Cor. 14:31, "Ye may all prophesy one by one." I Cor. 14:39, "Covet to prophecy." Prophecy has not been done away with.
SHOUTING PRAISES-Psalms 47:1, "Shout unto God with the voice of triumph." Jesus shouted with a loud voice-John 11:43; Luke 19:14; "If these ... hold their peace, the stones would ... cry out." Normal to shout when happy.
BIBLICAL DANCING-Psalms 30:11, "Thou hast turned my mourning into dancing." Psalms 149:3, "Let them praise His name in the dance." Psalms 150:4, "Praise Him with the tambourine and dance." II Samuel 6:14. "David danced before the Lord." Exodus 15:20, "Miriam ... and all the women went out...with tambourines and ...dances." Dancing originated as an act of worship.
FALLING IN THE SPIRIT-Lev. 9:24, "...they shouted and fell on their faces ... toward the ground." Acts. 9:4, (Paul)"...fell to the earth." Acts 11:5, (Peter)"...was praying and fell into a trance." Acts 22:17 (Paul)"...I was in a trance." Rev. 1:17, (John)"...I fell at his feet as dead." Acts 2:13, "These men are full of new wine."
MORE THAN RELIGIOUS ACTIONS-John 4:24, "God is a Spirit, and they ... must worship in Spirit and in truth." II Tim. 3:5, "...the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." Matthew 15:8, "...draweth nigh unto me with their mouth ... but their heart is far from me." I Cor. 14:40, "Let all things be done decently and in order."
For answers to your spiritual questions, call the church office. Phone: (405)-341-7388
