The easy answer is to assume that it doesn’t matter how you worship. That it only matters if you show up for services and take part in some type of worship. However, this assumption would be in sharp contrast to the God we see throughout scripture. Consider the detailed instructions given to Noah when God told him to build the ark [Genesis 6], or the exact nature of the instructions given to Moses regarding the building of the Ark of the Covenant, the tabernacle, and the priests’ garments [Exodus 25-28]. Finally, we can look to the implementation of the Levitical law, where God provides Moses, in precise detail, all that is required for His people to live, worship and sacrifice in an acceptable manner. [The book of Leviticus].

We understand that Christians are no longer bound to the laws and customs we see in the Old Testament, but we still need to study these scriptures so that we can understand our God and His character [1 Corinthians 10:6-11, Romans 15:4]. We know that God does not change [Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8}, and it is clear from the scriptures referenced above that God is very explicit about how He wants things done. Therefore, Christians should strive to learn what God expects from us so that we can worship Him properly.

We can find all that we need to know about Christian worship through observing the patterns established by the first century Christians. These Christians, many of whom walked with Jesus Christ, were guided by the apostles into all things related to faith, salvation, worship, and righteousness. The apostles received this knowledge directly from the Spirit, sent by Jesus as promised [John 15:26-27], and delivered it to the church verbally and in written word.

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” – John 4:23-24 (ESV)

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” – Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV)

“On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight ” – Acts 20:7 (ESV)

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus” – Luke 24:1-3 (ESV)

“Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come” – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 (ESV)

“And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” – Luke 22:17-19 (ESV)

“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” – Colossians 3:16 (ESV)

“addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” – Ephesians 5:19-20 (ESV)

** We do not use musical instruments in our song service because there is no evidence found in the New Testament to support having them. The implementation of musical instruments in Christian worship first appeared about 700 AD but was still not widely accepted in worship until 1400-1500 AD. **

“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” – 1 Timothy 4:13 (ESV)

“I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers” – 1 Thessalonians 5:27 (ESV)

“And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea” – Colossians 4:16 (ESV)

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” – Acts 2:42 (ESV)

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” – 1 John 5:14-15 (ESV)

“Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come” – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 (ESV)

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV)