Marks of the Church: Worship
Reading: Acts 2:43–47
“Day by day . . . they spent much time together in the temple.”
National Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC
The early followers of Christ were faithful in their worship. Until persecution drove them from the Temple and their synagogues, they gathered with their Jewish friends at the appointed times. Later their worship was in house churches. Christians gathered on the Lord’s Day to break bread and hear teachings, to sing Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.
Worship is our praise and adoration for God’s gifts to us. It is our recognition of God’s power and love. Worship is centered on God to remind us of the reason for all our other activities.
Worship is corporate. The writer to the Hebrews says, “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” We need to be with other Christians, for their sake, as well as our own.
John Calvin wrote:
“Wherever we find the word of God purely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to the institution of Christ, there, it is not to be doubted, is a church of God.”
Through scripture, sermons, and sacraments, God comes to us. Through our prayers, hymns, and offerings, we respond to God’s love in Jesus Christ.
For Reflection: What does worship mean to me?
Prayer Seed:
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, Holy, Holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Reginald Heber (1783–1826)
