|
 Answer:
The acceptable way to worship God is determined by himself and is
limited to
his own revealed will. He may not be worshiped according to the
devices and
imaginations of men or in any way not prescribed in Holy Scripture.
Jesus in Matthew 4:9 said, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written:
'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' " Later in
Matthew, Jesus confirms that improper worship in useless when he says,
"'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far
from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules
taught by men.'" Scripture tells us of many instances of
improper worship and of grave consequences such as Cain, Uzzah, Hophni,
and Phinehas (1 Sam 2). Worship should be given to God, The
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and to him alone. We are not to
worship Angels, saints, or any other creature. Since the fall, our
worship should be through Jesus Christ as a Mediator and him alone.
As the Apostle Paul says in 1 Timothy, "For there is one God and
one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," Prayer,
the reading of Scriptures, sound preaching, singing of psalms, hymns,
and spiritual songs are all parts of religious worship of God. The
sacraments instituted by Christ, as well as oaths with vows,
thanksgivings and solemn fasting are also part of religious worship.
God is to be worshiped everywhere in Spirit and truth. It is to be
performed by families, in private by individuals as well as solemnly in
public assemblies. God has set aside one day in seven, The
Christian Sabbath, in which the whole day is set aside for public and
private worship and holy rest from worldly employments and recreations
except for the duties of necessity and mercy.
|
