What is the importance of worship?

Worship is an important component found in virtually all churches.  Just take a look throughout the Word of God and you will find numerous examples of people worshiping God.  Even today you see so many variations of worship among the churches in our communities.  Many churches even categorize their worship services as liturgical or contemporary.  Some churches believe people should be able to raise their hands during worship, while others refrain from any outward forms of expression other than singing songs.  How do we apply the Apostle Paul’s instructions – to the Corinthians – to today’s churches?  “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (I Corinthians 14:40 KJV)  What about the types of songs and/or hymns churches choose for their worship services?  There are many believers who refrain from having contemporary music in their churches, not necessarily over the lyrics in the songs, but rather over convictions that modern-day musical artists may be gaining a profit from songs used for something as intimate as worshiping God.  Thus, many believers take the spiritual act of worship as a serious matter.  So what is the importance of worship?

In the Old Testament, during the days before the Law, the patriarchs of each household were responsible for building alters to the Lord and worshiping God directly.  In the book of Genesis, we find how Abraham went toward the hills east of Bethel, “…built an alter to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord….”  (Genesis 12:8 NIV)  Later, during the days of the Law, God gave the Aaronic priests the responsibility of taking care of the sanctuary and alter for the Israelites.  (Numbers 18:5)  As we progress to the days of King David, we see the psalmist highlighting the importance of believers submitting themselves to God with the words – “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2 NIV)  In the New Testament, we see the Apostle Paul following through with a similar analogy as the psalmist by saying we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices for our spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)

What does all of this mean to us?  As believers and followers in Jesus Christ, we are no longer under the Law of the Old Testament, but rather under the grace of God.  As a result, we offer our lives to God as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6:13-14)  Therefore, when we worship God as believers, there are many ways that we can convey our honor and gratitude for the everlasting life that He provided for us.  The Bible provides numerous examples of people humbling themselves before God by using various forms, to include raising hands, bowing, kneeling, prostrating and sitting. (I Kings 8:22; 18:42; Genesis 17:3; II Samuel 7:18)  In similar manner, several expressions that may manifest during worship are praying, meditation, singing, dancing and praising as well as speaking in ecstatic utterances of praise. (Matthew 6:9-13; Psalm 1:1-2; II Chronicles 29:27-29; Exodus 15:19-21; Acts 10:44, 46; Psalm 29:1-2)   In other words, worship is a vital part of every believer’s relationship with God. 

Why is worship important in a church?  In today’s world, many people find it difficult to escape their daily routines and worship God “uninterrupted.”  Not everyone has a “picture perfect” life or family.  Several of these people come from troubled homes or situations.  As a result, churches need to remain focused on having empathy for people from all walks of life…especially since church services may be the only opportunity some people have to worship God without distractions for the week.  Therefore, we need to be aware of the importance of believers coming together as a group for worship, while not forgetting about the unique needs of people around us who are searching for that intimate moment of worship with their personal Lord and Savior.  Similarly, people should not pick a church based solely upon its worship style, rather they should look at the overall physique…since worship is only one aspect of believers coming together for the purpose of glorifying God.

What is the importance of communion?

Communion is one of the core doctrines found in most churches.  For example, the Roman Catholic Church regularly celebrates the Eucharist (the sacrament of communion) as a centerpiece for their Mass (religious services).  On the other end of the spectrum, most Baptist churches periodically observe the ordinance of communion as part of their religious services.  There are also numerous positions on communion between the two aforementioned positions, to include “open” or “closed” communion and whether the elements of bread and wine are the symbolic or consecrated body and blood of Jesus Christ.  With so many apparent differences, what are the important focal points for communion?  

For starters, communion is the Christian observance or celebration (Eucharist) in which bread and wine (or the symbolic equivalents thereof [e.g., wafers and/or grape juice]) are consecrated and received as elements of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, done in remembrance of his New Covenant.  The books of Matthew, Mark and Luke all give similar accounts of Jesus’ words concerning communion and the New Covenant.  Matthew describes how Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’  Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins….’” (Matthew 26:26-28 NIV)  In addition, Luke includes the words, “…do this in remembrance of me.”  (Luke 22:19 NIV) 

What does the element of unleavened bread represent?  The use of unleavened bread (or bread without yeast) goes back to the days of Moses in the land of Egypt.  In preparation for the Passover, the Lord instructed Moses and Aaron to have the people celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread by avoiding any food with yeast and eating only unleavened bread.  During this time of preparation, any person who broke this ordinance – by eating yeast –was cut off from the community of Israel. (Exodus 12:14-20)  In the Book of Matthew, Jesus also instructed his disciples to be on guard against the “yeast” (or teachings) of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:5-6, 12)  In the same manner that the people prepared for the Passover by avoiding yeast, Jesus Christ prepared himself for being the perfect sacrifice for fulfilling the New Covenant by being holy, blameless, pure, and set apart from sinners. (Hebrews 7:22-28)  Thus, the unleavened bread of communion represents the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ and the eternal salvation it brings to all who believe in him as their personal Lord and Savior.

