New Testament Worship — Studying God’s Word

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       When the church in Troas met on the Lord’s day, Paul preached to them (Acts 20:7). The preaching and teaching of the Gospel were certainly not confined to the Lord’s day assemblies in the first century, but they were certainly included in them. How could preaching or teaching and hearing the Word of God be called “worship”? When it is remembered that worship of God is that which praises and exalts God, it is obvious. It is not the Word of God that is worshiped, but by seeking God’s Will through studying His Word, God Himself is worship in several ways:

1. We acknowledge our belief in God when we study His Word sincerely.
2. We confess our belief that the Bible is God’s Word.
3. We admit that we are weak and faulty creatures who need God’s direction and that we accept His Word for that direction.
4. God’s Word cannot be faithfully preached or taught without exalting God.

In all these ways, at least, God is worshiped when His children gather to study the Word.

            The New Testament states certain principles that are to govern this part of the worship of the Lord’s church.

1. God’s Word is to be preached, for only the Gospel is the power of God to save (Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 4:2–4). The philosophies of men, the political issues of the day, book reviews, and the like have no place in the pulpit.
2. Women preachers and teachers in the public assemblies of mixed crowds were not tolerated in the New Testament church and they will not be allowed in the faithful churches of Christ in any age. (1 Cor. 14:34; 1 Tim. 2:12).
3. The preaching is to be done by only one at a time, lest there be confusion (1 Cor. 14:31–33).
4. Preaching, as well as all else in the church, is to be done in a decent and orderly manner so that all who are present may be edified and God may be glorified (1 Cor. 14:40). Hearers of the Word that is preached are as much worshipers as the preacher for they must “give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard” (Heb. 2:1).

[Note: I wrote this article for, and it was published in the “Bible Thoughts” Column for the Hood County News, Granbury, Texas, September 18, 1977.]

Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.