The right relationship with our Lord and the correct form of worship is the hub around which the entire Christianity revolves. According to Wikipedia worship is ‘In Christianity, worship is the act of attributing reverent honour and homage to God.’ Biblical words describe the actual act of worship, like that of kneeling, bowing, or lying prostrate on the ground. An example of the same is given in Psalms 95:6 “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” From this, we infer, that worship means to bow down, kneel, and put one’s face down as an act of respect and submission. Our body language accordingly says I will do whatever you want me to. I am ready to listen to your instructions and I am willing to obey. This in short is total obedience and full submission.
The worship prior to Moses constituted of building an altar and sacrificing, as Job did for his children. There was no priesthood and the head of the house acted as the religious leader. There was no detailed methodology of worship prescribed and they were not restricted by special events, people, rituals places, etc. During the days of Moses, worship became more structured formal, and detailed. There was the Tabernacle served by the chosen priests. This was followed by Synagogue worship. In the synagogue, the focus was on Scripture, not on sacrifices. It was a much simpler format. Synagogue services typically began with praises and prayers. There were standard prayers and benedictions, some of them used every week. The Scriptures would be read, translated when necessary, and explained through sermons.
It was David who made Music to become a permanent part of worship. As a shepherd, he played the lyre, a simple stringed instrument. He composed music and sang about God. He worshiped God while he took care of his sheep. He wrote the Psalms. Psalms is a book of songs for stringed instruments. The word Psalms comes from the Greek word psallo, which means “to pluck a string.” Psalms 150:3-6 says “Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: Praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: Praise Him upon the high-sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”
The early church worship is enunciated in the book of Acts. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer”. They accepted the message, they believed, they were repentant, they were baptized and they devoted themselves to teaching, sharing, and praying.
Modern worship, while conforming to the early church worship has lent more vigour and devotion to the worship. The use of modern inventions, electric, electronic, modern means of communication, and greater outreach has made worship more profound and interesting. The worship services today, comprise the singing of songs, prayers, reading of Scripture, listening to the sermon, giving offerings, sharing testimonies, and taking part in the Lord’s Supper. The gospel is fast reaching the four corners of the world. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Mathew 24:14.
“I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1
Dr. Ashwin Drummond