What does the element of wine represent?  Much like unleavened bread, the reference to wine also goes back to the days of Moses in the land of Egypt.  In preparation of the Passover, the Lord also instructed Moses and Aaron to have the people protect their households – from the judgment of God against the false gods of Egypt – by taking the blood of a Passover lamb and placing it over the top and both sides of their doorframes.  (Exodus 12:21-23, 46)  In like manner that the Israelites prepared for the Passover, Jesus Christ prepared himself for fulfilling the New Covenant as our Passover lamb by having no “yeast” or sin. (John 19:31-37; 6:51-58; Exodus 34:25; I Corinthians 5:7)  Just like the blood of sacrificed animals “sprinkled” on people during the Old Covenant sanctified them for entry into the Most Holy Place, the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ “sprinkled” on the hearts of believers in the New Covenant allows them to have eternal fellowship with God. (Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:8-14, 19-22; I John 2:1-2) 

In conclusion, communion is an important part of a believer’s walk in Christ.  The partaking of communion should not be taken lightly.  The Apostle Paul explains that we should examine ourselves before communion, to personally determine if we have any unresolved conflicts to settle prior to participation. (I Corinthians 11:27-29)  Overall, while partaking in communion, we need to reflect on the importance of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made in fulfilling the promise of the New Covenant…eternal fellowship with God for all who make Jesus their personal Lord and Savior.  

How does baptism pertain to salvation?

Baptism – do you need to be baptized for your salvation?  A person can hear many different views on baptism.  Many churches believe you must receive salvation and be baptized before becoming a church member, while other churches believe you must be baptized as part of your salvation.  Too make things more complicated, churches often have different view on baptism – be it baptizing infants, baptizing people by “immersion” only, or baptizing by immersion and/or affusion.  In addition, there are varying views on “baptism of the Holy Spirit,” to include believers speaking in “tongues” as evidence of their salvation and/or believers receiving spiritual gifts for the edification of the church. 

In regard to baptism, Jesus Christ spoke the following words after being baptized by John the Baptist, “…it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matthew 3:15 NIV)  Jesus later taught one of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, that “…no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”  (John 3:5 NIV)  In like manner, Jesus instructed his disciples to “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit….”  (Matthew 28:19 NIV)  At the day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter addressed the crowd with the words of the Prophet Joel, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  The Apostle Peter later responded to the crowd by saying, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”  (Acts 2:21, 38 NIV) 

Baptism is an important “step of obedience” for believers.  The baptism of believers was common throughout the New Testament.  Jesus had a reputation among the Pharisees for baptizing more disciples than John the Baptist.  In reality, “… it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.” (John 4:2 NIV)  On the Day of Pentecost, about three thousand people received salvation and were baptized.  As the new believers followed the apostles’ teachings, “…the Lord added to their numbers daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:41, 47 NIV) 

In regard to the aforementioned verses, many churches believe that church membership is synonymous with salvation and baptism.  However, the Apostle Paul clarified the words of the Prophet Joel by explaining that the one true apostolic, universal church consists of all who come to repentance and acknowledge Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. (Romans 10:9-10)  In other words, the one true apostolic, universal church consists of all who believe in Jesus Christ…regardless of their baptismal status.  This falls in line with the criminal on the cross, next to Jesus, who received eternal salvation prior to his death – even though he was not baptized.  (Luke 23:32-33, 39-43)  The Apostle Paul further reiterated this point by saying that Christ did not send him “…to baptize, but to preach the gospel….” (I Corinthians 1:17 NIV)   

In summary, the Apostle Paul explained to the Ephesians – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)  Paul also explained this same principle to the Corinthians by quoting the Prophet Jeremiah, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 1:31 NIV)  Simply said, salvation is a gift of God whereby we can boast of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death for our salvation.  Likewise, our salvation is not dependent upon any works, to include baptism.  Rather, we do these works as steps of obedience, which Paul further clarified in his letter to the Ephesians – “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)